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Featured News |
New deacons
Eight men ordained to serve archdiocese
By Robert Delaney
Of The Michigan Catholic
Published Oct. 7, 2004
DETROIT – Deacon Kenneth R. Weiss' journey to ordination was fraught with difficulties, but his troubles helped the entire 2004 class of permanent deacons – and their wives – form strong bonds of friendship and mutual support.
"It was one miserable thing after another, and I think if it hadn't been for God's grace and the Holy Spirit helping me, I'd have just given up and forgotten about it," said Deacon Weiss about the three back surgeries he underwent during his deacon formation, plus the death of his sister over the summer.
Photo by Shawn D. Ellis
The eight candidates for diaconal ordination lie prostrate before the altar during the Litany of Supplication. | Deacon Weiss was one of eight men Cardinal Adam Maida ordained to the diaconate for the Archdiocese of Detroit last Saturday at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Detroit. Also ordained were Deacons Kevin M. Breen, Frederick F. Burrell, Stephen L. Bussa, Henry J. Kibit Jr., Paul T. Lippard, Lawrence L. Ruehlen and Vincent R. Small.
As Deacon Weiss struggled with the pain and difficulties associated with slipped, herniated and cracked discs caused by osteoporosis, his classmates helped him get through the program on schedule. "My fellow ordinandi came forward and supported me. You really come to realize how close you can become as a group," he said.
He also expressed his gratitude for all the help and assistance he received from his wife, Rosie, and daughter, Melissa. "Rosie was always there supporting me, and because I couldn't sit at the computer because of my back, Melissa typed in my papers for me," Deacon Weiss said. All of the new deacons studied for their new ministry at Sacred Heart Major Seminary.
When the timing of his second and third back surgeries threatened to set him back a year or more in the formation program because he wouldn't be able to drive to classes in the first weeks of the seminary term, Deacon Ruehlen picked him up and drove him home from class each night. "And then we had a serious car accident coming to the seminary one night," Deacon Weiss added.
Photo by Shawn D. Ellis
Cardinal Adam Maida lays his hands on the head of Deacon Frederick F. Burrell. | To Deacon Ruehlen, it was as though he and his fellow aspiring deacons were being tested: "I had surgery on my right hand, and (one class member) lost his job. There seemed to be certain forces trying to dissuade us from a vocation – it can't be coincidence in a group this small," he said.
But, he added, "The class prayed for each other continuously, and it worked – you become a family by the time you're done."
As class spokesman, Deacon Bussa said in his thanksgiving address at the end of the Mass that each of the new deacons had experienced either changing employment or other economic distress, illness or other circumstances that had caused anxiety during their formation process.
"The love and support of our wives and family have been key to keeping us focused on God, our true security, and not on the false security of our own efforts," he said.
And Deacon Bussa added, "After these years of formation, we eight men have become brothers, bonded forever through shared experiences and through the love of Christ and His Church. We are also thankful for the friendship of our fellow formation students and their wives who have been so supportive."
Rosie Weiss said her husband's classmates and their wives also helped by keeping in touch by phone,sending cards, making visits and by keeping her husband in their prayers. "We had a lot of support from the whole team," she said.
And seeing her husband being ordained brought on "tears of joy and happiness – at times it was hard to keep from sobbing out loud," she added.
Janice Kibit said she "felt like we were in heaven" during the ceremony. "I could just feel our Lord and Blessed Mother pouring graces on these eight men," she said.
It was also a heavenly moment for Pat Lippard. "You know, this is the feast of the Guardian Angels, and when they were ordained it was like the sky opened up and the angels were singing. It was just a wonderful moment," she said.
more about new deacons from the Michigan Catholic News ...
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Assignments
Cardinal Adam Maida announces the following appointments:
Deacon Kevin Breen, three-year assignment to St. Genevieve Parish, Livonia, effective Oct. 2.
Deacon Fredrick Burrell, three-year assignment to St. Raphael the Archangel Parish, Garden City, effective Oct. 2.
Deacon Stephen Bussa, three-year assignment to St. Sebastian Parish, Dearborn Heights, effective Oct. 2.
Deacon Paul Lippard, three-year assignment to St. Gertrude Parish, St. Clair Shores, effective Oct. 2.
Deacon Lawrence Ruehlen, three-year assignment to St. Malachy Parish, Sterling Heights, effective Oct. 2.
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