Denver Catholic

14 I DEACON APPRECIATION With grateful appreciation for the ministry of AUGUST 14, 2013 I DENVER CATHOLIC REGISTER Diaconal ministry a joy and blessing that Deacon Joseph Babish. Priests, Staff and Parishioners of Church of the Risen Christ. DEACON Harold Del Real DEACON Anthony Dudzic BY DENVER CATHOLIC REGISTER Several deacons in the Denver Archdiocese celebrate anniversaries of their diaconal ministry this year. They are profiled below. 35 YEARS "I'm doing what I believe Christ would want me to do." Thank you Deacon Bob Finan —Deacon Harold Del Real, 74, on his call to the diaconate In his vocation, Deacon Harold Del Real has experienced a special call in serving those who are not able to make it to church. "My biggest joy has been visiting the homebound," he said. "It's always a joy to take Christ to them and be present to them." It's a ministry he continues at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Denver, where he has been active for 32 of the 35 years he's served as a deacon. He has also served at Christ the King Church and in area nursing homes and hospitals since his April 15, 1978 ordination at Denver's Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. The day he spoke with the Denver Catholic Register, Aug. 7, he and his wife, Martha, were celebrating 52 years of marriage. The couple has two living children, and two who have passed away; as well as eight grandchildren. He draws on his real-life experience when helping prepare couples for marriage—his primary ministry at Assumption today. Born and reared in Fresno, Calif., Deacon Del Real moved to Brighton, Colo., in 1961 after serving in the Navy for four years. He worked at the U.S. Mint in Denver for 33 years, in various positions, and retired in 1994. "I just feel blessed to be able to minister to people," he said. "I feel called." "St. Luke wrote the Gospel, but I can proclaim it." Deacon Rob Rinne In your ministry and sharing of faith, we are blessed! The Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. —Deacon Anthony Dudzic, 82, on sharing his Oct. 18 birthday with St. Luke For Deacon Anthony Dudzic, who serves in active ministry at St. Mary Church in Littleton, the highlight of being a deacon for 35 years is assisting at Mass. "I cannot take my eyes off the corporal," he told the Denver Catholic Register. He enjoys preaching homilies, and his ministry at St. Mary's also includes counseling parishioners and celebrating Communion services. Deacon Dudzic is a native of Hamilton, Ontario. He was ordained Dec. 1, 1978, for the Archdiocese of Hartford. For 30 years, he worked as a private See Dudzic, Page 18 DEACON Russell Halpine DEACON Joseph Hawley "I like to do things that brighten their life or share in their sorrow." —Deacon Russell Halpine, 77, on those he serves Interacting with parishioners is Deacon Russell Halpine's favorite part of his ministry. "I like the interaction and talking to them," he said. "I like to do things that brighten their life or share in their sorrow—just sharing parts of their lives sometimes." The Montana native earned a master telecommunications engineer certificate from Bell System Technical Schools. He and his wife, Patricia, reared four children together. Deacon Halpine was first led to the diaconate by his wife. She saw a listing in the Denver Catholic Register about a diaconate informational meeting and brought it to his attention. Although at first hesitant, he later decided to attend. Deacon Halpine was ordained in the Denver Archdiocese in 1978. His first assignment was to lead retreats at the Bethlehem Center along with ministering at Holy Trinity Parish in Westminster from 1978 to 1989. He was then assigned to Holy Cross Parish in Thornton where he still serves as he is able. He and his wife also assist with the religious education ministry at the parish. "I don't think any of us are worthy, but if God calls, we need to answer." —Deacon Joseph Hawley, 81, on his call to the diaconate Deacon Joseph Hawley said he gets more from those he serves than he can give. He's never felt worthy of the ministry, but he said he had to answer God's call. "That's still true today—I'm unworthy," Deacon Hawley said. "But when God calls you, whether you feel you are worthy or not, you answer." Born in Indiana, Deacon Hawley served for four years in the Air Force and attended Regis College in Denver where he earned degrees in education and business administration. He later obtained his master's degree at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. He spent much of his career as a teacher and principal in the Adams 1 school district before retiring. "I was an elementary school principal for many years, but it certainly cannot compare to the diaconate," he said. "I love what I do." His call to the diaconate came indirectly from the religious sisters back See Hawley, Page 18

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