Second Meeting

We had our second meeting of the Aspirants on Saturday. It was a glorious day of friendship and learning. We started the day with Morning Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours and then went into an overview of the Permanent Diaconate Formation Program in the Diocese of Arlington. Three of the current Deacon Candidates representing the two classes ahead of us welcomed us to the program and discussed their experiences thus far. Each of them had a theme for their welcoming comments: 1) Uniqueness; 2) Growth; and 3) Balance. The first group of Candidates will finish their studies and spiritual formation at the end of 2010 and the second group will be one year behind them. At the conclusion of their Formation Program, God willing, they will be ordained to the Permanent Diaconate. After Mass one of the Permanent Deacons and his wife talked to us about the graces and the challenges that come along with a calling to the vocation of Permanent Deacon combined with the vocation to the married or single life. Father Tom ended the day with a discussion on the importance of prayer and the Eucharist in our spiritual formation. He pointed out that we are not only formed intellectually in our minds but also spiritually in our hearts. Our next meeting in June will be on a date to be determined. Please pray for me any my fellow Aspirants as we seek to do God's will.