Deacon Eric Simontis was ordained a permanent deacon by Most Rev. Wilton D. Gregory, Archbishop of Washington on June 22, 2019 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC.

I entered into formation in Atlanta under Archbishop Gregory, who is now our Archbishop in Washington. However, after completing three years of formation, I received a call about the job here in DC. When I came to DC for my interviews, I went to a church in DC, which had a 5:30 PM mass. I don’t remember much of the mass, but in the priest’s homily, he said the words “You have to change if you want to become holy.” I told my wife, Kathy, about that and she said “We’re going to Washington, aren’t we!” 
 
We left Atlanta and agreed that I would put formation to the diaconate on hold until we were re-settled in Maryland and I was able to re-discern my vocation. Actually, the discernment didn’t take all that long. Kathy and I knew that, being in formation, helped us focus on our faith. So, I re-entered formation here in DC. 

We have been here since 2016 and have attended St. Mary of the Mills, but Kathy and I knew that we would end up at St. Nicholas. Not that anyone told us, but we just had that feeling that God was going to move us again. As you can tell, he has done that a lot with us!
 
I am so very blessed that I can share my faith both at work and here, with the parishioners of St. Nicholas. My wife Kathy and I are so happy to be here. After our first week with St. Nicholas, I can tell you one thing – I have never seen quite so many people smile at church. Father Mel (Pastor, 2017-2020) shared with us that St. Nicholas Parish was an incredible, faith-filled and joyous community. And you know what? He was right. 
 
Kathy and I look forward to getting to know our new family.