Dear friends in life and in ministry,
The temperature at Chautauqua is about 900. It is Saturday afternoon and
Pat and I await our first guests at The Catholic House - a beautiful
Victorian house located directly across a brick path from the Chautauqua
Institutions 5000 seat amphitheater. Pat and occasionally I will serve as
House Managers and Sacristans for two chaplains and twelve guests each week
of the nine-week Chautauqua Season.
The Catholic is one of many denominational houses which offer rooms
and kitchen facilities to guests of the Institute which offers lecture and
arts programs in the areas of Religion, Philosophy, Politics, and the Arts.
Each day starts with Catholic Mass in the Episcopal Chapel of the Good
Shepherd followed by an interdenominational Morning Prayer Service
featuring a guest preacher and the Chautauqua Choir. At 11:30 a.m. about
2500 Chautauquins gather at the amphitheater for a program featuring a
world class lecturer on the week's topic. Later, the Chautauqua Religion
Department sponsors an afternoon presentation by a theologian, scripture
scholar, etc. which examines the week's theme from a faith perspective.
Evenings belong to the Arts with concerts by the Chautauquas
Symphony, the Chautauqua Ballet, or guests artists. Programs range form
choral to Jazz to tonight's concert by Neil Sedaka.
Earlier this week, I attended the Convocation of Diocesan priests and
pastoral administrators at the Corning Radisson. While the speakers were
very good, I'll most remember the Closing Prayer when Bishop Clark embraced
each of us and blessed our foreheads with Holy Water. As he did so he
whispered a special greeting to each. "God's blessing on you, Ray, and on
Pat, your family and the good people of St. Mary's. Any wonder that people
in Church circles consider the Diocese of Rochester and its Bishop, the
place to minister.
Got to go. The guests are arriving.
Blessings to all . . .
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Jne 26, 2005
In the midst of the joy I experience in serving this outstanding parish,
and my delight and amazement at the participation of so many parishionersin
our recent International Food Festival, Trash and Treasure Sale, Bell
Concert, Bereavement Luncheon, Farewell Reception for Fr.Pius and Pancake
Brunch honoring our High School graduates - I have also had a very heavy
heart.
I would never choose to worry about finances. God has always provided for
my family - even when I have had to take significant pay cuts to enter
full-time ministry. But, as pastoral administrator, I've been entrusted
with the spiritual and TEMPORAL leadership of this parish and take very
seriously my responsibility to assure that the financial gifts you entrust
to my care are used to effectively do God's work. I know well that it is
your weekly sacrificial gifts that pay my salary, the salary of our priest,
and the salaries of the faith-filled and dedicated professionals who assist
us in worship, help pass on the Faith to our children, assure our outreach
to our community's poor, visit our sick, comfort grieving families and
bring us together socially as parish.
I also know that many of you are making significant financial sacrifices
each week out of love for God and St. Mary's Parish. But some parishioners
have chosen to not support this parish - and this decision has placed extra
burdens on those of us who do.
Over the past year, I have made a serious effort not to talk about money.
Many of you were very generous to the Partners in Faith Campaign and are
paying off your pledges while still remembering your parish's needs with
generous weekly giving. Unfortunately rapidly rising energy costs, medical
insurance, a $10,000 TGA shortfall from our quota and many other expenses
have significantly effected our bottom line and we'll end our fiscal year
on June 30th awash in red ink.
Over the past month, the staff and I have reviewed our budgets and cut
wherever possible. Now, if revenues do not increase, I am faced with the
difficult challenge of cutting programs and reducing staff. It is a very
serious situation that I believe could be quickly rectified if parishioners
who are not currently doing their fair share to financially support the
ministries of this dynamic parish - would make giving to their parish - a
priority.
Within the next few weeks, our Finance Committee will mail our annual
Sacrificial Giving Renewal Pledge cards to all registered parishioners. We
will be asking you to prayerfully consider increasing your weekly support
for St. Mary's to a level that reflects your love for God and this parish.
At the same time, I'll be personally contacting many of you to discuss our
needs and offer ways that you might significantly assist your parish.
We pray that you will consider the importance of this parish to your life
and the spiritual well being of this community as you prepare to make your
2005 - 2006 Sacrificial Giving pledge.
With thanksgiving to God and prayers for a generous response I wish you a
good week and remind you to serve one another well!
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