Weekend at Notre Dame

Pastor Lands in "Blogland"

 I have accepted the daunting challenge from our faithful parish webmaster, John Paul Vidal, to begin a blog. It will be an opportunity to share with parishioners, and perhaps other interested parties, on an occasional basis, an informal mélange of events, life and people at St. Cecilia’s, our wonderful parish in Irondequoit, New York.  I have been privileged to pastor this community for six years, and it has been a great blessing to me. The parishioners are warm and generous, and have been excellent teachers. ...

(October 3, 2006)

Canon Law Society

Pastor Lands in Fort Worth

I have maintained my membership in the Canon Law Society of America since being appointed pastor of St. Cecilia’s. I have been an active member since 1984 when I completed my degree in canon law at the Gregorian University in Rome. The Society is made up of about 1800 canonists, most from the United States, who are involved for the most part in some ministry involving canon law. Some are current or former practitioners who were teachers, worked in a marriage tribunal, or assisted in a diocesan chancery. ...

(October 18, 2006)

All Souls Day

In Memoriam

Last Thursday evening, many members of our faith community gathered to celebrate Mass. We assembled, all ages, sizes and shapes, but we had one common point of reference: each person at the Eucharist that evening had previously attended funeral rites at our Church and had mourned the loss of a loved one during the preceding 12 months. Having many elderly parishioners in our parish means that we have many funerals here at St. Cecilia’s. But the large number of funerals does not take away from the pain and loss experienced by each family as they gather with others to honor their loved one at a funeral Mass. ...

(November 6, 2006)

Alumni Association

First Reunion

In 1991, after almost forty years training and educating young Catholics in their faith, St. Cecilia School was forced to close due to declining enrollment. Like many other Catholic schools, increasing educational costs made it prohibitive to continue, and after having served as a wonderful setting for the transmission of Catholic values and beliefs, St. Cecilia School could no longer operate.

But the memories of the School have continued and it was recently decided that a reunion would be held to celebrate the gift of Catholic education and friendships that were a legacy to the many graduates. ...

(November 26, 2006)

Social Justice

“You Did It For Me…”

Due to bad driving conditions, I have received word that a meeting I was to attend at St. John Fisher College has been cancelled today. It presents me with an opportunity to return to “blogging” and an article long overdue.

I have been invited this evening to nearby Christ the King parish, to meet with a seventh grade faith formation class to discuss issues of social justice, related to a book I wrote in 2005, entitled You Did It For Me: Care of Your Neighbor as a Spiritual Practice.

Some background to the book: One of the great secrets of the Catholic Church has been social teachings. This tradition is found ...

(January 29, 2007)

Pastoral Change at St. Cecilia

Dear Parishioners:

I was recently informed by Bishop Clark that he would like me to assume the pastorate of the Cathedral parish at the end of June. As you can imagine, this came to me as an utter shock and stunning development, totally unanticipated. I had thought that I would be finishing my term here at St. Cecilia's in 2012, with the clustering of St. Cecilia's with the other parishes in our planning group. Sometimes the Lord goes to great and surprising lengths to shake us from our complacency!

Needless to say, this will not be an easy change (I HATE change!) It will be difficult to leave a great staff and supportive parish community. It will, however, be a return to my home parish ...

(February 17, 2008)

Pastor's Farewell

Dear Parishioners:

On March 4, 1977 I was ordained to the ministerial priesthood by the late Bishop John E. McCafferty, auxiliary bishop of Rochester. He had been the rector of Sacred Heart Cathedral, my home parish. I have vivid memories of that evening: prostrating before the altar during the “Litany of the Saints,” the imposition of the bishop’s hands upon my head along with the imposition of hands by all the other priests attending; the clothing in priestly vestments and the presentation of the Mass vessels. Perhaps most vivid is the wonderful encouragement that evening given by family, relatives, friends and parishioners as I began priestly ministry in the Diocese of Rochester. ...

(June 8, 2008)