February 12, 2006

Last weekend I emailed my column and homily on a Saturday night. Sunday morning, when I checked my email, I had received the following from my friend Joe Canale, a Corning Incorporated executive currently working on a project in China.

"Nice Homily Ray. As I celebrate mass by myself in a hotel room here in China each Sunday, it is nice to hear a Homily which puts the Liturgy of the Word into practice. Thanks! Joe"

What a world we live in. My homily was actually read in China before I delivered it at Sunday morning Mass in my parish in Bath,

I'm pleased to announce that our new Health Ministry of the Southern Tier - Bath Community Care Center in Bath saw its first patient on Thursday afternoon. The Corning Health Ministry opened eight years ago and now offers free health care services to people living in 48 New York and 9 Pennsylvania zip codes. All this is made possible because generous doctors, nurse practitioners, dentists, nurses and other professionals volunteer their time and talents each moth to help those in need.

One of the highlights of this past weekend was a Sunday afternoon concert salute to Paul Robson, African-American singer and activist of the 1930s and 40s. The concert, featuring my friend bass-baritone Ken Anderson was held at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Bath. Ken is such a gifted singer. His repertoire included both Negro spirituals and classics such as "Old man River" all sung with a lush deep voice. But Ken's commentary also included disheartening stories about the injustices piled on Robson during the McCarthy era.

Tomorrow, Ken has agreed to visit the Taylor Nursing home with me for my monthly Communion Service and Sing-a-long,

Hope your week is blessed .

Ray

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February 12, 2006

Last weekend was celebrated as Boy Scout Sunday in many churches. We at St. Mary’s are blessed with excellent scouting programs thanks to the dedication of many adult leaders. Congratulations to these leaders and all the scouts who will be honored at the Blue and Gold banquet today (Sunday) at the high school.

Homily Correction
During my homily last weekend I described how one young mother reacted when her husband complained about the way she “handled things” around the house. In my homily I credited Rita Dwyer for depositing a bowl of ice cream on the complainer’s head. While I was wrong to embarrass any of the ladies who helped me prepare my homily I was doubly erroneous in identifying the extremely gentle Rita as the ice cream pourer.

Rather than take the risk of misquoting another wonderful friend, you’ll have to surmised for yourself who really “handled the situation.” Clue, A room in our church basement (The Dick Perry Room) is named after the poor fellow.

Guest Columnist
Occasionally over the past two and a half years I’ve reproduced columns written by Fr. Ed Palumbos who is pastor of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary parish in Fairport, New York. Father Ed e-mails his “Said Ed”
bulletin column each week to friends throughout the country. It is always insightful and well written. When I asked Fr. Ed’s permission to print his column on domestic violence and sin, he told me to expect strong reactions (positive and negative) from people who read it. As someone who also is occasionally asked “Why don’t you ever preach about sin?”, I believe that Fr. Ed is right on track. What do you think?

Have a good week. Serve one another well!

Deacon Ray Defendorf

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