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Three Boston Deacons
Serve in the Rescue Effort at Ground Zero
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Editors Note: The Diaconia asked Deacons Dick Martino, Rich
Monroe, and Norm St. Hilaire to write descriptions of the effect
serving at Ground Zero had on them. This article started out as
a summary of these three stories but the authors decided that
it would be impossible to summarize them. Instead this article
conveys the thoughts shared at a meeting with Dick, Rich, and
Norman, and the full stories are available at
http://www.bostondiaconate.org/News/groundzero.html
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The attacks of terrorism on September 11 were life changing, not just
for those who experienced or witnessed these horrific events. This life
changing impact also affects those who have been called to serve in
the rescue effort, including three Deacons from the Archdiocese of Boston.
Deacon Richard Monroe ‘98 was called as part of the Plymouth County
Critical Incident Stress Team. His job was to provide spiritual support
to the Kingston City Firefights who were called to assist at Ground
Zero. The State of Massachusetts Fire Marshal called Deacon Richard
Martino ’00 to schedule the deployment of the interdenominational fire
chaplains to New York. Deacon Martino called Deacon Norman St. Hilaire
’00 to assist at the New York site, and later joined him at Ground Zero.
The role of the Deacon is one of service, a call given to us by God.
Deacons Martino, Monroe, and St. Hilaire have all received specialized
training as fire chaplains, certified in Critical Incident Stress Management
(CISM). Their chaplain experience and training were the reason they
received this particular call, but it was their response to God in their
ministry that motivated them to say, “Yes” to this request. As Dick,
Rich, and Norm shared their thoughts and emotions resulting from their
experiences, it drove home the fact that we never know the extent of
the service until God presents His needs to us.
Rich Monroe was getting ready to go on a golf vacation. His arrangements
were made, bags packed and thoughts loomed in his mind about spending
time with friends for several days. After getting the call to go to
New York his choice was either vacation, where one re-news and rests,
or going on an assignment that would tax and drain his emotional and
physical being.
For Dick Martino this call presented a difficult choice. He wanted
to go and minister to those at Ground Zero, but instead remained behind
to fulfill the important need of orchestrating the logistical movement
of the clergy who would serve from Massachusetts during the next several
weeks.
Norm St. Hilaire was called shortly after beginning a new job, because
of his status as a fire chaplain with CISM training who had experience
from serving in the Worcester fire tragedy.
 Their “Yes” to this call to service led them to bring
the reality of Christ’s love to the many people they encountered. This
experience changed their perspectives on life and helped them see how
precious life really is. As they shared their stories, it was obvious
that Christ was present to them, and gave them and those around them
the strength to continue on in their mission of love.
In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks, one question that has been
asked over and over, is “Where was God in this horrific event?” The
answer to this was very evident in the reflections of these three Deacons
as they described how God was present in their ministry in New York.
They talked of the reality of working to the point of physical, mental
and emotional exhaustion. At the time when they felt they could go
on no further, God revived and strengthened them to continue His work.
They told us how the workers on “the pile” were initially drawn to
them because of their turnout gear that identified them as clergy.
Each of them speaks of their awareness of God working through them,
using their spirituality, personality, and charism to touch those who
were in need of His presence.
The site workers hungered for a strength that could not be provided
by their fellow workers, but could only be nurtured in them by God.
The ministers of many denominations brought God’s strength to these
workers. They all came to make God’s presence and support known to those
who worked feverishly to rescue and recover loved ones and comrades
buried in the rubble.
As our evening of sharing came to a close, we noticed how they shared
the same love and support that brought them to the site of Ground Zero
with each other. They were trying to help each other find ways to cope
with the process of returning to their normal life. Their experiences
at this time of tragedy serve to remind us that just as God worked through
them, He also works through each of us in His own way.
Andrew J. Acampora, ’00
and Dennis Vandi, ‘00
From the Director
As 2002 is still in its early days, it is not too late to take a quick
look back as well as a look forward to what this year might hold for
the Office of the Permanent Diaconate.
Looking back, it is safe to say that everyone’s life was changed on
September 11, 2001. In this issue, 3 of our deacons tell of their own
experiences at “ground zero”. Needless to say we are very proud of
these men who played such a significant role in the healing process
in New York. It is not often that a deacon’s ministry is so public.
The experiences of these three men reflect the goodness and abilities
of all of the deacons in the Archdiocese of Boston.
Looking ahead, twelve men are preparing to be ordained on September
14, 2002, eight from the South Region, one from the Central Region,
and three from the West Region.
Applications for the classes of 2006 are all in and it appears that
all regions will have representation. We are excited that these applications
seem more diverse than previous classes. This class will begin in September.
Formation classes will temporarily be held at Mt. St. Joseph Academy
in Brighton while St. William’s Hall goes through some reconstruction.
We are most grateful to Ms. Kathleen Fraser, principal of Mt. St. Joseph
Academy, who facilitated use of the space for a very reduced rate.
