On this quiet Monday night, home alone, I am watching the wake and vigil service of Deacon Bill Steltemeir of EWTN. The network is carrying the service live, as it will carry his funeral live in the morning. It is good to see the Shrine in Hanceville full. I am touched as well to see the body of the good Deacon, laid out in his casket, and fully vested in the deacon's stole and dalmatic. Even though he took on a highly visible administrative role at EWTN, he was ordained clergy, a Permanent Deacon in God's holy church. He loved assisting at Mass and was a hero to those of us involved in prison ministry through his own personal involvement in ministering to those behind bars. Pretty strong considering his professional career as a lawyer.
Many may not know this but every Deacon, as well as Priests, must have a funeral plan of file with the Diocese, or Order, they serve. I remember filling this plan out at my last retreat just a few weeks before Ordination Day. Yes, it was eerie but I understood it's necessity. It was also humbling to realize that at the funeral of a Deacon in New Orleans the Archbishop is present. Sometimes it is necessary to have both a well planned funeral liturgy and a flexible one as well so as to accomodate the family and the Archbishop. In completing the funeral plan we select everything; the readings, the songs, even who will deliver the homily. I was struck by the dignity of the plan as I have been impressed by the dignity of each Deacon's funeral I have attended.
Tonight, that same dignity is on display at the funeral of Deacon Bill. I will tape his funeral tomorrow and watch at a later time as work and my own ministry as a Deacon will have me gone from home from well before 8 a.m. til well past 8 p.m.
Rest in God's embrace Deacon Bill; may perpetual light shine upon him.
Well done good and faithful servant!
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