By saying “yes” to God’s call to be a permanent deacon, these men will serve the Church through works of charity, assisting with liturgies, proclaiming the Gospel, presiding at baptisms, weddings and funerals outside of Mass and evangelization efforts.

Great Lakes Bay Catholic recently connected with the newly-ordained permanent deacons to introduce them to you. Interviews have been edited for length and clarity.

Deacon Matt Begres

Sacred Heart Parish, Mount Pleasant

Wife: Vicki

Children: Jacob, Ashleigh, Brittany and Kristina

When and how did you first sense a call to the permanent diaconate?

When I was a young child, I felt a calling from God but did not know at that time what that calling was.  I twice discerned the priesthood, but God sent me on another path and the vocation of marriage.  Once my children were off to college and careers and life started to slow down a little, I again heard a call that I needed to do more with my faith. My thirst for a better understanding of my faith steered me down the path of Lay Ecclesial Ministry, and after being commissioned, God’s calling to the diaconate felt right to be the next step in my faith journey.  There were multiple people that have been placed in the path of my faith journey that have helped me through the process and have been instrumental in giving me the confidence to respond to God’s calling.

What was your favorite or most interesting part of the formation process?

Being able to get to know the other six candidates, their backgrounds, as well as their faith journeys was the most interesting and rewarding part of the formation journey.  We have formed a bond of brotherhood that will last the rest of our lives and has been the most rewarding experience.

Do you have a particular devotion, prayer or Scripture passage that has helped you in your journey?

Prayer of St. Francis de Sales

“Do not look forward in fear to the changes of life; rather look to them with full hope that as they arise, God, whose very own you are, will lead you safely through all things; and when you cannot stand it, God will carry you in his arms.  Do not fear what may happen tomorrow; the same everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of you today and every day.  He will either shield you from suffering or will give you unfailing strength to bear it.  Be at peace, and put aside all the anxious thoughts and imaginations.”

Deacon John Copes

Director of Parish Life at St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Bay City

Currently resides in New Lothrop

Wife: Tammy

Children: Taylor and Trevor

When and how did you first sense a call to the permanent diaconate?

God’s calling, nudging me to do more for God and his Church, was always present throughout my life.  It became more prevalent upon finishing the Lay Ecclesial Ministry program at the Diocese of Saginaw.  At that same time, a new class of aspirants for the diaconate program was starting.

Do you have a particular devotion, prayer or Scripture passage that has helped you in your journey?

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament has been the most impactful on my journey. In the beginning, I would visit the Blessed Sacrament in Adoration as often as time would permit, which now has become an integral part of my daily prayer life.

My prayer has been, “God, you brought me here, to teach me, to guide me and to stretch my faith; I cannot do it without you.” My motto has been, “God doesn’t call the qualified; he qualifies the called.”

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I became a deacon to serve God and his Church— not by performing volunteer activities or sitting on councils, but by applying what God has honed in me for over 60 years in order for me to be a servant to his people. I am just a guy in the pew, who God called to serve, always relying and trusting on Jesus Christ to teach, guide and lead me. For me, being a deacon is so much more than being vested and serving on the altar; it is going out into the world, through my encounters (actions) with others, to be Christlike to those who are in need. What tomorrow holds in store for me, just like when I entered into the formation program – only God knows.

Deacon Hugh LeFevre

Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption Parish, Saginaw

Wife: Doris

Children: Jessica, Vivian, Sabrina, Alicia and Hugh

What does being ordained to the permanent diaconate mean to you?

As a permanent deacon, I will be able to assist God's people in a way others cannot by virtue of my ordination. Although most of what I expect to do as a deacon will not require ordination, I believe the education and training I received in my formation as a deacon will assist me in those areas. I also believe it will be a benefit to those I will serve as an official representative of the Church. It is like having one foot in the Church and one in the secular world.

How has the process of becoming a permanent deacon deepened or enriched your faith?

I believe that the education I received helped me to better understand the Church's teaching and my Catholic faith, which has allowed me to more fully understand my faith and with that deepen my faith.

What would you say to a man who is intrigued by the vocation to the permanent diaconate?

Share your thoughts about the diaconate with others, especially your wife. When you say it out loud it takes on a stronger meaning.

Deacon Jason Rasmussen

Holy Spirit Parish, Shields

Currently resides in Freeland

How has the process of becoming a permanent deacon deepen or enrich your faith?

Through the formation process I learned more about my Catholic faith than I ever thought possible. Going through the entire Catechism of the Catholic Church, I learned many things. I also know that there are still many things to learn about the Catholic faith. Enriching my faith is a lifelong process and there is a sense of humbleness in knowing that.

