Looking back at the weekly messages of Father Paul Counce, first published in The Carpenter, our weekly Parish Bulletin
Published: July 16, 2017
Thanks for the kind welcome to Deacon Gary Mooney which you gave to him and his wife Sue last weekend! While his weekday work with the JAG Corps at Fort Polk will keep him busy Mondays through Fridays, his presence and ministry will soon be comfortable additions to our Parish weekend Masses and other activities. By all means, he says, if you can think of a way he can be of service to you, don’t hesitate to ask! Just remember, he asks, that he’s a rookie, just ordained a month ago. He’ll “learn by doing” of course, and we’re all looking forward to helping him!
This is probably a good opportunity for me to put the word out to other men in the Parish: have you ever given any thought to being a deacon? Vocations to the priesthood are not the only ones, you know!
Since the Second Vatican Council in the mid-1960s decided to restore the diaconate as a permanent rank of clergy in the Church and include even married men in it, thousands of deacons have been ordained throughout the world. While the fundamental theology of the deacon is service, not leadership, the efforts of deacons and their wives and families to build up God’s Kingdom on earth in many and varied ways has made a big difference. Many pastors and parish communities would find it hard to operate without them! In our own Diocese of Baton Rouge we active priests are now outnumbered by our deacons, and greatly value their witness and assistance.
So, guys, give it a thought! It will take a few years of mostly-weekend study and formation, and needs the foundation of a firm and docile faith, but the graces and opportunities of the Sacrament of Holy Orders are worth it! Our diocesan Director of Deacon Formation is Father Jamin David, and he can be contacted either by email at jdavid@diobr.org or by telephone at 225-567-3573.
I do want to honor with appreciation the memory of the late Glynn Richard Heroman, a former parishioner of St. Joseph Cathedral Parish who remembered us in her will. Legacies like hers are always a special sign of love of God and for our precious Catholic faith; they are helpful to the Parish but even more importantly obtain the Lord’s blessing and make more firm one’s road to salvation. Please pray for the repose of her soul, and that her example inspire more of our wonderful parishioners and friends to imitate her generosity.
Finally, don’t forgot our « Patriotic Pot-Luck Supper « this Monday, July 17, at 6 pm in the Parish Hall. Come out and enjoy an all-American meal of hamburgers and hot dogs: we just need you to bring a salad, side or dessert, along with your family, lots of smiles, and a hearty appetite!
Sincerely in the Lord,
Fr. Paul
