Deacon LaPointe threw his life's plans 'out the window,' took leap of faith to discern priesthood

By ROB HERBST
The Catholic Week
MOBILE – Newly-ordained Deacon Thomas LaPointe is again emulating his grandfather.
LaPointe wore bow ties when he worked in the corporate world for Publix in Lakeland, Fla., and at times during seminary. He picked that signature look up from his grandfather, Arthur Eccleston, a former New York architectural consultant who wore bow ties because “regular ties would get in his way when he was working at his drafting table.” 
Eccleston, who died in 2008, also happened to be a deacon and now so is his grandson – ordained to the transitional diaconate June 4 during Mass celebrated by Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi at the Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception.
“Certainly now, I’m sure he would be proud of me for being where I am,” Deacon LaPointe said. “Overall his largest impact on me was his modeling of being a beloved member of the community.”
Of course, LaPointe may go one step further. While his grandfather was a permanent deacon for the Archdiocese of New York, God-willing, LaPointe will be ordained to the priesthood in 2023. 
Deacon LaPointe’s ordination came after entering seminary in 2017 and he also took the road less traveled. The 33-year-old Montgomery native didn’t enter seminary until his late 20s and had to step away from a career and seemingly comfortable lifestyle in order to do so.
Archbishop Rodi acknowledged this bold step in his homily.
“Your road to sitting here before me today has had its twists and turns,” Archbishop Rodi said. “Unlike some, you did not enter seminary immediately after high school or college. I am confident that the transition from the business world to seminary has had its challenges. … Thank you for your openness to the call of God. Trusting in God, you have said yes to God’s call.”
LaPointe acknowledged leaving his career for seminary was “a terrifying idea.”
“The challenge for me in leaving my job and new home meant taking the carefully thought out plans I had made for myself and throwing them and the progress I had made out the window,” he said.  
He added: “I thought of the prophet Elisha, who was a farmer. When Elijah called him, he slaughtered his oxen and burned the plowing equipment to cook them and gave the meat to the people. There was no going back for him and I felt that if I left, there would be no going back for me either.”
With his ordination, Deacon LaPointe can celebrate the sacrament of Baptism, witness marriages, read the Gospel and preach at Mass. He proclaimed the Gospel at Sunday Mass on June 5 at the Cathedral.
Much comes with being ordained a deacon, but Archbishop Rodi also encouraged Deacon LaPointe to remember the vow of obedience, which he took soon after the homily.
“You will be a man chosen to exercise authority to God’s people through services to them. You will also be a man under authority,” he said. 
“Thomas, just do what the Church asks. It is in doing that where we will find the will of the Father. Jesus teaches us in the Gospel passage today, whoever does the will of the heavenly father is my brother, sister and mother.”