On Saturday, June 6, five men will be ordained deacons at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Cathedral in St. Cloud. Three of the men will become permanent deacons, preparing for lifelong service in parish and community ministry, and two will be ordained transitional deacons, continuing their formation toward the priesthood. All are welcome to attend.
Please note that, since there is no July issue, ordination photos will be available online and in the digital weekly newsletter, the Friday Feed. Sign up today at thecentralminnesotacatholic.org.
Permanent Deacons
Get to know John Bell
HOME PARISH: St. Henry in Perham, part of the Northern Cross Area Catholic Community
Q. Tell us about your family.
I am married to Karla, we’ve been married for 16 years. We both work as teachers in Perham. Karla teaches first grade at Heart of the Lakes, and I teach chemistry and physics at the high school. We have three daughters: Monica, Maria and Audrey. Monica is in high school, Maria is in middle school and Audrey attends St. Henry’s Area School.
Q. When you look back over your life, what moments or experiences do you now recognize as God preparing you for the diaconate?
While in college, I was called to serve with NET (National Evangelization Team) in Australia. This experience helped me develop prayer habits and grow in my understanding of who I am. I was also blessed to have numerous priests, deacons and lay ministers present during my formative years in college. They were a tremendous support in helping me feel part of the Catholic community.
My formation in spiritual direction at Saint John’s was very formative, preparing me to practice a prayerful presence with others. I also recall numerous moments when I felt our Lord instructing, guiding and challenging me to be a better husband, dad, teacher, parishioner, brother and son. These moments seemed small and relatively insignificant at the time, but over the course of years and decades, they have led me to where I am today; not perfect, but ready to serve.
Q. What part of your discernment stretched you the most, and how did that experience shape your understanding of God’s call?
Many things we do in formation draw us away from the very people we are being called to serve. We are busy with meetings, away at evening or weekend classes and occupied with papers and other assignments. These responsibilities can consume a great deal of time, to the point where there is not much time to serve others.
I found myself pushing against this tension by staying involved with youth ministry on Wednesdays, participating in community events and coaching various activities at the school. When I felt exhausted by the demands of academics and work, I recognized I was being called to be present to those I encountered throughout the day and find opportunities to be present to more people. In those moments, I often echoed St. Peter’s words from Luke 5:5, “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets.”
Q. Is there a particular Scripture passage, saint or spiritual practice that has sustained you during formation and continues to anchor your vocation?
One spiritual practice that I found especially fruitful is going to the church in the evenings to simply sit in silence. It was a time to be with our Lord, reflect on my day and consider where I walked closely to him and where I fell short.
I often reflect on the life of St. Peter, especially his transformation. I find this period of his life between his denial of Jesus around the fire (Luke 22:54-62) to his proclamation of Jesus in front of the Sanhedrin (Acts 4:1-21) particularly inspiring. I use it for both personal reflection and inspiration and as part of my theological reflections for classes.
Q. What are you most looking forward to as a deacon? Are there any special celebrations/sacraments planned that you will celebrate as a deacon in the near future?
Our area Catholic communities are experiencing many changes and some uncertainty. I look forward to journeying with parishioners and praying alongside them through these transitions. As a local Church, we have many opportunities to grow and become more faithful missionary disciples. This is an exciting time.
I have worked with young people preparing for and after their confirmation. I look forward to continuing to accompany them during these important moments.
Q. If you could offer one message to the people you will serve, what would you want them to know about your heart for them?
I hope to offer a ministry of presence where I am attentive and responsive to the needs of others. I also hope to foster a ministry of presence within the community, helping others grow into the people God is calling them to be.
Get to know Chad Middendorf
HOME PARISH: St. Boniface in Cold Spring, part of the Centered on Christ Area Catholic Community
Q.Tell us about your family.
Mary and I have been married for almost 40 years. We have three adult children: Donavon, married to Cindy with their children Andrew, Rhett and Holly; Karilyn, married to Daniel Lund with their children Jaclyn and Zackery; and our youngest son Zachary.
Q. When you look back over your life, what moments or experiences do you now recognize as God preparing you for the diaconate?
Witnessing people who are not being seen on their journey, or perhaps feeling lost and not knowing where to turn to be heard. The church resources are stretched thin and I would like to help with the ability to listen and try to understand where fellow Catholics are on their journey.
Q. What part of your discernment stretched you the most, and how did that experience shape your understanding of God’s call?
For a long time I wanted to help but my experience and education lacked in being able to do so. I did not enter the formal formation process for about 10 years after I felt the call. I felt that my family and professional obligations, at the time, were my vocation to attend to. Then, about five years ago, I was approached by a very unexpected person to consider diaconate formation. I prayed on this moment and felt as though God was using this person to call me to take action.
Q. Is there a particular Scripture passage, saint, or spiritual practice that has sustained you during formation and continues to anchor your vocation?
St. Stephen. Without realizing it, I feel as though my passion and desire lines up with St. Stephen: service, proclaiming the word, linking the altar, Word and world.
Q.What are you most looking forward to as a deacon?
Being present and of service.
