Meet Deacon Michael Katilus

He calls himself a “revert” to the faith, someone who leaves then returns to the Catholic Church. His wife is a convert. Together they get fired up for the faith.

“In 2019, prior to her being brought into the Church, I had this idea (to become a permanent deacon) and I thought I’d just share it with other people and they’d poo poo it or tell me that I was crazy,” explained Deacon Michael Katilus, 43. “It was the opposite effect. I had quite a few priests say they thought I’d be great at it. At the time too, my wife was very supportive and told me she thinks it’d make a good fit.”

The call came in a mixed form of wanting to grow closer to the Lord, and also seeing a need to bring others closer as well.

“Part of the feel to the call was combined with noticing the need and growing in deeper relationship and intimacy with the Lord,” he said.

Early on in the formation process, all deacon candidates received a book called “The Heart of the Diaconate: Communion with the Servant Mysteries of Christ,” by Deacon James Keating, which outlines the qualities a deacon must possess.

“It helped blossom the idea. That was a big piece to it,” he said. “I started reading some of his literature, just feeling more connected to his writings. And having continual support and inspiration from clergy, from the brotherhood of the diaconate. Those are key points.”

He admits the lectures and textbook learning was difficult for him. A black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Deacon Katilus leans more towards the physical self.

“It was difficult. I’m not a serious intellectual, I suppose,” he said. “I’ve been out of school since 2007. So, a lot of it was starting anew. I’m not very tech savvy either. The switch to Zoom was a challenge. But on the other end of it too, I knew to pace myself. I drew a map through my youth and my journey through martial arts. I never lost sight.”

He uses a quote from St. Francis de Sales for inspiration. “Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections, but instantly set about remedying them – every day begin the task anew.”

Deacon Katilus and his wife, Joy, have three young children. Diaconal study allowed him an opportunity to lead by example in raising his children in the faith.

“That’s probably the greatest blessing and an unexpected one. My children are well formed in the faith. We have a good domestic church. We pray together regularly. I’m seeing fruits in each one of my children that I did not expect. My 2-year-old son kisses the cross every night before he goes to bed.”

His 11-year-old son serves at Mass. His daughter has a passion for doing breakfast with the parish; being of service where she can. “It’s been incredibly fruitful,” Deacon Katilus said.

Away from the church, he works as a family support specialist for Buffalo Public Schools and is the owner of Lake Effect Martial Arts in Depew. He finds similarities between martial arts and the Catholic faith.

“There’s a lot of overlap actually,” he said. “The discipline piece is huge. I think that’s what helped with the education process. You learn to pace yourself. You learn to stay somewhat orderly in your emotional response or your physical intensity. You’re also able to appreciate that sometimes you have to make smaller circles to make bigger steps ahead.”

He agrees with his classmates that the best way to develop a strong faith life is by prayer. Here referred to the Latin axiom “lex orandi, lex credendi, lex vivendi.”

“The law of prayer governs the law of belief, so begin with prayer. Start with that. Seek community. Don’t be afraid to rebuild if you need to set some boundaries in life and find like-minded people who are going to want to foster the good in you,” he said.