About Deacon Robert
Through the grace of God, on May 28, 2016, the Sacrament of Holy Orders was conferred on me by the imposition of hands and the invocation of the Spirit by The Most Reverend William Murphy, Bishop of Rockville Centre at the Cathedral of St. Agnes in Rockville Centre, New York. I have been assigned to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, and I am truly excited about the prospect of ministering here. Except for the first six years of our marriage when we lived in Shirley, both my wife, Carmel, and I have lived in Lindenhurst virtually our entire lives. That fact alone, doesn’t mean everyone here knows me nor does a long term association with this church necessarily make it apparent how I came to be a deacon.
For the year before I was ordained, I served as an acolyte. Essentially that means I’ve stood out as the balding altar server. Institution as an acolyte is the last ministerial step before ordination to the permanent diaconate. It’s a chance to learn the Mass through direct involvement in a large portion of its actions. I was not an altar server when I was young, so this past year has done much to calm my nerves about moving around the sanctuary.
My service as an acolyte has been in addition to my ministry as an EMHC, which I began five years ago, and my ministry as a reader, which I began over twenty-five years ago. I even served as cantor once at Mass because people used to confuse me with Jim Kendall, our former music director. I led song at a 6:30 AM Mass while Jim played the piano next to me so that people could see we were two different individuals. I’m not sure if our plan worked, but I am sure that individuals who attended that Mass are still scarred by my singing. As more evidence that the idea was not a good one, I continue to get compliments on my piano playing. My brief experience with Saint Vincent de Paul pretty much ended
when my classwork at the seminary began to place demands on my time. My participation in the parish’s Ministry of Praise also ended after a very brief but joyful participation that most certainly strengthened the Spirit’s call to me. I am also a member of the Holy Name Society and a Knight, although much to my embarrassment, I have never truly been active in either organization.
Outside of the parish, my entire career has been in education. I taught high school English for eighteen years before becoming a department chairperson, an elementary principal and a district-level subject area director for an additional eighteen years. I retired from public education in 2005 and have continued to work in education at both Suffolk County Community College and at Farmingdale State College’s Writing Center. I served on the Lindenhurst Memorial Library Board of Trustees and on the Board of Trustees of the Suffolk Cooperative Library System Board.
Carmel and I have three daughters, Kathryn, Rachel and Jessica. Kathryn lives in Mooresville, NC with her husband, Alan. Rachel lives in Aquebogue on Long Island, with her husband, Brian. Jessica lives at home where she now enjoys not having to share a bathroom with her sisters. Our only grandchild, Madeline Carmel, was born, but, sadly, died on June 17, 2014. Carmel, Jessica and I live in North Lindenhurst in a house that we bought in 1978. When I used to have spare time, I enjoyed exercising, reading, cooking, and DIY projects. Three friends and I play golf once a week; I am a terrible golfer, but I really enjoy the company of my friends.
I acknowledge that the Spirit of Christ working through me has accomplished all that I am. This is a truth that our faith teaches. Beyond this truth, I must then acknowledge that my family’s support has been a vital foundation to formation. Carmel and our girls have been constant sources of encouragement in all areas of my formation – intellectual, emotional and spiritual. I have also been blessed to have a very supportive spiritual director who regularly assists me to reach higher in all areas of my life. My formation has truly been made richer and more meaningful through the guidance I have received from Msgr. Joe and the other priests of the parish, especially Fr. Alfred and Fr. John. Deacon Frank, Deacon Bill and Deacon Doug have treated me as a brother from the day I applied to the diocese. In the program, the rector, director, professors, formators, librarians and my classmates have been the mentors, counselors and guides I have needed to succeed to the degree which I have. However, all that has occurred to this point represents only the beginning.
When I first began responding to God’s call it was through reading Scripture that I became more aware of his presence in my life. I’ve learned to value the Word of God as a treasure in my life, but I also realize that many people are intimidated by the Bible. The one single goal that I want to attain as a deacon is to help others to prize Scripture. More than anything else, now and in the future, I seek your prayers that the Spirit of Christ will work through me to bring the OLPH community that which God would desire it to have to continue its growth as the Body of Christ.
For the year before I was ordained, I served as an acolyte. Essentially that means I’ve stood out as the balding altar server. Institution as an acolyte is the last ministerial step before ordination to the permanent diaconate. It’s a chance to learn the Mass through direct involvement in a large portion of its actions. I was not an altar server when I was young, so this past year has done much to calm my nerves about moving around the sanctuary.
My service as an acolyte has been in addition to my ministry as an EMHC, which I began five years ago, and my ministry as a reader, which I began over twenty-five years ago. I even served as cantor once at Mass because people used to confuse me with Jim Kendall, our former music director. I led song at a 6:30 AM Mass while Jim played the piano next to me so that people could see we were two different individuals. I’m not sure if our plan worked, but I am sure that individuals who attended that Mass are still scarred by my singing. As more evidence that the idea was not a good one, I continue to get compliments on my piano playing. My brief experience with Saint Vincent de Paul pretty much ended
when my classwork at the seminary began to place demands on my time. My participation in the parish’s Ministry of Praise also ended after a very brief but joyful participation that most certainly strengthened the Spirit’s call to me. I am also a member of the Holy Name Society and a Knight, although much to my embarrassment, I have never truly been active in either organization.
Outside of the parish, my entire career has been in education. I taught high school English for eighteen years before becoming a department chairperson, an elementary principal and a district-level subject area director for an additional eighteen years. I retired from public education in 2005 and have continued to work in education at both Suffolk County Community College and at Farmingdale State College’s Writing Center. I served on the Lindenhurst Memorial Library Board of Trustees and on the Board of Trustees of the Suffolk Cooperative Library System Board.
Carmel and I have three daughters, Kathryn, Rachel and Jessica. Kathryn lives in Mooresville, NC with her husband, Alan. Rachel lives in Aquebogue on Long Island, with her husband, Brian. Jessica lives at home where she now enjoys not having to share a bathroom with her sisters. Our only grandchild, Madeline Carmel, was born, but, sadly, died on June 17, 2014. Carmel, Jessica and I live in North Lindenhurst in a house that we bought in 1978. When I used to have spare time, I enjoyed exercising, reading, cooking, and DIY projects. Three friends and I play golf once a week; I am a terrible golfer, but I really enjoy the company of my friends.
I acknowledge that the Spirit of Christ working through me has accomplished all that I am. This is a truth that our faith teaches. Beyond this truth, I must then acknowledge that my family’s support has been a vital foundation to formation. Carmel and our girls have been constant sources of encouragement in all areas of my formation – intellectual, emotional and spiritual. I have also been blessed to have a very supportive spiritual director who regularly assists me to reach higher in all areas of my life. My formation has truly been made richer and more meaningful through the guidance I have received from Msgr. Joe and the other priests of the parish, especially Fr. Alfred and Fr. John. Deacon Frank, Deacon Bill and Deacon Doug have treated me as a brother from the day I applied to the diocese. In the program, the rector, director, professors, formators, librarians and my classmates have been the mentors, counselors and guides I have needed to succeed to the degree which I have. However, all that has occurred to this point represents only the beginning.
When I first began responding to God’s call it was through reading Scripture that I became more aware of his presence in my life. I’ve learned to value the Word of God as a treasure in my life, but I also realize that many people are intimidated by the Bible. The one single goal that I want to attain as a deacon is to help others to prize Scripture. More than anything else, now and in the future, I seek your prayers that the Spirit of Christ will work through me to bring the OLPH community that which God would desire it to have to continue its growth as the Body of Christ.
