July 27, 2008

Dear friends in life and in ministry . . .

Beautiful summer weather always lifts the spirits. Yesterday morning, I joined our Youth Minister Mary Carol Wall and several youth group youth and parents at the I86 Rest Stop at Campbell. Throughout the summer, nonprofit groups provide free coffee and snacks to travelers at rest stops. The travelers usually leave donations that more than cover the cost of the provided food and drinks. The Rest Stop fund-raisers help to fund our parish youth group's retreats and travels and offers a great opportunity for hospitality to people who travel through our area.

I am really enjoying my growing friendship with Fr. Jim Jaeger, who since the last week in June has been my partner in parish ministry. Fr. Jim has a wonderful sense of humor and a tremendous zest for life and ministry. He also loves to cook - the impact of which is only partially curtailed by occasional four-mile walks from the rectory to the VA Medical Center and back. We undertook such a walk on Saturday afternoon. Then, counteracted that good by enjoying a generous dinner on Saturday night. Such is life.

I'll joining Pat at Chautauqua on Thursday and Friday this week. Typically, I've been spending Monday and Tuesday there each week, but diocesan and parish meetings caused a change in schedule. This allowed my to visit several homebound and hospitalized parishioners on Sunday afternoon. I ask you to join me in praying for Art Moran, Jim Murray, Mary and Jack Giblin, Mike Furlong and my singer-friend Kenneth Anderson. All of these fine people have touched my life in different but very significant ways and it was an honor to pray with them.

My column this week includes an invitation to my parishioners to join me on a day trip to Chautauqua and Catholic House on Sunday, August 10. If you live in the vicinity of Bath, we'll be leaving the St. Mary's Parking lot at 7:00 a.m. and returning at about 9:00 p.m. Please join us. Sundays are Free admission days at the Chautauqua Institution an d a great day to visit this terrific place.

Have a great week.

This Week's Column: July 27, 2008 -Come Visit Chautauqua and Catholic House

I’m writing this column a full week before you read it. Last night (Saturday, July 19) after a day that included Rosa Fiordo’s funeral, the wedding of Coreena and Stan Kalish, and the 4:00 p.m. Mass, I drove to Chautauqua to be with Pat on her 65th birthday. In an hour or so, I’ve been asked to represent the Catholic Community at a huge ecumenical service in the 5000 seat amphitheatre located a very short walk from the porch at Catholic House where Pat serves as House Manager. I will proclaim two readings from sacred scripture, the Old Testament (Genesis) story of Jacob’s Ladder and Luke’s wonderful Easter story of the Walk to Emmaus.

It is hard to describe the beauty of Chautauqua and its impact as a center of life-long learning of religion, political science, and the arts. About 7,500 people are on the grounds during each of its nine-week Chautauqua season as opposed to the approximately 150 families who live here year round. They experience daily lectures, ecumenical and denominational religious services and a vast array of performances from the Chautauqua Symphony, Youth Orchestra, Chorus, Motet Choir, Opera Company, and Ballet Companies.

Over 500 gifted young people from throughout the country are invited here each summer to study under a distinguished faculty of instrumental, voice, drama, opera, painting, and sculpture instructors. The Department of Religion and denominational houses provide an array of spiritual, theological and liturgical programs that reflect Chautauqua’s 130 year old history as a place of religious studies and enrichment.

Day Trip to Chautauqua

But, enough inadequate words. Pat and I and the Catholic Community here would like to invite you to experience Chautauqua for yourself on Sunday, August 10. Sunday’s are free admission days here and thus a great day to invite friends to day trip to Chautauqua and Catholic House.

We’ll depart the St. Mary’s Parking lot at 7:00 a.m. and arrive at Chautauqua at about 9:30 a.m. Our day will include an ecumenical service featuring the Rev. Otis Moss III, a dynamic young preacher who replaced Rev. Jeremiah Wright as the pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, which until recently was Barack Obama’s home church. We’ll also attend Catholic Mass at 12:10 p.m. In the afternoon, there will be time to tour the magnificently tailored grounds with lush gardens and quaint brick walks, visit the scenic Chautauqua Lake waterfront and enjoy a mid afternoon concert. Our day will end with a vesper service at the Hall of Philosophy, an open air Greek style building that is the site of everything from political and theological lectures to our Saturday and Sunday Catholic Masses.

Since we’ll car pool, your only financial outlay will be the cost of your lunch at the Chautauqua Refectory and a contribution toward the cost of gas in gratitude to those who drive. I urge you to accept our invitation and promise you a truly memorable experience. Call the office to RSVP.

Bob Colomaio to Receive Order of Acolyte

Next Saturday evening at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Bishop Matthew Clark will confer the order of Acolyte on St. Mary’s parishioner Bob Colomaio. This is the final canonical step before Bob is ordained to the permanent diaconate in May 2009. Obviously, this is a significant day for Bob and Pam, Mary Catherine and Theresa. While only Bob will be ordained, the service to the Church that Bob will undertake as a permanent deacon and his rigorous four years of preparation would be impossible without the support of his spouse and family. I ask that you uphold the Colomaio Family in prayer, next Saturday and throughout this final year of Bob’s study and formation.

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An unexpected opening on our parish council has occurred as Don and Erin Young and their family have moved to Florida. Don was elected to the Council in May. If you are interested in serving in Don’s place please contact me or Council president Bill McNamara.

Have a good week. Serve one another well.

Deacon Ray

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Bulletin: July 27th, 2008