'Blog' Tagged Posts (Page 8)
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: 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…