Deacons deepen faith, strengthen bonds at retreat

EASTON, Pa. ­­ — The concept of retreat can have a negative connotation. It usually brings to mind a situation where an army or another group is forced to move back or withdraw after a defeat. But in the context of the Catholic spiritual practice, the withdrawal is not because of a defeat but to allow a period of reflection and renewal to strengthen an individual or a group in a desire to follow Our Lord’s command to “Take up your cross and follow Me” (Mt 16:24).

Fifty-one deacons of the diocese had just such an opportunity for reflection and renewal Nov. 22-24 at the St. Francis Retreat House. The weekend included a series of conferences presented by the retreat master, Deacon Greg Kendra; communal celebrations of the Liturgy of the Hours; time to be alone to read and pray as well as shared meals and fellowship with brother deacons from across the diocese. Many who, because of their family, work and ministry commitments, only get to see each other at this and other diocesan events.

In memory of the seven deacons from the diocese who died in 2019, a memorial service was held Nov. 23. Among the deceased was Deacon John R. Pacifico, who was ordained for the Diocese of Trenton in 1977, four years before the Diocese of Metuchen was established. The other deacons, listed with the year of their ordination were: Anthony Hancock, 2007; Richard Kenton, 2004; Paul G. Licameli, 1996; Belardino A. Lupini, 1980; John P. McShane, 1989; and Donald Zampella, 2001.

Although some of the men had been retired from active ministry for reasons of health or relocation, together the seven of them gave more than 160 years of service as deacons.

As Deacon William Bauer read each deacon’s name and his years of service and parish assignment(s), a candle was lit on the main altar in the chapel. While the prayers were for the repose of the souls of the deceased deacons, their surviving widows and other family members were also remembered in prayer.

After the liturgy, a “Great Silence” was held, spiritual time for personal prayer and devotion. During the four-hour period, there was continuous exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in a small chapel.
Deacon Thomas G. Sommero, who exercises his ministry at Our Lady of Mount Virgin Parish, Middlesex, believes that “the real fruit of a retreat is found in the moments of silence when I am alone with God. It is in silence and solitude that I am best able to encounter God.”

In addition to the silent prayer, there was a penance service offered in the main chapel followed by the opportunity for individual reception of the sacrament of reconciliation. Stations of the cross were also prayed on the grounds of the retreat center. Towards the end of the silence, the men had the opportunity to recite the rosary in the main chapel.

Deacon Kendra, a deacon of the Diocese of Brooklyn, N.Y., is the creator of “The Deacon’s Bench,” a blog that has attracted 20 million readers since its creation in 2007. He has conducted numerous retreats for deacons and parish missions across the country. In 2016, he was invited to give presentations at the international Jubilee for Deacons in Rome and he addressed the 2018 diaconate Congress in New Orleans for the 50th anniversary of the restoration of the permanent diaconate.

In a series of four related talks presented over the three days, Deacon Kendra reflected on the theme, “The Restored Diaconate — the Next Fifty Years.” He began the first presentation by commenting that for him and the other deacons on the retreat, “It is good that we are here.” He reminded the men that the call to the diaconate is not just another ministry; rather “it must be a way of life.”

Reflecting on the growth of the diaconate, he cited statistics from the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) at Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. Since the year 2000, all clerical and religions vocations in the United States have declined in numbers except for permanent deacons.

From less than 1,000 deacons in the decade immediately following the restoration of the diaconate as a permanent order in 1968 there are now more than 18,000 permanent deacons in this country.
Although St. Stephen, the first century proto-martyr, is usually credited with being the first deacon, Deacon Kendra proposed that, “Jesus Christ was truly the first one and is the model all deacons should emulate.”

Deacon Kendra believes that there are three requirements to be a true deacon: he must see, encounter and offer hope. “In order to be a witness to the Gospel, the deacon must be able to see that which is around him so that he can be the go-between to do his Master’s bidding in this world.”

The deacon must be able to encounter the people he serves where they truly are, not where he wants them to be or expects them to be. And the deacon must always be a witness of hope to all the members of God’s family he sees and encounters.

Deacon Kendra suggested that although sharing in the gift of holy orders, the deacon, because of his role as a bridge, must minister within a unique relationship with the people and the world around him. It is unlike the relationships that bishops and priests have with the people.

On Nov. 24, Deacon Stephen F. Kern, director, diocesan Office of the Diaconate, gave a report on the ministry in the diocese, updating the attendees on a number of current and planned activities for deacons. He also presented a breakdown on the number of men serving in parishes and ministries, the men who are currently in formation and status of the ongoing application process for the next formation class.

The men then gathered with the community of St. Francis for Mass on the great Solemnity of Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. As the deacons returned home, Deacon Kendrick Fortune, who serves at the Cathedral of St. Francis, Metuchen, summed up his feelings and those of others that, “The retreat offered a time to share, laugh, and cry together. It provided a true sense of the brotherhood that I am a part of.”

Deacon Cline exercises his ministry at St. Bernard of Clairvaux Parish, Bridgewater