By Rita McInerney

They will face the questions and needs of the faithful every day of their lives, Archbishop James P. Lyke, OFM, told deacons ordained for the archdiocese June 8 at the Cathedral of Christ the King, Atlanta.

With wives and children at their side and other relatives, friends and parish family filling the cathedral, 14 men were ordained to the permanent diaconate of the archdiocese. Stewart Wilber and Thad Rudd were ordained transitional deacons, a prelude to priesthood.

Rev. Mr. Wilber will be ordained an archdiocesan priest Dec. 14 at the cathedral. Rev. Mr. Rudd, a married former Episcopal priest, has received the approval of Pope John Paul II for ordination as a Catholic priest at a future date.

In his homily, Archbishop Lyke told them, "Those of us ordained to the services of the Church face the questions and needs of the faithful every day of our lives. We encounter the broad spectrum of the human mind in all our encounters -- joy, sorrow, perplexity, and sometimes bitter despair. It would be wonderful if there were a specific answer to every specific entreaty, but our experience teaches us this is not so."

"Often, in the end, all we can offer is the stumbling block of the cross, from which our Lord beckons and entreats us all to wait, to believe, to hope and to pray," the archbishop said.

Deacon Alfred Mitchell called each candidate by name as the ritual began. With each standing in his pew, he informed the archbishop they had been found worthy for service as deacons.

"We rely on the help of the Lord God and our Savior Jesus Christ, and we choose these men, our brothers, for the order of deacon," the archbishop replied. The congregation signaled its consent with prolonged applause.

Three candidates, Richard Blair, an unmarried parishioner at Christ the King; Rev. Mr. Wilber, who has completed study for the priesthood, and William Rusmisel, a widower from Immaculate Heart of Mary parish in Atlanta, made their commitment to celibacy. This, the archbishop said, was "a consecration to Him in a new and special way," in which they would with "undivided heart give witness to their brothers and sisters in faith that God must be loved above all others."

Candidates replied "I am" to the archbishop's questions on their readiness to undertake the office of deacon, discharge its responsibilities with humility and love, and to hold the mystery of faith with clear conscience.

This was followed by the promise of obedience made to the archbishop and his successors. Then, with the candidates lying face down in the center aisle, the litany of the saints was sung by the choir, clergy and congregation.

Concluding the ordination ritual was the solemn laying on of hands by Archbishop Lyke and his presentation to each man of the book of the Gospels with these words: "Receive the Gospel of Christ, whose herald you are now. Believe what you read, teach what you believe, and practice what you teach."

A "family" moment came between these solemnities when each candidate's wife or someone close to his life, placed the stole, a symbol of his new calling, on the shoulders of those newly ordained.

Pastors of the new deacons concelebrated with Archbishop Lyke. Several permanent deacons assisted in the liturgy. Mrs. Betty-Lee Egan and Mrs. Lee DeSandre, wives of two men ordained, gave the Scripture readings and Deacon Tom Mackin proclaimed the Gospel.

Four members of the cathedral choir sang during the Mass under the direction of Kevin Culver, choirmaster.

A reception for families and friends took place in the Hyland Center. Providing the hospitality were the Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women and the diaconate community of Our Lady of the Assumption church, Atlanta.

The new deacons were accepted as candidates for ordination by Archbishop Lyke on May 25 at the Monastery of the Holy Spirit, Conyers, during their five-day retreat.

According to Deacon Mitchell, director of the office of the permanent diaconate, a new class of deacon candidates will begin preparation in the fall. It is "reasonably certain" that the formation period for the future will be longer than the present three-year format, he said.

During summer, 1989, Archbishop Eugene A. Marino, SSJ, requested the National Conference of Catholic Bishops standing committee on the permanent diaconate to send a team to Atlanta to evaluate the archdiocesan diaconate program. This was done later in the year and the team submitted a report on its findings in the spring of 1990.

