CHARLOTTE — On July 1, 1995, a day full of sunshine and smiles, then Bishop William G. Curlin ordained 11 men as permanent deacons for the Diocese of Charlotte. The day marked the culmination of five years of preparation, two years of Lay Ministry and three years of formation.
During the Mass at St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte, the group listened carefully as Bishop Curlin prayed during the ordination rite: "Receive the Gospel of Christ. Believe what you read. Teach what you believe. Practice what you teach."
Twenty years have brought many changes in the ministry and the lives of these men, six of whom remain in ministry in the diocese:
- Deacon Wayne Adams, 72, has been assigned to Our Lady of the Highways Church in Thomasville since his ordination, joyfully serving the parish and community. He continues as an adjunct hospital chaplain at the Thomasville hospital, a ministry that began before ordination, making rounds and gathering with families who have lost a loved one. Baptism preparation classes, assisting with confirmation retreats and helping his pastor are part of his routine. As a young Southern Baptist man rooted in Kannapolis, he never imagined one day becoming Catholic – and a permanent deacon at that. It all began when he met Ursula, the Catholic girl who would become his wife. Serving in the U.S. Army in Germany in 1966, he spoke no German and she spoke no English, but they were attracted to each other so both carried dictionaries to converse. Dating for about a year and considering a wedding, he did not want a mixed marriage, two religions, in the family. He prayed for insight and realized that the bias against Catholicism he'd learned as a child missed the basic fact that Protestants and Catholics were both Christians. He then received guidance from the Army chaplain, a Dutch priest, and converted to Catholicism. The chaplain officiated at their wedding on Sept. 28, 1967. They lived in Germany for several years, then decided to settle back in his native North Carolina. So Newton became home, and St. Aloysius Church in Hickory their new parish. A job opportunity brought him to Thomasville in 1988 and to Our Lady of the Highways Parish. He became interested in the diaconate when Father John Murphy, OSFS, his pastor, told him about the program, and in 1992 he applied. "During the entire formation period I was discerning my call, questioning, and only at the end did it seem the right thing to do. Being a deacon has been a joy."
-Deacon Michael Langsdorf, 61, and his wife Mary are Philadelphia area natives who moved to North Carolina in 1976. With four children and eight grandchildren, he has been particularly involved in youth ministry, youth catechesis and faith formation at his parish, Divine Redeemer Church in Boonville, and his former parish, Holy Family Church in Clemmons. As his children reached their teen years, he responded to the call to the diaconate that he had perceived for some time. Step by step his response continues through 20 years ordained. At the Boonville parish, which has a large Hispanic and small English community, his focus is providing for those who prefer English-speaking faith formation and sacramental preparation. He teaches faith formation for grades 8-12 and confirmation preparation, and he cares for those who prefer English baptism preparation classes and RCIA when needed. At the same time, he finds the larger Divine Redeemer community "very welcoming and faith filled" as he proclaims the Gospel in Spanish when assisting at the Spanish Masses.
- Deacon Carlos Medina, 65, and his wife Martha moved from Nicaragua to Miami in 1978 with their children, and job opportunities brought the family to Charlotte in 1981. Within days of arriving he went to the Sunday evening Spanish Mass at St. Patrick Cathedral, and he has been immersed in the life of the diocese ever since – asking simply of then chancellor Monsignor Joseph Kerin: "I have nothing and I am asking nothing from you. I just want to know what is it that I can do for my Church?" He served on the Hispanic Council and grew in his knowledge of the faith thanks to SEPI, the Hispanic Evangelization and Formation institute of the U.S. bishops in the Southeastern U.S. He trained to serve as a lector and extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, and he continued serving the Charlotte area Hispanic community. His Cursillo experience in 1988 brought a new joy, he recalls. He began attending daily Mass at St. Patrick Cathedral and joined Cursillo leadership at the local and regional levels. Then Bishop John Donaghue, who was the regional episcopal advisor for Cursillo, asked him, "Why don't you study to be a deacon?" He applied, praying, "I will not mourn if not ordained, Lord. Deacon or not, I will serve you." He thoroughly enjoyed the diaconate formation and speaks with admiration of the late Monsignor Anthony Kovacic, who formerly directed the permanent diaconate program. After ordination, he was assigned to the Hispanic Center (now Our Lady of Guadalupe Church) in Charlotte. He also began assisting at the daily English Mass at the cathedral, at the request of then rector and pastor, Father Frank O'Rourke. His first assignment upon ordination to the Hispanic Ministry involved establishing ministries for the growing Latino community wherever needed, starting with helping Father Tom Clements to start a Hispanic Ministry at Sacred Heart Church in Salisbury. He ministered to the Latino community by establishing faith formation classes, administering the sacrament of baptism, officiating at weddings and funerals, and preaching at Spanish-language Masses. He then went to St. Dorothy Church in Lincolnton to do the same for the next five years. In 2002 he was assigned to St. Patrick Cathedral – the place where his ministry in the Church began 21 years earlier.
