September 30, 2011
Deacon Jeff Read—Preaching is so important
Deacon Jeff Read
Theology IV
St. Meinrad School of Theology
E-mail: jread@evdio.org
Birthday: Jan. 22, 1981
Home Parish: St. John the Evangelist, Daylight
Parents: William and Bernadine Read, Elberfeld
Education and Formation
When and where did you begin formal study to the priesthood? Deacon Read began seminary studies in 2005. He went to St. James Grade School and Elberfeld Elementary, Tecumseh Junior and Senior High School, Ivy Tech State College, Marian College, Creighton University, St. Patrick’s Pontifical Seminary and university in Ireland, and St. Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology.
What other formation programs or processes have you completed? The Institute for Priestly Formation, Summer 2007. Summer 2008 parish assignments at Holy Name of Jesus Church in Bloomfield and St. Peter in Linton; Summer 2009 assignment at St. John the Baptist Church in Newburgh; Summer 2010 CPE at Larue Carter Mental Hospital in Indianapolis; Summer 2011 assignment at Sacred Heart Church in Vincennes.
What’s next? What education or formation do you expect to achieve before ordination? Learning to offer Mass and hear confessions; study Catholic medical ethics; continue preaching and other diaconal ministries.
Your Vocation
Who — or what — affirms you as a seminarian? My family and friends have been very supportive.
What area of ordained ministry is most attractive? Focusing on being a pastor to the people. I am excited about preaching, spiritually directing, and offering Mass, hearing confessions and helping people grow closer to God any way I can.
Your Future
Looking ahead to life as a priest in the Diocese of Evansville, God willing, what are your thoughts on the following areas:
The importance of preaching. Preaching is so important. Its fruitful effects have been, I believe, very underestimated.
Ministry in a cluster parish. What have you heard? What do you expect? I have had some experience ministering in a cluster parish as both a young seminarian and as an ordained deacon.
The role of technology, if any, in assisting with your ministry. PowerPoint and projector are useful for presentations.
The role of the priest in supporting vocations. All priests should be encouraging single men to be open to the priesthood.
Qualities of a good priest. What qualities do you think most people want to see in a diocesan priest? The peole want to see a priest who prays. Priests should be leaders who take initiative, men of love, always giving themselves to others. They should always love to bestow the sacraments and to evangelize.