In the words of our own deacons

‘Make a friend, be a friend, bring a friend to Christ’

By Caroline B. Mooney

The Catholic Moment

Deacon Patrick Gallagher has served as permanent deacon at St. Joseph Parish, Lebanon, since Sept. 17, 2005, and works in hospice care.

The role of a permanent deacon is threefold: to proclaim the Gospel, to assist the priest at the various liturgies in the parish, and to provide charitable service on behalf of the bishop. During their formation periods, deacon candidates work in several internships in order to discern which area of charitable service that they will serve in after ordination.

Deacon Gallagher and his wife, Judy, have four children, Sean, Kristen, Kevin and Kathryn. A member of St. Alphonsus Parish, Zionsville, he was in the military in Vietnam and worked in the corporate world. A native of Michigan, he had a lot of friends who were deacons in his home state, which planted the seed for his desire to serve the Church. He served on the RCIA team at St. Alphonsus and received a master’s degree in pastoral studies through Loyola University in New Orleans as preparation to work for the Church.

“Pastoral care of the sick and the dying was a part of my internship experience during the formation period,” Deacon Gallagher said. “After my ordination, Bishop Higi assigned me to work in hospice care.

“Since I began working for the Church in 1999, I have spent a good deal of time visiting parishioners, friends and acquaintances in hospital, nursing home and hospice facilities,” he said. “Some of my experiences with those who are sick or dying have led me to observe and reflect on the meaning of the word ‘journey’ that we so often hear about. Each and every person that I visit has a fantastic story to tell and, upon reflection, the journey from the moment of conception to their final moments prior to their transition to the Kingdom, witness to the way that our God interacts in our lives and leads us home.”

He is working for a hospice network that provides care for patients in central Indiana. His wife is also a trained hospice volunteer and they visit patients together. The couple currently has four patients, and have visited about 25 people since 2005.

“I visit patients in nursing home facilities weekly,” Deacon Gallagher said. “My work with those in the dying process can be summed up by the phrase: ‘Make a friend, be a friend, bring a friend to Christ.’ That is exactly what we do as a hospice volunteer. By meeting with the individual once a week we come to know each other very well and I am able to offer support (spiritual, as well as emotional support) as my friends proceed through the dying process and prepare to meet Jesus face to face.” 

While meeting with patients, Deacon Gallagher takes notes on their physical status and notes any significant changes. His report may lead to follow-up care by a hospice nurse or social worker.

“The ability of the hospice patient to respond ranges from being very alert and communicative to not able to respond,” Deacon Gallagher said. “The important aspect of working with people who are dying is the need to let them feel that they are respected, and always treat them with dignity. One never knows what the patient is thinking and feeling. He or she may not be able to communicate very well, but they may be alert and sensitive ‘inside.’”

He doesn’t meet patients’ families on a regular basis, but may encounter them and sometimes, there is a notebook available to write messages.

“I visited with Irene for many months,” Deacon Gallagher said. “She was 104 years old and very alert and cognizant. Irene was always ready to talk about the events in her life — and was always aware that she was getting ready to make the transition to the next life. When she died, I was privileged to be able to assist at the funeral Mass.

“I was present at the time of death for one patient who waited until I was there to ‘let go’ so that her husband would not be alone after she died,” he said. “I have witnessed a patient who seemed to be seeing a presence at the end of her bed. The experience brought her peace and calm as she approached her death.” 

After training as a hospice volunteer, Deacon Gallagher developed a Care Ministry program at St. Joseph’s that trains parishioners to minister to the dying and then assist families with the bereavement process.

“Currently we have eight parishioners who have gone through the training,” he said. “I believe that it is important to let our parishioners know that they are not alone as they go through the dying process. The Church is present, the St. Joseph community is present and praying, and the individual and their family will be supported during and after this most important period in our life. 

“I visit many people in nursing homes and hospitals,” Deacon Gallagher said. “My goal is to let them know that they do not have to go through crisis moments by themselves. We have many volunteers in the parish who will visit them, take meals to their families, run errands, provide transportation, shovel snow or cut the grass — whatever it takes to provide those in need with support during difficult times.”

Since his ordination, Deacon Gallagher noted particular highlights of his ministry. “My first two baptisms were my granddaughters — one in Westfield, and the other in Louisville, Ky.,” he said, “as well as witnessing the marriage of my daughter here at St. Joseph’s.” 

He also serves as coordinator of pastoral field education for the permanent diaconate.

“Serving the parishioners of St. Joseph Church inspires me to continue to grow spiritually,” he said, “as I constantly am awed to see how the Holy Spirit encourages and inspires each and every one of us to draw closer to the one who created us — the one who leads us — the one who is to bring us home.”

‘Reaching out to God’s people in good times and in bad’

By Lisa Wilson-Cotillier

The Catholic Moment

Whether he is serving in hospital or prison ministry, Deacon Ron Morrow finds fulfillment in helping others.

