Geri Deane, lifelong parishioner of St. Patrick Parish in Hubbard, Trumbull County, has been an employee of the Diocese of Youngstown for 20 years. Deane is the secretary to several offices pertaining to vocations and clergy support.
In her role as the Secretary to the Office of the Vicar for Clergy and Religious Services, Deane creates appointment letters for priests and deacons when they are reassigned and writes Letters of Suitability and Celebrets for priests who are traveling and may celebrate Mass in another diocese. She organizes events such as the Chrism Mass breakfast and maintains paperwork for retiring priests.
Her role for the Vocations Office involves helping prospective seminarians with their applications. “When the new guys come in, I’m usually one of the first that get to meet them. I’ve shaken a lot of sweaty hands over the years,” said Deane. She also helps organize seminarian events, maintains their files and rosters at every stage of priestly formation and works with the seminaries whenever they require information.
Deane also helps organize priest retreats and days of reflection, as well as the annual Priest Anniversary and Retirement Celebration, which, this year, is scheduled for Wednesday, May 10, at St. Jude Parish in Columbiana County.
“I like the fact that I get to know these guys when they first walk in the door,” said Deane. “When they are first accepted in seminary, I meet them, and I help over their long period of education. They are like my children. I call them ‘my boys.’ When they reach ordination, it is so exciting for me. Then I continue with them as the secretary for the Office of Clergy Services. So after they’re ordained, I’m with them throughout their priesthood too, all the way to retirement.”
