 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
||
 |
||
| Bishop | ||
| Cathedral | ||
| Catholic Sun | ||
| Diocesan Profiles | ||
| Heritage | ||
| Links | ||
| Multimedia | ||
| Offices | ||
| Parishes | ||
| Prayers | ||
| Schools | ||
| Vocations | ||
|
|
||
| Dec. 7-13, 2006 |
| By Claudia Mathis/ SUN staff writer |
| SUN photo(s) Paul Finch and submitted |
|
Six deacons from throughout the diocese celebrate 25 years of service
This past November, Deacon Jim Chappell, Deacon Bill Deschiavo, Deacon Bill Hotaling, Deacon John Paul (a.k.a. Steve) Brody, Deacon Paul Powers and Deacon Richard Dwyer celebrated 25 years of service as deacons in the Syracuse Diocese.
In November 1989, Deacon Chappell began serving as Catholic chaplain at Mohawk Correctional Facility in Oneida and has been there ever since. He provides counseling, crisis intervention and communion services to those in the facility. When asked what has been the most enjoyable aspect of serving as a deacon over the last 25 years, Deacon Chappell replied, “Serving the people that God has entrusted to my care in the correction facility.”  Deacon Brody celebrated 25 years as a deacon in November with a dinner and reception that was held at Holy Family Church in Syracuse. Deacon Brody’s wife of 62 years, Margaret, and most of his 11 children attended the celebration. Deacon Brody said his service as a deacon has strengthened his faith. “It’s brought me closer to the Lord,” he said. “My wife and children agree.”
Deacon Brody explained that the duties of a deacon were somewhat different from those of today when he began to serve at Holy Family 25 years ago. “Some of the priests were reluctant to have us help,” said Deacon Brody. “But, little by little, they let us do more and more things.”
Deacon Brody is retired now, but he still assists at Mass once weekly, celebrates Benediction on First Saturday and officiates at an occasional funeral. Deacon Brody likes to entertain the parishioners at Mass when he occasionally plays his harmonica. “I like adding something different,” he said. Before he retired, Deacon Brody’s duties included visiting the sick, assisting with weddings and baptisms and teaching in the RCIA program. As he looked back at his 25 years of service, Deacon Brody said the things he enjoyed the most were visiting the sick and bringing them Communion and assisting at baptisms. He remembered a particularly moving experience with one of the people he visited. “I brought one person into the church,” said Deacon Brody. “I prepared and encouraged him. That type of thing is rewarding.” Deacon Brody’s decision to serve 25 years ago was made after a period of discernment. “I prayed about it,” explained Deacon Brody. “I decided this is what the Lord wants. I don’t regret my decision.”  Deacon Dwyer, of Fort Pierce, Fla., spent the first 20 years of his deaconate at St. Mary’s Church in Cortland. Even though he is retired, Deacon Dwyer continues to assist his parish, St. Helen in Vero Beach, Fla. He officiates at the Liturgy of the Word, delivers homilies and gives Communion once monthly to St. Helen’s parishioners. Also among his duties is presiding at Benediction for the Nocturnal Adoration Society. Deacon Dwyer also serves the residents of St. Francis Manor, a nursing home in Vero Beach. In addition, he serves as chaplain at the Knights of Columbus in Vero Beach. Deacon Dwyer served on the parish council at St. Mary’s from 1978 until his retirement.
Deacon Dwyer remembered how he enjoyed serving the elderly at two senior citizen complexes in Cortland. “I gave communion to 40-50 people every Sunday,” said Deacon Dwyer. “That’s been the most enjoyable part of being a deacon — serving the people. You get to know the people so well — especially the elderly.” Deacon Dwyer believes there is a great need for the service of deacons. “It’s a beautiful thing to do,” he said. “It’s a calling and it’s humbling.”  Extremely active as a deacon at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Utica, Deacon Hotaling is also marking his 25th year as a deacon. Looking back on the last 25 years, Deacon Hotaling said that for him, one of the most pleasurable aspects of serving as a deacon has been to witness the presence of God in others.
