Deacon Mark Leonard and his wife, Joanna, made a significant move from New Mexico to Denver, primarily to be closer to family.
Their daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren had settled in the Denver area, prompting the Leonards to seek connection with their loved ones.
However, this relocation has turned into a divine calling for Deacon Leonard.
He has joined the Archdiocese of Denver as its new associate director of deacons, working alongside Deacon Ernie Martinez, the archdiocesan director of deacons.
In his new role, Deacon Leonard will have the responsibility of supporting and accompanying more than 240 deacons who serve across Northern Colorado in various capacities, including parishes and charitable ministries.
This transition was unexpected for Deacon Leonard, who initially felt a quiet call from God years before.
Yet, it now feels like a natural progression in his lifelong journey of faith.
Born in Boston, Deacon Leonard humorously notes that while he may have lost his accent, his loyalty to New England sports, particularly the Boston Red Sox, remains unwavering.
After completing college and graduate studies, he settled in central New Mexico, where he met Joanna and started their family.
Having been raised as a Lutheran, Deacon Leonard felt drawn to the Catholic Church due to its beauty and richness, leading him to enter a period of discernment and formation.
In 2011, he was ordained into the diaconate within the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, New Mexico.
For over a decade, he served in small, rural parishes where faith intertwined with daily life, reinforcing the strong community bonds.
After retiring from his professional career as a research engineer, Deacon Leonard dedicated himself fully to ministry.
Though family ties were the catalyst for moving to Denver, it soon became clear that this new city would serve as the next chapter in his ministry.
He had been incardinated into the Archdiocese of Denver a few years prior, cementing his role within its community of deacons.
Now, as the associate director of deacons, Deacon Leonard’s responsibilities have expanded from serving a single parish to overseeing the entire archdiocese.
His mission is to walk alongside other men who, like him, have answered the call to serve in the diaconate.
He explains, “Once I stepped into my role as associate director, my focus tightens somewhat, yet it broadens significantly.”
With 240 deacons under his care, he acknowledges that they play a vital role in addressing the diverse needs of the archdiocese, serving both small and large congregations.
Now, he and Deacon Martinez aim to strengthen the diaconate through enhanced formation, community-building, and pastoral support.
Deacon Leonard emphasizes his goal of becoming acquainted with the diaconate community while understanding their distinct missions.
He also supports Deacon Ernie in developing new initiatives designed to uplift and bolster the diaconate’s impact.
For Deacon Leonard, the essence of the diaconate lies in presence — sharing in the everyday joys and struggles of life in both family settings and parish communities.
He believes this dual vocation empowers deacons to witness to every husband and father striving for holiness.
The unique combination of personal and ministerial challenges faced by deacons serves to inspire others on similar journeys.
The diaconate is fundamentally about humble service, echoing the heart of Christ the Servant.
As Deacon Leonard embarks on this new chapter, he kindly asks the faithful for one significant offering: prayer.
image source from：denvercatholic
