Stark County farmer Bob Zent is beginning different level of service to the church through the Diocese of Bismarck deaconate program.
Zent's ordination as a deacon is during a Mass at 3 p.m. today, Sept. 23, at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, Bismarck. The Most Rev. Paul A. Zipfel, diocesan bishop, is the celebrant.
"It's kind of like a guy getting married to Jesus. The secular preparations are like planning a wedding," he said.
He and his wife, Gini, and family have been planning the ceremony for months. They selected the Scripture readings and music. They sent out 100 invitations, but are planning a reception for 500 guests. The Mass is open to the public.
Most of his family is attending. The family includes three sons and two daughters, Bryan, Eugene, Jessica, Kevin and Jacqueline and their families.
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Zent is a long-time member of Dickinson's St. Wenceslaus Church and will serve under the Rev. Jim Braaten after ordination.
His decision to enter the deaconate is traced back several years ago.
"I guess other people recognize it before you do. I was being pestered by Fr. Basil Atwell. He had been the parocial vicar at St. Wenceslaus. The last straw was Carmae Dvorak. One morning without saying 'hi,' she said you ought to be a deacon," said Zent.
By that time, Zent had served on the parish council, the finance council, the parish school board and as a trustee. He served as an usher, eucharistic minister and lector. He is a member of the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus.
"I guess I find it easy to be involved in the community. I'm still on too many boards and organizations," he said.
He said the application process involved several trips to the Bismarck diocesan office.
After being accepted, he and his wife attended deaconate classes at the Sacred Heart Monastery in Richardton one weekend a month for three years. The presenters taught up to 12 hours of theology each weekend.
Zent is one of five men being ordained today, but he is the only local candidate.
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"The next class is exciting. Three will be from southwestern North Dakota," he said.
Zent said the deaconate has been in church history since the beginning.
"We as deacons are considered the eyes and ears of the bishop. We're with the people," he said.
"The pastor of the parish becomes our supervisor. That's who we serve," he said.
He said deacons read the Gospel and occasionally preach during Mass. They can perform baptisms, marriages and funerals.
"Deacons are not mini-priests. We're separate and unique," he said.
Deacons have a special mission of being with the people.
"It's not counseling. It's helping people explore whatever is troubling them," he said.
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"I'll be seeing people I work with and that's the 24-7 thing," he said.
He said some deacons have a ministery to the imprisoned and others to hospitals.
St. Wenceslaus has three active deacons; Zent will be the fourth. In addition to serving the parish, he would like to begin a local prison ministry.
