In an hour or so, Fr. Peter and I will head for Rochester and the
Bishop's annual Convocation of priests and pastoral administrators. The topic of this year's convocation will be Spirituality and Prayer and our two dynamic speakers will be Frs. Richard Rohr and Timothy Radcliffe. Our convocation will end on Tuesday evening, but on Wednesday we will be joined by pastoral minsters (e.g. pastoral associates, faith formation coordinators, etc.) from throughout the Diocese at a Gathering of the Ministerium.
While I am often too enmeshed in the day to day to "look forward" to gatherings such as this, I'm sure that "in the moment" these days with my brothers and sisters in ministry will be a spiritually and emotionally enriching time for me. I've been asked to serve as the deacon of the Convocation Mass on Tuesday with Bishop Clark - always a great honor and blessing.
A Silver Anniversary of Ordination
Tuesday is special for another reason as well. On April 17, 1982 - 25 years ago - Bishop Clark ordained the first 24 permanent deacons for service in his diocese. I was blessed to be among those ordained on that historic day. Next weekend, Pat and I will celebrate the occasion with our parish family at the 9:00 a.m. Mass here at St. Mary's, Bath. We'll follow
the Mass with a Pancake Breakfast in O'Malley Hall. If you are anywhere near Bath, New York (e.g. Corning) and would like to celebrate with us, please know that we would love for you to be present. No gifts please, just come and celebrate how God has blessed us all.
On Saturday, April 28th, the Diocese of Rochester will celebrate this anniversary with a special Mass at the Sacred heart Cathedral in Rochester. Deacons, priests and friends from throughout the diocese will celebrate with us. If you live in the Rochester area, you are most welcome to attend. The Eucharist begins at 10:00 a.m. I have composed a new song for
this occasion which will be sung as the Recessional Hymn. Not surprisingly, it is called "Sent to Serve". I'm attaching the words and music with this email.
Prayers Requested for Patty
Finally, Patty requests your prayers over the next few weeks. Recently, she has been feeling very "worn out" and tired. She went to the Guthrie Clinic in Sayre for a chemical "Stress test" which determined that whatever the problem is - "it's not in her head." We will return to Sayre for a Cardiac Catheterization next Friday morning, April 20. This will give us both a better idea of what to do next. I know that this is a fairly common procedure these days, perhaps you have had one and can give her some
encouraging words) but its new to her (and us) and we'd really appreciate your prayers. If you'd like to drop her a note, her email is PattBest@stny.rr.com .
In God's merciful love, have a blessed week. Serve one another well.
Deacon Ray
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Over the years, God has blessed me with many wonderful opportunites to
minister. As a Roman Catholic permanent deacon of the Diocese of
Rochester, New York, (ordained 1982), I have served in a wide variety
of ministries. Whether I am ministering to my parish, hospitals, nursing homes, prisons, travel or retreat groups (e.g. Cursillo, Walk
to Emmaus, Koiniania, Pre Cana, Youth) - music has played an important
role in opening doors and hearts.
This website is an
extension of that ministry. Here you'll find the lyrics to many of my
prayer-songs and, if you like, purchase from a collection of CDs I've recorded.
There's also information about tours and pilgrimages that my wife Pat and I
occasionally host and links to web sites I've found interesting.
