Mary Magdalene Church

Dear Friends,

This week is Pride Week in Rochester, and a group of us from Mary Magdalene Church marched in the Pride Parade. It was a great joy to march with St. Romero’s, Spiritus Christi and Immanuel Baptist Churches. There was a great deal of celebration, fun and joy that we experienced along the parade route. Several on-lookers thanked us for marching. On Sunday, July 24, City Hall will be open between 1:00-5:00 so that same-sex couples can get a marriage license. I plan to be there, to celebrate the fact that in NY State, people can now marry the love of their life, regardless of their gender!! Please join me! While there are still hurdles to be jumped, most especially that marriage equality will be recognized on a Federal level, I know that the Holy Spirit has been actively working behind the scenes!

Sometimes we wonder if our prayers are heard, but this week my son Michael experienced the power of prayer on a personal level. As many of you know, Michael is on the Appalachian Trail (AT) hiking from Georgia to Maine. He is currently half way with more than 1,000 miles behind him, and another 1,000 miles to go. Recently he’s been short on funds. He had been in town and was walking back to the trail. A car pulled up and asked if he needed a ride. The couple told Michael that they have a son who is hiking the AT as well. They commented that it was getting late- and wondered if Mike would prefer to be dropped off at a hostel. Mike mentioned that staying in town was not in his budget. When they got to the trail, the couple got out of the car. The woman had money in her hand and wanted Mike to take it. He kept insisting that he was very thankful for the ride and was fine, but she kept insisting. Mike told me: "I thought about how much this woman reminded me of Grandma. She was as insistent as Grandma gets when she wants to help me out. I know Grandma keeps telling me she is constantly praying for me, and suddenly I realized that this woman was a response to Grandma’s prayer!" Prayers are answered every day… sometimes we recognize it!

Saturday, July 23rd is the Firemen’s Parade in East Rochester. We’d love to have some parishioners in front of the church, to hand out balloons, flyers and bottled water. It would be great to have you!!

Sunday, July 31

st is our Mass in the Park and Pet Blessing at 4:00 at the Edmund Lyon Park Gazebo. After Mass we’ll have appetizers and an Ice Cream Social. Please bring an appetizer to share, your pet and your neighbors!!

Attention Mary Magdalene Seniors & Pre-Seniors!! Save the date: Thursday Aug. 18 at 12:00 noon, for lunch in the Kennelly Park Gazebo, in the Village of Fairport.

The East Rochester Community Resource Center (ERCRC) is sponsoring a free monthly supplemental food distribution on Wednesday, July 27 from 10:00-12:00 at the Jean Daniel’s Senior Center, 120 West Commercial Street. Those in need are asked to bring proof of their income, their residency, and the number of people in the family.

We need your help!! First, I’d like to thank you for your generous response to our call for donations of items for our Rummage Sale on August 12th and 13

th!! This will be a huge rummage sale!! If you can help with pricing please come this week on Mon, Tues, or Wednesday, July 18-20 between 4:00-6:00. If these times don’t work for you, please call Tammy Drollette at 362-1155.

Also save Saturday, September 17. Our favorite Biblical Scholar and great friend, Fr. Don Pachuta will be offering a retreat for us. Don will also be with us for Sunday Mass. It will be a great weekend!

Our God is awesome!!

With Love,

Rev. Denise

Dear Friends,

            I just got back from our annual camping trip to Rollins Pond Campground in the Adirondacks.  This trip is always a highlight for me.  Pulling into the campground I take a deep breath of mountain air and my soul somehow feels like it’s returned home.  I have camped on Rollin’s Pond, or Fish Creek (the adjacent campground) nearly every summer for 47 years!  I love the sound of the loons calling back and forth to one another, the smell of the campfire, the view of the mountains reflected in the pond, the sunsets, the time spent with good friends, our annual canoe/kayak trip, and the taste of Donnelly’s ice cream!  Donnelly’s is located at a deserted corner where routes 30 & 86 intersect.  It’s a tiny, old building that has been there for more than 50 years, and looks the same today as it did then.  The only decision you have to make when you walk in the door is what size you want.  The flavor is already decided for you, as there is only one flavor offered each day.  But believe me, you will not be disappointed!!

These simple things always help me reconnect with my soul!  I can appreciate the many blessings God has given me, and take the time to enjoy those blessings, as opposed to the busyness of daily life.  While camping is getting tougher on the body, this trip to Rollins Ponds always refreshes my soul, and renews my spirituality!!  Make sure to find time for renewal during these summer months!

Next weekend is Pride Weekend in Rochester and at Mary Magdalene Church!! On Saturday July 16 please join me and other parishioners to march in the Gay Pride Parade.  Because this is a very significant year for the glbt community I have rearranged my schedule to make sure I will be in town to join in this celebration!  We’ll meet at the church at 12:00 to decorate Tammy & Wanda’s truck, and make signs or banners.  We’ll have pizza, and then will carpool to the parade.  Line-up begins along Park Avenue at 2:00 with step off at 3:00.   

