Assisting with a new Deacon

Last night for the Vigil of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception I  had the pleasant surprise of assisting at Mass with a brother Deacon; a brand new Deacon at that!  When I looked at my calendar for December 7th I did not anticipate the opportunity to be available for 7 pm on the Northshore.  I had a wedding rehearsal Friday afternoon right in the middle of the hustle and bustle that is downtown New Orleans.  Taking into account a big NBA game in town at the arena and the always popular high school football playoffs in the Dome, I knew travel would be tough.  But then the rehearsal was moved up to 3 pm because this church, St. Patrick's on Camp St. realized their vigil Mass for the solemnity was at 5:30 pm.  Long story short, I was on my way home by 5 pm and got through town remarkably fast.

Deacon Charlie, one of our newly ordained, and assigned with me at MHT, was on the schedule for our vigil Mass.  He was ordained Saturday and assisted his first Mass this past Sunday.  When I made it by the church with time to spare, we agreed to assist together.  I told Charlie to please take the Gospel and all the speaking parts and I would be there to assist.  With no servers showing up for Mass that worked out well as I was quite busy.

The point of this post is to reflect on these wonderful new days for Deacon Charlie.  As a new Deacon I remember the combination of nervousness at being "new" and the desire to assist after five long years of formation.  Just last night I was wondering how Deacon Charlie felt as he introduced the penetential rite, asked for his blessing before the Gospel, proclaimed the Gospel, assited at the altar, adminster the Precious Blood as an ordinary minister of Holy Communion, and then tell us all that the Mass is ended, go in peace.  It's both new and not new from the perspective of the deacon.  You always want to do your "parts"well and you want to contribute to a well celebrated liturgy.  Whatever nerves are present(we are only human) are more than balanced by the graces of ordination and the influence of the Holy Spirit!

I'm glad we served together. I am so happy for Deacon Charlie and his 19 formation classmates.  A blessed and graced time for the new Deacons; a reality that I pray remain with them throughout their years of minstry.