Time to leave Anaheim and come home, home to Emily, the one I’ve missed so much these past two weeks, and to whom I owe a tremendous debt of gratitude for supporting me in this adventure. Home also to my Parish and to the Diocese, both of whom are entitled to know how I exercised my responsibility as a Deputy. In due time the other Deputies and I will prepare a full report to the Diocese and through the Diocese to the Parishes and Diocesan bodies.
As weary as I am, from sitting day after day in meetings and hearings, I am exhilarated by the experience. The new friendships begun, the old friendships renewed and strengthened and the joy of the shared daily Eucharist will stay with me for a long time.
It was obvious that none of the decisions made at this conference were ill-considered or precipitous, as momentous and far-reaching as they may have been. No one who participated in the deliberations, who attended the hearings and who read the reports of committees could say otherwise, even if unhappy or distressed by the outcomes. It’s worth remembering that in the 2,000 plus years of Christianity, we are but a blip in time, as important to us as that time may be. Our responsibility is maintaining as best we can the vitality of the church so that it may continue its responsibility for proclaiming the Gospel.
Our responsibilities as Deputies did not end with the Convention, but continue through the triennium. I look forward to working with the other Deputies and with all the members of the Diocese to do all that we can to revitalize and strengthen God’s church here on Long Island. With a new leader in Bishop Provenzano a wonderful opportunity is before us. Let us pray that, with God’s help, we make the most of it.
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