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As I begin my temporary assignment in Charleston tomorrow (May 26th), I realized that on Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009, I will have been ordained for 3 years.  In the almost three years that have passed, my life has been changed incredibly. Let’s see…. I’ve had a heart attack, a bit of an emotional upheaval that followed the heart attack, and a whole lot of things that I could have never had imagined. But in the past three years, the one constant is that I still have felt this incredible joy in serving the people of God. Not once in the almost 1095 past days has that chanctged. So as my life swirled around me, the one constant is that the people who I’ve encontreded in my life have enriched my living by allowing me to share in their lives and share in the ups and downs that we have all encountered. Come Wednesday, June 3rd, I will celebrate my 3rd anniversary in my third city in this beautiful state of West Virginia. 2007 was in Clarksburg, 2008 was in Wheeling, and 2009 will be in the capital city Charleston.  Life goes on, and the joy of livign each day continues.  God Bless you all!!!!!

OK, OK….. so it has been months since I last was here to say anything. Been doing lots of stuff, but the big news is that I have to share with you all is that I am gettting ready to move again…. This is a TEMPORARY move though. I have been asked by the Bishop, to fill-in as the Associate Rector at Sacred Heart Co-Cathedral in Charleston. I will be assigned there from May 26th until July 15th, when one of the diocese’s newly ordained priests will begin their new assignment. I must admit that I will miss, being in my hometown, but at the same time, I am looking worward to meeting new people, and the chance to sped some time in the southern part of the beautiful state of West Virginia.

For those who thought that I’d forgotten about my blog, I haven’t. I just haven’t seemed to find time to catch you all up on what’s going on in my life.

Things are good. Just moved into the new rectory here at St. Alphonsus. The space is so much nicer, and OK, smaller than the old rectory. But I do really like it and things are finally finding their way from the boxes to the shelves. It’s very comfortable and is a lot easier to keep up with the up keep.

The parish offices will be moving fairly soon into a new space in the lower level of the church. Again… new space, and easier up keep.

I will try to be a little more vigilant about talking to everyone here than I have in the past. But if I fall behind… NEVER FEAR… I’M STILL HERE.

Well here it is December 1st 2008. I’ve had this blog for over a year now, and I haven’t been very good at keeping it updated. I apologize for that. My excuse? in a word LAZINESS. Pure and simple, I am very lazy when it comes to sharing my thoughts in print. Very amusing considering that normally, I speak my mind at the drop of a hat, yet when it comes to taking the time to actually type it and share with others….NADA, ZILCH, ZERO.

I know that the new year is not here yet physically, but I promise that I will try to talk/type/share with everyone that still reads this little corner of the web on a more regular basis.

As there are now only 24 days until CHRISTMAS, I guess it’s time for all of us to kick it up a notch and get into the preparations of the season. That means not only in getting gifts for family and friends, but also to prepare our hearts and minds for the arrival of the blessings in our lives that come with remembering the birth of Christ.

That’s all that is on my mind and the moment. More to share later…..

My apologies for not updating in such a long time. I don’t know where the time has gone, or why I haven’t talked on her much lately. All is well, and I am enjoying life here at St. Alphonsus in Wheeling. We have been very busy of late with the rectory consturction project.  I wil try to update more often, and keep everyone in the loop as to where I am am what I’m doing. Peace and love to you all.

It is amazing how fast, and i guess EASY it is to tear out walls (plumbing is a bit more tricky!) It has been one week since they have begun the renovations to our new quarters. I have been amazed each day this past week as I toured the space and saw or rather imagined how things will be as we progress in this endevour. I’m hoping to give updates a little bit more often as they begin the RECONTRUCTION phase now that the demolition has concluded. Hope all are well and please know you’re all in my prayers. God Bless.

Well, they finally started construction of the new rectory yesterday, August 4th. And I must say these guys works fast. In the span of 24+ hours the carpet has been pulled up, the light fixtures are gone, electrical outlets removes, and oh yeah…..WALL pulled down. I must say it is going to be an interesting construction season here at St. Alphonsus. I’ll try to keep updates on the progress and if I can figure out how, I might even post a picture or two. We’ll see how it goes…..

Well, tomorrow July 26th I turn 42!!!!!!.  I am happy to see this birthday come, as it means that I have survivied another year, and a lot of things have passed in my life in the last 365 days.  I am thankful for the blessings the Lord gives me each day, and I am thankful for the love of family and friends. Please know that you all mean the world to me. As I write this, I am prpeapring to leave for a few days of family vaction, so wish me luck, and I will see you all again on MONDAY!!!!!

Strangely, there isn’t really much of anything going on at the moment here at St. Al’s. A relatively quite day on the home front, but that will soon change. Construction should beginning literally within a few days, on a project that I think will bring about a lot of change, but also in the long run hopefully, some smiles, as people in the parish begin to see what all the hub-bub and “talk” actually brings to fruition. More later…… I PROMISE!!

AS of this moment, I am sitting in an oasis of calm while things are a bit hectic outside my door. Fr John Gallagher the pastor of St. Alphonsus is moving OUT today to head to his new assignment as pastor of St. Jude Parish in Glendale, WV. At the same time, Fr. Frank O’Kruta is moving IN as he begins his new assignment here at St. Al’s. This is a yearly phenomena within most Catholic parishes, as the new assignments of priests happen near this time. And starting with the next few weeks or so, we will enter into a phase of new beginnings as construction/renovations begin on the “new” rectory and parish offices. I say “new”, because as the construction will bring about new uses for existing spaces, the only real “new, new” building will come after the rectory and offices move , and the old rectory and parish school are torn down and a new side entrance with elevator and stairs will be built once the old school comes down. I look at this a time of new beginnings, and a time for changes to invigorate us all and remind us of how change can bring about some amazing things.

I hope this blog entry finds you all doing well and looking forward to all that summer can bring us.. Until later…. God Bless