Spring Journey articles

My personal life and my faith have taught me that Christ is present to us every second of our existence. In my case, He led me to the diaconate.  I was blessed to be born into a loving, Catholic family in Montreal; however, following the death of an ailing sister and, later, that of my father when I was ten years old, our family life was thrown into turmoil.  Obscurity and confusion reigned in my young man’s soul.  Yet, Christ’s mercy and faithfulness were unrelenting!  For years, I struggled to discern my vocation to marriage or the priesthood.  Ultimately, I went on retreat at a Cistercian Abbey in Rougemont, Quebec.  My prayer was ardent as I asked the Lord to give me direction.  While on retreat, I noticed that there were married couples at the monastery, and I learned that the men were preparing for vocations to the diaconate.  Straightaway, the dilemma of my vocation was resolved as I aspired to follow Christ through marriage and eventually to become his servant in the diaconate.  I married my wife, Christian, and, in time, God gave us a son, Séamus, now seventeen.  While in Quebec, I made two different applications to diaconate programs, but circumstances intervened, and they were not completed.  Then, about six years ago, when we moved from Quebec to Perth, I contacted Deacon Bill Gervais and began my diaconal formation in earnest with the Archdiocese of Kingston.

My diaconal training covered a period of four years; Christian and I met with other couples at the hospitable Providence Spirituality Centre.  Morning and evening prayer were a constant, as well as the invitation to read every day a page or two of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.  Christian and I came to a deep appreciation of God’s presence through the mystical poetry of the psalms and the succinct and edifying teachings of the Church.  Three other couples, who have become dear friends, remained with us throughout those formational years (Allan and Bernice Hogan, Nick and Jocelyn Whalen, and Paul and Nimi Bowman).  Allan, Nick, Paul, and I were ordained to the Permanent Diaconate on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception in 2018.  It is said that we are ontologically changed through ordination, and I believe that this is true.  Christ has invited each of us to follow him in the service of his Church, forever transforming our very essence.  A spiritual bond unites Deacons Allan, Nick, Paul, and me as we each have answered a call from Christ to follow him as his servant.  I have been blessed to continue this work, having been named to St. John the Baptist Parish in Perth, where I have been inspired by the parishioners’ and our pastor’s many acts of goodness.
As a young man, I was fortunate to have attended a talk given by Mother Teresa.  At the end of her talk, I realized that I had witnessed goodness and holiness itself through her person.  I realize that I witness this very same goodness at St. John the Baptist Parish.  It is a pleasure to serve as a deacon here.  I particularly love delivering homilies; it is a privilege to comment on Christ’s words.  Christian helps me a great deal with her fine editing skills.  Serving at the foot of the altar continues to be the mystical highlight of my day.  And Christian and I have been moved by the privilege of praying with the sick and dying and their families.  

Lately, I have been kept from active ministry due to a diagnosis of cancer.  This challenge has nonetheless graced me, and it has brought me more in touch with God’s call to constant prayer.  I am moved at how supportive my parish community has been, and I am bolstered by the care and love of Christian and Séamus.  During this time of sickness, I feel as if I am on a prolonged retreat of a different sort.  I perceive more certainly how, in today’s Church, God calls me and all of us to focus on Christ, the Victor of all suffering and death, to join Mary and John at the foot of the cross, and to place all of our trust in Him who gives us eternal salvation.

Prayer, Fasting, Almsgiving

Our Lenten journey of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving prepares us for the great Paschal mystery of the passion, death, and resurrection of Christ.  Each of us knows in our heart how we have been touched spiritually this Lent.  By reflecting on the Lenten Scripture readings, we may have become more attuned to our attitudes and aware of our positive and negative behaviours.  Christ’s mercy and unconditional love for us as individuals may have touched us at a level not previously experienced.  Having our hearts touched through prayer, reflection, fasting, and almsgiving of various forms may have taken on a deeper meaning. 
I believe this excerpt from Isaiah 58:6-7 exemplifies the need for almsgiving:  Lent pleasing to God is “releasing those bound unjustly, setting free the oppressed, sharing bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and homeless, … and not turning your back on your own”.  Every day, we are confronted by worldly oppression, injustices, homelessness, and devastation of many kinds.  Almsgiving can take many forms, including financial donations, assisting in shelters, and praying for those searching for underlying causes of injustices and oppression.   
Let us reflect on the line “not turning your back on your own”.  Reach out to a family member experiencing marital difficulties; to a child searching for meaning in life; to one who is alone and lonely; to someone you know who is gradually accepting the cross of illness or grieving the death of a loved one. 
Through our Lenten Journey of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, we share in the passion and suffering of Jesus and enter the glory of Easter.  The pain of the cross always leads to the glory of the resurrection.  Christ triumphs!  Alleluia!  Alleluia!  Alleluia!