- Deacon Ron Steinkamp, 71, and his wife Bette are natives of Quincy, Ill. They have experienced God working in both Catholic and ecumenical activities over the years, and helped the parishes in the communities where they lived, including forming a parish community and building a church where none existed, prison ministry and youth leadership. When a job promotion brought them to Thomasville and Our Lady of the Highways Church, they immediately sought out the diocesan charismatic groups and Cursillo movement, which was a source of spiritual strength for them when they lived in Virginia. Catholic Charismatic Renewal conferences introduced them to the diaconal ministry, particularly to Deacon Hugo May and his wife Bobbie. They were good models, and it was Deacon Hugo who vested him at ordination. The diocesan Lay Ministry Formation program attracted their attention and they enrolled in 1990, seeking deeper faith formation. He applied to the diaconate in 1992 and greatly appreciated being accepted. Upon ordination, he was assigned to the Thomasville parish, where both he and his wife continued as adjunct hospital chaplains at the Thomasville hospital, led the RCIA and adult formation events and remained active with the charismatic conferences and Cursillo. In January 1999 he was assigned to St. Pius X Church in Greensboro, assisting Father Frank Connelly. In July 2005 Bishop Peter Jugis appointed him for a three-year term as spiritual advisor to the Cursillo Movement. In 2010 concluding a three-year Summer Institute at Quincy University, Deacon Steinkamp earned a master's degree in theological studies. Then on March 25, 2011, he was appointed by Bishop Jugis as director of the Permanent Diaconate for the Charlotte diocese. He continues at his parish assignment with RCIA, Bible study, baptisms and marriages, and serves as a marriage tribunal advocate on annulment cases. He often turns to his wife saying, "Pinch me as I must be dreaming: this farm boy from Illinois is an ordained deacon." He even presided at the 2000 wedding of his mother, then aged 79, to her childhood sweetheart.
- Deacon Rafael Torres, 69, serves at St. Luke Church in Mint Hill. When this U.S. Army Vietnam veteran moved with his wife Gladys and three children to Charlotte from Puerto Rico in 1982, he never imagined his present life. His brother lived in Charlotte and Rafael secured a job with a cooking oil refinery soon after arrival. He made a career of it, and retired after 30 years. But, he says, his diaconal vocation and spiritual life have been more exciting and deeply rewarding. He became involved with the Hispanic Catholic community in Charlotte and when the Spanish Cursillo was introduced he made a weekend. He says the Cursillo weekend "meant everything to me ... what we learned that lay people can do to evangelize," and he stayed active in Cursillo and worked on lay teams speaking, serving and in leadership. Sister Pilar Dalmau, ACJ, who led the Charlotte Hispanic Ministry at that time, urged him and others to take the Lay Ministry Formation program starting in 1990. Two years later, he was one of three Spanish-speaking men admitted to diaconate formation. Upon ordination he was assigned to Hispanic Ministry and he served at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Charlotte for 10 years. He went on to serve Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Charlotte for three years, then was transferred to St. Luke Church. "That is an interesting story," he relates. "I was visiting St. Luke for the 1 p.m. Sunday Spanish Mass and introduced myself to the pastor before Mass. He said, 'Deacon, put on an alb and stole and preach the Mass today.' I replied, 'I have no vestments and no homily prepared.' The pastor replied, "We have vestments and you can preach my homily that I wrote in Spanish.' That is how it started." A second Spanish-speaking deacon had come to Our Lady of the Assumption Church, and the pastor arranged for Deacon Rafael to move to St. Luke so that both communities could have Spanish-speaking deacons to minister to their growing Latino populations. He continues to preach at the 1 p.m. Spanish Mass, which has grown from 80 to an average of more than 300 attendees over the past seven years. He administers the sacrament of baptism, officiates at weddings and funerals, presides at quinceañeras, and serves as a marriage tribunal advocate on annulment cases. He is blessed by his parish community and as a Knight of Columbus in the St. Luke council.
