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March 26, 2025
Four years ago in March, nine men began the formation to become candidates for the diaconate for the diocese of Grand Island. The candidates were signed up to take classes through the Josephinum Pontifical Institute and were required to meet periodically throughout the four years for spiritual development and formation. On the First Sunday of Lent of this year, these nine men gathered at the Saint Benedict Center in Schuyler, NE to begin a five-day canonical retreat. This retreat is one of the final steps towards ordination on May 30, 2025. Bishop Emeritus Dendinger was the retreat master supported by Deacons Frank Moreno and Matt Irish along with Father Josh Brown. What did this five-day retreat consist of? It consisted of conference talks on conversion and time for prayer, reflection, and fellowship.
The focus of Bishop Dendinger’s talks was on conversion. He read biblical passages and provided in-depth commentary and interpretation. Bishop Dendinger also provided real life examples from within his life experiences of people’s conversion. These teaching moments were to help the future deacons to understand that one does not know when a conversion will happen or what triggers a conversion. Furthermore, as part of ministering to people, it will not be necessarily known what impact an interaction had on a person that could lead someone to make a change in their life.
Prayer was pivotal during this retreat as there was recitation of the Divine Liturgy, the Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, and personal time for meditation and reflection. Divine Liturgy with the Benedictine monks was available for those who wished to join them. Silent prayer in the Adoration Chapel was a place for quiet contemplation. Praying the rosary or the stations of the cross provided different meditations for contemplation. A strong prayer life helps to provide the necessary strength that will be needed each and every day by these future deacons.
Supporting prayer was time for reflection. As the ordination date approaches, each candidate needed to reflect upon the meaning of the Sacrament of Holy Orders and the obligations that go with it. By taking the final step and being ordained, each man will have a new identity. The mission of that identity will not necessarily be obvious at first. However, Bishop Dendinger taught that, “the mission will meet and greet each of you without having to go looking for it. Be patient and it will come to you.” Words of wisdom passed onto the future deacons.
At the retreat center, time for relationship building continued through conversation, laughter, and personal life sharing. The continued fellowship of these nine men has been a growth in personal relationships. There is a special bond within the cohort. The journey of life has had trials and tribulations for each of them. It is the support for each other and the prayers of many people that the journey is one that a future deacon does not walk alone. The diaconate cohort has become a family that will stay together as they continue to walk through life. Strength, courage, and fortitude comes in knowing that God is walking with them and their families.
The Saint Benedict Center in Schuyler, NE is a beautiful and holy place. The warmth of the monks, the great food, and the atmosphere of fellowship made the time pass quickly. Even the Nebraska weather provided cooperation as most days were warm and sunny. May 30, 2025, is the day of ordination for these nine men. Your prayers now and on-going for their ministry are requested and greatly appreciated. The nine men that are in this diaconate cohort are: Fernando Zubiria and Miguel Maciel from St. Ann’s in Lexington, Kent Winder from St. Patrick’s in North Platte, Phil Lukasiewicz from St Anthony of Padua, Farwell, Ron Golka from St. Leo’s in Grand Island, and Tarcisio Costilla, Carlos Molina, James Holys, and Robert Mallett from St. Mary’s in Grand Island.