Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1505021
42 AUGUST 2023 | DENVER CATHOLIC 1 There were several, but I believe one of the most valuable is that we need to surrender totally to God. I found out from the beginning of formation that I am nobody and know nothing on my own, so I needed to let God work in me and do everything for me 2 The Eucharist, of course, plays the primary role in my faith and vocation. My discernment to respond to this vocation started in front of the Holy Sacrament and continues feeding me. It is very exciting that I was ordained in the middle of the Church 's call for Eucharistic Revival, it will give me the opportunit y to talk more about the Eucharist and help others to learn about it. 3 I believe that in my case this call was literally a whisper. Several years ago, while driving to work and listening to some Christian music, I heard the call from the Lord to help my parish. I needed to stop my car and call my pastor and talk about a job opening. Since then, I started to work in my parish and continued receiving these whisperings deep in my mind through the years until I decided to say "yes" to the Lord for the vocation to the diaconate. D E ACO N G E L A S I O V E L A S CO St. Mary's Parish in Eagle 42 AUGUST 2023 | DENVER CATHOLIC 1 I have learned that God loves me intensely, and even thinks of me as his beloved. May he give me the grace to open up fully to him. 2 The Eucharist is my only chance to commune with my Lord, body and blood. I only pray that he will help me love him more intensely into understanding this amazing sacrament more for me. 3 God has always whispered to me, including this call. He always speaks to me in the quiet stillness of my heart. It is so hard to hear his voice amongst the scream of this world! May God give us all of the ears of his lambs, so that we may hear only his voice, and listen only to him, and no other! Photo by Neil McDonough | Denver Catholic D E ACO N J O S H UA K N I G H T Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Denver