Our featured deacon this month is Deacon Philip Carlson. Deacon Carlson is originally from Rosholt but has lived in Brookings since 1995. He has three brothers and was ordained a deacon on May 30, 2024. He is assigned to Holy Family Pastorate (Madison, Howard and Ramona).
How did you get your call to the diaconate?
My initial calling was in 1984. I told my then-girlfriend, Pamela, that I had thought about being a pastor. Her response planted the seeds that would lead me to being ordained a deacon 40 years later. I felt the call again in 2013, but it was not the right time. In 2020, I attended a lecture by Dr. Chris Burgwald on what deacons do in the Church. The lecture took place a few days after Bishop DeGrood’s ordination. While on break, Father Terry Anderson asked if I had thought about being a deacon. This was a clear call to the diaconate, and I submitted a deacon formation application as the COVID pandemic started.
What did you do before the diaconate?
I still work for/with Knights of Columbus as the assistant general agent and have been with them for almost 20 years.
Is there a particular part of Catholicism that really fascinates you?
How God’s word is alive, and the Holy Spirit is working through the Church.
Who was most influential in your life?
My wife, Pamela.
What’s your favorite part of being a deacon?
Assisting in liturgies and seeing faith in action.
What’s the most challenging thing?
Integrating service and a life in Christ into all parts of my life.
Who is your go-to saint? Why?
Joan of Arc is the patron saint of soldiers and is unique in history as an illiterate teenager who completely changed her country’s history by leading that country through her witness and faith.
What do you do in your spare time?
My spare time is spent with my family.
What is something most people don’t know about you?
My favorite beach (hint: the southern coast of this place, which has a blue and yellow flag, used to be another country before 1658).
How can your parishioners and people of the diocese best help you be a great deacon?
Growing in prayer and understanding of holy Scripture.
If you could have supper with anyone from history (besides Jesus), who would it be and why?
Servant of God Nicholas Black Elk. I would ask why he greeted those he met by saying, “I have been waiting to see you,” and also ask about his thoughts on the unity of all peoples.