Then on Sunday, we will celebrate the glbt community at 10:00 Mass; Tammy and Wanda will share during the homily.  I hope all of you who are in town will join us in the parade and be with us at Mass to support Tammy and Wanda, and the glbt community!

Kids are invited to participate in East Rochester’s Vacation Bible Day Camp, to be held at Trinity Lutheran Church on Main Street in East Rochester July 25-29.  Registration forms are on the welcoming table at church.  You may also register after Mass on July 10 or July 17 at Trinity Lutheran Church on Main St.

The East Rochester Community Resource Center (ERCRC) has determined the need for a free monthly supplemental food distribution, in addition to the food cupboard they provide at their center.  This month’s distribution will be on Wednesday, July 27 from 10:00-12:00 at the Jean Daniel’s Senior Center, 120 West Commercial Street, in the same building as the library.  Those in need are asked to bring proof of their income, their residency, and the number of people in the family.  We appreciate the work of this out-reach and thank them for their continued support of East Rochester residents!

We continue to collect items for the Mary Magdalene for the Rummage Sale on August 12th and 13^th.  Donations may be brought to the Church any time we’re there, please call ahead.  We will accept almost anything, except large appliances and shoes.

Save the Dates for some wonderful events: Jeff Wilson in Concert at Mary Magdalene Church on Sunday July 17 at 2:00.  Jeff has been at Mary Magdalene a few times and everyone was touched by the gift of his music.  Tickets are $10 and there will be a collection during the concert for Mary Magdalene Church. 

Also save Saturday, September 17.  Our favorite Biblical Scholar and great friend, Fr. Don Pachuta will be offering a retreat for us.  Don will also be with us for Sunday Mass.  It will be a great weekend!

Looking forward to seeing you at Mass on Sunday!!

With Love,   

Rev. Denise

Dear Friends,

            One of my favorite things as a priest is working with couples who are preparing for marriage, and then witnessing their wedding.  I estimate that I have worked with 300 or more couples over the past 16 years, and throughout that history I have prepared and witnessed the marriages of same-sex couples, as well as, straight couples.  I have always felt the heaviness of the fact that, while I have prepared all couples equally, and believed that all of them were celebrating the Sacrament of Marriage, our society had not shared that belief.  The gay couples that I have married, have never enjoyed the rights that accompany marriage, they have never enjoyed the same recognition as the straight couples have, and sadly at times, some of their family members, including parents, have chosen not to attend their wedding.  This would be heart-breaking for any couple.

            Last night, as I watched the vote on the floor of the Senate (via live-streaming), I cried when the count was given: 33 senators had voted in favor of marriage equality, and 29 senators opposed.  I am not ashamed to say that I sobbed like a baby!  What a sweet, sweet victory!!  I was especially proud of Senator Jim Alesi.  I know Jim, as he is a parishioner of Spiritus Christi Church.  I have talked with him in many different settings, and I have visited him in his office in Fairport several times to encourage him to vote his conscience.  The last time I met with Jim was with a group of 8-10 people in mid-May.  At that time I reminded him that I know what it was like to take a controversial stand, and I encouraged him to change history and stand on the side of justice.  As you are probably aware, a couple weeks ago, Senator Alesi became the first Republican NYS Senator to come out in favor of Marriage Equality.  Saturday morning I posted this comment on his Facebook page: “Senator Alesi- changing history always takes a front-runner, someone with the strength and courage to stand apart from the crowd, to make a stand and to stay strong even when the heat gets turned up. You were not only a part of making history yesterday, you were the front-runner. I am proud to call you my senator and so pleased to know you!! Thank you on behalf of all New Yorkers- not just those who are gay, because you have made New York State more “just” for ALL of us!!” 

            Next month the Gay Pride celebrations will be that much sweeter.  Let’s have a big group from Mary Magdalene Church marching in that parade this year.  The parade is Saturday July 16 at 3:00.  Watch for more details. 

Kids are you looking for a great summer day camp?  Consider East Rochester’s Vacation Bible Day Camp.  It will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church on Main Street in East Rochester July 25-29.  Registration forms are on the welcoming table at church.

Are there things in your home that are not being used?  Consider donating them to Mary Magdalene for the Rummage Sale on August 12th and 13^th.  Donations may be brought to the Church any time we are there, or a more convenient time can be set up.  We are looking for any goods you may have to donate, except large appliances and shoes.

Save the Dates for some wonderful events: Jeff Wilson in Concert at Mary Magdalene Church on Sunday July 17 at 2:00.  Jeff has been at Mary Magdalene a few times and everyone was touched by the gift of his music.  Tickets are $10 and there will be a collection during the concert for Mary Magdalene Church. 

Also save Saturday, September 17.  Our favorite Biblical Scholar and great friend, Fr. Don Pachuta will be offering a retreat for us.  Don will also be with us for Sunday Mass.  It will be a great weekend!

God is smiling down on New York State, and I’m smiling with all of you!

With Love,   

Rev. Denise