“You are called to know, love and serve Jesus, but you must know and love him first,” Deacon Joseph Dietz told his fellow deacons.
Deacon Dietz was chosen to deliver the homily at the annual jubilee Mass on May 6 at St. Basil the Great Church. The liturgy celebrated the 40th, 35th, 30th, 25th, 20th and 10th anniversaries of the ordinations of permanent deacons in the Diocese of Cleveland. Deacon Dietz is a member of the 20-year anniversary class.
Bishop Edward Malesic was the Mass celebrant with Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost, Father Don Oleksiak, vicar general, Father Joe Mamich, secretary and vicar for clergy and religious, and Father Ryan Mann, St. Basil pastor, as concelebrants. In addition to the deacons marking their ordination anniversaries, all diocesan deacons were invited to the celebration. Among those attending were the three newest deacons – Richard Prayson, Dale Shafer and Jeffrey Stutzman – who were ordained on May 3 by Bishop Malesic in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist.
(See photo gallery above.)
Deacon Dietz told the more than 200 people who attended the celebration that he’s not intimidated speaking to a room full of preachers. “My brother deacons put their stoles on one shoulder at a time. But the wives …,” he quipped, comparing the wives of deacons to saints.
He encouraged his fellow deacons to “humble yourselves so God doesn’t have to. Don’t miss opportunities to find humility and charity.” Deacon Dietz told them they won’t be judged by how they are treated by others, but by how they respond. He also reminded them that if it wasn’t for the problems of the early Church, there would be no deacons.
“You are meant to be a part of the solution,” he added.
Deacon Dietz also emphasized the importance of spending time before the Lord, stressing it should be a priority. “Surrender to God so as to achieve humbly with him. Time spent working at the church is important, but not as important as the time spent at the feet of Jesus.”
He also said to let people see the joy in their faces, in what they believe. Deacon Dietz recalled what he said was a profound moment in his life: Holy Thursday during his fourth year of formation. He was brought to tears during the washing of feet. “I truly felt Jesus at that moment,” he said. “Actually spending time with Jesus is what really matters.”
As deacons, they are intimately involved in parish life. He said they likely will have keys to the church building, which gives them a unique opportunity to be able to spend time there with Jesus whenever they want, on their own schedule.
“Do it. Rejoice in it. Find more time for it. It’s an incredible gift from God.”
Bishop Malesic expressed his gratitude to the deacons for their commitment to their ministry and the support of their wives and families.
“I am grateful to you,” he told them.
After Mass, each anniversary group posed for photos with the bishops before joining the other attendees in the parish hall for a reception.
For more information on the permanent diaconate program, contact the director, Deacon George Malec, at gmalec@dioceseofcleveland.org.