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Archives Permanent deacon lives out two vocations

Nov. 19, 2014

By Deacon Larry Ambeau
Parish of St. Cecilia and Queen of Heaven Churches in Adams and Henderson

Just who is a permanent deacon and what does he do?

A permanent deacon becomes a member of the clergy when ordained by a bishop. Through the imposition of hands and the prayer of consecration, the permanent deacon is constituted a sacred minister and a member of the hierarchy: bishop-priest-deacon.

His ordination calls him to share in the mission of Christ.

Pope John Paul II cites in Lumen Gentium, 29: “For strengthened by sacramental grace, in communion with the bishop and his group of priests they serve in the diaconate of the liturgy, of the word, and of charity to the people of God.”

I was ordained a permanent deacon for the Diocese of Ogdensburg by Bishop LaValley Oct. 5, 2013. That day was one of the most important days of my life because it was the day I began a second vocation. It is the vocation in the diaconate.

You see I am very fortunate to have two vocations: marriage and diaconate. Thirty-nine years ago I married a wonderful young woman, Vickie, and we started our family together. Our family has grown to three children, who are all married, and six grandchildren: three boys and three girls.

God called me to serve my own family and to serve the rest of His family. The other family I serve in addition is the people of the Parish of St. Cecilia and Queen of Heaven Churches in Adams and Henderson where I have been assigned as their deacon. I serve with the newly named pastor, Father Martin Cline.  

As I reflect back on my ordination weekend last year two things stand out.

One is a gift I received from one of my classmates in deacon formation. He gave me a towel to remind me of my responsibility to service to my family, my fellow deacons and the rest of Christ’s flock just as Jesus did when he washed the feet of his apostles at the Last Supper on Holy Thursday night. I have that towel near my computer where I can see it daily to remind me of my commitment.

The second thing that made a great impression on me was that on the day after ordination I had the privilege of baptizing one of my grandsons at my first Mass as a deacon.

I cannot describe the feeling I had of not only celebrating my first Eucharist as deacon with two of my favorite priests - Fathers Patrick Ratigan and Leo Wiley - but also of being allowed to welcome my grandson, Logan Kotary into Christ’s fold through baptism.

Wow what an experience!

Recently I received the faculty to preach homilies. Through the guidance of Deacon Kevin Mastellon and Msgr. Paul Whitmore I wrote and delivered several homilies at the Monastery of the Precious Blood and St. Andrew’s Church in Sackets Harbor in preparation for receiving the faculty.

Deacon Kevin was my homiletics professor during deacon formation so I thought he would be an excellent choice as mentor to offer constructive guidance in helping me write my homilies. I thought correctly. Deacon Kevin tweaked my homilies and gave me pointers on delivery, which gave me the confidence I needed.

I attend Mass at the Monastery regularly on Saturday mornings and have developed a great admiration for Msgr. Whitmore. After Mass a number of us guys along with Monsignor go to breakfast and have various discussions on all topics of our faith. I asked Monsignor if he would help me with obtaining the faculty to preach. Again I hit a homerun in selecting Monsignor. His years of experience in delivering thought stimulating homilies were very helpful in my campaign.

I have to apologize to Monsignor for one of my homilies though. I delivered a homily on the gospel in Matthew where Jesus addresses worrying. It is Matthew 6:25-34 and I started out the homily singing the first verse to Bobby McFerrin’s song: “Don’t Worry Be Happy.” Well the Monsignor says that the song is permanently stuck in his mind and I am to blame. All I can say to that Monsignor is: “Don’t worry be happy” in God’s love.

This past year has gone by fast. I love being a father and grandfather to my family and a deacon to my parish family. I particularly love serving at the celebration of the Eucharist by proclaiming the Gospel and occasionally delivering a homily, writing and saying the Prayers of the Faithful and assisting at the distribution of Holy Communion. I also love celebrating Holy Hours with Eucharistic Exposition and Benediction of which we have three each month: two at St. Cecilia’s and one at Queen of Heaven.

We pray for religious vocations, which we all desperately need. I assist at Sunday morning religious education classes; and instruct the altar servers, lectors and extraordinary ministers in their ministry. I cannot wait until I retire from my employment so that I can spend more time serving all my families.

Baptism

photo supplied
On the day after his Oct. 5, 2013, ordination as a permanent deacon, Deacon Larry Ambeau of Adams baptized his grandson, Logan Kotary.  The deacon is shown during the ceremony with his daughter Melissa and her husband Andy Kotary, Logan and their other son Lucas. The godparents are Thomas Ambeau and Shellie Ambeau Tucker

 

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