The men preparing for ordination to permanent diaconate for the Diocese of Camden remove their masks for a photo during their pre-ordination retreat on Oct. 5-9 at the Mother Mary Joseph Retreat House run by the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of the Infant Jesus in Cherry Hill. The retreat was conducted by Father Joseph Szolack, pastor of Our Lady of Hope Parish in Blackwood. The men are to be ordained on Oct. 24 at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Mary Mother of Mercy Parish in Glassboro. The ordination will be live streamed on the Diocese of Camden YouTube channel and social media. Pictured in the first row, from left: Tobias Haley, Frank Baratta, Richard Wigglesworth, Charles Dillin, Samuel Spoto and Robert Dooley. Second row, from left: David Harkins, Phillip Curran, Joseph Janocha, Rev. Joseph Szolack, Charles Schiapelli, Michael Vitarelli and Dean Johnson.
Fathers and sons can have special bonds. Baseball. Fishing. Indiana Jones movies.
For two father/son families in the Diocese of Camden — Richard J. Wigglesworth and son Richard A., and Michael J. Harkins and son David J.— their relationship has grown even deeper to include the permanent diaconate as ministers of word, sacrament and charity in the Catholic Church.
Deacons Richard J. and Michael, both retired, will this weekend witness their sons Richard A. and David join 10 other men of the Diocese of Camden in being ordained to the permanent diaconate by Bishop Dennis Sullivan in Glassboro.
“I’m proud of him,” Deacon Richard J. said of his son, adding that he “was happy, but not surprised” when his oldest child told him he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps. “He’s living the life of a good Christian, with a desire to serve Christ.”
The son Wigglesworth credits his father as one of the main influencers of his decision to enter diaconate formation five years ago, after retiring from his work with the commercial construction industry.
“My father’s spirituality is like no one I’ve ever known,” he says, recalling watching his dad minister at Mays Landing’s Saint Vincent de Paul Parish.
“He’s soft-spoken, but when he does speak, you want to listen. He evangelized in an unassuming way, with a kind demeanor and welcoming personality. It was his example that led me to serve.”
In the call, he also recognizes the work of the Almighty. “With God, there are no coincidences,” he says.
Another not-coincidence: Harkins and Wigglesworth the elders both went through diaconate formation together, and they both were ordained in 1988. Fast-forward 32 years, and there, again, are a Harkins and a Wigglesworth on the altar.
“It’s divine providence” to have both he and David be ordained together, says Richard A.
“We’re brothers,” David says of his relationship with Richard A.
The current Chief of Police of Gloucester Township, David said his father’s Catholic witness “has had a significant impact on my life.”
Growing up, he was exposed to his father’s love of the liturgy and acts of charity as a deacon at Saint Agnes (later Our Lady of Hope) Parish in Blackwood, and at Saint Francis de Sales Parish in Barrington.
“He was a founding member of Saint Agnes Church’s Saint Vincent de Paul Society, and we had an extra freezer in our basement” for donated food, David remembers. “I admired what he was doing.”
It was a weekend spent at Pennsylvania’s Malvern Retreat House, at an invitation from his father, which set David on the diaconate path.
“It was a pivotal moment in my decision,” he recalls.
Michael, for his part, “wasn’t surprised” about his son’s choice. “David has always been devout and was always intense about the church. He’s a leader.”
In addition to their fathers, David and Richard A. will be joined on Saturday by their spouses, Lisa and Karen, respectively. As well, David’s children, David, Jr. and Grace, will also celebrate with their father.
The Harkins and Wigglesworth men, connected once again. Richard A. believes it’s all part of a greater design. “David and I look at each other, smile, and say ‘Wow, God really has his hands on us.’”
In addition to David Harkins and Richard A. Wigglesworth, 10 other men will be ordained to the diaconate this Saturday, 10:30 a.m., at Mary, Mother of Mercy Parish in Glassboro: Frank A. Baratta; Philip J. Curran; Charles R. Dillin; Robert E. Dooley; Tobias C. Haley; Joseph F. Janocha; Dean P. Johnson; Charles S. Schiapelli; Samuel J. Spoto; and Michael S. Vitarelli.
By invitation-only, the event will be livestreamed on the Diocese of Camden’s website, www.camdendiocese.org, and on its Facebook and YouTube pages.
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