July 6, 2008 - Independence and Inter-Dependence Day

Dear friends in life and in ministry . . .

It is just a gorgeous day. Following Mass and the baptism of Caroline Elizabeth Lamb at St. Gabriel's in Hammondsport, I returned to Catholic House at Chautauqua where I'll be 'till Tuesday morning. Over the years, I've had the privilege of marring Kevin and Jill (Murphy) Lamb and baptizing Caroline's sisters Gabrielle and Grace. While the Lamb family lives and worships in Cary, North Carolina, they return to Jill's folks home on Keuka Lake for events such as this. What a gift ministry is to my life!

Twelve new guests arrived on Saturday. Our priest chaplains this week will include Fr. Bernard Nowak, the pastor of the local churches in nearby Mayville and Bemus Point and Fr. Carl Arico of New Jersey who is a well known retreat master and teacher of Contemplative (Centering) Prayer. Our chaplains are responsible to preside at one of two daily Masses and also give a presentation on a spiritual topic of their expertise at the Chautauqua Catholic Community's weekly Thursday and Friday seminars. Fr. Arico has agreed to give both of these seminars and I know several of our house guests and many Chautauquans of many denominations will attend. I'll be back at the parish and unable to attend, but I've heard Father speak before and know that his presentations will inspire many who have not already done so to try Centering Prayer.

Pat and I celebrated our 41st wedding anniversary on July 4th. My column this week includes comments on both our Independence and inter-dependence.

A Clarification . . .

Last week, in Part Two of my column on Emerging Models of Parish Leadership, I mentioned that my parish (St. Mary's) and St. Gabriel's, Hammondsport are among only 4 stand alone (non clustered) parishes in the Southern Tier of the Diocese. Someone pointed out to me that I had overlooked the two stand-alone parishes in Ithaca which are technically in the northern most part of 'Southern Tier". But, be the number 4 or 6, my point was that many parish communities in our diocese (and throughout the Country)are finding that the cultural and geographic boundaries that for years separated Catholics into distinct parishes - are disappearing rapidly. While no change comes easily, many Catholics have discovered that the boundaries that once divided us are not as important as the faith that brings us together.

Have a good week. Serve one another well.

Deacon Ray

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Bulletin: July 6th, 2008