December 9, 2007

Dear friends in life and in ministry  . . .

Greetings from the very icy Southern Tier of New York. Freezing rain put a slick coating of ice on road this afternoon which made driving difficult and walking treacherous. Pat is a member of the Chorus of the Southern Finger Lakes which this afternoon performed Mendelson's "Elijah" with the Orchestra of the SFL at Notre Dame High School in Elmira. After the concert we attended a fund-raising dinner for the Chorus and Orchestra. All in all a very nice event. But trying to cross the street in front of our home, and traverse the ice covered steps leading to our porch was a real challenge. Both of us are at the age that a good fall would not be at all good for either our bodies or our egos. Fortunately, both were spared.

Earlier today, Deacon Paul Clement and his spouse Barbara visited St. Mary's, Bath. Paul preached at our 9:00 a.m. Mass and the couple spoke at a deacon information session. Three men from the parish attended along with Bob Colomaio, a parishioner who is in his third year of diaconal formation. Its hard to believe that nearly thirty years ago, I attended a similar meeting to find out about the diaconate which was about to be instituted in the Diocese of Rochester. What a gift this opportunity for ordained
ministry has been for me . . . and for the Church.

I preached last night, reflecting on what the very "hell fire and brimstone" sounding John the Baptist - who tore into the Pharisees and Sadducees in today's gospel, might have to say to our world, our country, our community, parish and families. I've attached the homily, which was perhaps a little long, but may provoke some reflections of your own.

Have a good week.

Deacon Ray

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Bulletin: Decvember 9th, 2007

What Would the Baprist Say Today?