Volume XVI
Number 3
September 1996

Deacon Bill Wildes: A New Door Opens

On September 27, 1996 Deacon Bill Wildes leaves the Office of the Permanent Diaconate after ten years of energetic, faithful and loving service. This decade of service has been a time of great joy, growth and satisfaction for Bill and the diaconate community but it has also been a time of loss and sorrow. In December 1992, God called home Rita Wildes, Bill’s gentle wife and faithful companion of forty-seven years. After Rita’s death, Bill immersed himself ever more deeply in the life of the diaconate supported by his children, Bill Jr., Marie Krevosky, Kathy Bianchi, and Nancy Naughton. He shares his wisdom and is ‘Papa’ to ten grandchildren. Bill’s knowledge, understanding and experience of diaconate is boundless. Not only is he lovingly known as "Mr. Deacon" in the Archdiocese but also nationally where his servant ministry is often sought. We wish him continued good health, long years and an ever deepening love of God and the Church to which he has given himself without reserve. Our lives have been enriched because of Bill’s presence among us.

Sr. Clare O’Keefe

A Reflection from Bill Wildes

Dear, dear friends:
Thirteen years ago I wrote "One door closes... another door opens." The occasion was my retiring from business after 42 years and embarking on full time church ministry. On September 30, after 10 years as Associate Director of the Diaconate office and 19 years as deacon at St. Brigid’s, Lexington, some doors close and others open. Having been blessed and nourished by family and all the people of God who have touched my life and having reached the venerable age of 75, Archdiocesan policy calls for retirement from assigned ministry and the door to Senior Deacon/Retirement opens. I am ready for whatever and wherever the Lord calls.

The sentiments expressed thirteen years ago bear repeating because they are no less true today at this retirement time: The fabric of my life has been made interesting, serviceable and strong by your part in it. I have learned from everyone. I have been formed by all the people who have been a part of my life. I am enriched, enabled, taught and indebted to them. And you are one of "them". Thank you from the depth of a grateful heart for your friendship, for your part in shaping my life, and for contributing to the joy of service in His name.

As of September 30, I gently close the door on my assignments and open another door to announce, "Here I am Lord, what are we going to do today?"

For all that you have been and for all that you will continue to be, I offer my thanks and my prayerful remembrance. God bless you.

Faithfully yours,
Deacon Bill Wildes

From the Director’s Desk

This issue of Diaconia is special for several reasons. First, it contains a reflection from Deacon Bill Wildes as he begins another chapter of his life as Deacon Emeritus. For those of us in the diaconate community, Deacon Bill has been our model for holiness, serventhood and humility. In his new role, Bill will still be involved but not nearly with the same frequency. Bill’s reflection gives us a wonderful portrait of a pious, unassuming, gentle man.

Secondly, this issue contains a piece titled ‘View From The Pew’ which we hope will become a continuing feature. This will be a series that presents reflections by deacon’s wives, children or parishioners on ministry, service, holiness, marriage, family life, etc. Carolyn O’Neil’s should resonate with married deacons and their families.

Finally, this is yet another special issue because of all the hard work contributed by Sr. Clare and the editorial staff. Thanks to you all.

Please remember to keep in your prayers the Diaconate Office Staff, the formation program faculty and members, especially the 26 members of the new class of 2000, and know that we are praying for you as well.

Leo Donoghue, ’92

View From The Pew

She slips into a bench near the rear of the church, just minutes before the entrance hymn begins. No front row seat for this wife of a deacon, who had corralled all three kids into the car and arrived with only minutes to spare. Glancing around she manages to locate two of them and hopes their teenager is somewhere in the congregation.

Most of the faces around her are familiar. They are neighbors, friends, and people whom she has met or seen at church over the years. A woman at the end of her bench is someone she doesn’t recognize, and somehow she finds herself saying a quick prayer for this stranger.

Her focus turns to the Mass and she listens to the readings, trying to pull out some thought or phrase that is particularly meant for her.

It’s the Sunday her husband is preaching, and as he asks for the blessing of the priest she adds her own silent blessing. Thinking back to when he was first ordained, she remembers how nervous she used to be each time he preached. Would he falter and forget what he had planned to say? Would he talk too long? Would people understand the message? Would they like him? A smile comes across her face as she realizes how unnecessary all that worrying was. No, it hadn’t always been easy and even now there are times when she thinks he’s missed the mark. But she recognizes how much each of them has gained and grown through this unique experience. His words today are on the mark and she knows he hasn’t talked too long because the congregation hasn’t started coughing or twitching in their seats.

All too soon she hears the words: "Go in peace to love and serve the Lord." A slight sigh reveals her reluctance to leave this prayerful atmosphere and head back out into the parking lot. Her husband is at the door, shaking hands and exchanging words with people as they leave. He gets a big hug from their youngest and a quick wave from their other two kids. As the church empties, the stranger is still sitting there, looking like she needed a friend. She slides to the end of her bench. "Would you like to talk?"

Carolyn S. O’Neil, ‘90

Class of ’96 Ordained

On the Feast of the Holy Cross, Saturday, September 14, 1996, Cardinal Law ordained 17 men to the diaconate for service in the Archdiocese of Boston. This brings the number of permanent deacons in the Archdiocese to 189.

The diaconate community of Boston welcomes these newly ordained men, and expresses the deepest thanks to them and their wives, families, and friends who have so graciously supported them in their vocations.

Assignments for the Class of ’96

Annual Memorial Mass

The annual memorial Mass for deceased members of the diaconate community will be celebrated on Wednesday, November 6, 1996, at St. Lawrence Church, Chestnut Hill, at 7:30 PM. The celebrant will be Rev. Paul O’Brien. We invite all members of the diaconate community to come together to celebrate the gift of the lives of these members of the diaconate community who have returned to God, the author of life. We especially remember these deacons who have died since last year’s memorial Mass:

• Deacon Brendan Fay ’76, died July 26, 1996

• Deacon Frederic G. Guarente, ’90, died April 26, 1996

The Diaconate Office Is On the Web
(but of course you know that if you are reading this)

The Office of the Permanent Diaconate in the Archdiocese of Boston has its very own World Wide Web site! The URL for the site is

http://www.mmcom.com/pdiaconate

The site currently contains office and staff information, the calendar of events for 1996-1997, online copies of the Diaconia, and some resources with information about the diaconate, the formation program, and news items of interest, as well as links to other Catholic resources on the Web. We intend to make this a valuable resource for the diaconate community so we invite you to visit the site, and then make suggestions as to how it can better serve you. Deacon Charlie Cornell ’92 is the Webmaster; you can email suggestions to him at cac@stisidorestow.org.