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DCR - Jan. 15, 2014

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6 I VOCATIONS JANUARY 15, 2014 I DENVER CATHOLIC REGISTER Meet the 10 deacon candidates to be ordained Jan. 25 Name: Christopher Michael Byrne Age: 57 Occupation: Case manager, Housing First Program, Boulder Shelter Name: Michael Raymond Grafner Age: 61 Occupation: Owner, heating and air conditioning business for the Homeless Parish assignment: Sacred Heart of Jesus in Boulder Wife: Michelle Years married: 31 Children: Meagan Diane (Byrne) Randall, 30; Sean Michael Byrne, 29 Parish assignment: Christ the King Parish in Evergreen Wife: Veronica Years married: 43 Children: Stephanie, 42; Patrick, 40; Robert, 38 Q: What led you to enter diaconal formation? young for long." Words of wisdom. The idea was dormant for a while, then I met George Thierjung doing ministry at Boulder County Jail in Boulder, who was applying for the diaconate program at St. Francis School of Theology for Deacons. He rekindled my desire to enter formation. He said, "I'm going, and you're going with me." Q: If there was one aspect of the diaconate that you'd like to clarify, what would it be? A: I did my best to ignore the messages that I was receiving from God (to enter formation), so one night he used what I refer to as the "holy two-by-four" to get my attention. I was confused because I did not feel worthy to be called to serve as a deacon. After Mass the following Sunday, my wife, Veronica, told me that God had asked her if she would give me to him and questioned if I was considering becoming a deacon. Within a few days it became clear that I was to investigate the possibility of becoming a deacon. does not detract from the role of an empowered lay faithful. It is not the job of the deacon to take the place of anyone within the parish. prayer asking God to show me what he wanted me to do next. The calling to enter the diaconate became very strong during those months. Q: What led you to enter diaconal formation? A: In 1995 I had asked Msgr. Edward Madden if he would recommend me to enter formation in the diaconate program, and he said: "No dice. Be with your family as much as possible and raise your children, because they won't be Name: Kevin Charles Heckman Children's Healthcare Access Program at Children's Hospital and Catholic ministry coordinator Children: Hannah Elizabeth Quast, 25; Holly Nicole Heckman, 23; Emily Marie Heckman, 21 Age: 59 Parish assignment: Blessed Sacrament Parish in Denver Q: What led you to enter diaconal formation? Wife: Michele A: I spent five months in late 2008 being unemployed and was able to spend more time in quiet and Occupation: Program administrator for Colorado Years married: 28 Name: Paul Louderman Heart of Mary Parish in Northglenn Age: 56 Years married: Civil service - 30, Church convalidation - 12 Occupation: Vice president of Account Management at Customer Communications Group in Lakewood Parish assignment: Immaculate Name: James Francis Mackin III Age: 52 Occupation: Software developer Parish assignment: St. Louis Parish in Louisville Wife: Constance Marie Years married: 28 Wife: Marilyn Children: Dustin Brown, 38; Megan Louderman, 25 Q: What led you to enter diaconal formation? A: Five and half years ago I received a letter from my pastor Children: James Francis IV, 27; Daniel Paul, 24; Kevin Joseph, 21; Erin Marie, 19; David John, 17; Clare Marie, 15 Q: What led you to enter diaconal formation? A: Many years ago when the kids were little, I attended an introductory meeting. My children were too young at the time, so entering formation was put on the back burner. Later, reading an article in Name: John Michael Otero Parish assignment: St. John the Baptist Parish in Johnstown Age: 59 Years married: 40 Occupation: Manufacturing quality manager Children: Shanna Marie Byers, 40; Shawn Michael Otero, 39 Name: George Alex Thierjung Wife: Marjorie Age: 59 Children: Christine Marie Beldner Occupation: Retired plastics process engineer, previously medically retired from U.S. Navy Parish assignment: St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Longmont Wife: Dianna Rose Q: What led you to enter Years married: Civil service – 33; Church convalidation - 7 Q: What led you to enter diaconal formation? A: The deacons in the Archdiocese of Denver and those of the Diocese of Greenbay, Wis., (where I moved from) exemplify the preaching of the Gospel through their actions. Q: If there was one aspect of the diaconate that you'd like to clarify, what would it be? A: The function of the deacon Q: If there was one aspect of