August 22, 2023

Deacon Kevin O’Byrne, LC, Ordained to the Transitional Diaconate

“God wants me here”: Deacon Kevin O’Byrne, LC, Ordained to the Transitional Diaconate

Deacon Kevin was raised on a farm by a loving Catholic family just south of Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, and although he received his sacraments and attended a Catholic school, at the age of 15, he began seriously questioning his faith, the meaning and purpose of his life, and even whether or not he would remain a Christian. At this time, a close friend invited him to his first Conquest Boys’ Club retreat, and it was here, in the image of the crucifix, the witness of Christ’s Passion, and the example of the two Legionary priests running the retreat, that Deacon Kevin had a profound experience of the depth of Christ’s personal love for him. He continued to attend Conquest and Regnum Christi meetings and retreats, and began seeking God in prayer and the sacraments, and in the reading of scripture and the catechism. But it was the summer he spent doing missionary work with Catholic Christian Outreach in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan that lit a missionary spark in Deacon Kevin’s heart, and gave him the confidence to believe that he could be an instrument in Christ’s mission.

 

After completing his degree in software engineering at the University of Regina, Deacon Kevin chose to fulfill the great call to mission that was growing in his heart and joined Regnum Christi Mission Corps, where he served with Fr. Kenneth Leblanc, LC, in Toronto and New York. And it was in this missionary work that Deacon Kevin found a great peace, reinforcing the strong desire within him to give meaning to the lives of others by sharing the joy of Christ, and to live this mission for the rest of his life. His first visit to the Legionaries of Christ novitiate in Cheshire, Connecticut confirmed this call. “As soon as I got there, I felt at home, I felt welcome,” says Deacon Kevin. “Everyone had the same spirit, the same love for God, the same missionary desire that I had, and that I wanted, and that I knew in my fellow members of Regnum Christi. And so I felt very much at peace, and I came out of that experience thinking ‘God wants me here.’”

 

After his visit to Cheshire, Deacon Kevin decided to enter the novitiate in Cornwall, Ontario in 2011. Because of the scandal of the founder recently coming to light, this was a time of great spiritual crisis in the Legionaries of Christ and Regnum Christi, but in the renewal that followed, Deacon Kevin’s vocation to the priesthood was sustained and strengthened. “As I was going through formation, the Legionaries of Christ were going through a whole renewal, asking the questions ‘what is God is asking of us,’ ‘who is the Holy Spirit calling us to be’, and ‘are we something that can help the Church.’ Going through this renewal, every step we’d take, every little change we’d make to make things more human and more personal, really confirmed my love for the Legionaries of Christ and my desire to be a Legionary priest.”

 

 

Following his novitiate in Cornwall, Deacon Kevin returned for further study at the Seminary and College of Humanities in Cheshire. He continued his schooling in Rome, studying philosophy and theology, and spent two years doing a missionary internship at a boarding school in France. Throughout these twelve years of formation, Deacon Kevin has experienced firsthand the renewal of the Legionaries of Christ and Regnum Christ, and its desire to remain faithful to Christ and his Church through personal conversion, authentic humility, discernment, and prayer.

 

 

Deacon Kevin’s Ordination Mass was held on July 29th at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Regina, with Bishop Stephen Hero, of the Diocese of Prince Albert, a town several hours north of Regina, presiding. The diaconate Mass was concelebrated by several priests from the Archdiocese of Regina, as well as Fr. Kenneth Leblanc, LC, Fr. Steven Reilly, LC, and Fr. Fergal O’Duill, LC, who will serve as Deacon Kevin’s superior in Dallas, Texas for the next three years. Many past and current boys and young men from the local Conquest Boys’ Club, where Deacon Kevin came to encounter the depth of Christ’s love for him, served as altar servers for the Mass.

 

In his homily, Bishop Stephen described the transitional diaconate as an important step in identifying with Christ, who came not to be served, but to serve. “The priesthood is forged here first in the diaconate, and it is the grace of the sacrament that helps form the heart of the man, to make his whole life, priesthood included, an offering of love and humility. The diaconate is, for the man called to the priesthood, time for building a deep foundation for even greater gift and conformity to Christ in the holy priesthood. So enter this time of diaconate with a fresh surrender to God every day. He wants to build a deep foundation of humble service so that it will be clear that it is God who is bearing fruit in you, fruit that will last.”

 

At the end of the Mass, Deacon Kevin thanked all those who had attended to celebrate his ordination. “You have all come here to celebrate with me, but really, this is a celebration of what God has done in my life, transforming my heart and showing me what love really is, and helping me give of myself to others in service and in love.” Deacon Kevin also offered particular gratitude for the Regnum Christi members who had gathered for the Mass. “Normally at a wedding, there are two families being united, that of the bride and the groom,” said Deacon Kevin. “For many years now, I’ve already had a second family, and I thank all the members of Regnum Christi here today and those all throughout the world for the love that you have for the Church and for me, and for praying for me all these years. I will spend the rest of my life serving you and serving the community of God as my vocation.”

