Deacon Tom’s Blog

Welcome to the blog of Deacon Thomas Picciano. This weekly blog gives you another avenue of reflection.

Archive 2020 – 2023

28

Oct 24

October 28, 2024

“Brothers and sisters: You are no longer strangers and sojourners,but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones.” Ephesians 2:19

I’ve been on a journey as a Deacon. Hard to believe it’s been almost 18 and a half years of serving others. This trek has allowed me to meet and be there for so many people. It is a blessing to bring the Eucharist to them. 

But I have also learned from those I visit. They share so much about their faith and families.  We always join in formal prayer.  A deeper connection with God is very evident too. Sometimes it’s unspoken.  Other times it is not.

There’s one who shares a farewell whenever I say goodbye. I’ve heard it many times, but it really has me thinking and reflecting recently.  Three simple words we all can offer to each other when we part. Maybe try it. “Go with God!”

After reading Pope Francis’ new encyclical, I’m sensing a connectedness to the expression just above in the title. Two Latin words: DILEXIT NOS. “He loved us.”

Peace,

Deacon Tom

“In all your ways, be mindful of him and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:6


8

Oct 24

October 8, 2024

“Break forth mountains, into song, forest, with all  your trees…” Isaiah 45:23

I’ve been writing this blog for several years now.  As we get deeper into autumn, I always look to the change of seasons.  Yet, I’m learning more than the colored leaves falling from the branches.  The other day I was sitting on the bench in front of the Jesus statue just off the parking lot. Nice time for a few moments to reflect at the end of a busy day.

I heard a noise. Something fell from the tree.  Then another “plunk” and something hit close by. Again, this time it bounced off me. Close to rapid fire for a few moments.  A squirrel hard at work dropping acorns from the Oak above my head.

Stopped back there just now, a few days after the barrage from the tree.  Found a lot of tops, but nothing more.  Seems they’ve been collecting the rest of the acorns for the winter.  Wondering if the squirrels and chipmunks are getting ready for a cold season ahead?

“Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span?* Matthew 6:27

Peace,

Deacon Tom


26

Sep 24

September 26, 2024

“If you do not see any good in these persons, then say nothing,” St. Vincent De Paul , Correspondence, Conferences, Documents

I seem drawn to our Patron---Saint Vincent de Paul (1581-1660) around his feast day of September 27. St. Vincent was the founder of the Daughters of Charity.  Their sisters established Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in 1925. The last sisters left Binghamton in 2017.  And the secular Guthrie Health Care System purchased Lourdes earlier this year. As they took over, Guthrie removed and donated many religious articles. A sketch of Jesus that was given in the 1980s by Blessed Sacrament Church was returned here.

The parish was also given 7 volumes of an 8-volume set of St. Vincent’s letters. Each book is hundreds of pages long.   While the missives are sometimes simple correspondence, others include advice and support.

Today, I found a letter some 372 years old to the day I write this, September 25. St. Vincent wrote to Marc Coglee, a superior in Seden. He expressed concerns about someone’s behavior. He called “M” good at heart, though he may be “too agitated and undisciplined.”

St. Vincent wrote (above) that if you don’t see good in a person, stay quiet. But he also added this:

“If you do see some, speak about it to honor God because all good proceeds from Him.”

St. Vincent de Paul, please pray for us!

Peace,

Deacon Tom

17

Sep 24

September 17, 2024

“Do you not hear the Lord saying: Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in their midst?” Homily of St. John Chrysostom, bishop

I was sitting by the Jesus statue the other day.  It’s a nice place for prayer and contemplation. Sunny skies and a cool breeze. Starting to concentrate, then a message…from Italy.  It was from a college buddy, very devout, a widower for four years.  I sent him a picture.  “That’s a beautiful statue.” He responded.

I replied: “though we’re about 4000+ miles apart when I mentioned Jesus---is he there for us as we are ‘together’? He said “Yep.” I added, “where two or more are gathered in my name, there I am.” “Amen” he wrote.

Sometimes we don’t think of those times when we interact with each other.  Isn’t it likely that Jesus is there for us?  Yep!

I write this on the feast of St. John Chrysostom.   The saint with the “golden tongue.”  Quite a preacher in his day.  His words still hold true some 1600 years later.  He faced much opposition and was exiled at the end of his life. “If Christ is with me, whom shall I fear? Though the waves and the sea and the anger of princes are roused against me, they are less to me than a spider’s web.”

And John Chrysostom connects all of us across the centuries: “Where I am, there you are too, and where you are, I am. For we are a single body, and the body cannot be separated from the head nor the head from the body.”

“Amen”

Peace,

Deacon Tom

26

Aug 24

August 26, 2024

“One thing only I ask you, that you remember me at the altar of the Lord wherever you may be.” Confessions by St. Augustine

I was washing some dishes the other day.  The hand towel had gotten a bit wet, so I reached into the kitchen drawer to get another.  I found the one pictured above. I know my mom carefully chose this one in particular.  But didn’t realize until some pondering the importance of just two little words…Have Faith.

There’s a lot on my “plate” these days. Serving in pastoral care here in Vestal and as deacon administrator in Bainbridge-Afton. Keeps me busy.  Yet there’s much to do at the house in Endwell where Mom spent so many years.  A few things to take care of inside and outside the dwelling.  It seems a bit much for one person at times. I wonder if my mom is offering prayers for me to accomplish all I need to do.

This week is the Memorial of a very determined mother, St. Monica.  She offered prayer for nearly a couple decades that her son would find his faith.  Monica followed Augustine wherever he went, always in prayer.  Once she’d seen him become a “Catholic Christian” her work on earth was done. (Here is her quote above.) August 27 is the day Monica is remembered.

