Sacred Heart is blessed with 40 years of service On October 1, 2016, Deacon Larry Fussman will celebrate his 40th jubilee as a permanent deacon at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Larry was ordained to the ministry October 1, 1976 at Sacred Heart by Bishop Francis Reh, and has served all of his years with our parish, which is a Saginaw Diocese record. A native son of St. Joseph’s Parish in Beal City, Larry attended Beal City High School and St. Joseph’s Seminary before joining the U.S. Air Force. During his four years of military ser-vice, he attended Phoenix University, then Central Michigan University. Over the years and during his deaconate service, he has con-tinued his education at St. Paul’s School of Re-ligious Studies. Although he originally studied for the priesthood, Larry said he did not feel the call to the priestly life. “Family life meant very much to me and I felt a strong call to that vo-cation as well,” he said. This is evidenced in his 54-year marriage to wife, Kathy, and their 3 children, Roger (Kim), Jeff (Karen) and Lori (Doug), 5 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. In the early ‘70s, as a result of the Vatican II renewal, the role of the permanent deacon was restored in the American Church. It was a vital and active role, and one Larry could em-

brace. At that time, acceptance in the pro-gram required him to get approval from his home parish (Beal City) and his current parish (Sacred Heart). Both offered wholehearted support. A deacon is called primarily as a minister of service and charity. He is called to live the cor-poral works of mercy: feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, visit the sick, visit the impris-oned, bury the dead and reach out to the less fortunate. His ministry at the altar and the sacramental life of the church are extensions or culminations of his service and charity min-istry. Over the years, Larry says what he has found most rewarding in his service is being at the bedside and providing comfort to the sick, because of the sense of peace people receive. He also enjoys all the celebrations of Mass, whether it be marriages, baptisms or the cele-bration of life at funerals. Larry has celebrated countless sacraments and considers himself fortunate to be part of each one. He has made lifetime friendships not only with Sacred Heart parishioners, but with the many pastors and assistant pastors who have served here as well. Larry also served nine years on the Lay Ministries Board for the Sagi-naw Diocese. Outside the church, and espe-cially since his retirement from his career at the U.S. Post Office, Larry has also been active

Larry Fussman to celebrate

in the local communi-ty, volunteering at the Commission on Aging with the Meals on

Wheels program, working for Habitat for Hu-manity and United Way. He is also a former member of the local Lions Club and the Junior Chamber of Commerce. To say Sacred Heart Parish has been blessed by his service over the years is an understate-ment. Our church and school are better be-cause of his personal involvement and all the investments of his time, treasure and talent. Because the parish celebrated his 25th anni-versary in a big way, Larry has declined a party for his 40th jubilee. He welcomes cards and notes of congratulations, which may be sent to the office (302 S. Kinney, Mt. Pleasant 48858) or to his home (1219 Glenwood, Mt. Pleasant 48858). Larry will also be preaching at the Masses the weekend of October 1/2 and welcomes the opportunity to greet parishion-ers and friends after Mass.

DEACON LARRY FUSSMAN For additional photos,

see reverse of page

40th Anniversary

Photo Review

AT LEFT, Larry and Kathy Fussman are pictured

with their children (from left) Lori, Roger and Jeff,

in 1976 on the day of Larry’s ordination as a

Deacon. ABOVE, the family celebrates Larry and

Kathy’s 50th wedding anniversary in by capturing

a photo together. From left in that photo, Jeff,

Roger and Lori surround their parents.

IN PICTURES FROM THE ORDINATION CEREMONY, Larry is shown receiving the rite

of ordination from Bishop Francis Reh (with Reverend Cornelius MacEachin on the

left); and In the photo on the right, laying prostrate during the opening procession

as a symbol of his humility and willingness to do God’s will.

WITH THE SUPPORT OF HIS ENTIRE FAMILY, Larry accepted the Deacon role.

On the day of his ordination, he was pictured with siblings, from left, George,

Steve, Bill, Jack, (Larry), his Mother Ida, Patrick, Mary, Mike and Tom. Since the

picture, Bill, Jack, Ida, Pat and Tom have died. Larry’s father, Joe, died one year

prior to his ordination, but was able to attend some of Larry’s admission rites

events.

For additional photos from the 1976 Ordination Ceremony,

visit www.sha.net add address!

Photo by James Schafer Photography

Ordination photos by Bob Pulver, Guys & Dolls Photography of Mt. Pleasant