Rev. James D. Conley, D.D., S.T.L. | Diocese of Lincoln website

On Friday, May 23, at the Cathedral of the Risen Christ in Lincoln, Patrick Burke will be ordained as the second permanent deacon for the Lincoln Diocese. This event signifies the continued growth of the permanent diaconate within the diocese. The first permanent deacon, Dr. Matthew Hecker, was ordained four years ago.

Patrick Burke and his wife Angie relocated to Wahoo from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in 1999 and are members of St. Wenceslaus Parish. Married for nearly 38 years, they have four children and six grandchildren.

Burke's journey towards ordination began during an Ignatian retreat at Our Lady of Good Counsel Retreat House in Waverly about eight years ago. It was here that he first felt a calling to serve the Church. His interest in the diaconate grew after learning about Deacon Hecker's formation process.

In 2021, Burke entered formation through a program run by the Archdiocese of Omaha. This program involves monthly formation weekends in Norfolk and Omaha. "There’s been a number of good things that have come through that process," Burke stated.

As his ordination approaches, Burke anticipates how he will adapt to his new role and how this vocation will develop within the diocese.

Deacon Hecker explained that while priests perform sacramental duties as "Alter Christus," deacons serve as "the servant heart of Christ present in the world." They minister by performing acts such as taking Communion to those unable to attend Mass and teaching OCIA classes.

The role of a deacon has historical roots referenced in chapter six of Acts of the Apostles when seven men were chosen as deacons for the church. Although phased out over time, it was reinstated by the Second Vatican Council in 1964.

Hecker highlighted that while not essential for daily Church operations like priests are, deacons fulfill important ministerial roles such as conducting Bible studies or helping at homeless shelters. "By its nature, the servant role is one that comes with humility," Deacon Hecker said.

Deacons are assigned tasks consistent with their skills by their diocesan bishop but typically remain close to home due to family obligations. Burke will serve at St. Wenceslaus Parish under Father Jeffrey Eickhoff's guidance.

Balancing work life—Burke manages software development staff—and diaconal duties is crucial. “It’s going to be a balance,” he noted regarding managing responsibilities without being overwhelmed.

Burke has been involved with taking Communion to shut-ins for two decades and plans on continuing this practice alongside potential new duties like holding Communion services at nursing homes or engaging more deeply with prison ministry—a field he already participates in with Angie at Saunders County Jail.

Reflecting on his upcoming ordination's significance compared it metaphorically: “In a way it’s like marriage—you know it’s going to be different; you just don’t know how until you’re in it.”

His wife Angie plays an integral part throughout his discernment process; her support remains vital both spiritually—attending formation weekends—and practically within their shared ministries together: “That has been a gift...to really be able...share our faith together."

Every two years sees new classes starting under Omaha's archdiocesan program; currently there are two candidates from Lincoln set for ordination come 2027—a testament credited largely due Bishop Conley’s openness toward expanding these vocations locally: "Let’s plant seeds let them grow."

This approach appears fruitful already without active recruitment efforts required since candidates naturally feel called themselves towards pursuing such paths according Deacon Hecker who expressed optimism seeing vision unfold successfully firsthand: “It’s beautiful because...bishop playing out real-time.”

While still refining what exactly future holds regarding blueprint development surrounding growing local presence permanently serving clergy ranks alike those found elsewhere nationwide slowly yet surely progressing forward nevertheless according Deacon Hecker citing past experiences other dioceses including nearby Omaha having taken similar measured steps initially before reaching current status today overall ultimately ensuring sustainable long-term success achievable eventually here too someday soon hopefully indeed ideally even perhaps potentially possible theoretically speaking anyway regardless either way ultimately essentially basically fundamentally finally conclusively ultimately...