September 7, 2010
Well, we thought that we had a site for the Thrift Shoppe. Everything looked pretty positive unitl last Thursday evening when an offer was made for the purchase of the area. So, it sold.
Obtacles continue to come our way but I am not discouraged. If God wants this to happen it will.
Keep praying.
Tomorrow is the Blessed Mother's Birthday. Happy Birthday, Mother of God.
Pax et Bonum
Msgr. Deliman
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Katrina
Dear friends:
August 29 marks the fifth anniversary of what may very well be the worst natural disaster in United States History, or at least in our memory. As Hurricane Katrina made landfall on that fateful day I had no idea how it would personally impact my own life.
The Church, as she always does, responded by asking for special collections to help those suffering from the devastation. But in the parish where I was serving as pastor, I had people asking me "I will give whatever money is needed, but, Father, how can I help right now?" They were looking for ways to get personally involved. In the immediate aftermath, it was impossible to figure out what to do. Destruction was of catastrophic proportions. Assessments were needed and people's lives needed to be stabilized in some way.
What happened in our parish and to me is where I want to take this reflection. Discussions at Pastoral Council over the next few months led to a decision by St. Agnes Parish in West Chester to "move beyond our comfort zones" - i.e., to go the Gulf and do whatever would be asked of us.
Thirty-eight parishioners, ages 18 through 76, signed on with their pastor to spend a week in the fishing village of Bayou La Batre, Alabama.
Thirty-eight folks went at their own personal expense, shared a piece of a gym floor for a week, prayed together, made new friends and tackled what seemed the impossible. Clean-up, plumbing, roofing, masonry, you name it and our folks did it - uncomplaining, generously, sacrificially!
Each day started with Mass. Out came my trusty Mass Kit. The Liturgies were among the best I ever celebrated. Evenings found us, after showers, some dinner and other clean up, praying together and sharing the events of the day. Five years ago and even to this day, much of the rebuilding was done and is done today by faith-based communities.
I was never a missionary that got to go to a foreign country but the Gulf Coast experience came pretty close. I never did roofing, but I quickly learned. A shower with hot water became a greatly appreciated"event." The gym floor of the Lutheran Church may have been more comfy that what the displaced people had; simple conversation with folks who experienced the worst was a blessing. The people of the Gulf Coast and especially, Bayou La Batre, Alabama are a resilient people. No "woe is me". They were rebuilding long before we arrived and they continue to this day.
I once saw the aftermath of an earthquake in another country. The aftermath of Katrina was personal and the worst that this poor servant ever saw. But, as beat up as the people were, their smiling faces welcomed us with open arms - "Thank you for coming".
God bless the Gulf Coast.
God bless St. Margaret Parish in Bayou La Batre
God bless those 38 Disciples in Mission of St. Agnes Parish.
Pax et Bonum
Dear friends:
August 29 marks the fifth anniversary of what may very well be the worst natural disaster in United States History, or at least in our memory. As Hurricane Katrina made landfall on that fateful day I had no idea how it would personally impact my own life.
The Church, as she always does, responded by asking for special collections to help those suffering from the devastation. But in the parish where I was serving as pastor, I had people asking me "I will give whatever money is needed, but, Father, how can I help right now?" They were looking for ways to get personally involved. In the immediate aftermath, it was impossible to figure out what to do. Destruction was of catastrophic proportions. Assessments were needed and people's lives needed to be stabilized in some way.
What happened in our parish and to me is where I want to take this reflection. Discussions at Pastoral Council over the next few months led to a decision by St. Agnes Parish in West Chester to "move beyond our comfort zones" - i.e., to go the Gulf and do whatever would be asked of us.
Thirty-eight parishioners, ages 18 through 76, signed on with their pastor to spend a week in the fishing village of Bayou La Batre, Alabama.
Thirty-eight folks went at their own personal expense, shared a piece of a gym floor for a week, prayed together, made new friends and tackled what seemed the impossible. Clean-up, plumbing, roofing, masonry, you name it and our folks did it - uncomplaining, generously, sacrificially!
