As Ron Potempski prepares for his ordination to the permanent diaconate this fall, he’s surprised — yet not surprised at all — that his path has led him here.

Potempski describes himself as a “paper Catholic” with a baptismal certificate from his infant baptism. He received the sacraments of reconciliation and first holy Communion as a child, but was not raised in a strong Catholic tradition. 

As a student of computer science in college, he approached learning from a scientific perspective but found himself asking bigger questions.

“I have never doubted the existence of God. And so to me, some things in science didn’t make sense because there’s the fundamental question of, ‘How did this come to be?’” Potempski said. “I felt like something was missing from my life. I didn’t know it then, but I was searching for God in the Catholic faith.”

In 2004, he married his wife, Marie, whose devotion to Catholicism inspired him. 

“She’s been a great compass for me,” Potempski said. “She really helped me with my spiritual development.”

Before long, he was confirmed through RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults). In his RCIA classes, he relished studying the Bible and learning about Church history, the Trinity, Christology and moral theology. The more he learned, the more he wanted to learn.

“When you learn the truth, it’s addictive. You want to know more,” Potempski said. “It wasn’t until I dove into the faith that everything made sense. It filled in all the blanks that science simply can’t fill.”

One day, as Potempski was praying before Mass at SS. Cyril and Methodius Parish in Sterling Heights, he noticed the permanent deacon at his parish preparing the altar. As he watched Dcn. Gerald Smigell serve, Potempski heard the words, “You should be doing this,” in his heart.

“In my ‘science stubbornness,’ I pushed it aside, but I couldn’t get the idea of the permanent diaconate out of my heart,” Potempski said.

He signed up for an hour of perpetual adoration at the parish to pray about it, telling God that he didn’t even know what a permanent deacon is or what he does. 

At noon Mass the next day, Dcn. Smigell gave the homily. He began by saying, “As you know, I’m a deacon for the Archdiocese of Detroit. Today I’d like to take some time to tell you what a deacon is and what a deacon does.”

Potempski knew that homily wasn’t a coincidence; the Holy Spirit was at work. He hadn’t mentioned his thoughts of the diaconate to anyone, including his wife. A few weeks later in adoration, he asked God to reveal whether He was calling him to pursue the diaconate.

“I asked Him to let me know, and then I always ask God to make it obvious because I don’t take hints very well,” Potempski quipped. 

The next day at work, he chatted with a female colleague who was engaged. A devout Catholic herself, she talked to Potempski about sacramental marriage as she looked ahead to her wedding and life with her future husband. 

As the conversation ended, she told Potempski, “Ron, you should be a deacon.”

With that clear response from the Holy Spirit, Potempski decided it was finally time to discuss the topic with his wife, who encouraged him to look into it. Wives are involved in the process for married candidates to the permanent diaconate.

“The wives are part of it because you don’t want to sacrifice the sacrament of marriage for the sacrament of holy orders. Both work together,” Potempski explained.

After attending an informational session for men interested in the permanent diaconate program through the Archdiocese of Detroit, he decided to begin the process and move forward with God’s plan for his life. 

“I don’t know if I ever decided this was for me. God decided it for me, and I’m simply doing what I’m being asked,” Potempski said. “I’m trusting His path. No matter what my journey, He’s in control.”

Now, five years later, Potempski is nearing the end of his studies at Sacred Heart Major Seminary and his time of prayer and discernment to become a deacon. 

“The four pillars of formation — spiritual, intellectual, human and pastoral — allow you to grow as a person and as a Catholic. I’ve been astounded as to how deep our faith goes in the truth,” Potempski said.

Candidates for the diaconate are assigned to a ministry each summer. Potempski worked with people recovering from drug and alcohol addiction and with those struggling with mental illness.

“Getting to know those men and women helped me see them truly as children of God, no matter what religion they practice or what they’re dealing with. Christ is in all of them,” Potempski said. 

After ordination in October — God willing, Potempski notes — he plans to continue to work full time, balancing his ministry with work and family life. This juggling of responsibilities, he says, provides a unique perspective.  

“My job won’t go away, and my role as a husband and father won’t go away,” Potempski said. “I think that experience allows permanent deacons to relate to the lay faithful as clergy in a way that’s unique within the Church.”

Even though Potempski was surprised by God’s call to the permanent diaconate, he is now eager to discover what else God has in store for him in his new role.

“Just serving God — that’s what I’m looking forward to,” he said. “All I really aim to do is to serve Him.”