It's hard for me to believe that I left St. Jane de Chantal Parish over 5 months ago. It was a decision that came down before Christmas from my Archbishop that I was to move to Most Holy Trinity by January 9th. Since then, I have fully thrown myself into the ministry of Deacon at my new home and the welcome has been warm and friendly. Collaborating with the good folks of MHT, I have introduced my prison ministry to many of them and also agreed to begin First Friday Benediction. I have also been involved with several initiatives with our PSR program and have spoken to the children in each and every grade of PSR. And I have been very active in baptizing new little Christians at MHT too.
Understandably, I have still dearly missed St. Jane's. This is the only parish I have known since moving to the Northshore in 1996 and I have been deeply involved in almost every ministry at St. Jane's. It was here that I heard the call to the diaconate, where I remained throughout formation and where I was privileged to serve, first as an acolyte and then as a Permanent Deacon. I still have fond memories of my first Mass as Deacon and the amazing outpouring of support I received that day and then my last Mass and the fond farewell from hundreds of parishioners.
This weekend, I went home to St. Jane's, in part to help out a deacon friend that has been one of my instructors and mentors and also to wish fond farewell to the parochial vicar, Fr. Raymond, who is also leaving St. Jane's for a new assignment. I assisted at two Masses and was given the responsibility to preach. I served with Fr. Raymond so I made sure to direct a few fond words to him as I can now honestly say, I know what he is feeling today. What a wonderful opportunity to preach on Pentecost; the birthday of the Church and the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles. To preach about the power and love of the Holy Spirit and how the Holy Spirit is the promise of the risen Lord as he prepared to ascend to the Father.
It was two wonderfully celebrated liturgies as is my experience almost all the time. And I was back home and it did indeed feel good. The outpouring of love and support I received this weekend will carry me through the days and weeks ahead. One really sweet moment was a couple from Most Holy Trinity, attending Mass in Abita, seeing me in procession thought he must have been sent back. They confessed to me after Mass how relieved they were when it became evident I too was just visiting and am still assigned at MHT. That was a great affirmation that my work at MHT must be having an impact too!
As ordained clergy we always hope that we are following joyfully the will of God and the orders of our superiors. Obedience indeed is a vow we take. But we are human too and change effects us. And as humans we do love to be affirmed or supported by those we have been called to serve. I can truly say that at both my parish assignments, St. Jane's and Most Holy Trinity, this has been the case.
So as I relax today on a hot summer afternoon, I'm glad I returned home and had such a great time with many old friends but I am equally glad to get right back at it at MHT, and that starts tomorrow.
Thanks be to God for the gift of the Permanent Diaconate and the service He has entrusted to me; at both St. Jane de Chantal and now Most Holy Trinity.
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