November 26, 2006

Dear friends in life and in ministry . . .

Greetings on this Feast of Christ the King.

I trust that you had a good Thanksgiving holiday. Pat and I, along with our son Chris and daughter Annie enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner with Pat's siblings in Rochester. Monica. our youngest recently settled into a new job and apartment in Chicago and was unable to join us - in person - for this holiday. She was missed.

The two day break helped revive me from two or three weeks of busy and occasionally stressful activity. Taking time to just chill out has been a challenge for me since as long as I can remember. I am so fortunate to enjoy my work - but it is not good to be consumed by work - even work that is enjoyed.

Ray

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Bulletin: November 26, 2006

Two events helped shape the texture of my weekend:

- the privilege of assisting the Findley and Leonard families as they grieved the sudden death of their mother/daughter Annette Marie Leonard and then celebrated her new eternal life through prayer and words of remembrance.

- visiting my friends and current parishioners Tom and Janet Madigan this afternoon at Corning Hospital. A few days before Thanksgiving, Janet brought Tom home from the Tampa area rehab center where he had resided since suffering a very disabling stroke about 9 months ago. Tragically, the airplane trip may have been too much for Tom, who suffered another stroke on Friday. Praying with Janet and Tom (who can no longer speak)and two of the couple's children was a very emotional moment closest to Christ for me. If you would offer a brief prayer for this wonderful couple, I'm sure that it would be appreciated.

On a much lighter side, the Buffalo Bills just won their second game in a row and a starting to look like a football team. Hope springs eternal.

Have a good week. Serve one another well.
Deacon Ray