Meet Dcn. Corey Bilodeau, a transitional deacon for the Diocese of Lansing (Home parish: Immaculate Heart of Mary), who will be ordained a priest later this year.
What was the highlight of your time at Sacred Heart Major Seminary?
One of the highlights of my time in seminary was the opportunity I had to go serve the poorest of the poor in Calcutta for a month in the summer. There I truly saw God alive and at work. I began to see Christ in everyone, but especially those that I got to serve. I saw true pain and suffering on the faces of men who were going to die. I came to the realization that I could not heal them; I couldn't even communicate with them very well. All I could do was simple acts of kindness. I helped feed men, move men to their beds, help others to the bathroom, and hold the head of those who were on the verge of death. I had the unforgettable opportunity to be the hands and feet of Christ.
What has been one or two highlights of your time serving as a transitional deacon?
I think two highlights from my time serving as a transitional deacon were being able to celebrate a funeral and baptize three young children within the first week of being ordained. I felt like I was thrown into the deep end of the pool. At first it was overwhelming, but Jesus gave me grace. He was with me at each moment and allowed me to be with a family after the death of their daughter and with families bringing their kids into God's family.
How are you preparing for priestly ordination?
I'll be honest, it is hard to prepare with all that I have to do in this last semester of seminary, with papers, exams, weekend parish ministry, etc. But I prepare for ordination through spending time in prayer. I have been asking God to give me any more graces that he wished to give me in these last few months of seminary. I have also asked him to be with me more and more so that I am not afraid of the unknown that lies before me.
What kind of priest do you want to be?
I only want to be a humble priest. I want to be the priest God wants me to be, not the priest I want to be. I hope to get out of the way to let Jesus shine through me. I can only hope that in my ministry, when people look at me, they see Jesus.
What are you looking forward to after being ordained?
After being ordained, I am looking forward to being able to hear Confessions and say Mass. I can't wait to bring people in direct contact with Jesus himself in the Eucharist and with his unending mercy in the confessional. Both sacraments can show people that there is hope, that God is present in their lives.
Please join us in praying for Deacon Corey Bilodeau during his final months of preparation leading up to his ordination.