Deacon Darwin Dupree

I never planned to become a chaplain; the thought never crossed my mind until I was encouraged to take a unit of Clinical Pastoral Education, CPE, in 2000.

Ministry for me started in 1974 when my parish priest asked if I would consider becoming a Eucharistic Minister. I was very surprised, my response was, “You’re asking me to be a Eucharistic Minister?” My priest said, “Pray over it, and let me know your decision.”

Somewhat in shock, I thought only the holy of holies distribute Holy Communion; far from being that type of person.

After two weeks of discernment and prayer, my answer was yes. After participating in the Eucharistic Minister’s training, the sick and shut-ins of the parish were visited every Sunday after Mass. The visit consisted of scripture readings and giving Holy Communion to the sick and shut-ins. Others members of my parish became Eucharistic Ministers and assisted me by bringing bring Communion to the homebound. This ministry continues today. In 1994, after retiring from the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department, I became a volunteer chaplain at a local hospital. My duties were to visit with patient and distribute Communion when appropriate. Later that same year, I became a volunteer chaplain at the Jackson County Detention Center, assisting the priest with Mass, and later conducting liturgy of the word with Holy Communion service once a week in the county jail.

Six years later, in 2000, the chaplain at the hospital where I volunteered, a CPE Supervisor, asked if I ever thought about taking CPE. He thought I would make a very good chaplain saying, “CPE will help you become a professional chaplain.” After CPE, I was certified with NACC.