First Things

It's been more than a couple of weeks since the ordination, and I still have this surreal feeling of "I can't believe I'm a Deacon!"  So, to convince myself that I am now an ordained minister of God, I am recording a list of firsts for posterity:

1st Mass - 10/26/2013 at 5 p.m. at St. Anne with my spiritual father, Fr. Bob.  Fr. Bob knew that I'd get choked up with emotion and so, he was kind enough to take over the homily, but I ended up shedding tears anyway.

Fr. Bob looks on as I deliver my first penitential rite

1st Mass with Bishop Vann - 10/27/2013 10 a.m. -  No major blunder.  Bishop Vann gave me this advice:  "Yes, dear", "Yes, Monsignor", and "Yes, Bishop", I'll do just fine if I say those words to the right people.
...and I can't believe I don't have any picture from this mass!

1st Homily - 10/28/2013 9 a.m. -  I told Fr. Bob that since it was the feast day of Sts. Simon and Jude, I thought it was appropriate that I should lay my life down after I preach and teach, just like Sts. Simon and Jude.  No such luck, as you can see, I'm still alive to write the events down.

1st Exposition and Benediction of Blessed Sacrament - 11/1/2013 8 a.m. - I have no words to describe the experience of lifting up the Blessed Sacrament and showing it to the congregation.  Just Awesome.

1st Baptism - 11/2/2013 11 a.m. - Perhaps I've found my true calling?  It was so amazing to be the one to welcome little Davis into the community of believers.  God is good, I know, all the time, yes, God is good.

Let the Children come to Me... and watch in amazement!