January 4, 2009

Dear friends in life and in ministry . . .

Another very full weekend as the diaconal community of the Diocese of Rochester bid farewell to Deacon John Prave, my classmate and, with his spouse Karen, close friends of both Pat and me for over thirty years. I was privileged to be asked to serve as homeliest and deacon of John's funeral Mass which was held at St. Patrick's Church in Aurora, NY. Bishop Matthew Clark presided at the Mass which was con-celebrated by four priests that served with John in the Southern Cayuga Lake cluster (Now Good Shepherd Parish). In addition, about twenty permanent deacons attended.

John was a quiet and humble man whose literary knowledge (he was a teacher and chairperson of the English Department at Minderse Academy in Auburn)and deep spirituality rewarded the people of his parish community with thoughtful homilies for over 25 years.

John was a listener to the end. For the last two years of his life, John's body was ravaged by a mysterious debilitating disease known as Progressive Suprarnuclear Palsy which left his still active mind and immense spirit entombed in a body that could not move on its own power. Also effected was his speech and sight.

When Deacon John Tomandl visited to "minister" to Deacon John (Prave) he found himself being ministered too. "All I can do now is listen" Deacon Prave told him. "So if you need someone to listen, I'm available."

Three other deaths also occurred in the parish (and area) this week. On Friday, I helped his family bid farewell to David Brownell in Corning. On Tuesday, we'll celebrate the life of parishioner Jim Murray, whose broad smile and great faith brightened St. Mary's Church and the Bath community for over 80 years. Also passing to new life was Jerome Kashmere, the son of parishioner Genevieve Kashmere whose funeral we'll celebrate at a later date.

Today's Column
As the New Year begins, we have begun our parish Stewardship Commitment program. My article this weekend "The 4% Stewardship Challenge" speaks to our need to give back to God for the great gifts God has bestowed on each of us. Once again, many of the thoughts contained in this column first saw light in a bulletin article by my friend Charlotte Bruney, the pastoral administrator of St. Vincent de Paul, Churchville, NY. She is so good. (God and Charlotte).

Away Days
Patty and I will be "At Sea" beginning next Saturday when we'll enjoy a "cruise pilgrimage" to the holy Caribbean cities of San Juan, San Thomas and St. Maarten. The cruise is a combination of scripture study, continuing education and hopefully relaxation. After a very busy Advent and Christmas Season, we are ready for some time away.

As we celebrate the Feast of Epiphany, may God bless the whole world - no exceptions.

TRAVEL WITH US IN 2009
Pat and I invite you to join us on a "Lands of the Bible Cruise" that we've scheduled for November 11, 2009. Follow the link below to download our itinerary. Then, if you are interested, drop me an email and I'll send you a brochures and registration form. (http://www.deaconray.com/travel.htm)

January 4, 2009 - The 4% Stewardship Challenge

Within the last few days, all registered St. Mary’s parishioners should have received our Stewardship Commitment Letter. In it, we ask that you consider making a pledge of financial support to your parish for the next six months. Stewardship is a response, made in faith and gratitude, to the God who is the Source of everything we have and enjoy. In the scriptures, God asks that we return to him a tithe, which is literally 10%, of our earnings. And the response of one who realizes God’s gifts in his or her life is one of awe: “What return can I make to the Lord for all his kindness to me?” (Ps. 116:12).

In biblical times, these tithes were used to support the priests, and “the widows and orphans”, i.e., those who had no other means of support. Today the church uses your gifts to do much the same. Your offerings pay the salaries of those who minister to you and your family, provides for the maintenance and upkeep of your parish buildings and equipment, subsidizes the religious education of our children and continuing faith formation of the adult members of our community, and are used to aid those in need. We are a tithing parish, giving an amount equal to 4% of our offertory collection to Catholic Charities Turning Point before we even worry about our own needs. As we make that commitment as a faith community, we ask you to do the same personally with regard to your household budget.

Stewardship – the gift of our time, talent and treasure – lies at the heart of what it means to be a Christian. We receive God’s gifts, cultivate them responsibly, share them generously in loving justice with others, and attempt to make some return to the Lord out of deep gratitude for the many blessings we have received. Stewardship isn’t something we “do”; it is the way we are to live.

It is our sincere hope that you will entertain this Stewardship Commitment request seriously and respond for at least the next six months with a sacrificial gift commitment of at least 4% of your net income.

What would that look like? If your take home pay is $300 a week, it would mean that $9 would go immediately into your weekly offertory envelope as your “first fruits”. If your weekly take home pay is $1000, your 4% tithe to the parish would be $40. God asks for our first fruits – and be honest: if you are only giving from what’s leftover in your pockets Sunday morning, many days it would only be lint!

Yes, sacrificial giving is a sacrifice, and sacrifices hurt. But we need to trust that God will reward us for our faithfulness. If 4% right now is too great a stretch for you, consider volunteering 4% of more of your time each week to a parish or community ministry or perhaps your first hour’s wages as a Stewardship gift to the church each week?

Remember that we are asking you to make this initial Stewardship Commitment for only the next six months. In late May or early June, you will be invited to reassess your giving level as our parish Finance Committee establishes a realistic budget to present to our next pastoral leader.

“Away Days” at Sea
For the next two weeks, Mary Carol Wall will replace me in this space. Pat and I will be heading South for some away days courtesy of Educational Opportunities Travel, the people that organize the pilgrimages I’ve led over the years. We’ll be visiting the “holy cities” of San Juan, San Thomas and San Maarten, all in the Caribbean. The trip will be a mix of vacation, scripture study and meetings. We will return on January 20.

Serve one another well!