Meet our future deacons
Larry French
- Age: 59
- Spouse: Therese
- Home Parish: St. Joseph Parish in
Jennings County
- Occupation: Retired U.S. Postal Service
Letter Carrier; now working part time
in sales
Who are the important role models in
your life of faith?
My first two role models were my Mom
and Dad. Mom was [an] everyday moral
and faith guide for my siblings and
myself. My Dad had a great devotion to
the Church, its priests and to the sisters
who taught at St. Ambrose School. My
wife, Terri, has been my guide of faith.
Another role model of mine,
Father Joseph Moriarty, has been a very
dear friend and was the first one who saw
“deacon” material in me. He has been a
source of inspiration and faith for both
Terri and me.
What are your favorite Scripture verses,
prayers and devotions?
Psalm 100 is one reading that gets me
excited about the coming day. I also
enjoy Eph 4:29-32: “Never let evil talk
pass your lips, say only the good things
men need to hear.” With that opening, it
reminds us how to be positive when
talking to someone, and how hurtful idle
talk can be. The Memorare is a favorite of
mine because it reminds me of the times I
would go to my own mother, God rest her
soul, to ask forgiveness or assistance. My
patron saints are St. Lawrence and
St. Joseph.
Deacons often minister to others in the
workplace. How have you experienced
that already, and how do you anticipate
doing that in the future?
I have had discussions on family matters,
wives and girlfriends on the workplace
floor. These men are not Catholic and
they have no idea what a deacon is, but
they know who Larry is. They know I
have been taking classes, but that is about
it. What they do know and understand is
that I will listen to them, and I care about
them and their families.
Why do you feel that God is calling you to
become a deacon?
I feel that God has been calling me for a
long time. I have been serving my parish
community for many years. Year after year,
I have become a little more active in
parish life and service. My calling to
become a deacon has been a blessing
because I am allowed to serve my parish in
an even greater capacity. There is a calling
I feel deep inside me. I cannot explain it. It
is an invitation I cannot refuse. I do not
know what or where the deacon program
will lead me, only to say that I feel that
Jesus Christ is leading me. †
(Go to the Deacon formation homepage)