Deacon Dave’s Ministry

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My Passion for Service

My thirty-year career was centered on human service to underprivileged individuals and communities. In my early teens, I discovered a profound desire to contribute to the well-being of others. Helping those in need brought a deep interpersonal reward that inspired me to do more. Over time, I developed personal skills and talents that became valuable resources for enhancing the quality of life of the underprivileged. After retiring from a vocation of serving the poor, I embraced a new calling in retirement: serving the poor in spirit through the Catholic Diaconate. My passion for service continues, but now with a renewed understanding—that helping a person in need is serving God directly. Doctrine alone is incomplete; physical service is the visible proof of spiritual transformation. My passion for service.

Deacon David Alcorta

While on a mission trip to Jamaica in 2014, I had the privilege of meeting Joe James, the Jamaican artist known throughout Europe and the United States for his paintings on slavery. I visited his gallery at Rio Bueno and had the pleasure of having lunch with him in his restaurant adjoining his gallery. I asked him questions about his art and how he could so vividly paint so much pain, fear, and joy on the faces of the people.
Joe smiled and said, “One must know his people to accurately portray them.” He quickly changed the subject and asked about me and my ministry as a deacon. I spoke about my parish ministry and explained I was also a writer of human-interest short stories. Joe asked if I wrote my sermons, homilies. I said yes and explained the inordinate amount of time I put into the research, study, and crafting of the gospel message. I further explained that the message must be delivered in such way that it explains the Word of God and its practical use in our daily lives and be done in about eight minutes. Joe looked at me and solemnly asked, “What is your goal when you preach?” I said my goal is that the congregation understand the gospel message in their mind and feel it in their heart.
He smiled and said, “Oh, then you and I are both artists. I paint pictures on canvas, and you paint pictures in the minds and hearts of your congregation.” He spoke with such wisdom and went on to say, “We cannot give what we don’t have; I have to profoundly know my people to accurately paint their expressions, and you have to profoundly know the Word of God to accurately paint gospel pictures it in the minds and hearts of your congregation.”
I will probably not see Joe again, but I will always remember the day he shared his wisdom and art with me.
By Deacon David P. Alcorta

“Personal Testimonies”

We are the hands of Jesus. Look at those around you. We should be kind and respectful to them because theirs are the hands that Jesus uses to answer our prayers. Ours is His Body. Ours are the eyes through which he sees compassion. Ours are the feet with which he walks to do good. Ours are the hands to bless world.
I carry a backpack with my administrative and ministerial aids along with my personal belongings. Such as Personal ID, credit cards, money, eyeglasses, cell phone, calendar and other important documents. One morning I was in a hurry because my first appointment was twelve miles away in heavy traffic. Before arriving, I decided to check the address to my destination. My backpack was not in its usual place and remembered that I had placed it on top of my car while looking for my key. I was a long way from home and thought the worst. I carry irreplaceable things in my backpack, and I will never get them back. I prayed for God’s Help. Four blocks from my house there was a man standing by the road looking at his cell phone. I slowed down and the man came to my car window and asked if I had lost a backpack. My backpack had all my belongings. I had a wonderful talk with this kind man. He said, I am very happy you found your backpack. I said no, I’m happy you found my backpack. I took both his hands in mine and with a sincere handshake I silently said, “thank you Jesus”. I knew that God had use his hands to answer my prayer.

