From OSV News: 

A Catholic deacon in Omaha, Nebraska, has been murdered, with his adult son now in custody as the suspected killer.

Deacon John Zak, who served at St. Peter Catholic Church in Omaha, was found dead in his home late March 11.

The deacon’s son, 36-year-old Martin Zak, was arrested the following day on suspicion of criminal homicide, felony flight to evade arrest and felony theft of at least $5000.

The arrest took place after a police pursuit, after law enforcement attempted to stop Zak’s vehicle.

He is currently being held in the Douglas County jail on $1 million bond, the Douglas County attorney’s office told OSV News. Zak appeared in court for a bond hearing March 13.

Father John Broheimer, St. Peter’s pastor, released a statement posted to the parish website, describing the deacon’s death as “a great shock to his family and to our parish.”

In a statement posted on Facebook, Archbishop Michael G. McGovern of Omaha said he was “saddened” to learn of the “tragic death” of Deacon Zak, who had been ordained in 1998.

The archbishop noted that the deacon had also “directed the parish’s youth group and served as a teacher in the parish catechism program.”

“As law enforcement continues investigating, please join me in praying for the repose of the soul of Deacon Zak, for his family and for the St. Peter parish community in this difficult time,” said Archbishop McGovern.

In a March 13 Facebook post, the Omaha Police Officers Association said its members’ thoughts were with Deacon Zak’s family.

The association described the deacon as “an active member of the community,” and credited “outstanding investigative work by our detectives” in identifying a person of interest.”

Read more. 

More on Deacon Zak from The Catholic Voice:

“During those many years he assisted at the altar, proclaimed the Gospel, preached the Word of God, baptized our children, witnessed marriages, and accompanied parishioners in times of both joy and sorrow,” said Father John Broheimer, pastor of St. Peter, in a letter to parishioners.

The 69-year-old deacon was found dead late Wednesday at his home. Police were investigating.

“I am saddened to learn of the tragic death of Deacon John Zak,” Archbishop Michael G. McGovern said in response to the news.

“As law enforcement continues investigating, please join me in praying for the repose of the soul of Deacon Zak, for his family and for the St. Peter parish community in this difficult time.”

Ordained to the permanent diaconate in 1998, Deacon Zak directed the parish’s youth group, taught in a parish catechism program and led youths on numerous pilgrimages to the March for Life in Washington, D.C.

He and his wife, Mary, had been members of St. Peter for 38 years and are parents to 13 children, according to the parish website.

Deacon Zak worked at CHI Health Mercy in Council Bluffs as the team lead in respiratory therapy, the parish website said. He earned a respiratory therapy degree in 1978 from College of Saint Mary in Omaha.

The deacon had said he enjoyed working at a faith-based health organization. He spoke with the Catholic Voice in 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic. He noted that at Mercy Hospital, he was surrounded by reminders of his faith, with crucifixes on the walls and a chapel featuring a Divine Mercy image of Jesus with the words “Jesus, I trust in You.”

He kept a holy card on a bulletin board in his office with a quote from St. Francis de Sales. The quote helped guide his day, Deacon Zak said in the article.

The quote: “Do not fear what may happen tomorrow; the same loving Father Who cares for you today will care for you tomorrow and every day. Either He will shield you from suffering, or He will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace, then, and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginings.”

“Faith over fear” is how Deacon Zak summed it up.

Father Broheimer urged people to pray for the deacon, his family and all those mourning.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him…