- Deacon John Weisenhorn, 81, and his wife Rosemarie have lived in Gastonia for 35 years, and he has served at St. Michael the Archangel Church since his ordination. Over his 20 years of ministry, his particular focus has been marriage preparation, and he says his own marriage has enriched his ministry to young couples. And, he adds, parenting a family of 11 children and frequent moves for his job earlier in their marriage has added to his perspective on marriage and family life. The Weisenhorns lived in Charlotte for a short time in the 1970s and attended St. Ann Church, where then Father Tony Kovacic was pastor. A few years later when they moved back to Charlotte, they got back together with their former pastor. He told them about the newly-established permanent diaconate program, which he directed, and suggested that John apply. "It was tempting but with young children and a new job, I knew my first vocation needed my attention and I declined," he recalls. But 10 years later, he entered the Lay Ministry Formation program and then applied. Upon ordination he was hired by his parish as a pastoral associate for a time. Over these 20 years many changes occurred at the parish, a new church building was dedicated, and he has assisted eight different pastors. Reflecting upon his ministry, he recalls how his nine years of service as a full-time chaplain at Covenant Village retirement community in Gastonia has taught him so much: "The people taught me how to grow old with dignity, how to die with dignity, as I often sat by the bedside as death came." A particular blessing for this deacon has also been presiding at the weddings of several of his children, as well as baptizing his grandchildren.
Other deacons in ministry
Many deacons serving in the Diocese of Charlotte were ordained for another diocese. Moving to our area because of work or family considerations, they have continued their service to the people of God in assignments granted by the bishop. Several of these celebrate milestone anniversaries this year:
35 years
- Deacon Francis J. Camacho, 78, was ordained on June 7, 1980, for the Diocese of Fall River, Ma. Moving to the Diocese of Venice, Fla., in 1989 he was later incardinated there in 2003 and appointed diocesan director of the Permanent Diaconate, which he continues to do. With seasonal residence in North Carolina, he was granted faculties and assigned to St. John the Evangelist Church in Waynesville in 2014 by Bishop Jugis. Last fall he and his wife Lillian celebrated 53 years of marriage.
10 years
- Deacon Mark J. King, 53, was ordained June 12, 2005, for the Diocese of Norwich, Ct. In 2009, he moved to the Charlotte diocese and was granted faculties and assigned to St. Matthew Church in Charlotte. Four years later, upon relocating in the city, Deacon Mark was reassigned by Bishop Jugis to St. Gabriel Church. He and his wife Susan just celebrated 30 years of marriage on June 8.
- Educated in Florida, Deacon Richard J. Zandy, 60, was ordained for the Diocese of Venice on June 4, 2005, and has served since 2011 at St. Andrew the Apostle Church in Mars Hill. He has lived seasonally in Burnsville and works in ministry in both dioceses throughout the year.
5 years
- Deacon Philip B. Miles, 66, is new to the Charlotte diocese, having receive his assignment by Bishop Jugis to St. Lawrence Basilica in Asheville in January. He was ordained on Feb. 6, 2010, for the Archdiocese of Atlanta, and relocated to North Carolina to be near family. He and his wife Eileen will celebrate 45 years of marriage in July.
Cory Catron ordained to the transitional diaconate May 30
Cory Catron ordained to the transitional diaconate May 30CHARLOTTE — St. Patrick Cathedral was the site where one man's life changed forever today. Aaron Cory Catron was presented by Father Christopher Gober, director of vocations for the Charlotte diocese, to Bishop Peter J. Jugis and the lay faithful as a candidate for the transitional diaconate. After vouching for his character and preparedness, Father Gober then asked Bishop Jugis to accept Catron for the ordination to the diaconate.
