June 1, 2008

Dear friends in life and in ministry . . .

On Saturday morning, Pat and I attended the ordination of seven new deacons (1 transitional and 6 permanent deacons) at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Rochester. It was a joyous celebration with Bishop Clark, who three weeks ago had hip replacement surgery presiding. The recently renovated Cathedral is an especially significant place in our sacramental lives. Pat and I were married in the Cathedral (Pat's home parish) on July 4, 1967 and 26 years ago, I was ordained there.

One of the highlights of a diaconal ordination for me takes place at the Sign of Peace when the newly ordained and their spouses are welcomed to the diaconal community by the deacons present. Obviously, when I was ordained as a member of the first class of permanent deacons, this was a very short ritual. We gave the Sign of Peace to each other. On Saturday, well over 50 deacons participated - representing about a third of the 160+ who have been ordained for service in our diocese since April 17, 1982.

Congratulations to Jose Berrios, Bienvenido DeJesus, Michael Donovan, David Hudzinski, Edward Kohlmeier, and Al Pacete who were ordained to the permanent diaconate and Brian Carpenter who was ordained transitionally to the diaconate who will go on the priestly ordination next year. Mike Donovan and Al Pacete live in the Southern Tier (Owego and Elmira) and Dave Hudzinski's parents are members of my parish in Bath.

Happy Birthday Chris
On Friday, my son Chris celebrated his 40th birthday which I'm sure made him feel middle aged and Pat and I ancient. Happy Birthday Chris. Your birthday was among the best days of my life and you continue to be a great gift of God to your parents your sisters and little Jack who lights up at the presence of his Uncle "Chiss."

Farewell Good Friend.
A good friend Warren Benjamin went to the Lord last week. I was privileged to preach at his funeral on Friday morning at St. Mary's, Corning. For many years, several of us (Warren included) met every Saturday morning for breakfast and faith sharing at Sorges' in Corning. He was a brilliant and faith-filled man and a trusted friend. Condolences to his wife Martha and his family.

In this week's column, I reveal to my parishioners at St. Mary's Bath, the plans that Pat and I have made for when I retire from the ministry as their pastoral administer in June 2009. Travel anyone?

God's blessings on you, on all you love, and on all who love you.

Deacon Ray

This week's Column: June 1, 2008 - "Retirement Planning"

About a month ago, we bid farewell to Fr. John Wydeven and last weekend to Fr. Peter Anglaaere. Relatively speaking, both partings were surprises. Fr. John accepted a position at the Providence Rhode Island VA Hospital following the death of the previous chaplain. Fr. Peter accepted the Bishop’s request to serve as pastor of Our Lady of the Valley parish in Hornell. With gratitude to God for the time they were present with us, we have now sent them forth to their new ministries.

Who is next? Unless God’s plan changes my plans (its happened before and no doubt will happen again) I’ll be the next to go.

From some time now, I’ve planned on retiring from the ministry of Pastoral Administrator of St. Mary’s at the end of June 2009. At that time, I will have completed six years in this wonderful parish which is the typical first term for pastors although some may elect to stay in a parish up to twelve years. In November 2009, I’ll be 66 years old and collect on the social security payments I’ve made in over fifty years of employment.

Even in retirement, I’ll continue to serve the Church of Rochester as a permanent deacon. The retirement age for active deacons is 75, so I’ve got many years of unpaid diaconal ministry ahead of me.

But what else will I be doing?

Over the last twenty-five years, Pat and I have been blessed with the opportunity to share in the ministry of travel. Thanks to a wonderful Christian ministry known as Educational Opportunities Tours, we have traveled to the Holy Land many times, Egypt, Australia, New Zealand, Europe including Austria, Germany (Oberammergau Passion Play), England and Ireland.

A few weeks ago, I was invited by Deacon Al Wilson to accompany him to a workshop in North Carolina sponsored by Educational Opportunities. Al will be retiring next year from the part-time travel ministry of working with priests, deacons and lay people who accompany their parishioners and friends on pilgrimages to the Holy Land and many other places.

In retirement, Patty and I will be assuming this ministry as well as reactivating our own twice yearly travel.

In November 2009 we will lead a pilgrimage cruise to the “Lands of the Bible” including visits to Egypt, the Holy Land and several sites that St. Paul visited in Greece and Turkey. On the lighter side, we'll also lead a January 2009 Cruise to the "holy" Caribbean sites of St. Thomas, St Marteens and San Juan. On days that we will be "at sea" we'll attend scripture study classes on board. Let me know if you'd like to join us on either trip.

In the meantime, I’m looking forward to the addition of Fr. Jim Jaeger to our pastoral staff. He is a great priest that I’m sure you will grow to love as you have others sent by God through Bishop Clark to serve our parish.

I’m also grateful to Fr. Dan Condon and others who will preside and preach at out weekend Masses during June.
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Further words of gratitude to those who helped to Fr. Peter’s Farewell Dinner such a wonderful event. Thanks to: the planning committee which included Paul Wolfe, Al and Carol Hall, Barb Bailey and Warren and Loretta Tetor as well as to the staff members and others who set up, served and cleaned up. Special thanks to Warren, Loretta and the folks from the Country Valley Home who prepared the meal and underwrote its cost.

Fr. Peter and I were especially pleased that “Common Ground” a choir organized and directed by Betty Gerych, joined with Aubri Ordway and our St. Mary’s Choir to perform several songs expressly for Fr. Peter. He was deeply touched.

One last word of thanks to Bill and Deb Brinkhus who helped assure that the Sunday supper folks were warmly welcomed to their meal following Fr. Peter’s celebration.

Have a good week. Serve one another well.

Deacon Ray

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Bulletin: June 1st, 2008