September 7, 2008

Dear friends in life and in ministry . . .

Another very full weekend has left my a day late in sending you my weekly update.

Over the last three days I presided and preached at the funeral of Michael Furlong, who, after a long and difficult struggle with cancer, now rests in the Lord's embrace; prayed with the family of Glenn French who was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident; and officiated at the weddings of two couples Stacey Mahany and Ken Forenz in Hammondsport and Chandra Tallman and Garrett Miller in Penn Yan.

I consider the time spent with Michael, his wife Cindy and daughter Katie over the past few months to be a blessing of ministry as do I consider all the opportunities that I experience as a deacon - (including the stressful ones) blessings.

Speaking of deacons, (nice transition Ray) our Sunday morning Mass was overflowing with them. Deacon David Hudzinski, along with wife Amy, returned to the parish and surprised his parents Joe and Joanne Hudzinski by deaconing and preaching at the Mass. In turn, Dave was surprised by a diaconal classmate Deacon Mike Donovan, who traveled from Owego (about 80 miles) to be with his friend. Diaconal Candidate Bob Colomaio, who will be ordained next May, lectored at the Mass, I greeted the congregation and our parish Deacon Ed Wight was in the congregation.

My column today, like the paragraphs above, includes the names of numerous parishioners whose volunteer work over the Labor Day weekend, assisted our parish and its youth to grow . . . another blessing.

How will God bless you this week?

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 7, 2008 - Labor Day Weekend Begins Very Busy Season

Without doubt, the relative Summer hiatus has given way to multitasking of September. Last weekend is an example that proves the point. As the weekend approached, teams of volunteers worked with custodian Dan Barefoot and his Kinship Volunteers Dave Kline, Marlin Blanchard and Chris Lombard to erect tents and set up tables in the rectory side yard. Mary Carol Wall was able to enlist several new volunteers to join her, Jim, Jamie and Liam and such stalwarts as Germain Allard, Barb Bailey, John and Nancy Cardona, Bob Colomaio, Paula Gardner, Bill and Penny MacNamara, Louise Martin, John Pronko and Vivian Strache and their kids Eli, Livvy, Leal and Grace Truth. Other young included Mary Catherine and Theresa Colomaio, Julia Genello, Jess Harris, Katelyn Rumsey, Jake Snell, Emily Sokolowski and Allison Warner. Among the new volunteer faces this year were Liza and Chris Reneau and their kids J.C., Nica, Lourenza and infant Stephanie and newcomers Rob Wilson and Tom and Philomena Jack. Then, early Friday morning, despite the rain, a steady stream of customers rummaged through the rummage and one person’s trash became another’s treasured “find”.

The weekend Masses at both St. Mary’s and St. Gabriel’s attracted many of our parishioners who just couldn’t find a way to wait until 1:00 p.m. on Sunday to worship. As the weekend preacher at both locations, I greeted these and numerous visitors enjoying the traditional last weekend of Summer in the Finger Lakes.

Although attendance at the 1 p.m. Mass in the Pavilion was down considerably from the typical Summer 9:30 a.m. Mass, the worship was lively and the picnic that followed most enjoyable. Special thanks to all who helped make this day possible including many pictured on the cover of this bulletin.

On Wednesday evening, we celebrated the success of our UNFAIR with a wine and cheese social for those who had contributed significantly to this success. The proceeds from the UNFAIR and its accompanying “Trash to Treasure Sale” totaled $11,340 which pretty much matched the amount raised at last year’s International Food Festival.

My schedule this weekend includes Michael Furlong’s funeral (Friday) wedding rehearsals and/or weddings on Friday, Saturday and Sunday (in Hammondsport and Penn Yan) and a very special Mass on Sunday morning which will feature a surprise guest preacher with very local ties.

Have a good week. Serve one another well.

Deacon Ray

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Bulletin: September 7th, 2008