Ironwood man taking path to become deacon

IRONWOOD - Gerard Lauzon drives a school bus for the Ironwood Area Schools, and he used to run a photography business.

As of last fall, he also participated in a Rite of Candidacy Mass at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Marquette. That event celebrated his commitment in studying to become a deacon.

"I'm actually now finishing up my second year of the education and formation process," said Lauzon. "I still have three more years. It's a 5-year process."

Along with his mentors, he shared the winding road of his spiritual journey in interviews during the past week.

Lauzon's history with the church goes way back.

"I was baptized at St. Ambrose," he said of the parish that used to exist at the site of where Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, his current parish, now stands in Ironwood.

Throughout his childhood, Lauzon also received a Catholic education until the Ironwood Catholic High School closed in 1985.

"My parents were very traditionally Catholic people," he said. "I spent a lot of time in the church as a kid."

He added that the inspiration to become a deacon began about 15 years ago when he was helping with ministerial work at the former Ojibway Correctional Facility in Marenisco Township.

He recalled that Chuck Gervasio, who then was a deacon at Our Lady of Peace, saw his potential. Lauzon said that Gervasio, who moved to Menominee a few years ago, told him, "I think you would be a good deacon someday, Gerard."

Then, about a decade ago, Father Robb Jurakovich, who used to serve Our Lady of Peace, also encouraged Lauzon, pointing out the need for deacons.

Lauzon studies under the direction of the Diocese of Marquette, where the Very Rev. Timothy Ekaitis is the vicar general.

"We just reopened the program two years ago," said Ekaitis regarding deacon studies. "We didn't have anyone to run it until I came on in 2021."

Ekaitis said that candidates to become deacons study via the Augustin Institute in Denver.

"They do all of their work online," he said. "They take one class per semester."

"Once a year, I get them together for an in-house worship. They also gather once a year in what we call a deacon convocation. Usually, there will be a speaker. It will be educational, but there is also camaraderie," said Ekaitis.

"I actually find all of it very interesting," said Lauzon of the educational process.

He appreciates the association with other candidates and recalled a recent diocanate retreat at the Jesuit Retreat House in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

"It becomes kind of a fraternity," he said, explaining that the gatherings include teachings and trainings, along with the opportunity for deacon candidates to commune with one another.

As for the requirements to become a deacon, Ekaitis said, "They just have to have a high school diploma. It's a recommendation that they have a bachelor's degree, but only half our candidates do."

He also said that it is not a full-time job. "A permanent deacon is often time a man who is married with children and has a job, but he also helps as a deacon."

As with priests, Ekaitis said that deacons come from a variety of other employment fields.

"I was an electrical engineer," he said. "I was a Michigan Tech graduate."

Lauzon worked at the former Daily Globe for 17 years, starting as a photographer when he was a junior in high school and moving onto the press room before running North Lights Photography in Ironwood. He now drives bus and is a custodian for Ironwood Area School District.

"I know all the kids," he said. "They're the most fun part of the day."

Ekaitis strongly underscored the importance of character in candidates to become deacons.

As a starting point, he said, "I need to know if he's a good husband or father, or he won't be a good deacon."

In line with that, Ekaitis said, "I want to see if they have a sincere love of God."

He described a good candidate as "someone looking to give God's service to people. That's the image they're trying to personify."

Ekaitis said a deacon is "a shepherd of people," working with the poor, the homeless, St. Vincent de Paul Society and food programs.

The somber nature of the undertaking is clear in the preliminary requirements to enter diaconate training. Those requirements include a spiritual autobiography and canonical status; letters of recommendation from persons such as the applicants' pastor, other deacons, friends or employer; and a letter of support from the applicant's wife.

Lauzon assured that his wife, Heidi, regarded his desire to become a deacon as "cool."

A medical report, psychological interview and a meeting with Bishop John Doerfler also are required to enter the program.

Ekaitis said applicants then are assigned a spiritual advisor, as well as another deacon as a mentor. They also shadow their own pastor and undergo an apprenticeship.

"It's a more holistic approach," said Ekaitis. "We want guys to grow in the four dimensions of formation: human, spiritual, intellectual, pastoral."

Actual classes taken throughout the educational process focus on subjects including, but not limited to, the Salvation Army, the Church in the Ancient and Medieval World, the Church and Modernity, Moral and Spiritual Theology, and Pauline Literature (the letters of St. Paul the Apostle).

In-house workshops focus on issues such as pastoral care, liturgical procedures, homiletics (preaching), and deacon retreats include topics such as the Art of Prayer, Social Justice and the Saints, and Mariology (study of the Virgin Mary).

Year-end evaluations are completed by each candidate's pastor, director, parish staff and parishioners, culminating at the end in the ordination of the deacon.

"I've always had a great respect for the deacons," said Ekaitis as he described the nature of their commitment and their "good presence in the parish."

Lauzon expects to finish his deacon studies with the Class of 2027 in May or June of that year.

But he does not regard that as the end of his education.

"Learning about anything is kind of lifelong, but learning about my faith is something I'm sure I'll never stop doing," he said.

Father Brian Gerber of Our Lady of Peace looks forward to having Lauzon's help and would like to see additional interest in other men becoming deacons.

"As a permanent deacon, he can assist at masses," said Gerber of Lauzon. "He also, when needed, can do baptisms. He can do weddings outside of mass, liturgical services, graveside services, adorations or prayers."

Moreover, said the priest, "One of the functions of the deacon is to do charitable work as well. The word 'deacon' in Latin and Greek means to be a servant, so they do a really great service for the parish but also for the pastor."

That ties right in with how Lauzon, who is now on his church's Finance Council, sees his ultimate responsibility.

"My main role is as a helpmate," he said of his striving to become a deacon.

Lauzon, who is 55 years old, considered his commitment in relation to the recent Easter holiday, which he said is "so beautiful" and "a high point of Catholic religion" with Lent encouraging people to grow closer to God.

But he also loves Christmas. "I love the feel of it, the peace of it, the light coming into the world," said Lauzon.

Beyond special occasions, he believes that people in general, while striving for a simple life, also seek "an ethical framework" in whatever way they can find it.

"There's a lot of ebb and flow in the world right now," said Lauzon. "When I look around the culture I see a lot of people moving away from organized religion, but then I see other people moving toward it."