April 13, 2008

Dear friends in life and in ministry . . .

Last week, I asked your prayers for my sister in law Peggy Defendorf who had a heart valve replaced on Monday (April 7) in Topeka, Kansas. I've heard from my brother Lee that Peggy is doing very well following her surgery and hopes to be out of the hospital soon. Thank you.

On Friday night, Pat and I journeyed back in time at the Auditorium Theater in Rochester. It has been nearly 35 years since we first experienced a concert presentation of the Rock Opera "Jesus Christ Superstar"at the University of Rochester and 30 years since Ted Neely played the title role in the movie version of the Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Weber Rock Opera. On Friday, that same Ted Neely (now 61) performed the role of Jesus. It was wonderful. The guy can still sing.

Next Sunday, Pope Benedict XVI will be in New York City for a Mass at Yankee Stadium. I'll be there too. What a life!

God Bless!

This week's Column: April 13, 2008 - “With your crook and your staff you
shall lead me."

Three weeks ago, at St. Mary’s Easter Vigil, Kaitlyn Rumsey joined tens of thousands worldwide who were baptized, confirmed and called to the table of the Lord. Millions more of us renewed the promises we made at our own baptism. Both today's first reading from the Acts of the Apostles and Gospel reading from John share the same underlying theme: Salvation comes through baptism in Jesus Christ. Jesus describes himself as both the shepherd who calls and leads and cares for his sheep, and as the gate through which the sheep enter to be saved.

As we celebrate this Fourth Sunday of Easter, the excitement for us and many of those baptized at Easter has likely already waned. But today and for the next few weeks, the church continues to proclaim the message as urgently as she did before Easter. We are saved by baptism in Christ Jesus. And, when we grow in our personal relationship with Christ, we experience the security of those who allow the Good Shepherd to guide them through the hills and valleys of life. “With your crook and your staff you shall lead me and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.”

Last week I wrote about the Diocesan Convocations for Permanent Deacons and the Priest and Pastoral Administration Convocation - both of which I recently attended. Later this month, Bishop Clark will convene two other convocations.

Diocesan Stewardship Day On Saturday, April 26 - the third annual Diocesan Stewardship Day for pastoral leaders and parish council members will take place at the Burgundy Basin Conference Center in Pittsford, NY. Among the speakers will be Bishop Matthew H. Clark and Fr. Daniel J. Mahan the executive director of the Marian College Center for Catholic Stewardship in Indianapolis who will address parish council members and parishioners from throughout the diocese on the topic of Stewardship as Spirituality. Stewardship Committee Chair Jim Gallagher, and several of our parish council members will attend this meeting with me. If you’d like to join us, please call the parish office this week.

Did you know that our parish is featured in a DVD - The Joy of Stewardship which is being viewed by parishes throughout the diocese. I was among several pastors and pastoral administrators asked to witness to the importance of stewardship in living the Christian life.

About a year ago, we focused our stewardship efforts on celebrating the many people who serve in a variety of parish and community ministries. Recently, our parish council began the process of evaluating several areas that are typical of vital stewardship parishes and exploring ways that we might further involve our parishioners in experiencing the “joy of stewardship.” At Tuesday evening’s parish council meeting, we discussed ways that we can welcome and involve the many new families and individuals who have recently joined our parish in our parish ministries and stewardship.

Gathering of the Ministerium. The last diocesan convocation, the annual Gathering of the Ministerium will take place on Wednesday, April 30 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Rochester. This annual event brings together pastors, pastoral administrators, pastoral associates, and those who minister in a variety of ministries in parishes throughout the twelve-county diocese. That day-long meeting will draw nearly five hundred ordained and lay ministers to hear two nationally recognized speakers on the topic: Lay Ecclesial Ministry: Co-workers in the Vineyard.

Hopefully, April’s many opportunities to gather with our Bishop and colleagues in ministry will prove beneficial not only to those attending, but to parish communities that will benefit from refreshed and spiritually invigorated pastoral leaders and ministers.

Kudos to Cinderella Cast. Congratulations to several parish teens who appeared in last weekend’s Bath-Haverling High School senior production of the musical Cinderella. The very talented cast included parishioners Kevin Desrosiers, Jessica Harris, Fran Koehler and Jessica Sokolowski. Providing strong musical accompaniment was an excellent pit orchestra directed by Cheryl Muller which included Ellie Boutwell, Michelle Neu, and Rich Rohrbach. Well done!

Following Sunday Mass, Pat and I will get away for a few days - nothing special - just time to stop and smell the daffodils.

Have a good week. Serve one another well

Deacon Ray

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Bulletin: April 13th, 2008