Deacon Randy Hodge

Randy Hodge is no stranger to hard work.

He was recently ordained a deacon by the Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids and he now serves St. Patrick Parish of Portland in that capacity. He has also been principal of St. Patrick High School for the last seventeen years and on top of that he works as development director for all of St. Patrick School, raising funds for use at the school.

Randy grew up in Portland and was graduated from St. Patrick High School in 1987. He attended Central Michigan University for both undergraduate and graduate studies, earning a master degree in secondary school principalship.

In addition to Randy’s administrative and ministerial duties, Randy has often coached athletic teams, notably volleyball and softball. He is clearly a very busy man.

“Becoming a deacon has added a new dimension to my responsibilities,” said Randy. “I really enjoy serving the parish in this capacity. I am able to celebrate baptisms, weddings, and funerals when a mass is not necessary or possible. I also enjoy assisting at masses and helping out Fr. Mike.”

The opportunity to serve the parish in new ways is what led Randy to become a deacon.

“I find it immensely satisfying to be of service,” he said. “I’ve always loved St. Patrick Parish and being a deacon is allowing me to expand what I am able to do for parishioners there.”

Being both a deacon and a school principal keeps Randy constantly engaged in activity.

“I really enjoy working with the students in my capacity as principal,” he said. “I am able to watch them grow as individuals over the course of their four years in high school. Adolescence is a difficult time for students and I feel blessed to be able to contribute to their development as adults.”

Randy said that the most challenging aspect of his seventeen years at St. Patrick has been that of adapting to the fast pace of change in the school environment, notably the changes in the technology that is being used in secondary education and in how it affects learning.

“When I began as principal, the school simply had a computer laboratory for the use of the students,” said Randy. “Now, at present, every student has their own chromebook and our current challenge is that of monitoring the use of these devices by the students. We want students to use the technology for learning rather than for such things as social media or for entertainment purposes. I consider technology to be a great blessing but it also carries with it risks and challenges.”

Randy takes his Catholic faith very seriously and he deeply appreciates the opportunity to serve St. Patrick in his dual role as deacon and high school principal. He is a great blessing to St. Patrick as well as to the greater Portland community and he looks forward to being of service for many years to come.

Contact Randy at randyhodge@portlandstpats.org.