PadreChuck.com

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

Couldn’t let the month of May pass without writing SOMETHING. All is well here in the “Friendly City” of Wheeling. I have quickly settled into my new routine. 7AM never changes, but at least I am getting up earlier now…. well OK, when I HAVE to!!!! Folks, and sisters, and nieces, and yet to be born (in October) niece or nephew  are all doing good.  My nephew Matt got married recently.  He’s in the army and doing well, and he is safe.  My love and prayers to all. Hope you all are doing well too… See Ya Soon….

Well Folks, Here I am again….. As of Monday, April 28th, I am now in residence at St. Alphonsus Parish in Wheeling, WV.  MY HOMETOWN!!!!! The past month has been kind of interesting to say the least, but it was well worth everything I’ve gone through lately.  For the first time in a long time, I feel at peace, and feel as if I can finally live “in the moment”. I truly miss all my friends at Immaculate Conception in Clarksburg, but don’t worry folks, I’ve only moved and I will be back once in a while to say HI and catch up on all the goings-on.  Love you all tremendously and please know you are forever in my heart.

To my dear friends and parish members, my apologies  for the  suddenness of my leave-of-absence.  To say that I was overwhelmed might be too strong, but in hindsight, I came back too early from my recuperation, and with everything that has been going on, I just wasn’t completely prepared for what needed to be done.  I hope you all can forgive me for leaving without properly saying good-bye,, but I think I would have been a basket-case if I tried to explain my leaving in person.  I take with me so  many wonderful memories of I.C. and this parish will always be in my heart, because YOU all have been my teachers in my very first assignment.  So I say THANK YOU for all your love, and your prayers, and of course we WILL see each other again.  All my love and prayers to you… Fr. Chuck

Hello All,

My apologies for not keeping up-to-date.  Been very busy lately and have let this slide a bit.  As I write this we are entering into the Paschal Triduum, which is the center of our Catholic faith.  I have really been enjoying my uuhhh “newfound” health and am feeling GREAT.  I hope that after Easter arrives that I will be able to keep you all alert to how things are going.  Please keep Fr. Federico in your prayers.  His recovery is foremost in all our minds and although he is retiring, I know that once he regains his health he will be back at life with full gusto. Peace and love to all for now…….

Hello all.  Well, I’m back at the parish here in Clarksburg, and it feels GOOD!!!!! Thank you ALL so much for your cards, your prayers and your love while I was away.  I am taking it a little bit easy and things are getting better day by day.  It has been a huge eye-opener for me to have had something so serious happen to myself and not be in control. I am so truly grateful for everything that everyone has done for me and the offers for help since I’ve been back.  Now that I am home we need to focus our love, thoughts, and prayers on Fr. Jack, so that he may get back to us as soon as he can…..

As we enter into the season of Lent with Ash Wednesday, a season of reflection, sacrifice, and reconciliation will begin.  I hope that in this season, as we prepare for the death of our Savior, we may find a way in our hearts to TRULY thank him. Not just for the things we have in life, but that we HAVE life because of HIS sacrifice for us…..

Thank you everyone for all the cards, the get well wishes, and the comments on my blog.  I am still in Wheeling at my parents house, recoup, errr recooper—,errrr,,, getting better, but I’m bored.  I have gone walking a bit, and taking my time and trying not to rush things, but you all know me….. LOL.  I have an appointment with Dr. Lopez near the end of January and then HOPEFULLY I’ll be able to get back to Clarksburg, get back to work, and most of all BE ALLOWED TO DRIVE A CAR AGAIN!!!!!!.  That’s about all for now.  I’ll keep you posted.

Fr. Chuck 

Hey there everyone….  Just to let you all know,  I am out of the hospital as of TODAY.  I spent a week at United Hospital Center in Clarksburg.  I suffered 2 heart attacks, and had 2 stents placed.  I am feeling fine and family and friends are SWARMING over me with lots of love and prayers.  I will be going home to Wheeling for a few weeks of rest.  I WILL BE BACK SOON.  Father Federico is also in the hospital.  Please keep us in your prayers. We will be back in form shortly.

A week ago we were slip sliding away in the snow.  Today it was heaps of rain, minor flooding that is turning into major flooding, and who knows what else. Hope everyone was able to stay at least mostly dry….

This was sent to me by a very good friend at the parish:

On the first day, God created the dog and said: 
“Sit all day by the door of your house and bark at anyone who comes in or walks past. For this, I will give you a life span of twenty years.” The dog said: “That’s a long time to be barking. How about only ten years and I’ll give you back the other ten?” So God agreed.

On the second day, God created the monkey and said:
“Entertain people, do tricks, and make them laugh. For this, I’ll give you a twenty-year life span.” The monkey said: “Monkey tricks for twenty years? That’s a pretty long time to perform. How about I give you back ten like the dog did?” And God agreed.

On the third day, God created the cow and said:
“You must go into the field with the farmer all day long and suffer under the sun, have calves and give milk to support the farmer’s family For this, I will give you a life span of sixty years.” The cow said: “That’s kind of a tough life you want me to live for sixty years. How about twenty and I’ll give back the other forty?” And God agreed again.

On the fourth day, God created man and said:

“Eat, sleep, play, marry and enjoy your life. For this, I’ll give you twenty years.” But man said: “Only twenty years? Could you possibly give me my twenty, the forty the cow gave back, the ten the monkey gave back, and the ten the dog gave back; that makes eighty, okay?” “Okay,” said God, “You asked for it.”

So that is why for our first twenty years we eat, sleep, play and enjoy ourselves. For the next forty years we slave in the sun to support our family. For the next ten years we do monkey tricks to entertain the grandchildren. And for the last ten years we sit on the front porch and bark at everyone.

Life has now been explained to you…