For the first time, the Class of 2008 had to say goodbye

I was ordained in December 2008 along with 23 brothers; all of us for the Archdiocese of New Orleans save the one lone new Deacon for the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux.  After being together since our inquiry days in 2003, we all certainly got to know each other and that certainly includes our wives.  We took 5+ years of classes together, went on many retreats together, worked on special projects together and shared each others lives with one another.  Since ordination, as should be the case, time, distance and various ministry responsibilities kept us from being together often since ordination day.

A couple of weeks ago we were notified that one of the wives of the 2008 class was very ill.  If my classmates were like me, none of us probably worried too much as she would be among the youngest of the group.  Sadly, we would all be wrong.  The first "member" of our class, a dedicated wife of a devoted Deacon would be gone.  We gathered today to say goodbye to Bernadette.  We heard today, what we already knew, that she was the wife of a Deacon, her life partner for many, many years, the mother of two and grandmother of three.  She was an expert in the field of wedding planning working for the Audubon Institute, which is known for their great zoo but also has some unique wedding venues.  Bernadette loved her work in helping plan weddings for many excited young couples.

I had hoped our entire class could be present today as we said goodbye to Bernadette but sadly, a few among us were missing.  Yet all of us present there today made sure we were there in solidarity with our brother Deacon John, as we prayed for him and his family and the repose of the soul of his dear wife Bernadette.

I think among us today we may have wondered, although silently, this will happen again.  Bernadette was the first among us, and sadly, she was among the youngest.  In the 7+ years since our ordination, many of us battle our various ailments and some have advanced into their 70's.  Another reminder today how we are called to prayer for and support one another.

For purposes of information, let me talk about the vow of celibacy for a married Permanent Deacon.  We all know, as we were reminded often, year in and year out, that the married Permanent Deacon does not remarry if his wife pre-deceases him.  It's a very important thing to pray with and ponder, especially for our younger deacon candidates who still may be raising relatively young children.  Deacon John's two children are both adults.  This is a tremendous commitment the candidate for the diaconate undertakes as almost all come to the program after may years of married life.

But today the focus is on prayers for Bernadette, as she now rests in eternal peace, and her family, as they continue to mourn her loss.  Bernadette will always be a part of our "class" of 2008 and all of us will continue to remember and pray for her!