Deacon James F. Waalkes knows everything happens in God’s time.
After ordination, he will begin his first priestly assignment as
a parochial vicar at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Falls Church, not far from
St. Philip Church in Falls Church, where he spent the past year as a deacon
preaching, teaching, performing baptisms
and working in youth ministry.
Because of the coronavirus, his ministries and activities, like
those of so many others, have largely shifted online. And while Virginia
churches are phasing in a return to in-person Masses, much remains uncertain.
“It’s such a strange time to get ordained; it’s unclear what
ministry will even look like,” he said.
“I’m just embracing the uncertainty and accepting the fact that
everything can go in a different direction at any minute. I have no plans. I am
just walking forward.”
Yet he knows that God’s grace is at work even through difficult
times. “We always want to control grace, but it can be somewhat elusive how it
works and how God helps us,” Deacon Waalkes said.
One of his favorite memories from the past year was working with
young people at diocesan WorkCamp last June. A former fifth grade teacher at
Angelus Academy in Springfield for two years, Deacon Waalkes, 31, has a heart
for youth ministry. “They’re going through a lot,” he said.
He enjoys music — mostly modern folk and acoustic — and he sings
and plays guitar (and sometimes harmonica), a gift that he has brought to his
ministry both at St. Philip and at the Basilica of St. Mary in Alexandria,
where he previously served as a deacon.
He achieved near rock star status among St. Philip’s preschoolers
after Father Denis M. Donahue, pastor, suggested he record “Old MacDonald” and
post it on YouTube for children stuck at home due to the pandemic. The video, viewed by thousands, featured an
array of fun animal sounds and soon grew into a series, each with its own
reflective twist. “The Wheels on the Bus” was about how “sometimes we feel like
we’re just going ‘round and ‘round,” while “Itsy Bitsy Spider” became a tale
about making bad choices. “I’m a Little Teapot” was a lesson in anger
management.
While Deacon Waalkes can relate to kids on their own level and
will enjoy bringing some fun to his new assignment, he also looks forward to
other aspects of his new priestly duties, such as hearing confessions and “being
a conduit of healing.”
Mostly, he wants to convey that “I’m just very grateful for all
the people praying for me — I truly feel protected by it.”
Miller can be reached at
Leslie.Miller@catholicherald.com.