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By Erika Anderson, Staff Writer
MARIETTA—Nature provided the backdrop as Archbishop John F.
Donoghue ordained Douglas Medlin to the transitional diaconate Aug. 25 at Holy
Family Church.
With light streaming through the wall of windows and the tall
Georgia pines visible behind the altar, Medlin processed into the church, along
with the archbishop, several concelebrating priests and other deacons.
The Holy Family choir, handbell choir and brass ensemble led the
music and parishioner Alberta Welsh and Tom Reilly read the first and second
readings, respectively.
In his homily, the archbishop spoke of the responsibilities of the
priesthood—the responsibility of reenacting the Last Supper, the saving
miracle of the Eucharist, and the responsibility of “teaching, of
persuading, of ceaselessly laboring to remind the Faithful, of what is meant by
the narrow gate, of how doubt is to be overcome, and of how salvation is to be
gained.”
“The year of the diaconate, which now begins for our brother
Doug Medlin, is the final preparation for accepting these
responsibilities—not for the duration of a contract, not even for the span
of a single lifetime—but for the span of many lives, and for the eternity
of peace which its keeping will bring.”
He then addressed the candidate.
“As a deacon, you will now begin an intense training in the
matter of faith we have been considering—not just your own faith, but how,
through your own life and actions, to transmit the certainty of faith to all
who will attend your ministry,” he said. “You are to become, with the
Lord, a gatekeeper—one who will point towards the narrow way, one who will
explain the safety found behind its portal, and one who will remind those who
begin to stray, the way back, and the way in.”
The archbishop explained that the work of the deacon takes place
principally in three areas—behind the altar, from the pulpit, and third,
in the “fields of the Lord, where His friends wait for you to bring among
them, that charity, that love, that selfless sense of sacrifice which radiates
from the goodness of Christ Himself, and flows through you, with swiftness and
generosity, as if you yourself were not even there,” he said. “For
charity wraps up in itself all that is good, and makes of all our actions,
makes of our very lives, an offering to the Father, in return for all the good
things He has done for us.”
Vocations Director Father Serge Ward presented Medlin to
Archbishop Donoghue for acceptance by him and the people. Medlin then confirmed
to the archbishop his commitment to a life of celibacy and service to the
church. He then humbly prostrated himself in front of the altar while the choir
and congregation joined in singing the litany of the saints.
The archbishop laid hands on the head of the candidate and said a
prayer of consecration. Following Rev. Mr. Medlin’s investiture, the
archbishop presented him with the Book of the Gospels.
After Communion, Father Ed Thein, pastor of Holy Family, addressed
the congregation.
“We congratulate our brother Doug who is now going to begin
this very special ministry among us. We’ve been hearing about it and
praying for it for so long . . . Well, Doug, it has begun,” Father Thein
said, adding with a chuckle that he told the young people of the parish that
the word “deacon” meant “table waiter” in Greek.
Following the ordination, parishioners and well-wishers gathered
in the parish hall for a reception in honor of Rev. Mr. Medlin.
The new deacon, who is a 1980 convert to Catholicism, said that he
was grateful to the people at Holy Family.
“This is the beginning of my ministry and the end of my
laity—and what I have worked five solid, hard years for,” he said.
“(My ordination as a deacon) means that I have the chance to get up here
and serve these wonderful people. The words ‘Holy Family’ have taken
on a whole other meaning.”
Welsh said that she was filling in at the front office when the
seminarian first came to Holy Family. She was honored he asked her to present
the first reading at the Mass.
“I think he’ll be a wonderful priest,” she said.
“He is a very warm person and very understanding. He really takes the time
to listen.”
Deacon Al Gallagher has served as a permanent deacon at the parish
for the last seven years. He said that he thinks Rev. Mr. Medlin will bring a
“better relationship with some of the older parishioners,” but added
that he also believes that “he will attract the young people because of
his teaching ability.”
“He has the ability to get out there and speak and he
believes in what he says,” he said.
Father Thein said that this was the third diaconate ordination
held at Holy Family.
“We have a tradition of vocations at Holy Family and there is
a joy in seeing him progress from seminarian to deacon—a joy to see him
making that transition.”
“Doug has a charism—a gift of openness and of
welcome,” the pastor said. “He also has a gift for listening and is
very strong spiritually. He has that ability to bring Jesus to others.”
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