23 permanent deacons celebrate a combined 635 years of humble service

Among this year's jubilarians are five men from the class of 1980, celebrating 45 years as deacons serving at the Lord's table

DETROIT — On Sunday evening, 23 permanent deacons and their wives from across the Archdiocese of Detroit celebrated a combined 635 years of service, thanking God for the blessings of their ministries during a Mass and reception with Archbishop Edward J. Weisenburger at Sacred Heart Major Seminary.

The deacon jubilarians renewed their commitment to their vocation during the Oct. 26 Mass, which was followed by a dinner reception and a brief presentation honoring each of the men for their dedicated service to the Church in Detroit.

Five deacons — Deacon Norbert Motowski, Deacon Robert Tremmel, Deacon Raymond Kunik, Deacon Peter Schlesser and Deacon Mark Springer — were celebrating 45 years of service. Other milestone years honored included 40, 35, 30, 25, 20, 15, 10 and five.

In his homily, Archbishop Weisenburger reflected on the day’s Gospel, which told the parable of the tax collector and the pharisee.

While the Pharisee is full of arrogance and self-righteousness, Jesus repeatedly shows throughout the Gospels that all virtues pale compared to humility, the archbishop said, encouraging the deacons and their wives to imitate the Lord's humility in their service of others.

“If there is one thing that destroys the ministry of the bishop, the priest or deacon, it's a lack of humility,” Archbishop Weisenburger said.

“I can summarize my homily by saying those Pharisees are still around and still in the Church today, and they’re still convinced of their goodness because they follow all the rules and still condemn those who don’t live up to their standards. Don’t be one of those,” the archbishop added.

Many of the longest-serving deacons were present during the Mass and celebration, including members of the class of 1980, such as Deacon Kunik, who attended with his daughter, Sharon Koss.

Although now retired from active diaconal service and a long career as a Detroit police officer, Deacon Kunik has found a new way to love and serve others by carving and distributing small wooden crosses.

“I have given out hundreds, as the Holy Spirit prompts me to,” Deacon Kunik said. “When I carve them, I pray.”

Deacon Kunik encourages men coming up on their first or even fifth diaconate jubilee to persevere and, reflecting on the Archbishop’s homily, to remain humble.

“Don’t get discouraged — one day at a time,” Deacon Kunik said. “Keep your prayer simple and stay close to Jesus. Humility is the key to heaven; without humility, we would never make it to heaven, and as you grow spiritually, you begin to understand that and realize how much we need our Savior, Jesus Christ.”

Deacon Timothy Pilon and his wife, Claudette, celebrated 35 years since he was ordained, as well as 54 years of marriage. They encourage all deacons and their wives to share a common prayer life.

Although retired and of senior status, Deacon Pilon still serves at St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish in Dearborn. He spends most Sundays sitting in the pew with his wife, and they pray the Liturgy of the Hours daily as a couple.

“I do vest, but I don’t vest every Sunday, and I find that since I sit in the pew with my wife, my spirituality has improved greatly,” Deacon Pilon said.

Celebrating his 10-year jubilee, Deacon John Fitzmaurice from St. Mary Parish in Port Huron said the core of being a deacon is remaining servant-minded.

“You have to be humble,” Deacon Fitzmaurice said. “If you drift toward arrogance, God and our wives will bring us back to the ground.”

Deacon Fitzmaurice encourages men who are discerning the diaconate to remain prayerful and open.

“The key is to let yourself be formed, and if you are called to be a deacon, to keep listening to God’s call and let God do the work in getting you ready,” Deacon Fitzmaurice said.