Billings studies for the permanent diaconate Views formation process as positive experience

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
January 15, 2004

When Dick Billings went through the R.C.I.A. process it ignited his thirst for knowledge about the Catholic Church. Through that education, first came questions about the church followed by a greater understanding and appreciation of the faith.

He was initiated into the Catholic Church in April of 1987.

"I had attended Mass with my wife, Jolene, ever since we started dating. After my kids started attending Blessed Sacrament and we were becoming more involved in the church, it was just time to join," said Billings. He had been married for seven years when he joined the church.

He pointed out that even prior to officially joining the church he was active in the parish life of Blessed Sacrament Church in Sioux City helping at church dinners and in other capacities.

Following his initiation into the Catholic Church, his involvement blossomed. At the parish level, Billings is involved with R.C.I.A., Re-Membering and Sponsor Couple Marriage Preparation. He also serves as a Eucharistic minister and cantor. In a city-wide ministry, he was the first president of Serra Club of Siouxland. At the diocesan level, he serves on the Priests' Pension Board.

As a candidate for the permanent diaconate, he is prepping to expand that involvement. He is in his third year of formation for this ordained ministry.

Billings pointed out that several factors contributed to his serious discernment of this vocation. First, a couple of parishioners had mentioned to him that he would be a good deacon. Second, he was already active in the church and this would offer a more formalized form of service. Third, eventually he could see himself moving to full-time church ministry later in his life.

Unlike many candidates who generally seek greater pastoral involvement, Billings' desire to serve the church takes a different form.

"For better or worse I am one of those guys who likes to organize things," he said. "And in terms of my involvement in the church, being a deacon would allow me to be involved in that organizational side. I see this as a way to share my organizational skills with the church on a more systematic basis."

He presently utilizes those strong organizational skills as owner of R.L. Billings & Co., which provides record keeping for company retirement plans.

At the same time, Billings also looks forward to preaching and other pastoral opportunities that the diaconate will present to him.

Through classes he has been required to take as part of the formation program, he pointed out that it has given him a much deeper understanding of his faith and its true meaning. Another bonus of the classes has been the camaraderie that has developed among all classmates, even those not studying for the diaconate.

"Some of these classes are relatively easy and others are extraordinarily difficult, but I don't think I would change anything. These are all necessary items," said Billings.

He pointed out that they must take two years of classes, undergo psychological testing and background checks before they are even accepted as official candidates. While Billings thought that was a little silly at first, he acknowledged that he now sees the wisdom in that philosophy because the men must make a serious commitment and have a solid theological background to move forward.

The deacon candidate has been so impressed by the classes that he has encouraged others - both men and women - to take them for their own faith enrichment.

If all goes as planned, Billings will be ordained to the permanent diaconate in the summer of 2005.

Through this form of church service, the deacon candidate said he hoped it inspired others to become more active and involved in their faith.

He noted that someone once asked, "Why are you here?"

"God put me here for a reason and it is more than just to take up space," stressed Billings. "God has been good to me. The church as been good to me. It seems only fair that I try to return the favor.

Dick and his wife, Jolene, have three children: Amber, a recent college graduate who resides in Georgia; Michael, a junior at UNI; and Matthew, a freshman at USD.