It must have been a couple of years ago now, but I was on a recruiting trip in Montana for the St. John's School of Theology here in Collegeville, MN. I had known Deacon Mark for several years, first as a student in my class at St. John's and then as a fellow Deacon in the St. Cloud Diocese. I decided to stop in at Mark's office to say hello and find out more about the diaconate program in Montana. It is hard to overstate how warm and gracious Deacon Mark was on that visit. He gave me a tour of the town and the church in which he served, we chatted and laughed about the challenges of ministry and administration. I remember coming away from my visit with the thought that Deacon Mark was a pure gem, a gift to the Church and all of those around him.  We so often forget that it is those small kindnesses, the quick smile, the excellent joke, that lifts the spirits of the Saints and brings people to know Christ. Deacon Mark now rests with the Christ he served and loved with his whole heart.  Lux perpetua luceat ei. 

Deacon Charles Bobertz

Professor of Theology

St. John's School of Theology and Seminary