Well, I have being at my new parish assignment for just over two weeks now.\u00a0 The physical moving and unpacking\u00a0is completely done.\u00a0 Of the five churches, I have celebrated Sunday Masses at St. Januarius in Naples and St. Patrick’s in Prattsburgh.\u00a0 I have celebrated Weekday Masses at St. Januarius in Naples, St. Michael’s Penn Yan, and St. Mary’s in Rushville leaving St. Theresa’s in Stanley.\u00a0 I will be celebrating the Sunday Mass there this weekend and next weekend (July 25th) I will celebrating the Sunday Masses for St. Michael’s completing my first visits to each church.<\/p>\n
I am pleased to say the people are very welcoming and there is always a parishioner willing to help show me where everything is.\u00a0 I have met all the staff now who are very helpful and kind.\u00a0 I am beginning to meet some of the parishioners who coordinate some of the various ministries.\u00a0 There is much to get to know and do.\u00a0 One of the areas I have been happy to begin with is meeting some of our parishioners who are homebound or in nursing homes.\u00a0 I went with one of our parishioners to visit several of them last week and will visit three more tomorrow with more to follow.\u00a0 I am happy to be able to visit these people so soon after my arrival to make sure that they know I care about them even though I don’t get to see them in church.<\/p>\n
So what else will I be doing?<\/p>\n
The ministry of a priest always begins with the celebration of the Sacraments but it does not end there.\u00a0 There are visits to the homebound, nursing homes, and hospitals.\u00a0 I will be involved in the Baptismal Preparation for parents preparing to have their children baptized.\u00a0 I’m meeting with the Social Ministry chairperson next week.\u00a0 I will make some visits to the parish school.\u00a0 There may be some stewardship ministry for me and RCIA.\u00a0 These fall under what I will call “direct ministry” meaning working face-to-face with the people.\u00a0 They do not need a priest to be involved in all of their ministry but I do feel called to be part of them, working as partners with the parishioners and staff.<\/p>\n
There are also what I will call “support activities.”\u00a0 The first that comes to mind is the Diocesan Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA).\u00a0 This is the yearly fundraising for the diocese so it might not seem like ministry but it is essential for the diocese to carry on its ministry.\u00a0 It is done to raise money but not to make<\/em> money.\u00a0 The money is not “profit.”\u00a0 It is used to buy materials, to pay the staff, and to pay building and utility costs necessary<\/strong><\/em> to bring the Gospel message with Christ’s love to the world.\u00a0 So, I see it as a vital part of making possible what we do as a church.<\/p>\n