10 new deacons will be ordained for the Diocese of Lansing by Bishop Boyea on Saturday, May 13, Feast of Our Lady of Fatima. Deo gratias! Two of the diaconate candidates are seminarians who will progress, God willing, onto the sacred priesthood. Meanwhile the other eight are married men who will be ordained permanent deacons. That includes Arthur Williams of Saint Mary parish in Charlotte. Here’s his story:
Arthur Ernest Williams is from a family of educators. It is no wonder he became a college professor with more than 40 years in the profession. Professor Williams has taught at Olivet College since 1998. His classes include acting, public speaking, theatre and culture and dramatic literature. He holds a doctorate in theatre from Ohio State University, with undergraduate degrees from the University of Maryland. He taught in the University of Wisconsin and University of Maine systems before arriving in Michigan. He and his wife, Joanne, live in Olivet with their cat, Demi.
Arthur is also from a family of faith. As a young boy, he thought about the ministry. A convert to the Catholic faith, Arthur attributes his faith journey to patience and discernment, with the help of role models in Catholicism from his current pastor, Fr. Dwight Ezop, to author C.S. Lewis.
Arthur’s inspiration is also from 1 Kings 19:11-12: “…And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire [a]a still small voice.”
Please keep Art and all the ordinands in your prayers in the days to come. Our Lady of Fatima, pray for them!