For ten years, I was Brother Deece. I made the three vows, lived in community, and worked in church ministries. That was a long time ago, but those ten years profoundly shaped who I am today.
Thank you for sharing. You are one of a few people I know who exude a special sense of your place in the world. I am richer for having (too briefly) worked with you.
As a former ordained Baptist deacon, I have to recognize that our southern conservative brethren believe that the Catholics will all go to hell. And since our more liberal brethren abstain from vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, as a practical spiritual matter, we’ll likely go to hell as well. I’m thinking, since my wife went to Providence and her brothers went to Central, maybe all those things either multiply or cancel out my doom. Therefore, playing it safe, I’ve decided to join you in an agnostic freedom from the eternal fires and will enter The Great Perhaps bloodied but unbowed.
As I am learning, we have walked on similar paths, which have even crossed occasionally over time. The journey is what matters, and the hope that we'll pick up some wisdom along the way. My philosophy professor always taught that asking the right questions was more important than having a final answer.
Hey Deece, as one who shared those 10 yrs with you i was happy to read this brief slice of your memoir. Many of those shared moments in our work together stand out as some of the most enjoyable in my life. I was a bit saddened to know you had moved on from the Church, but i do understand why you have made that choice. I doubt our thinking about the faith is that far apart.
Those things that were imprinted on both of us… those are the important gifts of the faith…inclusion, social justice, and a spirit open to the mystery that is this life. As we used to joke: “the good ones die young, the smart ones leave…and here we are.”
Had to chuckle at the reference to your retirement… i was a bit jealous that you HAVE a retirement.
As one belonging to the “and here we are” category, my life has morphed from active to contemplative, from Marianist to Benedictine, from cenobite to hermit. We both are still living the mystery that is this life. May your search continue in peace and
I am so delighted to hear from you!! Some of my favorite moments during my decade as a monk were sharing community and apostolate with you. You were, and continue to be, an inspiration to me for the quiet peace and simple joy you brought to all the highs and lows of your committed life.
I read a Quentin Hekenewerth quote, "The quality of our presence is more important than our work." You embodied that for me. Peace to you. I hope we stay in touch.
Deece, I missed this article when first published. It reminded me of one of my best friends, growing up in Fort Worth. Roger Aertker grew up in a large Louisiana Catholic family across the street. I became friends with Roger and his brothers in the mid 50's even though their whole family went to St. Alice on the westside of Fort Worth. When Roger reached the 7th grade he decided to transfer to Subiaco Academy with every intention of becoming a monk, Benedictine I believe. A year later he changed his mind and transferred back to Nolan H.S. He went on to medical school and married. He and I moved to Austin in the late 70's and kept up our friendship while I was in law school in Houston and he was finishing med school in Galveston.
That deep seeded kindness stayed with him in his medial practice and during the early 80's , unlike many Austin Doctors, treated the expanding number of aids patients. That is just what doctors trained to do. He died early from multiple myloma. Well, back to work as I foolishly am working another session. And as I often tell Horowitz, watch out for the millions of criminal refugees in your area. Chuck
Hey Deece, that’s a very succinct and truthful telling of those 10 years. Of course, having had the joy and honor of living in community and ministering together during those years I can say that the many stories that would “color in” those years are treasured moments of my life. Thank you for sharing that part of your journey with me. Your friend and “brother” always.
J.B., How nice to hear from you!! You shared more of my "decade" than anyone else, and there were so many adventures — Fort Worth, Tecaboca, Cuernavaca, Cap Rouge. Whoda thunk it?! I am glad for our 50-year friendship, and for everything I've learned from you along the way.
I so loved this, Deece. I can so appreciate your perspective and it makes me feel like I’m probably more normal that I thought. Thank you.
I have always thought you were normal, which may or may not be evidence of your normalcy. :-)
Thank you! haha
You’ll always be Brother Deece to me, bro.
Thank you for sharing. You are one of a few people I know who exude a special sense of your place in the world. I am richer for having (too briefly) worked with you.
As a former ordained Baptist deacon, I have to recognize that our southern conservative brethren believe that the Catholics will all go to hell. And since our more liberal brethren abstain from vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, as a practical spiritual matter, we’ll likely go to hell as well. I’m thinking, since my wife went to Providence and her brothers went to Central, maybe all those things either multiply or cancel out my doom. Therefore, playing it safe, I’ve decided to join you in an agnostic freedom from the eternal fires and will enter The Great Perhaps bloodied but unbowed.
As I am learning, we have walked on similar paths, which have even crossed occasionally over time. The journey is what matters, and the hope that we'll pick up some wisdom along the way. My philosophy professor always taught that asking the right questions was more important than having a final answer.
Hey Deece, as one who shared those 10 yrs with you i was happy to read this brief slice of your memoir. Many of those shared moments in our work together stand out as some of the most enjoyable in my life. I was a bit saddened to know you had moved on from the Church, but i do understand why you have made that choice. I doubt our thinking about the faith is that far apart.
Those things that were imprinted on both of us… those are the important gifts of the faith…inclusion, social justice, and a spirit open to the mystery that is this life. As we used to joke: “the good ones die young, the smart ones leave…and here we are.”
Had to chuckle at the reference to your retirement… i was a bit jealous that you HAVE a retirement.
As one belonging to the “and here we are” category, my life has morphed from active to contemplative, from Marianist to Benedictine, from cenobite to hermit. We both are still living the mystery that is this life. May your search continue in peace and
goodness. May all be well with you, Deece!
PS. You are one of the most normal people i know.
I am so delighted to hear from you!! Some of my favorite moments during my decade as a monk were sharing community and apostolate with you. You were, and continue to be, an inspiration to me for the quiet peace and simple joy you brought to all the highs and lows of your committed life.
I read a Quentin Hekenewerth quote, "The quality of our presence is more important than our work." You embodied that for me. Peace to you. I hope we stay in touch.
Deece, I missed this article when first published. It reminded me of one of my best friends, growing up in Fort Worth. Roger Aertker grew up in a large Louisiana Catholic family across the street. I became friends with Roger and his brothers in the mid 50's even though their whole family went to St. Alice on the westside of Fort Worth. When Roger reached the 7th grade he decided to transfer to Subiaco Academy with every intention of becoming a monk, Benedictine I believe. A year later he changed his mind and transferred back to Nolan H.S. He went on to medical school and married. He and I moved to Austin in the late 70's and kept up our friendship while I was in law school in Houston and he was finishing med school in Galveston.
That deep seeded kindness stayed with him in his medial practice and during the early 80's , unlike many Austin Doctors, treated the expanding number of aids patients. That is just what doctors trained to do. He died early from multiple myloma. Well, back to work as I foolishly am working another session. And as I often tell Horowitz, watch out for the millions of criminal refugees in your area. Chuck
Hey Deece, that’s a very succinct and truthful telling of those 10 years. Of course, having had the joy and honor of living in community and ministering together during those years I can say that the many stories that would “color in” those years are treasured moments of my life. Thank you for sharing that part of your journey with me. Your friend and “brother” always.
J.B., How nice to hear from you!! You shared more of my "decade" than anyone else, and there were so many adventures — Fort Worth, Tecaboca, Cuernavaca, Cap Rouge. Whoda thunk it?! I am glad for our 50-year friendship, and for everything I've learned from you along the way.