By John Rohlf, The Message assistant editor
Bishop Joseph M. Siegel ordained two diocesan seminarians as deacons during the Rite of Ordination April 18.
Bishop Siegel ordained Diocese of Evansville seminarians Nathan Folz and Chase Riecker as deacons during the Rite of Ordination to the Sacred Order of Deacon April 18 at Good Shepherd Church in Evansville. A son of Good Shepherd Parish in Evansville, Deacon Folz attends St. Meinrad Seminary in St. Meinrad. A son of St. Isidore the Farmer Parish in Celestine, Deacon Riecker attends Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri.
Over 30 priests, including many diocesan priests and priests who are friends of the newly ordained, concelebrated the Mass, which was celebrated by Bishop Siegel. About 10 deacons were present, including Deacon Dan DeCastra, who assisted during the Mass. Father Chris Forler, Larry Durchholz, Paul Folz and Matt Miller were the masters of ceremony.
After the Gospel reading, Father Tyler Tenbarge, Director of Vocations for the diocese, presented both seminarians to Bishop Siegel for election.
“After inquiry among the Christian people and upon the recommendation of those concerned with their formation, I testify that they have been found worthy,” Father Tenbarge said during the election of the candidates.
Bishop Siegel then said, relying on the help of the Lord God and our savior Jesus Christ, they chose Deacon Folz and Deacon Riecker to the order of the diaconate. The ordination also included the Promise of the Elect, Litany of Supplication, Laying on of Hands and Prayer of Ordination and Handing on the Book of Gospels.
After they were ordained, Deacon Folz was vested by Deacon Rocky Mattingly. Deacon Riecker was vested by Deacon Mike Seibert.
During his homily, Bishop Siegel said it was a great blessing that in the light and joy of the Easter season, they gathered for the Eucharistic liturgy for the ordination of Deacon Folz and Deacon Riecker to the diaconate for service in the diocese.
Bishop Siegel said just like the names of the original deacons were called in the Acts of the Apostles, so too were their names called during the Rite of Ordination, to which they both responded with “present.” Bishop Siegel said he trusts they were indeed present, not just physically, but in every dimension of their being in body, mind, soul and spirit. Bishop Siegel said he knows they were well prepared for this momentous step.
Like the apostles, Bishop Siegel said, he too has prayed and consulted with the community, their seminary formators, their vocation director, the pastors under whom they served, parishioners and peers. They testified to their readiness to serve, and it is upon their testimony, and with the help of the Holy Spirit, that Bishop Siegel relied on in choosing them and ordaining them. Having heard the joyful affirmation of those gathered at the Rite of Ordination, Bishop Siegel said he was prepared to proceed with the sacred rites.
Bishop Siegel said in their roles as deacons, they should always be lost in wonder as they contemplate their role of assisting at the altar, distributing Holy Communion, baptizing, presiding at marriages and funerals, visiting the sick and dying, conducting prayer services and much more. If it is not themselves that they preach, Bishop Siegel said, so too it is not their mysteries that they celebrate, but rather the great and marvelous deeds that Christ accomplished for their salvation. Thus, they are never to be casual or careless, he said, but always devout, faithful and joyous as they seek to manifest through sacramental signs the glory of God shining on the face of Christ.
Bishop Siegel said ministry, diakonia and the church does not live with bluster, self-absorption or ambition, but with humility and selflessness. In this way, Bishop Siegel said, they not only give of their talents and gifts, but their very selves. This love will mean for them, as it did for Jesus, to lay down their lives in service to his people.
As part of the Rite of Ordination, both Deacon Folz and Deacon Riecker prostrated themselves during the Litany of Supplication. During the litany and their promise to be men of prayer, their promise of obedience and promise of chaste celibacy, they powerfully expressed their intention to give their life to the church. Thus, the true authority, the authority of Christ, shine through them, Bishop Siegel said.
Bishop Siegel said he prayed that not only will they be effective in their diaconal ministry, but above all, that those they encounter will see the Lord Jesus in them and in their manner of life. May they always be effective in action, gentle in ministry and constant in prayer, he said.
Bishop Siegel thanked Deacon Folz and Deacon Riecker for their generous response to the call to follow Jesus, leaving other options and other paths of life that may have brought wealth and comfort to choose the pearl of great price, a life of service in and with Jesus Christ.