I was ordained a Permanent Deacon almost 3 years ago. I've actively embraced this ministry from the very beginning and have been so spiritually fulfilled by doing my best to be an icon of Christ the servant. About a year ago I changed parish ministry and found myself in a young, growing active parish. For almost 3 years now I've attended to the duties as Catholic chaplain at Rayburn prison. And over the past year or more I've found myself more and more involved with our formation activities for the deacon candidates. How blessed to be involved in so much good work for God's people.
I'm just one of many ordained ministers. There is nothing new or unique in my description of the what I do. Many Permanent Deacons have come before me, serve with me and will follow some day. And how many countless number of Priests have, are and will minister faithfully? I think the realization has sunk in over the past few months and certainly these last few days that we ordained ministers also have a serious obligation to self, family and friends.
Let me just address the Permanent Deacon. Most of us are husbands, fathers and full time employees. Some of us may be single and some may be retired, but for the most part the Permanent Deacon is still working, or active in the community and taking care of a spouse, children and maybe even grandchildren.
Balance and taking care of self is preached constantly throughout formation. Most Deacons do a fairly good job of balance although many of us do find ourselves on the road several nights a week, or preparing homilies, or maybe some administrative work and then you all know what our weekends must look like.
When I was ordained I already was being treated for hypertension and getting my usual lecture about my weight. Recently, over a protracted period of time of not feeling so well, I realized I had avoided the doctor's office for about 2 and a half years. So off I went.
The news is not serious like some of the many challenges brother Permanent Deacons face with dignity and grace. I personally know Deacon friends battling cancer bravely, have endured surgery courageously and battle other deblitating diseases with great dignity.
For me I must beat the battle of the bulge. My weight continued to increase since ordination and now is the leading contributor to some issues with high blood pressure, an irregular heart rythym, rheumatoid arthritis and close to the edge with the diabetes. So this week I begin following my doctors orders to the letter and spirit of the law. My initial bloodwork was remarkably good, except for that diabetes scare. And over the next few weeks I will see several specialists to get back in shape. And with the amazing support of my wife, it's diet time baby. I'm currently learning the phenomena of drinking water, all day, all night.
My point in sharing this is this: ordained ministers, like all of us reading this, must take the necessary time from whatever they "do" to make sure health is attended to, family time is planned and is quality time and we have balance in life. And maybe for the Permanent Deacon, from time to time, we should say no!
So when you encounter your Priest or Deacon "doing" things around the parish, or you see them at other ministries, or you just see them out and about, pray for them. Remember that they must take care of themselves and maybe there is something we can do, every now and then, to help out.
Add a prayer to your vocation prayers for the health and well being of our ordained ministers!
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