A lot has happened since I wrote last week. Let me share a few of the
memories of those days:
1) At the Marriage Jubilee Mass on Sunday afternoon at St. John of
Rochester, Fairport, more than 300 couples from all over our diocese
celebrated their married lives together.
At the end of the liturgy, we presented a bouquet of flowers to the
couple married the longest. Dorothy and Leon Taylor from Newark
received the flowers in recognition of their 68 years together. When I
gave the flowers to them they asked, “Would you arrange to send these
flowers to Father Joe McDonnell at the Mercy Motherhouse. He’s close to
100, you know.”
I was quite touched by that kind of openness to others. Dorothy and
Leon have thought that such a spirit of generosity is an important
foundation for such a long and lively marital union.
2) Maura and Bob Slon served as cantors at the Jubilee liturgy and
did their usual marvelous job. Their presence took me back to the
previous evening and the liturgy in celebration of the 75th anniversary
of Our Lady of Mercy High School and the blessing of that community’s
expanded facility.
Contributing in an impressive way to that celebration were Kathleen
Martin and Jessamyn Slon, daughter of Maura and Bob. Both young women
are students at the high school. Jessamyn lent elegance to the
preparation of the gifts with prayerful movement that drew all of us to
a sense of the dignity of what we were about. Kathleen lent her voice
in narration and song as she, first, led us in a reflection on the
holiness and work of Catherine McAuley, and then served as our guide
through the evening. Both young women made a deep impression on all of
us.
3) On Thursday in New York City, the bishops of our state met with
representation of the priests’ councils of our state. Our gathering
theme was our common interest in and commitment to the health of our
respective presbyterates.
As I write, I remember with great gratitude and admiration of the
three priests who represented us at that meeting. Bob Schrader, pastor
of St. Mary’s in Auburn, began the day’s discussion by presenting the
state of the question and giving a summary of the extensive work he had
done to make the day possible and as fruitful as it was.
Chuck Latus, pastor of St. Rita’s in Webster and chair of our
presbyteral council, was an active participant. So was Doug Della
Pietra, pastor of Good Shepherd Parish, Henrietta. Doug is a member of
the board of the National Federation of Priests’ Councils, and this
week he is at a meeting of that group.
These are all gifted and generous individuals who remind me that our
presbyterate in general is properly described by the same two
adjectives.
4) Molly Isabella McDermott may be the most peaceful and
contemplative infant I have ever baptized. All through the ceremony –
including the moment at which I poured the water on her head – she
remained serene and remarkably attentive to everything that was
swirling around her.
She brought delight to all of us, most especially to Margaret and
Andy, her loving parents. I am deeply grateful to have been a part of
such a powerful moment in their lives.
5) Last, but certainly not least, I want to thank the Board of
Trustees of the St. Ann’s Community, and their CEO Betty Mullin-DiProsa
for hospitality at their board meeting and dinner on Wednesday.
The evening gave me a fresh insight into the complexities of their
ministry, and into the great dedication and considerable skill they
bring to their tasks.
Their generous presence also reminded me that God has richly blessed
our local church with a great number of women and men who generously
pour out their time, talent and treasure for the good of neighbor.
In sum, I deal with problems and headaches in the course of daily
living, just as you do. People and experiences such as I mentioned
above give strength to deal with the harder moments and, more
importantly, help me keep them in perspective.
Peace to all.
Tags: Bishop Matthew H. Clark
