Blog (Page 5)
“Guiding Star at the Shores” Project
The Knights of Columbus are pleased to extend their support towards a new Pro-Life initiative coming to our area called, “Guiding Star at the Shores.” The goal of this project is to establish a new local Women’s Health Facility dedicated to creating a new standard in women’s healthcare helping women to understand, embrace and love their natural bodies. This new “Guiding Star Center” will offer services in four core women’s health areas: Natural Fertility and Family Planning Pregnancy and Childbirth Breastfeeding and Postpartum Family…
Know Your Fellow Parishioner: The Schramm Family
Joan and Bill Schramm have learned a lot from their two sons. The most important lesson, according to Bill, is that “Life does not need to be perfect to be wonderful.” Billy, 27, and Patrick, 25, were born to Joan and Bill with similarly severe mental and physical disabilities. They also were born with strikingly joyful and generous spirits that they share openly with St. Damien parish and the Ocean City community at large. “Billy and Patrick are apostles of…
Know Your Fellow Parishioner: Roberto Bautista
Christ seeks disciples in various ways. For Roberto Bautista, it was through music. Roberto was adrift as a younger man. His band had recently broken up and life was difficult. Occasionally he would agree to play at the Hispanic mass at St. Frances Cabrini, when his percussion skills were needed. “But I would just go and play and then leave,” he said. “I did not feel comfortable. I knew nothing about Jesus,” he admitted. “Others would encourage me to come…
Know Your Fellow Parishioner: Art and Environment Ministry
It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas in the three churches of St. Damien Parish. As the poinsettias are arranged, the banners and creches are in place, the wreaths are on the door, and as thousands of tree lights go on later this week for the Christmas Masses, we will see the culmination of many hours of effort by the Art and Environment Ministry. The ministry is led by three long-time coordinators: Ruth Ann Firmani at St. Augustine;…
Know Your Fellow Parishioner: Janet Burk
“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…
Know Your Fellow Parishioner: Wayne Netherby
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…
Know Your Fellow Parishioner: Pat Henry
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…
Know Your Fellow Parishioner: Charlie Kelso
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,…
Know Your Fellow Parishioner: Damaris Avila
Sit down for a conversation with Damaris Avila and you will be joined by Our Lady of Schoenstatt. The Madonna is the face of a Catholic Marian movement that has had a positive influence on Damaris’s life. “The portrait of Our Lady is always with me wherever I go. When someone is sick, I bring her,” Damaris explained. “She has even been to the airport with me.” The Schoenstatt movement was founded on October 18, 1914. It has grown into…
Know Your Fellow Parishioner: Patsy Burns
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…
Sunday Mass Reflection for November 3rd, 2019
We believe that Jesus Christ, the Divine Word, God, was born of the Virgin Mary and entered our human condition. Why? Certainly, to show God’s love for us and to give us the truth of God. I asked that question to a group of people a few weeks ago and a young woman responded, “For Salvation.” I find that young people frequently come up with one-word answers that make a lot of sense. Salvation means going to heaven after we die, but…
Know Your Fellow Parishioner: Debbie Rolland
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…