Later Archbishop Lyke named a local committee of eight laypersons and one deacon to review the findings of the national team and make recommendations on it. The review was completed recently and the archbishop forwarded it to the diaconate board on June 3, according to Deacon Mitchell.

Henry Akers

A "deep conversion" experience several years ago changed Henry "Hank" Akers and his wife, Bobbie, from Sunday Catholics to a couple who now take part in parish worship and activities because "we want to be with those who share our convictions and our faith."

The 52-year-old newly-ordained deacon from St. John the Evangelist parish became a Catholic from a fundamentalist background when he was 17. But while he had a strong religious foundation, he says there were certain areas of Catholic belief and practice he struggled with, including devotion to the Blessed Mother. A visit to the Hapeville parish by a group bringing the traveling statue of Our Lady of Fatima was an important turning point for the Akers.

"It's like Hank and I are on a journey one," explained Bobbie Akers, who came into the Church after the couple had been married 15 years. "Mary has led us the whole route up to the diaconate."

Deacon Akers said love for those in the faith community at St. John's prompted him to think about a vocation as a permanent deacon. But during his preparatory studies he learned the reason "you become a deacon is their love for you," something he finds hard to explain to others. Bonnie Akers attended classes with her husband throughout the three-year preparation.

"It was wonderful," she says of the experience. "I was challenged to think about new ideas, new stuff I didn't know."

The Akers moved to the Atlanta area in 1963 and have been Hapeville residents for the past 25 years. They have five children, all grown and living on their own. He is employed by Arko Executive Services, a security company.

Several years ago Deacon Akers suffered a heart attack and while he was hospitalized Eucharistic ministers from the parish brought him Holy Communion. The experience was "very special" for him and he hopes to include Eucharistic ministry to the hospitalized and homebound in his work as a deacon.

"I hope to be more of a listener than a talker," he added. "I've learned if you're going to minister to others you have to listen."

Richard Blair

Richard Blair, a convert to Catholicism some 14 years ago, has a corps of supporters who encouraged and guided him on his journey to diaconal ordination June 8. A bachelor, he took the vow of celibacy at the liturgy.

Growing up Methodist in Mobile, his life was touched by Catholic influence. "Most of my brothers and sisters married Catholics." It wasn't unusual for him to visit Catholic churches.

Later, living and teaching in Atlanta, he went to Monsignor John F. McDonough at the Cathedral of Christ the King for individual instruction in the faith. Archbishop Thomas A. Donnellan confirmed him.

That was in 1977. On June 8 he became the first parishioner in the history of the cathedral parish to become a deacon. Now he "hopes and prays other men will come forward" for this ministry that dates back to the earliest church of the apostles and their followers.

He was already studying in the lay ministry program when Father Richard Kieran brought up the idea of studying for the permanent diaconate.

"He honored me with his recommendation and also with the tremendous support he gave me," the new deacon recalls.

Sister Margaret McAnoy, IHM, executive director of the Cursillo movement in the archdiocese, helped him believe in himself enough to apply for the permanent diaconate training.

Ongoing support came from Father Thomas Kenny who succeeded Father Kieran as Cathedral rector. About six months ago, Deacon Blair says, Father Kenny encouraged him to begin giving reflections on the readings at both weekday and Sunday Masses. He gave the homily at Sunday Masses June 9.

While his pastors changed, Deacon Dick Narey was a constant in his formation. "He helped me with my prayer growth. I knew the power of prayer but never understood it. He helped me with understanding the force behind it."

He acknowledges one gift from other members of the 1991 class. Their wives "are a true treasure" for the support they gave him.

He felt the force of prayers by all his friends during the two weeks before ordination. There was calm and peace, awareness "the support was there."

The newly-ordained deacon, 41, is also wearing another honor this season. He was voted "Teacher of the Year" at Medlock Bridge Elementary school in Alpharetta where he is a fourth-grade teacher.

Father Kenny wants him to continue the duties he has been doing at the cathedral. He works as liaison between his parish and the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception for Tuesday Night at the Shrine. He takes the Eucharist to nursing home patients with Sister Jeannette Crosson, GNSH, and also works with the cathedral altar servers.

