Prayer for Vocations

Gracious God, with grateful hearts we welcome the presence of Jesus, our Good Shepherd. We accept the mission of Jesus to bring good news to the world by our baptismal commitment to gospel living.

Bless us with discerning hearts. May we have the courage to give our lives in loving service through married life, the single life, the consecrated life, and ordained life. Inspire men and women to respond generously and embrace the gift of a religious vocation.

We unite our prayers with the whole Church, with the communion of saints, with Jesus and the Spirit in praise and thanksgiving now and forever. Amen.

©2008 NCCV

Meet Our Seminarian

St. Mary Magdalen Parish introduces Mr. David Brian Hebert, native son of Abbeville. Mr. Hebert is currently stationed in Wisconsin for his seminary studies.

Seminarian Mr. David Hebert

I feel that I have been called to the priesthood for many years. I can remember telling my parents at around ten years of age that I wanted to become a priest. Throughout my life I have felt this calling but have never felt worthy enough to accept God’s invitation. But God has a way of letting you know what He wants of you if you listen and in some cases, even if you don’t listen. I found that when telling people of my decision to enter seminary that I had often spoken about becoming a priest. I entered seminary in the fall of 2005 at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, LA. I completed two years of Philosophy and one year of Theology. I have transferred to Sacred Heart School of Theology in Hales Corners, Wisconsin for my final three years of theological studies. After two years of discernment and prayer, I transferred back to my home diocese here in Lafayette. It is my desire to serve the people of the Diocese of Lafayette and to be nearer my family and friends.

Institution of Acolyte

Bishop Michael Jarrell and Seminarian Mr. David Hebert

A Ceremony of the Institution of Acolyte was held on October 21, 2009 at Sacred Heart School of Theology in Hales Corners, Wisconsin. Mr. David Hebert, seminarian sponsored by St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church was installed into the ministry of Acolyte. The Acolyte is appointed in order to aid the deacon and to minister to the priest. It is his duty to attend to the service of the altar and to assist the deacon and priest in liturgical celebrations, especially in the celebration of Mass.

The ceremony was made all the more special because Bishop Michael Jarrell of the Diocese of Lafayette traveled to Wisconsin to preside over the ceremony.

Also in attendance at the ceremony were Deacon Kendal Faulk and Seminarians Mark Miley and Billy Massie, all of the Diocese of Lafayette.

For more photos of the ceremony, please view the slideshow in the Photo Gallery Tab.

Meet Our Deacon Candidates

From L to R: Mr. Billy Vincent, Mr. Jay Bergeron, and Mr. Joe Hebert

St. Mary Magdalen Parish is truly blessed to have three candidates studying to be ordained as permanent deacons. Jay Bergeron, Joe Hebert and Billy Vincent started the process of discernment for the permanent diaconate in January, 2007. The diaconate formation process, over a 6 year period, involves application for the program, an inquiry phase of about 7 months, and then five years of class instruction. Beginning in January 2008 they were considered aspirants in the diaconate program and have been attending classes at the Diocese. On Saturday, August 8th, 2009 these men, along with 23 other candidates in the Diocese of Lafayette, participated in the Ceremony of Admission to Candidacy for Ordination as a Permanent Deacon. At this liturgy the candidates make a public expression of their intention to receive holy orders and the Bishop gives public acceptance of this intention. As candidates for the Permanent Diaconate they will continue to attend classes at the Diocese through May of 2012.

During the Second Vatican Council, the restoration of the diaconate was ratified. The deacons are at the service of the bishop to serve the whole people of God and take care of the sick and the poor. Deacons are entrusted with the duty of taking the Eucharist to the sick, conferring baptism, and attending to the preaching of the word of God in accordance with the will and intention of the bishop. Deacons receive the laying on of hands not unto the priesthood but for a ministry of service for the people of God in communion with the bishop and the presbyterate. In June 1967 suitable canonical norms for the permanent deaconate were established. One who aspires to ordination as a deacon publicly manifests his will to offer himself to God and the Church so that he may exercise a sacred order. The Church in accepting this offering chooses and calls him to prepare himself to receive a sacred order.