News

Two men to be ordained deacons May 19

By Jeff Kurowski
Compass Assistant Editor

	Related articles this week: • Commissioned grow in faith and their calling     Program helps train lay leaders to serve     in parishes in the diocese • Bishop to commission 14, ordain two deacons     Ceremonies planned Friday and Saturday • Fourteen to become commissioned ministers     May 18 Mass caps individuals' participation     in nationally accredited formation program

Bp. David Zubik will ordain James Heider and Robert Precourt to the permanent diaconate at 10 a.m. Mass, Saturday, May 19, at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, 140 S. Monroe Avenue, Green Bay.

James Heider

Jim Heider's call to ministry traces back to his childhood in Carroll, Iowa. An uncle and cousin were both Jesuit priests, and Heider considered joining the order.

"I also had many good experiences with priest friends and religious, all of whom encouraged me to live my faith and seek closer communion with God," he said. "My father also gave me a love of scripture and education, and a desire to serve the church."

While he strongly considered the priesthood, Heider instead chose the vocation of marriage after meeting his wife, Linn, at Iowa State University. The couple, who have been married for 37 years, have five children; three who are grown and two at home.

Ministry is important to Heider and his family. His professional experience as a licensed psychologist and his work in ministry complement one another. He works as a school psychologist and counselor for three districts in Northeast Wisconsin, as a mental health consultant at Job Corps in Blackwell, Wis., maintains a part-time private practice in counseling, and does testing and consulting with school, families and agencies with which he contracts.

"I have experience in mental health and spiritual counseling, and founded a clinic known as the Ecumenical Health Center," he said. "My hope is to do work in family therapy and biofeedback in order to benefit Catholics and other Christians in the Northeast Wisconsin area."

"My wife, Linn, and our children enjoy ministry to the homeless at Freedom House, and I enjoy driving and helping out at Paul's Pantry and St. Vincent de Paul," he added. "Sacramental preparation is also an interest, and I have taught second graders for First Reconciliation and Communion for the past three years at Holy Cross Parish in Bay Settlement."

The Heiders have participated in marriage preparation in the Green Bay and La Crosse dioceses and in marriage enrichment in the Diocese of Des Moines, Iowa. Jim also served as a lay presider and in family life, adult and religious education at St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Chippewa Falls in the Diocese of La Crosse.

Heider lists Fr. Tom Hagendorf, O.Praem., pastor at Holy Cross Parish, Bay Settlement; Fr. Tim Shillcox, O.Praem., pastor at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, De Pere, and former pastor at Holy Cross; and Fr. Dick Mauthe, who served at the Ecumenical Center at UW-Green Bay; priests of the Sioux City and Des Moines dioceses of Iowa and the Green Bay and La Crosse dioceses of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Province of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) as his ministry role models.

Robert Precourt

Just last week, Bob Precourt's mother, Frances, shared with him how much she was looking forward to Saturday's ordination. Unfortunately, she died at age 102 on Saturday, May 12, in Waupaca. She will be there in spirit, said Precourt.

"She was so happy," he said. "She was a great Catholic, such a woman of faith. She kept my brother and me on the straight and narrow. She lived a wonderful life. She drove until she was 99."

Precourt, who on May 9 was appointed parish director at St. Paul Parish in Plainfield, grew up in Appleton. His Catholic education served as good foundation for ministry, he said. He is a graduate of Xavier High School in Appleton and St. John's University in Collegeville, Minn.

Following college, Precourt worked as a teacher. After earning a master's degree, he opened his own business, Media Management Services in central Wisconsin.

"I did a lot of television writing and producing," he said. "I worked in all media - radio, film and print."

"You get to the point in life where you hear God's call and, if you don't respond, it continues to get louder and louder," said Precourt. "I walked into St. Paul Church in Plainfield 30 years ago. I felt a strong sense of the Holy Spirit in that little church."

Precourt credits the late Fr. Mike Bablitch, pastor at St. Paul in the 1970s, for inviting him to become involved in parish ministry, including religious education.

In 2000, Precourt was active in what he describes as "six minor ministries" at the parish; when members of the St. Paul community encouraged him to take the presiding course at St. Norbert Abbey in De Pere to assist the parish in the absence of a priest. That would eventually lead to the call to serve full-time in parish ministry.

"My wife (Joan) thought I was crazy when I was considering it," he said. "We had three small children at that time (now ages 10, 12 and 14). "I couldn't imagine where I would find the time."

Precourt said Fr. Paul Vanden Hogen, who served as temporary administrator at St. Paul, was influential in his decision to pursue full-time ministry. Following six months of discernment, he entered the Master's of Theological Studies program at St. Norbert and the diaconate.

Precourt, who served St. Paul as a pastoral associate before being appointed parish director, said he welcomes the opportunity as a deacon to respond to the need for sacramental ministry and liturgy outside of Mass.

The transition from a priest serving as administrator at St. Paul to a parish director will bring some challenges, but Precourt is thankful for the opportunity.

"I'm grateful every day," he said. "Each day at this church is so uplifting and inspiring."