May 25, 2008

Dear friends in life and in ministry . . .

This weekend our parishioners bid farewell to Fr. Peter Anglaaere who has served as our parish priest for two years. After a month visiting his mother and siblings in Ghana, Father will return as pastor of Our Lady of the Valley parish in Hornell, which is about 25 miles from Bath. He will be missed.

This afternoon about 160 parishioners gathered for a dinner in his honor. It was a beautiful occasion filled with stirring testimonials, presentations and delicious food. There was also wonderful music by a choral ensemble made up of current and former members of St. Mary's Choir. For some who have not sung with our choir for nearly a year, singing again at St. Mary's must have elicited some apprehension. But, having these
folks sing again at St. Mary's was something that both Father Peter and I (and I'm sure many others) have long prayed for.

Congratulations to two of my parishioners who on Friday evening received associate degrees from Corning Community College. I married Lefonza and Jamie Carter two summers ago and brought Jamie, Xavier and Gracie Carter into the Church a few months earlier. About a month ago, I baptized their newest family member Madison.

Life has not been a straight or easy road for Lefonza or Jamie, but by God's grace they have much to be proud of - including achieving this degree and in doing so, winning the admiration and friendship of many, many people. Their story was featured in the Elmira Star Gazette on Saturday.

Follow this link and be amazed:
http://www.stargazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080524/NEWS01/805240325

On Thursday, our daughter Monica flew in from Chicago. She returned home on Sunday with Pat, who will tour Chicago and enjoy her daughters hospitality for a few days. I'm definitely jealous, but also delighted that Pat had this opportunity.

On this Feast of the body and Blood of Christ, I'm including a Reflection on the Eucharist written by our Faith Formation and Youth Minister Mary Carol Wall. (See attached file: Mary Carol on Eucharist.pdf)

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

Deacon Ray

This week's Column: May 25, 2008 - Service of Healing and Hope Finds its Target - Everyone!

On Thursday evening, May 15, St. Mary’s and St. Gabriel’s joined to present a “Service of Healing and Hope.” Its goal was to welcome people who have felt estranged from the Church or angry with the Church to pray with us for reconciliation. Since January, as part of the “Spirit Alive” journey initiated by Bishop Clark, similar services have taken place in regions throughout the Diocese of Rochester.

On the surface, the eight or so people who attended did not include our “target” congregation. In fact, all of those who attended were regular church-goers. Nevertheless, in God’s great providence, the Service turned out to be a beautiful moment of Grace.

One person who attended wrote me:

“It was a beautiful service last night. Thank you. . . . I decided that I was in need of healing. So I came to the service hoping there would be a word for me. And there was.

I know that there is a temptation to be discouraged with a turn out of 8 souls but remember that God doesn't ask us to be successful, only to be faithful. All the trouble that Obama has with his pastor is because that church is its pastor. And like all of the mega churches that thrive on the personality of its founder, it will one day be long gone. Our Church survives because of the strength of its founder, Jesus Christ and he wasn't slick and he didn't build any large buildings and was not admired by the "important" people of his day. He was a suffering servant.“

The person goes on to echo on some of the hurts that has barraged the Church since “ . . . The army of mostly nuns and priests who served us in the 50's and 60's largely vanished in the 80's and 90's.” In my homily I listed several of the traumatic changes that have affected our country, (e.g. Viet Nam) our Church (Vatican II) and family life (the sexual revolution) since the early 1960s. I noted that for some (myself included) much of the hope generated by inspiring vision of Vatican II has “dimmed if not disappeared.”

The writer correctly suggested to me that perhaps it is time for Catholics to reread the Documents of Vatican II with “faith and in hope.” “Maybe there will be a word for us. Maybe we can work to allow the Church with its now open windows, to breath a new breath of truth and light and hope for the world.”

Do we not have an amazing God? We work to bring about the “healing and hope” what we think others need (e.g. estranged Catholics), but, instead discover our own need for healing and hope.

God-incidentally, (there are no coincidences) the very same day Amy Badeau emailed me a devotional message. It seemed relevant to at least one of the themes of this column.

God Said “No!”

I asked God to take away my habit. God said, "No. It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up. "

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole. God said, "No. His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary."

I asked God to grant me patience. God said, "No. Patience is a by-product of tribulations; it isn't granted, it is learned. "

I asked God to give me happiness. God said, "No. I give you blessings; Happiness is up to you."

I asked God to spare me pain. God said, "No. Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me."

I asked God to make my spirit grow. God said, "No. You must grow on your own, but I will prune you to make you fruitful."

I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life. God said, "No. I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things."

I asked God to help me LOVE others, as much as He loves me. God said... "Ahhhh, finally you have the idea."

It’s Memorial Day weekend and the unofficial start of summer. This weekend there will be gatherings of family and friends; good food and good conversation. In its most basic sense, isn't this also what the Eucharist we celebrate today on this Solemnity of the Body and Blood. of Christ is about? We gather with those who share our lives and our faith. We tell the stories that are important to us, and eat together. Two thousand years of practice have not lessened the power of this prayer.

In past columns I’ve spoken of my love and admiration for Fr. Peter Anglaaere. Now, on behalf of the parish, I ask God’s continued blessings on this wonderful priest and friend.

Have a good week. Serve one another well.

Deacon Ray

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Bulletin: May 25th, 2008

Mary Carol: Thinking Anout the Eucharist