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

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