This makes my heart dance.
The Diocese of Cleveland welcomed six new deacons Saturday, including my old friend Mike Hayes (once from Queens, then from Buffalo, now in Cleveland!).
Bishop Edward C. Malesic ordained the men at Cleveland’s Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist.
Michael Hayes Jr., diocesan director of young adult ministry, who is married to Marion. They are members of St. Christopher Parish in Rocky River.
Edward Linsky, QA manager at Lincoln Electric, is married to Leslie. They have three children and two grandchildren and are members of Holy Angels Parish in Bainbridge.
Christopher Loxterman, environmental supervisor for the Lake County Health District, is married to Sherry. They are members of St. Mary Parish in Chardon.
Darrel Sherman, owner/vice president of Aut-O-Rama Twin Drive-in Theatre in North Ridgeville, is married to Nicole. They have three children and are members of St. Peter Parish in North Ridgeville.
Mark Tomecko, a high school social studies teacher for the Green Local Schools, is married to Denise. They have two children and are members of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Medina.
John Zarbo, customer service lab specialist for Avery Dennison, is married to Melissa. They have one child and are members of St, Anthony of Padua Parish in Fairport Harbor.
The men shared their vocation stories, explaining how they discerned and pursued the diaconate. They had one thing in common. Each man said he felt a sense of peace after hearing and saying “yes” to the Lord’s call.
…Hayes said he has been around deacons throughout his life and was inspired to consider ministry as a possible career since he was young. Throughout his career serving young people, he was asked repeatedly if he had ever considered the diaconate. “A Paulist priest friend encouraged me further to ‘at least go to a meeting,’” he said. “So I did and at the meeting, I felt a strong urge to consider saying ‘yes’ to being called and when I did, I felt this great sense of peace. Even with the pandemic complications, I’ve never felt anything but confidence that God was seeking me and being here in Cleveland has confirmed that call so much,” Hayes added.
He said deacons need to seek out where the suffering people are “and to accompany them with a gentle pastoral presence. I believe we are also called to mobilize and empower others for ministry to the Church, to know the way, show the way, grow the way and then go away.” A baseball fan, Hayes compared the role of a deacon to being an equipment manager. “I give people the tools they need and my joy is to watch them play.”
His wife Marion, whose uncle was a deacon, supports his vocation, he said, noting her cousins were faithful prayer supporters of their father’s ministry.
“For Marion and me this becomes a sign of God’s faithfulness to us for sticking with this formation journey and allows me to serve the Church in whatever way I am needed to do so, wherever the bishop wishes to send me,” Hayes added.
Congratulations, brothers, and welcome! Ad multos annos!
