October 19, 2008

Dear friends in life and in ministry . . .

Another glorious week in the Southern Tier of New York State. On Wednesday I drove to Rochester for a meeting and was in awe of the beauty. If you've never been to the Finger Lakes region of New York State, you are missing something - especially in the Autumn.

My week began with the wakes and funerals of Mick Healy - for many years a co-worker at Corning Hospital and a parishioner of St. Patrick's, Corning where I served as deacon and pastoral moderator; Bob Burns - a man that I never personally met but got to know through the eyes of his family; Mary Giblin - a parishioner and who along with her husband Jack Giblin are the subject of this weekend's column; and Jean Lese, another former parishioner of mine at St. Patrick's, Corning.

As mentioned above, my column this week is a reflection on the autumn of life and the autumn of love. For over five years, my Mom faithfully cared for my ailing, bedridden father as he experienced the premature autumn of his life. I remembered her faithfulness as I witnessed the faithfulness of my parishioner Jack Giblin as he cared for his beloved Mary during her autumn of live. Both my Mom and Jack never recanted in their vow to remain faithful "In sickness and in health."

Their faithfulness to their spouses mirrors God's faithfulness to each of us.

TRAVEL WITH US IN 2009
Pat and I invite you to join us on a "Lands of the Bible Cruise" that we've scheduled for November 11, 2009. Follow the link below to download our itinerary. Then, if you are interested, drop me an email and I'll send you a brochures and registration form. (http://www.deaconray.com/travel.htm)

This Week's Column: October 19, 2008: A Lesson in Love and Faithfulness

As Catholics, we learn from our catechism that the “Pascal Mystery” of life, death and resurrection to new life is God’s plan for creation. We the Autumn season when the green hillsides of the Finger Lakes burst forth in their last glorious explosion of color before entering a period of Winter dormition that looks to the unknowing eye as death. But after this time of rest, we know that Spring rains will again bring forth the buds of new life that will eventually bask again in the Summer sun.

The difficult season for human beings and those who love them is often the autumn of life. A time that in nature is marked by bright colors, is in the human season often marked by illness, infirmity and a prolonged journey toward death.

To witness the suffering of a loved one is perhaps one of life’s most difficult challenges. But, some demonstrate during this time a model of love and faithfulness that is truly inspiring. One of those people is Jack Giblin.

The last few years of life were especially hard on his beloved Mary. Suffering the ravages of Progressive Super Nuclear Palsy, a little know but especially debilitating disease, Mary found constant and devoted companionship from her husband (as well as many St. Mary’s friends). When Jack’s health problems prevented him from caring for Mary at home, the couple turned to the wonderful staff at the Harriet and Frank Taylor Health Center. It was here that the couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

During long months of faithfully waiting for the Lord’s call home to new life, Jack rarely left Mary’s side. As her once agile fingers atrophied and her eyesight failed, Jack fed her, scratched itches, adjusted pillows for her and prayed with her. Throughout, Jack and Mary’s faith and steadfast love were strengthened through daily communion and constant prayer. When Mary breathed her last earthly breath early last Thursday morning, a finger rosary embraced her hand.

“She was always there for me during my health problems,” Jack humbly told spouse. I am sure that this was true, for Mary, who had worked much of her life as a nurse, certainly was compassionate and caring. But, it was not the need to repay kindness that kept Jack at Mary’s side it was love. Jack was the a visible presence of God’s love to her and all who witnessed it.

Such devotion may not be as rare as we might think in today’s world - but it certainly offers a wonderful standard which young people considering marriage should set as a life goal.

“I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad,
in sickness and in health.

I will love you and honor you all the days of my life.”

Promise made. Promise faithfully kept.

Catholic Ministry Appeal
Last weekend, you had the opportunity to see this year’s Catholic Ministries Appeal video. Your annual CMA donation provides St. Mary’s with support for the ministries we could not afford to do on our own (e.g. human resources, Information Technology and diaconal formation, and behind-the-scenes support for those such as Youth Ministry and Faith Formation that we do very well.

By now, you’ve received letters from Bishop Clark and me, asking for your financial support of this most important diocesan fundraiser. In order to make our goal this year of $23,449 we will need to maintain an average gift of $150 per active parish household.

Making a pledge paid in monthly installments to the CMA may allow you to make a slightly larger gift than you would be able to do in one shot. You will have through next May to pay off a pledge, so if it is easier for you to do so, you can spread out your payments over the next eight months.

Whatever you decide, please, fill our your pledge card this week and mail it back to the diocese with a generous pledge or gift. Every gift, no how matter how small, is needed. So please, give to the Catholic Ministries Appeal

Have a good week. Serve each other well.

Deacon Ray

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Bulletin: October 19th, 2008