In this Sept. 16, 2017 file photo, newly-ordained Dcn. Mike Marsili receives the Book of the Gospels from Bishop William F. Medley during the Mass of Ordination to the Permanent Diaconate at Holy Spirit Parish in Bowling Green, when Dcn. Marsili and his deacon class were ordained. LAURA RIGSBY | WKC
Dcn. Mike Marsili looks forward to serving as assistant director of vocations
BY ELIZABETH WONG BARNSTEAD, THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC
Following his appointment as the Diocese of Owensboro’s new assistant director of vocations, Dcn. Mike Marsili says he is “excited to be working in that part of the diocese’s ministry.”
“God’s call goes out – that part has been consistent over the centuries,” said Dcn. Marsili, whose appointment was announced on Jan. 3, 2022. Yet, “in this culture there are so many things to drown (the call) out.”
Ordained to the permanent diaconate in 2017, Dcn. Marsili currently serves, and will continue to serve, Resurrection Parish in Dawson Springs, Immaculate Conception Parish in Earlington and Holy Cross Parish in Providence.
He said he looks forward to assisting young people through the vocational discernment process.
“In my own case – there was always that idea of a call – what do you do with that? How does that come to the surface, to the forefront?” he said.
Dcn. Marsili said his work will involve “a lot of administrative work and paperwork.”
As a member of the vocations office, however, he knows they will also offer guidance to young men considering the priesthood, as well as young women contemplating religious life, and men discerning the permanent diaconate.
He said his experience on the Deacon Advisory Board, and on the Selection Committee of that board, will undoubtedly provide insights in that area.
He said he plans to travel soon with Fr. Daniel Dillard, the diocesan vocations director, to meet the seminarians and get to know them more.
Seminary is no guarantee of becoming a priest, Dcn. Marsili pointed out. He emphasized that the entire time of seminary is “still a discernment process.”
“Ordination was never something I was going to take for granted, and I know they don’t, either,” he said of the seminarians.
Dcn. Marsili is glad to see that the diocese, and the Catholic Church as a whole, is emphasizing a focus on the Eucharist “as the source of our faith. Everything centers around that.”
In recent years he has seen a “comeback” of parishes offering Adoration and holy hours – which he said vocations often flow from.
Dcn. Marsili has been married for 44 years to his wife, Ashley, and his children are grown and married.
He said he stays involved with his parishes and the Knights of Columbus, and is eager to meet and serve the faithful of western Kentucky.
He added that he loves listening to people, “especially over a meal – that I’ve cooked!”
Originally printed in the February 2021 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.
