My Deacon and My Friend

Today we said goodbye to Deacon Patrick Becnel, killed in a tragic helicopter accident last week.  In addition to being a great Deacon, Pat was a wonderful husband, a great father to 3 children, a brother, a farmer, a pilot, an avid outdoorsman.  Indeed there were many touching moments at today's funeral: the procession of more than 50 brother Deacons at the beginning of the funeral Mass, the palpable and heartbreaking grief of his wife and family, the attendance of both Archbishop Aymond and Archbishop Hughes, the packed church, the music that seems to make you want to cry at a funeral and on and on.  Today's funeral was indeed a celebration of Deacon Patrick's life.

For me, perhaps the most memorable moment today was just before Mass, when the assembled congregation heard the heartfelt words of Deacon Pat's Pastor, Fr. Gerry Stapleton from St. Patrick's Church in Port Sulphur, LA.  Fr. Gerry said many beautiful things but twice I heard this phrase: "he was my Deacon and my friend".  Now Fr. Gerry beautifully explained that as a Deacon Pat truly is the Archbishop's Deacon.  However Fr. Gerry said he knew Archbishop Aymond would more than understand, Deacon Patrick Becnel indeed was Fr. Gerry's Deacon and friend!

Deacon Patrick's service in Port Sulphur made him the southernmost active Deacon in the Archdiocese of New Orleans.  His territory was the lower-half of Plaquemines Parish(county).  This is a long rural area that was devastated by Hurricane Katrina and took quite a punch from Rita, Gustav and Isaac.  As a farmer, and a pilot flying these very areas, as well as the only Deacon serving this area, he was well known and well respected.  There was nothing he would not do for the people of the area. 

As the family now faces life with their husband/dad/brother gone to eternal life, we will pray for them and I will also remember the words of Father Gerry: "he was my Deacon and my friend, and I will miss him."