Deacon Bordelon to Dedicate Vocation to Teaching, Working Behind the Scenes

The seed for Deacon Byron Bordelon III’s vocation to the permanent diaconate was planted more than 40 years ago by his mother. A Catholic school teacher, she told him “I think you’re going to make a great deacon someday.”  

The seed lay dormant for years until God made it grow through Bordelon’s experiences at an ACTS retreat.

Bishop Michael G. Duca ordained Deacon Bordelon, 63, and Deacon Dave Odland, 64, to the diaconate May 24 at St. Joseph Cathedral in Baton Rouge.

Deacon Bordelon’s parents and his grandmother, who was also a Catholic school teacher and an active presence in his life, had passed away by the time he was 18 years old. Deacon Bordelon focused primarily on “making it on his own.”  He graduated from LSU with a bachelor’s degree in business and computer science in 1987.

After college Deacon Bordelon married his wife, Deirdre, and they raised four children together. The Bordelons have been married for 31 years and live in Prairieville, where they are long-time members of St. John the Evangelist Church in Prairieville.

Currently vice President at AnSer Answering Services, Deacon Bordelon focused on providing for his family. In the midst of this, God continued to invite him to become a deacon.

“Every once in a while, a thought would pop into my head – you should go look into the diaconate,” said Deacon Bordelon.

Top right photo: Deacon Byron Bordelon exuded happiness as he received fraternal hugs from his fellow vested deacons. 
Photos by Abry Layrisson

Above photo: Bishop Michael G. Duca lays his hands on Deacon Bordelon’s head with a prayer of blessing.

 
But his next thought would be, I'll do that at another time.

The “nudge” to check into diaconate formation came while he was attending an ACTS retreat. He spoke about his interest in becoming a deacon to Father Jerry Martin, then pastor of St. John the Evangelist Church in Prairieville. Father Martin connected him with Father Jamin David, Vicar General of the Diocese of Baton Rouge and then director of formation to the diaconate formation for the diocese.

Through the years, Deacon Bordelon had told his wife about his thoughts of entering the diaconate. Each time she encouraged him to check into it. When he finally confirmed he was taking steps to enter the formation program, she said, “It’s about time” and has been supportive throughout his formation journey.

Throughout formation Deacon Bordelon has appreciated the diversity of his fellow classmates.

“I learned that we all have different gifts,” he said. “I could see why God was calling them and the gifts he was going to use in them.”

“Every once in a while, a thought would pop into my head – you should go look into the diaconate." ~Deacon Byron Bordelon

Deacon Bordelon hopes to draw from his experiences as a member of a family of educators, and the fact that his wife is a teacher, to teach as a deacon.

He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in pastoral studies/counseling from Notre Dame Graduate School of Theology in New Orleans.

“It gives me an opportunity to spread the Gospel message,” said Deacon Bordelon, who spent his diaconate internships teaching about different aspects of the faith.

The deacon looks forward to giving homilies and helping people “grasp the word of God.” However, he plans to do as much behind the scenes as on the altar.

“People are going to look to us for certain things,” Deacon Bordelon said. “I’m more comfortable directing things behind the scenes. I don’t need to be the front man.”

Deacon Bordelon has been assigned to St. John the Evangelist Church in Prairieville with his ministry of charity being to serve the incarcerated at Dixon Correctional Institute in Jackson.