My life changed forever in 1999 during the midst of a successful executive career and while Jeanne and I were celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary with our two children. I was convinced that I heard a call to the vocation of the diaconate. At age 49. little did I know then that all of my previous life experiences were quietly preparing me for a transformation to serve Our Lord and His Church as a member of the clergy.
Over 14 years later, I have served in 4 very different parishes on the socio-economic ladder and now reside at St Jude’s Parish in Monroe, CT. My financial and healthcare backgrounds provided me with the transferable skills to be chosen as the Director of Parish Finance Services for the Diocese of Bridgeport during a time that our 87 parishes needed a business process re-engineering solution. We became the 1st diocese in the nation to employ cloud technology for accounting services. Later, I became the president of CathoNet, a cloud technology company serving the US Church. For the last 5 years, my vocation has rewarded me with the opportunity to serve the St Vincent’s Medical Center hospital as a Chaplain.
My most rewarding diaconate ministries and experiences have been to serve the people of God in the neighborhood trenches where the sick, the homeless and un-catechized people need to know that Our Lord loves them in a very direct way.
Thinking back now on almost 20 years of my combined diaconate formation and hands on-service to Our Church, I believe that I have been truly +Blessed+ with such a wonderful life!
By: Deacon Bill Koniers – St Jude Parish, Monroe CT
Are you being called to be a Deacon? Join us for our monthly Diaconate Discovery Evenings, the space to wonder, explore, share and come to an understanding about these and any other questions that you may have regarding serving the Church as a Permanent Deacon.
The next Diaconate Discovery Evening will take place at St. Philip Parish, 1 Father Conlon Place, Norwalk, CT 06851 on Thursday, November 8, 2018 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm.
