Deacon Jon Gabik
Operations Manager/Team Lead
Office: (262) 367-0800 ext. 201
I am thrilled to part of the St. Charles Community. For those that do not know me, my name is Deacon Jon Gabik. I have been married to my wonderful wife, Yvonne, for the past 23 years. We have two children, Ian and Zoe, who are in high school. We are parishioners of Holy Family Parish in Whitefish Bay. We joined Holy Family because we loved the parish community and felt at home with the warm feeling of the school community. I get that same feeling at St. Charles. Currently, my job title is the Operations Team Lead.
Several years ago, Father Dennis Dirkx, then pastor of Holy Family and St. Robert Parishes, asked me if I would consider becoming a deacon. After much thought, prayer, and conversation with my family, we decided that I would try to become a deacon until God made it clear to me that I should not continue. I guess Father Dennis saw something in me that I did not see in myself. After a year of discernment and four years of Formation, I answered God’s call to become a deacon on September 10, 2022.
On the weekends, I actively minister to the parishioners of both Holy Family and St. Robert Parishes. During the week, I will use my talents to help support the pastoral team at St. Charles from the lens of understanding the parish mission. For over thirty years, I owned a manufacturer’s representative company. At the start of Formation, I became the Director of Operations and Administration at St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish in Milwaukee. I am excited now about the opportunity to use my gifts to be part of the St. Charles team.
Entering the diaconate program, I took pride in my individual fortitude. What I learned throughout Formation was that I needed to rely on cooperation, teamwork, and help from others to make the journey. My real discovery in the Formation program was that God was always at work in my life. Sometimes the most important thing we can do is be docile to the Holy Spirit. The diaconate program turned me toward Christ as I help others walk with Christ. At St. Charles, I know I will continue this journey. Thank you to the pastoral team who has been so warm, inviting, and supportive. Everyone’s support has been overwhelming and quite humbling.