My spiritual journey to the Eucharist and my involvement in the Permanent Diaconate began when I was a child. I was one of four brothers and one sister and my parents took us to Mass and Communion every day. My parents encouraged me and my three brothers to consider going to the seminary to become priests of Jesus Christ. My oldest brother was, in fact, ordained in 1962, but unfortunately died in 1987 after 25 years as a priest. I went into the minor Seminary at St. Benedict for six years, and one year at Notre Dame Seminary. Then, discerning with my spiritual director, left in order to pursue another vocation. Not long after I left Notre Dame Seminary I met my wife, Tricia, on a blind date on November 21, 1964. We were married on June 4, 1966, and are the proud parents of five children and 13 grandchildren. We both practice our Catholic faith devoutly. One of the most important parts of our marriage was being married at Mass by my brother, a Catholic priest, who performed the ceremony.
I went to law school and graduated in 1968. I then practiced law up to the current time. In 1974, the director of the newly created Permanent Diaconate program was Msgr. John Favalora. He called me and asked if I was interested in applying for the Permanent Diaconate in the Archdiocese of New Orleans. I prayed about it with my wife and discerned that it would be a good way for me to serve the Church and the people of God. I was enrolled in the second formation class. We were ordained on May 23, 1976. I have been assigned my entire 45 years as a deacon to St. Catherine of Siena Parish. I have served under seven pastors. I consider it one of the singular blessings of my life to have been led to the Permanent Diaconate where my devotion to the Eucharist grew over the years.
It is difficult to explain to someone who does not understand our belief in the Eucharist what it means in the life of a family and what it means in the life of an individual. Most other religions do not believe in the transubstantiation of the bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ. Most look upon it as a remembrance of Jesus’ passion and resurrection. We know, as Catholics, and believe, as Catholics, that the bread becomes the body of Christ and the wine becomes the blood of Christ; and we are fortunate enough to participate in a meal whereby we are fed the body and blood of Christ. I have always looked upon this as consuming any food: it becomes part of your body. We all know from our human experience, if you eat the wrong kind of food, you often have bad results. To relate that analogy to the Eucharist, if you eat of the body and blood of Christ you will have everlasting life. Jesus is consumed into your body and courses through your whole body, your whole digestive system and thereby sanctifies you and me with His own Body and Blood. It is such a magnificent mystery and one that we get to enjoy all the days of our lives. Of course, we have all the other sacraments that we participate in. The sacrament of reconciliation, prepares us to receive the body and blood of Christ. We should utilize the Sacrament of Reconciliation often to prepare our souls and our bodies for the reception of Jesus Christ.
As my faith journey continued throughout my life, I have been blessed with a very devoted wife who is devoted to the Church, devoted to her family, devoted to me, and is a much holier person than I ever hope to be. I consider my wife to be a very genuine Catholic. She actually inspires me by her devotion so that I can translate that devotion into my Diaconate and serve the people of God. Over the last 45 years, I have been privileged to minister to the people of St. Catherine of Siena parish. I have ministered at the altar and distributed Communion, baptized, conducted funerals, marriage prep, part of the RCIA team and helping more than 150 people present annulments to the Church Tribunal. I helped in any way that I could in the parish which I love so dearly.
In three instances I was asked to be the campaign chairman for fund raisers. First, for the Barrett Complex; second for the improvements on Metairie Road when the gravel parking lot was beautified and seven inches of concrete were laid in order to have better drainage; and third, Campaign 2000, when the renovation of the church was completed along with many additions to the school, including enlarging the cafeteria and joining the senior building to the cafeteria so that the students could go from one end of the campus to the other without going into the weather.
I close by thanking my wife and my children; Michael, my only son; Denise, Jaime, Melissa, and Christine; and my 13 grandchildren; for the tremendous support I receive in my Diaconate. God bless you, and thanks for all the prayers for me in my current journey and fight against cancer.