 

Deacon Kevin will be spending the next three years in Dallas, Texas as the ECYD Boys Chaplain and The Highlands School Chaplain, where he hopes to share with those he will be serving the same experience he had at his first Conquest retreat, of having a real encounter with Christ and discovering his personal and profound love. “God’s been with me, and with my brother Legionaries, in our dreams for the future, our plans for the Church, and the hopes that we have in a world where there doesn’t seem to be much hope,” said Deacon Kevin. “But there is hope, and there is something that we can do as long as we each make a dedicated effort to be the best person we can, to be a saint.”

 

Deacon Kevin is to be ordained a priest in Rome on April 27th, 2024.

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Regnum Christi Spirituality Center Ask a Priest

“Ask a Priest: What If My Mother-in-Law Seems to Be Living Unchastely?”

Q: My mother-in-law’s husband passed away a few years ago. She is Catholic and recently began dating another Catholic man. They recently went on a trip together for a week and stayed in the same suite. My husband and I are planning a trip with her in a few weeks. I believe she will want to bring her boyfriend, and I know that they will stay in the same bedroom/bed together if they both do come with us. Is this wrong of me to be concerned about them staying together or should this be of no concern to me? My husband and I did live together prior to our marriage but, to be completely honest, we weren’t nearly as devout at that time and didn’t take cohabitation very seriously at the time. But we have since been growing stronger in our faith, and now I do realize that it is wrong and should not be condoned. I brought this up to my husband and he says that it’s not our place to say anything since she’s his mother and I get that, but I also feel like I’m condoning that behavior if we stay with them. Could you offer any advice regarding whether this should even be a concern of mine and, if so, how it should be approached in the most charitable and loving way? – M.G.

Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC

A: We can’t be sure of what goes on behind closed doors, so the following observations are tentative.

The answers to your questions depend on a number of factors.

First, would you be sharing the same premises with them, such as a rental house? Going along with them in this case could be construed as tacit approval of possibly sinful behavior.

It would be another thing, however, if you and your husband are staying in one room in a hotel, and they are staying elsewhere. You need not feel obliged to try to police them.

Another factor is that you mention that your husband doesn’t want to say anything because “she’s his mother.”

It’s understandable that a son might not want to come across as lecturing his mother.

On the other hand, it would seem natural that a loving son would be concerned about the state of her soul — and perhaps more willing to make his concerns known.

This whole issue would need to be addressed with great delicacy, of course. Your mother-in-law might have experienced great loneliness in the years since her husband died.

Perhaps she could be encouraged to think about how she and her beau should ideally be helping each other grow in holiness.

It would be important for you and your husband to be on the same page as to whether and how to broach the topic with your mother-in-law.

And while it might seem like a tall order to nudge her, nothing is impossible for the Holy Spirit.

It would be good, too, to think through the implications with your husband of not saying anything to his mom. What would you do if they were to ask to spend the night at your place?

Perhaps all this is worth taking to prayer. You might want to intensify your prayers for your mother-in-law and her friend.

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Regnum Christi Spirituality Center Ask a Priest

“Ask a Priest: Am I able to marry in the Church without an annulment?”

Q: My fiancé and I are both practicing Catholics. I have never been married before, but my fiancé has. We got engaged December 2012. He submitted paperwork to begin the annulment process in March 2013. We were told by his advocate that it could take up to a year to complete. I changed our wedding date from Sept. 28, 2013, to May 31, 2014, thinking that would be plenty of time. We found out this week that his witnesses haven’t even been contacted yet. We are four months from the wedding day! Lots of money has been spent, arrangements have been made, and most importantly, we are ready to move forward with our lives. I am fearful this annulment will not be complete by our wedding day. What do I do? Would we still be able to get married in the Church without a Mass and sacraments? -S.

Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC

A: It is good that you and your fiancé are trying to live your faith and that you are ready to move forward. The annulment process is something that might help you reach that goal.

It is important to note, however, that decrees of nullity cannot be presumed ahead of time. During the annulment process the Church tries to discern whether a previous union was really a valid marriage to begin with. This normally requires interviewing witnesses and the couple involved. The final decision, however, rests with the Church.

Unless and until a previous union is declared null, the presumption is that it was a true marriage. No. 1060 of the Code of Canon Law states explicitly, “Marriage possesses the favor of law; therefore, in a case of doubt, the validity of a marriage must be upheld until the contrary is proven.”

In practice that means people shouldn’t plan a wedding until they know for sure that the Church has decreed that a couple is free to marry. The New York Archdiocese, for instance, states plainly in its website, “Under no circumstances should a Church wedding be planned until a favorable decision is rendered” (see here for more).