Ronald Comeau

A 70-mile trip one way every other Saturday did not dampen the sense of commitment Deacon Ron Comeau and his wife had to his preparation for ordination as a permanent deacon.

The northwest Georgia couple depended on their three teenaged sons and Comeau's mother to help with family chores. "Everyone had to pitch in and do the housework together," Comeau explained. "We're very involved as a family. Everyone helped with chores, buying groceries, doing yard work, making household repairs." This cooperation is the support that makes Deacon Comeau's work as a deacon a family affair.

The 47-year-old Comeau and his wife, Judith, have lived in Georgia since 1973 and belong to St. Bernadette's parish, Cedartown. He is director of materials management for Redmond Regional Medical Center in Rome. Judith Comeau is employed in the business office of Harbin Clinic there. Natives of Massachusetts, their two sons, Michael and Wayne, attend Auburn University. Their third son, Matthew, plans to attend technical school in the fall.

Deacon Comeau was active in his parish of St. Bernadette's three years ago when Father Pat Bishop, pastor at the time, asked him to consider becoming a permanent deacon. Before, he had served on the parish council and been youth director. Now, as a deacon, he and pastor Father Dan Stack "are looking at" his assisting with preaching, working with adult education, religious education of youth when needed, and hospital visitation, as areas for his ministry.

Anthony Cuomo

The decision to become a permanent deacon was a matter of continuing conversion and growing in one's faith life for Deacon Anthony Cuomo of Holy Trinity parish in Peachtree City.

The 50-year-old deacon participated in the lay ministry program, was involved in the parish Ultreya, and in the soup kitchen, St. Francis Table, when his pastor, Father John Druding, approached him about entering the permanent diaconate program. He and his wife, Barbara, gave the priest's request some reflection before they said "yes."

"A lot of consideration needs to be given," Deacon Cuomo pointed out, "especially when you have a family and young children." The couple's involvement meant 11-year-old Regina Marie and seven-year-old Amanda Frances had "to be good, be quiet, hang around and not play in the street," when their parents participated in church activities. Every other Saturday the couple would leave the girls with friends while they attended classes. Cuomo was grateful for Father Druding's continual support.

Barbara Cuomo described those classes as "absolutely wonderful," saying she wished all adult Catholics could participate in that kind of enrichment. The thought-provoking instruction challenged her to discard the rote responses that "fall out of your mouth as a cradle Catholic" and find new ways to express "the richness of our faith and what it stands for." In addition to Dr. Louanne Bachner's theology class, Mrs. Cuomo cited Father Richard Kieran's sessions on social justice, evangelization and the U.S. bishop's pastoral on the economy as "opening up so many possibilities. You see what these men have written, not for other bishops, but for us. I feel everyone needs to touch those writings and see how they impact our lives."

The Cuomos have lived in Georgia since 1976, coming from New Orleans. He is employed by Northwest Airlines.

Deacon Cuomo sees one of his ministries in the parish, with its number of transient families, as "helping people find their niche in the faith community."

"Our calling as deacons is one of service" he emphasized. Specific assignments will be worked out after the newly-appointed pastor, Father Edward O'Connor, settles in.

Bart DeSandre

Deacon Bart DeSandre regards his ordination to the permanent diaconate June 8 as "the beginning of a lifetime. Where it's going I don't know, but I'm open to anything that may be put before me."

The new deacon and his wife, Lee, transferred to St. Thomas More parish in Decatur, because their daughter, Theresa, 12, was a student at the grade school. Until then they had been involved members of Corpus Christi parish, Stone Mountain.

At Corpus Christi the DeSandres, trained Eucharistic Ministers, were active in marriage preparation, the youth weekend program and also the program for the young single adults. Lee DeSandre is a certified Stephens Minister and trained others in that program.

