Marge and Tom at the time of our ordination to the Diaconate in September, 1994.
The month of February is both a joyful month, with 3 of my grandchildren born during the month, and a month filled with sadness, 3 of my diaconal family dying during the month.
Tom and Marge at one of our gatherings much later
I composed this Psalm Offering as an ordination gift to Tom and Marge Semlak. Tom and Marge met at 3M. Tom working as a custodian, as I recall, and Marge an executive secretary. Tom was a strong, Polish Catholic, very orthodox in the way he lived his faith, a strict, by the rules man but at the same time a very loving man. Tom loved his kids and devoted himself to them, but as in most cases, Marge is the heart of the family. Tom has had his share of health difficulties throughout the years stemming largely from diabetes. In recent years, Marge’s health has also suffered. Tom passed away on the feast of the Immaculate Conception 2015. Marge died a little over 2 years later on February 1, 2018.
Prelude, Psalm Offering 4 Opus 5 (c) 1994, Robert Charles Wagner. All rights reserved.
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Deacon Bob
I am a composer, performer, poet, educator, spiritual director, and permanent deacon of the Catholic Church. I just recently retired after 42 years of full-time ministry in the Catholic Church. I continue to serve in the Church part-time. I have been blessed to be united in marriage to my bride, Ruth, since 1974. I am father to four wonderful adult children, and grandfather to five equally wonderful grandchildren. In my lifetime, I have received a B.A. in Music (UST), M.A. in Pastoral Studies (St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity, UST), Certified Spiritual Director. Ordained to the Permanent Diaconate for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, in 1991. Composer, musician, author, poet, educator. The Gospels drive my political choices, hence, leading me toward a more liberal, other-centered politics rather than conservative politics. The great commandment of Jesus to love one another as he has loved us, as well as the criteria he gives in Matthew 25 by which we are to be judged at the end of time directs my actions and thoughts.
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