Dear Parishioners:

I hope everyone had a pleasant Thanksgiving celebration. In the midst of all our problems, it is important that we remember all the blessings we have as well. This is the time of the year that often flies by; Thanksgiving is already done and now we prepare for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ, at Christmas. Advent begins next weekend!

Dear Parishioners:

Thanksgiving is this Thursday, November 23. I would like everyone to make an effort to come to Mass on Thanksgiving Day. Mass will be at 10:00 am. While it is not a holy day, Thanksgiving Day is a wonderful opportunity as a parish family to come and thank God for all His tender mercies. While President George Washington proclaimed the first national day of Thanksgiving, it took some time before Thanksgiving became a national holiday.

Dear Parishioners:

As you know, Fr. Ray retired after 20 years of faithful service to our Parish family. Fr. Ray should be rightfully proud of his many accomplishments here at St. Patrick’s Church and he will be sorely missed.

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to you. I am speaking at all the Masses this weekend but just in case you were not able to be there, I would like to introduce myself.

After thirty-four years and two parishes where I have been the pastor, I come to my last column. When I was asked by the choir what hymns I would like at the 12:00pm Mass today I requested the Psalm that proclaims so powerfully: “The Lord is my refuge and strength.” In countless ways for my twenty years here at St. Patrick’s I have seen how the Lord truly is our refuge and strength and how powerfully He works through us as the family of St. Patrick in Smithtown.

I am always struck with hope and amazement when I read this verse from the Song of Songs 8:7: “Deep waters cannot quench love, nor floods sweep it away. Were one to offer all he owns to purchase love, he would be roundly mocked.” Love is a gift that we experience the moment we are conceived in the womb and is experienced when we come out of the womb and are embraced by our parents.

Over the course of time we receive invitations to many different celebrations and gatherings. Some we readily respond yes to, some we want to attend but cannot, and others we look for a way to decline. We are invited in the first place because we make a difference in the lives of the people who invite us. In the Gospel for today’s Mass (Matthew 22:1-14) Jesus tells a parable about a king who invited guests to a wedding feast for his son. When the king sent servants to get the guests they refused to come. So he sent more servants a second time. This time the invited guests showed their rejection by ignoring the invitation and even mistreated and killed some of the king’s servants.

There is quite a difference between being proactive and reactive. When hurricanes or major storms are forecast we proactively prepare by storing outside furniture inside and even putting plywood over windows. While there is still some damage a lot can be prevented by being proactive. In our dealings with one another we act in many ways, some proactive, some reactive. When we are hurt or insulted by the words or actions of others we are tempted to give back more harshly than we receive.

As I am getting into gear, packing the things I will be bringing to my next parish, St. John the Evangelist in Center Moriches with Fr. Patrick, there are things I can and should throw out and things that I will surely need. There are many good memories brought to mind as I go through the treasures in my room and some of them are just a joy to look at or hold in my hand. In one place in my room I have a piece of loose leaf paper with two crudely drawn figures which has the simple printing of my youngest nephew who is now 26 years old. One of my joys in his early years was to take him to the beach or play trucks with him in my parents’ house. The simple picture has the heading: To Ray, From Sean. That is precious and a true treasure.