‘The Church of Camden needs you’

HADDON HEIGHTS – It was a special day for “Deacon Dad,” one that Sean and Patrick Lacey wouldn’t miss.

“He inspires me all the time to keep being faithful,” Patrick Lacey, 16, said of his father, as his 15-year-old brother added, “It’s been cool to see his transformation in the faith.”

Charlie Lacey, or “Deacon Dad” as the teens call him, is one of 16 men preparing for the permanent diaconate. During the Rite of Admission to Candidacy for Holy Orders on March 4, he and others publicly resolved to complete their preparation for the permanent diaconate and be ready to undertake ministry, each being called by name by Bishop Dennis Sullivan.

“The Church of Camden desperately needs each of you and your future diaconal ministries,” Bishop Sullivan stressed during the Mass celebrated in Saint Rose of Lima Church. “The Church receives your resolve with joy,” he said, urging the candidates to “continue to grow in Christ and grow in zeal for the Church in South Jersey. You are responding [to Christ] with your heart and soul. Do that today. Do that through Lent. Do that each day of your formation.”

The candidates are: Edward Danzi, Infant Jesus Parish, Woodbury Heights; Michael Drees and Douglas Stetser, Incarnation Parish, Mantua; Jose Garcia-Popoca and Paschal Nwako, Our Lady of Hope Parish, Blackwood; Paul Goebel, Christ Our Light Parish, Cherry Hill; Eddy Gonzalez, Saint Joseph Pro-Cathedral Parish, Camden; Carlos Gonzalez, Saint Gianna Beretta Molla Parish, Northfield; Matthew Krug, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Shrine, Lindenwold; Walkens Moise, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Galloway; Luis 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 Lacey, of Saint Peter Parish, Merchantville.

For the past 2 1/2 years, the men have been aspiring to the diaconate, attending classes in preparation to serve as ministers of the Word, Sacrament and Charity. Their commitment in front of Bishop Sullivan, as well as dozens of families, priests and deacons, marked the next step in a process that will come to fruition in two years.

“I’m overjoyed to take this next step to serve the Lord,” said Lacey, who in addition to his sons, was joined by his wife of 25 years, Cathy.

“The family is so happy to see him moving along,” Cathy Lacey said, adding that since her husband joined the program, “Our family dinner discussions have become so much more theological. In learning about and growing together in the faith, we’ve also grown closer as a family. There’s so much joy that has come to our family with Charlie being a part of this.”

Similarly, Lacey said the diaconate journey – which has brought together men of many ethnicities, backgrounds and experiences – has created “a cohesive group.”

“We’re complementing each other’s strengths and weaknesses as brothers in formation,” he said.

Candidate Jose Garcia-Popoca says he has felt God calling him to serve the Church ever since he was a young man in Mexico. When he arrived in the United States, the call remained and was fostered with the help of a priest in the Diocese of Camden.

“Father René [Canales] helped me understand the call to serve God’s people,” Garcia said, referring to the pastor of the Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Shrine. “He told me, ‘Don’t give up, because if God’s calling you, he will be with you. He is working with you, so don’t be afraid.’”

Reflecting on the Rite of Admission to Candidacy for Holy Orders, he said he is proud of what he and the diaconate class have accomplished. “They have become my brothers; God is working in each of us.”

Father Nicholas Dudo, vicar for clergy in the Diocese of Camden, expressed optimism that the men’s witness will create a culture of diaconate vocations.

“They’ll be an inspiration to other men who see that they are persevering and balancing [their diaconate duties] with families and professional work, and see a sign to say ‘yes’ to where God is calling them,” he said.

Praising their dedication to studies in an out of the classroom, Deacon Charles Schiapelli, assistant director of Diaconate Formation for the Diocese, said the men “from diverse backgrounds will serve our Diocese very well in the future.”

That future may not be too far away, as Patrick Lacey has already seen the fruits from “Deacon Dad.” The Saint Peter Parish altar server admits that he is considering a call to the priesthood. While he discerns, he is finding joy in following God’s path.

“I’m doing what the Lord is calling me to do, just as he called my father to be a deacon.”

Are you being called to the Diaconate?

The Diocese’s Office of the Diaconate is holding a meeting to provide information and answer questions concerning the life and ministry of a permanent deacon. The meeting will be held at

7 p.m. on March 30 at the Diaconate Center,

15 N. East Ave., Vineland. Men 30-55 years old, married or single, are encouraged to attend.

For more information or to R.S.V.P. for the meeting, call the Diaconate Office at 856-583-2858 or email charles.schiapelli@camdendiocese.org.