At this point, all things considered, you might want to contact the priest or whoever is handling the annulment case and see if there is a way to expedite the process. There are, of course, no guarantees in this regard. And without a decree of nullity, you simply will not be able to get married in the Church, within or outside a Mass.

Don’t despair, however. God has a plan in all this. This is a moment to pray more intensely and proceed with humility. The best thing you and your fiancé can do is to keep helping each other to grow in your faith. To love one another means to want the best for him or her. The best in this case is union with Christ and his Church. The very annulment process that is under way now is designed first and foremost to protect the dignity of marriage. This is one reason why the Church is such a beautiful witness to truth and to God’s plan for men and women.

In the meantime, continue to pray about your situation. Stay close to the sacraments. Keep in dialogue with your parish. And count on my prayers. God bless.

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August 22, 2023 – Getting to the Top

 

 

 

 

Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary

 

Matthew 19:23-30

 

Jesus said to his disciples: “Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of heaven. Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and said, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “For men this is impossible, but for God all things are possible.” Then Peter said to him in reply, “We have given up everything and followed you. What will there be for us?” Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you that you who have followed me, in the new age, when the Son of Man is seated on his throne of glory, will yourselves sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”

 

Introductory Prayer: Lord, you know what is best for me, and that is why I believe in you. You are always faithful to your word and are more interested in my spiritual well-being than I am, and that is why I trust in you. Despite my sins, you always give me your loving forgiveness, and that is why I love you, Lord.

 

Petition: Lord, grant me a profound desire to reach heaven as shown by my proper use of material things.

 

  1. Entering the Kingdom: We know from the Gospels that Christ spends most of his public ministry preaching about the Kingdom of heaven. God wants to be the King of our hearts. This is impossible if we are attached to things. When Christ says that it will be hard for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of heaven, he is speaking to every person. Christ is saying that to be attached to material things means not having room for God. It’s not a matter of riches. Just as a mountain climber doesn’t use heavy gear or take a weighty rucksack, in our spiritual climbing of the mountain (which is our intimate relationship with God), we need to be free of anything burdensome.

 

  1. It Seems Impossible: The reaction of the disciples helps us to remember how easy it is for us to be attached to ourselves, to things, to pleasures and to desires. To leave all of these to get to heaven may seem impossible for us to do. In fact, it is. No one can overcome these attachments without the help of God’s grace. That is why Christ says, “For human beings this is impossible, but for God all things are possible.” God will take us to heaven if we let him. An overloaded boat will sink not because it is incapable of floating, but because the weight is more than it can carry. We can reach God when we empty ourselves and allow his grace to fill our hearts.

 

  1. Having Nothing in Order to Have It All: We can usually give up something in order to receive something better. That is why the Apostle Peter, not really sure of what “the prize” of his following Christ is, asks the Master, “What will there be for us?” The reward of our renunciation is to be with Christ, forever sharing in his glory. The awesome thing is that Christ tells us it’s not something we will receive in the future, but something we can already begin to receive here on earth. St. John of the Cross, who had a profound love for Christ, understood very well that “to come to the possession you have not, you must go by a way in which you possess not” (The Ascent of Mount Carmel, Book 1, Chapter 13).

 

Conversation with Christ: Lord, thank you for reminding me about what is necessary for me to do to reach heaven. It’s so easy to get caught up with the things of this world and forget that they are worthless when compared to heaven.

 

Resolution: I will offer up a concrete sacrifice: I will detach myself from something I like and reflect on heaven while doing it.

August 22, 2023 – Getting to the Top Read More »

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Alex Kucera

Atlanta

Alex Kucera has lived in Atlanta, GA, for the last 46 years. He is one of 9 children, married to his wife Karmen, and has 3 girls, one grandson, and a granddaughter on the way. Alex joined Regnum Christi in 2007. Out of the gate, he joined the Helping Hands Medical Missions apostolate and is still participating today with the Ghana Friendship Mission.

In 2009, Alex was asked to be the Atlanta RC Renewal Coordinator for the Atlanta Locality to help the RC members with the RC renewal process. Alex became a Group Leader in 2012 for four of the Atlanta Men’s Section Teams and continues today. Running in parallel, in 2013, Alex became a Team Leader and shepherded a large team of good men.

Alex was honored to be the Atlanta Mission Coordinator between 2010 to 2022 (12 years), coordinating 5-8 Holy Week Mission teams across Georgia. He also created and coordinated missions at a parish in Athens, GA, for 9 years. Alex continues to coordinate Holy Week Missions, Advent Missions, and Monthly missions at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Cumming, GA.

From 2016 to 2022, Alex also served as the Men’s Section Assistant in Atlanta. He loved working with the Men’s Section Director, the Legionaries, Consecrated, and Women’s Section leadership teams.

Alex is exceptionally grateful to the Legionaries, Consecrated, and many RC members who he’s journeyed shoulder to shoulder, growing his relationship with Christ and others along the way. He knows that there is only one way, that’s Christ’s Way, with others!