MANTUA – Walkens Moise stood confident in Msgr. Kernan Hall, his wife and four children beside him.
He and 15 other deacon candidates had just been instituted to the ministry of lector in the Diocese of Camden by Bishop Dennis Sullivan across the parking lot in the Church of the Incarnation.
Now, during a celebratory brunch for the candidates and their families, friends, and parish priests, Moise reflected on his calling, and the lasting impact he knows it will have on his family and others.
“I want my family to witness what’s happening here: I get to demonstrate my faith in Jesus Christ, and proclaim the Word to His people,” explained Moise, of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Galloway.
Smiling with his family beside him – wife Claudette and children Clivens, Bradley, Andy and Eliana – Moise continued. “I want my family to witness the Word of God in action. I want my children to see me, so they know that God is for me, and the same God will be for them. So they will say, ‘The same God my father is serving is the same God I have to serve as well.’”
Claudette Moise said she has already seen the fruits of her husband’s work, noting that the journey the family has taken with Moise “has brought us all closer to God.”
Earlier in the morning of Nov. 18, Moise and his classmates – two by two – knelt in front of Bishop Sullivan in the church, publicly taking their next steps in the journey to the permanent diaconate.
Handing each man the Book of the Gospels, Bishop exhorted them to “take this book of holy Scripture and be faithful in handing on the Word of God, so that it may grow strong in the hearts of his people.”
At that, the 16 men were instituted as lectors, called to bring Scripture – with studious prep, knowledge and intelligent reading – to “the people who are starving for God’s Word,” the Bishop urged.
According to Church practice, these men are now given responsibilities of proclaiming the readings from sacred Scriptures (except for the Gospel), announcing the intentions in the Prayer of the Faithful (in the absence of a deacon), and reciting or singing the responsorial psalm if no cantor. In a year and a half, God willing, these men will become permanent deacons for the Catholic Church of South Jersey.
In addition to Moise, the candidates are: Edward Danzi, Infant Jesus Parish, Woodbury Heights; Michael Drees and Douglas Stetser, Incarnation Parish, Mantua; Jose Ines Garcia-Popoca and Paschal Nwako, Our Lady of Hope Parish, Blackwood; Paul Gobel, Christ Our Light Parish, Cherry Hill; Eddy Gonzalez, Saint Joseph Pro-Cathedral Parish, Camden; Carlos Gonzalez-Perez, Saint Gianna Beretta Molla Parish, Northfield; Matthew Krug, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Shrine, Lindenwold; Luis Alfredo Mounier, Divine Mercy Parish, Vineland; Kirk Popiolek, Saint Joachim Parish, Bellmawr; Louis Presenza, Saints Peter and Paul Parish, Turnersville, Edwin Santos, Holy Eucharist Parish, Cherry Hill; Barry Steele, Saint Teresa of Calcutta Parish, Collingswood, and Charles Lacey, of Saint Peter Parish, Merchantville.
“I feel very humbled and blessed to be chosen, to be of service to God’s people,” said Kirk Popiolek, adding that his calling “is one of my heart, from God, to be that change in a world that needs it.”
Supporting him these past 20-plus years – and Nov. 18 in Incarnation’s pews – was his wife Rebecca, whom he calls “my rock.”
“I’m excited and proud for him,” she said. “He’s always had a strong faith, and now he’s able to share it and bring counsel to other families, to help strengthen their own.”
Father George Seiter, pastor of Saint Mary Parish in Gloucester City, has been a longtime spiritual adviser to Kirk. He said, “Kirk and all of these men have worked very hard, giving a lot of time and energy. They are deeply committed. They’re going to bring great gifts and talents to the Church of Camden.”
Kirk’s classmate, Barry Steele, was joined by his wife, Nancy, and daughters Lily, Fiona and Scarlett. “This journey has deepened my prayer life, and I think it’s made be a better husband and father,” he said.
Fiona attested to her father’s positive growth and example. “I’m proud of my dad. He’s helped me grow a lot in my own faith, and it’s been awesome watching the Holy Spirit work through him.”
Father Nicholas Dudo, diocesan vicar for clergy, called the occasion a great day for the Church of the Diocese of Camden, the men, and their family and friends. “This ‘yes’ to God is not only a blessing to them, but to their families, wives, children, employers, community and the Church, because by being open to God’s grace and thus, transformed, they inspire others to do the same.”
As well, in their time in prayer, study and fellowship together, Father Dudo continued, these men have formed a bond, united in the faith and their ministry. “They’re at peace, connected with each other and committed to what they’re undertaking.”
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