Meet Deacon Bogart: New associate director joins diaconate office

Deacon Doug Bogart spent two of his six missionary years in Guatemala leading a small church in Antigua.

Shortly after that, he converted to the Catholic faith.

More than a decade later, the father of five finds himself not only continuing his role as a cathedral deacon to Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted, but taking on a new one as associate director of the diaconate.

Deacon Bogart’s work for the diaconate is far from new, however. He works with marriage and baptism preparations at St. Thomas the Apostle and has served on the deacon council, chaired its post-ordination formation committee and helped develop the deacon liturgical handbook.

Deacon Jim Trant, director of the diaconate said Deacon Bogart’s teaching background is a bonus for the diocesan office.

“He’s coming on board with a lot of experience and a lot of dedication,” Deacon Trant said.

As associate director, Deacon Bogart — who spent 17 years as a high school educator — will oversee post-ordination formation and formation of the overall community.

“I’m looking forward to helping these guys find out what God is calling them to do,” Deacon Bogart said.

He joined the diaconate six years ago and took on his new role in June.

“Doug has always been a man who sees what needs to be done and gets moving right away to help meet the need,” said Lani Bogart, his wife, who also serves as director of children’s catechesis at St. Thomas the Apostle. She noted her husband’s help with single moms, young families and others needing practical assistance — including patching a leaky roof.

His background in carpentry and construction trades will translate to a hands-on emphasis for the Diaconate Office, Lani said, “the ‘nuts and bolts’ of formation so that deacons will develop habits and skills to serve their families and the Church all their lives.”

Lani also sees her husband as a spiritual man. The couple prays the Liturgy of the Hours twice daily and Deacon Bogart is working on marriage enrichment seminars within the diaconate.

Deacon Trant called his new associate a “very strong family man” who has “a really strong focus on the spiritual growth of men, women and families” in the diaconate.

The Bogarts have five adult children, the youngest of whom just graduated from high school. One son is a soldier in Iraq. They also have five grandchildren including one in the womb.