Veterans Day

Last Monday I, along with Peggy Soviero, our DRE for the upper grades, and Cindy Marsh, the head of the Youth Ministry in our parish, attended a meeting in the Smithtown School District.  The purpose of the meeting was to fulfill the mandate of the state to have an annual, open meeting about AIDS education in our district.  In listening to those responsible for the curriculum in this area, I was very impressed with the focus of the program: abstinence.  The young people are told over and over again in various ways that the only way to absolutely prevent AIDS or other diseases that are communicated through sexual activity is through abstinence.  Avoiding sexual activity to prevent disease is a good motive.  We as Catholics have a very rich tradition and teachings that enable us to recognize and use the gift of sexuality and sexual activity in a very life giving and joyful way.  What the public schools cannot teach is morality.  That is our responsibility.  We know our society is saturated with messages through the media, TV, movies and the Internet that promote and even glorify immoral sexual activity.  The teachings of the Church are not meant to confine or deny us, but to bring us peace in what we do in all areas of our lives.  Are we communicating that to our young people?  It is our responsibility as the Church and as the people of God to share the Good News.  Part of that Good News is helping our young people and all people to see the gifts God has given to us and to see how to use them to bring life, joy and peace to ourselves and all people through them.

On the cover of last week’s bulletin we had a picture of some of the people from our parish who received awards from the diocese for their years of service in religious education.  We were blessed to have the person receiving an award for the most years of service, Veronica Moran.  Veronica has given of herself in religious education for fifty years.  In the name of all of us I congratulate and thank her for her service and example.  Veronica also serves in many other ministries in our parish.  She is a true life giver to the Church, which is you and me, by the way she livesher life.  How blessed we are to have her as part of our parish family.

Last Saturday I stopped in at the Father-Daughter Dance run by the Parent’s Guild of our school. How wonderful to see girls from kindergarten to eighth grade having a great time with their dads. All present had smiles on their faces. Thank you to the Parents Guild for making this a reality and running it.

Next Saturday evening the Parent’s Guild will have its Restaurant Showcase.  We had this last year and it was a great evening.  Many restaurants from the area bring and serve food.  You can take samples from every establishment that is represented.  All of us from the rectory will be there!  This past week we anointed the residents at the Nesconset Nursing Home.  Each month we celebrate Mass there and twice a year we anoint all the residents who are Catholics.  What a joy as a priest to have the privilege of seeing the joy and peace that comes to all those who are anointed.  In addition to the monthly Mass, there is a communion service every week.  That is because of the generosity and goodness of our deacons and parishioners who volunteer there.  I also thank Deacon Dick Sanders and his wife Mally who have been bringing Holy Communion to the residents of the Sunrise Assisted Living Facility here in Smithtown.  All involved in this ministry are bringing the love of God to those who are not able to get out.  Thank you for your example, the good that you do and the blessing that you are. 

Every once in a while it is so good and inspiring to see just some of the things that are going on in our parish all the time.  The Body of Christ is alive and well here at St. Patrick’s, thanks to the way we are living out our faith.  We are living these words of St. Paul we heard at Mass last Tuesday: "Let love be sincere; hate what is evil, hold on to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; anticipate one another in showing honor.  Do no grow slack in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord."

Father Walden