Dear Friends,

Welcome to my website!

Deacon Ray Defendorf
 

August 31, 2008

Dear friends in life and in ministry . . .

Well, it's official. I'm totally back to work. This weekend, I'll be preached at both St. Mary's, Bath and St. Gabriel's, Hammondsport. on Friday, our youth began their annual Labor Day weekend Rummage Trash and Treasure sale under tents in the Rectory yard. Then, today(Sunday), we moved our 9:30 a.m. Mass to our pavilion at 1:00 p.m. Following Mass, we celebrated our Parish Picnic in the same facility.

After the Labor Day holiday, parish and diocesan meetings and ministries will really rev up and the "lazy days of Summer" will soon be a distant memory.

Say, how about this week's politics. I thought that Barack's Speech on Thursday was fantastic and John M. certainly surprised everyone with his VP choice. I'm a political junkie and the upcoming weeks are going to be a lot of fun.

Enjoy the remainder of the Labor Day weekend.

This Week's Column: August 31, 2008 - When You Thought I Wasn't Looking

For me, and I know many of you, the “lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer,” end this weekend. So, since, I am writing this while on vacation, I’m allowing myself a break and using one of those charming bits of email philosophy as my column this weekend. Hope to see many of you at the parish picnic on Sunday.


When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator,
and I immediately wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you feed a stray cat,
and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make my favorite cake for me,
and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.

When you thought I wasn't looking I heard you say a prayer, and I knew that
there is a God I could always talk to, and I learned to trust in Him.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make a meal and
take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing, and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don't.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it,
and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't feel good, and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw tears come from your eyes,
and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw that you cared,
and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn't looking I learned most of life's lessons that I
need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking I looked at you and wanted to say,
'Thanks for all the things I saw... When you thought I wasn't looking."

 

Have a good week. Serve one another well.

Deacon Ray

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Bulletin:
August 31st, 2008

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.

I pray that you will enjoy this visit, and if you like,
                                          E-Mail me with your comments

.