- November 26, 2024
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Chances are there is not a Catholic in town who does not recognize Deacon Jim.
Jim Casapulla came to Palm Coast in 1991 when he left his career of almost 30 years as a pharmacist in New Jersey, and joined the staff at Mother Seton as an associate deacon. He put in 80 hours a week for 19 years as a permanent deacon.
He served in countless ministries, but the one that has always felt like a family to him is the Rite of Christian Initiation. Deacon Jim, as most people in the community know him, ran the RCI ministry at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church for adults. His pupils ranged from adults who were baptized Catholic but were never confirmed, to former atheists who were becoming Catholic.
“Each year, some of the joys I have are because those people are still in my life — people from 18 years ago who are now actively participating in their faith,” Casapulla said while sitting in a pew of Santa Maria del Mar Catholic Church, where he has served for the last two years. “They always thank me, but in fact, I get more from them — they make my ordination real.”
The sun shone through the stained glass windows of the church as Casapulla humbly talked about his ministerial work; one of those accomplishments being his instrumental involvement in the building of the large church at the Mother Seton campus.
Along with his transfer to Santa Maria two years ago as a part-time deacon, Casapulla also found employment at Craig Flagler Palms Funeral Home, as a deacon and counselor. He formed a family at every position he has held, but now, after 22 years in Palm Coast, it is time for him and his wife, Dee, to return to their family in New Jersey.
When the Casapullas left New Jersey, they had nine grandchildren, now there are 14, and the older ones are now adults. The pull has been too much lately, and it is time for Deacon Jim to retire.
“My family has always needed me, but I think I need them more now,” he said.
Although he’s slow to take credit, the work that Casapulla has done in Flagler County has touched many lives.
“On a prism of the whole county, being involved in different things I see a lot of good Christian work,” he said. “Flagler County in endowed with a lot of great people doing good things for their neighbor.”