Another aspect he enjoys is teaching religion at Our Lady of Lourdes School in Utica. “The greatest joy I have experienced is to teach little ones about God,” said Deacon Hotaling.
Deacon Hotaling also preaches at the Novena Mass once weekly and assists at the Mass every Sunday. In addition, he officiates at weddings, baptisms and funerals.
Deacon Hotaling’s past duties at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish include serving on the pastoral council, in youth ministry and as a Eucharistic Minister. He also served in the hospital chaplaincy at St. Luke’s Hospital in New Hartford for six years. He then went on to serve in the chaplaincies at Midstate and Marcy Correctional Facilities. “It was awe-inspiring,” commented Deacon Hotaling. “I met many inmates. I learned to love people — I saw how human and hurting they were — they’re lovable. I learned how to love the unlovable.” Deacon Hotaling aspired to a religious life when he was only five years old. He had a great desire to become a priest. Today, Deacon Hotaling feels honored to serve as a deacon. “I feel gratified that God has called me to this responsibility,” said Deacon Hotaling. “I feel privileged.”  Ordained as a deacon in November 1981, Deacon Powers also celebrated his 25th anniversary recently. Retired for the last two years, Deacon Powers occasionally helps out at St. Agnes Mission in Afton and St. John the Evangelist in Bainbridge.
Deacon Powers said when he first started serving as a deacon his primary ministry was visiting the sick and elderly. “I’ve developed a great respect for the sick and elderly,” said Deacon Powers. “It was a rewarding experience.”
His last 25 years in service as a deacon has had a tremendous effect on Deacon Powers. “It’s helped me mature in my spiritual life,” he said.
He began serving at St. John the Evangelist and St. Agnes and then went on to St. Mary’s in Kirkwood and St. Rita’s in Chenango Forks. Deacon Powers also taught high school English at Afton Central School from 1964 through 1990. “When I was ordained in 1981, I wanted to get into youth ministry,” said Deacon Powers. Deacon Powers said he has been involved with the church since he was very young, growing up in Rhode Island. “I felt closeness with priests and church,” said Deacon Powers. “My father, who was active in our church, had a tremendous influence on me.”  Reflecting on his 25 years of service, Deacon Deschiavo of St. Anthony of Padua Church in Utica said the thing he has enjoyed the most has been the appreciative response he has received from the people he has reached out to. “I’ve also enjoyed relating to the aged and infirm,” reminisced Deacon Deschiavo. “Their acceptance and positive response to me makes me feel good.”
Deacon Deschiavo said serving as a deacon has made him more aware of other peoples’ needs and the increasing demand on deacons.
In addition to working as the parish secretary at St. Anthony’s for the last 35 years, Deacon Deschiavo administers the sacraments, visits the sick and elderly and officiates at an occasional wedding. He also ministers at Old St. John’s Church in Utica.
Years ago, Deacon Deschiavo applied to the deaconate at the suggestion of a few priests at St. Anthony’s and was accepted. “I was reluctant at first,” said Deacon Deschiavo. “I prayed about it and gave it a lot of consideration. I wasn’t sure if I was worthy, but you grow as you go through the process.” |
Looking back on the years he has served as deacon, Deacon Chappell described the experience as an extremely rewarding one.
Deacon Chappell graduated from St. John Fisher College in Rochester and went on to complete graduate work at Colgate Rochester Divinity School/Bexley Hall/Crozer Theological Seminary, also in Rochester. He also earned a master of divinity degree from St. Bernard’s in Rochester and a pastoral counseling certificate from the Onondaga Counseling Center in Syracuse.
Deacon Chappell began his deaconate at St. Mary of the Lake Church in Skaneateles, where he served as parish minister and director of religious education for seven years.
 |
Subscribe to the Catholic Sun
catholicsun@yahoo.com
The weekly newspaper for the Diocese of Syracuse New York
421 South Warren St. Syracuse, NY 13202 Or you can phone in your subscription order to: Claudia Mathis at (315) 422-8153 or 1-800-333-0571 (Mastercard and Visa accepted) |
 |
