By Chris Donahue
Staff Writer

More than 170 deacons, deacon candidates and their wives filled the St. John Neumann Pastoral Center chapel on Sept. 27 for the annual Recommitment of Deacons.

The annual event is held for deacons to renew their promise of obedience and service in the presence of the bishop. It also serves as a reminder to the community and to each deacon of his promise of service.

This year, the event was combined with the Mass that celebrates the opening of the academic year of formation of deacon-candidates.

A group of 24 deacon-candidates will be ordained in 2007, while a group of 19 candidates will be ordained in June 2004.

In his homily, Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski, principal celebrant, said never to be "caught up in the power of God, but caught up in the service of God."

"My brothers and sisters, for us in ministry, focus is difficult at times," the bishop said. "We see that the disciples in the gospel say to Jesus, ‘Stop these people. They’re curing in your name. They’re driving out demons in your name.’

"The focus was on their own control and power. The focus was not on the goodness that was being accomplished through these others, who spoke the name of Jesus … Our focus, my brothers in ministry, must be on the Lord Jesus again and again."

Proceeding the Mass, Deacon Ronald J. Caimi of St. Matthias Parish, Somerset, and Deacon Antonio Bezares of St. Mary Parish, South Amboy, said they graduated from the same class five years ago.

Both Caimi and Bezares said serving people is the greatest joy they get from being a deacon.

Caimi said he also helped interview some of the new candidates.

"It’s not for everybody. I think we point out the difficulties of being married and having a ministry," Caimi said.

"I think there is a special quality that’s needed. There’s a lot of work involved.

"I’d ask a lot of questions (of candidates): ‘What are doing? What are you involved with?’ And then, ‘If you have a calling, spend some time praying about it to really see if the Lord is calling you.’ And if other people start telling you that you should look into the diaconite, then you might have that calling from someone else."

Bezares said just as Jesus did, he also enjoys traveling to preach.

"Tomorrow I’m going to Flemington. Last week I went to Hackettstown," Bezares said. "But I like it because you get involved with people. It’s very, very nice."