St. Anthony's Parish congratulates one of its own

Deacon Richard Podgurski was one of 16 men ordained on feast of the Immaculate Conception

Special to The B.C. Catholic

Many parishioners gathered after Masses at St. Anthony's in West Vancouver Dec. 20 to congratulate one of their own.

Deacon Richard Podgurski was a member of the class of 16 men ordained permanent deacons for the Archdiocese of Vancouver on the feast of the Immaculate Conception, Dec. 8, in Holy Rosary Cathedral.

It was the first time the archdiocese had graduated a class in its new permanent diaconate program, so Deacon Podgurski is St. Anthony's first deacon from the new program. Tony Gray is currently studying to follow in his footsteps.

"I enjoyed it so much I would recommend it to every man," Deacon Podgurski said as he reflected on his ordination. "I would encourage anybody who has even a little inclination or small discernment to seriously consider it because, to me, it was an incredibly joyful journey. I've learned so much that has helped me deepen my faith."

He said the four-year journey of study and aspirancy had given him much strength. "Now, as a deacon, I have much more confidence about God and my faith, so it's been just a beautiful spiritual journey. I don't think there are words to describe it."

Deacon Podgurksi said the idea of serving the Church in some capacity had been with him for a long time.

"It actually started in my high school years. I was growing, but perhaps I was slow in reacting to God's call. I considered going to a seminary. In fact, I did, for a while, in Orchard Lake, Mich., but it was just a few months after I had arrived in Canada. I was just 17 at the time. It was a bit overwhelming."

The 65-year-old native of Worochta, Poland, close to Lviv, Ukraine, said the newly created archdiocesan program makes for an interesting and ultimately very fulfilling experience.

"There were surprises that were ongoing," he noted. "Being the first program, we were all learning everything. It was all brand new. We didn't know what courses we would be taking any more than a month in advance. There was nothing you could plan on."

Deacon Podgurski, who first arrived in Vancouver in 1970, has enjoyed a long and varied work background in retail, import/export, financial advising, home building, and land development. He currently works as a mortgage broker and realtor.

He believes one of the biggest bonuses of the diaconate program is the bonds forged among the successful candidates of the first graduating class. "We became a really tight group," he said. "There was great fellowship and brotherhood that I had never experienced before. Of course, I have many friends, but this went beyond that."

Deacon Podgurski's parish priest, Father Gary Franken, travelled alongside him throughout the process as his spiritual director.

"It was a great privilege seeing someone hear the call of God and then face the challenges that were part of the formation," said Father Franken. "To see the excitement of Richard's ordination and his great willingness to take on what the bishop asks is very rewarding to me."