“Working with prisoners and visiting sick patients may seem different on the surface,” he said, “but both ministries push me to look at the person before me and see Christ. I am called to bring the love of Christ to others, and guide them to find Jesus in their suffering.”

Deacon Morrow, 62, a retired electrician and father of eight, was ordained by Bishop William L. Higi in September 2005. In addition to his ministerial duties in his assignment at St. Patrick Parish, Kokomo, he serves as a chaplain to patients at St. Joseph Hospital, Kokomo, and as prison chaplain at Miami Correctional Facility, Bunker Hill.

“When I first started, my idea of what a deacon ‘is’ was different,” he said. “It is not a job. It is not something you do. A deacon is who you are and being a deacon is, for me, a joy.”

In his service as hospital chaplain, Deacon Morrow brings holy Communion to Catholic patients, and prays and visits with all who ask.

“I am there with the people to help soothe and bring stability to the families during difficult times,” he said. “I pray with them and try to console them. If needed, I will call the priest to give viaticum (Communion given to the dying by a priest). I try to do all I can to help in any way.”

As a prison chaplain, he works with inmates one hour each week, providing catechesis and RCIA formation.

“I talk with the men, and get to know them,” Deacon Morrow said. “Eventually, I feel like a part of their lives and I know I’m making a difference. Once, someone came to me and said, ‘This is the only time of the week that I feel that I’m not in jail.’ That has stuck with me as a reminder that this work is important.”

In his two years of diaconal service, he said, “I’ve gained a greater understanding of people. It has really opened my eyes to the fact that we are all God’s children, no matter what our state in life is. There was a time in my life when I was judgmental and either unwilling or unable to see Christ in everyone, but serving in the prison and at the hospital has changed me. I see their suffering and their joy and I enjoy serving, reaching out to people in the community and responding to God’s call to help others.

“I’ve also been able to get to know the people of the parish so much better,” Deacon Morrow said. “Their outpouring of love and acceptance has been wonderful and humbling. Spiritually that has really guided me along and reaffirmed my call.”

He described his ministry as “reaching out to God’s people in good times and in bad.”

“A deacon has to have an empathetic approach, courage and a willingness to persevere when times get tough,” he said. “Deacons have to be open to change — to be willing to be formed by God as he desires.”

To men discerning a call to the permanent diaconate, Deacon Morrow said, “Adoration, prayer and frequent Communion and confession are important. Leading a sacramental life is very important.”

Becoming a deacon ‘is a complete transformation’

By Lisa Wilson-Cotillier

The Catholic Moment

It has been two years since Deacon Steve Miller was ordained. He now sees the world differently.

“The way of the world seems less and less important each and every day,” he said. “This is not to condemn the world or to be filled with despair. There are just so many unimportant things that we let distract us from God’s love.”

Ordained by Bishop William L. Higi in September 2005, Deacon Miller, 46, is assigned to St. Maria Goretti Church, Westfield. He serves as director of formation for the permanent diaconate, and is responsible for coordinating and overseeing the formation and evaluation of aspirants and candidates.

“I report to Father Ted Dudzinski, the episcopal vicar for the permanent diaconate,” he said, adding, “Formation involves, among other things, approximately 20 courses, year-long internships in pastoral care settings, practical experience in counseling and liturgy, spiritual exercises, and wives’ formation.”

A deacon’s service is multifaceted.

“Serving at Eucharist is very important since the deacon is an iconic, sacramental sign of our going out into the world ‘to love and serve the Lord,’” Deacon Miller said. “However, deacons are ordained unto a ministry of service in the Church. Under sacred promises of obedience and respect to the bishop, we serve in any way the bishop sees fit to assign us … Being a deacon is different from a lay vocation in that we have submitted ourselves, our freedom to the Church under sacred promises to serve.

“What I do as a permanent deacon simply fulfills what God has called me to be — a servant ordained unto ministry,” he said. “What I do is not nearly as important as what I am called to be and responding to that call. Each of us is called to discern how we should best love, know and serve God. My journey happened to lead me to the permanent diaconate where the Church affirmed my vocational call.”

Deacon Miller practiced law in the corporate and government sector for 12 years.

“Even though I still maintain my law license, I am currently serving the Church,” he said. “My wife, Melissa, and I are blessed to be able to do this. From 1999-2000, I served as the business manager at St. Maria Goretti Parish, but since that time I have continued to assist by developing, coordinating and participating in various ministries. I am presently involved in ministries to the sick, youth (high school servers and choir), catechesis, and coordinating special events such as missions and concerts.”

The work of a deacon is not a job. It is a vocation.

“A job is something someone does to earn a living (and) in an ideal sense, our work should be directed to the love of God and neighbor,” Deacon Miller said. “A vocation goes much deeper. If our vocation is properly discerned, embraced and lived, we will find the true meaning of our life — what God created us to be. Only in God is our soul at rest. Once we find what God truly calls us to do, we will find interior peace. This does not mean that all is perfect or wonderful in our vocations — often it is quite the contrary. Each day I experience both death and resurrection in my vocation. Peace comes from knowing God is with me, and that I am doing God’s will.” 

