It's Time to
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As my life has changed repeatedly over the past few years, I have stopped every once in a while to reflect about what I am doing and what God is calling to do. Every once in a while, I find some overlap between the two, which makes me happy. There have been other times in which the two are not close together. That is when I have taken the time to stop and find a way to change. I am currently at one of those points in my life.
I have shared with many of you the calling that I have felt for many years to serve our Church more as a Permanent Deacon. Currently, in our diocese the process of discernment and formation for the diaconate is six years. It is a discernment, because you don't "study to be a deacon." Rather, you, your wife, and the Church discern whether that is what you are really called to. When I began the actual formation, it was still a five year process. For a five year process (or six now), I am currently ten years into it with a little more than a year left to go. That might seem strange, but it can be part of the process. My career changed a couple of times during those ten years, meaning that I have had to take time off from the formation. So ten years into a six year process with one left to go actually makes sense (sort of).
During the final two years of formation, the candidates are asked to limit the other ministries in which they are involved in and say, "No" more often, so that they/we can focus on what we are receiving. I unfortunately have made a couple of Brother Knights not happy with me when I have responded with a "No" about helping with an event during this current year, especially with ones that in the past I would have helped a lot. It hasn't been easy for me to say, "No." I felt really bad each and every time.
Earlier this year, I let the worthy Grand Knight, Larry Kjellberg, know that I was going to have to say to "No" to a couple of the things that I have continued to do for a while for the Council: the Knight Light newsletter and the website. I have continued to help with these, as I have been able to find time even in the early hours of the day to do so, meaning I am not taking time away from something else. Unfortunately, I am truly at the point in which I am not going to be able to continue. This will be the last edition of the Knight Light in which I am able to help, not because I don't want to, but rather because I have to let go of other ministries in order to concentrate on more my calling.
It was actually funny to look back through the website to find the very first time that I took over from the very capable hands of Brother Tony Lee who had faithfully put together the newsletter for many years (even when his health wasn't cooperating). February 2011 is the first time that my name appeared on the back on the newsletter as Editor. That was WAY before we sent it out electronically. It was so long ago, that I had a land line and not a cell phone number listed! You can also see some names there of Brothers who no longer live in the area and some who have gone on to their great reward.
At this point, I am not sure who will be taking over as the Editor or the Webmaster. Please, pray for whoever takes over. Pray that those that have to send an article each month are faithful in turning in by their deadlines (which has been the same day of each month from before I took over as editor). I also ask that you all pray for my continued discernment. If it is God's will that I be a Permanent Deacon, I will be ordained in September of 2020. I keep saying, "Clear vision in 2020!" If that is not His will, pray that I can discern what His will is for me. In secular terms, pray that I can figure out what I am going to be when I grow up.
I pray that you recognize the blessings that God gives you each and every day. I pray that you put to use all of the graces He provides to you and to your family. I pray that we all be good Knights, ones who live up to what we promised with we completed our First Degree Exemplification. I pray that we be Knights that strive towards the high ideals that Venerable Michael J McGivney set up. Tempus Fugit, Memento Mori.
Vivat Jesus!
Richard Braun
Retiring Editor and Webmaster
I have shared with many of you the calling that I have felt for many years to serve our Church more as a Permanent Deacon. Currently, in our diocese the process of discernment and formation for the diaconate is six years. It is a discernment, because you don't "study to be a deacon." Rather, you, your wife, and the Church discern whether that is what you are really called to. When I began the actual formation, it was still a five year process. For a five year process (or six now), I am currently ten years into it with a little more than a year left to go. That might seem strange, but it can be part of the process. My career changed a couple of times during those ten years, meaning that I have had to take time off from the formation. So ten years into a six year process with one left to go actually makes sense (sort of).
During the final two years of formation, the candidates are asked to limit the other ministries in which they are involved in and say, "No" more often, so that they/we can focus on what we are receiving. I unfortunately have made a couple of Brother Knights not happy with me when I have responded with a "No" about helping with an event during this current year, especially with ones that in the past I would have helped a lot. It hasn't been easy for me to say, "No." I felt really bad each and every time.
Earlier this year, I let the worthy Grand Knight, Larry Kjellberg, know that I was going to have to say to "No" to a couple of the things that I have continued to do for a while for the Council: the Knight Light newsletter and the website. I have continued to help with these, as I have been able to find time even in the early hours of the day to do so, meaning I am not taking time away from something else. Unfortunately, I am truly at the point in which I am not going to be able to continue. This will be the last edition of the Knight Light in which I am able to help, not because I don't want to, but rather because I have to let go of other ministries in order to concentrate on more my calling.
It was actually funny to look back through the website to find the very first time that I took over from the very capable hands of Brother Tony Lee who had faithfully put together the newsletter for many years (even when his health wasn't cooperating). February 2011 is the first time that my name appeared on the back on the newsletter as Editor. That was WAY before we sent it out electronically. It was so long ago, that I had a land line and not a cell phone number listed! You can also see some names there of Brothers who no longer live in the area and some who have gone on to their great reward.
At this point, I am not sure who will be taking over as the Editor or the Webmaster. Please, pray for whoever takes over. Pray that those that have to send an article each month are faithful in turning in by their deadlines (which has been the same day of each month from before I took over as editor). I also ask that you all pray for my continued discernment. If it is God's will that I be a Permanent Deacon, I will be ordained in September of 2020. I keep saying, "Clear vision in 2020!" If that is not His will, pray that I can discern what His will is for me. In secular terms, pray that I can figure out what I am going to be when I grow up.
I pray that you recognize the blessings that God gives you each and every day. I pray that you put to use all of the graces He provides to you and to your family. I pray that we all be good Knights, ones who live up to what we promised with we completed our First Degree Exemplification. I pray that we be Knights that strive towards the high ideals that Venerable Michael J McGivney set up. Tempus Fugit, Memento Mori.
Vivat Jesus!
Richard Braun
Retiring Editor and Webmaster
