Deacon Michael Parker

“There’s always been those hints of grace that have been coming throughout all my life,” said Deacon Michael Parker about his vocational journey to becoming a permanent deacon for the Diocese of Baton Rouge.

A native of Baton Rouge and cradle Catholic, Deacon Parker was baptized and grew up in Sts. Anthony and LeVan Phung Church in Baton Rouge. He was an altar server at the church and admittedly “drawn to the Mass.” 

He attended St. Francis Xavier School and Bishop Sullivan High, now St. Michael the Archangel High School, both in Baton Rouge. 

During his younger years Deacon Parker was often found on the football field, playing the game or playing in the stands as a band member.

Deacon Parker studied finance at LSU and pursued a career in finance, working at a credit union where he became a senior branch manager.

But the call of the diaconate was always there, one that became stronger when JaMicah, the oldest daughter of Deacon Parker and his wife, JaVaunda, recovered from difficult experienced at birth. 

It was then Deacon Parker knew God was calling him to become a permanent deacon.

Along with JaMicah, who is now seven, the Parkers are also parents to daughter Michaela, 4.

Deacon Parker left his financial career and became a youth minister at Holy Rosary Church in St. Amant and entered the diaconate formation program.

Some of the challenges for Deacon Parker included juggling his roles as husband, father and youth minister among other things. He studied after family time and the girls had gone to bed.

“My wife caught me so many times laying on the floor with my head either in the Bible or falling asleep while reading a theological book,” said Deacon Parker, a sheepish grin on his face.

He believes his theological studies have strengthened his relationships.

“You’re constantly studying the teachings of the church and, Scripturally … the word is alive and it transforms you completely to make you want to be better. It makes you want to be a man of virtue,” said Deacon Parker.

He also entered a brotherhood with his fellow classmates, who made it possible for him to be ordained this year.

The youngest of his class, Deacon Parker was 33 years old as the originally scheduled ordination date of June 12 approached. A married deacon candidate must be 35 years-old to be ordained. 

The bishop can dispense one year, so Father Jamin David, head of the diaconate formation program, asked his peers if they wanted to postpone ordination until Aug. 14, following Deacon Parker’s 34th birthday. They had to unanimously agree, which they did.

Deacon Parker is enthusiastically embraced at Holy Rosary, where he serves with youthful energy, but now as deacon, as well as chaplain at his alma matter as assistant chaplain.

“There’s no way that you can’t fall in love or do your ministry without loving the people that come here,” said Deacon Parker.