The following day---August 28 is the Memorial of St. Augustine. He became a bishop, a doctor of the Church.  Augustine wrote much, including Confessions.  If you’ve not read it, try to take some time.  Well written and difficult to put down when you’ve started.  He died nearly 1,600 years ago, but his work is fresh today.

Think of all our busy lives, remember Monica and Augustine and two simple words to guide us: “Have Faith.”

“You called, you shouted and you broke through my deafness.” Confessions, St. Augustine

Peace,

Deacon Tom

14

Aug 24

August 14, 2024

“God, you have taught me from my youth;

to this day I proclaim your wondrous deeds.” Psalm 71:17

I was visiting parishioners recently. Usually, we take a few minutes to chat about various things before I give them the Eucharist.  This day though there was a long silence. Then some not so easy questions. Silently, I asked the Holy Spirit for help. I was able to respond.

I gave some suggestions too: ask for the intercession of St. Monica. Her prayers over nearly a couple decades helped guide her son Augustine to the faith.  Baptized by St. Ambrose, he became a bishop, and doctor of the church. The author of Confessions also became a saint.

There was one more thing shared with me during that visit.  Really touched and inspired the rest of my day.  While preaching some five-plus years ago I offered a personal story.  I told how I pick up Rosaries during restless nights and pray to help me sleep.  And it was remembered this week.

“My lips will shout for joy as I sing your praise;

my soul, too, which you have redeemed.” Psalm 71:23

Peace,

Deacon Tom

1

Aug 24

August 1, 2024

Did you ever have one of those days? Maybe one of those weeks? Or one of those years? Seriously though, we all experience times when things could go much better.

During a recent visit to Mercy House we’d given communion and prayed with a resident. To allow time for the others to visit, I decided to take a walk. Went toward the chapel, back to the waterfall wall.  There’s an area for some refreshments near that.  And a sign pictured above, handwritten in chalk.

It made me think.  No matter what comes into our lives, can we still smile? Yep.  Can we still love one another?  Yes!

It’s St. Ignatius of Loyola’s Feast Day as I write this.  Remember him? The Founder of the Jesuits. He was a soldier who took a cannonball to the leg. During his lengthy recovery, Ignatius had a lot of time reading Scripture and the lives of the saints. That’s how he began his search for God.  It certainly wasn’t an easy time for him.  Gives us something to think about…

“If God causes you to suffer much, it is a sign that He has great designs for you, and that He certainly intends to make you a saint.” St. Ignatius of Loyola

St. Ignatius, please pray for us!

Peace,

Deacon Tom

15

Jul 24

July 15, 2024

” Mend your ways, encourage one another, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.” 2 Corinthians 13:11

PEACE, LOVE, JOY

Paul’s words from today’s Liturgy of the Hours seem well connected to yesterday’s Angelus message from Pope Francis. Thanks to the Vatican Media story for his words.  

Alone on our own way is never enough. The Pope said it leads to an atmosphere that’s heavy. “Life becomes difficult, and encounters become more occasions of unease, sadness and discouragement than of joy.”

But the Holy Father suggests it is different working together. “We manage to get along and agree, sharing what we have, everyone giving up something and supporting each other.”

And he adds that if we live this way, an environment of love is created, ”where it is easier to open up to faith and the newnesss of the Gospel, and from which one emerges better, more serene.”

I add a question to the Pope’s words: which path will we take?

Peace,

Deacon Tom

8

Jul 24

July 8, 2024

“Think of a farmer: how patiently he waits for the precious fruit of the ground until it has had the autumn rains and the spring rains!”                  James 5: 7 (Jerusalem Bible)

We’re blessed this time of year. So much produce. Stopped by a roadside stand Sunday. Bought more than expected.  Fresh plums and nectarines and strawberries. Now much fruit to snack on.  Boiled a couple ears of fresh corn too yesterday.

Amazed by the floral bounty near St. John’s in Bainbridge.  Red geraniums in bloom. Fields of daisies. Easter lilies on their second go-around too.

Don’t like the summer heat so much, but I'm willing to accept it with all the fruits and veggies and flowers God is providing!

The verse from James above seems to focus on growing in an agricultural sense. There’s more. A good message, so read through to the end of the chapter. Be patient and prayerful while you do so.

“You have heard of the patience of Job, and understood the Lord’s purpose, realizing that the Lord is kind and compassionate.”                      James 5:11 (Jerusalem Bible)

Peace,

Deacon Tom

25

Jun 24

June 25, 2024

“John is his name.” Luke 1:63

June 25, 2024

I’ve always wondered how I got my first name.  Asked the parents decades ago when I was very young. No real answer. Being the third son, I didn’t have any part of a father’s or grandfathers’ names as did my two brothers. I queried again when I was an adult.  By that time, my mom thought I may have gotten my name from one of dad’s classmates who was called the same.

As we’ve just marked the Solemnity of John the Baptist, there’s Luke’s account of his naming process.  Remember how Zechariah became mute when he heard that his wife would have a baby in her “advanced years?” It was Elizabeth who announced the newly born baby would be John. Though none of the relatives were named that.  Zechariah wrote the same on a tablet and was suddenly able to talk again.

Remember how this cousin of Jesus, the adult John, became very special.  More than that, he was the bridge between the Old Testament and New. He baptized many with water, including the Messiah.

“You will go before the Lord: to prepare his ways, to give his people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins.”  Luke 1:76-77

Peace,

Deacon Tom