Father David H. Reith

The St. Dominic Vocations Committee invites you to participate in the Pilgrim Crucifix Program.  The Pilgrim Crucifix program will encourage volunteer families to pray for vocations.  The individual or family will welcome a traveling crucifix into their homes for a week to remind them of the increasing need for vocations.  For more information or to participate in this program call Ann Stein at (262) 352-1651.  Please pray for vocations even if you do not have the crucifix.

Larry LaFond

Deacon Larry celebrated 25 years of service on January 22, 2008.

Fr. Dave Reith recently sat down with Larry and Cathy LaFond to talk about how Larry’s decision to become a permanent deacon affected their lives and the lives of those closest to them.

Deacon Larry LaFond will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of his ordination to the diaconate on January 22, 2007. St. Dominic Parish has been graced with Larry’s presence and service for the past 12+ years, but his humble, somewhat bewildered journey to the diaconate started years ago by a simple invitation by Walt Henry, a fellow deacon.

Fr. Dave: What led you to discern if God was calling you to ministry as a permanent deacon?

Larry: “Walt Henry, a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish was seeking direction in his faith life and decided to look into the diaconate program. Walt thought he would ask me to join him. I replied you must be out of your mind! I turned him down flat.”

Over the years, Larry said, that simple invitation became a nagging thought, not unlike a toothache that would not go away. It was as an adult chaperone for a CYO canoe trip to Crystal River with St. Margaret Mary Parish that God spoke loud and clear. Larry had never been in a canoe before. His efforts to steer the canoe were fruitless. He tried in vain to control the canoe until he was physically drained. God was speaking to Larry. God was telling Larry that He was in control of his life, not Larry. Larry finally called out, “Ok, ok, just don’t drown me!” He filled out the paperwork, but would not send it in. While on vacation in New Hampshire, away from his everyday life, he decided to take the plunge and mailed it in. To his surprise, he was invited into the program.

Fr. Dave: Cathy, how did you deal with Larry’s desire to respond to God’s call and how has his ministry as a Deacon affected you, your marriage and your family?

Cathy said, “Though many wives attend the classes with their husbands today, I was working full-time and did not attend. During the years of formation it was always stressed that the priority should be “family, job, and then diaconate. Larry always remembered that.” She was supportive of Larry’s decision and her faith and marriage has been strengthened by his ministry. She said their children learned to identify with it, though having your deacon dad chaperone CYO functions in high school put a bit of pressure on them! Most importantly, Larry and Cathy’s children have been proud and honored to have their dad officiate at one of their weddings, baptize their children, and offer them First Communion.

Fr. Dave: Looking back over the years, what were some of the memorable experiences in your ministry?

“The father of our son Mark’s twin friends was a good long distance runner in excellent health until he suddenly collapsed at a party. He was diagnosed with cancer and became very sick. One of the twins asked Larry if he would go and see his dad. Larry asked, “When do you want me to come?” The boy said, “how about tomorrow morning?” Larry had a wonderful talk with the father and before Larry left, asked if he could bring him Communion. They prayed, and Larry came back the next day to give him Communion. Then everyday for 3 months Larry visited, except for Saturdays. He first brought Communion for the father; then the wife requested Communion, and then the twins, and then the daughter-in-law. Larry laughed, “It became a Communion Service! But what impressed me was that the whole family always accepted the illness, found ways to laugh and enjoy life, and maintained a strong faith in God.”

Fr. Dave: What brings you the most happiness today in your ministry as a deacon, and what message would you have for any adult male in our parish considering the call to serve the church as a Deacon?

“My greatest happiness is meeting people and getting to know them,” said Larry immediately. “If anyone thinks God may be calling them, my recommendation is, Listen!”

“I thank all the members of St. Dominic Parish along with Fr. Dave, Fr. Quintin and all the pastoral staff for the love and support that my family and I have received in the thirtenn years that I have been assigned here. We hope and pray to continue to be of service to the people of God here at St. Dominic for many years to come. God bless you all.”

