Posts by St Damien Parish (Page 5)

“The most intimate talk between friends is talk of God,” observed Janet Burk. “Not only are you disclosing your faith, which is intimate,” she continued, “but you are sharing your intimacy with God with another person.” Janet has sought opportunities throughout her life to grow her faith in the company of others, whether in small gatherings of friends or in formal courses, seminars and retreats offered by the Catholic Church. “Knowing more enhances my relationship with God,” she said. A…

As a baritone, Wayne Netherby sings harmony in the St. Damien Parish Choir. “Harmony always makes the melody sound better,” he explained. “And what better way to witness to the Lord than to sing in the choir?” God and music have been creating harmony in Wayne’s life since his youth. As a teenager, Wayne knew he loved playing the horn. “It was the one thing I was really good at,” he explained. Also as a teenager he experienced the joy…

As an usher at St. Augustine Church, Pat Henry is used to being recognized by people he doesn’t necessarily know.  In a takeout shop recently, a customer in front of him was putting money in the tip jar.  “The next thing I know she turns around and says, I’m practicing for Sunday!” Actually, there is much to know about Francis Patrick Henry. At 82 years old, he has been an Ocean City resident since 1938 and is one of the…

As Thanksgiving approaches, with its focus on food, family, and fellowship, it seems fitting to get to know Charlie Kelso.  For the past ten years, Charlie has been preparing meals for the St. Damien Parish priests.  He also prepares the buffet dinners that accompany the Faith, Food, and Film events held during Advent and Lent. “I like making food,” Charlie said as he described his weekly routine of shopping on Saturdays and preparing homemade meals in the rectory every Thursday,…

One morning last winter Patsy Burn’s alarm clock failed to ring, and she woke up late for the weekday mass.  “I was tempted not to go,” she admitted. “I came so close to staying in bed.”  But she quickly prepared and arrived at church just in time.  As she settled into a back pew, she suddenly felt the presence of another person sitting down next to her, despite many open places.  Puzzled and maybe even slightly annoyed, she stole a…

As music director of St. Damien Parish, Debbie Roland believes in good planning.  She will spend time reflecting on the upcoming mass readings, making sure to choose hymns that enhance the Liturgy of the Word.  But every once in a while, as the mass unfolds, Debbie will hear a little voice that says: Do this song instead.  “So we do it!” she exclaimed.  “That’s the Holy Spirit.”  And she is grateful for the input. Debbie sings and plays the organ…

For Paul Stryker Jr., Pentecost had special meaning this year, especially its message of unity through a universal language of faith.  Paulie, as he is known, was three weeks into boot camp at the Coast Guard Training Center in Cape May, surrounded by recruits from all over the country.  “We all came from different traditions and ways of doing things,” he reflected, “but we were trying to unite in a common goal, so the powerful story of the Upper Room…

Itzel Rosario can remember a time when she thought going to Mass was simply a cultural tradition, a way to conform to the surrounding society. “You went to church,” she said, “but you didn’t necessarily know what you were doing there.”  However, ten years ago, led by her father, her family underwent a spiritual conversion that brought Itzel into a real relationship with God.  Now, she knows, “Worshipping God is one of the most beautiful things a person can do.”…