Q. Are there any special celebrations/sacraments planned that you will celebrate as a deacon in the near future?
I am planning on beginning in my cluster to do baptism and marriage prep and, of course, celebrate both sacraments and services.
Q. If you could offer one message to the people you will serve, what would you want them to know about your heart for them?
I am committed to service to my God and to my Church.
Get to know/Conoce A: Ruben Uribe Mejia
HOME PARISH: Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Rockville, part of the Centered On Christ Area Catholic Community
Q. Tell us about your family. Cuéntanos sobre tu familia.
My wife is Lorena. We have been married for 21 years and have four children: twins Juan Pablo and Jade Concepción, 19, who work at the nursing home in Cold Spring; daughter Fatima, 16, and son Jose Uriel, 14. Our summer pastimes include having bonfires on weekends and going out to eat as a family on Sundays. Every year in March, we take a two-week vacation to Mexico to reconnect with our roots and family traditions.
Mi esposa es Lorena. Llevamos casados 21 años y tenemos cuatro hijos: los mellizos Juan Pablo y Jade Concepción, de 19 años, que trabajan en la residencia de ancianos de Cold Spring; nuestra hija Fátima, de 16 años; y nuestro hijo José Uriel, de 14. Entre nuestros pasatiempos de verano se encuentran hacer fogatas los fines de semana y salir a comer en familia los domingos. Cada año, en marzo, nos tomamos unas vacaciones de dos semanas en México para reconectar con nuestras raíces y tradiciones familiares.
Q. When you look back over your life, what moments or experiences do you now recognize as God preparing you for the diaconate? Al reflexionar sobre tu vida, ¿qué momentos o experiencias reconoces ahora como la preparación de Dios para el diaconado?
The experience that prepared me for the diaconate took place 34 years ago, when I encountered Jesus during a youth retreat. At that time, very clear signs and indications emerged that led me toward marriage. Later, Father Pedro — a missionary priest — helped me discern the call God was extending to me regarding the diaconate.
Mi experiencia que me ha preparado para el diaconado, fue hace 34 años donde me encontré con Jesús en una experiencia juvenil y surgieron pistas y señales muy claras que me condujeron al matrimonio y el P. Pedro sacerdote misionero me ayudó a descubrir el llamado que Dios me hacía al diaconado.
Q. What part of your discernment stretched you the most, and how did that experience shape your understanding of God’s call? ¿Qué parte de tu discernimiento te puso a prueba más y cómo influyó esa experiencia en tu comprensión del llamado de Dios?
My greatest challenge was moving to the USA 10 years ago. I pursued my educational formation at Emmaus Institute for five years and at the Mexican American Catholic College for two years, where God granted me the grace to balance working at a meatpacking plant, supporting my family, pursuing my studies and loving God through the Church.
Mi mayor reto,fue venir a residir a USA hace 10 años y me forme educativamente en el Instituto Emaús 5 años y 2 años en el Mexican American Catholic College, donde Dios me dio su gracia de equilibrar trabajo en una empacadora de carne, apoyar a mi familia, estudiar y amar a Dios a través de la iglesia.
Q. Is there a particular Scripture passage, saint, or spiritual practice that has sustained you during formation and continues to anchor your vocation? ¿Hay algún pasaje bíblico, santo o práctica espiritual que te haya sostenido durante tu formación y que siga siendo un pilar de tu vocación?
The biblical passage that resonated with me was the account of Saint Paul being struck blind on the road to Damascus. My lifelong role model has been Mary — a woman who leads me to Jesus. My faith is sustained through prayer, reading the Sacred Scriptures, praying the daily Rosary, making daily visits to the Blessed Sacrament, and praying the Liturgy of the Hours together with my wife.
El pasaje bíblico fue cuando San Pablo se queda ciego a camino a Damasco y mi modelo de toda la vida es María una mujer que me lleva a Jesús, donde mi fe es sostenida por la oración, lectura de la sagrada escritura, el rosario diario, visitas al santísimo diarias y la Liturgia de las Horas con mi esposa.
Q. What are you most looking forward to as a deacon? Are there any special celebrations/sacraments planned that you will celebrate as a deacon in the near future? ¿Qué es lo que más te ilusiona de ser diácono? ¿Hay alguna celebración o sacramento especial planeado que vayas a celebrar próximamente?
What excites me most is the prospect of being a servant of the Lord; I would especially love to celebrate the sacrament of marriage and the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe in December.
Lo que más me ilusiona es ser un servidor del señor, me gustaría celebrar el sacramento del matrimonio y la Fiesta Guadalupana en diciembre.
Q. If you could offer one message to the people you will serve, what would you want them to know about your heart for them? Si pudieras ofrecer un mensaje a las personas a las que servirás, ¿qué te gustaría que supieran sobre tu amor por ellas?
The message I would offer to the people I am called to serve is this: I want you to know that I love and deeply respect you, and that I freely offer to you the spiritual richness I have received
El mensaje que daría a las personas que voy a servir, les diría que las quiero y las respeto mucho y la riqueza espiritual que he recibido se las entregó gratuitamente.
