A ‘Parade of Gratitude’: Thank you, men of God!

The Council of African-American Deacons in the Archdiocese of New Orleans recently paid tribute to the trailblazing, African-American permanent deacons who have ministered for decades and provided an inspiring model of faith. 

Because of social-distancing rules, the tribute to Deacons Raymond Lewis, John Blanchard, Harold Vincent and Herman Williams became a “drive-up” event – the younger deacons drove to each honoree’s house with an honorary plaque and offered prayers and a blessing to their older mentors.

Deacon Terrel J. Broussard offers his thoughts – and pictures – about  why the celebration was so special.




By Deacon Terrel J. Broussard
Council of African American Catholic Deacons
 
I first thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you because your faith is being reported all over the world. Romans 1:7-8, NIV.

Like St. Paul, the Council of African American Catholic Deacons gives thanks to God our Father for those African-American Catholic men who offered themselves as “Trailblazer Deacons” in the Archdiocese of New Orleans.

The honorees are Deacon Raymond Lewis, Deacon John Blanchard, Deacon Harold Vincent and Deacon Herman Williams. With the courage of Father Augustus Tolton and the spirit of Sister Thea Bowman, they answered the call to serve God’s people in the Archdiocese of New Orleans. 

Imitating their example of lives dedicated to the charisms of charity, liturgy and Word, we wanted to express our profound gratitude for their service as icons of Christ to us and the community. 

Originally, we planned to honor them with a banquet and special liturgy. But God had other plans. The COVID-19 pandemic required that we not gather in large numbers, maintain social distancing and wear masks. These mandates complement the charism of charity that is a mark of a deacon. 

When one member suggested a “Parade of Gratitude,” which required driving to the homes of each of the deacons and presenting them with our tokens of appreciation, the suggestion was unanimously accepted. 

The Honorees






• Deacon John Blanchard, who was ordained in 1976, is now inactive due to illness.































• Deacon Raymond Lewis, who is deacon emeritus at St. Katharine Drexel Parish, was ordained in 1989. 




• Deacon Harold Vincent, who was ordained in 1991, is a spiritual director and serves as a chaplain at Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans.























• Deacon Herman Williams, who was ordained in 1993, is inactive due to illness.













In the tradition of deacon, as described in the Acts of the Apostles, these men were selected as men of good reputation and full of the Spirit and wisdom. They were given the task of making Jesus alive in the lives of others. We thank God for their example. 

The Wives
In a special way, we thank the wives of all these men, without whose consent they could not serve so valiantly for so many years. Like Mary of Jerusalem and St. Photina, they provide a quiet, yet powerful witness to the transformative work of the Holy Spirit. 

The Council of African American Deacons in the Archdiocese of New Orleans
The deacons who participated in the “Parade of Gratitude” were Deacon Jesse Watley, Deacon Michael Taylor, Deacon Larry Lee Calvin, Deacon Troy Smith, Deacon Rudy Rayfield, Deacon Lawrence Houston, Deacon Charles Allen, Deacon Terrel J. Broussard, and Aspirant Keri Winder. 

Once each honoree received his plaque the Council of Deacons gave a robust “Thank you!” 

This act of profound gratitude was followed by a blessing, when all the deacons, with extended hands, blessed the honorees and their families in unison: “In the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” 

This tribute was followed at the home of each honoree. The smiles on the faces of the honorees and their families during this pandemic showed the value of the event. 

Thank you, men of God!