It's quiet right now, a Friday night in summer. Saints preseason football is on the TV but I'm not too impressed; it's preseason for crying out loud. The Papal Mass is on EWTN, live from South Korea where it is late Saturday morning. This is the Mass where Pope Francis beatified over 100 Catholic martyrs. More on this in a later blog post.
I am both physically and spiritually exhausted tonight but I need you to understand this is a good thing! There is a satisfaction in my exhaustion, not because I have done anything on my own merit, rather, God made a way for me to be present at so many spiritually fulfilling moments over the past few weeks.
I blogged already about the retreat I was blessed to participate in August 1-3 for our newly selected diaconate aspirants. The retreat itself was spiritually uplifting as was being able to help facilitate the retreat and re-live some of those spiritually special moments from my own time as an aspirant in 2004. It was also just so special to be at the location of the retreat, Rosaryville, where my wife and I spent six days in November of 2008, preparing for my ordination just a few weeks later.
From there, I was present to facilitate our 2nd to last session of summer adult faith formation at MHT, a biblical walk with Mary. Since the beginning of summer, we have met with anywhere from 25-35 adults as we followed this series which explores Mary in Scripture and her pre-figurement in the Old Testament. The following evening, I attended services at Rayburn Correctional with my team from Mary Queen of Peace. I was able to help prepare the men for the many blessings that would come our way a few days later at the retreat! And on Thursday night last week, a welcome reception was held for our diaconate aspirants, attended by nearly every member of the 2015 class and about 60 deacons. It was an evening of prayer, reflection and fellowship; an evening of solidarity with our newest members of the overall diaconate community for the Archdiocese of New Orleans.
And on last Friday evening, I rested, both in the Lord and the company of my wife, who is always a constant source of support in this diaconate journey as well as the love and life we have shared through 37 years of marriage and 42 years of togetherness.
I don't think I could do any more justice to the events of last Saturday than what I have already shared. I can say tonight that I believe now what I stated last week; the all day retreat at Rayburn, hosted by the Catholic inmates and decidedly Catholic in flavor, was one of the best days of my ministry ever! I still believe the powerful messages delivered by our anointed speakers that day are resonating with the men and with me even to this day.
My Sunday was so full, no time to stop. I assisted at Mass at MHT at both the 7 and 9 morning masses before Wendy and I, and a couple of deacon friends, piled into the car and headed over to the diaconate center for our annual celebration in honor of St. Lawrence, deacon martyr! Our own Archbishop, Gregory Aymond, celebrated Mass, preached the homily and stayed with us for quite some time for fellowship. I enjoyed a brief private moment with him as I presented him a gift personally made for him by one of the Catholic inmates at Rayburn.
I loved what I did Monday, because it too is who I am and what I need to do. I took advantage of a respite in my ministry duties to cut lots of grass after work. And I can tell you, I have so much more grass to cut. But Tuesday began another series of busy days related to my deacon responsibilities. Our final adult faith class for the summer wrapped up on Tuesday night; the focus was a nice set up for today's feast as we explored both the Assumption and Mary's queen ship in Scripture. And we were a able to announce our next adult faith formation offering, a 20 week series on the Gospel of Matthew, beginning in mid-September. Come Wednesday night I was back at Rayburn for our twice-monthly Mass. Another great turn out with a nice spark from the retreat. That visit to Rayburn was my fourth visit in 14 days. God has blessed me with a very special ministry! Thursday night it was class #1 of the 2014 fall session; both our 2015 class and 2018 were in the house for an evening of prayer and orientation. Just a note here so no one misunderstands; a class and a semester or session is not like college. Sure, there is an academic component, but this is discernment and formation! Just because we have a class that we identify by a year, no one in either group is assured ordination because ultimately, that is between each candidate and God and must be affirmed by the church! Again, my attendance, in a hope of being helpful, more often edifies me as I gain even more knowledge and recall those similar moments in my own formation!
I arrive at today, the glorious feast day of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. I assisted tonight at our last Mass of the day. And by the way, the fun never ends as tomorrow is a very big & special day for MHT Parish as we break ground on our new church location. This has been a long time coming and the result of much prayer and hard work by many! Archbishop Aymond will be with us to celebrate Mass, preach and do the honors with the golden shovel.
And as I wrap up my reflection tonight, I remind myself that it is who I am, not what I do that is most important. Because of who I am, I minister too when I am at work, I minister as a spouse and father, and yes, a grandfather as well. I minister too when I am with friends or out shopping and running errands. And I am reminded also that while all this deacon action is great, I must continue to grow in my own spirituality, my prayer life and my relationship with Him! And boy do I have much more growing to do.
The Saints are winning tonight, as if it really matters, the Papal Mass has concluded and the Church now has 124 new "blessed" and Yes, I am still physically and spiritually exhausted. And what a great feeling and a great place to be!
Good night!
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