By Barb Arland-Fye
The Catholic Messenger
Terry Ball, a longtime school teacher and devoted husband, was among the aspirants admitted to Class VII of the Deacon Formation Program for the Diocese of Davenport five years ago. He had the support of his wife of 39 years, Mona, who attended the first meeting of the aspirants, even though she was struggling with acute myeloid leukemia.
Mona died just weeks later. Following much soul-searching, Ball, a member of St. Joseph Parish in Hills, was accepted as a seminarian to pursue a vocation to the priesthood for the diocese.
On July 8, Ball had the privilege of being an altar server at the Mass during which nine of his former classmates were ordained to the diaconate. God, willing, he will be ordained a deacon next year and a priest the following year. He attends Sacred Heart School of Theology in Hales Corners, Wis.
The always smiling seminarian said he felt “just a sense of joy” while serving during the Mass and witnessing the ordination of the men who were with him at a time of great loss. “I was thrilled to have the opportunity to be with my fellow classmates.”
He also looks with joy toward his own vocation to the priesthood. He said he confided to Mona, on her deathbed, that he felt called to the priesthood. “Mona said she would pray unceasingly for my success as a priest.”
More from the Catholic Messenger
