Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1505021
41 DENVER CATHOLIC | AUGUST 2023 1 The most valuable thing I learned in forma- tion for the diaconate is that there's always room to grow in the faith. I entered formation thinking I was prett y hot stuff. Within hours of the first day, I realized that God had a lot of work to do with me because I was not the best man I could be, and now I know that I need to constantly strive to know, to love and to serve God. 2 Years ago, as I was going through RCIA, my desire for the Eucharist increased week after week, month after month. Receiving the Eucharist at the Easter Vigil in 2011 was incredibly joyous. It wasn't long after, while in adoration, I had a deep spiritual experience while looking at the Eucharist in the monstrance. For years during for- mation, I was able to do evening prayer at the tab- ernacle on a daily basis and this was deeply mean- ingful to me. It has been a joy to take the fruits of all these experiences into training for altar servers and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. I try to express the joy and the wonder that the Lord is present — that he is truly present in the Eucharist. 3 God's call for me to the diaconate probably came as a whisper, but I am so hard of hear- ing I didn't hear it. The realit y is that on October 22, 2018, during an evening devotional, God called me to enter formation for the diaconate. The call came after months of deep prayer when he led me to 1 Timothy 3:9, which is in a set of verses that talks about deacons. When the call came, my jaw dropped and I knew in my heart that something very special just happened. I told my wife Darci, signed up for the discernment retreat, and submit- ted the application as fast as I could. Formation was a joyful process for me because I knew in my heart, I was answering his clear call for me and my family. ⊲ DENVER CATHOLIC | AUGUST 2023 Father Jason Thuerauf, the Staff, and parishioners at St. Jude Catholic Church give thanks and praise to God for your faithful service and for the gifts that you bring to our parish. Rev. Mr. Joe Hensley Rev. Mr. John Volk Rev. Mr. Mike Bunch saintjudelakewood.org St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church is grateful for the service of : May God bless you and your families always! Deacon Joe Babish (Retired) Deacon Chris Pomrening Deacon Craig Fucci (Retired) Deacon Greg Perzinski Deacon Willie Liwanag (Retired) Deacon Anthony Pierson (Retired) Deacon Clarence Braud D E ACO N J E R RY S WA I N Blessed Sacrament Parish in Denver