Each day started with Mass. Out came my trusty Mass Kit. The Liturgies were among the best I ever celebrated. Evenings found us, after showers, some dinner and other clean up, praying together and sharing the events of the day. Five years ago and even to this day, much of the rebuilding was done and is done today by faith-based communities.
I was never a missionary that got to go to a foreign country but the Gulf Coast experience came pretty close. I never did roofing, but I quickly learned. A shower with hot water became a greatly appreciated"event." The gym floor of the Lutheran Church may have been more comfy that what the displaced people had; simple conversation with folks who experienced the worst was a blessing. The people of the Gulf Coast and especially, Bayou La Batre, Alabama are a resilient people. No "woe is me". They were rebuilding long before we arrived and they continue to this day.
I once saw the aftermath of an earthquake in another country. The aftermath of Katrina was personal and the worst that this poor servant ever saw. But, as beat up as the people were, their smiling faces welcomed us with open arms - "Thank you for coming".
God bless the Gulf Coast.
God bless St. Margaret Parish in Bayou La Batre
God bless those 38 Disciples in Mission of St. Agnes Parish.
Pax et Bonum
Saturday, July 31, 2010
July 31, 2010
Happy St. Ignatius of Loyola Day.
One thought from the writings of Iggy the Basque Founder of the Jesuits:
He might ask you if you have a made a good Examination of Conscience Today?
How to do that?
1) Give thanks to God for the benefits received
2) Ask for the grace to know your sins and rid yourself of them
3) Give an account of your soul from the time you got up until the moment of the examen
4) Ask for pardon for your faults
5) Resolve, with God's grace, to do better.
...say an Our Father
I had to cut loose the person with whom I was negotiating the possibility of aThift Shoppe. I thought, at first, we had reached an agreement but further waiting and waiting and waiting and...a delay in receiving a copy of the lease just began to give me a bad feeling. Then, because of the wait, a thrift shop opens across the street from our convent. I don't want to be in competition with anyone. Now it's a wait and see game.
Sometimes obstacles are for a purpose and this trial will lead us somewhere, I am certain. In Spanish they say, vamos a ver, i.e., we'll see.
I still need one more volunteer Math teacher. Just asking for one and a half hours weekly for some advanced math work in the eighth grade. One day, morning, one and a half hours. To share with others what God has given to you.
Pax et Bonum!
Happy St. Ignatius of Loyola Day.
One thought from the writings of Iggy the Basque Founder of the Jesuits:
He might ask you if you have a made a good Examination of Conscience Today?
How to do that?
1) Give thanks to God for the benefits received
2) Ask for the grace to know your sins and rid yourself of them
3) Give an account of your soul from the time you got up until the moment of the examen
4) Ask for pardon for your faults
5) Resolve, with God's grace, to do better.
...say an Our Father
I had to cut loose the person with whom I was negotiating the possibility of aThift Shoppe. I thought, at first, we had reached an agreement but further waiting and waiting and waiting and...a delay in receiving a copy of the lease just began to give me a bad feeling. Then, because of the wait, a thrift shop opens across the street from our convent. I don't want to be in competition with anyone. Now it's a wait and see game.
Sometimes obstacles are for a purpose and this trial will lead us somewhere, I am certain. In Spanish they say, vamos a ver, i.e., we'll see.
I still need one more volunteer Math teacher. Just asking for one and a half hours weekly for some advanced math work in the eighth grade. One day, morning, one and a half hours. To share with others what God has given to you.
Pax et Bonum!
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
July20, 2010
In my 37 years as a priest I have often dealt with the scrupulous conscience, particularly in the Sacrament of Penance. It is a difficult spiritual/psychological issue to deal with. Our seminary directors always gave us clear and precise ways of help the obssessively scupulous individual.
Recently I have been bothered by some thoughts that may be flirting with scrupulosity. Maybe this is so as I grow older and move closer to eternity. That means that sooner or later (and I hope it is later) I am going to die.