Although located in Brighton, this inner city school enrolls many girls
who do not have the ability to pay tuition. They certainly are worthy
of your spiritual and perhaps even monetary support.
Finally, the Office of the Permanent Diaconate will remain in its present
location through the coming year. Sister Clare, Father Alvaro, Deacon
Joe, Mrs. Fran Ryan, and I wish you all a wonderful 2002.
Deacon Leo Donoghue, ‘92
Sure the Homily Was True. So What?
Did you ever hear a homily that expressed truth, was logically constructed,
and well delivered but left you thinking, “So what?” To tell the truth,
I have not only heard such homilies, but I have given some as well.
For years, I have struggled to articulate how this happens.
On page 87 of Donald Cozzen’s book, The Changing Face of Priesthood,
is a wonderfully succinct observation that both explains how truth can
elicit such disinterest, and gives preachers a simple rule to avoid
wasting a homily on uninteresting truth. Fr. Cozzens reports that:
Paul Tillich once observed that the fundamental mistake preachers and
teachers make is to communicate the truth of the Gospel without first
eliciting in the minds of their hearers the implicit question or questions
to which the truth offers at least some partial answer. Tillich held
that the sermon first needs to address the ambiguity, pain, and privilege
of the human condition. How is it, the preacher might ask, that we can
feel alienation when in the company of family and those who love us?
Why do we feel, at least at times, so wondrously blessed even when our
brokenness and sinfulness tend to overwhelm us? How can we cope with,
not to mention make some sense out of, human suffering and tragedy?
Why do we tend to hurt the very ones that we love?
Addressing these and similar questions first, Tillich insists, awakes
a thirst for the healing power and truth of God's word. The heart so
to speak, leans forward, straining to hear a consoling and challenging
word from the Lord. Something serious is lost if this dialectic between
existential question (the human condition) and essential answer (the
word of God) is not sustained in our preaching and religious education.
As we read those questions, our first response might be that these
are tough questions. How can we hope to answer them? And so we steer
clear of them. But these are the types of questions that drive people
to seek truth, although I suspect that most people cannot even articulate
the questions. Our task is not to offer pat answers to such questions.
Kathleen Norris, in her book Amazing Grace, says for a sermon
“even more than with literature, the listener is the one who completes
the work”. She continues further on, “The sermon is only the beginning
of the work of preaching, and I will not see the end of it. Preaching
is not only proclamation but response.”
I found great encouragement in Tillich’s observation that we are to
elicit the questions to which truth offers at least a partial answer.
Our faith is an incarnational faith, and the moment of preaching is
no exception. The truth in God’s Word can only bring salvation when
it takes root in our humanity. The essential answer to all those questions
is God, but as homilists, we are to incarnate that truth so that our
hearers encounter a word that connects with their questioning. Such
human incarnation is at best a partial answer. I suspect that often
just giving shape to the question is the most important part of the
sermon’s role as proclamation; the partial answer will get worked out
as the hearer’s response.
Now, before I start working on a homily, I reread Tillich’s observation
as a reminder never to start writing out the answer until I know what
the question is.
Charlie Cornell, ‘92
The Journey of a Deacon’s Wife
I have been the wife of a Permanent Deacon for twenty-five years, although
I have been Leo's wife for forty-one. It has been an interesting journey.
When Leo first heard about the Permanent Diaconate back in late 1973,
the idea was fairly new but it immediately resonated with him.
He applied, and so began the rounds of interviews with various priests.
When I think back to those interviews, I really have to laugh. Who knew?
Who knew what it was all about, really? But, in spite of everything,
he was accepted. Leo's ordination in 1977 was a very exciting and faith-filled
experience for our entire family. The boys were captivated by the whole
idea.
Going out into the field was a crash from the high of preparation and
ordination. And I'm talking about myself when I speak of a 'crash'.
I really thought everyone was as pleased for Leo as I was. However,
he took all kinds of unkind, and frankly stupid, comments from people.
Things like "What gives him the right to preach to us?" "You
want to be of service, sweep the stairs of the church." "Who
does he think he is?" Leo took this in stride, always excusing
the lack of information that people exhibited. I, on the other hand,
became angry. The old 'queen bee' syndrome I call it. Say what you must
to me, but don't hurt my family.
Over time, these things lessened and people began to understand the
process more and more. And they began to look forward to his preaching
for its connection to the reality of their lives. I think the hardest
thing for me personally about Leo being a Deacon is sitting by myself
at Mass. I know that is silly, but there it is.
The best thing, and the thing I am most grateful to God for, is the
contact and acquaintance of some of the most wonderful people on earth.
The wives I've gotten to know on Wives Days and retreat weekends are
some of the kindest, gentlest people the Lord has ever put in my pathway.
The blessings that the Permanent Diaconate brings to the Archdiocese
of Boston are without end. I am so grateful to God that I am a part
of it all
Joyce Martin, ‘77
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