A Wisconsin paper has the story of a deacon — soon to be a priest — who has followed an unusual career path:

After working as an insurance agent and a waiter at Tippin’s, Mike McLain is now adding deacon to his resume.

McLain, 57, is the new transitional deacon at five area parishes, including St. Anne’s in Somerset and Immaculate Conception in New Richmond.

McLain joined current deacons Maurice Baillargeon and Dick Peterson at St. Anne’s Church on Jan. 2. He said it is not unusual for there to be three deacons within a parish.

“Different deacons do different things,” McLain explained. “Deacon Morrie has been here the longest, since the 80s, and Dick Peterson helps with the calendar and the books. Those are their strengths.”

As a transitional deacon, he will help the regular deacons with their duties, such as assisting at the altar, bringing communion, or with religious education. His six-month term of service will culminate in his ordination as a priest.

“My job is to learn how a priest does his job,” McLain said.

McLain moved from Independence, Mo. to Somerset five years ago after his wife died. His son, Michael, 30, lives in Milwaukee and his 29-year-old daughter, Tina, lives in Lawrence, KS.

“That’s the extent of my family, . . . so far,” McLain said.

He said it was after his wife’s passing that he heard a calling to the Catholic church. Having attended Catholic schools his whole life, he made the decision to return to his roots. He enrolled in the Sacred Heart School of Theology in Hales Corners, Wisc. and graduated in December 2007.

“They are the number one seminary that deals with second career vocations,” McLain said.

The most surprising detail, to me, is that he will be dividing his time between five parishes. No one can say he won’t be getting a wealth of experience.