A DEACON DAD WEARS MANY UNIFORMS

My clothing closet lineup is an interesting assortment. I have my:

Business wear (dress shirts and slacks, ties…)
Business Casual (Golf and polo shirts, etc.)
Construction site / durable clothing (jeans…)
Scout Uniforms
Athletic / Exercise attire
Clerical garb
At the church are my alb, cincture, stole and dalmatic, all worn as appropriate when serving at Mass or other liturgy.

Each “uniform” has its particular purpose(s) and worn at the appropriate times and places. While the lineup is not necessarily much different from many other dads’, the addition of the clerical shirts and collars was, for me anyway, the most conspicuous and thought-provoking for my wife and me.

Catholic Church Canon Law does not bind deacons to wear the customary clerical garb to the extent as required for priests. It is, however, customary in certain geographic areas (including my own Archdiocese of Atlanta) for deacons to wear clerical shirts with the Roman Collar when engaging in ministry. I do this whenever reasonably possible for several reasons including:

The Roman Collar provides clear identity when making pastoral visits outside the church property.
It provides comfort for many who are looking for some spiritual or theological guidance. I first realized this one day shortly after my ordination when (wearing a Roman Collar) I was standing with about 40 other people on the front street sidewalk outside a church in Atlanta, GA. About five minutes before we were to enter the church for mid-day Mass a gentlemen walking along the street spotted me and, in particular, the way I was dressed (again, in clericals), approached me and asked, “Can I talk with you for a moment?” Thanks be to God I was able to address his needs, offered some ideas and comfort and within just a couple of moments he was on his way, quite satisfied. Although I always remind myself that I am a deacon always and everywhere, I’m absolutely certain that the gentleman approached me because I was “dressed for ministry.”
It’s a “gateway to the sacraments”. Some examples:

Visitors or newcomers will frequently ask me questions pertaining the reception of the sacraments, either for themselves or loved ones.
People will from time to time ask me if they can “go to confession”. It’s a great opportunity for me to say, “I’m deacon Tom Gotschall. Let me find Father____________ for you. He may be available to hear your confession. And then I get to teach them in casual conversation that deacons are ordained clergy (for many, this fact comes as a surprise).
On a recent weekday, after leaving the church, I stopped into a grocery store on the way home. One of the store staff asked me, Can I ask you a question,? I was raised Catholic and think I may be an atheist. Would it be wrong for me to attend church”? Well let me simply say how HAPPY I WAS TO GET THAT QUESTION! Again, I’m certain that it was because I was wearing my clerical suit in ministry just prior to entering the store.

The common clerical “blacks” are definitely not a fashion statement but rather a duty. It’s not unlike the duty to wear my Scout uniform when at Boy Scout Camp, or to wear appropriate athletic garb when going out to play Ultimate Frisbee (or whatever is the sport of the day) or to have on jeans and work shirt when consulting on a construction site.

The best news is there is much joy for my family and me within each of the various roles in which I function. It’s a pleasure to share some of that joy in the photos below (wearing different uniforms.) All for the Glory of God!