The Holy Spirit has been busy.
This past weekend, Jim Hoegemeier became Deacon Jim Hoegemeier, and the Diocese of Madison gained one more deacon.
I’ve been corresponding with Jim for several years, and have been following his long and winding journey to ordination—a journey that began when he first felt the stirrings of a call, but couldn’t really do anything about it; he was in a diocese that didn’t have an active diaconate formation program.
But God found a way. I asked Jim to write a few words for me to announce this joyous event:
After a discernment journey that was far longer, far more circuitous and filled with more challenges than most, Deacon Jim Hoegemeier was ordained for the Diocese of Madison by Bishop Robert C. Morlino on Sunday, July 24. Deacon Jim’s discernment and formation has been deeply connected to three dioceses – the Dioceses of Green Bay (in which he resides), Madison (for whom he was ordained and will serve) and La Crosse (in whose formation program he participated). Ministerial roles in the Mass of Ordination were filled by priests, deacons, seminarians and men in diaconate formation from all three dioceses, as well as the Diocese of Providence, RI.
God bless you, Jim, and your wife, Janet. Welcome, at last, brother. The adventure is only beginning.
Ad multos annos!
And today we celebrate...