the diaconate that you'd like to clarify, what would it be? A: We're not just altar boys. Q: Do you have a favorite or unusual hobby? A: Ice hockey and boxing—but not while playing hockey! Q: Do you have a favorite or unusual hobby? A: Photography, although I have not had much time to pursue it in the past few years. vocational calling of all who obey the voice of the Father and are moved by the Spirit of God is to cultivate holiness both in themselves and others. Q: Do you have a favorite or unusual hobby? A: Deacons are servants. The A: Not anymore! at Spirit of Christ Church, Father David Bluejacket. The letter said my name had come up in a meeting with deacons and asked that I consider the diaconate. The Holy Spirit stirred my soul during the months between receiving the letter and entering formation. Additionally I received strong encouragement from staff and parishioners at Spirit of Christ. My wife Marilyn and I continued to pray and decided we needed to be open to the Lord's call. carried into daily life. As a result, a deacon will be a witness to God not only on Sundays in church but throughout the week in the secular world. the Denver Catholic Register from an out-of-state deacon stirred up the idea once again. In prayer I told God that I would ask my wife, Connie. If she had any reservations the answer would be "No." One evening we talked about it; her answer was "I think you ought to do it." In that 30-second discussion, both of our lives took a new path. clarify, what would it be? Q: If there was one aspect of the diaconate that you'd like to diaconal formation? A: As I performed an apostolate through the Legion of Mary, I kept hearing a call to do more for the people that I served. As time went on the call became stronger and stronger. Through prayer I was led to enter diaconal formation. I was hooked by their passion in service to Christ and yet they held this same passion for family and secular life. I was in eucharistic adoration … and I had a moment that God asked me to start giving back. My parish priest, Msgr. Bob Amundsen, listened (to my story) and directed me. I am grateful for his support and that of the diaconate community. Q: If there was one aspect of the Q: If there was one aspect of the diaconate that you'd like to clarify, what would it be? A: The deacon's role was instituted in the very early days of the Church, and is to serve the people of God. The goal will be to embrace the ministry of the word, the liturgy, and works of charity, which are A: Deacons are called to serve the people of God. Calling a person "deacon" as a title is calling him "servant." Deacons need lots of prayer because they have the same temptations as everyone else for recognition and being important. Only by following the humility of Christ and his example of service can we grow in holiness and live out our call. Q: Do you have a favorite or unusual hobby? A: Marilyn and I enjoy walking many of the trails Colorado has to offer. I'm also trying to remain a Chicago Cubs baseball fan! Q: Do you have a favorite or unusual hobby? A: I have played music in church since I was 10. There have been many good and bad songs introduced in the last 40 years. A few will make the "greatest hits" and be in hymnals in 100 years. I've played them all. To those you find enriching, I am grateful. To those that were less than edifying, please forgive me. Q: If there was one aspect of the diaconate that you'd like to clarify, what would it be? assist them in becoming saints. A: That we are all still human beings prone to the same temptations and sins of the world. That our call is to serve the people of God in any manner we can to A: My favorite hobby used to be bass fishing. Now it is just to sit in my back yard on warm days and read. diaconate that you'd like to clarify, what would it be? be an example to all as the "icon" of "Christ the servant" within the Church, in direct service to our bishop and his needs in the diocese. A: We are ordained and called to serve God's people through ministry to our bishop in "word, liturgy and charity." The emphasis is on charity. The deacon's ministry of service is linked with the mission dimension of the Church. This mission includes witness to Christ in a secular profession or occupation. As deacons, we must Q: Do you have a favorite or unusual hobby? Q: Do you have a favorite or unusual hobby? A: I love hiking in the mountains, especially Rocky Mountain National Park. It is spiritual place for me to pray and spend time with God, and such a gift to all of us on the Front Range.

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