Transitional Deacons
Get to know Tobias Ellis
HOME PARISH: St. Mary’s Cathedral, part of the All Called to Christ Area Catholic Community
Q. Did you serve in parish ministry growing up? What made your childhood parish unique?
Because I was homeschooled by my mom, we attended daily Mass. When I was seven years old, I was already serving four daily masses a week. I often played piano for the faith formation Masses, our family would clean the shrine to St. Cloud and we often helped at the parish block party.
There is a lot of change and new faces at the parish, but you can count on the regular Mass times which created a steady routine which provided stability. The bishop was there a lot and I would often be asked to serve those Masses. A lot of contact with the bishop was impactful for me.
Q. How did you know your call to priesthood wasn’t a passing feeling?
The Lord was generous in patience with me. Many times, I would hear the call and I would push it away. Every time it came back stronger. Initially, I was against the priesthood because I didn’t want to follow my brother’s path, but now I realize that even though we will both choose the priesthood, we will have different paths.
I attended a Steubenville conference and I knew there is always a call for those discerning religious life or life in the priesthood to come forward for a blessing. A friend encouraged me to step forward and I didn’t want to do that. It was too public. I felt sick about it and walked out.
I heard an announcement followed by applause and expected the blessing was over. I felt such profound sadness about it but when I went back in, I realized the prior call and applause was for women discerning religious life. I immediately felt relieved that I still had a chance to go forward. The Lord gave me courage and it was an incredible feeling.
Q. What surprised you most about life in the seminary?
When I came to seminary, I felt like most of the men would be “perfect people,” but it is a place where a lot of growth and healing happens. There are incredibly different stories from each of the men. We all have different areas of healing and growth, and it’s such a mystery how the Lord called us all here at the same time to follow him and become priests.
Q. How have you grown in your faith from youth onward?
I see the theme of “deeper trust and confidence in the Lord” running through my faith growth. One time in adoration during my senior year of high school, I was angry with the Lord and I heard him say, “Toby you just need to trust me.” The Lord has given me his promises, and I can rely on that. I don’t need to rely on my own power. Regarding my prayer life, I have learned that I don’t need to have the Lord speak boldly to me. The faithfulness of my prayer is what matters.
I joke with my spiritual director about how an old couple that knows each other well from years together could go out to dinner and not talk with one another. Similarly, when you’re in a relationship with Jesus, sometimes being in his presence is enough.
Q.What do you look most forward to as a deacon?
I look forward to home visits with communion to connect with people and to bring Christ to people through that ministry, walking with couples in marriage prep and being even closer to the altar.
Q. What do you most appreciate about the Diocese of Saint Cloud?
The fraternity among the priests. I look forward to stepping into that fraternal community. Also, the generosity of the diocesan community is incredible. They are generous with their time and sharing their gifts.
Get to know Scott Kahler
HOME PARISH: Our Lady of Lourdes in Little Falls, part of the Haven of Mercy Area Catholic Community
Q. What is a favorite childhood memory?
A fond childhood memory was going to family gatherings, especially on the Fourth of July and Thanksgiving, where I would get to spend time with my cousins.
Q.How did you serve in your home parish while growing up?
I would serve during Mass, but I eventually stopped when my classmates stopped as well. But once I entered seminary, I fell back in love with serving.
Q.Had you always considered the priesthood? If not, what did you aspire to be when you grew up?
The idea of the priesthood didn’t really enter my mind until the summer after my sophomore year of high school during a Steubenville retreat. Before then I had always wanted to be an architect. Honestly, what initially drew me to the priesthood was the fact that I felt God was calling me, and in a real sense, that’s all that really matters. But what helped me finalize the decision to enter seminary was the attractive joy and fraternity that I saw in the seminarians on my visits. Over the years of seminary, getting to know more priests, learning more about the priest’s life, seeing their mission and prayer life, I started to really fall in love with the priesthood and began to take seminary formation more seriously.
Q. How did you know that the call to the priesthood wasn’t a passing feeling?
I knew for a couple of reasons. First, it wouldn’t leave my mind, and it got stronger over time. Second, through prayer and discernment during my junior and senior years of high school, I noticed more peace surrounding the idea of seminary and the calling to the priesthood. When I thought of architecture school, I noticed the feeling that I was grasping for my own desires. Really, I am convinced that without any kind of prayer, my discernment to the priesthood would have only ever felt like a passing feeling, thought or idea.
Q. How has your faith life grown over the years?
My faith has grown in many ways over the years, but I think it was something I first received from my mother as I saw her faith amidst my father’s passing. Then through retreats, I started to develop a rudimentary prayer life. But through silent retreats and good spiritual direction in seminary, my daily prayer has become a necessary staple throughout my day and life.
Q. What do you most look forward to serving as a deacon?
I look forward to the opportunity to spend real time in the diocese ministering to the people in a parish through sacraments, visits and building relationships.
Q. What do you appreciate about the Diocese of St. Cloud?
I love our patron St. Cloud. He has built a strong case over the years to be my number two favorite saint! Second, the Diocese of St. Cloud has become my home. I grew up in Little Falls, and I have a lot of extended family throughout the diocese. I never thought of my home as anything more than there. Now, whenever I cross the border taking me back into the diocese, I can honestly say that I feel back at home.