Deacons from diocese focus on spiritual journeys at annual meeting

EASTON, Pa. — To retreat means an act of moving back or withdrawing, usually with a negative connotation. But in Catholicism, to make a retreat means withdrawing for a while in order to move foreword renewed and refreshed to live our life in a deeper and fuller mode. At the St. Francis Retreat House Nov. 18-20, 44 permanent deacons from the diocese made their canonically required annual retreat.

The meeting provided time for the deacons to step back from their ministries and focus on their spiritual journeys. In addition, there were opportunities for them to renew relationships with one another that are such a vital part of the dimensions of ordained deacons. The attendees represented a span of diaconal ministry from six months of service to 40 years.

Msgr. Charles W. Cicerale, a retired priest from the diocese, served as the retreat master. The former pastor at St. James Parish, Woodbridge, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with many years of experience as a pastor, counselor and spiritual guide.

Msgr. Cicerale also shaped the theme of the retreat at four conferences on topics he believes are vital to the life of a deacon: prayer, suffering, vulnerability and ministry.

“God is hiding in the world and their role is to let him emerge,” Msgr. Cicerale said.

While providing meaningful insights on ministry from his own pastoral experiences, he offered recommendations for books and provided a number of handouts to allow pportunities for the deacons to continue reflecting on his insights and messages from the weekend.

The retreat also offered time for rest,  reflection and prayer at adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in a chapel; walking the Way of the Cross; praying the rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet as a group: and participate in a penance service in preparation for reception of the sacrament of reconciliation. Father Anthony Arockiadoss, pastor, Sts. Philip and James Parish, Philipsburg, and Father Gilbert Starcher, parochial vicar there, visited the retreat house for this purpose. In addition, Msgr. Cicerale was available during the weekend for spiritual conferences and reconciliation.

Continuing a tradition started two years ago, a memorial service was held on Saturday afternoon to remember and pray for the deacons from the diocese who have died since the last retreat: Angel Perez, Thomas Klaas, Frank d’Auguste, David DeFrange (director emeritus of the Office of the Diaconate), Luis Moral, John Hanna. As Deacon Bill Bauer read each name, a candle was lit by one of the deceased’s classmates. Although some of the men had retired from active ministry for reasons of health or relocation, the seven men combined for more than 120 years of service. An additional candle was lit in memory of all deceased wives of deacons.

On Saturday evening Deacon Stephen F. Kern, director, diocesan Office of the Diaconate, led a Service of Recommitment for the men. This was an opportunity to remember their respective ordination days and renew the promises that were made.

Msgr. Cicerale presided at Mass on the second morning and on Nov. 20, they joined with the community of St. Francis to celebrate the fgeast of  the Solemnity of Christ the King. Each day of the weekend the men prayed the Hours of Morning, Evening and Night prayers.

Deacon Paul Flor, who has exercised his ministry at Sts. Philip and James since being ordained to the diaconate by Bishop James F. Checchio at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, May 25, described his first retreat as an ordained deacon as ”definitely inspirational.”

“It was very heartening [to be with] men who strive to serve our Lord in an enormous number of different ministries,” he added.