Here is what spiked my spiritual concerns. Recently as I was celebrating Mass, I carefully, as I always do, held the Sacred Host at the consecration of the Mass. Suddenly I wondered about the miracle of the Bleeding Host which happened centuries ago. Then I became concerned - have I ever celebrated Mass in a state of serious sin - I hope not!!! But have I!!! And if I did, what did that do to my soul? This is serious stuff, I am thinking. I shuddered at the very thoughts that I was having and how unworthy I am to stand at the altar and celebrate the Eucharist.
Every priest is unworthy. Vessels of clay, men called from among men, and sinful men at that, like the apostles, to celebrate from the rising of the sun to its setting these sacred mysteries.
Just before receiving Holy Comunion at Mass, the priest has a private communion prayer to recite in a low voice. It is his personal preparation. I have been given to also recite an Act of Contrition at that moment as well. My belief - an ancient one of the Church - is that if I have a serious sin my sincere Act of Contrition will deliver me from any perilous spiritual condition.
Priest of God, celebrate this Mass as it were your first Mass, your last Mass, your only Mass.
Pax et Bonum
In my 37 years as a priest I have often dealt with the scrupulous conscience, particularly in the Sacrament of Penance. It is a difficult spiritual/psychological issue to deal with. Our seminary directors always gave us clear and precise ways of help the obssessively scupulous individual.
Recently I have been bothered by some thoughts that may be flirting with scrupulosity. Maybe this is so as I grow older and move closer to eternity. That means that sooner or later (and I hope it is later) I am going to die.
Here is what spiked my spiritual concerns. Recently as I was celebrating Mass, I carefully, as I always do, held the Sacred Host at the consecration of the Mass. Suddenly I wondered about the miracle of the Bleeding Host which happened centuries ago. Then I became concerned - have I ever celebrated Mass in a state of serious sin - I hope not!!! But have I!!! And if I did, what did that do to my soul? This is serious stuff, I am thinking. I shuddered at the very thoughts that I was having and how unworthy I am to stand at the altar and celebrate the Eucharist.
Every priest is unworthy. Vessels of clay, men called from among men, and sinful men at that, like the apostles, to celebrate from the rising of the sun to its setting these sacred mysteries.
Just before receiving Holy Comunion at Mass, the priest has a private communion prayer to recite in a low voice. It is his personal preparation. I have been given to also recite an Act of Contrition at that moment as well. My belief - an ancient one of the Church - is that if I have a serious sin my sincere Act of Contrition will deliver me from any perilous spiritual condition.
Priest of God, celebrate this Mass as it were your first Mass, your last Mass, your only Mass.
Pax et Bonum
Sunday, July 18, 2010
July 18, 2010
It has been a month since my last blog.
On a number of occasions I was to sit down and "blog on", but then I got distracted and...
Well, here is some cautiously good news. The Thrift Shoppe may be, and I say "may be", closer to a reality. The landlady seems willing to come down $300. on the monthly rental fee. If her accountant is in agreement, the real estate office for the archdiocese will review the lease and give us the green light. I am cautiously hopeful. Prayers, please.
One person has stepped forword to volunteer for an advanced math program for our school children. I need another one or two volunteers. We are just looking for 0ne and a half hours a week, during school time, morning. This could benefit our students greatly. We are very heavy on programs for the slower students. We have nothing for an advanced child. And there are no funds to hire more personnel. Think of this as a way of giving back to God what God has given to you.
This is a special week for us at SMT. The Gospel Roads program by the Salesians begins today. These youth workers will be with us all week ministering to the poor, children, the handicapped, homeless, and doing some habitat. Please pray for them that they be safe in their work and their prayer. We are excited. They have dinner each night here at SMT. Stop by and say Hi and bring a dessert. These are really nice kids.
Finally, the men's group faithfully meets every Wednesday in the rectory at 7:15. They end promptly at 9:00. Come on out. Weekly attendance is not required. Just come in at will and join some guys who talk about God. By the way, these men are ordinary men, not overly pious, not wearing their faith on their sleeves. Just men being men in the best possible way. And I am grateful to some of these guys who will help with dinner for the Gospel Roads kids on Tuesday night.
