The cooler weather is a sign of the beginning of Fall.\u00a0 In New York State, high schools and elementary schools reopened this week.\u00a0 Most colleges have also began their fall semester.<\/p>\n
The pace of life in the church also picks up.\u00a0 Meetings and events slow down a bit in the summer.\u00a0 That’s why I haven’t been to many meetings yet in my new assignment.\u00a0 That is changing now.\u00a0 I also received a new opportunity to serve the Church.\u00a0 Two weeks ago I was appointed to our diocesan Presbyteral Council.\u00a0 Last Tuesday I attended the first meeting of the year.\u00a0 I was pleased by the thoughtful participation of the priests.\u00a0 The morning portion of the meeting focused on offering pastoral concerns for the coming year.\u00a0 After lunch, there were some short presentations on various activities within the diocese.\u00a0 Before concluding, we elected four priests to the Executive Committee to work with Bishop Clark and Fr. Joseph Hart (Vicar General).\u00a0 On Wednesday, we (the Executive Committee) met to review the pastoral concerns at Tuesday’s meeting and to set the agenda for next month’s council meeting.\u00a0 At the Executive Committee, I was selected to be one of our representatives to the Priests’ Council of New York (PCNY).\u00a0 I am just learning what these meetings will be about and what my role with be.\u00a0\u00a0Rest assured I will do my best to serve on each of these councils to the best of my ability, asking for the gifts of the Holy Spirit to follow God’s Will.<\/p>\n
This week brings more activities.\u00a0 In a few minutes, I will leave for a regional social ministry in Geneva at Catholic Charities.\u00a0 Tuesday evening I will be attending the annual “All Boards Convening” for Catholic Charities in the Rochester Diocese.\u00a0 Fr. Larry Synder, from the National Catholic Charities Office<\/a>, will be the featured speaker.\u00a0 Wednesday night is a meeting at St. Patrick’s (part of Our Lady of the Lakes parish <\/a>where I serve) to address the concerns of St. Patrick’s in particular.\u00a0 Thursday night is a parent meeting for families with children preparing for First Penance this Fall.<\/p>\n As this week begins, I pray for God’s graces to be upon our Church, that we work to build up his Kingdom according to His Will.<\/p>\n Peace,<\/p>\n Fr. Jeff<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The cooler weather is a sign of the beginning of Fall.\u00a0 In New York State, high schools and elementary schools reopened this week.\u00a0 Most colleges have also began their fall semester. The pace of life in the church also picks up.\u00a0 Meetings and events slow down a bit in the summer.\u00a0 That’s why I haven’t …<\/p>\n