Today I assisted many brother Deacons as we hosted another inquiry session for the many men looking into a possible call to the diaconate. It was an awesome gathering as the focus today was on the Charism of Charity and we explored service in terms of the Deacon as Christ the servant.
At one point our director invited four deacons to describe the ministry of charity they were involved in personally. And when I watched each presentation I wondered how many Catholics still think the Deacon is a liturgical function on the altar at their local church only?
Our first presenter explained the Stella Maris ministry. This involves Deacons who actually serve in the ports along the Mississippi River and other locations to minsiter to seamen from all across the world. In the slide show it was evident this is no ordinary ministry. To actually reach the ships anchored in the river the Deacons are ferried to the ship in a water taxi and then have to climb on board using a rope ladder hanging off the side of the big ship. Amazing. Once onboard the Deacons pray with, minister to and hold communion services for the men of the ship. When the Deacons function on dry land they arrange cell phone service and phone cards for the seamen and function as drivers so they can run errands to WalMart and such. We are so priviledged to have so many good and faithful Deacons providing this ministry in and around the port of New Orleans.
Next presentation was from a Deacon who ministers at a parish(county) prison. This was near and dear to my heart as I minister at a state correctional facility. The Deacon explained what he can and can't do and how the ministry is more about listening and being present to these inmates than anything else. Of course there are the prayer services and communion services but just treating these men with dignity and understanding goes a long way. This is a ministry that is not for everyone but for those who bring Christ to prison; many times they leave having experienced great faith and repentenance.
And our third presentation involved a Deacon who ministers to teens at a juvenile detention facility. Some of his stories and examples were heart breaking but he made it clear that being present to these youthful offenders is so vitally important. The Deacon is able to help make Christ present in a situation where there is little hope.
Finally our last presenter explained how the diaconate responded in a new way to the oil crisis in the Gulf. By assisting Catholic Charities and being on the ground with those most effected the Deacons were able to help feed the crowds and listen to their anxieties and fears. Many Deacons were able to make known several concerns that allowed many to get help they may never have received.
And as these presentations were being made I glanced around the room at brother Deacons who give faithful witness to Christ the servant as chaplains in hospitals and nursing homes, a Deacon who ministers to a homeless shelter in downtown New Orleans, at all hours of day and night, still another who runs a rehabilitation center, another who serves as a chaplain for a boys high school. And all these Deacons, who also assist in the service of their assigned parish at Masses, preaching homilies, etc. spend many of their evenings preparing couples for marriage, preparing new parents for baptism, working with couples to prepare for their annulment proceedings.
What a joy to be reminded today in such a profound way of the ministry to which I have been called and am so thankful to God to fulfill.
And with all this being said, again I remind my brother Deacons, and all Catholics and all my friends and family; it still is not what we do, it is who we are. As an ordained Catholic Permanent Deacon I am able by the grace of God to sacramentalize service and be the icon of Christ the Servant.
Pray with me this week for these men, their wives and families as they continue the inquiry process and for vocations to the Diaconate.
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