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Bishop Richard ordained Mike Dean to the Permanent Diaconate last Friday, with the Ordination Mass celebrated at Arundel Cathedral. Mike, a parishioner from St Mary, Mother of Christ in Lewes and Mayfield, grew up in Crowborough as one of four children. Reflecting on his vocation pathway, Mike said:

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“I have an older sister and two younger brothers and worked in the Insurance industry straight from school. Both my parents were Catholic; I married my wife Anita in 1990 at St Batholomew’s CofE Church in Burwash, with Crowborough’s Catholic Parish Priest, Fr Kevin Griffin [now retired], assisting and obtaining the necessary dispensations. 

 "Anita and I have three children, Matt born in 1992, Elizabeth born in 1994 and Jon born in 1996. Our first home was in East Peckham, but we moved back to Crowborough in 1996. I was very involved in parish life as a First Communion Catechist and as Chair of Governors at the local Catholic primary school. After taking early retirement in 2020, Fr Kevin asked me if I had considered becoming a Deacon. I hadn't, and at that time thought I was fulfilling my faith as a School Volunteer for CAFOD, and member of the local St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP).

 Despite this, the ‘seed was planted’ and the Holy Spirit, ably assisted by Fr Kevin, Fr Dominic O'Hara, Fr HughDutton, Fr Irek Stadler and Fr Gus Campenello encouraged me through the years of formation, culminating in my ordination.”

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Speaking during the Mass, Bishop Richard said:

“Your journey of life with Anita and your family are a gift to you from God. We give thanks today for the vocation of marriage, we also give thanks for your community in Crowborough, and those people and priests who have helped you to discern your vocation to the diaconate.

“We rejoice that the Lord called you to baptism, to confirmation, to marriage and now to this additional service as a deacon in his Church. The diaconate is a Ministry of Word and Charity with the deacon’s life one of response to God’s Word, which shows forth in every word, action and encounter.

 “The ministry of charity shows itself in many ways, it may be through a deacon’s work for the common good, spending time with those in need, through hospital ministry or visiting the housebound. Your ordination, and the priestly ordinations that we have celebrated recently are testament to the vibrant life and growth of the Church in our Diocese - for which we give thanks to God our Father.”

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Image left to right: Elizabeth, Jon, Matt, Deacon Mike, Paul (Mike's brother), his wife Janice, Karolina (girlfriend of) Tim (Mike's youngest brother).