Dear friends in life and in ministry,
Thanks to all who so willingly joined the pity party I tried to instigate
in my last e-mail by whining that I was having both back and computer
problems.
On Wednesday I had an MRI at Corning Hospital to determine what might be
causing the back pain. While I meet with my internist tomorrow - his nurse
called on Friday to request that I schedule an appointment with a
Neuro-surgeon. While I do not wish to jump to conclusions (or anywhere
else in my current state), the request that I contact a "Neuro-surgeon"
doesn't sound especially promising. Actually with medication I'm much
improved from last week - no matter what the MRI shows. My appointment
with the Neuro-surgeon isn't until August 11 - so time will tell if
scalpels will be involved in my recovery - or the thought of surgery
instantly heal me.
I ventured back to Chautauqua on Wednesday all the way telling myself that
I shouldn't be grumpy like I was during my last visit. We celebrated Pat's
birthday relatively quietly at the Amphitheatre where an excellent band was
performing classic Jazz vocals.
This time I stayed through this morning (Sunday) having left my Church
responsibilities in the capable hand of Fr. Erb and staff members. Special
thanks to Mary Carol Wall and Bob Colomaio who covered the Wednesday and
Friday Scripture/Communion Services for me. I'll be looking for help next
week too.
On Friday night we attended the Chautauqua Opera Company's presentation of
Arthur Miller's "The Crucible" It was spectacular in every way. When it
ended, their was still time to get to the auditorium and catch the last 15
minutes of "Arlo Guthrie''s 40th Alice's Restaurant Reunion." Few can boast
experiencing both an opera and a 60s folk fest in the same evening.
This morning, I returned to Bath for a quick stop and then to Corning where
I was privileged to Baptize Benjamin Anthony Bobrick whose parents Brad and
Linny (Martino) Bobrick I married a few years back. Ben's Christening gown
was crafted from Linny's bridal gown. A nice touch. T'was good to renew
acquaintances with several Corning friends.
This week's Sent to Serve is kind of a hodgepodge of updates on parish
happenings with a few more bulletin bloopers thrown in at the end.
Blessings to all . . .
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July 24, 2005
Can and Quarter Challenge
The words had hardly exited my mouth when a very generous parishioner took
me up on my challenge that someone match the amount given in our monthly
Can and Quarter collection. Starting next month, your gifts to the area
needy through our Can and Quarter Collection will be matched. Last week's
Can and Quarter gifts totaled $230.50.
I want to thank all who took to heart my request for help in balancing our
parish operational budget. Last weekend's collection was among the largest
in
months - $3,651. I'm sure that many of those gifts were intended to help us
recoup some of the $3,800 we pay each year so that every registered
parishioner
receives the Catholic Courier bulletin edition and monthly magazine
edition.
The Catholic Courier
The Southern Tier bulletin edition of the Catholic Courier includes stories
of people and ministries right here in the southern-most part of the
Diocese. Other editions target the Rochester area and communities and
parishes in the Central parts of the Diocese. For years people noted that
rarely did Catholic Courier stories feature Southern Tier parishes. This is
no longer the case. Our own parish has been featured several times over the
past year. The monthly Catholic Courier magazine focuses on issues of
importance to all Catholics both within and without the Diocese. It is an
excellent resource for adult education on Catholic ethics and morality.
You'll also find thought provoking columns from all sides of the Catholic
perspective.
Oh My Aching Back
Many of you noticed that I was walking like Chester of the TV series
"Gunsmoke" last weekend. The week of July 4th I engaged in some manual
labor with several parishioners - hauling the tables, chairs and assorted
kitchen equipment donated by Warren and Loretta Tetor from Babcock Hollow
Road to O'Malley Hall. Since my body is only used to cushy desk type work,
the shock was perhaps more than it could take. Later that week I walked a
few cautious laps in the slippery mud of the Fairgrounds track with the
parish Relay for Life team. Sunday, July 10 was a preaching weekend for me
at both St. Mary's and St. Gabriel's. You'll perhaps recall that I also
gave a difficult "money talk" at the St. Mary's Masses that weekend. After
Mass I began the 140 mile road trip to Chautauqua to spend a few days with
Pat. I arrived exhausted with the beginnings of back pain. By Monday, I
could hardly walk. I assumed the pain in my lower back to be the short
lived variety I get every year or so with the change of seasons.
Regrettably, it has lingered well past the norm in spite of helpful visits
to Dr. Rick and an array of pain killers and muscle relaxers prescribed by
my medical doctor, Angel Malavet in Corning. Thus the limping and
occasional grimaces evident last weekend. On Wednesday I had an MRI at
Corning Hospital and left for Chautauqua to see if a few days of working my
brain and relaxing my body would help. Thus I'll not see you this weekend.
I am deeply thankful for the prayers, concern and patience with my whining
that I've experienced from so many of you.
Bulletin Bloopers
Last weekend's column featured Bulletin Bloopers. Here's a few more:
Potluck supper Sunday at 5:00 PM - prayer and medication to follow.
The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may
be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon.
That's enough for one week. Serve one another well.
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