A Powerful Day today!

It is late, I know.
However, I cannot put this day to rest without sharing some thoughts for this was a spiritually powerfully day for me.
I simply concelebrated at Mass today at St. Aidan Parish here in Livonia where once I served as pastor. However, it was a very special, important Mass for many and definitely for me.
St. Aidan Parish Community had produced a newly ordained deacon for service in the Church of the Archdiocese of Detroit.
I knew him. I watched him grow. I knew when he was choir member and cantor and catechist, laying hold to his faith and its power in his life.
I remember the evening so many years ago when he spoke with me out there in the parking lot after what? choir rehearsal? perhaps. We spoke about the possibilities. Is God somehow working? calling? moving? stirring? We spoke about the program which is to help discern.
Take a chance. I think I said something like that. Enter in and allow others to work with you, to help you, to enable discernment.
If God is having something to say, with help, you will hear it.
That was a whole lot of years ago.
The journey was not always easy. It usually never is.
But today there he was, vested, at the altar, preaching the Word where once (and still) I so often preached the Word.
I watched in silent, solemn awe as his wife wheeled his nephew, now confined to that chair, down the aisle to present the offerings of the faith community. I remembered when that tragic time came for his nephew and for this family. A young man tragically to be physically limited while here on this earth/ And I watched as today this brave woman, the new deacon's wife, entered into ministry with him, she, not ordained but ministering nonetheless. What a powerful witness to faith - couple ministry.
I sat mostly quietly, silently, in the background.
Proud! Indeed!
Grateful! Without question!
Prayerful! For certain for this is the dawning of a new ministry gift to the People of God.
And I remembered again how this journey was launched in a simple conversation in a parking lot on an evening long ago.
As this day comes to its ending I pray: God, bless the work You have begun in the life of Deacon Don Esler and his wonderful wife, Gail. Enrich us all with their presence.
And thank You for allowing me to have some small part in this blessing.