LCC Parishioners Bid Farewell To Deacon Grode

The parishioners of the Lynnfield Catholic Collaborative held a farewell brunch for Deacon Patrick Grode on Sunday, April 15. Deacon Patrick served as a transitional deacon at St. Maria Goretti and Our Lady of the Assumption parishes for the past nine months while finishing his studies at Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary in Weston. This month, he is leaving for his ordination to the priesthood in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

The parishioners of SMG and OLA enjoyed getting to know Deacon Patrick during his time in Lynnfield. Although he adjusted well to life in Massachusetts during his seminary days here, he stayed true to his Midwest roots and a friendly sports rivalry was often the topic of conversation after Masses. As a parting gift, a parishioner gave him a Red Sox baseball cap, which Deacon Patrick graciously accepted and in exchange, gave the parishioner a Minnesota Vikings scarf!

Once the word got out that Deacon Patrick had some experience in theater productions in his pre-seminary days, the congregants couldn't let him leave without hearing him sing a few songs from the musical Oklahoma! He good-naturedly acquiesced and the parishioners returned the favor by sending him off with their own rendition of "South Dakota!"

Photos by Marie Lagman: Barbara and John Meuse holding up the Minnesota Vikings scarf given by Deacon Patrick Grode, while the deacon dons the Red Sox baseball cap given by the Meuses; Deacon Patrick Grode sharing his singing talents.