Deacon Brian Kinahan: Two years of growth, service, and grace

I was ordained in November 2023 after four years of formation and was assigned to serve in my home parish in Taber, Alberta, where my family and I had been parishioners for more than sixteen years. As I began ministry, I wondered whether people would truly see me as an ordained minister or simply as “Brian,” the person they had long known sitting in the same pew every Sunday.

Very quickly, however, I began to notice an interior change within myself. Through the grace of ordination, I found myself growing in confidence and trust in the Holy Spirit. As someone naturally introverted, I slowly learned to step out in faith and become more open to proclaiming God’s love both in word and action.

One of the most meaningful parts of my ministry has become what I call my “front step ministry.” I try to arrive early before Mass so I can stand outside the church greeting parishioners, visitors, and newcomers. What began simply as welcoming people soon became something much deeper. Over time, people began sharing their joys, struggles, and personal burdens with me. It became an opportunity not only to listen, but also to pray with them and accompany them through difficult moments.

One Sunday, a family I had come to know through these encounters approached me outside the church. They had spent years caring for their wife and mother in a nursing home, and that morning they told me she had passed away during the night. We prayed together, embraced, and wept. In that moment, I realized this was exactly what God had been preparing me for through all those years of formation.

During formation, there were times when I questioned how all the theological studies and papers connected to pastoral ministry and service to those in need. But after more than two years of ministry, I now understand how essential that theological foundation truly is. A deep understanding of God’s story of salvation allows us to guide others into a real relationship with Christ and help them encounter a God who truly loves and cares for them.

Today, I live this ministry not only at the altar, but also through charitable outreach, including ministry with the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul and our local food bank.

One of the greatest blessings of the diaconate formation program has been the way our spouses were fully integrated into the journey. My wife, Linda, has become not only my partner in ministry, but also an important source of wisdom, encouragement, and balance. She helps keep me grounded and reminds me that ministry is not only about what happens inside the church, but also about pastoral outreach, compassion, and family life.

I am also deeply grateful for the fraternity of brother deacons and mentors who continue to support and encourage one another. One of the great gifts of the diaconate is knowing we do not serve alone.

As I look ahead, I see a world deeply in need of the love and truth of Jesus Christ. At the same time, I also see people searching once again for something deeper than what the world can offer. I feel truly blessed to play even a small role in bringing the faith to our little corner of the world here in Taber.

To those currently in formation or preparing for ordained ministry, I would simply say this: lean on your brother deacons, seek guidance when needed, and allow your wife and family to walk alongside you as true partners in ministry. We are a brotherhood, called to support one another in serving Christ and His people.

May we never lose sight of the profound privilege and responsibility entrusted to us as deacons: to be visible signs of Christ the Servant in the midst of His people. The ministry will at times challenge and stretch us, but it will also reveal God’s grace working in ways we could never have imagined. Looking back on this journey, I can honestly say I remain deeply grateful for the calling to serve His Church and His people as a permanent deacon.

Written by Deacon Brian Kinahan, St. Augustine's Parish, Taber.