September 16, 2009

Deacon to be first recipient of Bakhita-Drexel Award

By Julie Filby

The archdiocese’s Office of Black Catholic Ministry will begin recognizing a person each year for their service to the black Catholic community. The first St. Josephine Bakhita and St. Katharine Drexel Award will be presented at a dinner on Oct. 2 at St. Ignatius Loyola Parish in Denver.

Sts. Josephine Bakhita and Katherine Drexel, the office’s patron saints, were known for their steadfast faith, leadership and dedication to the Church (see sidebar)—just like inaugural award recipient Deacon Guffie Menogan of St. Ignatius Loyola.

“Saints challenge us to ask ourselves: ‘What have I done for God lately?’” said Mary Leisring, director for the office. “Deacon Guffie is always looking for ways to build up the kingdom of God—and not only to do his part, but to encourage others to do theirs.”

Deacon Menogan has spent the majority of his 80 years evangelizing and serving others. Following a career of more than 30 years with the post office, he was ordained to the diaconate in 1996. He was the first deacon assigned to St. Ignatius Loyola, the same church where he converted to Catholicism in his early 20s. He served the community in many ways, including building the marriage preparation program, performing baptisms, taking Communion to parishioners, and visiting the sick and elderly. In addition, he has been a volunteer with the Rocky Mountain Stroke Association, Salvation Army, a Catholic emergency assistance center, the RCIA program and various food banks.

He is described as a man of great humility and inspiration by brother deacons. Deacon Clarence McDavid of Cure d’Ars Parish in Denver has known Deacon Menogan for 30 years.

“Guffie never thought he had what it takes to be a deacon,” he explained. “He would look at others and perceive their talents—but couldn’t see the gifts that were uniquely his: a strong sense of spirituality, a deep love and understanding of Scripture and a profound love of marriage.”

Deacon Menogan’s love of marriage stemmed from his 53-year marriage to his late wife, Alleyne, who he always called “his bride.” The couple had six children, 13 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

In addition to many blessings, it was also Deacon Menogan’s struggles that helped form his spiritual leadership style. In 1982, he suffered a massive stroke that paralyzed the left side of his body and left him unable to speak. He regained his speech by reading the names from the Old Testament, over and over for months, while looking in a mirror and exaggerating the vowel sounds. He has walked with a cane since suffering the stroke.

“Deacon Guffie brings hope to others who struggle physically, mentally or spiritually,” Leisring said. “He has never lost faith, even when there was darkness in his life.”
Deacon John Smith, director of diaconate formation and one of his former professors, agreed.

“Formation seemed a little more demanding than Guffie was prepared for,” said Deacon Smith. “But he had an internal strength that can best be described as the manifestation of God’s grace.

“Though he was still recovering (from the stroke) and using a cane to get around, Guffie was at peace. He knew God was calling him to serve as a deacon—he had a quiet trust in God that many men do not achieve.”

In addition to a catered dinner and award presentation by Deacon McDavid, the award presentation event will feature a program on Sts. Josephine Bakhita and Katharine Drexel by Leisring; and Deacon Joseph Donahoe, director of deacon personnel, will speak about the diaconate program.

All proceeds raised by the event will be used to stimulate evangelization and expand projects in the black Catholic community.

Bakhita-Drexel Award Dinner

What: Dinner, speakers and award presentation
When: 6-8 p.m. Oct. 2
Where: Brady Hall, St. Ignatius Loyola Church, 2301 York St., Denver
Tickets: $10 per person or $15 for couples
RSVP: By Sept. 21 at 303-715-3165 or e-mail Mary.Leisring@archden.org