“This is a day of joy and celebration for the deacons marking the anniversary of their ordination and for their families,” Bishop Edward Malesic said.
Members of the permanent diaconate serving in the Diocese of Cleveland who are celebrating 45, 40, 35, 30 and 20 years of ordained ministry were honored during a Mass and reception May 7 at St. Basil the Great Parish in Brecksville.
Concelebrants for the liturgy included Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost. Homilist was Deacon Robin Adair, who is celebrating the 30th anniversary of his ordination.
“When I was ordained, my wife considered it a miracle,” he quipped. “And yes, bishop, I still take out the trash. It’s one thing I do well,” he added, as the congregation laughed. Deacon Adair was referring to the bishop’s advice to the six deacons he ordained May 4 in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist.
(See photo gallery above.)
Deacon Adair recalled his own ordination on May 21, 1994 by the late Bishop Anthony Pilla. When it came time for the laying on of hands, Deacon Adair continued kneeling before Bishop Pilla until he told him to get up and go.
“The words of ordination are inaudible and I didn’t realize that,” he said. “So, Bishop, if you have anything to say to me tonight, make sure I can hear it.”
Good things come in threes, Deacon Adair noted, and three is an important number in the Church. He recalled Bishop Pilla telling the deacons three things: “You’re not God. This isn’t heaven and don’t be a jerk.”
The late Bishop Richard Lennon, the second bishop he served, also had three pieces of advice for the deacons: “Love your wife. Love your family. And don’t ever be late.”
The third bishop he served, now Philadelphia Archbishop Nelson Perez, gave the deacons these three bits of advice: “Be passionate. Be faithful. Be joyful.”
“And my fourth bishop, Bishop Malesic, told the newly ordained deacons to be caring, be gentle with every soul you meet and be compassionate. Care, comfort and compassion are the three things we are asked to do,” he said, noting these qualities were highlighted in the readings for the Mass.
Also, he noted that the bishop said he gave each of the newly ordained a little tug as he ordained them so they knew it was time to go and minister.
Deacon Adair said the ministry of a deacon involves three things: word, sacrament and charity.
“Thank you to all of our priests, Bishop Malesic and Bishop Woost for your support of our diaconate, he said.
The men celebrating milestone anniversaries of their ordination are:
45 years: *Deacon Louis J. Hertzog, Deacon Vincent L. Belsito, *Deacon Clement J. Belter, *Deacon Arthur O. Beyer, *Deacon Louis J. Capek, *Deacon Donald E. Sill, Deacon Troy F. Stokes and *Deacon Daniel C. Terrion.
40 years: *Deacon John H. Blackburn Sr., Deacon Wayne A. Bosau, *Deacon William H. Corrigan, *Deacon Harold R. Dietrich, *Deacon William E Dirk, *Deacon Russell J. Glorioso, *Deacon Francis E. Gue, Deacon Daniel J. Hancock, *Deacon Alfred J. Koch and Deacon John Burke Jr.
35 years: Deacon Robert C. Anderson, *Deacon John R. Bender, Deacon Patrick F. Berigan, *Deacon Billy J. Malcolm, *Deacon Kenneth J. Schneider, Deacon Jerome B. Vrabel and *Deacon Richard E. Woods.
30 years: Deacon Robert Adair, Deacon Shelby M. Friend, *Deacon Ralph J. Krupp, Deacon Richard F. Kuhlman, *Deacon Joseph E. Loutzenhiser and Deacon Roger F. Polefko.
20 years: Deacon Kenneth A. DeLuca, Deacon Ramon J. DiMascio, Deacon Gregory P. Hoefler, Deacon Robert J. Lester, Deacon J. Kevin McKenna, Deacon Thomas J. Peshek, Deacon Bruce H. Tennant and Deacon Stephen L. Yates.
“We are celebrating these big milestones because you said ‘yes.’ You’ve said ‘yes’ over and over,” Bishop Malesic said. “We are a big family and we must take care of each other the best we can.”
He told the congregation to look at the large, stained-glass window at the back of the church. It depicts the risen Christ and it appears as if he’s wearing the stole of a deacon. “He is Christ the servant,” the bishop said.
“Thank you for all you do for me and for the people of God,” he bishop added.
After Mass, deacons from the various jubilee years posed for photos with the bishops before heading to the Parish Life Center for a reception.
Click here for more information on the permanent diaconate or call 440-943-7652.