So it has come to an end, the 2018 National Diaconate Conference is over. For me and Wendy Thursday morning was day 6 in New Orleans and it would be the day we returned home, an easy 55 mile drive north to Abita Springs. As I have every day this week I arose early, got myself downstairs while I let Wendy sleep in. After another quick breakfast I settled in for the praying of Morning Prayer and then we awaited the closing keynote from USCCB President Daniel Cardinal DiNardo. You know I do not think I've been in the presence of 2 Cardinals in the same week until this week!
Cardinal DiNardo thanked the Permanent Deacons for their service to the Church on behalf of the USCCB and assured us that more and more the Diaconate is being accepted and appreciated by Priests and Deacons across the country. He reminded us if our relationships are not perfect back at the parish, persevere in ministry anyway. To do this the Cardinal reminded us to be absorbed in prayer, in fact he encouraged us to pray like never before. The Cardinal weaved the prayer of the dedication of a new Church into the identity/being of the Deacon as well as the doing of the Deacon.
Cardinal DiNardo remained to offer the Closing Mass and was the homilist as we celebrated a Votive Mass for Vocations. His presence with us all morning was further affirmation of the need for the Permanent Diaconate in the Church.
Archbishop Aymond offered many words of thanks and appreciation for the Congress and the heroic work done by our own Deacon Ray Duplechain and his team of volunteers and the work of our own Office of Worship led by Betty Hickey. Even Deacon Ray had some closing words and many thanks as well.
As the Cardinal, Bishops, Priests and Deacons recessed out we knew that this was it; the Congress had come to an end. Wendy and I negotiated a late check out so we would not be caught up in all the departures of many needing to catch flights or get on the road for long drives. We arrived back on the Northshore around 3 and decided on a late lunch/early dinner at Northshore Empress which was delicious. We picked up our Delilah and headed home, arriving safe and unpacking everything by 5:30.
Wendy and I had a great week, together! So many helped make this happen and Wendy was freed from the unrelenting responsibilities of caring for her mom non-stop since June 2nd. We had not spent time, just us, away from home, doing what we wanted to do, in many, many years. I hope she got plenty of rest and took away her own gems and memories from this Congress. For me, for so many reasons, it has been one of the greatest weeks as a Deacon, since that ordination day back in December of 2008. I found the words of Cardinals and Bishops encouraging, challenging, affirming, inspiring, spiritual, pastoral, all the things I needed to experience and hear at this moment of time, in this point of my diaconate. I thank God that Wendy and I both attended this life changing event.
I now know that many of you, especially Deacons, wives, parishioners, friends and family have followed these posts that began Saturday. I tried to capture both the reality of my experience and the importance of this experience to me personally and to me and Wendy as a couple.
I pray the fruit of this Congress will be renewed vigor for the ministries entrusted to me, to grow more as a man of prayer and deeper holiness, and a better husband.
I loved spending time with Deacon friends from New Orleans indeed but also meeting Deacon friends from Facebook and across the country.
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