At the start let me share something very personal with all of you. My wife does not like when I do these posts, nope, she just does not like it. She sees it as "complaining" about my diaconate ministry and responsibilities. I can see what she is saying. Let me be clear, nothing could be further from the truth. I love to journal and write and I like to take stock of my day, my weekend, my month and beyond. For me it is therapeutic, almost cathartic. And I do love to share this ministry, the good, the bad, the ugly, the joys, the griefs, the caring and the concern. So here I go:
My week leading up to the weekend was somewhat active. Monday night I drove to Hammond with my friends Aimee and Keith to visit with their friend and our parishioner suffering with cancer. Our visit was a little late as she lay quiet and still, approaching death. I said some prayer over her, had brought communion for viaticum but sadly, she could not wake up. I blessed her with the Eucharist as we do at Benediction. When we left, I told my friends, based on my experience, she would not make it to the end of the week. She passed peacefully on Thursday morning. I'm so glad we went on that Monday night. Wednesday night I returned to my old assigned parish of Most Holy Trinity and was the speaker for their young adult group studying faith and finance. I loved this because while I am always a Deacon, I am also a banker. My talk was only faith; as I explained the meaning behind Matthew 25. I taught not only what the church teaches but added in some real life examples and practical realities. It was great to be back at MHT! Thursday night brought our parish RCIA meeting. I sit in as a chaplain mostly as I have little to do with the nuts and bolts of the program but I always stand ready to assist where I can. Friday night, well, believe it or not I was kind of off. I say kind of because earlier that day, this is Friday remember, I was told to be prepared to preach at the Saturday vigil mass. I spent the evening praying and preparing.
Now the weekend. Saturday morning dawned early for a very exciting event. I drove to town, picked up our senior Deacon Frans, and off we drove to the very heart of New Orleans, the French Quarter and the beautiful Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, King of France. The event: the ordination of 22 men to the order of the Diaconate; Holy Orders for our soon to be newest Deacons. It was a hot morning and incredibly, we deacons, and the priests too, are asked to vest in the gardens behind the Cathedral. Too hot! But once it's time to begin the long procession of candidates, deacons, priests, the Archbishop and other Bishops, it's all worth it. The long and beautiful Mass and Rite of Ordination is so awesome to behold. It also reminds this deacon, ordained almost 10 years ago, of my own ordination. The Bishop lays hands on the men, prays the words of ordination, the men are vested each of them receives a Book of the Gospels and then we have 22 new deacons. I am so glad I made this ordination as I missed the one back in 2015.
After making our way home I had a little time before I went St. Jane's and assisted at Mass and preached on the vigil of the nativity of St. John the Baptist. Sunday brought the wonderful Baptism of little Audrey Marie and she was so happy during the Sacrament. I love the blessed opportunity to baptize. Soon it would be time to offer Benediction and then assist at the 6 pm mass. Day and weekend done!
I marvel week after week at how much I love the duties and responsibilities of the Permanent Deacon. And I also marvel how God makes the time I need to attend to my being/doing as a Deacon.
Now on to Monday!
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