By Karina Fabian

Deacon Ronald Fournier was one of the first deacons ordained in the Helena Diocese, and as such has seen the program – and his own feelings about the work – grow from uncertainty to real commitment.

While Deacon Ron said he’d always been active in the Church, his faith life “turned around” when he took part in the Cursillo movement over 40 years ago. “It put some spark into my faith life,” he said.

With that spark came a desire to get even more involved. With his wife, Betty, he served on parish councils and coordinated the Cursillo movement at the diocesan level. This dedication led their parish priest and Sister Sharon Smith to suggest they enroll in the lay formation program. Father Gene Peoples took it from there. “Father Gene was going to start up a deacon class, so he called and asked if I would be interested in continuing on. I told him I was kind of interested, but didn’t know,” he said.

With a summer to think it over, he prayed and discussed it with Betty, then took Father Peoples’advice to try the classes and just take things a week at a time. Even so, he was unsure. “Right up until the very last moment, I was undecided. I kept praying about the whole thing. Then out of the clear blue, the Lord called me to the ministry and I said, ‘Yes’ to him. When I was ordained, it was one of the most grace-filled moments of my life, but even afterward, I wasn’t sure I was deacon material,” he said.

There was some uncertainty, too, among priests about just what to do with this “deacon material.” It didn’t take long, however, for the deacons to show their stuff. “Many of the priests didn’t know what we could do or what role we should play, but with the wonderful training of Father Peoples, we were able to do our roles well and soon the priests were very pleased with their deacons. The bishops also appreciated us. We do things the priests don’t have time to do,” he said.

Deacon Fournier has also grown comfortable with his calling. He currently serves with Father Ed Courtney at St. John’s Parish in Butte. He’s on call one week a month for emergencies, does homilies and “lots of funerals for funeral homes, wakes and interments” as well as other duties for the parish. He said that Betty plays a big role in his ministry as well. “Without her support, I wouldn’t have been able to do my job as a deacon. More than anything, she offers me absolute support and prayer.” Betty is also involved in prison ministry.

“She’s wonderful with people. She’d be a better deacon than I am. She’s a wonderful, faith-filled woman with a wonderful relationship with our Lord,” he said.

The Fourniers have five grown children: Ron, Julie (Brinton), Kevin, Steven, and Dan. They have 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Deacon Fournier is semi-retired, still helping out at the painting business he has passed on to his sons.


Published in The Montana Catholic, Vol. 24, No. 5, May 16, 2008.