December 5, 2015  we continue our diaconate journey…

As a couple in Diaconate Formation one of the many items that you agree to do is to pray the Liturgy of the Hours. This is also referred as the prayer of the Church and is being prayed somewhere in the world 24/7, 365 (or 366 if a leap year) days a year.
As part of this prayer we share the different parts of this prayer. The parts are: Presider, the one who leads the prayer, the Psalm Leader, who leads the praying of the Psalms, the Reader, who reads the scripture passage and the Other Person, who leads the Responsory. These roles are the same for both morning and evening prayer with one exception; the Presider for Morning Prayer is also responsible for preparation of the prayer table. Candy was the Presider this week and had this responsibility.  (Please click here to read all of our experiences of the bi-weekly  Deacon formation classes).

The prayer table, pictured to the left, is comprised of many elements. These elements reflect not only the liturgical season, but also contain aspects that are special to the Presider. This table is covered in purple clothes for the season of Advent. At the top of the picture you can see a purple bowl that contains water, the symbol of life. There is also an advent wreath, made from evergreen, which is symbolic of nature and promise. Since this was the first week of advent, the first purple candle was lit in the morning and then the second prior to the start of evening prayer. The advent wreath reminds us of where we are in our preparation for celebrating the birth of Christ.

The Bible that was place on the table is the one Candy received during her Rite of Acceptance into RCIA. The two sets of prayer beads and marriage medallion were gifts from Deacon Chris and Yvonne, Candy and Jay’s first year Diaconate Formation facilitators.  The last item on the table is a crystal cross. This was a gift to Candy and Jay from their very best friends, Frank and Mara Chimenti, who had ask that one question which started this journey, if they had ever considered becoming a Deacon Couple.

As you can see from the description, each table represents the liturgical season, but is, at the same time, unique and meaningful for the person who prepares it.The symbols and elements of each table represents the presider, those elements of their homes and everyday lives which brings prayer and celebration to all who see these items.  Do you have elements in your home with which you celebrate the seasons and special days of faith?  Do you share these symbols and elements with your loved ones and those who visit your home?  What traditions do you incorporate into your Advent and Christmas Celebrations?  Tell your family, especially the children about these symbols and make them apart of their everyday life and celebration to bring the longing and waiting of Advent, the birth of the child in Bethlehem, the Joys of the Christmas Season to life.

If you have any questions about what we have experienced in the diaconate (aka “that deacon thing”), please ask us or send us an e-mail to gbmom_01_02@yahoo.com.

If you are interested in becoming a Deacon or a Deacon Couple for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, please contact:

 Diaconate Formation Office
Archdiocese of Los Angeles
3424 Wilshire Boulevard, 2nd Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90010-2241
213-637-7383

Candy & Jay Krueger,

Diaconate Formation, Year IV,

Holy Family Church, South Pasadena, CA