At St. Thomas More they continued training Eucharistic ministers at the parish level and, at Father Pat Mulhern's request, at the deanery level. They work with the couple to couple training program and also with the archdiocesan movement, Retrouvaille, which helps spouses in troubled marriages.

Mrs. DeSandre received a certificate for attending the two years of lay ministry training with her husband; during the third year their daughter's schedule and other activities prevented her from attending every Saturday morning class.

"She was 150 percent supportive all the way," her husband says. From the start, he says, "they took their personal commitment one year at a time," hinging on whether it became a block to their relationship or a hurdle to the family. Sometimes you can "take on too much at a time. You can choke on it."

Father Mulhern, his pastor, has been supportive and "recognizes the faculties that go with being a deacon."

The Sunday after the June 8 ordination he introduced him as the homilist at the Masses. Afterward, parishioners were affirming in their welcome and receptive of his message based on the reading.

Deacon DeSandre, 54, is a tax examiner for the Internal Revenue Service. The family came to the Atlanta area 10 years ago from Clifton, NJ.

Raymond Egan

Four years ago a Cursillo weekend halted the "downslide" Raymond Egan was feeling in his spiritual life.

The experience left him with the "urge and call to reinstate" his spirituality, made him realize it was "payback time. The good Lord had taken good care of us."

Ray and Betty-Lee Egan were among the founding members of All Saints parish, Dunwoody, in 1978. He served as chairman of the building committee for the church construction, and then led the maintenance and building committee for seven years. He served on the pastoral board, taught CCD and instructed the class confirmed in 1991. He is a "longtime usher and Eucharistic minister."

Three months after making his Cursillo, he lost his job of 33 years with a large computer service company. Now he had time, a luxury unknown while raising four children and filling a responsible job. He spoke to his pastor, Monsignor R. Donald Kiernan, who readily approved his suggestion that he enter the permanent diaconate program.

In January of this year, Betty-Lee, an Eastern employee, suddenly found Saturday morning freedom when the major airline collapsed. She was able to join him for the twice-monthly classes.

Now a "young" 56, he admits it was hard "but enjoyable" getting back to studies. All of the instructors for the final year of formation "did well" for the aspiring deacons.

"It was a great year and should be extended for three more years," he comments.

As a permanent deacon he will mostly be working with the marriage preparation program and with the Case Sponsor Program of the Metropolitan Tribunal of the archdiocese.

The first permanent deacon at All Saints, Deacon Egan has definite ideas on how he can fulfill his new ministry.

"I don't intend to clericalize this position. I want to get the lay community involved, bring the community together and then offer as much assistance as possible."

The Egans have three daughters, a son and one grandchild. They came to Atlanta in 1975 from Morristown, NJ. Connecticut natives, they call Windsor Locks home. They first met in high school.

Joseph Goolsby

As a school boy at Our Lady of Lourdes School in Atlanta, Joseph Goolsby wanted to be a priest. On June 8 he was ordained a permanent deacon as his wife and two daughters looked on with love and pride.

Ada Goolsby sent her children to Lourdes because she wanted the best education possible for them. The school then was staffed by Blessed Katherine Drexel's Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament. All of the Goolsby children converted to the faith. Their mother, now 86, joined them about 15 years ago.

Goolsby, 54, says one of his sisters remembered his boyhood hope of becoming a priest and suggested the diaconate. His best friend at Lourdes, now a Methodist minister, thought he should do it. Father Tom Brislin, CP, former pastor at St. Paul of the Cross parish, told him one of the parishioners had suggested he would make a good deacon.

Monica Goolsby, his wife, agrees. "It was something he was meant to be."

Deacons Leon Allain and Benjamin Petty have been helpful and he has been working under their tutelage for almost a year.

The Goolsbys are actively involved at St. Paul of the Cross. He has served on the parish council, is a lector and Eucharistic minister. Both are on the liturgy committee. She is also in charge of the twice-monthly Sunday bookstore.

Deacon Goolsby and his wife, another Lourdes School convert, will work on the baptismal preparation program for Father Melvin Shorter, CP, pastor. They continue to be involved in the liturgy committee.