Pray for me please.
Pax et Bonum
It has been a month since my last blog.
On a number of occasions I was to sit down and "blog on", but then I got distracted and...
Well, here is some cautiously good news. The Thrift Shoppe may be, and I say "may be", closer to a reality. The landlady seems willing to come down $300. on the monthly rental fee. If her accountant is in agreement, the real estate office for the archdiocese will review the lease and give us the green light. I am cautiously hopeful. Prayers, please.
One person has stepped forword to volunteer for an advanced math program for our school children. I need another one or two volunteers. We are just looking for 0ne and a half hours a week, during school time, morning. This could benefit our students greatly. We are very heavy on programs for the slower students. We have nothing for an advanced child. And there are no funds to hire more personnel. Think of this as a way of giving back to God what God has given to you.
This is a special week for us at SMT. The Gospel Roads program by the Salesians begins today. These youth workers will be with us all week ministering to the poor, children, the handicapped, homeless, and doing some habitat. Please pray for them that they be safe in their work and their prayer. We are excited. They have dinner each night here at SMT. Stop by and say Hi and bring a dessert. These are really nice kids.
Finally, the men's group faithfully meets every Wednesday in the rectory at 7:15. They end promptly at 9:00. Come on out. Weekly attendance is not required. Just come in at will and join some guys who talk about God. By the way, these men are ordinary men, not overly pious, not wearing their faith on their sleeves. Just men being men in the best possible way. And I am grateful to some of these guys who will help with dinner for the Gospel Roads kids on Tuesday night.
Pray for me please.
Pax et Bonum
Thursday, June 17, 2010
June 17
This weekend is Fathers' Day. As I reflect on the the wonderful memories of my Dad, I am grateful that I had a Dad who was at my side every step of the way. He went the way of all human flesh in January 2003. There is not a day that I don't think of him and I carry within me memories of a man of faith, of strength, a provider. Imperfect as he was (aren't we all?) he tried hard to be the best Dad.
My Dad was a WWII Vet. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge. We knew he was wounded twice, but that was about all. Like so many of the "greatest generation", he rarely talked of the War. I wish now that I would have pumped him for more information. Upon his death we found in our attic some letters of commendation and a box of medals. We never knew they existed.
He was a Steel Worker and Pipe-fitter by trade. Never finished school, but he had more common sense than a Harvard Ph.D. He could do anything. I know, we all say that about our dads. That's okay. If you had or have a Dad, it's perfectly acceptable to sing his praises.
Dad was a man of faith - in a simple kind of way. He loved the Church, his parish and the priests. There was nobody, in Dad's book, like our old pastor in Morrisville. They were kind of alike when I think about it. No nonsene. No frills. Shot from the hip. You got what you saw. It was the heart that identified them both. Diamonds in the rough. Yeah, that was dad and that was the man who ran our local parish church.
I once commented to Dad that I had one regret in life and it was that I never served in the military like he did. I still sometime have this regret. Dad's response was: I served enough and saw enough war for all my three sons. One of my bro's did put five years in the Air Force.
As I said, Dad was a strong man. I would never have wanted to tangle with him. One very sad day for me happened near the end of his life. He was in the hospital dying of asbestosis. It might have been about two weeks before his death. He asked to be adjusted in his hospital bed. As I did, I pulled back the covers to hoist him up and I saw that he was in a diaper. I couldn't contain myself. I lost it. My strong, iron-willed Dad, the pillar of my life, the best of all teachers, so dependent on everybody else. He would have been mortified. Outside the hospital room, I cried and prayed to accept God's will. But he surrendered himself into my hands, those of my Mother, my brothers and hospital staff.
Naked we come forth from our mother's womb and naked we return to the earth from whence we come.
Dad, Happy Fathers' Day.