What would you say to a man who is intrigued by the vocation to the permanent diaconate?

If a man is intrigued by the vocation to the permanent diaconate I would say this:  pray and listen to God's call. Take the time to learn about the diaconate. Find a trusted mentor that you can talk to as you explore this vocation.  Participate in spiritual direction.  Pray some more. Be prepared to learn new things about the Catholic faith and about yourself. Above all, put your trust in God and remember, “thy will be done, not my will be done.”

What does being ordained to the permanent diaconate mean to you?

I have always been drawn to the image of Christ the Servant. One of my favorite scripture readings is the Gospel of John from Holy Thursday (Jn. 13:1-15). Through ordination to the diaconate, I am configured to Christ the Servant. In my faith journey, I seek to follow Jesus to be a servant to others.

Deacon Bob Sasiela

St. Joseph Parish, Saginaw

Wife: Diane

Children: Gabrielle, Evan and Nicole

Do you have a particular devotion, prayer or Scripture passage that has helped you in your journey?

Pope St. John Paul II had a message for all of us during his pontificate – “Be not afraid!” It seemed that message would be brought up often during our discussions – and so for me, it was a reminder that we just need to leave everything in the Lord’s hands – and everything will take care of itself. I found that message to be reassuring and it provided me with much comfort during my journey.

What was your favorite or most interesting part of the formation process?

My favorite part of the formation process was getting to know my fellow candidates and their families so well. I came to appreciate their individual gifts and talents – and they made me a better person by being in their presence. I know we will continue to stay connected with each other and our friendships will continue to evolve. There was also a relationship that developed with the entire deacon community in the Diocese. The other deacons welcomed us with open arms and were supportive of us during our journey. Our class felt their love, support and encouragement throughout the formation process.

What are you most looking forward to in your diaconal ministry?

I look forward to serving the people of God and becoming a part of their lives at those special moments we will be celebrating together.  By serving them and the Church as best as I can - with the help and grace of God - I hope I can pass on my faith and love of the Lord to them so that I positively impact their lives.

Deacon Lenn Stankiewicz

St. Michael Parish, Maple Grove

Currently resides in Montrose

Wife: Anne

Children: Leann, Tricia, Joshua, Caleb and Rebekah

How has the process of becoming a permanent deacon deepen or enrich your faith?

The process of becoming a permanent deacon has given me a greater understanding and love for Christ the Servant and the Mass.  

What was your favorite or most interesting part of the formation process?

The whole process was very powerful. I would say that going through the formation process with my wife Anne and the other candidates and their spouses was my favorite part. The process has helped my wife and me to grow spiritually individually as well as a couple.

What does being ordained to the permanent diaconate mean to you?

Being ordained to the permanent diaconate fills me with a great sense of gratitude and awe for an ever-deepening relationship with God.  I also feel a deeper sense of responsibility. I look forward to reaching out and serving others in new ways wherever I am placed.

Deacon Bob Zondlak

St. Brigid of Kildare Parish, Midland

Wife: Sandy

Child: Stewart

How has the process of becoming a permanent deacon deepen or enrich your faith?

Over the past five years, diving deeply into the Bible and reading the Catechism of the Catholic Church from cover to cover has profoundly enriched my faith through a greater understanding of both Scripture and Church teaching. Along the way, I’ve taken countless notes with the hope of returning to reflect more deeply on the many layers of truth I’ve encountered.

This journey of learning more about God and his Church has left me in awe—overwhelmed by the depth of who God is and the immensity of his love for us. At times, all I can do is simply rest in his presence, allowing him to wash over me and receiving whatever he desires to pour into my heart.

What was your favorite or most interesting part of the formation process?

Being that liturgy is close to my heart, I enjoyed the six liturgical practicums with Father Jim Bessert. What amazed me when practicing these rituals is how hard it is.  The priests in our Diocese make it look so easy, but there are so many moving parts with all these celebrations. Father Jim did an excellent job teaching us and explaining why we do the things we do. I also enjoyed the homiletics classes with Father Pete Gaspeny. Through these homiletic classes, Father Pete was able to stretch us from delivering our homilies from behind the ambo with everything written out word for word, to moving us out in front of the congregation with just a few note cards.  Along the way, Father Pete offered humor, compassion and practical tips for doing better next time.

What are you most looking forward to in your diaconal ministry?

I look forward to serving the People of God in the ministries of word, liturgy and charity.  I hope to embody the call to serve, following the example of Jesus, who came as a servant.  I am also looking forward to how the diaconal ministry will evolve for Sandy and me, and the blessings we will receive from it.