After many months of planning it is almost difficult to believe that in exactly two months I will be gathered with the deacons and their wives from the Diocese of Springfield, Illinois for a special convocation. As we approach the 50th anniversary of the restoration of the permanent diaconate, it is profitable for us to take some time to reflect upon our ministry in the Church. I am truly humbled and honored when I am invited by other dioceses to facilitate such reflections and discussions.
While much has been written about the role of the deacon in the last several decades, there is still a great deal of misunderstanding about his particular vocation. Fifty years in the life of the Church is a relatively short period of time. Subsequently, there is still an opportunity for growth and greater appreciation for the role of the deacon in ministry.
I have experienced many things in my 17 years of ministry as a deacon serving in three different dioceses. It will be a pleasure to share some of the insights learned, and I look forward to learning from the experiences of the deacons and their wives from Springfield, Illinois. (I ask all of my readers to keep us in prayer for a fruitful gathering so that we may experience renewal in the Holy Spirit.)