July
1 , 2007
Worse
than Raccoons
Welcome
Father Chacha
This week I had planned on writing about our new Associate Pastor, Father
Chacha. But a longer introduction got derailed by my heart attack.
However hundreds of people gathered to say farewell to Father Cine last
weekend and had a chance to meet Father Chacha. It was a touching moment
when Father Cine handed a large candle to Father Chacha in a ceremonial
“passing of the torch”. We’re very glad Father Chacha
is now among us. We offer him a heartfelt welcome!
Remembering
the Parish While Traveling
If you’re going to be away this summer, please remember to support
our parish during the summer months. Our bills don’t go away --
just some of our people! And be sure to invite any houseguests to mass
with you when you’re hosting visitors from out of town.
Online Masses
We are now able to stream masses and other events live over the internet
to homebound folks and to relatives who live in other lands. If you’re
interested in this, in this, click
here.
e-mail Father Ralph:
Past Columns:
June 24:Sommertime
June 17: Celebrating
Fr Cine
June 10: When Nature Turns
June 4:Celebrating Father
Jim
May 27: Praying in Tongues
May 20: Making (up) the
difference
May 13: Loving our Mothers
May 6: About Father George
April 29: Hearing Voices
April 22:Three Stones
April 15: What a week!
April 8: Alleluia! Alleluia!
April 1: Holy Week
March 25: Climate Change
March 18: Take A Step
March 11: Cold Enough for
You?
March 4:Stocking the Shelves
Feb 25: Basket Case
Feb18: Ashes and Desert
Dust
Feb11: Get Ready, Get Set,
REST!
Feb.4: Lent Lurking
Jan.28:Catholic Schools
Week
Jan.21:Crying in Church
Jan.14: Love ahead
Jan.7: So How
Was Your Christmas?
Columns
from 2005
Columns
from 2004
Columns from
2003
Columns from 2002
A few
weeks ago I told the tale of the attack of the ants, the raccoons, the
carpenter bees, the falling trees etc. Just when I thought it couldn’t
get worse, I awoke early this past Tuesday morning with severe chest pains.
I called 911, chewed an aspirin tablet, and within minutes, I was in the
Emergency Room of Winthrop University Hospital. (First, thank you to the
crew from Nassau County Police who got me there.)
The folks at Winthrop immediately
determined that I was having a heart attack and within a very short time
I was on an operating table having a coronary catheritization done. The
main artery to my heart was completely blocked and there were some other
blockages. A stent was put in and the pain stopped and here I am in recovery,
writing to you. Thanks to all the doctors, nurses and staff here for taking
such good care of me. (It amazed me how many of our parishioners work
here.)
The prayers and good wishes have
been pouring in -- how fast news travels! I want to thank everyone who
has been praying for my recovery.
I had planned to take vacation
for the first two weeks of July and I hope to stick to those plans. So
you won’t be seeing me at the parish for a few weeks. I’ll
post a health update
online for those who want to know how their prayers are working.
I’m grateful to my brother
priests for “covering” the parish while I’m away --
and while Father John is covering Our
Lady of Fatima in Manorhaven. It’s great to have Father Augustine
back with us for the summer.
When I get back, I hope to visit
folks at home for Sommer in the Summer -- you can
e-mail me if you want to host a session or wait til July 14th to call
me to set a date. I think I’ll appreciate these visits even more
this year becausde I’ve been spared from death and given a new chance
at living. I give thanks to God for this favor.
