I’ve always looked forward to this Sunday.  As a young person it meant a lot to be holding the palms.  I think I always tried to keep them straight up throughout our time in church while I listened. It’s a bit different the last 20-years as I’ve been much more part of things as a deacon.

As we begin Mass, it’s a joyous celebration with the blessing of the palms.  Words from the Gospel describing Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. This year, I’ll read from Matthew about the ride into the city.  People throwing branches and cloaks ahead of him. Some question why such a welcome? We take part in that warm greeting too.

But we know it’s a week that ended much differently than how it started.  The Passion comes alive later as the priest, deacon, readers and people in attendance each have a part in presenting the Gospel. Difficult at times to remember how it took place.  It’s hard to be shouting against Jesus. It gets us ready for Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday to come.

“Let us run to accompany him as he hastens toward his passion and imitate those who met him then…by being humble and by trying to live as he would wish.” From a sermon of St. Andrew of Crete in the Liturgy of the Hours.

God Bless,
Deacon Tom    

I was driving late the other afternoon, headed west. What I saw ahead of me was stunning.  The sun was big and bright as it was setting. I don’t remember seeing it like that for some time. Seems like in winter things are brighter, like the sun pictured above.  Is this a message that God is trying to send us?

In this Second Sunday of Lent, God seems to be calling through scripture.  In Genesis, Abram listens and leaves a land familiar to him to lead a great nation. His names changes too, Abraham. He has to have faith in a future which is unknown to him.

Paul writes in the Letter to Timothy of another call.  It’s to one of a holy life, which will include hardships.  He reminds Timothy that through Jesus’ death and Resurrection, he destroyed death and brought life and immortality.  “He saved us.”

There’s a call too in the Gospel of Matthew.  At the Transfiguration, Peter, James and John see Jesus in clothes that are “white as light.”  For a time, they see Moses and Elijiah too.  Peter doesn’t get it right away, wanting to memorialize the event with three tents. God speaks to them in a voice from the clouds: “this is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased, listen to him.”

We should listen to those words as Lent moves on.  What else are we hearing from God today?

“When it comes to obeying the commandments or enduring adversity, the words uttered by the Father should always echo in our ears: this is my Son, the beloved, in whom I am well pleased, listen to him.”  From a sermon by St. Leo the Great, pope.

Peace.  Happy Lent!

Deacon Tom

Can you believe it? We’re at the end of the Christmas Season.  But we should remember to always carry His Light with us. And if we consider it, we’re on the upswing now.  The sun is remaining with us for more hours each day.  Soon the darkness will turn to more brightness in the days, weeks and months to come.  While that’s our focus in everyday life, think of what we should look to in our faith life.

Do we forget the birth of our Savior as we get later into this year? Have we let the darkness of the world continue to bring us down? Jesus, our Great Light is here!

Read the words of Pope Leo at the Angelus yesterday (Sunday, January 4,2026)

“If God became one of us, every human creature is a reflection of him, carries within itself his image, preserves a spark of his light; and this calls us to recognize in each person the inviolable dignity and to practice mutual love for one another.”

Have a Blessed New Year.

Deacon Tom

This weekend we celebrate the feast of our patron.  Over the last dozen years (as of September 27^th) I’ve had the opportunity to serve St. Vincent De Paul Blessed Sacrament parish.  It has definitely been a large part of my diaconal ministry. I feel blessed to be here.

In the last year, we’ve received a series of volumes of St. Vincent, when Lourdes Hospital became a part of the Guthrie hospitals. I’m sharing a bit of a letter he wrote on this date.  I thought it might be helpful as we consider how his ministry evolved over the years.  He started as a priest who began working with the wealthy.  Then he began serving those in need in France and elsewhere.  Though he died in 1660, his work came to Binghamton and other places in the world.  Remember the establishment of Lourdes Hospital in 1925, by the Daughters of Charity.

 More from his letter to those he worked with in Italy.  But I think it can apply to us today…

 “O God my Lord, please be the bond of your hearts: bring to flower the effects of so many holy affections You cause them to form and give growth to the fruits of their labors for the salvation of souls.  Water with Your eternal blessings this establishment, like a new tree planted by Your hand…” St. Vincent De Paul

Please pray for us St. Vincent!

Peace,

Deacon Tom

Hi there.  It’s been some time since I’ve written a blog.  Much has been happening in my other assignment in Chenango County.  With the closing of the St. Agnes Mission on July 6^th, we’ve been working on many things related to the transition.

A positive…many parishioners have come together and helped.  Some have offered thanks for the five years that I’ve been there.  One gave me a book on Simon of Cyrene, who carried Jesus’ cross as he made the way to Calvary. Been reading that.  Sometimes we all have to help out as Simon did.  A man far from home called to service for the Lord.

Yesterday, I met with Fr. Jacinto of the Franciscan Friars of Mt. St. Francis in the Town of Maine.  He accepted an altar from St. Agnes and some sacramental books for their use. We spoke a bit of Italian together.  He’s on his way to Italy today for a month.  Two highlights of that journey: a visit to Assisi and attending the canonization of Pier Giorgio Frassati and Carlo Acutis.

I will try early on Sunday to tune in to coverage of the ceremony.  Remember how Pier Girogio climbed the heights with his friends for his faith.  He died just over 100 years ago at the age of 24.