Older daughter, Adonna, 23, remarked about his new aura of peace and compassion after the Mass celebrated by the archbishop at the monastery retreat. Shar, 18, is the second daughter.

The new deacon, a MARTA bus driver, was active with the former archdiocesan Commission for Black Catholic Concerns.

Wallace Irving

Wallace Irving of St. Pius X parish in Conyers at 74 is the senior member of the permanent diaconate class of 1991.

However, "I've not admitted I'm a senior citizen," Deacon Irving said. "It's a matter of attitude. I don't feel like a senior citizen, not in the least."

Deacon Irving and his wife, Marian, came to Conyers in 1986 where they live near one of their five children. Two other adult children also live in the Atlanta area. He is a retired employee of RCA who administered government naval contracts in the Bahamas for the company while living in Palm Beach.

A priest friend in Florida, who had been a teaching Religious brother in Africa before deciding to become a priest, convinced him to consider ordination as a permanent deacon. "It's a great life, you ought to try it," his friend told him.

Wallace's ministerial duties will have a unique aspect. He has had two strokes, the effects of which have impaired his speech. When he read of a permanent deacon in Maryland who had Parkinson's disease and ministered to others with the disease, he decided to develop his ministry around those who have had strokes. Father John Walsh, pastor of St. Pius X, supported his idea immediately, he said.

With the help of his physician, who is also a member of St. Pius, Deacon Irving will search out those who have had a stroke, and visit them in their homes. He hopes his ministry can help them get over any embarrassment they have because of disabilities. "Having a stroke isn't the end of the world," Irving pointed out.

Because of his speech impairment, Deacon Irving found it "extremely hard to ask questions in class and to learn how to preach." He has nothing but praise for Dr. Louanne Bachner's knowledge and abilities as a teacher.

"She's remarkable, something to rave about," he said. "There's no limit to her knowledge and understanding. She has a natural kindness. She never talked down to anyone. She's quite a gal, an absolutely lovely woman."

In spite of rheumatoid arthritis, Marian Irving was able to attend classes with her husband during the last year of preparation and made his diaconal stole. "I'm proud of him," she says of her deacon husband. "It's something he's always wanted."

Hilliard Lee

Until he was old enough to take the bus, Hilliard Lee was driven the seven or eight miles each morning to serve the 7 a.m. Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes by his father, who was a deacon in the Baptists Church. On Wednesdays, Hilliard Lee, Sr., took his son to serve the weekly novena honoring Blessed Martin de Porres.

Now the elder Lee is "elated" by his namesake's ordination to the permanent diaconate in the Catholic Church, according to Deacon Hilliard Lee, Jr.

The Lee children played with neighborhood Catholic children and when it came time to go to school in the fall it seemed natural "for all the kids on that side of the street to go to the same school. The Catholics just folded us in," Deacon Lee recalls. He was baptized a Catholic when he was in the third grade. His siblings are also Catholic.

Now a member of St. Paul of the Cross parish, he and his wife, Vivian, have three children, Erika, 19, Christopher, 15, and Abra, 12. When his former pastor, Father Tom Brislin, CP, asked him if he'd ever though of becoming a permanent deacon, Lee said, "Yes, I have, but nobody has ever asked me before."

Deacon Lee wishes there had been more time in the preparatory classes, particularly those which focused on Bible study, counseling, the rubrics. As a deacon he hopes to continue his education.

In the past Lee has been chairman of the parish pastoral council, lector and Eucharistic minister, as well as being involved in adult education and Scouting. He and fellow Deacon Joseph Goolsby have been friends since they were Lourdes parishioners before the founding of St. Paul of the Cross in 1956.

After eight years as director of parks for the city of Atlanta, Deacon Lee has just assumed the position of clerk of the Municipal Court of Atlanta, a task that will cut his work week from seven days to five, giving him more time to be with his family and church community. He is in the process of working out the details of his ministry as a deacon in the parish with his pastor, Father Melvin Shorter, CP.

