Meet our future deacons

Christopher Rainbolt

Name: Christopher Rainbolt
Age: 61
Wife: Barbra Rainbolt
Home Parish: St. Michael Parish in Bradford
Occupation: Retired firefighter
 

Who are the important role models in your life of faith?

Aside from my parents and grandparents, the person who had the biggest impact was Msgr. Louis Marchino. He was my priest in grade school when I was an altar server. He only would accept your best. After Mass, he would be the first to say, “great job” or the first to ask “What happened?” I still think of him often.
 

What are your favorite Scripture verses, saints, prayers and devotions?

My favorite Scripture passage is Acts 9:1-30, the conversion of St. Paul.

“He began at once to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. All who heard him were astounded and said, ‘Is not this the man who in Jerusalem ravaged those who call upon this name, and came here expressly to take them back in chains to the chief priests?’ ” (Acts 9:20-21) It speaks to me of the salvation that is possible for each of us. Here, a man who persecuted Christians was changed. We hear of his missions by the many letters and churches he formed in the name of Christ.
 

Deacons often minister, formally or informally, to others in the workplace. How have you experienced that already and what do you anticipate doing in the future?

As a firefighter, we respond to a lot of tragedies. As word began to circulate of my pursuit of being ordained a deacon, I would be asked to say a prayer or to provide comfort just by my presence. Since my retirement, I still get phone calls from firefighters wanting to talk about situations they’ve had to respond to.
 

Why do you feel that God is calling you to become a deacon?

Service has always been a high priority for me, from my career goals to my family life and community. I’ve always looked for ways to make someone feel that they matter. We have all had times in our life when we needed help. The job of a deacon is just that, to help those in their time of need, with a smile, just as Christ instructed us to do.
 

How will being ordained a deacon have an impact on your life and family?

I am very blessed to have a family that has been so supportive of my decision to pursue being ordained a deacon. I know that they will continue to support me. I look forward to being able to celebrate both the sacraments and my ministry of service with them.
 

How do you hope to serve through your life and ministry as a deacon?

By being a good husband and father to my family. I look forward to my parish becoming a part of my extended family. And I hope that new relationships will flourish through my ministries. I hope to learn more about myself and God’s plan for me. †