At funerals, I often make the observation that we gather to celebrate the life of a dear relative or friend in much the same way that we gather on New Year’s Eve. As midnight approaches, perhaps with a drink in hand, we reminisce about the year that is drawing to a close – we review achievements and our disappointments.
Like the mourners at the funeral, we have to be realistic of where we are at this particular time. Hopefully the grieving friends and relatives – with our help – will realise that for their loved one, this is only the end of an earthly life, that there is a life in eternity with their God. New Year’s Eve is also a time for looking ahead – to the year to come, to learn from the year that has just passed, and to be enthusiastic about the goals we may set for ourselves in the year to come.
By this time, the holiday season for most of us will be only a memory and we will be engrossed in our diaconate ministry to the people whom we serve. When I was young and living on the South Coast of Queensland, (before it became the Gold Coast), one of the local milk companies used the slogan – “Our milk comes from contented cows”. It wasn’t long before another company, just south of the border replied with a new slogan that declared, “Our cows are never contented, they always try harder”.
There are times when we don’t feel like taking on new or extra responsibilities in our ministry. There are times when we need to remind ourselves that being ordained to the diaconate was not OUR decision, but that of the Holy Spirit working within us. It was not long after my ordination when this really hit home to me. A teacher in our Primary School asked me to come to talk to her Year Three pupils about my ministry. After talking for a while, I was showing them a couple of my vestments and stoles, when I was interrupted by a young boy with his hand up. “Why did you become a Deacon?” he asked. And the only truthful answer I could give him was, “because God wanted me to”. With all the formation and organisation for my ordination, it was a direct question that I had not been asked. I’m sure that at some time, all of us have faced the same question in some particular way. I’m also sure that we would all reply in words similar to mine.
Family and Church
These are the moments to remember during the year when our spirits may tend to flag somewhat as we try to manage our commitments to our family and our church. A priest, during a recent discussion on priesthood and diaconate, said that priesthood was a lot simpler in that they were only answerable to one vocation. But then we have wonderful supportive wives and family. As someone once said, “Priests have better quarters – deacons have better halves!”.
The NCD welcomes our new members Roger O’Donnell from Canberra, representing the NSW/ACT region and also Jim Curtain from Beaumaris representing Victoria/Tasmania. We also thank our outgoing member, Elliott Casalengno from Sydney. Elliott has been a very active member of the Committee over several years and I would like to thank him, and his other Sydney deacons for their efforts in getting together the Deacons Vocations display for World Youth Day 08. Elliott, may you and Regina find more time to be together!
In mid-February, the NCD came together in Belmont for our annual Face to Face meeting which included a time spent with the National Council of Priests Executive. High on our list of priorities was continuing the organisation of our National Conference in August. It will be not only a time for some ongoing formation, but also a chance to spend time together and sharing each other’s experiences. More details will emerge and we will keep you informed. Hope that you will be able to come to Sydney for this event.
I would like to thank Anthony Gooley and all who contributed articles for the 2008 issues, for the work that has gone into our AusDeacon News. Its success will continue in 2009 as more diaconate news is sent for publication. Fresh ideas and discussion from deacons and wives is always welcome.
May your 2009 be filled with happiness, good health and love! Take care!
Peter Olsen
