It was a long road that took Dennis Donahue from his home in Union Springs to Sacred Heart Cathedral in Rochester on May 30.

But it was a long journey of much more than miles. It was a journey of faith and growth that earned Donahue his ordination as a deacon in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester - an experience that was both moving and inspiring for Donahue.

“It was awesome,” Donahue said. “It was a beautiful ceremony. It was four years of study, but it takes much more than that, it takes a lifetime and a commitment. My wife and I have four daughters, all grown, and they were all at the ceremony.

“Usually it is the parents who are there and saying they are so proud of their children, but they were all there and telling me how proud they were of me. It was a really special experience.”

Donahue, who has called Union Springs home for more than 23 years, had a great deal of inspiration that inspired him to enter into the position of deacon. Perhaps one of the greatest inspirations was the Rev. Albert Shamon.

Shamon, who died in 2003, was a priest at St. Isaac Jogues Church in Fleming, where Donahue attended until it closed.

Donahue, who is now a member of St. Francis of Assisi Church in Auburn, said that Shamon was an inspiration and a mentor.

“He always walked the walk,” Donahue said. “He was a great priest and an exceptional example of a good Christian.”

Donahue said that initially he felt the call into service of the church in 2000 and often discussed the idea with Shamon, who encouraged Donahue to pursue that call.

But it was not until after Shamon's passing that Donahue fully made the commitment to begin the process of becoming a deacon.

“In 2003,” Donahue said. “I felt that it was time to make it happen.”

Donahue discussed the idea with his wife, Cindy, and in 2004 he began the extensive process of interviews that is a beginning step to becoming an ordained deacon.

Donahue said that the first - and perhaps most important - step was to take the time to pray on his decision.

“I prayed,” Donahue said. “I prayed and thought about if it was really worth all the work.”

The answer, Donahue found, was a resounding yes.

After this, he applied to the program through St. Bernard's School of Theology and Ministry in Rochester, beginning the path of a master's degree in pastoral studies.

But before he began his studies, Donahue went through an extensive evaluation process; along with his wife, he went through three interviews, where he expressed why he wanted to become a deacon, as well as undergoing testing, a psychological review and the writing of an autobiography.

After this battery of tests, Donahue was able to begin his studies.

Through technology that has made distance learning readily available to most everyone, Donahue said he was able to do most of his studies, commuting to Rochester once in a while over the course of his four years of study that went year-round.

“It was about the whole person,” Donahue said. “The studies focused on the spiritual, the physical and the psychological.”

In the summer gaps between school years, Donahue, along with working his regular full-time job, focused on various aspects of service for school, spending time with Franciscan Friars, working with the chaplain at Auburn Memorial Hospital and working with Cornell Catholic Community at Cornell University.

After completing his studies, Donahue, along with the other six students with whom he was ordained and their spouses, were asked to go on a retreat, reflect on their experiences and search further to see if becoming a deacon was something they truly wished to pursue.

“It was time with each other and time with God,” Donahue said. “We went on a guided retreat and we were all asked to ask if this was really for me.”

Again, the answer came back yes.

After reaching this decision, Donahue and his six classmates all received their ordination.

As a deacon, Donahue has made a commitment that is lifelong.

“I'm always a deacon,” Donahue said. “I'm not just a deacon 10 hours a week. This is a big commitment; it is something that I always am. As a deacon we are the ones who reach out and bring the church and God - God is always there - to people in need.”

Donahue has yet to receive his assignment, but he said that he will know by July 1 and that he will be in service in Cayuga or northern Tompkins County.

In his new role, he hopes to bring a great deal to those he is there to serve.

“I want to be a servant to the servants,” Donahue said. “This is all about working with those in need of help and bringing them the resources they need and giving them the foundation to build upon.”