June 24, 2011

Deacon Brian Emmick and Deacon Jeff Read

Diocesan seminarians are ordained to the sacred order of deacon

Deacons Brian Emmick and Jeff Read stand with Bishop Gerald A. Gettelfinger after their ordination June 18. (Message photo by Peewee Vasquez) Click for a larger version.

By MARY ANN HUGHES (Message staff writer)

The rain was blowing sideways last Saturday morning on the parking lot at St. Benedict Cathedral in Evansville, but inside the cathedral was filled with warmth as family and friends gathered to witness the ordination of diocesan seminarians Brian Emmick and Jeff Read to the sacred order of deacons.

There was a special poignancy in the cathedral as this was the last official celebration that Bishop Gerald A. Gettelfinger would preside over as the Fourth Bishop of the Diocese of Evansville. His successor, Bishop-elect Charles C. Thomp-son, will be ordained the Fifth Bishop of the diocese on June 29.

The ceremony began with a procession of Knights of Columbus, servers, emcees, deacons, priests and the bishop. He addressed the assembly with the words, “It’s a grand day for the Diocese of Evansville. We have two men on the way to priesthood.”

The first reading was from Jeremiah 1:4-9. “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you.”

After the Gospel reading, Deacon Jerry Byrd, a classmate of both men, called them to come forward to the altar from the front pews where they were sitting with their families.

Bishop Gettelfinger asked Father Alex Zenthoefer, diocesan director of Vocations, “Do you know them to be worthy?” Father Zenthoefer answered, “After inquiry among the Christian people and upon the recommendation of those responsible, I testify that they have been found worthy.”

The bishop said, “Relying on the help of the Lord God and our Savior Jesus Christ, we choose these men, our brothers, Brian and Jeffrey, for the Order of the Diaconate.” The two men then faced the assembly and received warm applause.

They returned to their family pews as the bishop gave the homily. He told the two men who are preparing for ordination in June of 2012, “Don’t be surprised at tough times. Some people will not want to hear what you have to say, and some will challenge what you say.” He reminded them they are called to be “servant leaders,” and that they will nourish their parish communities both with the Eucharist and with the word of God, and that as deacons they will be able to perform wedding ceremonies and conduct funerals.

He asked the two men if they resolved to “keep forever this commitment to remain celebate as a sign of your dedication to Christ the Lord for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven, in the service of God and man,” and if they resolved to “conform your way of life always to the example of Christ, of whose Body and Blood you are ministers at the altar.”

They responded, “I do, with the help of God,” and also promised “respect and obedience” to their ordinary.

The two men lay prostrate in front of the altar as the diocesan schola, under the direction of Jeremy Korba, and the assembly sang the Litany of the Saints.

During the laying on of hands, each man came forward and knelt before the bishop who laid his hands on the elect’s head. Then the newly-ordained received their stoles and dalmatics which are liturgical vestments. They approached the altar once again as the bishop — holding the Book of the Gospels — said, “Receive the Gospel of Christ, whose herald you have become. Believe what you read, teach what you believe, and practice what you teach.”

The Mass concluded with a blessing from the bishop: May God who has called you to the service of others in his Church give to you a great zeal for all, especially the poor and suffering.” He then led the assembly in a round of applause for the diocese’s newest deacons.

DEACON BRIAN EMMICK

Deacon Brian Emmick was born in Evansville, the son of Bill and Candy Emmick, faithful Methodists. “My family, even as Protestants, often visited the monasteries of St. Meinrad and Geth-semane when I was a child.” He considers those visits part of his “spiritual formation.”

When he was attending Harrison High School in Evansville he felt “drawn to the beauty and truth of the Catholic Church.” Both he and his mother joined the Catholic Church. His dad remained a Methodist, and “supportive of my journey to the Catholic faith.

“The journey of conversion, going through the RCIA, experiencing the sacraments for this first time at the Easter Vigil, were profound moments in my life,” and drew him to the priesthood.”

During his college years at USI, he began to discern the call to priesthood “as my spiritual life grew.

“I knew that I had to give seminary a try. The decision to enter seminary, which is a very different experience, requires some trust into this leap into this unknown.”

He chose St. Meinrad Seminary, and during his summers as a seminarian, he has spent time living and working in parishes in the Jasper Deanery, working as a hospital chaplain at Deaconess Hospital in Evansville, and with various ministries at both Catholic Char-ities and campus ministries.

He said that his parents are “very supportive of my vocation.”

They say that since 2000, when their son joined the Catholic Church “he expressed a desire to possibly discern the priesthood. We were always aware of this potential, and it did not come as a surprise.”

Of his vocation to the priesthood, they say, “We are so proud of Brian and all he has accomplished in his years at seminary. We are happy that he is entering into this vocation. We are thankful for the many examples from monks, priests and deacons who have helped to guide Brian to where he is now.”

His father said that “as a Methodist, I am proud and excited about Brian’s path to the priesthood. I hope I have contributed in a small way to his life decisions. Attending Catholic services with my wife has given me a wonderful opportunity to develop a deep respect and appreciation for the rituals and teachings of the Church.”

His mom adds, “As a mother, I watched him from a young age, and am so happy at his commitment to ordination. I am constantly learning new things about the faith daily, as a convert. As Brian has discerned this vocation, it has felt like we were journeying together, in many ways, through this adventure of faith.”

They say their son “enjoys people, and is very dedicated to his vocation. We think people will find Brian to be friendly, kind and compassionate.”

Any advice for their son? “At this time advice is not needed. We are confident he will always follow God’s will and as a priest will always care for and be present to people in their trials as his family.”

DEACON JEFF READ

Deacon Jeff Read is the son of William and Bernadine Read, and he has attended Tecumseh High School, Ivy Tech, Bishop Bruté College Seminary at Mar-ian University in Indianapolis, and St. Meinrad Seminary.

He says his call to the priesthood began while attending Ivy Tech State College. “It was near the end of my time there that I began to discover the richness of our Catholic faith.

“I grew up Catholic, but I did not always understand the necessity of it. It was through a colleague, a co-worker and some family members that I began to see the gift of our faith. Through learning the history of the Church, the reality of the Eucharist, and Christ as God becoming man, I began to have a greater desire to learn more while living a Christian life.

“It wasn’t long after this that I began growing in my desire for the priesthood.”

He says that “through prayer, I believe God began to instill in me the grace and desire to not only make the decision but to live the life as a man preparing for the priesthood.”

He says his experience of seminary life has been “one of joy.”

At St. Meinrad Seminary, he has focused “on the four pillars of seminary formation, which are areas of study and personal formation. For example, learning prayer which is a spiritual pillar. Growing in leadership skills which is a human pillar. Learning scripture which is an intellectual pillar, and learning marriage prep techniques which is a pastoral pillar.”

Read’s parents, William and Bernadine, were asked to share their memories of when he first made the decision to go to the seminary. They say it was six or seven years ago, and that their memory is “not exact.” They say they were surprised because “Jeff had only been out of school a short time and had not been at his job with Vectren very long.”

They both agree that they feel “very proud and lucky” about his vocation to the priesthood, and describe him as a “very determined individual.

“Jeff is somewhat conservative and will be a stabilizing force in any environment he is placed. Jeff is very dedicated to his faith.”