Carlo Acutis was a bit younger.  He brought his parents to Mass, attended every day.  Was adept at the computer, and created a website on Eucharistic Miracles ( you may connect here:

https://www.miracolieucaristici.org/en/liste/list.html ).  Carlo also taught Religious Education,  He brought food, clothing and sleeping bags to the homeless in his hometown of Milan.  Carlo died of leukemia at the age of 15 in 2006.

Saints Pier Giorgio and Carlo---Per favore prega per noi (Please pray for us!)

Peace,

Deacon Tom

July 21, 2025

I love the differences in the seasons we have here in Upstate New York.  When I was a kid, I’d spend countless hours outside during the warm weather. So much to see and experience.  Time to “smell the flowers.” Was mostly close to the house. Or, up to the park or in the creek with the buddies. Away time with my great aunt and uncle “at the lake.”  Lots of adventures, yet there was more. Just hanging out under a tree, taking in the sun, the breeze.  Guess I liked the alone time too.  Did I sense the presence of God with me then?

Pope Leo’s been on his first vacation at Castel Gondolfo.  On Sunday, he preached at a nearby Cathedral, reminding us of the relationship we have with God.

“We should set aside moments of silence, moments of prayer, times in which, quieting noise and distractions, we recollect ourselves before God in simplicity of heart.” ( Homily of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV at Cathedral of Albano)

The Holy Father told us it’s OK to let go of “commitments and worries” for peace, reflections and visits.

“Let us make summer an opportunity to care for others, to get to know each other and to offer advice and a listening ear, for these are expressions of love, and that is something we all need.” (Pope Leo XIV, 7-20-25)

Sounds like a good idea.

Peace,

Deacon Tom

In the dome above the altar at St. Ambrose Church in Endicott, there are several biblical scenes.  One is a rainbow. It was God’s covenant not to flood the earth again as in the time of Noah. And revealed again at St. Ambrose.

I’ve been away from the blog for a bit.  Part of the reason…cataract surgery on my left eye.  Dimmed vision. It took place a couple weeks ago, first with a laser. It was really cool.  Seems like the cataract broke away almost like a cartoon. Then off to the operating room for a new lens. The next thing I remembered: Deacon Greg waiting to pick me up. Then home for a couple days rest.

Had to take the garbage cans out the following evening.  My mouth dropped as I looked up.  “Oh my God!”  I could see a “rainbow” of vibrant colors, in the sky and on the earth and in the plants and trees.  Hues like the picture above taken outside church today.

Kind of like my own sign from God that everything would be OK. Amen. 

Peace,

Deacon Tom  

Pope Leo XIV is reaching out online as of today--according to Vatican News. The Holy Father’s Instagram and X accounts are now active.  The first post was a quote of some of his Urbi et Orbi message right after his election.  The Dicastery for Communications says the Pontifex account has 52-million followers in 9 languages.  

The conclave to elect a new pope began two days after the period of mourning for Pope Francis ended on Sunday, May 4^th.  Then remember hearing on Thursday afternoon? ”White smoke at the Vatican.” I watched with three others at St. John’s in Bainbridge for some time until…we heard an American-born cardinal would be our next pope.

The days since have been busy for Pope Leo VXI.  I have spoken with many people about our new Holy Father. I’ve talked to some non-catholics too.  They seem supportive of the Pontiff. And as I was finishing writing here just now, a Jewish friend called me.  He told me how he thinks the new pope will be good for the world. 

“I would like this greeting of peace to resound in your hearts, in your families, and among all people, wherever they may be, in every nation and throughout the world.”  Pope Leo, Urbi et Orbi

Please remember to pray for Pope Leo VXI!

Peace,

Deacon Tom 

Been praying and reflecting quite a bit these past few days on becoming a deacon exactly 19-years ago. I joined with five classmates that Saturday at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Syracuse for ordination.  

I was featured in a Press &Sun-Bulletin article printed that morning. The reporter asked me: “Why did you decide to be a deacon?” I told him people don’t decide to become deacons, they answer the call. He ended the piece with my words: “It’s a wonderful feeling. There’s no way to describe how excited I am.”

I’m still excited to be a deacon. I’ve had many challenges and opportunities in nearly two decades. I try my best to answer the call of Word, Sacrament and Charity. Don’t know what comes next…

Our daily readings to start this week include the Acts of the Apostles, featuring the seven original deacons.  One of those, Stephen, preached on the Hebrew scriptures and Jesus when called before the Sanhedrin.  It didn’t go well. They stoned him.  Stephen the deacon is the first Christian martyr.  Also present there with the mob was Saul. We know him better as St. Paul---after his conversion.

“Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” Acts 7:56

St. Stephen, please pray for us!

Peace,

Deacon Tom

I looked out my back window this morning. A bit of yellow caught my eye.  Thought at first I was looking at the hose.  But then I turned my head and realized this color was much bigger.  It was flowers, not daffodils.  Smaller ones on branches where I’d not seen them for some time.  A big forsythia bush was in bloom.  What a beautiful sight!  Certainly, it brings joy.

I write this on the Wednesday of Holy Week, with Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter yet to come.

Think ahead.  It will soon be a time to rejoice!  Alleluia will return to Mass. We’ll read of Jesus being risen. In John’s Gospel, Peter “Saw and believed” that Jesus had indeed been resurrected.  Took a bit more time for all the apostles to realize that Jesus was risen. We too need to remember what Easter is all about. Our Collect Prayer reminds us that His Only Begotten Son “conquered death and unlocked the path to eternity.” And “through the renewal brought by your Spirit, rise up in the light of life.” 

Amen.

Peace,

Deacon Tom