ASSUMPTION CHURCH SPOTLIGHTS
Highlighting Members and Events

October 2016

FOLLOWING UP WITH KEVIN ZAJDEL
By Elizabeth Kabacinski

Summer has been over for more than a while and local students have settled into the school year. One of Assumption’s very own students is Kevin Zajdel, who is studying to be a Deacon at USML in Mundelein. We featured Kevin last year, but we wanted to check in with him again now that he has settled into his fall course work.

Kevin was initially slated to graduate and be ordained in May 2017. He took last semester off to catch up on the challenges of work and school and is on track to be ordained in 2018. This semester, Kevin is “taking a course in Church History and working on the Internship requirements (which includes approximately 30 liturgical events followed by written reflections). Next semester,” he says, “is Moral Theology, Ecclesiology and Mariology, and Homiletics—as well as retreats, liturgical celebrations, theological reflection groups and so on.”

Although Kevin’s studies in the classroom and his work at his internship requirements are ongoing, the majority of folks at Assumption may have only noticed his recent work as an Instituted Acolyte during certain Masses. We asked Kevin how his perspective about the diaconate formation program and his ministry here at Assumption have changed since he was instituted as an Acolyte.

Here is what he had to say:

My knowledgebase has grown considerably, from the Acts of the Apostles where the diaconate was established to Vatican Council II which reestablished the permanent diaconate.  The role of the deacon is service—service to the Word (preaching and teaching), service to the Eucharist (assisting at Mass), and service to Charity (involvement in the parish and archdiocesan community). 

The formation program continues to form me: I am not the same as I was three years ago.  For example, my priorities are shifting: I find myself asking, “Is this possession or that undertaking really important?” My prayer life is different. And my group of friends now includes other deacon candidates who share this life-changing journey. 

I also see Christ and his Church from a different perspective. I’m more aware that we are all members of the Body of Christ and that we’re all gifted for the good of the Church. I thank God for the Assumption community and wonder how I can be of ongoing service to our parish. I persevere in this challenging formation program in order to serve our parish better. The encouragement I get from our parish keeps me going.

Sounds like Kevin has a busy semester ahead -- let’s all pray for him as he continues to work so diligently at his diaconate studies.

In the meantime, you may want to prayerfully consider whether God may be calling you to serve the Church in a deeper way. Are you being called to the priesthood, diaconate or other religious life? Does God want you to pursue professional ministry as a career? If you are considering pursuing a public ministry and have questions about what that would entail, reach out if you have any questions! We’re always happy to help.

Time is running out!  Have you bought your tickets for Assumption’s Annual Fundraiser?  This year it’s going to be special because we don’t have the use of the Church Hall.  It’s going to be a cocktail party with lots of food at individual food stations and an open bar with a bartender to serve you! Music will be provided by guitarist Luciano Antonio.  To make it more fun we are going to have a blind wine raffle, you buy a cork and then choose from a mystery selection of 50 bottles plain wrapped for a surprise!  Also, when you come in you will receive a ping pong ball with a number on it and then have the opportunity to buy as many more as you want because each one is a raffle ticket to be placed in one of five containers representing prizes that are unique and special to Assumption.  You can see how many ping pong balls are in the containers and gage what your chances of winning will be.  Our prizes are priceless:  1.  Reserved Front Pew for Christmas mass of your choice; 2. Dinner with the priests; 3.  Assumption Relics – Two antique light fixtures that once adorned the Church and can now be repurposed to your liking; 4.  First tour of the new rectory building and Church remodeling with refreshments; and 5. A Mass celebrated in your home at a date / time of your choosing with Fr. Joe as the celebrant (blackout dates will apply so don’t ask for Easter – LOL).