Faithful Wish Deacon Wertin Well as he Departs for Seminary
VPG | Aug 19, 2013 | Comments 0

Deacon Henry Wertin (right) with Deacon Allan Medina (left) and Father Charles Sena (center) at a celebration honoring Wertin as he leaves Lamar to begin the process of becoming a Priest.
Southeast Colorado knows him as a father and chiropractor. Catholics in the area know him as Deacon. Now, Deacon Henry Wertin is starting a new journey as he begins formation to enter the Seminary and become a Priest for the Diocese of Pueblo. As he departs Lamar, the Parishioners of Lamar, Holly, Bristol, and Springfield came together for a celebration at St. Francis de Sales/Our Lady of Guadalupe on Saturday, August 17.
Wertin has been serving as a Deacon for St. Francis de Sales/Our Lady of Guadalupe since his ordination in 2000. His outreach expanded even further a few years ago when churches in Holly, Bristol, and Springfield were brought together with Lamar into one Catholic Community. “A deacon is called to serve. We all have our various ministries. Most people only see our service at the Altar, but there is a lot more,” said Deacon Allan Medina, who has served with Wertin.
Service to the area’s Faithful has been a focus for Wertin during his time as Deacon. Wertin assisted regularly with Mass at St. Francis de Sales, worked with Parish youth through religious education, led Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest, and served as business manager. That was only part of Wertin’s commitment to the Catholic Community of Southeast Colorado. Father Charles Sena said, “He has been very involved with homebound ministry visiting several people every week. He has worked very hard with Hospice serving as their Chaplin. Through Hospice, he has reached out to the whole community, not just Catholics.”
In his professional life, he is known as Dr. Wertin serving many years as a chiropractor in Lamar. Father Sena joked during a presentation at the celebration that he doesn’t know where he is going to go now to get himself straightened out.
Deacon Wertin will spend some time in Pueblo in Seminary formation before departing for a Seminary in either Wisconsin or Massachusetts. These two seminaries specialize in second career vocations. Deacon Wertin said, “This is bittersweet. This Parish is a family to me and I am going to miss them.” He added that he is answering God’s call to the Priesthood and is looking forward to what lies ahead for him.
Deacon Wertin will enter the Seminary with a family to support him. Deacon Wertin and his wife, Mary Beth, have 10 children. Mary Beth passed away as a result of traffic accident in 2004. Deacon Allan Medina said, “I believe most men who are deacons felt a calling to the Priesthood, but also heard a calling to the married life. His wife passed away tragically. For several years since, I believe he has heard that calling to the Priesthood return and is now heading that way.” The call to the Priesthood is nothing new to the Wertin family. His son, Matthew, is a Priest at Sacred Heart Parish in Avondale and also serves as the Chancellor for the Diocese of Pueblo. Another son, Carl, is currently in the Seminary.
He does leave Southeast Colorado with the well wishes of the entire Catholic Community. More than 150 parishioners from across the area gathered together for the celebration sendoff. The event included a potluck dinner, presentation, a blessing by Deacon Wertin for those in attendance, and a blessing by Father Sena for Wertin. Father Sena said, “He is still going to be part of our family of the Diocese of Pueblo and soon he will join me as brother priest.”
In a final message to the Faithful of Southeast Colorado, Wertin said, “Thank you for all you have done. Keep doing what you are doing and if you are able, just do a little bit more.”
###
Filed Under: Churches • community • Featured • Lamar • Prowers County
About the Author: