ASK DEACON MIKE
As this is my last column for 2006 I
thought I would share a few reflections with you on three very recent and
significant events in our parish that have had profound effects on me, actually
all of us. Again, these are just my
thoughts. The first event is the
retirement of Fr. John Scarcia. Most of
you know of my wonderful relationship with Fr. Scarcia. When Linda and I moved here we knew no
one. However, my assignment to St.
Philip’s began a relationship and a friendship that I never imagined possible.
From
the very beginning I realized that Fr. Scarcia’s deepest priestly desire was to
be a good and faithful pastor. His
understanding of the needs of the parish and his love and respect for the
people were evident from our earliest conversations. His love for his people and your love for him inspired me. As I came to know him I came to love him as
a pastor and a friend. As I came to
know you I came to love you as the great gift that God has given me.
I
know I don’t need to tell you how much my spirit ached when he told me of his
condition. While we always held out
hope, I think I knew from the time he first told me of his problem that he
would not be back. Like you, I have a
great emptiness. We still keep in
touch. We speak regularly on the phone
and we get together for lunch or dinner occasionally.
I
talked with him on the day his retirement was effective. He told me he was not sad. Certainly he would rather still be here with
us but he has accepted this cross and will try to carry it the best he
can. I miss him and I love him and most
of all I thank God for bringing us together.
I certainly wish him all the best.
And one more thing, he is one of the funniest guys I have ever known,
but you know that.
The
second great event was the appointment of Fr. Robert Roncase as our new
pastor. Fr. Roncase sensed the loss we
all experienced at Fr. Scarcia’s leaving.
He came to us at a difficult time and has done a wonderful job of
keeping us focused on loving and worshiping Our Lord. What impresses me most about Fr. Roncase is that he just tries to
be who he really is. I have found him
to be a wonderful priest, a compassionate man of God filled with energy and vision. But most of all, he is great to work with
and be with. We laugh every time we are
together.
I
often wonder how I could have been blessed so richly by being assigned to this
wonderful parish and serve with two pastors who treat
me so well. As Father Roncase and I
have gotten to know each other we are both amazed at how we see some things the
same way. We both feel we have the best
assignments in the Archdiocese. I am
very grateful to God that Fr. Roncase is with us to guide us on our common
journey of discipleship.
The
third great event was outpouring of love and dedication of so many people in
our parish during the visit by Cardinal Rigali to our parish to administer
Confirmation and the installation Fr. Roncase as pastor by Bishop Thomas. While a great experience, something else
impressed me even more. The responsiveness,
excitement and giving of self of our Ministers of Hospitality, Music Ministers,
Lectors, Altar Servers and those who served and set up the receptions was
overwhelming to me. The great spirit of
giving that these folks shared enabled us to sense the love God has for us. I want all of you who ministered with us
those nights to know just how marvelous your love and dedication to Our Lord is
to me.
As
we begin a new Church year with Advent we truly look to the coming of
Jesus. We have been blessed with some
wonderful times in our parish. Jesus
has already come to us in His Incarnation and He intends for us to share His
love with each other and all who need lifted up. St. Philip Neri Parish is a wonderful example of a community that
seeks to share that love. What is even
more amazing is that Jesus promises to return at the end of time to join us all
together with Him for eternity. That is
our great hope. May that hope always be
our joy. I love you all.