You would be proud of me. Some of your plumber's skills have rubbed off on me. I am no stanger to a pipe wrench. I can take a part a sink trap in no time flat.
Pax et Bonum
This weekend is Fathers' Day. As I reflect on the the wonderful memories of my Dad, I am grateful that I had a Dad who was at my side every step of the way. He went the way of all human flesh in January 2003. There is not a day that I don't think of him and I carry within me memories of a man of faith, of strength, a provider. Imperfect as he was (aren't we all?) he tried hard to be the best Dad.
My Dad was a WWII Vet. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge. We knew he was wounded twice, but that was about all. Like so many of the "greatest generation", he rarely talked of the War. I wish now that I would have pumped him for more information. Upon his death we found in our attic some letters of commendation and a box of medals. We never knew they existed.
He was a Steel Worker and Pipe-fitter by trade. Never finished school, but he had more common sense than a Harvard Ph.D. He could do anything. I know, we all say that about our dads. That's okay. If you had or have a Dad, it's perfectly acceptable to sing his praises.
Dad was a man of faith - in a simple kind of way. He loved the Church, his parish and the priests. There was nobody, in Dad's book, like our old pastor in Morrisville. They were kind of alike when I think about it. No nonsene. No frills. Shot from the hip. You got what you saw. It was the heart that identified them both. Diamonds in the rough. Yeah, that was dad and that was the man who ran our local parish church.
I once commented to Dad that I had one regret in life and it was that I never served in the military like he did. I still sometime have this regret. Dad's response was: I served enough and saw enough war for all my three sons. One of my bro's did put five years in the Air Force.
As I said, Dad was a strong man. I would never have wanted to tangle with him. One very sad day for me happened near the end of his life. He was in the hospital dying of asbestosis. It might have been about two weeks before his death. He asked to be adjusted in his hospital bed. As I did, I pulled back the covers to hoist him up and I saw that he was in a diaper. I couldn't contain myself. I lost it. My strong, iron-willed Dad, the pillar of my life, the best of all teachers, so dependent on everybody else. He would have been mortified. Outside the hospital room, I cried and prayed to accept God's will. But he surrendered himself into my hands, those of my Mother, my brothers and hospital staff.
Naked we come forth from our mother's womb and naked we return to the earth from whence we come.
Dad, Happy Fathers' Day.
You would be proud of me. Some of your plumber's skills have rubbed off on me. I am no stanger to a pipe wrench. I can take a part a sink trap in no time flat.
Pax et Bonum
Monday, June 14, 2010
June 14, 2010
Flag Day
Silence is golden. It has been a while ... time for me to reflect on many, many things ... too mountainous to share ... the Priests' Convocation in Hershey... a change in our house ... the on-going pain of scandals at home and abroad ... our own clergy re-assignments that have given me some personal agitation ... the coming close of the school year ... and, thank you Jesus, my annual retreat coming next week.
We are losing a good priest here at SMT, Father Joe DiGregorio. He was so welcoming to me when I arrived here some 18 months ago. I will miss his quiet presence and his advice. He more than carried his share of responsibility in the parish and beyond. May God bless him in his new assignment.
As disruptive as these changes may be for a parish, imagine what they cause within the family of a rectory. One of our family is snatched away and the void is felt. So, men as we are with an emotional side to us, please pray for us as we adjust ... for Father Joe and for those of us who remain.
Father will celebrate a Mass of Farewell on Saturday, June 19 at 4:00 P.M. followed by a reception in the parish hall.
We look forward to the Gospel Roads Program that will come to SMT the week of July 17th. Under the auspices of the Salesians of St. John Bosco, young men and women (college, post-college and high school age) will be with us for a week, witnessing to the Lord Jesus and doing outreach work in various ways. You will be seeing a lot of them during that week.
The "giving tree" in June is to provide them with water and small snacks as they perform apostolic works. Any donation toward these good works are appreciated. We are expecting about 32 youth missionaries. Among them will be members of our parish Youth Program.
