This time, the Holy Spirit said, “Yes!”

By Bob De Witt

St. Francis of Assisi is often credited as saying, “Preach the Gospel at all times. When necessary, use words.” John Mayer’s college roommate quietly lived out this command, drawing Mayer to the Catholic faith and ultimately to the diaconate.

“He was a strong Catholic, filled with joy and peace and an authenticity about his faith I had never seen before,” Mayer said. “It was contagious, and led me to converting to Catholicism my senior year.”

On June 13, 2020, Deacon Mayer was one of eight men ordained as permanent deacons for the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Effective July 1, he is assigned to the Ministry of Sacrament and the Ministry of Word at St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Dormont/Mount Lebanon/Scott, and to the Ministry of Service and Charity at the diocese’s Young Adult Ministry Office.

Deacons are ordained ministers with a special calling to perform works of charity and service, proclaim the word of God, and assist in the liturgical and sacramental life of the Church. They coordinate their part-time ministry with job and family responsibilities.

Mayer, 56, is a sales engineer with Chem-Aqua, which provides water treatment programs for boiler, cooling and process water systems. He and his wife Laura are parents to three adult children. They are members of St. Michael the Archangel Parish.

He and his two sisters grew up in Warwick, NY, north of New York City. After his conversion and earning a degree in mechanical engineering from Manhattan College, Mayer worked in Ohio, Illinois, and then moved to Pittsburgh.

He felt a calling to the diaconate beginning in his mid-30s. “In the past, when Laura and I prayed over this, the Holy Spirit always said, ‘Not yet.’ This time, he said, ‘Yes.’”

“The formation process has been incredibly positive,” Mayer said.

“It’s well-rounded, and the fraternity among the guys is awesome. Most importantly, formation has brought my wife and I closer together.”

Mayer has some suggestions for men who are interested in becoming a permanent deacon.

“If you are married, you definitely need to talk to your wife. You should also speak to your pastor and some of your friends,” he said. “Most importantly, you need to spend a lot of time on your knees in prayer. The Holy Spirit will direct your heart.”

Click here to meet the other new deacons.