Loved by a Duck by Fr. Mark D. Falcone O.Praem from Homilies and Reflections by the Norbertines in De Pere, WI

New Life at the Abbey

It seems there is another annual springtime event at the Abbey; mother ducks laying their eggs in the cloister gardens. This year we were all able to watch the events unfold as the ducklings emerged. Unlike other years, however, the ducks were quickly gathered soon after they hatched and taken to the Abbey Pond, offering a bit more protection from hungry hawks; a lesson learned from the previous year.

Fr. Mark Falcone O.Praem., shares his heartwarming duckling experience with us.

Loved by a Duck

Fr. Mark D. Falcone O.Praem

Homilies and Reflections - The Mother Duck

Photography by Abbot Gary Neville, O.Praem.

It was Mother’s day. My eyes were gifted with a vision of Motherhood so common to Spring. Behold, mother duck leading her 13 ducklings. All were trying their best to keep in step in this parade of new life. My heart rejoiced at this vision. I watched until they were out of sight. A truly wonderful way to celebrate this year’s Mother’s Day.

Two days later again I encounter this mother but with only 8 ducklings marching in step. Then days later only two. My heart was heavy with grief I knew full well of hungry Hawks looking for a quick meal. I knew these young ducklings had witnessed the killing of their brothers and sisters. How tragic this is for them. Yet days later only one duckling was following mother. The joy of Mother’s day was tarnished with grief. Then mother was gone, and my heart was heavy with sadness.

Many days later I entered my garden and behold a duckling ran in fear of my presence. Joy took hold of my heart.

I began each day visiting the garden and putting food, and a pan of water for the duckling. It became used to my presence and I would spend time on the ground resting while the little duck played in the open air. It ran and jumped into the pan of water and kept me at a distance. Upon leaving the duckling would go into hiding.

The duckling now would come out to me whenever I entered the garden. It would stay with me, but at a distance.

After weeks of visits every day morning and evening and watching my friend play, I realized it was no more a duckling but a young adult Duck, and it was a Ms. Duck. I was so proud of the many weeks of feeding and caring for her. It made my heart swell with great joy. My paternal instincts were granted such wonderful gratification.

Finally one evening she was swimming in a little pond and she kept coming out of the water and stretched her wings, stretching high into the air to give a message of which I wasn’t sure of at the moment. She was showing me she could fly.

The next day I went out to greet and feed her and she was gone. Someone informed me that there was a Duck sitting the parking lot. I ran out to check, it was her. I called her, she got up and came to me standing by my side. Someone remarked you have a friend there.

I wanted her safe and decided she needed to enter the wild to rejoin life as a wild duck and have ducklings of her own one day.

Homilies and Reflections - Cloister Garden

Photography by Abbot Gary Neville, O.Praem.

I knew of a wild bird preserve just about a 15 minute walk from here and decided to take her there. She walked by my side staying close to me. A large truck came by which frightened her off. I tried to follow her flight and found her walking on a city street. I called to her and she came running to me. Once again making the journey to the pond and again she was frightened by another truck. This time I lost sight of her and feared she was gone and in danger. When I returned to the parking lot, behold, she was sitting there. Seeing me she came running to me once again. This time I took an out of the way path to the pond. This time she walked with me to the pond and went into the water. I was worried that she might follow me back to the garden so I threw a small stone to distract her while I escaped. I visited her the next three days. She was happy to be there and did not follow me but she knew me and I her. Then one day she was gone. What a wonderful gift it is, to be loved by a duck.

Reflections and Homilies - Loved By a Duck from the Norbertines

Fr. Mark Falcone, O.Praem.

was ordained in 1966. He obtained degrees from St. Norbert College (B.A.), LaSalle University (M.A.) and Combs College of Music (D.M.A.). Fr. Falcone was an educator at both secondary and college levels and has served as Associate Pastor, Director of Admissions (Combs College), Music Education Chairman (Combs College), as well as liturgical and music director at various parishes. He is a prolific writer and his work has been included in numerous anthologies and other publications. Currently, his time is spent between working with and caring for his companion parrot Guido, composing music and membership in the American Guild of Organists, the Wisconsin Cage Bird Club, and the Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets. Father Falcone also assists with ministry at St. Agnes Parish in Green Bay.