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

Deacon Pat Burke, a member of St. Wenceslaus Parish in Wahoo, has shared details about his journey to becoming a deacon in the Diocese of Lincoln. He and his wife, Angie, have been parishioners for over 25 years and have been married for 38 years.

Burke grew up on a farm in North Dakota while Angie was raised on a ranch in western Nebraska. The couple has four children and nine grandchildren. Deacon Burke was ordained on May 23, 2025.

He first considered the diaconate when living in Iowa but decided it was not the right time due to family commitments. After moving to South Dakota and later to Wahoo, he did not revisit the idea until after an Ignatian retreat at Our Lady of Good Counsel Retreat House in Waverly in 2018. Following encouragement from Father Joseph Faulkner and learning about Dr. Matt Hecker’s formation as a deacon, Burke felt called again.

Burke described seeking guidance through prayer: "I did something I know you’re not really supposed to do—I asked God for a very specific sign. I told Him that if I was meant to pursue the diaconate, three or four people would say something to me about being a deacon. Sure enough, three different people did."

The application process took about a year and included an interview with Bishop James Conley as well as letters of recommendation and other requirements. Formation lasted four years with monthly weekend sessions during the school year at a retreat center in Norfolk through partnership with the Archdiocese of Omaha.

Burke emphasized that discernment required commitment from both him and his wife: "Throughout this process, we followed the discernment advice given to us: simply commit to the next weekend and let God guide us from there." He added that their mutual support helped them continue through doubts.

During formation, Burke participated in outreach ministries such as serving homeless individuals in Omaha and prison ministry at Saunders County Jail—a role Angie now shares with him. These experiences highlighted for them how ministry can impact others: "We have been amazed at the number of times an inmate has responded with, 'You’ve got to be kidding—I was just thinking about that.'"

Father Jeffrey Eickhoff’s background as former rector of St. Gregory the Great Seminary provided additional theological support during Burke’s preparation.

Support from St. Wenceslaus Parish made balancing family life, work responsibilities—since permanent deacons are unpaid—and ministry duties more manageable for Burke.

As a deacon, he serves at daily Mass when possible and at Sunday Mass monthly; he leads Benediction weekly and preaches regularly. His ongoing ministries include visiting Saunders County Jail each week and leading Communion services at nursing homes.

Reflecting on his experience so far, Burke noted unexpected blessings: "Some of the biggest blessings have come in areas where I least expected... realizing that they are showing Him [Jesus] to me more than I am to them."

The Diocese of Lincoln provides training opportunities for new deacons outside Nebraska as well.