Ordained: 1983, Detroit, MI
Family: Wife: Jane Carole Hubbarth; three children: Tracy Marie, Christopher and Elizabeth Anne; 12 grandchildren
Profession: Retired from business manager at St. Matthew Parish, Spotsylvania, Virginia; previously 31 years Human Resource director for major banks in Michigan, Virginia and North Carolina
Home parish: St. James Parish, Bay City, Michigan.
Assigned parish: St. Mark Catholic Church, Wilmington, NC
Hobbies: Pickleball, golf, reading and music.
When did you first consider a vocation to the permanent diaconate?
1972
What is your favorite part of being a deacon?
My most favorite part of being a deacon is working with people unable to come to church because of illness as well as working with couples, families and individuals who either are fallen away from the church or are in crises. (I have a family and married therapy certification.) Also, I have been blessed for 14 years on the diocesan committee for the Arlington, Virginia, diocese to discern candidates for the diaconate and the evaluation of current candidates in the diocesan program.
What would you say to someone considering the permanent diaconate?
Have the love of your faith and the love of helping others to come closer to Jesus. Pray, pray, pray and listen for guidance from the Holy Spirit. Finally, be humble and not take the success you might have achieved in the business world and try to duplicate it in the church world.
What surprised you the most about the permanent diaconate?
The hunger that we all have for the Peace that Our Lord gives to all if we but open our hearts and minds to Him.
What is your favorite scripture passage?
Luke 14:8-9: "When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not recline at table in the place of honor. A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by him, and the host who invited both of you may approach you and say, ‘Give your place to this man,’ and then you would proceed with embarrassment to take the lowest place."
Who is your favorite saint and why?
My favorite saint is Blessed Father Solaneus Casey. He was ordained a simplex priest because they thought him not smart enough. He was not able to hear confessions or preach. Every time I do the homily, I pray for guidance from him and the Holy Spirit.
Is there anything else you want people to know about you or the diaconate?
For 40 years, I have been privileged to serve the people of God in this my 8th diocese. I look forward to sharing my happiness to those at St. Mark's and asking them to pray for me to come close to Jesus.