RANDOM THOUGHTS ON BEING A DEACON WITH A YOUNG FAMILY

When I was ordained in February, 2006 my wife and I had been married nearly 18 years and God had blessed us with 8 children (5 we trust are in God’s merciful arms after miscarriage, and 3 with us who were ages 13, 7, and 3). The guys in my ordination class were great during our 5 years of formation, each in their own way assuming the unofficial role of “uncle” to our kids. Our family has had some interesting experiences during formation and after my ordination. I thought it’d be fun to share some of the joyful times along the way:

• Valerie and I were each interviewed by the committee that helped our Archbishop determine who would be admitted to the formation program. They kept asking us, “You have a young family. How are you going to deal with that?” Our answer, “Well, we’re Catholic and we might have more children. Good luck with your decision.” The answer must have stumped-em. They let me in the program and we had a couple more kids!

• When I was instituted Acolyte (an interim rite prior to ordination that deemed me to be a “permanent altar boy”), I learned what a pleasure it was to serve Mass along side my son who had been a seasoned altar server by that time. A new found mutual respect developed that’s lasted to this day.

• There is a point during the Ordination Ceremony when the candidate lies prostrate on the cathedral floor (yup, faced down) as a physical gesture of submission to God. It’s quite an emotional moment and I’ve heard many men say afterward they had cried as the Litany of the Saints had been sung. Not me though…when a daddy of young children lies down on the floor, he, without even thinking about it, instantly stiffens his back in full anticipation that one of the kids will quickly jump on it…and so I did that. A second later, realizing that I had stiffened my back I started giggling at myself. But since I could not look up to see whether the 3-year-old was breaking away, I was prepared for “the pounce”. Little did I know that she was wrapped tight in her godmother’s arms at the other end of the pew.

• When I’m at the Church or otherwise in ministry I am addressed as “Deacon”. My children like to mess with visiting priests to the parish and whenever one of them see me talking with a visiting priest (who is addressed “Father”). One of them will come up to me and say, “Good morning Father.” The priest will often then say, doesn’t that kid know you’re a deacon? And then I fess up, “He’s my son and he’s just messing with you.”

We insist on having a good time…all for the Glory of God.