By Eric Brooks

“When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit…” (Acts 2:1-4)

At various times in his life, Rob Lancia has felt guided by the Holy Spirit. “I don’t know how it feels to other people but for me it’s like a chill that runs through my body. But it’s warm, not cold.”

Rob is a longtime parishioner at St. Cecilia and is currently in his first year of candidacy for the permanent diaconate, scheduled for ordination in November 2024. When he decided to pursue ordination as a deacon, Rob made a promise to God that he would not quit the process. “If I get selected out, that’s okay, but I’m not going to opt out on my own.”

At St. Cecilia, Rob volunteered in several roles including teaching RCIA and serving as an MC for over 20 years. It was Rob’s time serving at the altar that brought his attention to the details and nuances of the Mass. As I have heard so many times before it, “Left me wanting something more. It called out to me.” 

With the support of his family and parish, Rob began an official inquiry into the permanent diaconate. Doubts would occasionally plague him, particularly when things became difficult. “It’s a lot of work. I’m in my 50’s and going back to school; studying, attending classes, writing papers.” There were many times when Rob wondered, “Are you really cut out for this?” 

During those times of doubt, each time he kept that promise not to opt out, Rob was left with a feeling of peace at going forward. The Holy Spirit continued to call out to him, persistently calling and pulling him. He was also reassured when parishioners would approach him saying, “You’d make a great deacon.” In one instance Rob was in our Gathering Space when the mother of a childhood friend approached him. He had not seen her in years, and she offered that same observation, “You’d make a great deacon.” Sometimes the Holy Spirit whispers and other times offers a full-armed spiritual slap.

St. Gabriel Radio also helped Rob with his decision. He remembers hearing a snippet of one of Mother Angelica’s call-in programs where a young man was on the line saying he felt called to the priesthood but was not certain if he should pursue the vocation. In her typically brusque manner Mother Angelica said, “Oh dear...”, and answered that she would not want to die, stand before God, and explain why she did not answer His call. 

Rob watched his class of deacon candidates start with almost 50 men winnow to 20 or so during their Aspirancy, and now there are 11 nearing completion. Bishop Fernandes has continued a tradition started by his predecessors where permanent deacons train outside of their home parishes, which brings him to Our Lady of Perpetual Help. It has allowed Rob to experience a new parish, new pastor, and new congregation. 

As with most permanent deacons, Rob also balances a full family life and career. 

Rob Lancia: A Warm Chill, Continued

He has been married almost 35 years with six children and two grandchildren, his youngest daughter having just started at the University of Dayton. Rob laughs, “Children of deacons get $1000 off tuition at UD but not children of deacon-candidates. I asked.” Rob himself attended The Ohio State University on a full academic scholarship studying computer science and now works as a Program Manager leading a team at his workplace. 

The rapid change in western society concerns Rob as we continue into this “post-Christian” era. Thus far, he has been able to navigate the challenges of a very secular career with his devout Catholic faith. However, Rob does worry there will come a time when he is faced with a situation at work where, “I can’t go along in good conscience,” particularly as an ordained member of the clergy. Highlighting how quick those changes have been over the past few short years, Rob reminisces about dating his future wife. They met in 1985 at King’s Island and had a long-distance relationship without social media, the Internet, or even cell phones. Rob laughs, “We wrote a lot of letters.” 

Perhaps Rob’s largest challenge so far has been finding and holding onto his humility. Because it is composed of broken and flawed humans, “The Church is messy. At the end of the day, you have to meet people where they are. We are called to minister to people.” Acknowledging this has given Rob a deeper appreciation of the faith. 

Rob has also been struck by how the Holy Spirit continues to work through the Church and Magisterium. “I am amazed how much our sacraments have changed, grown richer. It’s not like St. Paul said do this, this way and we’re still doing exactly that. They have evolved under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.”

In his sparse free time, Rob has always enjoyed hiking and the outdoors, particularly around the Hocking Hills region. He is something of an amateur astronomer, “When you are in a dark field by yourself, it gives us a glimpse of God’s creation. You’re able to actually see it.” I am reminded of our own Deacon Kopczewski who also cherishes the outdoors… most often on the back of a BMW motorcycle. Same outdoors, same peace, different approach. 

In their love of solitude in the wilderness, the deacon candidate and deacon are certainly not alone. “Then he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone…” (Mt 14:22-23)