Three deacons discuss their ministries, vocations at First Friday Cleveland roundtable

The diaconate is a ministry of service, but each deacon serves in a different way.

Deacon Matt Lawler, spiritual advisor to the First Friday Club of Cleveland, moderated a roundtable discussion on Sept. 3 featuring three permanent deacons who are ministering in the Cleveland Diocese. The panelists were Deacon Bill Prebel, who was ordained in May and serves at SS. Cosmas and Damian Parish in Twinsburg; Deacon Chris DePrenti, who was ordained in 2019 and serves at St. Augustine Parish in Cleveland’s Tremont neighborhood, and Deacon Mike Hayes, who was ordained in 2024 and serves at St. Christopher Parish in Rocky River.

Each deacon introduced himself and gave an overview of his ministry.

Deacon Prebel said he discovered his call to the diaconate after asking the Lord for help and guidance after his then-wife filed for divorce and left him to raise four young children. Later, he took advantage of an opportunity to become a catechist and participated in a weekend retreat for men, which helped strengthen his call to ministry.

Deacon DePrenti said he found his way back to the Church while dating someone who went to the vigil Mass on Saturdays before their dates. He asked if he could go to Mass with her, “and something changed,” he said. Although he didn’t feel like he was qualified, “God calls us and the Church forms us,” he said.

Deacon Hayes had a circuitous journey to his vocation. He had been a radio/sports broadcaster and after attending a retreat, was encouraged to do something faith related because of the joy he experienced. He worked with Father Dave Dwyer to found Busted Halo, a ministry that shares the faith joyfully. Eventually, he shifted to campus ministry. “People kept asking if I was a priest or a deacon,” he said. “I said ‘no’ and many people said, ‘well, you should  be.’” He started diaconate formation while  living in New York. After relocating to Cleveland, he resumed his studies and formation.

Deacon Prebel said he noticed a need at his parish for adult faith formation programs, which dovetails with what his wife Millie does. “I’m passionate about education and this fits in,” he said. “I am available to serve wherever needed.”

Deacon DePrenti said he was “trying to get my ministry legs” when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in spring 2020. A deacon’s three ministries are the word, liturgy and charity. “I feel called to serve people.” He said his assignment at St. Augustine provides opportunities to do that. He was asked to start a food pantry at the parish, so he did research and talked to people as they left various food pantries. They were grateful, with many telling him they’d never been asked for their input.

He also mentioned one woman who said it was difficult to obtain needed feminine hygiene products, so he decided to offer food, household/cleaning and personal hygiene products. People select their own items, which allows them to maintain a sense of dignity, the deacon said.

“Our food pantry, St. Augustine Community Cupboard, now is one of the largest, independent pantries. We serve 800-1,000 people per month.” The parish also launched St. Augustine Closet offering clothing. The deacon said he prayed God would provide the volunteers needed to sustain the program, and “he sent legions.”

Deacon Hayes previously was the diocesan director of young adult ministry. Now, he is the diocesan director of chaplaincy services and outreach, which encompasses hospital and prison chaplains, as well as the bishop’s delegate for ecumenical and interfaith affairs and the delegate for active deacons.

At St. Christopher, he works with the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults ministry and follows those new to the Church helping them to get involved in parish activities. He and his wife also serve on the marriage preparation team.

All the deacons expressed gratitude to their wives for journeying with them and supporting their ministries.

“The most rewarding dimension of formation and ministry is having Millie (his wife) walking with me,” said Deacon Prebel. “We would not be ordained without the full support of our wives.”

Deacon DePrenti said it can be challenging juggling a full-time job, ministry and family responsibilities, but said the Lord provides what they need.

Deacon Prebel said another ministry he feels is important is annulments, a healing ministry. “We need to share that,” he added.

Click here to learn more about the diaconate.