The most rewarding part of being a deacon comes when “Christ’s presence is realized in myself and in others,” Deacon Miller said. “This happens in so many ways, small and large. It can be very ordinary or very mystical. Sometimes it’s a smile. Sometimes it’s a tear. Sometimes it’s mayhem. Sometimes it’s silence.”

Becoming a permanent deacon “is a complete transformation (that) changes not only your life, but your family’s life. It is about submitting to and embracing God’s will,” he said.

Deacon Miller advised men discerning a call to the permanent diaconate to “let your discernment be open to authentic affirmation by God, the Church and others. God calls everyone to a vocation and service. You are already called to serve the Church. The question is whether or not one is being called in this particular way.

“Proper discernment requires a healthy spiritual life,” he said. “Daily prayer, daily Eucharist and frequenting the sacrament of penance are all essential. Good spiritual direction and counsel is also a must. One cannot properly discern a vocational call without purity of heart, mind and soul.”

‘Doing prison ministry was my hope ... I feel blessed’

By Caroline B. Mooney

The Catholic Moment

Deacon James MacDougall is permanent deacon at St. Lawrence Church, Muncie, and serves inmates in two state prisons.

“Doing prison ministry was my hope when I applied for the permanent diaconate program,” he said. “Since 1974, I have been going into prisons. I had taught in and directed a program at Ball State University with the Department of Corrections.        

“I read about the permanent diaconate program in Bishop Higi’s column in The Catholic Moment,” he said, “but even before he announced that, I read what he wrote about prison ministry.”

Deacon MacDougall, 67, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, is married to Carolyn, and they have two children; son, Ross, and daughter, Rebecca. After entering the Ecclesial Lay Ministry program in anticipation of his retirement in 2001 from Ball State, Deacon MacDougall received a letter encouraging him to consider the permanent diaconate. He spoke to his pastor, Father Dennis Goth, about applying, and decided to enter the program.

After ordination in September 2005, he was assigned to prison ministry for his charitable service work as a permanent deacon.

“I find the work to be really gratifying — I feel blessed,” Deacon MacDougall said. “It’s as great an assignment as I could possibly have. I think reaching out to people who can’t come to us is important.”

He has been running a Bible study since fall 2005 at the Correctional Industrial Prison in Pendleton, a medium security facility for men, and the Pendleton Correctional Facility, a men’s maximum security prison.

When he began visiting the prisons as his internship for the diaconate program, his wife started going with him.

“I go with four volunteers at a time to both the prisons for the Bible study,” Deacon MacDougall said. “The majority of volunteers are women from our parish and from St. Ambrose and St. Mary churches in Anderson.

“I conduct the Bible study, but the volunteers participate, too,” he said. “It’s good that other people go to let the men know that there are people who freely chose to come and see them. I also go by myself for a catechesis class. We do spiritual reading each week and talk. The inmates are really serious about their faith; they’re very devout.

“A lot of them support one another in their faith,” Deacon MacDougall said. “We talk about Church and the Bible, but it is a rare opportunity to express opinions freely in a prison setting.”

Deacon MacDougall went through a Department of Corrections training program so he no longer has to have an escort when entering the prison.

“It’s a lot more convenient,” he said. “I have no fear going into the prison. The men understand that we choose to be there, and they always wish us well.

“I consider myself blessed with this work,” he said. “As long as I’ve gone I’ve always learned things about what men can be like. When I was talking about charity with the men, I said, ‘I understand that you can’t afford to give,’ but one fellow immediately said, ‘I do.’ And other men do, too. They don’t make much money in there, and they need it to buy all their snacks and toiletries, but my assumptions of what the men can get by on were all wrong.

“In one group we have Catholics who had fallen away and those who have converted while in prison,” he said. “Three men right now plan to join the Church. When Bishop Higi comes to visit every year, he baptizes and confirms men. One man asked me to be his sponsor.

“The point is change — always change,” Deacon MacDougall said. “Someone might have done something terrible, but it is not his whole life. I don’t make excuses for anyone, but the idea that they should be ignored is not Christian. It’s really impressive at times to hear how much their faith means to them. We should be there for them. No one should be cut off from the world. The fact is most of them are going to be released. If we don’t help them, then what should we expect back when they are released?

“In my parish work, I serve at every Mass in the parish,” he said. “Father Dennis gives me good opportunities to preach as well. I wish there were more deacons, serving the needs of the parishes and the larger community.”

Deacon MacDougall and his wife have conducted the RCIA at their parish for many years. He chairs the stewardship committee, and serves on other committees.

“I tell people I never knew when I retired that I could be working seven days a week instead of five,” he said, “but it’s really pleasurable — it’s really good.”

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