A resounding round of applause went up as Bishop Jugis gave his approval.
Catron was then asked to stand before Bishop Jugis and the congregation made up of priests, deacons, religious men and women and laity to profess his fidelity to the Catholic Church and his bishop. He was then seated before the bishop at the base of the sanctuary steps for the homily.
"Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Cory Catron is now to be advanced to the order of deacons through the laying on of hands and the prayer of ordination," Bishop Jugis said.
He explained that Catron would receive the gifts of Holy Spirit in ordination to help the bishop and his priests in the Ministry of the Word, of the Altar and of Charity.
"He (Catron) will demonstrate that he is a servant, a servant to all, following example of Jesus, who came not to be served but to serve. As a minister of the Altar he will proclaim the Gospel, prepare the Sacrifice, and distribute the Lord's Body and Blood to the faithful.
"As minister of the Word he will instruct believers and non-believers in the doctrine of Christ, and he will preside over public prayer, assist at and bless marriages, bring viaticum to the dying, conduct funeral rites and administer baptism."
Bishop Jugis explained that in the reading from the Acts of the Apostles during the diaconate Mass which spoke of the deacon, Philip, St. Luke shares the story of how the deacon ran to catch up with a chariot to speak to the man riding in it.
"He took the initiative and asked the question of the chariot passenger 'Do you understand what you are reading in the prophet Isaiah?' We see a beautiful example of enthusiasm, engaging himself in the ministry," Bishop Jugis said.
"He took the initiative, instructing the man in the doctrine of Christ, proclaiming Jesus to him. Then he administered the sacrament of baptism when the court official requested to be baptized."
According to St. Luke, Philip was then snatched away by the Holy Spirit and he went about proclaiming Jesus to all of the surrounding towns as far as Caesarea.
"Such enthusiasm, engaging himself in the diaconal ministry," Bishop Jugis noted. "This whole reading is a perfect example not only of diaconal ministry, but of Pope Francis' teaching on personal encounter as a most effective method of evangelization, bringing Christ to others through a personal encounter with them. Certainly Deacon Philip models diaconal ministry for us in an exemplary way."
Bishop Jugis also explained that the Ministry of the Word and the Ministry of the Altar are also accompanied by the Ministry of Charity, which is also an essential part of the work of deacons from the beginning.
"What could be a greater work of charity than to devote oneself to the salvation of another?" he asked.
The Gospel reading from Matthew 5:13-16, was particularly appropriate for the diaconate Mass, Bishop Jugis said, as it reminds us ‒ particularly those called to Holy Orders ‒ that followers of Christ are to be 'the light of the world' and must 'let their light shine before others' so that they may see our good deeds and glorify our heavenly Father.
At that point, Bishop Jugis addressed Catron directly. "Now dear son, you are to be raised to the order of the diaconate. A whole new life opens before you beginning today; the life of an ordained minister of the Church.
"You will now be changed by the action of the Holy Spirit. He will mark you with an indelible character to configure you to Jesus Christ who came as the Servant of all...You are united to Christ the Deacon, the Servant, through the sanctifying grace of diaconate ordination.
"You must also from this day forward, every day, unite yourself to Christ seeking to configure yourself to Him."
Bishop Jugis reminded Catron that he needed to exercise this ministry in the celibate state, because "Celibacy is a sign and expression of your pastoral charity and the source of spiritual fruitfulness in the world. It enables you to be more free in service of God and in service of others.
"Remain united to Christ in a most profound way through your prayer every day. He is your close friend, your close companion."
Bishop Jugis then recalled that the Apostles enumerated some perfect qualities for deacons as the first deacons were known to be men of good reputation, filled with Holy Spirit and wisdom.
"And so must you be, of good reputation, your conduct always beyond reproach as a sacred minister."
He also recounted how St. Paul in his Second Letter to Timothy, wanted deacons to be dignified, which demanded that they held fast to the mystery of faith with a clear conscience.
"And so must you do, firmly rooted and grounded in the faith so that you may teach what comes to us from the Apostles; that you may teach Jesus who is the Way, the Truth and the Life."
After the homily, Catron approached Bishop Jugis, placing his hands in the bishop's hands, vowing his obedience to him. Then Catron descended the sanctuary stairs and lay prostrate on the floor during the Litany of the Saints, while all gathered sang in unison.