Deacon Dave; July 2025

Growing up I was taught that doing good for others was good. This message resonated with me and awakened my passion for service. I pursued a career in human service which initially led to social work for the State of Washington. I was inexperienced but excited to be in a profession that served the needy. It was late afternoon on Christmas Eve and the workers were in a hurry to get home to their families. My last client for the evening was a frail and elderly lady with a walker. She only wanted food while she waited for her food stamps. A block away from our office we had a food bank for emergencies like this. It was late and everyone was leaving so I called the food bank and asked them to please stay open until we arrived. I offered to walk with her and make sure the food bank was still open. There was very little food left, she selected a few canned items, bread, fruit and candy. She did not have a means to carry her groceries on her walker. It was dark and cold, so I offered to drive her home. She lived in an apartment building about eight blocks away. She was very grateful for the ride. In the spirit of Christmas, I offered to carry her groceries to her room. She lived alone in a small room with modest furniture and dim lighting. By the door she had a small table for her Christmas tree, a two-foot, end of a branch from a nearby spruce tree. Her Christmas tree was decorated with candy paper and chewing gum wrappers. She quickly put her new candy and fruit under the tree. She was so happy and with a big smile she clapped her hands like a little girl. I was so deeply moved by her joy and gratitude. I felt happiness, sadness, and excitement all at once and how I wished that I could do more.
This emotional and personal experience was my initial discovery of the rich and true reward that comes from the unity of compassion and good deeds “JOY”.
In the Eucharist Christ does not come from above, but from within it strengthens our interior life with kindness and compassion. It quickens our hands to serve and gives us the desire to do more.
The Holy Eucharist is the inspiration for my passion in human service.
Deacon Dave

WE ARE THE LIGHT OF CHRIST
“TURN THE LIGHT ON”

I was at a weekly office staff meeting feeling very discontent because of my limited hearing. I prayed, saying, “I cannot understand a word they are saying. I have so much experience and unable to share it. How can I carry out my ministry? My inter-voice said “turn the light on”. I replied, “that makes no sense”. I thought for a moment, turning the light on brings light to darkness. I am to be the “influence” that illuminates the way to Christ. How?
·        Bring peace to conflict.
·        Bring unity to division.
·        Bring understanding to differences.
·        Bring companionship to loneliness.
·        Bring comfort to a broken heart.
·        Bring Joy to sadness.
·        Bring Love where there is none.
·        Bring compassion to the needy.
Later I discerned that turning the light on was my consecration to the Holy Eucharist. Consecration is the act of making a declaration. The Eucharist prayer is the declaration of the human into divine. My declaration is my devotion to God and turning the light on is the evidence of my faith and devotion to God. Our consecration needs to be more that words. It must be acted out in good works, service to others, our evidence of love and devotion to God. There is no love without sacrifice. Saying I love you is not enough we must show our love by acts of love, turning the light on. When we consume the Eucharist, the fruit does not come from above. It come from within by acts that turn the Light on.
·        Get closer to Jesus.
·        Desire to know God.
·        Desire to do God’s will.
·        Grace to avoid sin.
·        Grace to listen to the Holy Spirit.
·        Desire to know and love God.
·        Quickens us to serve others.
Deacon David

I prayed my first prayer when I was six years old. My aunts and uncles came to visit and after dinner they told old folk lore scary stories. That evening I went to bed and my imagination soared with thoughts about the scary things I heard. I was afraid and imagined monsters at every dark corner of my room. I decided to pray, pulling the covers over my head I did the sign of the cross but didn’t know what else to say. So, I pledged allegiance to the flag as may prayer. I was terrified and believe that God heard my cry and calmed my fear as I fell asleep. Later I went to Catholic Catechism classes and learned the basic prayers of the Church. I went to Mass with my family and recited memorized prayer I learned at catechism classes. After high school and military duty, I married a Catholic girl, Dora from my hometown. Dora went to Catholic school and was great spiritual inspiration. One day Dora said that we should go to a Crusillio Retreat, a Catholic Apostolic Movement in the Church. This retreat opened a new faith and spiritual dimension. The Holy Spirit put new life into my prayer, scripture and Mass. I was excited that the Holy Spirit would now teach and guide my spiritual life. Later Dora said that we should go to the Monday night parish prayer group. I learned to pray with the guidance of the Holy Spirit and no longer depended on memorized prayer. I found spiritual power in this style of prayer and began to pray for others. It seemed that the more I prayed the stronger the power of the Holy Spirit. God answered prayer in a mighty way. I had an active lay-ministry and received invitations to pray and speak at church meetings, retreats, jail, prison, conventions, and even churches of different denominations. My Archbishop appointed me and four others to a special ministry of “Deep Healing”, a ministry of deliverance from unclean spirits. My pastor recommended the “Diaconate”. I retired from a vocation in human service to a vocation of spiritual service for the Church. A move from saving lives to saving souls seemed appropriate. I have been a Catholic Deacon for over twenty years and a witness that God truly answers prayer. God answered my first prayer when I was six years old, the pledge of allegiance to the flag and taught me that God not only listens to words but to our heart. I now kneel and pray on marble at the altar of our Lord and smile as I recall when God answered my first prayer.
Deacon David

