Diocese of Covington - Messenger at 402 E. 21st Street, Covington, KY 41015 US - Deacon to 'bring people to Christ'

Seven years is not forever — it’s just seemed that way for Robert Rottgers. Now, within a few weeks, he’ll achieve his goal of serving as a priest for the Diocese of Covington. His path has been nothing if not unusual.

He was married for 15 years and has a son and three grandchildren. After the death of his wife in 2001 he converted to Catholicism. Now at age 52 he is preparing to be ordained by Bishop Roger Foys along with three other deacons in ceremonies in the Cathedral May 30 at 10 a.m. All are invited.

“It took a long time to get here,” Deacon Rottgers says. He sees his priestly vocation as his “second mission in life” (after caring for his wife). “You’re preparing for the final goal … you are just hoping you are worthy and capable of doing what you’ve been trained to do.”

He studied for three years at the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus and for four years at St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein, Illinois. He was ordained to the transitional diaconate last year, a step that he calls “the point of no return.”

As a deacon he has been able to assist at Mass, preach, and administer some sacraments, like baptism. But he gained something else, a growing sense of identity as an ordained minister. He was “out in public and learning how people react to you,” as he put it. His diaconate experience has given him a glimpse of what it will mean to be, and be seen as, a priest.

His understanding of priestly identity, still in its formative stages, will deepen as he begins his ministry in June. He knows now that a priest is a “servant, a good shepherd, helping people on their road to salvation.”

A priest “takes on what Christ has instilled in the world … doing Christ’s work here, to bring people to Christ so they can come into heaven,” Deacon Rottgers said, adding that the Mass and the sacrament of reconciliation, among the other sacraments, are the “means to do that.”

The image of the Good Shepherd, willing to lay down his life if need be for his flock, has been an inspiration for him during recent months. Like the Good Shepherd, the priest candidate “has the free will to enter into the priesthood, or not,” Deacon Rottgers said. “I am really choosing to enter the priesthood, to take care of a flock, of a parish, … to provide spiritual formation.”

Deacon Rottgers believes that a strong foundation for his identity as a priest and shepherd stems from his summer service and internship at three parishes during his seminary years: Mary, Queen of Heaven, Erlanger; St. John, Carrollton; and St. Catherine of Siena, Ft. Thomas. He has learned much from the parishioners, office staff, and other behind-the-scenes people.
Especially influential have been the three pastors, Father Richard Wurth, Father Gerald Reinersman and Father Stef Bankemper, respectively. He cites their personal skills, pastoral warmth, their spirituality, their openness to serving all of their people, their understanding of the priesthood. They are “great inspirations, great examples” of what it takes to be an effective shepherd, Deacon Rottgers says.

He has very kind words for Bishop Foys, especially for his “patience with us (seminarians), his dedication to us.”

Deacon Rottgers entered the seminary in August 2002, just a month after Bishop Foys’ ordination as bishop and installation in the diocese. “I watched him go through the (sex abuse) scandal issue and how all that transpired. The pastoral aspect he took to the people was a really great example of what we should be doing, what we are about … to see the hurt and take care of that hurt.”

Also, Diocese of Covington seminarians are lucky, Deacon Rottgers says, because “we have easy communication with the bishop and he knows us individually. … He’s been very outgoing, accommodating and available — that has made a big difference.” Deacon Rottgers also praised the weeklong retreat every summer hosted by Bishop Foys. “We have this connection to (him), (a chance) to build a bond with him and also among the seminarians.”

To the people of the diocese Deacon Rottgers says he appreciates “their dedication to the Church and their support of all the seminarians. I have experienced, and the other seminarians, too, such an outpouring of love, almost a gratitude we are doing this (becoming priests) for them. Their love and support has been outstanding and, at times, almost overwhelming. I look forward to doing what I’ve been trained to do …”

Deacon Rottgers’ first Mass of Thanksgiving is scheduled for 11:30 a.m., May 31, at St. Catherine of Siena Church, Ft. Thomas. Father Reinersman will be the homilist. All are invited.

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