Scripture ignites fire to become more involved in church for deacon candidate

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
March 1, 2007

MAPLETON - After several years of theological education and pastoral training, Ray Rosburg is one of five men who will be ordained to the permanent diaconate this weekend in a ceremony set for March 3 at Cathedral of the Epiphany.

While he will soon become a member of the ordained clergy, Rosburg remembers a time not so long ago when he didn't even realize that the Catholic Church had deacons. That was during a phase when he was just a luke-warm Catholic. He attended Mass but wasn't really involved in the life of the church.

It all changed for him back in 1998 when he owned and operated a construction company. Suddenly he developed a hunger for the word of God.

"I started reading the Bible a lot more and studying it. That developed into a calling to serve God," described Rosburg.

He was aware that other faith denominations had deacons, but his Catholic parish in Mapleton had never been served by a deacon. In time he approached his local pastor to inquire if the Catholic Church had that type of ministry and soon after attended an informational meeting about the diaconate.

"I went through a lot of discernment at that time and slowly took off into it," said Rosburg, who added that he spent much time in prayer and reading Scripture during this discernment. "It was a slow process of feeling that I could do more and that became a feeling that I needed to do more for people."

As he discerned his call to the diaconate, he upped his involvement in the church. He took up lectoring again, became a Eucharistic minister, usher and member of the Knights of Columbus. At about that same time, he went through a career change as he discontinued the construction work and took up maintenance work at an area nursing home.

"It's very hard to describe the call. I've discovered that it's not my call, my thing. It's God's call and God's ministry," he said.

After about four years at the nursing home, Rosburg opted to go back to school. He is presently a full-time student at Briar Cliff University in Sioux City, is currently focusing studies on theology but is considering education.

"I am still very much open to the workings of the Holy Spirit," he said.

If things go as planned, Rosburg will complete his college level studies in the fall term of 2008.

"Changes occur in our lives very fast sometimes. I never thought I would be in school at my age," said the 45-year-old.

Rosburg and his wife, Gaylene, have three children, two of whom are married. Brandon and his wife Kari live in Sioux City. Daughter Brianna and her husband Mike Britson reside in Minneapolis. Their daughter Maggie is a student and lives at home.

"The support of my wife has been unbelievable. She has supported me through all of the classes and through the time that it has taken me," said Rosburg. "She's always been willing to listen and give me feedback. And my kids have been supportive."

Gaylene said she thinks it's wonderful that her husband has been called to this ministry.

She mentioned that during the interview process when her husband first applied to the diaconate, she was asked what qualities he had that would make him a good deacon.

"I think it's his patience and his quiet faith. He is not a man of many words, but he is a man of action," said Gaylene.

Through this formation process, her own faith has been enriched. She has taken the time to look at what the power of God can do in a people's lives.

Rather than seeing the ordination as a culmination of studies, Gaylene said, "I think it is a beginning of a road that my husband has been put on and we have been put on together. I'm looking forward to ordination for him because of all the hard work and dedication he has put into this."

A number of parishioners from St. Mary's in Mapleton have told him that they are praying for him. He mentioned that about three months after he had been taking formation classes for the diaconate one parishioner suggested to him that he become a deacon. That was affirming for him.

Rosburg noted that he found the formation classes to be well put together and provided him with a solid foundation of knowledge.

"They wet my appetite for more theological knowledge," he said.

The discernment and formation process, he noted, has been "about emptying myself and letting Christ fill me. This is his ministry."

Looking back, Rosburg pointed out that when he was new to construction work his first boss set a fine example for him.

"He wasn't Catholic, but this man was so peaceful, kind, generous. I think about him often - he really walked with Christ," said Rosburg. "My parents were also great. They were solid Catholics, full of faith."