Monthly Archives: January 2015

One of the primary responsibilities of a parish should be to concentrate on the growth and development of all of the children not just those that attend the parish schools. Much to my amazement there was a negative perception at … Continue reading →

For years as children growing up in the Catholic tradition we read story after story about the lives of the saints. They were noble people from all walks of life who embraced the total dedication to God. Many gave even … Continue reading →

The population f Westfield  in the 1960’swas rapidly changing  and what once had been predominantly a Protestant community had a growing  influx of Catholic and Jewish citizens. Due to this fact many of the marriages performed in Holy Trinity Parish … Continue reading →

Life in a parish is a microcosm of what happens in the lives of people.There are moments of great joy and times when the pain of others is searing.For me that first summer in Westfield the pain of another was … Continue reading →

Diversity is a wonderful gift in a parish rectory because no one size fits all. In our rectory at Holy Trinity there were four different approaches to ministry and life. The Pastor rapidly gaining on ninety years of age was … Continue reading →

Ordination was not the end for me but rather a beginning to be part of the daily lives of others. I yearned to embrace the role of Priesthood not from any pedestal because it was never a question of my … Continue reading →

Two months before ordination I was called to the Dean of Men’s office and informed that my mother was seriously ill. My Father had called to tell me that she had suffered a serious heart attack and the prognosis was … Continue reading →

One of the difficult times in seminary living was when people you truly admired decided to leave.When Bill Meade left just before taking his vows I was somewhat surprised and shaken. Bill was not only brilliant but he had a … Continue reading →

After one year of studying Philosophy I skipped the second year because I had already graduated from college.The new year found me as a student in a new class and I was excited to be immersed in the study of … Continue reading →

Whenever a grup of persons are placed into a common environment thetr is almost always a bonging experience that occurs.This was certainly true in the Seminary and my life was certainly enhanced by so many of my fellow seminarians. Name … Continue reading →