Ordination Highlight Reel!

Ordination. That one word pretty much sums up this past week. Well, I better add another word: illness. Of course, right? Last week leading up to Saturday’s ordination, Joel came down with food poisoning. I, the one who rarely gets sick, caught the flu bug and was down for the count for two whole days. All three kids battled fevers and viral gunk. But we got through it — the sneezing, watery eyes, coughing, and snotty running noses — we got through it!

There are so many thoughts and emotions running through my heart and mind still. I enjoyed looking back at this post here that Joel wrote three years ago and see how far we’ve come in this journey. I would like to allow my fingers to fly on the keyboard and write and reflect. But resting and being off the computer has been the better choice for me this week. For now, I am honored to share a few photos of the most blessed day with you. Thanks to so many of you for your constant prayers and support. We would NOT have been able to complete this journey without you.

I often recap our family sacramental celebrations using the {pretty happy funny real} format link-up. It seems like a good format to use for Holy Orders, too!

— pretty —

The following photos were taken during the Ordination Mass. I share a bit about what’s going on at that particular time in the Mass under each photo.

Joel is called and presented by the Director of Diaconate Formation for the Diocese of Des Moines.

Joel kneels, places his hands in the bishop’s hands, and promises respect and obedience to Bishop Pates and his successors.

The candidates prostrate themselves during the singing of the Litany of the Saints, a sign of their submission to God and the Church in humble service.

Cool shot from the choir loft during the Litany of the Saints!

Bishop Pates invokes the presence and action of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the candidates through the laying on of hands.

As he hands the book of the Gospels to the newly ordained, the bishop says, “Receive the Gospel of Christ, whose herald you have become. Believe what you read, teach what you believe, and practice what you teach.” 

Now that’s a great family mission statement, isn’t it?

— happy —

My mom mentioned that right after the Mass, Lucy happily said, “I can’t believe my dad is really a deacon now!” I honestly can’t either. It’s been one heck of a ride to get to this point.

Lucy (6), Jude (2-1/2), and Lydia (10 months)

That’s my bud Charlotte to my left. Charlotte is married to the newly ordained Deacon Tom. They were parishioners at Sacred Heart in Chariton until, oh, about 48 hours ago. Sacred Heart is the parish with the awesome Corpus Christi procession that we wrote about here. As fate would have it, Deacon Tom and Charlotte have been assigned to St. Anthony in Des Moines and are now moving just a few blocks from our house. I cried happy tears when Charlotte told me this news. She’s been an awesome spiritual sister to me during formation and now having her just a few blocks away and not 70 miles makes the finale of this incredible journey all the sweeter. Our entire deacon community has grown into one tight-knit family, and I especially look up to Charlotte.

Hello Deacons! Deacon Andrew is a transitional deacon for our diocese and will be ordained a priest next summer, God willing. During the Prayer of Ordination at the Mass, the deacons were vested with stole and dalmatic by clergy who have played a role in their formation. Joel asked Deacon Andrew to vest him, and then Deacon Andrew turned around and assisted with Joel at the Basilica on Sunday morning, too. That was an awesome moment, and I teared up when looking at the two deacons as they sat on the altar. Deacon Andrew is a beautiful human being, and the Church will benefit greatly because of his priesthood. Please pray for him and all our seminarians.

— funny —

The children are now prostrating themselves in humble prayer. Or are they just tired?

Joel’s first task at putting his deacon skills to use was helping out our sister-in-law whose car had a very strange computer malfunction that basically shut down her car, stranding her at the Cathedral. We like to keep it real in this family. Bonus: I’m happy to see a third row of people fit comfortably in the back of our Pilot.

— real —

Joel has been assigned to the Basilica of St. John in Des Moines for four years. Bishop Pates has also appointed him to continue providing leadership and support to the Pregnancy and Infant Loss Ministry for the Diocese. So after all the fun on Saturday, Joel turned around and assisted as deacon at the Basilica for both Sunday Masses. He also delivered his first homily. I AM SO DANG PROUD OF HIM! Some have asked if the homily is available online. YES! The Basilica telecasts through ChurchCast. Click on over here, then look for the On-Demand tab and open the 8/17/14 video. Fast-forward to about the 22:00 minute mark to hear the homily.

And finally, I love this photo of the new deacon and me. It’s that sweet moment after he assisted at his first Mass, after delivering his first homily, after four years of formation, after having two babies during formation … after it all … now we finally begin to slowly exhale and establish our new normal as a deacon family. Whatever that may look like!

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