Anniversary Reflection: One Year as a Deacon

"Long Live Christ the King"

This past weekend marked a significant milestone in my life and ministry: the first anniversary of my ordination to the Diaconate. On May 25th, 2025, through the mercy and grace of God, Bishop Golka ordained me, alongside 11 of my brothers, at St. Peter’s in Monument, Colorado.

Just a month earlier, I received my assignment to Corpus Christi Parish and a profound invitation to serve as the spiritual advisor to the Inferno Men’s Mission. At the time, I knew it was an honor, but I could never have imagined the depth of transformation that lay ahead.

Since meeting Luke, Dave, Tom, and Josh in 2018, and being invited to step into a fraternity of prayer and evangelization, I’ve found a growing community of brothers—men I desire to pray with & for, journey with, and grow alongside. The call to the Diaconate may have started years before, but it was your prayers, your witness, and your brotherhood that gave me the strength and clarity to say “Yes” to God's call.

This anniversary weekend was deeply moving. It began with Inferno, as so many things now do for me.

On Friday evening, about 50 men gathered for a Pastor’s Porch, a powerful evening of brotherhood shared with Fr. Brian Roeseler, Fr. Sean McCann, and Fr. George Fagan. We prayed together for our priests, shared food and laughter, debated ideas, and built up the community of Corpus Christi Parish as men united in mission.

On Saturday, I had the privilege of assisting Bishop Golka as he ordained Dominic Ambuul, a fellow Corpus Christi parishioner, to the Diaconate. I’m convinced that Inferno’s prayers for clergy helped pave his path. Standing on the other side of the altar and witnessing God’s grace pour into another man answering the call of service, it was nothing short of soul-stirring.

Then, on Sunday—my ordination anniversary day—I stood with Deacon Dominic at his first Mass, hearing him proclaim the Gospel and preach. It was a moment that defies words. Please keep Deacon Dominic in your prayers as he begins his ministry and continues toward the priesthood.

As a Deacon, I am called to serve. I, like all Deacons in the diocese, assist Bishop Golka in his mission to shepherd the Diocese of Colorado Springs. My special commissioning is to Corpus Christi and the Inferno Men’s Mission.

Let me be clear: Inferno is no small part of my ministry or the Diocese. Inferno is a vital part of this Diocese. Inferno provides so many opportunities to evangelize men. I truly believe the men of Inferno are the foundation of power and the tip of the spear of evangelization in the Diocese. Because of this, many men have been strengthening their spiritual lives, their families flourish, and men claim their identities as sons of God.

I am deeply honored to serve alongside you.

My mission is to pray with you, help you live out your Baptism, and support you in your primary vocation—as husband, father, priest, or single man. I’m here to help you learn to pray, to hear God’s will, and to become a man after God’s own heart. (read Matthew 28:18-20 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/28)

And in return, you’ve helped me. Because of Inferno, I’ve grown in my own prayer life. I’ve become a better husband and father. You’ve given me the image of true brotherhood and the confidence to live it boldly. And because of you, I found the courage to walk the Diaconate path.

Brothers, our mission continues. Let’s fight together, battling towards sainthood, through prayer, fraternity, and evangelization.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you. It is my great joy to call you my brothers in Christ, and to bring Christ into the world together.

God bless you, Men.

Viva Cristo Rey!

Bishop with Newly Ordained Deacons Grove Higgins and Greg Morgan, and Family