The speakin’ deacon: thanks to divine Providence

Spent a wonderful 24 hours in scenic, snowy Providence, Rhode Island Friday and Saturday, speaking to the convocation of deacons at the elegant Radisson Hotel at the airport.

About 100 deacons and their wives attended to hear my talk on “Evangelization in the Digital Age.”

I received a gracious welcome from Deacon James Walsh and his crew. Their hospitality couldn’t have been warmer.

Auxiliary Bishop Robert Evans—who, it turns out, was a classmate of my pastor —spoke about the diaconate and the increasing use of deacons in administrative positions around the diocese.

I also got to meet some deacon celebrities from Providence who have made an appearance on The Bench over the years, including Tim Flanigan, M.D., who gained some attention last year for his work with Ebola patients in Liberia. (Further proof that he is a great humanitarian: he also generously gave me a lift to the train station after the convocation.)

Another famous figure (at least among the episcopal set) is the talented Deacon Paul Sullivan, who creates many of the coat of arms used by bishops around the United States.

Longtime FOB (Friend of The Bench) Msgr. Albert Kenney was there, too, and we swapped war stories about adventures in homiletics.

After the convocation, I got to spend some time at the recently renovated Providence train station, which is surprisingly light and airy—and a far cry from the claustrophobic Penn Station I’m accustomed to in New York.

Unfortunately, the trip home wasn’t as inspiring as the train station. Somewhere near Port Chester, just north of New York City, our train experienced “mechanical difficulties” and came to a dead halt. We were stuck for over two hours while we waited for a “rescue train” to pull us home. I finally staggered into our apartment a little before 11:30—over six hours after I’d left Providence.

But I had a great trip nonetheless. I got an icy blast of New England winter, along with the warmth, generosity and hospitality that I can only attribute to the grace of Providence—and its wonderful people. Thank you!