Jeffrey Formica’s journey to becoming a deacon took nearly three decades.
“I believe God led me to pursue the diaconate through various conversion experiences, which began with my son being healed of a severe eye disease,” he said. “Along the way I kept wanting to learn more about the faith.
“I pray God will use me as an instrument to help others believe that he loves them.”
On June 13, 2020, Deacon Formica 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 the parish grouping of St. Eugene, St. Mark, St. Michael and Queen of the Rosary in South Allegheny, and to the Ministry of Service and Charity at
Auberle.
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.
Formica, 59, is an engineer with Fluor Marine Propulsion, LLC. He and his wife Susan are parents to four adult children and have a son-in-law and daughter-in-law. They are members of the parish grouping of St. Mark, St. Michael and Queen of the Rosary in South Allegheny.
Growing up in Davidsville, Somerset County, Formica, his parents and three siblings attended Mass every Sunday and prayed before meals and bedtime. “The faith was demonstrated by examples more than words,” he said.
After high school he earned a degree in engineering from Pennsylvania State University, worked at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, then returned home to western Pennsylvania.
He’s been active for many years in his parish, starting a men’s fellowship group and adult faith formation and teaching catechism.
“My summer pastoral experiences in the diaconate program were especially meaningful,” he said. “During one of my assignments I was able to serve inmates at the Allegheny County Jail by bringing the love and mercy of Jesus to them.
“God is calling all of us to a deeper relationship with him,” Formica said. “I hope to be seen as a humble servant, trying to please God and help us get to a better place.”