November 25, 2007
And it was just Monday

Take a deep breath before you read this article ‘cause you’re going to need the extra oxygen to keep up with the Monday of last week. My morning started with the 7am mass -- the other priests celebrated the 9am, 12:10 (and heard confessions) and a funeral that morning. I went to cardiac rehab and got back in time to celebrate the school mass with our children and their honored guests -- the Senior Citizens of Westbury, all led by Pail Clagnaz and his faculty and staff. After mass there was a marvelous Turkey dinner and then entertainment but I couldn’t stay for the entertainment because I wanted to get back to church where volunteers were giving out Thanksgiving baskets of food and turkeys (and providing transportation) to over 330 families. Joan Echausse oversaw the proceedings while Deacon Manuel lead a prayer service of thanksgiving. Meanwhile, across the street in the Parish Center, other volunteers spent the morning and some of the afternoon putting together the bonanza mailing (you should have gotten it by now) and I met to plan our upcoming Advent Pageant and went over the liturgy for Thanksgiving Morning. I returned 11 phone calls that came in that morning, and four other folks caught me “live” on the phone. I checked and responded to e-mail and wrote my Thanksgiving e-mail letter to those who are away at college. Deacon Mike did a wake service in the afternoon. More volunteers showed up to give out Thanksgiving food. I made a quick trip to visit the hospital and Father John celebrated the Pre-Cana closing Mass with the couples who are preparing to get married. Susan Porteus, our music director provided the music. I made another quick trip to bless the office of a new firm that had just moved into town. (Oops-- I didn’t get to take a nap today.) So the evening is winding down and after the Thanksgiving volunteers go their way, we had an interfaith prayer service for 16 year-old JT Meredith who was seriously injured when he was hit by a car. His friends, classmates and family wanted some time together to pray for his ongoing recovery. 300 people came. Deacon Frank and our Youth Minister Vince Buzzeo and I gathered to ask God’s blessings on all involved. Then it was one more meeting to go over the booklet for the Thanksgiving Mass with Susan Porteus who also was finishing up this bulletin -- so I guess I’d better finish up here since she needs this column. Whew!

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