We welcome Father Michael Driscoll to our parish to administer it in my absence. As I mentioned last week, this fine priest comes to us as the recently retired pastor of St. Jude Parish in Boca Raton, and has served our diocese and his Carmelite community very, very well for many years.

Last week, while we were basking in the lovely celebration of Deacon Rusty Skinner’s Ordination, I had forgotten to mention that another fine man from our parish had been ordained a permanent Deacon for service to our diocese; but because of his Spanish-speaking capabilities, he has been assigned to service at Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish in western Delray Beach. We congratulate Deacon Antonio Mares and his wife, Mary, who have been members, and often have been seen worshipping here at SVF when not tied to duties at O.L. Queen of Peace. May God grant them many years of faithful service to His people, and the health to accomplish all that will be asked of them. Again, I extend my apologies if I was too caught up on my sabbatical to make proper notice to you about Deacon Mares.

For those who listen to NPR (National Public Radio), the name Garrison Keeler should be a familiar one. As part of his hour-long variety show program, he narrates a story each time about a mythical town in Minnesota he calls “Lake Woe-Be-Gone.” It contains a lot of humor and is often centered on the town’s mostly Lutheran populace (although the Catholic minority is also featured from time-to-time). It’s done so well that you can almost picture yourself there, replete with freezing winters, brief but very glorious springs, sultry summers and magnificent autumns. But its almost idyllic setting is fraught with the discovery of one problem occurring after another. Yet, the end of the story usually bodes well for the town (with a few exceptions). Then the recurring “Well that’s the way it is in Lake Woe-Be-Gone….”

I could almost adapt some of those stories to our Delray setting, and say “Well, that’s the way it is in Delray Beach….” We’ve been blessed, since the beginning of July, with the assignment of Father Khanh Hoang as Parochial Vicar at our parish. He arrived from Hawaii to see if he could survive in our climate, after experiencing severe allergies due to climactic conditions affected by volcanic activities. Delray Beach always seems to be an idyllic place (as does Hawaii) for many tourists to vacation here, enjoying lovely sandy beaches, blue waters and a lot of sunshine. But this year, the pollen activity went “off the charts” in some areas of our state because of the fires, long periods without sufficient rainfall and the continual introduction of non-native plant species with their pollen. As a result, in our version of Lake Woe-Be-Gone, Father Khanh’s allergies only worsened instead of getting better. So, sad to say, he is returning to Hawaii next week to assume, as yet, an unnamed position there, which hopefully will not exacerbate his physical condition. You can be sure that Father Danis and I truly will miss his friendship here and his service to our parish; and I believe that the number of people he has already so positively affected will be as disappointed, as I am. But, we have to take into first consideration his health, and I surely will take consolation that whenever I will visit my cousins in Oahu, I will have the opportunity to share again in his friendship and our priestly fraternity. Aloha and God-speed, Father Khanh! We will miss you!

Next Sunday, (October 2nd) we celebrate Respect Life Sunday. Though I cannot be physically with you, I’m sure that Fathers Driscoll, Danis and Khanh and our Deacons will try to join you for an hour of prayer and signbearing witness to the sanctity of life from 2 to 3 p.m. at the intersection of Linton Boulevard and Federal Highway. It’s a sacrifice of only one hour, but aren’t we always talking about our love for life? Now we can “walk the talk.” I will be praying at that time for you and hope to participate in the same activity near where I’ll be staying. Bring your children with you, as well as a head-covering (the sun is always bright) and a bottle of water. Sun-block for your skin is highly recommended. The special signs will be provided, and Dan & Debbie Holthouse, who serve wonderfully as heads of our Respect Life Ministry in the parish, will distribute them when you arrive at the northeast corner of that intersection. I do thank them for their stewardship of time, talent and energy (also treasure)in their efforts to lead us to a much greater love for and action in living out the Gospel of Life.

There seems to have been a bit of a mix-up in the Sunday envelope arrangements in the last mailing sent to our parishioners. An envelope for the “Mission Co-Op” Sunday came in now (the same time as when we had it last year). Our actual Mission Co-Op Collection will be on the weekend of November 19 and 20. But if you’ve filled out your envelope for the collection now and are turning it in, we will gladly put it aside for that November weekend in which the collection (and preaching) actually takes place.

I’m enjoying the beginning days of my sabbatical, and loving the time afforded me to read and travel and pray. During this time, Father Michael Driscoll, Parish Administrator Pro-Tem, will be enlightening us on the upcoming changes in the liturgy. You are in my prayers each day as I ask God to watch over and protect you and your family.

Very Rev. Canon Tom