An update on the Thrift Shoppe: We are not there yet. Two very generous donations have come to help get started, but it is not enough. The realtor requires a month before and a month behind the regular monthly fee. We just have to be cautious that we are not blindsided and hurt the parish. Please pray for the success of this project so close to my heart. It would demonstrate the Church's commitment to the poor.
I may well get my knuckles rapped by my superiors, but we have decided to take on a Salesian Volunteer for at least a year to work with the youth of our parish. There are some very modest financial obligations for us to meet and I just feel, in spite of our $$$ stresses, the Gospel needs to be proclaimed. So be it! Father Cooke has already put down the foundation for a good program. We now have a young man who can take it to another level. Youth have always been a priority for me in assessing parish life. Pope John Paul II reminded us of that constantly during his pontificate. Pray for the success of this effort.
I am asking you to do a lot of praying, aren't I?
I met with the President of a local Catholic University recently. My goal: to ask for an investment on their part in our Parish School. That's a big one and still all over the place. Another prayer intention.
I am looking for:
+ Someone with math skills, who could volunteer one and a half hours per week to help with some advanced math. It is a need which we are unable to afford. Any takers??? We have nice kids who deserve a break!! I will personally cover any "clearances" to work with minors.
Fly the Flag today.
Pray for our intentions.
Pax et Bonum
Flag Day
Silence is golden. It has been a while ... time for me to reflect on many, many things ... too mountainous to share ... the Priests' Convocation in Hershey... a change in our house ... the on-going pain of scandals at home and abroad ... our own clergy re-assignments that have given me some personal agitation ... the coming close of the school year ... and, thank you Jesus, my annual retreat coming next week.
We are losing a good priest here at SMT, Father Joe DiGregorio. He was so welcoming to me when I arrived here some 18 months ago. I will miss his quiet presence and his advice. He more than carried his share of responsibility in the parish and beyond. May God bless him in his new assignment.
As disruptive as these changes may be for a parish, imagine what they cause within the family of a rectory. One of our family is snatched away and the void is felt. So, men as we are with an emotional side to us, please pray for us as we adjust ... for Father Joe and for those of us who remain.
Father will celebrate a Mass of Farewell on Saturday, June 19 at 4:00 P.M. followed by a reception in the parish hall.
We look forward to the Gospel Roads Program that will come to SMT the week of July 17th. Under the auspices of the Salesians of St. John Bosco, young men and women (college, post-college and high school age) will be with us for a week, witnessing to the Lord Jesus and doing outreach work in various ways. You will be seeing a lot of them during that week.
The "giving tree" in June is to provide them with water and small snacks as they perform apostolic works. Any donation toward these good works are appreciated. We are expecting about 32 youth missionaries. Among them will be members of our parish Youth Program.
An update on the Thrift Shoppe: We are not there yet. Two very generous donations have come to help get started, but it is not enough. The realtor requires a month before and a month behind the regular monthly fee. We just have to be cautious that we are not blindsided and hurt the parish. Please pray for the success of this project so close to my heart. It would demonstrate the Church's commitment to the poor.
I may well get my knuckles rapped by my superiors, but we have decided to take on a Salesian Volunteer for at least a year to work with the youth of our parish. There are some very modest financial obligations for us to meet and I just feel, in spite of our $$$ stresses, the Gospel needs to be proclaimed. So be it! Father Cooke has already put down the foundation for a good program. We now have a young man who can take it to another level. Youth have always been a priority for me in assessing parish life. Pope John Paul II reminded us of that constantly during his pontificate. Pray for the success of this effort.
I am asking you to do a lot of praying, aren't I?
I met with the President of a local Catholic University recently. My goal: to ask for an investment on their part in our Parish School. That's a big one and still all over the place. Another prayer intention.
I am looking for:
+ Someone with math skills, who could volunteer one and a half hours per week to help with some advanced math. It is a need which we are unable to afford. Any takers??? We have nice kids who deserve a break!! I will personally cover any "clearances" to work with minors.
Fly the Flag today.
Pray for our intentions.
Pax et Bonum
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