Deacon Larry

 

Greg Diciaula

Greg  will receive certificates in Pastoral Services or Christian Formation Leadership from St. Francis de Sales Seminary at a special celebration on Friday, May 9, 2008 at St. Joseph Center Chapel in Milwaukee. This is a special moment in Greg’s journey to Ordination to the Permanent Diaconate next year on Saturday, June 13, 2009. It completes four years of academic and formational preparation for ordination. Greg will begin his final year of preparation next fall, spending most of his time with pastoral considerations as he prepares to begin his ordained ministry as a deacon at St. Dominic Parish in summer of 2009.

My family and I have been members of St. Dominic parish for over 22 years. You might say that we are part of the 11:00 am Mass crowd.

I work for the Medical College of Wisconsin as Director of Instructional Media for the Department of Anesthesiology. Most of the St. Dominic school families are more familiar with my wife Linda. She works as the school lunchroom/playground supervisor. Her work is truly a “labor of love.” Our daughter Amy attended St. Dom’s K-5 thru 8th grade, and just graduated from Marquette University…she may be a Marquette “Golden Eagle”, but I will always be a “Warrior.”

Linda and I view St. Dom’s as an extension of our home / family life.  We have been active in many areas over the years... parish council, school board, home & school association, delegate for the archdiocesan pastoral council, numerous committees, lector and Eucharistic minister to name a few.

I am a product of Jesuit education, having attended both Marquette High and Marquette University, so the Ignatian, Jesuit tradition of service and “being a man for others” has had a profound impact and influence on my life.

A number of years ago, I was struck by the words of Psalm 116: “what return can I give to the Lord for all his goodness to me.” I felt a desire to do something more for the Church. Over time, the feelings waxed & waned but they would not go away. Encouraged by our previous pastor, Fr. Curt and others to look into the Diaconate, I inquired back in the mid -90’s, but the time did not seem right for the required commitment. A second inquiry was made a few years later, but I was still unsure. Finally, my third inquiry in 2003 was the charm! Everything seemed to fall into place and after a long year of interviews and evaluations, my application to the Diaconate Formation program at St. Francis Seminary was accepted.

I will be starting my 4th year of a 5 year formation program at the Seminary. Classes meet every other Saturday, from 8am-6:30pm, from the end of August - May.  My class is composed of a wonderful group of 12 other men from around the diocese. Our studies include an academic mix (theology, scripture, faith sharing, preaching, sacraments, social justice issues), with prayer/liturgy and internship experiences, as well as extensive and ongoing evaluations. Hopefully, all this will culminate in ordination to the Diaconate by the bishop in June, 2009.

The Diaconate dates back to the early church when the apostles called forth individuals to help serve the needs of the faith community, allowing them more time to preach the Gospel.  St. Steven is considered to be the first Deacon. Over time, however, the ministry of the Deacon disappeared. In the 1960’s, Vatican II recognized a need for the Church to be active and present in society and in the workplace, so the ministry of the Permanent Diaconate was reinstituted.

So who is the Deacon? The Deacon is more than an adult altar boy! He is an ordained minister of the Church called to minister in word (in which he proclaims the gospel and preaches), worship (in which he assists the priest at liturgies, is an ordinary minister of the Eucharist, baptizes, witnesses marriages, presides at funeral services and leads the community in prayer) and service (ministering to the community in many different settings from the parish to hospitals and nursing homes, prisons, or shelters for the abused and homeless). Service, in fact, is the hallmark of the Deacon. The word “deacon” comes from the Greek, “diakonia,” which means “to serve.”  The Deacon bridges the gap between the Church and society…bringing the presence of the Church and Jesus Christ into the workplace, the home and community. He is a servant-leader who works to empower others by fostering their gifts of service.

