A deacon friend of mine had the unfortunate duty, if you will, of burying his loving mother after a brief illness. I did not know her or really any of the family. She wasn’t Catholic, and the service was conducted by a Baptist pastor whom I actually did know. He led a beautiful graveside service. I attended without my clergy collar, dressed simply in work attire, a tie, jacket, and all. After all, I wasn’t performing any ministry. I wasn’t serving as a cleric of the Church; at least, that’s how I looked at it then. I offered my condolences, and he was truly glad to see me there.
Now, as I look back on that moment, I wonder: Was I led there by friendship, one formed during our diaconate formation, or by the sense that I was simply doing what we are called to do? Honestly, I think both are good answers.
This experience made me reflect on the service of a deacon. Having been ordained for over 21 years, to this day, I still contemplate how I am called to this clerical service. Looking back over those years, I now see the many times I was present in both people’s pain and their joy. Often, the greatest thing I offered in those moments was simply my presence. I was not asked to lead a prayer, give a speech, take out the trash, or even be “seen”.
There is a true, clear calling in serving the Church as a deacon. Serving at Mass, teaching, visiting, ministering, and allowing people to experience God’s love through our ordained ministry are all part of it. During formation we were told over and over that being a deacon is a 24/7 calling. I understood those words then, but it took time for me to see how they would manifest themselves in my life, because, in truth, this cannot be a separate part of one’s life. To be honest, I have found the greatest peace in simply being the one who stopped by, offered an encouraging word, or gave a much-needed hug. In those moments I wasn’t vested, wearing a clerical collar, or even standing inside a church. Those experiences remind me that every aspect of my living and breathing is now in service to God and His Church.
Please don’t misunderstand me. There is certainly nothing wrong with appropriately wearing a clerical collar while serving in the ministries of the Church. I do, and it’s a visible sign of who we are called to be. It can also bring comfort to those who see us when we are in our collars. But after all these years, I can honestly say I now feel that collar around my neck 24/7. It is my hope that others see my call to service no matter what I am wearing, whether it’s shorts and a T-shirt, a tie and jacket, or jeans and a pullover shirt. On that note, I must give a shoutout to Deacon Nash. You taught us that the collar is worn long before it is seen. Just so you know, we were listening, and now it is our privilege to pass that lesson on to those who will one day wear that collar as well, 24/7.
Right now, we have a little over 20 ordained deacons who are actively serving across our diocese. They’re living out this 24/7 calling every day, preaching the Gospel and serving our communities while also serving their families as husbands, fathers, and sons. We’re also incredibly blessed to see this exact lesson being passed on to a brand new group of men right here in North Louisiana. Bishop Malone and the Diocese of Shreveport recently welcomed 29 new men as official Candidates for the Permanent Diaconate. These men are stepping up to answer God’s call, continuing a deep journey of prayer, study, and preparation. They’re learning what it means to carry that invisible collar, getting ready to step into our parishes to serve you, visit your sick loved ones, and stand as a source of comfort in your moments of joy and sorrow.
This vital formation requires extensive resources, classes, and spiritual guidance, and it’s largely funded through the generosity of families who contribute to the Catholic Service Appeal. When you give to the CSA, you are directly supporting these 29 men and ensuring that our communities will always have dedicated deacons ready to serve. Your gifts genuinely become the hands and feet of Christ in our diocese.
Your gifts to the Catholic Service Appeal help ministries like this continue serving our community. If you would like to be part of this mission, you can learn more or give here: https://www.dioshpt.org/service-appeals/
