A typical Sunday for the Deacon

Another typical Sunday for the Deacon.  This morning I had a break as my brother Deacon voluntarily took my 7 a.m. assignment.  That did not result in any extra meaningful sleep, but at least I was able to relax before heading out.  My new schedule would be 9 and 11 a.m. masses followed by an early afternoon baptism.  That's about a 5 hour time span spent at the church.

Today is also preaching weekend for the Deacons so at both Masses I delivered my homily for this 33rd Sunday in ordinary time.  I focused on the message that we should be prepared for the "end times" and that preparation includes living our daily lives fully remembering that we are called to worship God daily!  Because of a parish initiative to recruit more adorers for our Eucharistic Adoration, we were asked to devote some time in our homily to this devotion.  I dutifully complied and learned that we did indeed sign up many more adorers.

The Baptism started around 12:30 once the Mass crowd cleared out.  The baby that I baptized today was a beautiful little girl named Emily.  She was born just one day after my grandson so I was doing a little compare and contrast.  Of course she is a  perfect little girl but my is she so much smaller than my grandson.  I love baptizing babies and to have that opportunity to connect the church to those present, often many who are not active church goers.  I love to explain everything we are doing so the family feels very connected to this important and necessary sacrament.

With the Baptism over we had the church building secured by 1:30 and off to the house I go.  I still have work to do this Sunday.  We have a parish event later this afternoon related to our building project and I have a wake in the evening far from home. 

Yes, these are typical Sundays for the Permanent Deacon.  Some are even more involved; others not quite as much.  This, in part, is why we were ordained.  Our assistance at the altar and the occassional opportunity to preach goes hand in hand with the Deacon's ministry of charity.  Long Sundays are a sure sign that we are about doing the business of God's work through the work of the Church.

God Bless the ministry of the Permanent Deacon!