December 11, 2009
People of Faith
Doctor is a deacon, attends Mass daily
This is the eleventh in a series on the new deacons of the diocese. They were ordained August 15 at St. Benedict Cathedral in Evansville
Deacon Anthony Schapker, 54, a member of St. John Church in Newburgh, is doing his diaconal service at Holy Spirit Church in Evansville.
Deacon Schapker has been a pediatrician for 26 years. He also teaches at the Indiana University School of Medicine. He has been on the faculty for 21 years.
He and his wife, Nieva, are the parents of three grown children.
A native of Evansville, Deacon Schapker received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Evansville in 1977, graduated from the IU School of Medicine in 1980 and then did a three-year residency at James Whitcomb Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis.
What prompted you to pursue this ministry? He first became interested when he met a deacon while living in Carbondale, Ill. He became more interested as a result of the deacons at St. John, Newburgh. He has been a lector, Eucharistic minister and sacristan at St. John.
Tell us a few things about yourself: Has made a number of medical missionary trips through St. Mary’s Medical Center and also through a group of doctors in Indianapolis. He has made at least 13 trips to Jamaica and two so far to Honduras. Raising children and being involved in their activities such as Scouting also have kept him busy. Just as he must stay abreast of the latest in medicine, he is always trying to learn more about his faith, and the diaconate program has been very helpful in that regard.
Who has been the biggest influence in your life? His father, Henry; Deacon Joe Seibert of Newburgh; his family doctor, Dr. Robert Kessler, who has a son as a priest, and Dr. Morris Green from the James Whitcomb Riley Hospital for Children.
What are your goals as a deacon? To become a good preacher. He enjoys teaching so he sees a need to teach people about their faith.
Do you have any favorite books you would recommend to others? He enjoys the writings of St. Augustine and Pope John Paul II. He particularly likes John Paul’s “Love and Responsibility.”
Do you have any routines in your spiritual life that you would recommend to others? He attends Mass daily and prays the Rosary daily. Family prayer time also is important, he said.
Email steve@themessageonline.org