Ordination of a Deacon - A Mass of Thanksgiving

By Donald Stamm   

On Saturday May 22, 2004 at St. Agnes Cathedral, eleven other men from all over our Diocese and I were ordained to the Diaconate by Bishop William Murphy. On Sunday, May 23at the 12:30 mass, I celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving with Msgr. James Kelly presiding and offered the following words of thanks at the end of the Mass. 

“Quo Vadis?” It was some forty-four years ago that Bishop Walter Kellenberg spoke those words to the graduating class of St Agnes Elementary School. “Quo Vadis? Where are you going?” I was sitting right there, about where the altar flowers are. The Bishop strode up and down the main isle, as he addressed the graduates. “Quo Vadis?” “Where are you going?” Didn’t we wish that we knew? It turns out that he and his secretary, Msgr. John McGann, were going to Rome to a council that would forever change the face of our Church. None of us, back then in 1961 could begin to imagine the sweeping changes in store for us, for the world, and for the Church in the coming years. Four years later many would go off to war. Some would not return, others would come back, never to be whole again. Some of us stayed home and went to college, while the world around us lost its innocence. 

The bishop’s point that day was that we don’t know where we are going, but if we follow Jesus we’ll eventually end up in the right place. Eventually, if you say “yes”, or sometimes even if you don’t, you will go were God wants you. And so I find myself where I first heard those words, Quo Vadis?, and I think of the people who helped me get to this place at this time in my journey. I think of course of my parents Frank and Ruth who cooperated with God in giving me life. I think of my teachers, all of the religious women and men who have been such a great example for me. I think of the priests here at St. Agnes who have encouraged and patiently guided me along the way. I think of my deacon friends and mentors who have been showing me the ropes and assuring me that all of these anxious feelings are normal. I think of Msgr. Jim Kelly who has been a constant source of support, advice, and direction. I think of my children who, rather than wonder if the “old man had lost it”, became an enthusiastic cheering section. 

And I think always of my partner on this life’s journey, Priscilla, without whose love and companionship I could never have achieved this goal. She is my rock, my inspiration, my example of God’s love and a constant reminder of what being a deacon truly means. (At this point Deacon Stamm presented a bouquet of flowers to his wife Priscilla, who was sitting in the first pew with their three sons.) 

And finally I think of all of you, my family, friends, and parishioners of St. Agnes, for whose service I made this commitment. Thank you all and God bless you all, for all that you have done for me, and for all that you mean to me. 

Deacon Stamm has been appointed by Bishop Murphy to serve at St. Agnes Cathedral. His duties will include assisting with the Baptism program, marriage preparation, Ministry of Consolation, visits to the homebound, as well as assisting at liturgies, preaching at Sunday Eucharist, and helping out wherever he may be needed.