Gulf Pine Catholic

4 Gulf Pine Catholic • May 18, 2018 Necaise to be ordained transitional deacon June 2 at Nativity BVM Cathedral BY TERRY DICKSON NEW ORLEANS -- Bishop Louis F. Kihneman, III, will ordain Braxton Necaise to the transitional diaconate on Saturday, June 2, at 10:30 a.m. at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Cathedral. A native of Kiln, Necaise, 32, son of Don and Lynn Necaise, is currently in Third Theology at Notre Dame Seminary, where he recently wrapped up his studies for the semester and, as the date of his ordination to the transitional diaconate approaches, he is experiencing a variety of emotions. “In a particular way, I’m feeling a sense of unworthiness -- out of everyone that you’ve called Lord, why me?” he said. “That feeling of unworthiness is countered by a deep sense of gratitude for this wonderful gift. I’m grateful for the gift of being able to discern. When I began this process, Bishop Roger Morin and Father Dennis Carver (then Director of Vocations) took a chance on me for the people of God. I’m really overwhelmed by a tremendous sense of gratitude and looking forward to serving the people of God in the Diocese of Biloxi.” Following his ordination, Necaise, will begin a five month internship in a parish. Bishop Kihneman will reveal Necaise’s summer assignment at his ordination. “I’m looking forward to serving the people where I am assigned,” he said. “Before ordination to the dia- conate, you’re basically like an altar server. There are these steps you have to take in formation. You’re insti- tuted as a lector, then as an acolyte and then you’re received into Holy Orders. It’s a little nerve-wracking because I’m finally getting used to serving on the altar, feeling comfortable serving on the altar in the capacity of an acolyte. Serving as a deacon is going to be a totally different role and I know it’s going to take some time getting used to.” Necaise is ready for what lies ahead. “I’m really excited,” he said. “Here at the seminary, they really prepare us for that. In a particular way, I’ve had a number of homiletics courses. I’ll never forget it. A woman from a nearby parish came and sat in on one of our homiletics courses and listened to us give homi- lies. She gave really critical feedback to everyone in the class. She got to me and said, ‘I wanted to start crying when you were talking. I was so moved by your genu- ineness. I felt like you loved me and you cared.’ That’s what I want to bring to the people I serve. I want to bring who I am -- Braxton, my authentic self -- and let Christ use me to minister to the people.” In a very special way, Necaise has been shaped by the people of his home parish, Sacred Heart in Dedeaux, where he served as youth minister. “I’m so grateful for my opportunity to work with those young people in Dedeaux,” he said. “One of the things we have to do here at the seminary is film our- selves practicing differ- ent things. You film your- self as a deacon assisting at Mass, officiating at funerals, weddings and baptisms. I actually recruited some of the young people at Dedeaux to help me with that. These are my former teenagers who are now in college. One of them is working on a degree in cinematography, so he got to come and film me doing this stuff. It was a really great opportunity for them to see what for- mation looks like for us. There’s always some- thing beautiful about having the opportunity to walk with someone in their faith journey. That’s worth a million bucks -- to see how some- one continues to grow in holiness and virtue. That is just one of the most remark- able things. I’m really grateful for the opportunity to serve as youth minister in Dedeaux when I did and also as a cate- chist. That really gave me a good founda- tion.” Necaise has a strong support system, not only in Dedeaux, but throughout the Diocese of Biloxi. “The people at Our Lady of the Gulf Parish in Bay St. Louis have been phe- nomenal,” he said. That’s my home away from home. I’m really grateful for Father Mike O’Connor. When I go home, that’s where I live. He’s been very welcoming. I, literally, have a room that is mine. I picked out the comforter and curtains. It’s nice to be able to go there. The people at Our Lady of the Gulf have been very good to me. Bishop Louis F. Kihneman, III will ordain Braxton Necaise, pictured in front of Notre Dame Seminary, to the transitional diaconate on Saturday, June 2, at 10:30 a.m. at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Cathedral. SEE BRAXTON NECAISE, PAGE 9