I received a letter from Bishop Finn today that read in part:
"I have received with great pleasure your application for admission to our Diaconate Formation process. At this time I am happy to advise you that in reviewing your application and the other information presented, I have accepted the Diocanate Selection Committee's recommendation that you be admitted to Aspirancy' a period of mutual discernment for Diaconal Formation."
I've been expecting this letter for a week or so--or I guess I should say--I've been expecting A letter for a week or say telling me either yay, nay, or try again next time! Every time I've gone to the mailbox I've said a quick prayer, "Okay God, may YOUR will be done . . . and help me to remember that." I've been contemplating this descision for a long time and been very nervous. Sometimes the diaconate looks very interesting and something that I would enjoy . . . others it scares the heck out of me! Two things have put me at ease, 1) knowing that the five year process is a discernment process . . . . you have up until your ordination to say no. 2) knowing that family comes first. They recognize that my marriage and family is my primary vocation. It's made known that the person with the ultimate authority to say no isn't the bishop but Abby.
So, now I await more paperwork from the Diaconate Office telling me my schedule for the next five years. Please, remember me in your prayers as I enter into this next phase of my life.
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Diaconate? must go google that...
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, you will be wonderful in this position........:-) Hugs
ReplyDeletecongratulations on being accepted as a deacon candidate! (or is that the second step?) There are so many different steps, I forget them all. My dad's a newly ordained deacon in MN and loving it. I'll pass your blog along to my hubs who shares your profession. God Bless!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! Based on what I have read here, I think you'd be a wonderful Deacon. Prayers with you as you continue this journey!
ReplyDeleteJaime, Congratulations. My father spent the last three years in formation for the Diocese of Jefferson City, Missouri. He will be ordained in April. It has been a blessing to our family and I hope it will be to yours as well. You will be in my prayers during the discernment process.
ReplyDeleteMatt
Thank you all for your kind words. I guess the application stage could be considered the first stage. The stage I'm entering is called the Aspirancy stage.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! I will most likely be entering the "Year of Inquiry" in the fall to further discern a call to the diaconate. I'll pray for you.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Jamie. I'm pleased for you and do indeed pray that God will guide your discernment process... and Abby's.
ReplyDeleteCongrats! I'm so happy for you and your family. May you be blessed for your generosity.
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