Denver Catholic

VOCATIONS I 7 DENVER CATHOLIC REGISTER I JANUARY 15, 2014 Name: Donald Paul Tracy Age: 56 Occupation: Senior engineering manager, Lockhood Martin Parish assignment: St. Rose of Lima Parish in Denver Wife: Dana Jo Years married: 14 Children: Dan, 41; Jordan, 23; Taylor, 21 Q: What led you to enter diaconal formation? A: Feeling unsettled with a restless heart for many years, I did not understand at the time that I was experiencing the first stirrings of my call to the diaconate by the Holy Spirit. As I searched Name: Timothy Scott Unger Age: 47 Occupation: Director, Liturgy and Family Life Office at Risen Christ Parish, Denver Parish assignment: Risen Christ Parish in Denver Wife: Diane Years married: 15 Children: Julia Unger, 13; Tim Unger, 12 Q: What led you to enter diaconal formation? A: I have had a sense that God was calling me to do more for most of my life. I had spent some time in the seminary and realized that was not what God was asking of me. Name: Mark Francis Wolbach Age: 52 Occupation: General manager, Sodexo Parish assignment: Light of the World Parish in Littleton Wife: Mary Years married: 26 Children: Patrick, 22; Daniel, 21; Maureen, 17 to find the peace that was missing in my life, I went down several false paths, believing that a career change to one of the service-oriented professions would give me the tranquility I desired. I eventually discerned that I should not change careers, but my feelings of restlessness persisted. Those feelings came to a head when I joined a men's group called That Man Is You. I felt as if I were being turned inside out and sought the help of deacons for guidance. With their assistance, I began to discern that God was calling me to the diaconate. After deep discussions with my wife, followed by a lot of prayer together, I applied to enter formation. Q: If there was one aspect of the diaconate that you'd like to clarify, what would it be? A: There is no such thing as a "lay Years later, after being married and starting a family, I knew that the Lord wanted me to serve in a greater capacity. So I began to consider and discern a call to the diaconate. There came a time when I could no longer ignore what the Lord had put on my heart. When I prayerfully reflected on the diaconate I felt a sense of peace. It was God helping me overcome my fears that led me to the decision of entering formation. I knew that I had to go through the process to truly understand if this was the will of God. As St. Augustine said, "Our hearts are restless until they rest in you." Ignoring God's call leads to a sense of never being fulfilled; listening to him has led to peace. Q: If there was one aspect of the diaconate that you'd like to clarify, what would it be? A: The call to the permanent diaconate is a call and a ministry Q: What led you to enter diaconal formation? A: Even though I was involved in the Church, I felt God was always calling me to do more. I sensed that God had a plan for my life and I had to be open to follow his will. Once I entered diaconal formation, I felt a sense of peace—that I was where he was calling me to be. Q: If there was one aspect of the diaconate that you'd like to clarify, what would it be? A: We are not substitutes for deacon." Although many permanent deacons are married and maintain professional lives, we are ordained clergy who have received the sacrament of holy orders and bear God's imprint of ordination on our souls for eternity. Deacons are configured to Christ who made himself the "deacon" or "servant" of all. As such, deacons have a special attachment to the archbishop in the tasks of diakonia, or "service," in both the parish and the archdiocese. Q: Do you have a favorite or unusual hobby? A: I have two favorite hobbies: music (playing guitar and singing) and photography. With regard to music, I have played guitar and sung during worship services since I was 12, and I think it would be great fun if music could be incorporated into my diaconate ministries. PROFESSIONALS HONEST COMPETENT SERVICE—FREE ADVICE EXPERTS IN THE DENVER METRO AREA NO DEAL TOO BIG OR TOO SMALL YOUR BEST INTEREST IS MY PRIORITY! CALL ANYTIME! $500* 720-472-2272 jbird@wrpros.net Donation to the Catholic Church or charity of your choice when we sell your home or close on the purchase of your new home *Ask For Details Q: Do you have a favorite or unusual hobby? A: I love to cook and to read. Cooking has become a great stress reliever in my life. Preparing meals for my family brings me peace and allows this man with no artistic talent to express his creativity. priests. We have our own particular ministry within the hierarchy of the Church. We all have our roles to play and the deacon represents Christ as the one who came, "not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Matt 20:25). Through our ministries, we are to be witnesses of God's love to others. Q: Do you have a favorite or unusual hobby? A: We enjoy traveling and discovering new places as a family. ADVERTISING FOCUS CALENDAR Polish seminarian installed to lector by archbishop On Dec. 21, Archbishop Samuel Aquila accepted Tomasz Strzebonski into candidacy for priestly formation for the Archdiocese of Denver. The Call to Candidacy is the rite through which the Church Ambassador's Club that is distinct and of itself. It is not a call to do some of the things a priest does, so to speak. I am called to serve as Jesus Christ served—to be an "icon" of "Jesus Christ the Servant." So often we view deacons as what they can or can't do in relation to the priest. We should see them as people who have been called by God to serve his Church in ordained ministry, ordained specifically for service. When we see the deacon at Mass, working in the parish or in the secular world, we should be reminded of Jesus Christ who came to serve and not to be served. BRIEF BY DENVER CATHOLIC REGISTER JIMBroker Associate BIRD formally accepts men being called to holy orders. Strzebonski also received the ministry of lector TOMASZ on Dec. 31 STRZEBONSKI by Archbishop Aquila. Seminarian Strzebonski began his seminary formation in Krakow, Poland. He came to the United States through Sts. Cyril and Methodius Seminary in Orchard Lake, Mich., after hearing the Lord call him to be missionary priest in the United States. January 22 Seniors January 29 Education Catholic Schools Week February 5 Financial: Tax Prep February 12 St. Valentine's Day Pilgrimages

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