Michael Engel, 49, has felt the pull of the diaconate since entering the Church at age 23 after years of trying to find happiness. Not long after marrying his wife, Stacy, people began asking him if he thought about becoming a deacon. “Honestly, I had no idea what a deacon was, yet there seemed something fitting about it,” he said. “In many ways, it seems as if God has always been leading me toward diaconate. For me, it is a small way I can give back to God who has done so much for me.” Entering formation, Engel said, he found increasing joy and peace, for himself and his family. As a retail accounts manager and the father of four children between the ages of 21 and 10 — Katelyn, Olivia, Elizabeth and Peter — balancing the needs of his family with the call and responsibilities of the diaconate can be challenging, but when taken to prayer it can be worked out, he said. “Thus, at times I have to say no to family for the good of Holy Mother Church. At times I have to say no to Holy Mother Church for the good of family,” he said. “There is not a phone app that tells you when to say yes or no. Only through continual prayer and listening can you navigate these waters.” A member of St. Michael in St. Michael, Engel said priests who have served there, past and present, have been instrumental as models for his ministry. Aspects of ministry he looks forward to include serving at the altar at Mass, youth ministry and helping men, particularly those working to overcome the effects of pornography. The greatest need of the Church, Engel said, is discovering ways the body of Christ meets people in the world. “We now live in a largely post-Christian society, and I find meeting people in their pains and struggles is the most effective way to bring Christ to them,” he said. Among the most rewarding aspects of formation was the way it encouraged him and his wife to grow closer, as well as their family. “The other aspect of formation which has been transformational for me is spiritual direction,” he said. “I cannot thank my spiritual director enough for the gifts received in spiritual direction.” The Church can inspire other men to answer the calling to the diaconate by openly discussing in parishes the ministry and vocation of the diaconate. “There seems to be a feeling that diaconate and priesthood compete with one another, but personally, I don’t believe that to be true. When we understand how the deacon and priest work in cooperation to serve the people of God and a knowledge of who the deacon is; I believe more vocations will come.”