Four men admitted to candidacy for permanent diaconate

Four men were admitted to candidacy for the permanent diaconate during a Mass celebrated by Bishop Edward Malesic on Aug. 7 in Mary, Mother of the Good Shepherd Chapel at the Center for Pastoral Leadership in Wickliffe.

After two years as aspirants, the candidates are beginning their third year of formation. They are:

• Richard Anthony Fischer of Strongsville is the sales director for Our Sunday Visitor. He and his wife Christina are the parents of seven. They are members of St. Adalbert Parish in Berea.
• Joseph Arthur Hercules of New Franklin is deputy service director for New Franklin Township. He and his wife Shannon are the parents of five. They are members of St. Francis de Sales Parish in Akron.
• William Joseph Myers of Stow is the fire chief for the city of Kent. He and his wife Mary Pat are the parents of three. They are members of Holy Family Parish in Stow.
• Keith Gordon Novak of Akron is a physician and medical director. He and his wife Susan are the parents of three. They are members of Mother of Sorrows Parish in Peninsula.

Deacon George Malec, director of the diocesan permanent diaconate program, said it takes five years of discernment, study and formation before ordination to the diaconate.

Noting that the diaconate is a ministry of service, Bishop Malesic said, “Jesus is still calling people to service in the Church,” adding that these four men are examples of that. He said they may have discerned their vocation as an ordained deacon in different ways.

“Perhaps someone said you’d make a good deacon, maybe your pastor, your wife or a friend. Sometimes, the Lord speaks through others … You may have heard the voice of the Good Shepherd. This was not just your idea; Christ was calling you.”

He said the men have heard two voices as they discerned their vocation: Christ calling them and the Church answering (with ordination) if the call is authentic. “We pray that the Lord will send more laborers for the harvest and you said, ‘Here I am Lord, send me,’ like it said in the Gospel,” the bishop said.

He clarified that the liturgy was not their ordination. That will come in about three years after additional prayer, discernment, education and formation. He said they also need to develop the heart of a servant through pastoral ministry.

“Allow Christ to shape your heart after his own and you will continue to grow,” the bishop said. But he also cautioned the men that their first responsibility is to their families and their vocation of marriage. The Church also asks deacon’ wives to support their husbands’ ministry. “In a way, you also are responding to God’s call, also” he added.

“The Good Shepherd led you to baptism and he will never abandon you. That same Good Shepherd called you here tonight. Trust him,” the bishop said.

Click here to learn more about the permanent diaconate program in the Diocese of Cleveland.