Victor Susai, 63, a native of India who tests software in Eden Prairie and is a parishioner of Pax Christi, had a simple but profound response when asked what inspired him to pursue the diaconate: “Weekly adoration at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church in Bloomington.” What made him certain this was his calling? Same thing. And he will be anxious to begin serving in a parish with the liturgy, the Gospel and charity. “All three are interconnected,” he said. His family — wife Soruba, adult children Steffi, Prabhu and John — have supported him in his calling and formation and that support will continue, he said. The Church’s greatest need is catechetical work with children, he said, and the most rewarding part of his own formation has been the way it integrates human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral dimensions. The visibility of permanent deacons will continue to attract men to the vocation, he said. “Also, the formation provided by our archdiocese is really good,” Susai said. The most challenging part of pursuing his vocation has been integrating his responsibilities at work, in his family and his formation, Susai said. And the most rewarding has been “learning about self as well as learning more (about) Scripture, Church, Fathers of the Church, prayer, beatitudes, understanding the concepts and finding the connections,” he said. A model for his ministry were several Jesuits and nuns serving with missionary zeal and selflessness in parishes and schools where he grew up in India, Susai said. Men discerning the diaconate should pray regularly, get involved in a ministry at the parish or community level and “have and show genuine love on all the people around you, knowing well that charity is not possible without the other two theological virtues of faith and hope,” he said. Expressing his gratitude for the teachers, deans, deacons and priests who taught and continue to teach the deacons, Susai said, “Finally, everything is for the greater glory of God.”