September 17, 2024 
On Sept. 26, Deacon Steve Weaver reaches senior status with the Archdiocese of Hartford and will be retiring from SS. Isidore and Maria Parish.
For Deacon Steve Weaver, the road to the diaconate began in the mid-1970s and runs through the small, remote town of Fountain Hill, Arkansas (pop. 230). Deacon Steve was in his mid-twenties, and he and his wife, Betty, were involved with their local Catholic parish when he met the man who would mentor him to become a deacon.
“The pastor was a Glenmary priest by the name of Father Charlie Hughes. He served three counties, almost the size of Connecticut because counties (in Arkansas) were fairly large,” he recalled.
The Brooklyn-born Hughes, combined with the circumstances of life as a Catholic in rural Arkansas, made a lasting impression on Steve.
“I found it more challenging to my faith,” he said of life in Arkansas. “One-half of 1% of the population is Catholic. It’s an eye-opener. Father Charlie Hughes was such a gentle, amazing, simple, faith-filled person. It wasn’t until his death that I learned he had a doctorate in theology. We were inspired by his weekly Sunday dinners with us.”
It was Father Charlie who invited Steve to come with him to Little Rock, the seat of the local diocese, to explore the possibility of pursuing a vocation as a permanent deacon. This ministry was then just beginning under the leadership of Little Rock Bishop Andrew McDonald.
But Steve would have to wait before making a commitment to this vocation. The minimum age to apply for acceptance in formation was 35.
He and Betty and their expanding family took to the road again, this time settling in Virginia, where there was no diaconate program. Upon returning to Connecticut, Steve and Betty settled in Cromwell and were called to St. Elizabeth Seton Parish (now St. Josephine Bakhita Parish) where they helped in both the physical and spiritual building of the new parish. It was there that Steve found more encouragement to consider the diaconate.
“Father Bob Burbank, Deacon Richard Santello, and Pastoral Minister Gail Bellucci were the Collaborative Ministry Team there,” Steve said. “They encouraged me to think about entering the diaconate. I was still pretty hesitant.”
By the time the late 1980s came, it appeared the Weavers would be making another move, this time to Maine, where Betty had gotten a teaching job. The move was so far along that the couple had begun house hunting in the Pine Tree State. Undeterred, the Team told Steve that they were going to pray for them while they were gone and await their decision on both the move and Steve’s calling.
“Through that process of discernment, we decided I would enter the diaconate.” He would do so in Connecticut.
Steve was ordained to the diaconate in June 1990 and assigned to his home parish, where he served the people of Rocky Hill for ten years with both Father Bob Burbank and Father Jim Shanley.
In 2000, Steve was reassigned to St. Augustine Church and began serving both St. Augustine and St. Paul Churches when the two parishes were “yolked” in the mid-2000s and ultimately merged into one parish in 2017. During that time, Steve says he’s been the quiet presence for those who need support.
“My idea of ministry is just to be there for people,” he said. “Just to be peaceful and to listen. Not necessarily, ‘What do I have to do?’ It is more about just being present.
“Deacon Steve has been present for countless parishioners by baptizing, leading the faithful in prayer, witnessing marriages, conducting funeral services, or simply providing a listening ear,” said Father Mark Suslenko, pastor of SS. Isidore and Maria Parish. “As a minister of charity, he has worked closely with the River East Resettlement Alliance (RERA) to help resettle refugee families in Greater Hartford. His mentorship of our Faith Formation students has provided them with valuable spiritual guidance that will far outlast his tenure with our parish. I am grateful to Steve for all of his wisdom and generous support of both me and the community we both serve. He will be missed.”
As for the future, Steve and Betty hope to spend more time in Maine where family abounds and to travel to visit family and friends around the country. Steve is also hoping to walk the 50 miles he has yet to hike to complete the 2,198-mile Appalachian Trail.
“It is here (the Appalachian Trail) where I walked and prayed with each step in the presence of God and tried to bring that sacredness back home with me to others. I truly believe that I have grown taller from walking with the trees, walking in the presence of God.”
As Steve departs our parish, he leaves an unmatched legacy of gentle acceptance and faith in service. He asks that we try to continue to follow his example of acceptance of all people.
“Please be open to everybody that walks through that door and to reach out to the broader community. Scripture very clearly tells us how we should treat people: ‘Love one another as I have loved you.'”
A celebration of Deacon Steve Weaver will be held on Sun., Nov. 10, following the 11:15 a.m. Mass. All are welcome.
