Editor’s note: The following is the final story of a three-part series

ORLANDO | Deacon Bob Pleus served as a deacon for 21 years before his passing in 2021. His witness of a devout life leaves a legacy of conversion and awakening to diaconate vocation.

“My whole life, my mom and dad were very instrumental in our faith journey,” said Michael Pleus, one of Deacon Bob Pleus’ six children who is currently in his discernment year of the diaconate program. As a child, Michael thought he wanted to become a priest. Distracted from that call during his high school and college years, Michael said his father’s ordination reignited the desire to serve.

“I remember when he was ordained as a deacon, I thought, maybe this is something I can do. Maybe I’m being called to the diaconate,” he recalled.

Michael was 30 when his father was ordained late in life, at the age of 64, in 2000. That same year, Michael went on a mission to Guayabal, Dominican Republic, and was moved by the joy of the people there.

He returned to the states committed to becoming more involved in the church. At the time, his wife, Vickie was on her own ongoing spiritual journey. Baptized Lutheran, Vickie was confirmed Presbyterian, joined a Methodist church in high school, became an evangelical in college and had returned to the Methodist church by the time she and Michael married. Her constant desire to seek the truth only deepened as she watched her father-in-law live out his vocation.

“Because he was the patriarch of the family and a strong father figure, not only to his own children but to people like me, who were the in-laws, I felt a very paternal love from him,” Vickie said. “And because he was able to establish that relationship with me as a person, I feel I was more open to watch him demonstrate his love of the Lord through his position as a deacon. He loved me before I became Catholic and that’s likely why I was more interested in paying attention to how he lived his Catholic faith.”

She noticed his presence and actions as his children and grandchildren received the Sacraments of Matrimony, Baptism, and First Holy Communion and it revealed to her their importance, their truth, and their beauty.

“It’s how people live their life,” Vickie said. “You wonder why they’re so passionate about this faith they claim as theirs. How do they demonstrate their love for other people? I just needed a home base. Michael’s family, with Bob at the helm, provided that home base for me to start and flourish.”

In 2006, after going through the Rite of Catholic Initiation of Adults and much rigorous study and reading on her own regarding Catholicism, Vickie became Catholic.

Michael recalled how she had a big influence on his own formation. He said they both “started talking more about it and living God’s truth every day.” Deacon Pleus, being the spiritual leader of their family, encouraged that.

It wasn’t until 2019 Michael really felt called to formation. But Vickie switched jobs and the timing was just not right.

“But my dad and I had a lot of really great conversation about that,” Michael said. “He was really a great mentor when it came to my discernment and formation. I appreciated that because it can be a confusing process figuring out what the Lord wants you to do. It’s not like he writes it down on a memo and says, ‘Here you go. Be a deacon.’”

When the opportunity rolled around in 2021, again Michael wanted to join the diaconate program, but Deacon Pleus had just passed, and the loss hit Michael hard.

“It was difficult for me when my dad passed, being that he was the spiritual leader of the family and trying to take up that mantle,” Michael said. “He would probably tell you the greatest concern he had in dying was his kids and their faith. He always viewed the gift of faith as the greatest gift he could give us. That was always on his mind and all he thought about in his last days — making sure we stayed on that path.”

He recalled his father’s favorite verse, Jn 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only son that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life.”

“He was trying to convey to me why it’s so important. It’s about eternal life and being in heaven. The only path there is through Jesus. I still get choked up talking about it,” Michael said.

Michael is grateful for the time he had to discuss his vocation and discernment with his dad while he was alive. Currently in his discernment year for the diaconate, Michael said he finally understands what his father was trying to tell him, that the spiritual journey is a process.

When he gets bogged down and doubtful, asking why God chose him, his wife Vickie assures him God equips the called. She reminds him of the many signs God provided thus far. She said the Holy Spirit has constantly been tugging on Michael’s heart. She believes that God has called them together to this new chapter.

“Because I’d had so many different Protestant faith backgrounds, I was so passionate when I found the original, the true Church of Jesus Christ — the one that Jesus founded,” Vickie said. “So, my passion paired with Michael’s initial love of the Church, plus seeing his dad, it all came to be the perfect cocktail for Michael to pursue it further. I’m hopeful that we can continue the legacy that Bob started within our own family.”

By Glenda Meekins of the Florida Catholic staff, October 3, 2024