A busy weekend - the finale

     This has been a long process in sharing a few days from the weekend before last, and I apologize that it has taken so long.  But here it is, finally the end of the busy weekend of June 13 & 14.

     On that Sunday following our diocesan Ordination to the Permanent Diaconate, I took the morning off from the parish and joined one of our new deacons and a very good friend - Deacon Bill Newhouse and his wife Mary Ann and their family - in his Mass of Thanksgiving at the 9:00 am Mass at the Church of Saint Paul in Greensburg.  I have known Bill and Mary Ann for nearly twenty-five years, and was honored to be invited to vest him at the ordination ceremony.  Father Lawrence Manchas, his pastor and I concelebrated the Mass in which the new deacon assisted and preached, assisted by Deacon Bill Hisker, also originally from the parish.  The liturgy was beautiful and the people very supportive of Bill, whose family has always been very involved in the parish life.

 



     Following the Mass, Deacon Bill celebrated his first baptism, that of his granddaughter.  Done well, with no mistakes, and he did not seem nervous.  Later family and friends gathered for food and fellowship.  It was good to see many old friends and to celebrate Bill's diaconate, his wife Mary Ann's birthday (that very day), and the baby's baptism.

     Following the festivities, I went home and crashed.  And I have not recuperated as yet, with the normal parish activities, two funerals last week (three this week) and Priesthood Ordinations this past Saturday.  But I'm getting there.  God is good, and his love is everlasting