MARQUETTE -- After 25 years with the Michigan State Police, retired Detective Sergeant Terry Saunders is going back to work.  Instead of focusing on crime, he'll be concentrating on Christ and carrying out the ministry of the Catholic church.

"I think once you open yourself up to saying yes more to God, he continues to open doors," said Terry Saunders.  "If the doors are open, you walk through them."

Terry is in the process of becoming a permanent deacon.  It's an unusual career move, but he says his role in law enforcement, and now, in the Catholic Diocese of Marquette, are both based on the same principle--public service.

"If you want to be a good police officer, then you want to serve the people and help them in anyway you can," Terry said.  "If you want to be in the ministry, you want to serve people for the love of God."

"It's quiet the commitment," said Terry's wife, Hildie Saunders.  "He's very dedicated, and I hope that I can be more dedicated like he is."

On Friday, a special mass called the Ministry of Acolyte was held at St. Peter Cathedral for Terry.

"Well, this is Terry's last step in orders before he becomes ordained in May, and at that point he'll become a member of the clergy of the Catholic church," said Deacon Scott Jamieson. 

The work of the deacon involves such activities as proclaiming the gospel, preaching the homily at mass, and ministering outside of the parish.

There are 49 permanent deacons within the U.P.'s Catholic community, and come this spring, Terry will be number 50.