Father,
I wanted to update you regarding the elbow injury I sustained on the Appalachian Trail. Unfortunately, the MRI and subsequent orthopedic evaluation revealed considerably more damage than originally understood, including bone damage, infection and significant tendon injuries.
My orthopedic surgeon has now instructed me not to use my right arm. I am facing a series of surgeries over the coming months to treat the infection, repair the damaged bone and ultimately reattach the tendon.The restrictions correlate to serving the Altar at Mass.
- No procession with the elevated Book of the Gospels to Altar.
- No elevated Book of the Gospels to the Ambo.
- No elevation of Chalice.
- No holding and administering Holy Communion.
I will keep you posted.
For a while, circumstances force the question from what a deacon does back to what a deacon is when he cannot do very much at all.
Best regards,
Deacon Gerry