Deacon James Westwater, a fixture at St. Isaac Jogues and in diaconal formation, dies at 85

Deacon James Dennis Westwater, who served St. Isaac Jogues in Carney for 22 years and helped cultivate new generations of permanent deacons through the archdiocesan diaconate formation program, died Sept. 18 in Belleair, Fla. He was 85. 

Ordained in 1996, Deacon Westwater served throughout his time in Baltimore at St. Isaac Jogues, where former pastors and staff remembered him for his heart for service and his good spirit.

“He was a wonderful parishioner and deacon,” said Father Martin “Marty” Hammond, who mentored Deacon Westwater after he was ordained deacon and worked with him for 18 years at St. Isaac Jogues as his pastor. “He was very giving, very talented and high energy. He could run circles around five people. He had a great work ethic.”

Deacon Westwater was active in the St. Vincent de Paul social outreach program, according to Father Steven Roth, current director of vocations for the Archdiocese of Baltimore and a former pastor of St. Isaac Jogues from 2015 to 2018.

“Deacon Jim would begin the ministry with a prayer service, say a joke or so, and then give out food,” Father Roth said, “It was not just passing out food, but he would engage, and added an element of dignity.”

Father Roth said Deacon Westwater avoided the spotlight and preferred having a one-on-one connection with people.

According to Father Roth, Deacon Westwater would follow up with unique cases in the parish, such as the loss of a loved one, a house fire or other tragedies.

“He was incredibly caring for the poor and marginalized,” Father Roth said, adding that Deacon Westwater was also a great preacher who offered insightful homilies. 

“He would always include a bit of challenge,” Father Roth said, “but as a father or grandfather would, in an attempt to move the congregation a step farther in their faith.”

Richard “Rick” Balog, parish manager at St. Isaac Jogues, said Deacon Westwater lived his faith by example and through service. Balog remembers Deacon Westwater greeting people in the office every morning with a big smile to say hello and offer a few words of encouragement.

Deacon Bill Fleming, director of Camp GLOW (God Loves Our World), an archdiocesan summer residential camp for adults with physical or mental disabilities, remembered Deacon Westwater as a “great man with a terrific sense of humor.” Deacon Westwater worked at Camp GLOW several years, serving as a weeklong companion to assigned camp participants.

“Deacon Jim was always patient, kind and self-giving in serving Camp GLOW participants,” Deacon Fleming said. “He and I would alternate serving at Mass each day at camp as well.”

Deacon Westwater was committed to the pastoral formation of future deacons, serving on the screening committee and as assistant director of deacon formation for 20 years on the Deacon Formation Team of the Archdiocese of Baltimore.

“He often taught deacon candidates the importance of the breviary and the newspaper – praying the Liturgy of the Hours and praying with the news,” according to Father Michael Triplett, a former director of deacon formation.

Deacon George Sisson, a recently retired deacon at the St. Francis-St. Mary-Holy Family Pastorate in Frederick County, was in formation for the diaconate while Deacon Westwater was involved in the diaconate formation team.  

“My wife was going through leukemia treatments during the time I was in formation,” said Deacon Sisson, “In those difficult times, Deacon Jim always wanted to reach out to her and check how she was doing.”

“He was a great example for me and for everyone in my class,” he added. “He demonstrated what a deacon should be by his life.”

Born in New York, N.Y., Deacon Westwater attended St. Catherine of Siena in Manhattan, N.Y., and St. Ann’s Academy during his early education. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and theology from Providence College in Providence, R.I., a master’s degree in history from the University of Rhode Island, and a doctorate in political science and public administration from Temple University in Philadelphia, Pa.

Deacon Westwater spent six months in active military service and five and a half years in active reserve. He married Maureen Ann Young Oct. 28, 1961, a faithful member of St. Isaac Jogues, and also served as associate academic dean at what is now Notre Dame of Maryland University of Maryland in Baltimore. He was also a public policy consultant. 

While in ministry, Deacon Westwater served as a global fellow for Baltimore-based Catholic Relief Services and spent time in Rwanda promoting peace, justice and reconciliation.

After his retirement in 2018, he moved to Florida.

A memorial Mass will be offered at St. Isaac Jogues Oct. 23 at 11 a.m., which will be celebrated by Father Hammond.

Deacon Westwater is survived by his wife and two sons. 

Email Priscila González de Doran at pdoran@CatholicReview.org

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