JACKSON – Bishop Joseph Kopacz ordained seven men to the permanent diaconate for the Diocese of Jackson on July 18, 2026 at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle in Jackson. In the following profiles, the new deacons share their vocation stories, the people and experiences that shaped their faith, and their hopes for serving the people of the diocese.

DEACON JEFF COOK
Assigned: St. Richard, Jackson
Spouse: Ann Cook
Hometown: Madison

Were you raised Catholic, or did you convert to the faith?
 I was raised Southern Baptist and converted to the Catholic faith as an adult in Austin, Texas.

Can you share a moment or journey that deepened your faith or drew you closer to the Church?
 A deacon in Austin, Deacon Pete Schwab, guided me through RCIA. That was the beginning of a deeper growth in my life with Christ.

Would you share your vocation story—how did you get called to the diaconate?
 Ann and I have been discerning this vocation for more than 10 years. When the 2022 cohort before ours was forming, we considered it, but the feedback from both my family and hers was essentially the same: “Maybe one day, but this does not seem like the best time for you.” As the deadlines for the 2026 cohort approached, I entered more intentionally into that “maybe” phase of discernment. One morning at Mass, nothing extraordinary happened, but I left with a deep sense of peace. In that moment, the feeling shifted from “maybe” to “probably.”

Where do you feel most called to serve as a deacon? (For example: charity, preaching, family ministry, etc.)
 I feel called first and foremost to be a visible witness of Christ the Servant through daily prayer and by being fully present as Christ the Servant in the liturgy. This is the “who” of the deacon. As for what I may be called to do, I believe I will be open to serving in many different ways, while also recognizing that I am not called to “do it all.” I hope to invite the laity to join in and lead within their own vocation, since we all share in the universal call to holiness.

How has your parish community supported you on this journey?
 With faithful prayer and authentic joy. It is truly humbling. I am regularly overwhelmed with gratitude for the parish community at Saint Richard.

What has been most challenging or surprising during this journey?
 The academic 12- to 15-page papers have definitely been a challenge. I am an engineer, not an English major or theologian. At the same time, this has been a wonderful stretch for me in formation. I have also been surprised and encouraged by the many wonderful, gifted, and faithful couples in our deacon cohort. That has been a great blessing for Ann and me.

What would you say to someone who might be feeling called to the diaconate?
 The formation process works. It prepares you and forms you. You do not have to be fully prepared or fully formed before entering discernment. If the Holy Spirit continues to stir your heart, talk to your priest and to a deacon about it. Knowing what I know now, I wish I had started sooner.

Do you have a favorite Scripture passage and why?
Romans 13:14. It reminds me to trust that God will provide everything I need. Our trust in Jesus is not casual; it is total.

Who is your favorite saint and why?
 Blessed Solanus Casey. He is a powerful witness to sacred gratitude and confident hope.

Do you have a favorite religious image or devotion and why?
 The Divine Mercy image of Jesus. His mercy is abundant and overflowing. Jesus, I trust in You.

What is your favorite liturgy of the year and why?
 Good Friday. The prayers at the foot of the Holy Cross are powerful and effective.

What is something people might be surprised to learn about you?
 I was an All-State Lions Band tuba player in high school.

Any children?
 Our son is Timothy, age 28, and our daughter is Catherine Grace, age 25.

WIVES QUESTIONS

Name: Ann Cook

What did you think when your husband first considered ordination?

Initially, I had significant reservations. I worried that the demands of this calling might exceed what we could realistically carry as a family. I questioned whether we could faithfully balance our commitments to family, careers, ministry, and community. While I believed Jeff would be a good deacon, my fears were strong.

Through time spent in quiet prayer, I sensed God speaking clearly to my heart: “I have never led you where you could not go. This is no different, Ann.” In that moment, a deep peace replaced my anxiety. It truly felt as though a burden had been lifted. Praise be to God.

How has this journey shaped your marriage and family life?

This journey has deepened my reliance on the Holy Spirit in a profound way. Praying the Liturgy of the Hours has introduced a steady rhythm of peace into our daily lives. Jeff and I have become more intentional about protecting time together, ensuring that our vocation to marriage remains primary.

Our gratitude—for our faith and for God’s providence—has grown tremendously. Another great blessing has been the fellowship within our cohort of deacon candidates and their wives. Their support was especially meaningful during the sudden loss of Jeff’s father and my mother nearly two years ago.

How has your parish supported your family during this time?

Our pastors, Fr. Joe and Fr. Andrew, have been instrumental—both in allowing Jeff to serve at Mass and in forming him through their example and teaching. The parishioners of St. Richard have supported us with their prayers and encouragement, which we genuinely feel. Their interest in Jeff’s formation has been a constant source of affirmation.

What has been most challenging or surprising during this journey?

The greatest challenge has been balancing the ordinary demands of life with the time commitments of formation.

The most unexpected gift has been how this journey led me to become a certified spiritual director. It is a beautiful reminder that the Holy Spirit often works in ways we do not anticipate.

Favorite Scripture and why?

Romans 5:5 — “Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.”

This passage continually reminds me that authentic hope is grounded in God’s love, which sustains us in every season.

Who is your favorite saint and why?

It is difficult to choose just one, but St. Thérèse of Lisieux has had a profound influence on my spiritual life. She continually points me toward Heaven as our ultimate goal and teaches me to proclaim God’s goodness, even in suffering. Her words remain close to my heart: “The world is thy ship, not thy home.”

Do you have a favorite religious image or devotion and why?

I am especially drawn to the Annunciation, where Mary models a perfect openness to God’s will. I also have a deep devotion to the Pietà, which reflects the quiet strength, hope, and trust of Our Blessed Mother in the face of suffering.

What is your favorite liturgy of the year and why?

Holy Thursday, because it celebrates the institution of the Eucharist and the priesthood—two of the greatest gifts entrusted to the Church.