Upon rising from the floor at the conclusion of the litany, Catron again approached Bishop Jugis in the sanctuary and knelt while Bishop Jugis laid his hands upon his head, invoking the Holy Spirit. At the conclusion of bishop's prayers, now Deacon Catron descended the sanctuary to be vested by transitional Deacon Casey Coleman and permanent Deacon Ruben Tamayo. His parents, Jerry and Mia Catron, and family sat in the front pews, proudly watching his vesting.
After being greeted by the priests and deacons assembled for the diaconate Mass, Deacon Catron prepared the altar for the Liturgy of the Eucharist. He then assisted Bishop Jugis at the altar, distributing the Precious Blood at Communion.
During the Mass, Bishop Jugis encouraged Deacon Catron in his ordained ministry saying, "Through your faithful service, may you be blessed to hear the Lord say to you on the last day, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord.'"
— SueAnn Howell, Catholic News Herald. Photos by SueAnn Howell
Aaron Cory Catron
Home parish: St. Frances of Rome Church, Sparta; originally St. Mary, Mother of God Church in Wytheville, Va.
Raised in: Rural Retreat, Va.
Family: Parents, Jerry and Mia Catron; brother, Micah Catron
College: Belmont Abbey College, Class of 2010
Degree: B.A. in Theology and Philosophy
Pre-Theology: Pontifical College Josephinum
Theology: Pontifical College Josephinum
Summer assignments in the diocese: Previously at St. John the Evangelist Church, Waynesville, and Immaculate Conception Mission, Canton, in 2011; St. Francis of Assisi Church, Jefferson, and St. Frances of Rome Mission, Sparta, in 2012; St. Vincent de Paul Church, Charlotte, in 2014
Interests/hobbies: "I like to read and write, and also to be outdoors ‒ fishing, hiking, camping and boating. Having been raised by a librarian I have a broad and eclectic taste in books. I find writing to be a helpful spiritual discipline sometimes, and use it almost as a form of contemplative prayer."
Q&A with the new deacon
CNH: When did you first realize you had a vocation to the priesthood?
Deacon Catron: I think the thought of priesthood was there sometime when I was in high school – particularly later on, junior and senior year. I was raised Catholic but didn't really come to appreciate and understand my faith and to learn more about it until I began reading up on it in about the ninth grade. As I grew in my understanding and my prayer life, a vague attraction to the priesthood began.
Going to Belmont Abbey was hugely catalytic to bringing that into focus, as was attending the Eucharistic Congress each year. I think the Congress in 2006 was the first time I had a concrete sense that God might be calling me to the priesthood. I felt a certain peace as I walked behind the Blessed Sacrament, almost like something was telling me to follow.
CNH: Who has mentored you or given you a good example to follow during these years of discernment and seminary studies?
Deacon Catron: First, my grandfather, who passed away in 2005, was a tremendous example of faith, family and learning. It was his books about Catholicism that I inherited and that paved the way for me initially. My parents, of course, were supportive the whole way, particularly once I had a clear vision of where I might be headed.
The monks at Belmont Abbey, particularly Abbot Placid, Father Kieran, Father Arthur, Brother Edward and Brother Andrew, whose friendship and guidance throughout the years I was in college and thereafter, were a constant help. And Father James Stuhrenberg, who was my summer pastor in 2012, is a shining example of priestly joy and fraternity.
CNH: What would you like to say to young men who may have a call to the priesthood?
Deacon Catron: Prayer is absolutely essential. Prayer, and realizing that God puts certain people in your life at certain times to teach you something. Sometimes the lessons are a joy, sometimes they are very difficult, and sometimes the difficult lessons open you to the more joyous ones.
Be aware of the ways in which He can be working in your life. Know that you're not alone in your desire to do His will, and seek the friendship of those who will bring that out. Seek also people who can help you in your struggles – in which you are also not alone.
CNH: Is there any comment you would like to share with our readers about becoming a transitional deacon here in the Diocese of Charlotte?
Deacon Catron: I am grateful for the prayers and sacrifices of such a wonderful diocese over the years. I am very blessed to be called to serve here, and I can't wait to get to work serving you.
— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter