January 19, 2020
I have to admit that I am pretty lucky and blessed. I have been able to follow my hearts desire by finally becoming a Deacon within a church. As you know I was ordained a Deacon into the Community Catholic Church of Canada on June 9, 2019.
My husband Mike and my friend and fellow Deacon, Rev. Shari (she is now a Priest) were my sponsors. It is funny as Mike is not religious at all. To be honest I was surprised that he came with me. I wasn’t really expecting but so happy that he did.
To say I was stressed was an understatement. The drive is a long one and it was a warm day. I was nervous to begin with and praying that I didn’t cry during the ceremony. Which I can proudly say, I didn’t cry.
Meeting some of the clergy for the first time was a thrill as well. We don’t get to see each other often but it is wonderful when we do. Getting there and making sure that Mike was ok, getting ready, talking to everyone was putting me at ease. Still hot as blue blazes though. We even stopped along the way because it seem to take forever to get there.
The journey with my fellow Deaconette’s, Debbie (aka Jonesy) and Carroll. They were going to make sure that I didn’t cry. I was in the middle of the two of them so I would have had one on each side making sure I wouldn’t. We exchanged gifts.
I made them each a rosary and a book on how to pray the rosary. They are both from the Anglican side and they didn’t pray the rosary. Carroll gave us angels. I love them and collect angels. Jonesy, she got us each a watch with our ordination date on it and our new titles. I cherish each gift.
There was no air conditioning in the church and we were going to be layered in robes. Archbishop Deb was heavily robed as were the other Bishops. I felt for them. I was blessed to have a vent with cool air blowing upwards.
The ceremony started and there was no turning back. We stood with our sponsors each taking turn to say that we were good to go basically. We were given candles and we blew them out, stoles were place, then our dalmatics were placed. We were given our bibles and after our promises we were then pronounced as the Rev’s Debbie, Lorie and Carroll.
Once the congratulations were out of the way, I did go to my friend Donna and her friend Al, who drove from Toronto to see this and then over to Mike. I was literally bursting with pride. I did want to cry then but didn’t.
So for our first official duties, we were to assist as Deacon’s for the communion. Rev. Debbie was to set up the altar. Rev. Carroll and myself would bring the wine and host from our fellow clergy. Got through that with a little coaching from Archbishop. No matter how many times we practiced when we went to Mount Carmel, the day of, we were drawing blanks.
We then were to go forth and offer communion and wine to those who wanted it. Any Christian is allowed to participate. So off Rev. Carroll and I went. I had the host and she offered up the wine. Rev. Debbie was with Bishop Liz (then Archdeacon). Made it through that and with the final blessing and dismissal from the three newest Deacon’s, we were off to have a party downstairs.
Each Ordination is special and I know now that I am going through for being a priest the next one will bring me to tears. Here are some pictures from my Ordination.
Debbie, Carroll and Lorie, before Ordination
before we were ready to go
my dalmatic being put on..
We are vested and now Deacons
being introduced the everyone
Rev. Carroll and myself doing communion
me offering communion to my friend Donna
my co-sponsor Rev. Shari and I
Our clergy
no explanation needed
yummy deacon cookies
my gift from Rev. Shari
My next post will be in ordinations at the CCCC. Until next posting, have a blessed day.
Rev. Lorie
