A Michigan paper this weekend offered this very informative piece about the deacons of Detroit:

More than two decades ago, John Connors heard God’s voice calling.

“There was a little voice inside that said, ‘I have something more for you,'” he said.

Connors, already an active Catholic, found that something when he entered training to become a deacon, or “servant.”

The Marysville man, a 69-year-old retired vocational rehabilitation counselor, has served as a permanent deacon at Port Huron Catholic churches for 16 years.

Permanent deacons in the Catholic Church are ordained, male members of clergy. They may be assigned to a parish where they assist in tasks such as leading a communion service, teaching classes or performing weddings, funerals and baptisms without Mass.

Others are paired with special ministries such as those in a hospital or prison.

Ordained, deacons are not authorized to perform three tasks reserved for priests: anointing the sick, absolving sins and performing Mass. Many deacons are married; those who aren’t retired often have a full-time job. There is no pay for the position.

The work of deacons is mentioned in the New Testament, but it wasn’t until after the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s that church leaders sanctioned the position. Promoting the establishment of deacons was one of many decisions made to “let some light in” the church by asking members of the laity to become more involved, Connors said.

Although the work of deacons has become particularly helpful in light of the national priest shortage, the role wasn’t created with that in mind, said Deacon Michael McKale, director of the diaconate for the Archdiocese of Detroit.

“In the (1960s) there were plenty of priests around,” he said. “They didn’t ‘need’ deacons back at that time.”

Deacons are meant to provide a role model of a religious, married man who, like many, must balance the demands of God, family life and work, McKale said.

Since the early 1970s, the number of deacons has increased each year and now stands at around 15,400 in the United States, according to the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.

There are 150 active deacons in the Archdiocese of Detroit, McKale said. Additionally, there are 23 inactive, and 25 others are at various stages of the application and formation process, including three from the Port Huron area.

Although the Archdiocese doesn’t have an active recruiting program such as that for priests, it recently revamped its training methods and has noticed steady interest in the program, McKale said.

Becoming a deacon is not an easy process. It’s a four- or five-year commitment that includes nomination by a local priest, an application and acceptance into the program before beginning three years of classes.

Dennis Crimmins, district manager of the Social Security Administration in Fort Gratiot, is one of three local men now in the deacon application or training process through the Archdiocese of Detroit. He said Connors’ service to the parish and community encouraged him to apply.

“I’ve seen (Connors) do such good work,” Crimmins said, referring to Connors’ care for the poor through organizations such as the Blue Water Food Depot and the St. Vincent de Paul Society. “He’s been sort of a role model for me.”

Once called, the men — and if married, their wives — are asked to attend multiple training sessions. That’s because the position is demanding and requires the full support of the family, McKale said.

Connors agreed.

“Your wife has to really be a part of this,” he said.

His wife, Carolyn, supported him throughout his training by joining him on many trips to Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, where Connors earned 50 credit hours as part of his program.

The Rev. Brian Cokonougher of Holy Trinity Parish in Port Huron said he’s thankful for the many hours and sacrifices contributed by Connors and other deacons.

“I wish every parish had a permanent deacon,” he said.

Once ordained, a deacon always is a deacon, Connors said. Although he’s approaching 70 years old, he hasn’t thought of leaving his post.

“A job is something you leave. … This is different. This is like being a grandfather — you don’t want to give it up,” Connors said.

Photo: Sister Barbara Phillippart, right, opens her hands as she approaches Deacon John Connors to receive Holy Communion during a service at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Port Huron. By Melissa Wawzysko, Port Huron Times Herald.