Deacon Berger marks 25 years as permanent deacon

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
Posted November 28, 2002

After spending three years in the seminary in the late '40s, William Berger dropped the hope of priesthood but never lost the desire to serve the church. His desire to be a servant of the church was met partially through the diaconate.

On Dec. 10, 1977 he and John Heffernan became the first two men to be ordained to the permanent diaconate in the Diocese of Sioux City.

The deacons will be honored for 25 years of service in the permanent diaconate Dec. 7 at Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City. Bishop Daniel N. DiNardo will preside at the 11 a.m. Mass.

Like Deacon Heffernan, Deacon Berger remembers the 1974 fishing trip when they brought up the possibility of becoming deacons. Even before this conversation, Berger had written to a bishop from Georgia who was openly looking for permanent deacons about possibly serving there. The Diocese of Sioux City didn't have a formation program for the permanent diaconate and Berger was so interested in the ministry that he would have considered a move.

"The diaconate at that time was just coming into the United States," recalled Deacon Berger. The ministry was gaining popularity in Europe after Pope John XXIII had called for a restoration of the diaconate at Vatican II.

While the ministry once again took hold in the 1970s, the deacon added that its roots date back to very beginnings of the church. In the sixth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, the apostles appoint seven deacons.

Some people mention to him about the need for more deacons as the number of priests decline, however, he is quick to respond that deacons can never take the place of the priests especially because of the Eucharist.

Following Vatican II, Berger noted that he was one of the first lectors at Blessed Sacrament Parish.

"The church and the sacrifice of the Mass has always been close to my heart," he said. "I started going to daily Mass in 1968."

Berger and Heffernan received the majority of their diaconate formation in Omaha. He recalled leaving from Sioux City at about 5 p.m. and getting back home around midnight. After Bishop Greteman decided that he would ordain the men, they finished the final months of formation in Sioux City.

Following ordination to the diaconate, he served a brief period as a deacon at Blessed Sacrament but was assigned in February of 1978 to Cathedral of the Epiphany. At the Cathedral, he started an ecumenical grief program there called New Beginnings for people who have lost loved ones through death or divorce. His involvement in the program lessened after going through his second open heart surgery in 1980.

In the mid-1980s, Deacon Berger was assigned by the bishop to serve at St. Michael Church in Sioux City.

The deacon explained that those seeking the diaconate must certainly have a strong sense of commitment, however, he viewed the ministry more as a fulfillment of his desire for service.

The diaconate has given him a closer relationship with Jesus. This has evolved partly from an increased prayer life.

"I thought that when I was first ordained that I didn't have to change my prayer life, but I was wrong," said Deacon Berger. As a member of the clergy, he had a responsibility to have a strong prayer life.

Through the years, a great portion of his diaconate ministry has been with pastoral duties such as visiting the sick who are homebound and in the hospital. He is a volunteer for Hospice and worked temporarily for the agency as its full-time chaplain.

"That was one of the most interesting aspects of my ministry because you were working with people who were unchurched," explained the deacon. "The people who ask for ministerial assistance in Hospice do so because they are not associated with any pastor or church. The number of unchurched people are more numerous than we are led to think."

He pointed out that his wife Arlene has been very supportive, although she sometimes worried about his workload because of his heart problems. They have five children - Ann Marie, David, Daniel, Mary and Michael.

Deacon Berger witnessed three of his children's marriages and baptized 17 of his 20 grandchildren. Two years ago he baptized his first great grandchild. on his birthday nonetheless.

Now retired, the deacon continues to make pastoral visits, assist at Mass and fills in at his parish by leading a para-liturgy - including opening prayers, Scripture, a short homily and Communion service - when a priest is not available for weekday Masses.

"After 25 years, I am so pleased and thankful to all who have been so accepting of the diaconate. I especially want to thank our bishops and priests, for their wonderful openness and love which sustains our faith and our efforts to be of service," said Berger.

The deacon described the diaconate as a grace-filled experience that has enabled him to see the work of the Lord in people as he prays and associates with all walks of Christ.