September 14, 2008

Dear friends in life and in ministry . . .

Another week of blessings. Time at the playground with 19 month old Jack. Watching with delight as he bravely climbs the steps, then caroms down the slide. Minutes later, attracted by two 5 year olds clinging to the seat of a springy purple dinosaur ride, Jack undoes the velcro on their shoes. Next its the baby swings. Reticent at first, Jack watches the other kids swing safely, and bravely gives it a try. Oh, the wonder of it all.

Another week of sickness and death, life and hope, sunny days and frightening storms, wedding vows and funeral hymns.

To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven. God is good.

How will God bless you this week?

Last weekend, newly ordained Deacon David Hudzinski celebrated with us at St. Mary's. I use my column this weekend to write on the ministry of permanent deacons and elicit prayer support for our parish's diaconal candidate Bob Colomaio.

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: September 14, 2008
Deacons Are "Sent to Serve" - And Call Others to do the Same.

For a little over seven years now I have written this weekly column under the banner “Sent to Serve.” The origins of this title is the understanding that permanent deacons, and by Baptism, all of us, are indeed called and sent to a life of service. Jesus told us that anyone who wished to be first in the kingdom must be first in their service to others.

Because permanent deacons, although by virtue of their ordination are in fact members of the “clergy”, they are not typically “professional clergy.” The vast majority of deacons hold full time positions in the secular world. They are teachers, social workers, car mechanics, farmers, physicians, lawyers, and even judges. But in addition to these secular professions, most permanent deacons also donate (without salary) ten to twelve hours per week in service to their church and community.

As ministers of service, deacons typically are assigned by their bishop to work with people who are most in need of the care and compassion of Christ. In addition to the “liturgical ministries” that place the deacon in front of the congregation (e.g. proclaiming the Gospel, preaching, officiating at weddings, baptisms and funerals), deacons are assigned first and foremost to a ministry of service. Deacons work in jail ministry, food pantries, and nursing homes. When assigned to a parish, they concentrate on helping people who my for one reason or another fall through the cracks. They help people who are sick or grieving the loss of a loved one or the dissolution of a marriage. Some are spiritual counselors or specialize in youth ministry, all without financial remuneration.

In walking the tightrope between, family, work and diaconal commitments, deacons invite lay people to join them in some ministry of service. They call forth the unique gifts of their fellow parishioners and help inspire and prepare them to use these gifts in some form of ministry within their parish, their family or a community organization such as Catholic Charities, the Red Cross, United Way, Health Ministry, Scouting, Food Pantries, etc.

This was how I spent the first 17 years of my life as an ordained permanent deacon. Following ordination in 1982, I continued to work full time at Corning Hospital. I also partnered with my wife Pat to raise our three children to become caring people. As a deacon, I also donated twelve or more hours per week as a youth minister, RCIA team member, nursing home visitor, pre-cana team member, United Way volunteer, and regular preacher at weekly Mass within the Corning-Painted Post Roman Catholic Community.

It was not until 1996 that I applied for and accepted a paid pastoral associate position with at St. Patrick’s Church in Corning. While, I no longer donated an additional 10-12 hours per week to diaconal ministry, accepting a paid church ministry position reduced our family income by about 25%. Five years later, when Bishop Clark invited me to become a pastoral administrator in Tioga County, I accepted this call with enthusiasm and trusted that, in spite of yet another salary cut, God would continue to provide all that our family really needed.

My intent in sharing the above ministry resume is not to elicit your admiration, gratitude or sympathy. Instead, I hope that you will understand the challenges that are own parishioners Bob and Pam Colomaio and their daughters are accepting as Bob prepares for his ordination to the permanent diaconate in May 2009.

For the past three years, Bob has made weekly trips to St. Bernard’s classes in Rochester and Watkins Glen. One weekend each month, the Colomaio family travels to Rochester for two days of classes and formation. Bob also volunteers weekly at the Bath VA and the Chaplain’s officer at St. James Hospital in Hornell.

Recently, Bob has received from Bishop Clark, the order of Acolyte, the final step before his diaconal ordination. I urge you to keep the Colomaios in your daily prayer and watch for Bob in a variety of liturgical ministries over the upcoming months.

Welcome Back, Deb!
Deb Griffin has returned to her ministry as cantor and choir member following surgery. Pictured with Deb is my spouse Pat.

Have a good week. Serve one another well.

Deacon Ray

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Bulletin: September 14th, 2008