For three men and their families, the journey to the Permanent Diaconate is almost complete.
On May 19, at 9:30 a.m., at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph, Carl A. Bugarin, Philip Andrew McCarty and Richard M. Noack will be ordained deacons for the Diocese of San Jose during a Mass celebrated by Bishop Patrick J. McGrath.
For each of the men, the path has been different, but the destination the same.
“I never thought about being a deacon,” said McCarty, a member of Saint Christopher Parish. “Then I received a voicemail from my pastor at the time, Monsignor Wilfredo Manrique, asking me if I ever thought about it. It then became a process of discernment and trying it on. Do I fit with this? I thought and prayed about this a lot. Now this feels right.”
In Richard Noak’s case, his pastor 35 years ago in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, saw something in the 25-year old that told him Noack might make a good deacon, even though men can’t begin the 7-year process until they reach 35.
Also, in the Diocese of San Jose, candidates must complete the three-year Institute for Leadership in Ministry (ILM).
These three men have juggled their studies for the diaconate with their first vocations as husbands and fathers. Each of the candidates credits his wife with traveling with him on this journey.
“The support I have received from my wife Kerry and my family has been a tremendous gift,” said McCarty. “I am so appreciative.”
Said Bugarin about his wife Emmy, “I would not have succeeded here if it were not for her freeing me to do the things I needed to do.”
Added Noak about his wife Sue, “She has been so supportive of me. It is something we’ve been able to do together.”
Bugarin, McCarty and Noack will learn their parish assignments just prior to their ordination.
Full story at The Valley Catholic.
We can only hope that the three newly-ordained deacons aren’t like the Marxist deacon at St. Ambrose in Berkeley who, last Sunday, delivered a homily in which he effectively declared war on the Founding Fathers and the American Republic. Deacon Ralph Nagel proclaimed that Jesus’ injunction to us to love each other *is* the Catholic Church’s social justice policy, which means:
(1) Workers before capital.
(2) Wealth shouldn’t be accumulated; you should have only the wealth you “need”.
(3) Government shouldn’t be “limited”.
That is a bizarre summary of Catholic social teaching! Nothing like half-educated clergy going off! I do have to say though, that my experience with deacons has been positive. I have had 2 permanent and 7 transitional deacons assigned to my parishes for various lengths of service and no heterodoxy has been proclaimed from the pulpit.
Yes…every reason to be concerned. No reason to expect that these men won’t be Marxist. Written all over their faces. Husbands and fathers, indeed…please….just pray for these men as they devote their lives to Jesus.While we’re at it, we should examine just how devoted to our Lord we are with these men as examples.
Are the three points regarding social policy actually what Deacon Nagel said? Or the poster’s interpretation or ‘spin’??
The Gospel says a worker is entitled to their wage. Wealth itself is not evil; abuse of it is.
I’m sure he was “preaching to the choir” in Berkeley. Items one and two aren’t so bad. When I deliver homilies on controversial subjects, I just reiterate the gospel and leave it at that. Item three is overboard though. I hope you confronted Deacon Nagel about that. Deacon Vince
I’m kind of tired of the permanent deaconate. I think it’s a failed experiment. Not many permanent deacons in my experience are very good at preaching nor singing. They’re pretty much glorified altar boys.
Walt,
In my experience, permanent deacons have trended very similarly to priest: Some quite good, some mediocre, and some quite bad.
As Chardin said above, we should pray for these men.
Preaching is pretty far down the list of duty priorities for permanent deacons, Walt. And they’re not choir boys either. If you don’t go with them to convalescent hospitals, jails, prisons, the homebound from age or infirmity to bring the Eucharist then it’s no wonder you think its a failed experiment. But be careful, Walt. If you do decide to see what deacons really do, they may invite you along. Then what would you do? Sure, some laity do some of these things. But deacons do all of them. Regularly…..Ite, missa est, Walt.
For the love everything sacred and good in this world and the next, is there anything that can get a positive comment from folks. The article is about three devoted men being ordained – holy orders – and everyone just seems to know they are bad for the church. Of course they are Marxists; you can tell by the color of their clothes, can’t you. Did you notice their shoes? Obviously they won’t be good singers! And did you notice that they all held their hands behind their backs? An obvious sign that they will be terrible preachers. The signs are all there. Beware if they are assigned to your parish. How about an “Amen” for God calling them to serve in his church? How about a “Thank You” for three men who were willing to take a…
Do they and their wives know that Canon Law requires clerics to be continent even if married?
That’s why a “married priesthood” will never be the vocations solution libs hope for.
CIC 277. § 1. Clerics are obliged to observe perfect and perpetual continence for the sake of the kingdom of heaven and therefore are bound to celibacy which is a special gift of God by which sacred ministers can adhere more easily to Christ with an undivided heart and are able to dedicate themselves more freely to the service of God and humanity.
Edward, I could be wrong, but I think that canon is only for priests who actually serve at the altar, not deacons. Never the less, I think if a deacon’s wife dies, the deacon must remain unmarried and celibate and go on to the priesthood or stop being a deacon.
This definitely would apply to transitional deacons, those who are becoming priests.
It would also apply to permanent deacons who are unmarried.
There are some who say it applies to married permanent deacons, too.
Good for these men for wanting to serve the Church. San Jose has a huge dearth of vocations; these men might be needed to lead communion services until things turn around. But while these deacons may be able to make a positive contribution in San Jose, what the diocese really needs is priests and religious.
I used to live in San Jose. One of the most secular and left-wing cities/dioceses in the state. Faithful Catholics have a very difficult time there. It’s like purgatory on earth. The vocations problem will continue. However, the diocese is rolling in money.