One of the greatest attractions for me is that the Deacon is part of the same fabric of the community and parish family he serves. He shares in the same joys, problems and daily life responsibilities, paying the bills, shoveling the snow, changing the kids diapers, while at the same time, he is a representative of the Church and her mission in society of building up and making present the kingdom of God.

This past semester, my parish ministry internship involved working in the parish, under Fr. Dave’s supervision. Specifically, I led communion/prayer services, served in ministry to nursing home, hospitalized and homebound parishioners, continued as a Sunday lector, Eucharistic minister and assisted in interviewing candidates for Confirmation.

I look forward to continuing the work of the Deacons here at St. Dom’s: Larry LaFond & John Libecki, as we are all called to SEEK, KNOW and BECOME Christ for the sake of one another.

I ask for your continued prayers and support for my wife and I as we journey through the remaining 2 years of our formational training. May God continue to bless our St. Dominic Faith Community.

Seminarian Sean O'Connell
Sean O’Connell: St. Dominic, Brookfield - Class of 2009 I can still remember being a freshman at Marquette University when I first heard God calling me to be one of his priests.  I was totally shocked!  All my life, I thought about getting married and starting a family, now God was presenting another path for me to consider.  My response, I tried to hide from God’s calling, believing that he must have made a mistake.  I thought to myself, I’m not holy enough to be a priest, I not very good at praying, what is God’s problem?  However, the call became stronger and I realized that I needed to start praying over this strange desire that kept creeping into my thoughts.  Luckily, I had some wonderful support during this time.  One day I told my roommate about what I was feeling.  He replied: “I thought you might want to be a priest.”  I could not believe what he said.  I had never before spoken to him about the priesthood, but somehow he knew what was on my mind.  Now, seven years later, I am preparing myself to be ordained a transitional deacon on May 3, 2008.  My life in the seminary has been fantastic.  It has been a pleasure living, studying, and praying with the greatest guys in the world.  My advice to anyone thinking about the priesthood: take a chance, consider the reality that God is calling you to become a person set apart from the crowd, take comfort in the words of Jesus and “follow me.”
Seminarian Sean O'Connell offers rides to Parish Vocation Team Workshop attendees at the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi Troubadour Room on October 24th. Behind Sean's cart is Seminarian Luke Strand's God Squad Volkswagon.

Seminarian Luke Strand

Permanent Address (August 12, 2007–May 2009) Luke Strand St. Francis Seminary 3257 S. Lake Dr. St. Francis, WI 53235 Phone:        414-747-6781 Cell:             920-420-0126 E-mail Address (Year-round) strandluke@yahoo.com

Luke Strand and his brother's were featured in the Waukesha Freeman!
"Families three sons called to priesthood"

Luke Strand was the camp director for last summer's Catholic Youth Expeditions, an exciting new ministry for young people throughout Wisconsin.    He will be leading some of the expeditions summer 2008

Read Luke's Testimonial.

View photos from Luke Strand's visit on May 11, 2008.  Recently ordained to the deaconate, Luke was the homilist at the 9:00 a.m. Mass. A reception was held in the Marcy Center following.   May 11, 2008 Slideshow

Dear Friends in Christ,

Praise the Lord! How time flies. I cannot believe that I have been away from St. Dominic for almost a year now, and that ordination to the transitional deaconate is only about a month away. It has been a blessed year. After the conclusion of my summer ministry on Chamber’s Island with Catholic Youth Expedition I moved back to St. Francis de Sales Seminary. Although we engage in our human, spiritual, and pastoral formation at St. Francis de Sales, all of us seminarians travel daily to Sacred Heart School of Theology in Hales Corners for our academic work. Studies have been going well. I currently I have six graduate level courses which are occupying much of my time. Additionally, I have been very involved in preparations for our deaconate ordination on May 3rd at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. There will be five of us ordained for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. This summer I will be serving as a deacon at St. Monica Parish in Whitefish Bay. In the Fall I will head back to the seminary for one more year of studies before priesthood ordination in May of 2009. Please keep all of us seminarians and soon to be deacons in your prayers as we continue this journey. Know of my prayers for you, your family, and for St. Dominic Parish.