Kevin Lyday

Deacon Kevin Lyday toyed with the idea of a religious vocation as a 19-year-old and spent time in a Franciscan monastery searching for direction. Now at 35, married and the father of three children, he believes ordination as a permanent deacon is a "wonderful opportunity to have your cake and eat it too." At 30, after his father's ordination to the permanent diaconate, he began to consider the same course as a possible vocation.

Lyday and his wife, Carolyn, are members of St. Philip Benizi parish in Jonesboro. Their three children are Christopher, 11, Matthew, 8, and Brittany, 4. He and his father, Deacon William Lyday, make up the only father-son diaconal duo in the archdiocese. The elder Lyday was ordained in 1982 and is assigned to Blessed Sacrament parish in south Fulton County. He is director of new construction and facilities maintenance for the archdiocese.

Deacon Kevin Lyday has been active in youth ministry, both at St. Philip's and in the archdiocese since 1972 when he began his involvement with the SEARCH program. This summer he will continue for the third year to work with the Christian Leadership Institute, a leadership formation program for young people. Lyday is employed as a publications analyst by Delta Airlines. Before his ordination he was involved in hospital ministry at the parish. He hopes to continue this, as well as involvement with children's liturgies and "all ministries allowed a deacon." He said he is "very comfortable" with the range of diverse spiritual opportunities open to Catholics today.

Felix Marrero

Felix Marrero, newly ordained deacon from Sacred Heart parish in Griffin, "walked through the door" that God opened for him and found himself preparing for the permanent diaconate.

Fifteen years ago, Felix and his wife, Maria, were drawn to Schoenstatt, an apostolic Marian movement which has encouraged their spiritual growth.

Felix Marrero had thought about becoming a deacon in his native Puerto Rico without acting on it, he admits. Then Sacred Heart deacon, Tom Slagle, asked him if he would be interested. He thought about it. "We try and see if God opens doors. If the doors open, we walk through," he says.

At his parish he has taught confirmation class, worked with the altar boys, coordinated Mass preparations, and initiated a monthly Mass for Hispanics on Thanksgiving, 1989. Father Vincente Peña, OP, of St. Philip Benizi Church, Jonesboro, is celebrant. Mrs. Marrero works in the church office, doing bookkeeping and the weekly bulletin. She is a member of the archdiocesan Hispanic Council.

She was able to attend many of the twice-monthly Saturday classes with him during the third and final year of study. The children, five from 10 to 20 years old, made it easy, most times, for their parents to pursue their studies.

As a boy he found it difficult to study, but the three years of study for the diaconate were better. "God has His way of teaching. I've learned to open myself up."

The program leaders, he says, "couldn't have found better instructors. Everyone was impressed with their ability to make us understand" even the most difficult subjects. He is glad the next formation group will be in "an exclusive diaconate program."

The pre-ordination retreat at the Monastery of the Holy Spirit gave him and the other candidates a chance to build up their spiritual fortitude, he says. At times, he found the quiet of the monastery "kind of noisy."

With his diaconal ordination he plans to concentrate on the parish Hispanic Apostolate and will try to encourage more people, especially those who are in bilingual marriages, to attend the liturgies.

Deacon Marrero, 42, is a pressman in a McDonough printing firm.

Kevin McCarthy

Deacon Kevin McCarthy and his wife, Molly, have been partners in directing youth ministry at St. Joseph's parish in Marietta for 10 years.

Witnessing the excitement and enthusiasm young people bring to their involvement in church activities inspired McCarthy to consider expanding his ministry and become a permanent deacon. "I've always been active in the Church," he explained. "It was just a way to do a little more." The Marietta parish youth group has been honored for its extensive work with children in single-parent families.

The McCarthys have been in the archdiocese since 1976. Born in New Jersey he grew up in the Georgetown district of Washington, D.C., and now is regional manager for International Paper. He holds a degree in finance from the University of South Carolina. The McCarthys have two daughters, Meghan, 16 and Kelly, 15.