I was twelve years old when I got my first Job as a paperboy delivering the newspaper in my neighborhood. My paper route was more than delivering newspaper it was my call to serve. I rode a bicycle and carried a large newspaper bag over my shoulders useful for running errands. I ran errands for customers unable to leave their home because of their small children etc. Some gave me things to deliver to other families, others gave me money to buy them things from the local grocery store.
One of my customers was an elderly African American invalid woman. I got off my bike to deliver the paper in her hand. She waited anxiously because every day she gave me a nickel to buy her a treat for the following day and every day I surprised her with either a bag of chips or candy bar, Babe Ruth was her favorite candy bar. Seeing her joy inspired me to do more. Every time I visit my hometown I drive by the house where that sweet lady use to live. She was my customer and inspiration to serve. This lady and paper route awakened a passion in me that lead to a career in human service. I have been abundantly blessed and privileged with opportunities to serve in Community Organizations, Local, State, and Federal Government departments all centered on human services.
My passion for social justice and human rights for the underprivileged lead to an appointment to the Washington State Human Right Commission.
My passion for self-sufficiency for the needy lead to an appointment to the Washington State Commission for Vocational Education.
My passion for wellbeing of the most vulnerable lead to a position as State Administrator for Public Assistance programs.
My passion for safety and hope for those affected by national disasters lead to a volunteer position as Red Cross First Responder and National Manager for Client Services.
I Thank God for the opportunities and privilege to follow my call to serve. The job titles given to me were trivial compared to the privilege to serve so many. My call led to provide food and shelter for the poor; as an ordained Catholic Deacon my passion remains the same, I now provide “spiritual” food and shelter for the “poor-in-spirit” and still a “Paperboy” now delivering the “Good News” every Sunday.

Deacon David

John the Baptist preached repentance and to prepare our heart for the coming of the Lord by turning away from sin. I understood this message but without real conviction in my heart.
I went to the church in the afternoon, it was empty and decided to pray before the Holy Sacrament. I knelt behind the altar, in front of the tabernacle and prayed for about ten minutes. I finished my visit with the Lord and while still kneeling I looked underneath the altar and saw a fragment of the Consecrated Host about ¼ inch in size. The fragment was stained with red wine. This was the fragment the priest brake and mixed into the chalice with the precious blood of Jesus. Knowing how careful priest are when handling the Consecrated Host, I was shocked to see the fragment on the floor and said, “Jesus what are you doing down there?” I picked up the fragment, placed it in my hand and quickly consumed it and made the sign of the cross. I remained kneeling wondering how long Jesus had been under the altar and underfoot for the priests, deacons and altar servers. I said, “Well it’s only a fragment”. Immediately the inter voice within me said, “I come to you whole never in fragments”. I asked again, what were you doing down there? The voice said, “Waiting for you”. I went home wondering why Jesus waited for me at such an unlikely place. Years have gone by and every Sunday I kneel behind the altar and look down at the place where Jesus waited for me. One day after receiving Holy Communion I discerned that Jesus waits for my repentance at unlikely places in my life. It is through repentance that I come face to face with my sinful-self, Jesus is always there waiting with His saving light. To think that Jesus waits for me at these sinful places of my life has etched a deep conviction of remorse for my sins “Repentances”.
Deacon David