A Few Simple Words from Fr. Robert
A Word about our First Responders in Point Pleasant Beach
I have been wanting to write to you about our First Responders in Point Beach for a while now. I have had several experiences with the ambulance crews, Firefighters, and Police. I have to say they have been exceptional in every way. They have transported both Fr. Richard and Fr. Brennan to the hospital several times. They have responded to false alarms on three occasions. One of the false alarms was on Christmas Eve when they were with their families, and yet they still came. One young man quipped, “I bet my grandma pulled the alarm to get me to go to Church on Christmas.” Last week we had a false alarm at 2:00 AM in the friary. When the firemen arrived, the first thing out of their mouths was, “Why are you guys cooking at 2:00 AM?” Once again the alarm proved to be a fault with our alarm system. The service tech has already been out to address the situation.
I am proposing that we do the following in support of our First Responders…
Whenever we hear the fire siren sound, all the Catholics in Point Beach should pause for a brief moment and offer a short prayer, both for the persons who are rushing to help someone, and for the person in need of help. We should do this wherever we are in the supermarket, the hardware store, Joe Leone’s, the liquor store, or wherever. Our pause should be simple and sincere. Personally, whenever I see a police car, ambulance or fire truck, I stop and bless them. I believe with all my heart that this simple practice, whenever the siren sounds, will be a witness to our faith, and will help all concerned. Let’s make this our practice!
“And the Lord Gave Me Brothers” (St. Francis)
50 years ago I accepted an invitation to visit a seminary in Massachusetts. My motives were mixed. You see, I had never been to Massachusetts and I wanted to go see what it was like. When I arrived, I found 60+ young men, and most were only a couple of years older than me. They all were dressed alike. Black pants, white tee shirts, and yep, black sneakers or shoes. They were welcoming and funny, prayerful, normal, and they cared about each other. They all dared to dream that they could make a difference in the world by giving their lives to God and obediently following his will as expressed by their religious superiors. After a day or two with them, I came to understand that I wanted the same dream, and so I told my parents that I wanted to be a friar and my great adventure began. With the friars I have lived all over. I’ve been involved in many different ministries and throughout these last 50 years there has been one constant–I have always had brothers. Some years the brothers I lived with were very different in age and perspective from me, however we were always brothers–brothers who I could count on, brothers who cared for me, and brothers I could care for. Right now our house is very diverse generationally speaking. Fr. Richard is 89, Fr. Brennan is 78, I am 68, and Fr. Nick is 39. We come from different backgrounds and experiences, but when we are all at the table there is a beautiful communion of spirit. We laugh and joke and talk about our day. Fr. Richard is famous for his one liners like, “you know I never had sisters,” or “I never smoked, drank or chased women.” “Oh Richard” is a common phrase at our table. When we are all home the news and Jeopardy are staples of our common life as is Morning Prayer, Mediation, Evening Prayer, and Office of Readings. Now, Fr. Richard and Fr. Brennan both need to get stronger and healthier. Our Franciscan Province has found a very nice place for them to do just that. When Fr. Nick and I go in to visit, we pick up the dirty clothes and drop off the clean ones like any family would do. Last Sunday after we had supper, Fr. Nick and I went over to the Rehab Center and visited with our boys. Richard was sitting in the lobby greeting everyone who walked in. Fr. Brennan was in good spirits and looking great as you can see. We stayed a while and enjoyed each other’s company. And the Lord gave us Brothers….
Our Convent Work is Progressing Slowly but Surely.
The massive plumbing project in the Convent is progressing very slowly but surely. Most of the work is volunteer, but those who are helping us are doing a great job and Bob Thorn, our Mcvgyer maintenance man, is directing the whole project. I want to thank our good Sisters from the bottom of my heart for the patience they have shown in this whole project. Often there is dust all over (Sisters don’t like that) and sometimes there are so many obstacles for them to get upstairs that they practically need green beret training to get to their rooms. Rest assured this was not elective surgery on our Convent, but a critical repair that needed to be addressed if the plumbing on the second floor was to continue to function. We are on the verge of the final step of a three step process. When this is done we will never have to address the plumbing in the Convent again. (Fingers and toes crossed!)
Scenes from Field Day at Our Beautiful School
Our Goofy 8th Grade!
We are going to miss them!
Second Grade Fresh from 1st Communion
Showing their Muscles
