Deacon's Notes

My Birthday

Dear friends in life and in ministry . . . Happy birthday to Me. Happy birthday to me. Happy birthday to me. Happy birthday to me. I'm 64 years old today but really feel like, well 64. Another very active week and weekend have breezed by. Thursday night's All Saints Mass and Friday night's All Souls Mass of Remembrance went very well. Saturday, I attended the Diocesan Pastoral Planning Day. The keynote by Shannon Loughlin (Young Adult Ministry Coordinator) and Fr. Ed Palumbus (pastor of Assumption Church in Fairport, NY) used a Luke's Easter Story on the risen Jesus' conversation with two discouraged disciples returning home to Emmaus to reflect on the challenges of change currently occurring in many parishes. I'm sure that down the road, after transcripts of the presentation are distributed, I'll be sharing in my column some of the thoughts offered by these excellent presenters. I also attended a workshop on Rural Ministry facilitated by Deacon Dan Williams. Small rural parishes bring communities together in ways that huge suburban parishes often cannot. But, how will rural parishes remain vital when no priests are available to preside at Sunday Eucharist. This workshop was attended by Bishop Clark and about 10 rural pastors and planning committee members. Next year's Planning Day will further explore the challenges facing rural parishes. On Thursday morning, several young parishioners and chaperones (about 23 including myself) will leave for next weekend's National Catholic Youth Convention in Columbus Ohio. Bishop Clark will lead an 800 member delegation from our diocese. About 20,000 young people are expected to attend. Have a joyous week.

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