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