I Should Have Gone On Vacation Earlier

Things always happen when I am on vacation. This vacation is no exception.

We are in a remote area that gets very spotty cell phone coverage. I noticed that a call was coming in from my pastor. However, I could not answer it due to the spotty coverage. When I checked my voice-mail, there was a message from my pastor indicating that, after years and years of applying gentle pressure on our Bishop, he has finally agreed to provide the opportunity for me to pursue a call to the permanent diaconate in our diocese.

I have been interested in the permanent diaconate for many years. In fact, I have been ready to apply to a formation program for many years. Unfortunately, there has been no activity related to the permanent diaconate in our diocese since the only class of deacons was ordained over four years ago.

While I have been sending the Bishop letters for years, I cannot take the credit for this turn of events. Credit goes to my pastor, a well-respected priest that has sent letters of support to the Bishop. I can also thank the diocesan vocation director that, after meeting with me a couple months ago, developed a strategy to approach the Bishop with a plan that would make it possible for me to enter a permanent diaconate formation program in a neighboring diocese, but return for ordination and serves in my diocese. The key may have been that the vocation director convinced the vicar general to support the plan.

Being on vacation and somewhat out of the communications loop, I feel like a kid that can't get to the presents underneath the Christmas tree until a few days after Christmas. I don't know what letters might await me when I return home from vacation.