Deacon Anniversaries: Deacon Carl E. Psota, Deacon Frank J. Quinn, Deacon Gerard C. Sims

Deacon Carl E. Psota
Retired - St. James, Woodbridge
35 Years

Deacon Carl E. Psota recalls the exact day he began to consider taking up the mantle of servant in the Church, a 35-year commitment which continues today.

“My call to serve God came very early to me” said Deacon Psota. It was the day of my First Holy Communion, however, it was the discernment process that took much longer. I think that I began to think of the permanent diaconate when I first heard that Pope Paul VI restored it in 1967.”

Born in South Amboy in 1942, Psota attended Middlesex County College, Edison, and earned Blue Seal License and Real Estate License. He worked at Public Service Electric and Gas, Linden, as a Blue Seal Operator; at Amerada Hess, Port Reading, as a terminal operator, and at Gerdau Ameristeel, Perth Amboy, in quality control.

Deacon Psota began his diaconal training when his younger daughter was in grammar school, studying at the College of St. Elizabeth, Morristown, and earning his pastoral training certificate in 1998. He was ordained at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen in June, 1989 by then-Bishop Edward T. Hughes.

Deacon Psota spent the entirety of his diaconate at St. James Parish, Woodbridge, serving the parishioners via baptismal preparation, separated/divorced ministry, pre-Cana and marriage encounter. He has been married to his wife, Judith Ann, for 59 years, has two daughters, Beth Ann and Amy Patricia, and eight grandchildren.

Though he has retired and moved from the Diocese of Metuchen, Psota continues to serve the faithful, this time about 850 miles to the south. The deacon assists the new parish administrator at his new spiritual home: St. Theresa of the Little Flower of Jesus Church in Douglasville, Ga.

“Since I retired last June from active ministry,” the longtime deacon reflected, “I am filled with an overwhelming sense of gratitude and humility. Serving God’s people, journeying with them in good times and bad has been a privilege and an honor.”

By Christina Leslie, Contributing Editor

 

 

Deacon Frank J. Quinn
Immaculate Conception, Somerville
35 Years

Being a deacon helped Frank J. Quinn grow not only his spirituality, but that of his two children, he said, coupled with a mission of serving those who need spiritual or other nourishment.

“I think back to all the different things we have done: food banks, housing, pregnancy aid …” said Deacon Quinn, to name a few. But there is an added dimension to Deacon Quinn’s ministry that he has shared for 35 years at the parish where he grew up: Immaculate Conception in Somerville.

“I take after St. Francis of Assisi, my patron saint,” he said. “We have a rosary garden that I worked on.” The garden, which is behind the parish’s chapel, features Blessed Mother statues, a fountain, memorial trees and more. “It’s a real place of meditation,” he said.

Deacon Quinn was ordained June 17, 1989, by the late Bishop Edward T. Hughes in the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen.

While Deacon Quinn has also served the parish for marriage preparation, fundraising as well as administering or witnessing the Sacraments for parishioners, one of his joys in diaconate ministry has been teaching faith formation to children, with many of them immigrants who fell through the cracks in terms of missing their early Sacraments, notably Reconciliation and Eucharist. “It was a remarkable experience,” he recalled.

Deacon Quinn also has come full circle, he said. “I had a girl the other day come to me; she said, ‘My mother told me to remind you that you baptized me,” he said. “She was coming to me to get married.”

Now retired as Somerville’s parks and recreation director, Deacon Quinn continues serving, celebrating or assisting at Baptisms, weddings and funerals and more. He preaches, takes care of the garden and teaches a Confirmation class. He most recently was asked to take care of the parish cemetery.

“I should have read the fine print of my contract,” he said, chuckling.

By Anthony Salamone, Correspondent

 

 

Deacon Gerard C. Sims
St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Bridgewater
35 Years

Deacon Gerard Sims has crammed plenty of ministry to the flock in his church role. He has served at St. Bernard of Clairvaux Parish in Bridgewater since his ordination 35 years ago, encouraged by his late pastor, Father John Brundage.

“I didn’t know much about it,” Deacon Sims said of the diaconate, “but my wife [Debbie] and I learned more about it and prayed about it.”

Since then he has learned by doing: teaching Baptism and marriage preparation classes; starting an annual golf outing that continues; and holding “Donut Sunday,” a community-building social gathering.

The Bergen County native has also run programs for new parishioners, facilitated a prison ministry, conducted Communion services at area nursing homes, and volunteered in missionary work in Guatemala.

“The diaconate has been a great blessing to me,” Deacon Sims said. “I truly enjoy serving God’s people. When I serve at Mass and especially when I preach, I feel that I am contributing to Christ’s mission.”

He has found opportunities to evangelize in the sacramental classes, parish retreats and tending to the poor.

Like many deacons, Deacon Sims also noted it has been especially meaningful for him to preside at the weddings of his children and his grandchildren’s Baptisms.

The deacon and his wife, who are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary this year, have four children: Ian, Luke and Carmella DuBois. A son, Jason died at age 10. They also have six grandchildren.

While gratified to play the role of serving his fellow parishioners and others in the Somerset County parish and community, Deacon Sims said he was fortunate to witness the work others did in wanting to follow Jesus Christ more closely and seriously. They inspired him.

“I saw some true Christian servants in my parish,” Deacon Sims said.

Deacon Sims was ordained in June of 1989 by the late Bishop Edward T. Hughes in the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral, Metuchen.

By Anthony Salamone, Correspondent