CALLED TO SERVE: Prosser of Storm Lake St. Mary's one of five to be ordained a deacon

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
Feb. 15, 2007

STORM LAKE - Mark Prosser, a parishioner at St. Mary's Church in Storm Lake, is one of five men who will be ordained to the permanent diaconate on March 3 at Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City.

For Prosser, deciding to follow his call to this vocation came to him over time, in what he described as a gradual maturing process.

"There was no one thing or set of specific things that drove me to research the diaconate. I've had great examples of Catholic faith in my life through family and friends." he said. "With time I thought I should try to do more and pursue the path where I should do more."

Prosser, a native of East St. Louis, moved to Storm Lake in 1989 after taking a position with the Storm Lake Police Department as chief of police. He had served 10 years as a police officer, detective and supervisor of a detective division in East St. Louis.

He mentioned that that the diaconate was in the back of his mind for a couple of years before he and his wife Dawn discussed the possibility of the ministry. At that time, which was about 1999, Dawn secured a packet of information from Central Catholic Offices. Shortly thereafter he was given additional job responsibilities with the Storm Lake Police Department as he was asked to serve as public safety director in addition to the police chief. The diaconate materials were set aside.

The possibility of the vocation never left him entirely, though, so when Father Robert Schimmer approached him about the diaconate it proved to be the motivation he needed to proceed.

"We went to an informational meeting and I continued to pray and ponder about it with my wife and with father. At that time I thought that the calling was strong enough in my heart to proceed with the formation process," said Prosser.

The formation program affirmed his calling. Prosser had taught justice classes for 19 years and stopped teaching to make time for his own formation classes.

"All of a sudden I was on the other side, back as a student again and I was concerned if I would have the time, would be able to make the commitment - how I would do in a new field of study," he said. "It exceeded my expectations not only from the instruction of the teachers but the inner formation was profound in the last five years."

His education through this process has not only assisted him with Catholic faith formation, but has also influenced how he approaches things in the work environment.

"I am in a service profession and I think it has clearly changed how I do things," said Prosser. "Being on the RCIA team here at St. Mary's, I have on more than one occasion shared with candidates how my faith has impacted how I need to do business or how I could have done business better."

The Prossers have one 22-year-old daughter, Jessica, who is a student at the University of Texas in San Antonio.

"Jessica has been incredibly supportive and my wife has been one of my inspirations in serving the church better. She works tirelessly for St. Mary's Parish and School System," noted Prosser. Dawn is the development director for St. Mary's and is the parish's office manager.

Knowing that her husband contemplated this vocation for such a long time, she said it is exciting to see the ordination fast approaching.

Given that she has worked for the church for 11 years, Dawn pointed out that she already has a fairly large involvement in the life of the parish but is aware that her husband's ordination may enhance her role. She is open to new possibilities.

Dawn is confident that her husband will make a good deacon.

"I see him as a sincere Catholic and that should come out in his preaching. He will be a credible witness on the altar. The formation classes and the things that he has learned will help add even more credibility in helping to teach the faith," she said.

In addition to the RCIA team, Prosser is a eucharistic minister, member of the music ministry - as cantor and choir member, parish liturgy committee, Diocesan Abuse Review Board and other committees.

Active participation in the life of the church is something he learned from his own parents, as they were greatly involved in many service-oriented projects such as volunteering at soup kitchens.

"Each person jumps into it at a different time in their life. The Holy Spirit touches us at different times in our life and this was the time of life when I thought I should step up to the plate and do more for the church and for the parish here at St. Mary's. They have been very good to me," said Prosser.

Once a deacon, he mentioned that his pastor Father Bruce Lawler has conveyed a desire for him to continue to serve on the RCIA team.

As part of the formation process, he mentioned that the deacon candidates have already become involved in visiting the sick at the hospitals and nursing homes.

"I look forward to that. I think I take away - from each of those visits - more than what I am to give," he said.

Deacons are expected to proclaim the Gospel and preach. Prosser said anticipates that he will mature in that ability and hopes that he will fulfill that part of his ministry in a way that will make a positive difference for parishioners.

"As in any new ministry, any new vocation, I am keenly aware that I am at the beginning of this and I have a lot to learn. I know this is a continuing journey and process and hope that I can continue to develop in an effective way to serve the bishop, the diocese and the parish correctly and appropriately," he said.

With ordination just a few weeks away, he extended gratitude to his family, parish and pastors for their support through prayers, comments and encouragement.