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PROFILE: Deacon Doyle Schulz — A Life of Dedicated Service
Looking back, Deacon Doyle Schulz sees that God was speaking to his heart about the diaconate ever since he was a child. In fact, God spoke to him through others, even though they weren’t exactly on the mark.
“As deacons, we are often asked what brought us to the decision to dedicate our lives to the service of others,” Deacon Schulz says. “When I was a student at St. Francis de Sales Catholic School in Moorhead, Minn., we had a pastor who would put the names of the boys he thought could become priests in the tabernacle, and he put mine. Well, he was a little off, but I believe God did call me to the diaconate in the end.” Deacon Doyle Schulz lives out his call
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Over time, God’s will was made to ministry as a faithful husband, clearer to Doyle, and His omniscient father and grandfather. He and his designs became very evident. “We are all called in different ways,” wife, Pat, have three children and eight grandchildren. Deacon Schulz says. “For me, it was when I was working with the Highway Patrol and was always being asked to lead the prayers. A friend of mine on the patrol, named Don Pulaski, knew I was searching for something to do when I retired, and he suggested that I look at the diaconate. With Fr. Ed Wehner as my spiritual director, I was soon accepted into the program.”
Now as a deacon, he is truly grateful for the opportunities he has to serve our parish family.
“My responsibility is to serve the people of the parish in whatever capacity they need me to,” he says. “Deacons have been charged with the responsibility of proclaiming the Word, assisting at the altar and doing works of charity.”
Deacon Schulz fulfills this charge in a wide variety of ways, such as assisting Msgr. Braaten during Mass and other liturgies; proclaiming the Gospel; preaching a homily; offering Baptisms; helping couples prepare for marriage; coordinating our altar servers; leading the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults process; conducting marriages outside of Mass; and helping with funerals, vigils and burials.
Deacon Schulz embraces his calling to the diaconate by bringing Christ’s presence in the Blessed Eucharist to those most in need of it.
“While I am not assigned home visitation, I do visit some parishioners with whom I have developed a personal relationship,” he says. “Once a week I visit and distribute Communion to the patients at St. Alexius Hospital. It is a great joy to be able to bring the Eucharist to those people who are unable to attend regular Mass. It is a huge suffering for them not to receive Jesus and brings tears to my eyes to see the gratitude some of them have, not only for the Eucharist, but also because someone cares for them enough to bring it to them.”
He also loves to share the gift of God’s mercy with those most in need.
“I used to serve as the full-time chaplain at the state penitentiary,” he says. “While I was there, I developed a love for that ministry. I continue to visit the men who are incarcerated and provide liturgies for them. Many of the men have made terrible mistakes and are trying to get their lives together. They need our prayers and support, as it is one of the Corporal Works of Mercy to visit those in prison.”
Last but most certainly not least, Deacon Schulz lives out his call to ministry as a faithful husband, father and grandfather. He and his wife, Pat, have three children and eight grandchildren.
“I thank God each day for His guidance, and especially for my family,” he says. “My wife, Pat, is the angel God sent to get me back on track when I was wandering away. My children are grown with families of their own and they all continue to practice their Catholic faith.”
