By Dan Sullivan
Catholic Herald

Ronald Novotny ordained deacon

RICE LAKE -- Friends and family gathered at St. Jospeh Church in Rice Lake, April 23, to witness the ordination of Ronald Novotny to the permanent diaconate by Bishop Raphael M. Fliss.

Novotny said no one event led to this day. "But I've been involved in church activities since I was in elementary school," Novotny said.

A deacon friend and a former Rice Lake pastor were among those credited with fanning the fire inside of him to become a deacon.

"Deacon Fred Johnson (of St. Joseph Parish, Osceola) kept after me while I was still working, encouraging me to look at the diaconate program," Novotny said.

"I also talked with Fr. Kevin Gordon and he encouraged me to get involved in the program. He was pastor of St. Joseph's and diocesan vocation director when I started."

He credited his wife, Karen Novotny, for being accepting of his call to the diaconate.

"She has been supportive and attended most of the classes," Novotny said.

Karen Novotny said her husband has always been a man of faith.

"You could always tell he had a deep faith," she said. "His faith helped him get through a bout with cancer and the chemo and radiation treatments."

Deacon Tim Kuehn, diocesan director of the permanent diaconate program, began the ordination rite by calling Novotny forward, following the Gospel reading. During his homily, the bishop said that with his ordination, Novotny receives a mark from God. "It cannot be removed," Fliss said.

As a deacon, Novotny becomes a minister of the table and of the word.

"As a servant of the people of God, you are called to serve and not to be served," Fliss said.

A deacon is a member of the church hierarchy.

"(The diaconate) is relatively new to the church, it was restored some 40 years ago," Fliss said.

The bishop said that this ordination was a reminder that all have a call to serve God in some way.

After the homily, Novotny publicly declared his intention to assume the responsibilities associated with becoming a deacon. He knelt before Fliss, promising obedience and respect to the bishop and his successors. Novotny then prostrated himself before the altar, as the choir sang the Litany of the Saints. This ancient custom is one of surrender and humility.

Another outward sign of the sacrament of ordination came when Fliss placed his hands on Novotny's head. During a prayer of consecration, the bishop offered a prayer of praise and thanksgiving to God for the gift of ministry.

Novotny was then vested with a stole by Deacon Robert Jetto, of St. Francis de Sales Parish in Spooner, and Deacon Ken Schaefer, of St. Joseph Parish in Rice Lake.

Next, Fliss received the Gospel book from Karen Novotny. The bishop then presented this book to Novotny, instructing him to believe, preach and practice the Gospel of Christ. During the kiss of peace, Fliss and deacons attending officially welcomed Novotny into the community of ordained ministers. The newly ordained deacon then proceeded to the altar, assisting with the eucharistic portion of the liturgy.

Novotny, who began his diaconate formation in November 2000, said there is a brotherly bond that develops with the other men in formation and with the deacons of the diocese.

"There is camaraderie and we developed lasting friendships," Novotny said.

During his childhood in Rice Lake, Novotny did think about a calling to the priesthood, but opted for marriage and a career in education.

"Way back when, when I was a student at St. Joseph School, I thought of being a priest, but never went anywhere with it," he said.

His deceased parents, Lillian and Cyril Novotny, had an influence on his decision to become a deacon.

"My mother was always so proud that I was going to become a deacon, but she didn't live to see the day," Novotny said. "My parents always encouraged me. They shook me out of bed to serve Mass at five in the morning."

The Novotnys' four children: Christine Novotny Beard, Long Island, N.Y.; Brian Novotny, Egan, Minn.; Suzanne Novotny Imhoff, Frederic; and Denise Novotny Bertotto, Woodbury, Minn., participated in the ordination.

They are proud of their father.

"He's always wanted to serve God," Novotny Beard said. "He's been a great dad and spiritual father."

Novotny's four sisters, Cheryl Holdorff, Glenwood City; Mary Jill Chido, Spooner; Rosanne Michaelson and Trudy Lehman, both of Rice Lake, attended. His brother, Barry Novotny, is deceased, but his widow, Sharon Novotny, was present.

"Its gratifying that we were able to get them all together," Novotny said.

"For years my sisters would call me Fr. Ron because I have been so involved in the church. When I got involved in the diaconate program, it didn't surprise anyone at all."

His sisters and sister-in-law gave Novotny his ordination stole. This stole was handcrafted by Sr. Kristine Haugen, from the Mt. Carmel Hermitage in Amery.

Novotny's godparents, Vern and Catherine Bartlett of Barron, attended.

"Not many deacons have the honor of having their godparents with them when they are ordained," Novotny said. "They are a great couple and a great inspiration."

Prior to his ordination, Ron and Karen Novotny were active in St. Joseph Parish. Ron has been involved with ministering to the elderly and instructing baptism classes. He belongs to the Knights of Columbus and members of the Knights' Fourth Degree served as an honor guard at the Mass. Karen serves as a parish nurse.

As an ordained deacon, Novotny said his role would not change much.

"I will continue to do the same things," he said. "I will keep ministering to the elderly in the nursing homes."

Fr. James Powers, pastor at St. Joseph Parish, said the ordination was wonderful day for not only the Novotny family, but for the couple's parish family.

"It was a lot of work on his part that has come to fulfillment," Powers said. "He is a witness and has responded to the call of God."

Schaefer welcomes the help of another deacon.

"One advantage Ron has is that he was born and raised in Rice Lake," he said. "He knows the people very well."

Sr. Bonnie Alho, OSM, pastoral associate at the parish, met the Novotny family when they lived in Barron.

"He's going to make a good deacon," Alho said. "Ron knows what it means to serve. He is always willing to give of his time and talent."

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© Superior Catholic Herald, 2005