Name: Dan Freeman
Age: 62
Family: Wife Judy; daughter Danielle is married to Jeff and has three children: Emma, Brianna and Brady. They live in Walcott. Son Joshua is married to Loreto and has two children, Loreto and Jacob. They live in the Washington, D.C., area. Son Jacob lives outside of Blue Grass.
Occupation: Safety Director for Shaw Electric (an electrical contractor).
Parish: St. Andrew Church, Blue Grass.
How did you know you were being called to the diaconate? I have always enjoyed serving others and felt blessed in giving and receiving from them. The many Ministry Formation Program classes that Judy and I attended made me realize the variety of avenues available for service, directed through God that best fulfilled my desire to serve others. It was also during this time that several people asked if I had given thought to being a deacon, or said that they thought I would make a good deacon. The more I learned about the diaconate the more convinced I became that it could be likened to a bridge, a bridge between the altar and those encountered in daily life. This bridge, the deacon, is to connect the daily life lived in God’s creation with God’s altar and to remind all that both are where we must give God praise and thanksgiving. The Holy Spirit gave me peace and joy at the thought of serving God and others through him as a deacon.
What has been the most rewarding aspect of being a deacon candidate? Being on this incredible journey that explores how our loving God has and is revealing himself to us while we have recognized our brotherhood with the other candidates, their wives, our instructors and all others that have touched us deeply during this time.
What has been the most challenging aspect of being a deacon candidate? Balancing our relationship with God and family, work and class homework.
What do you look most forward to in your ministry as a deacon? The grace that God gives us to be Christ to others and to see Christ in those we serve.
What special ministry will you undertake? I believe that Social Justice is the vehicle that enables us to love all of our neighbors and that adult faith formation is critical in understanding God’s love and how to pass it on to one another.
What is your favorite Scripture passage? Actually I have two. The first is Isaiah 43:1 — Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name: you are mine. The second is John 15:17 — This I command you: love one another.