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My roots of service are embedded in the foundation of my upbringing within our family’s Southwest Philly row home. I attended Catholic elementary school and graduated West Catholic High. I answered a call to serve God and entered the Christian Brothers. Although I felt assured of my calling, I missed the prospects of family events and the possibilities of a future family of my own – God let me leave. I graduated from LaSalle with a degree in Sociology, and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant, serving in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. I married Donna on September 18, 1971 and we are blessed to be parents of 3 terrific sons. After several moves, we settled in Williamstown (1978) and began an active life in our Parish. Not since I was kid, at Most Blessed Sacrament, had I felt so at home in a parish. In addition to my service to the parish & the Knights of Columbus, my 22 years of community service included: time as a Township Councilman, Mayor and School Board Member. I learned gradually that although relatively satisfying, this involvement fell short of what God had called me to when I was 17 years old. I came to the conclusion in 2002 (after many talks with pastor and deacons, much prayer and support from Donna) that God never forgot my number and called me again to serve His Church. Now after 9 years as a Permanent Deacon I’m become convinced that God knows what was and is best for me. He has blessed me with the best of both worlds – a wonderful wife with whom I share the blessings of our family (that includes 2 grandsons) – and the vocation to serve His Church in a way that wasn’t available back in ’67. God is Good and loves us in ways we learn via gradual discovery. As I begin my service to the families of Christ the Redeemer Parish I consider it to be a continuance of His blessings to me. I am grateful for the warmth with which you have shown me and welcome the opportunity to be part of the CTR family. |