In the peace of Christ,
Luke Strand

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Praise the Lord!

It is hard to believe that it has been well over three months since I left the wonderful community of Saint Dominic to begin ministry with Catholic Youth Expeditions on Chambers Island in Door County. This time away has been spirit-filled and blessed. Eight high school and young adult expeditions, as well as countless other CYE ministerial opportunities, enabled Christian community and discipleship to be established and formed in an intentional and intense way.

Getting stuck in the middle of Green Bay with our 17 ½ foot ski boat, killing spiders that infested our staff house, playing ultimate Frisbee in a torrential downpour, camping with nearly 60 high school students and camp counselors, eating meals out of aluminum foil, participating in Mass celebrated on a kayak along Lake Mackaysee, processing with the Blessed Sacrament through the woods, praying in Eucharistic Adoration at the Holy Name Retreat House Chapel, going waterskiing, sitting in the grass at an outdoor movie, praying the rosary, etc., all afforded an opportunity to grow in relationship with Jesus Christ by relying on His providence through all things. It was truly a transforming summer.

As I look back at the summer however, I cannot help but reflect on my time at Saint Dominic. It was only through the formation, guidance, support, and love that I received through my nine month internship experience that I was able to personally embrace what God had planned for me this summer. Never in my life did I learn more about relationships, about communication, about Church, about what it means to have a personal relationship with Jesus, about giving everything to Him, about priesthood, about healing and pain, about joy and rejoicing, than I did through my time at Saint Dominic. This happened because of each one of you.

Today I give praise and thanks to God for you and with you, for forming me into the P.I.T., the Priest In Training that I am today. The overwhelming amount of support, love, and encouragement that you showered upon me as I left St. Dominic not only propelled me through this summer, but has given me a great amount of hope for the future; for the future of the Church, for the future of priesthood, and for the future of parish life. Thank you. Thank you! As each of us continues our pilgrimage with the Lord, please be assured of my prayers; I humbly ask for yours.

Currently I am back at the seminary to begin my fourth year of theology. Through the grace of God I will be ordained to the transitional deaconate a year from now and to the priesthood in May of 2009. I’m confident that we will be in touch! The parish festival was such a great time – studies will not keep me away! May the love and peace of Jesus be with you and your family, and may the comforting presence of Mary our Mother lead you closer to her Son, now and always.

Your brother in Christ,
Luke Strand

Dear Friends in Christ,

Peace and blessings in our risen Lord! I cannot thank you enough for your outpouring of love and support last weekend. It was overwhelming and inspiring. Your support of my vocation to the priesthood means more than you know. I can honestly say that I have found a home at St Dominic and have been humbled by your graciousness and generosity. I will miss you all very much. Although I will have limited access to nearly all forms of communication this summer, I truly hope to be in touch as I move back to St. Francis de Sales Seminary in the Fall. I’ll be back to visit, that’s for sure!

Seminarian Phil Bogacki

My name is Phillip Bogacki from Saint Charles Borromeo Parish in Milwaukee and I am in my 5th year in the seminary.  I was ordained to the diaconate on December 8, 2007 and anticipate ordination to the priesthood on August 1, 2008.  Currently I am at the American College of the Immaculate Conception in Louvain, Belgium. Prior to entering the seminary, I received an accounting degree from Marquette University.  The most rewarding part of my time in the seminary has actually been the challenges.  Seminary life gives you a very unique opportunity to explore your own life in a deep way and review how you function and what “makes you tick.”  Whatever one decides to do in the long run, spending time in a seminary will be beneficial, if only for the opportunity to know oneself better.  There are great challenges in the seminary and in priesthood, but Christ always gives you the grace to endure those challenges and succeed, and often in ways you’d never expect! View his Ordination Ceremony with Archbishop Dolan in Belgium:  Photo Gallery...