The “Spiritual Buzz” of Diaconal Ministry

Deacon Paul Stacy, 30 November 2023

Deacon Paul Stacy has many parish responsibilities, including serving at the altar, baptisms, weddings, funerals, home and nursing home visitations. Yet he wants to do more, and has just started a new role in visiting parishes to promote the work of Catholic Mission. Have I mentioned that he is also 85 years old? Truly incredible.

Paul began life in New South Wales and his “first vocation was as a married man”. With his wife, Lorraine, they had 4 children and now have 9 grandchildren. Paul worked in a bank, but had always been involved with the church and “in a spiritual way in my faith”. When he was sent to Fiji for work with the bank, Paul became more aware of people on the margins, and accompanied Lorraine on her Red Cross visitations. Sadly, she died at the age of 47, in 1994.

Paul moved to Perth and also had banking stints in Tonga and Papua New Guinea. At his daughters’ Catholic school, he became chairman of the school board for 10 years, as well as its treasurer. During that time, he was present at many school activities and helped start a centre for children with special needs. Then he was invited along to a parish ‘Vicar’s Council’ AGM and was elected on to that, eventually also becoming chair. His priest was very keen to empower the parishioners in various ministries. The Council innovated in many ways, including forming women as altar ministers, producing a magazine called Reflections and initiating Reconciliation weekends.

In the early 2000s, Archbishop Barry Hickey started to open up the diaconate as a permanent vocation in the Perth Archdiocese. Paul’s priest thought that he would be an “ideal” person, and encouraged him to apply. Paul stresses that it wasn’t his idea, but “the Holy Spirit gets you involved through other people.” After four years of formation, he was ordained in 2006.

When I ask what difference the ordained diaconate has made, Paul immediately talks about becoming close to people. He describes himself as someone “simpatico – sympathetic and helpful to people.” And this ministry has certainly enabled him to use those gifts. Paul “gets a lot of joy” from visiting people in care situations, and walking with people as they are sick and until they pass on. He ministers to the bereaved and is often involved in their funerals.

At the other end of life, Paul loves doing baptisms. He does “a lot of work at putting people at ease, and encouraging the children that are there.” Many times, people tell him how lovely it was and that they enjoyed his celebration. Then later on they may call on him to officiate at a wedding or a funeral. As a father and grandfather, he has also had the privilege of being very involved in his family members’ lives. He has looked after children and minded grandchildren and it gives him “great pleasure” to be invited to participate in their sacraments. All these things, these ways of helping people, give Paul a “spiritual buzz” that keeps him going even at 85. God bless you, Paul!

Prayer Network