Meet our future deacons

Mark Schmidl

Name: Mark Schmidl
Age: 54
Wife: Leah Schmidl
Home Parish: All Saints Parish in Dearborn County
Occupation: Regional facilities manager for KinderCare Learning Centers
 

Who are the important role models in your life of faith?

The important role models of faith in my life are my family, especially my parents and wife, Father Jonathan Meyer, Father Daniel Mahan, Father Michael Keucher and Deacon Robert Decker.
 

What are your favorite Scripture verses, saints, prayers and devotions?

My favorite Scripture verses are “For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, … plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope”

(Jer 29:11); and “Jesus woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ The wind ceased and there was great calm” (Mk 4:39). My favorite saints are St. Francis of Assisi, St. Ignatius of Loyola and St. John Paul II. My favorite prayers are the generosity prayer of St. Ignatius of Loyola and the Liturgy of the Hours.
 

Deacons often minister, formally or informally, to others in the workplace. How have you experienced that already and what do you anticipate doing in the future?

I believe a big part of evangelization comes simply from sharing our lives with friends. People at work ask me how my weekend was, and it opens an opportunity to share what God is doing in my life. I also occasionally have someone say to me, “You are a deacon, right?” First, I explain to them that I am in formation to be a deacon. And they follow up with something like, “Can I talk to you about something personal?” It opens the door to pastoral care.
 

Why do you feel that God is calling you to become a deacon?

My initial response is that I have no idea why God is calling me to be a deacon. There is no way for me to justify the call. It’s simply a gift.
 

How will being ordained a deacon have an impact on your life and family?

The first impact on my family will come the day after my ordination when I baptize my new grandchild. What a gift. Ongoing, my hope is that the sacrament of holy orders will bring a ton of grace to me and my family.
 

How do you hope to serve through your life and ministry as a deacon?

My hope is to serve the poor in every way God is leading me. Assisting sacramentally at Mass, baptisms and weddings is such an honor, I can’t even put it into words. †