The 40-year-old deacon was impressed by the way those preparing for the permanent diaconate, a diverse group ranging in age from their early 30s to their mid-70s, came together as a team. He praised one teacher in particular, Dr. Louanne Bachner, as "the greatest, absolutely the greatest. She's very challenging, very stimulating -- really strong."

Deacon McCarthy plans to be part of the preaching rotation at St. Joseph, help with administering the sacraments of baptism and matrimony, and participate in ministry to those parishioners living in nursing homes, in addition to his work with youth.

The June 8 ordination was a special event for the McCarthy family. Six of Deacon McCarthy's eight siblings, from "all over the East Coast," came for the occasion, as did his 82-year-old aunt who lives in Boston. She is the only living member in her generation of the family.

William Rusmisel

Deacon William Rusmisel of Immaculate Heart of Mary parish, Atlanta, has done almost everything in the parish except cantor, something he declined to do because "I can't sing and I didn't want everyone to get up and leave." He has even chopped down trees and pulled up stumps with his pastor, avid gardener Father Richard Kieran.

"I thought it was time to start giving back," he said, explaining his "yes" answer to the vocation of permanent deacon. "I've been very graciously blessed over the years." In retirement after 37 years with Southern Railways, he now has more time for involvement with the Church.

Deacon "Moe" Rusmisel plans to continue his ministry to the elderly which has included weekly Communion services at Marian Manor and Wesley Woods' facilities for the elderly. Other than that, he intends to "do what my pastor tells me he wants me to do."

The 61-year-old widower, who took a vow of celibacy during the ordination ceremony, has two grown daughters, Mary Rusmisel Roberts who lives with him, and Suzanne Rusmisel Gaudin, who is married to Deacon Jim Gaudin of St. Joseph's parish in Athens. He has two grandsons, David, 3 and Anthony, 1.

Rusmisel has lived in the archdiocese 26 years, moving into IHM shortly after the family came to Atlanta so his daughters could have a Catholic education. "I don't intend to go anywhere; I intend to die here," he said. There are advantages and disadvantages to being an ordained minister to those one has known a long time, the new deacon admitted. "You minister to people you know and love, but there is an awesome feeling to preach to people you know. I have had a lot of support and encouragement from them." Deacon Rusmisel has known his pastor for many years, too. In November, 1969, he made Cursillo number nine with Father Richard, who was spiritual director for the renewal program from 1966 to 1983. "The Cursillo changed my life," he said. "It is one of the very well used tools for evangelization." As for his preparatory studies for the diaconate, Deacon Rusmisel said, "What we had was wonderful, but a little knowledge makes you aware of what you don't know."

Edward Stives

The only permanent deacon in his rural parish, Edward Stives will be doing "whatever it takes" to help minister to the 130 families of St. Clement's Church in Calhoun.

Deacon Stives, 59, a transplant to Georgia from New Jersey, will continue his involvement with RCIA, which he has directed for the past two years, and be available for adult education and administering the sacraments of baptism and matrimony. Father Jim Henault, MS, will become pastor July 10, succeeding Father Michael Flanagan, MS, who has been transferred to St. Oliver Plunkett parish in Snellville.

Deacon Stives and his wife, Virginia, came to the north Georgia town five years ago to care for his ailing mother-in-law. He is employed by Collins-Aikman, a Dalton carpet firm. When Father Flanagan approached him three years ago about becoming a permanent deacon, the couple thought of the invitation as a "second calling." As a young man Stives had considered entering the seminary after he got out of the armed services, but met his future wife instead. The couple have three married daughters.

Virginia Stives accompanied her husband every other week on the 67-mile trip to Atlanta for classes the final year of his preparation. Deacon Stives would encourage any man thinking of a vocation to the permanent diaconate to "just do it." He says the experience has deepened his own faith. "I'm very happy I made the commitment," he added.

(Profiles by Paula Day and Rita McInerney)