April 29, 2007 - FOURTH Sunday of Easter

Dear friends in life and in ministry  . . .

It has been a weekend of celebration with classmates and fellow deacons and spouses.  On Saturday, the Diocese of Rochester celebrated the 25th anniversary of the first ordination of permanent deacons for service in the diocese.  Pat and I picked up our friends and classmates Deacon John and Karen Prave at their Union Springs home on Cayuga Lake Friday afternoon, then traveled to Rochester for the evening.  Several of our classmates enjoyed dinner together on Friday night. It was wonderful to share stories of our four years of formation at St. Bernard's Seminary (later St. Bernard's Institute).

Saturday's Celebration liturgy at the Cathedral was a special blessing. Personal highlights included the Bishop's presentation of specially made 25th anniversary stoles to the members of my ordination class and singing "Sent to Serve" - a new recessional song that I was asked to compose for this occasion.

Later in the day, we were treated to a delightful history of the Diocese's Diaconate program offered by Fr. Sebastian Falcone, a member of the original task force commissioned by Bishop Joseph Hogan following his 1975 pastoral letter "You are Living Stones."  It was in this letter that Bishop Hogan shared his vision for the Diocese which included the re-establishment of the Permanent Diaconate.  Following lunch, long time friend and classmate, Deacon Stan Douglas shared memories of some of the lighter moments experienced by 24 deacon candidates, their spouses (and in some cases - their children) while invading the hallowed walls of "The Rock"  - St. Bernard's Seminary.

If you'd like to view photos I took on this special day, check out this website:  http://deaconray.shutterfly.com
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Sunday afternoon, Pat and I attended an excellent talk on Centering Prayer presented by Fr. Carl Arico at Mount Saviour Monastery near Elmira. Our friend and classmate Deacon George Welch has developed with Fr. Phil Billotte a workshop to help introduce this prayer form throughout the Southern-Tier.  An enjoyable way to cap a very special weekend.

Have a blessed week. Serve one another well.

Deacon Ray

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Bulletin: April 29, 2007