Eastern Oklahoma Catholic July/August 2012 : Page 29
Bishop Slattery and Deacon Craig Gunter at his ordination last June. your perspective Reflections on the first anniversary of my ordination By Deacon Craig Gunter I t seems like it has been a lifetime, but it was only one year ago. We were praying in adoration at the cathedral to start the weekend of our ordination to become permanent deacons. Bishop Slattery slowly worked his way through the class. He was handing out our assignments. I took the envelope, thanked him, and set it down on the pew beside me. I didn’t need to read it; I knew what it said. I noticed one of my classmates squirm in his place; so finally, I opened my letter from Bishop Slattery. “WHAT!! This can’t be right. I’ve been at Christ the King for 20 years, but he is sending me to St. Pius X!” I was in shock. My prayers went flying out thru the stained glass windows. When I was formally introduced to the parish, I had the opportu-nity to say, “24 years ago, I was received into the Catholic Church here at St. Pius X and was married here at St. Pius X. When our grand-daughter was born, we moved over to Christ the King to join them, but now, finally, I have come full circle and I’m back.” The people of St. Pius X Church graciously welcomed me and have helped me to become part of a wonderful parish family. Father Matt Gerlach is now our pastor. He was raised here, ordained a priest and now assigned here too. This is a true homecoming for both of us. There is so much to do, sometimes it’s overwhelming, but it truly is all about the people. It feels like my heart is overflowing with love for everyone. Don’t get me wrong, because some days I do a lot of jug-gling with my time. I’m still working fulltime as a design engineer and my job can be very stressful. My family is very supportive of me and understands that some days are busier than others or why I’m more tired than I used to be. At a time in life when most men my age are leaning back in their recliner, my calendar is busier than ever before. My most unusual day was one Sunday afternoon we were helping with a Retrouvaille support group. We learned one of the couples could not be there because they were headed to the hospital. She was seven months pregnant and in trouble. I rushed to the hospital to be with them. I’d like to think my presence and prayer brought some comfort and support. She reacted well to the medications and as soon as she was out of danger, I had to excuse myself. I left the maternity ward to go to a funeral home to lead the rosary for a parishioner. It was a day that encapsulated all of life, from encouraging couples whose marriages were hurting to the possibility of a premature gift of life to the celebration of a life with a grieving family. Being a deacon is bringing God’s love to people in every phase of life. This past Holy Week was an incredible experience for me. Each liturgy was very familiar, yet each was a new experience due to my new involvement and immersion into the celebration. I had the plea-sure of chanting the Exultet at the Easter Vigil. I will never forget that moment. I was standing at the ambo, in the dark, but surrounded by candlelight. This was a totally new perspective for me. I chanted and yet also absorbed and experienced the moment fully. This year, my life has been so full of opportunities. Each and every trivial conversation becomes an intimate personal encounter. I have experienced the exuberant outpouring of love. I’ve felt the depths of pain. I’ve felt the quiet moments of solitude that only God can fill. Being an intimate part of people’s lives, I am experiencing life more than ever before. The Almighty has done great things for me. Recently, just after Deacon Kas Weigant’s death, I had the opportuni-ty to join the deacon candidates in Adoration and Benediction. Before we began, I recommended Kas for their prayers. He was the first permanent deacon ordained in the diocese. We are grateful for his ex-emplary service, which forged the way for our own ministry. I know I personally can never do enough or even live long enough to approach the life of service Kas gave to the people of St. Pius. I have the honor of standing in his big shoes and continuing to serve God’s people. 29
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