With A Servant's Heart

By Deacon Robin Adair

This weekend marks my third year as Deacon volunteer here at St. Vincent’s. A week doesn’t go by when I don’t take a quiet moment to thank the Lord for my time and service here. And thank all of you for the people and the parish you are. You have made me feel so welcome these 3 years. What a privilege it is to work with Fr. Norm and Deacon Andy, our staff, Pastoral Council, and parish organizations. The hospitality, diversity, inclusiveness, and commitment are incredible.

It’s good for us to reflect and discern from time to time why we choose to embark on new commitments. Questions arise, “Why am I here? Why am I doing this? Is God calling me here? How will I have an impact on those I serve, and they me?”

When I came to the parish 3 years ago, I thought I could “put it in cruise”. But I have been challenged by experiences in ministry that I didn’t expect. Two parish groups that have made a deep impact on me are the LGBTQ sessions, and the Black/White Dialogue. To hear the stories of how these good folks have been marginalized and discriminated, even in church communities, is disheartening, but hopeful too, as we offer a listening heart to these brothers and sisters in Christ.

So, last month I took 3 days and made my annual retreat at the Trappist Monastery south of Bardstown, KY. I spent 3 days hiking their 2500 acres, chanting the psalms with the monks in their magnificent church; and catching up on my spiritual reading and prayer. And discerning my past, present, and future diaconal role here at St. Vincent parish, and my ministry to the nursing home I work as a Chaplain. I was blessed to spend an hour with the former Abbott, Timothy Kelly, in spiritual direction in these deeply personal matters of discernment.

We all have a need for discernment and quiet. We all have a need to be away from the noise of the world and be alone with the Lord. Jesus himself would seek out a quiet place to pray to the Father. In today’s Gospel, He encourages the disciples to join him in prayer, in the quiet. That place doesn’t have to be a 6-hour trip to a monastery. Maybe for you it’s a quiet walk in the morning or evening by yourself, maybe its time here in church before the Blessed Sacrament on Saturdays before Mass; or maybe it’s writing in a journal your thoughts on how the scriptures are speaking to your life. It’s called, “soul work”. And the Lord knows how much we all need it to

discern where He is calling to be, to live, to grow, and to serve Him and one another.

So, thank you all again for the honor and privilege of serving you. I look forward with joy and gratitude for more times to come here at St. Vincent.