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16 Back pew NORTH COUNTRY CATHOLIC The Diocese of Ogdensburg Volume 68, Number 4 MAY 1, 2013 INSIDE YOUNG CATHOLIC VOICE THIS ISSUE Young priest reflects NONORTHRTH C COUOUNTRYNTRY on experience of hearing A life of service confessions l PAGE 8 Blessed John Paul, Arch- Father Mark leaves behind bishop Romero closer to By Amanda Conklin a wake of Christ’s love sainthood l PAGE 11 CATHOLIC Contributing writer everywhere he goes. From St. Bernard’s in Saranac When asked to share Lake, to Immaculate Heart MAY 1, 2013 someone who is visibly fol- Central School in Water- lowing Christ’s call in their town, there are many peo- life, I immediately think of ple who know and love Father Mark Reilly. Father Mark from his years Called to Serve I have known Father Mark of service and very few dry VATICAN since I was 11 years old, eyes when it is time for him As part of the NCC’s annual United States today, we have Sometimes it’s difficult for praying for vocations, both when he was stationed at St. to move on to the next as- Vocation Issue, Bishop LaVal- not experienced an increase us to appreciate the impact personal and communal ORDINATION Bernard’s Church/School in signment. ley shared a special message. in the number of seminari- of this until it hits closer to prayer... Saranac Lake. He became a Not only has he served in Excerpts follow: ans studying for our diocese. home and we learn that our We must do all that we can Pope Francis quick friend of the family “normal” areas of service as A most serious ongoing As you know, this has most own parish must lose a resi- to encourage our families to and would often join us for a priest, he is also “in the challenge for the Diocese of serious consequences for the dent pastor and share a pas- participate in the sacramen- ordains ten week night dinners. service,” in another capacity, Ogdensburg is the promo- sacramental life of our tor with a neighboring tal life and social outreach of One of my favorite things as a Navy Chaplain. Father tion of vocations to the reli- parishes and for our priests parish.... the Church. Vocations grow that Father Mark used to do Mark has previously served gious life and priesthood. who so faithfully serve them We must pray fervently for in an environment where before leaving after his vis- in the Marines as well. Unlike many dioceses in the today. vocations. Never tire of faith is practiced.... its, was bless me and my Last year, when finally PHOTO SUPPLIED sisters with holy water. This within the reaches of retire- FULL STORY, PAGE 3 simple gesture turned a rou- Father Mark Reilly is shown in a Miner family photo when he served as parochial vicar of St. Bernard’s Church in Saranac Lake after ment from the military serv- tine goodbye into a re- his 1997 ordination. Shown are Colleen Miner with her daughters Amanda Conklin, author of this reflection on Father Reilly; Erin ice, Father Mark minder of God’s love for us. and Ellen. unexpectedly got called up Listening In high school, my par- I realized that Father Mark words and held his blue- whispered with a smile, “Fa- to be deployed to Africa for HONORED FOR A LIFE OF SERVICE ents led a weekly teen bible was seated in a chair in the eyed gaze for the entire ther Mark IS Jesus!” a year. He had just settled Sessions study out of our home living room, while all of the time he spoke. While in his humility, he back in at St. Bernard’s in which always included din- teens in the room were For fear of being mocked would be the first to scoff at Saranac Lake when he scheduled ner and this particular time, seated on the floor around by my peers, I held back my this, it is very true that its humbly said “yes” to God’s a visiting Father Mark. his feet. tears that night, but I knew not hard to see him acting call once more. Bishop Terry R. LaValley It was during this evening, As he taught, I couldn’t that I had witnessed some- “in persona Christi.” When He is currently serving as and his Envisioning Leader- which I can vividly recall, help but think of Christ thing very authentic about you look in Father Mark’s a Navy Chaplain at Camp ship Team are fully engaged that I had my first real, teaching His disciples and the vocation to the priest- eyes, you truly see Christ. Lemonnier in Djibouti, in the process of discerning a memorable encounter with how the scene, though less hood. As my husband Seth and I Africa and is schedule to re- mutually shared vision in the reality of the priest- modern, would have looked Years later after listening were planning our October turn to Saranac Lake in Sep- diocesan priorities. hood. quite similar. to one of Father Mark’s 2011 wedding, we had al- tember. In his letter appointing Father Mark had begun to Even my friends who beautiful homilies, with ready decided that we’d like I believe God was calling team members, Bishop LaVal- him to Africa to fill a need ley included the responsibil- discuss a topic related to came to bible study more moist eyes, my good friend to ask Father Mark to cele- CNS PHOTO/PAUL HARING the weekly scripture read- and that many have ity for the team to host a for the fellowship than the Melissa turned to me. Snif- brate the Mass. I can re- Pope Francis ordains one of 10 priests ings and all were listening doctrine were completely fles echoed throughout the member making a phone been/will be touched by his series of Listening Sessions intently. As I looked around, captivated by Father Mark’s congregation as she simply call to him asking him if he service as a priest and a throughout the diocese to as- during a Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at would do us the honor. Fa- serviceman. He is living his sist the team in discerning the Vatican April 21. Before the ordi- ther got a little choked up call to mission. what the People of God in the nation, the pope prayed privately and replied that he would I know also, when he re- diocese desire in terms of with them in the sacristy and en- love to but that he had to turns to the United States at ministry and service. trusted them to Mary's care. Pope the end of the summer admit it was a little weird Bishop LaValley and the Francis told the new priests they there will be many happy team have scheduled ten Lis- because it felt like “his little would have "the sacred duty of sister was getting married.” “family members” rejoicing tening Sessions throughout Father Mark embraces his in his safe return. the Diocese. teaching in the name of Christ the Thank you for saying yes teacher. Impart to everyone the word parishioners as his family FULL STORY, PAGE 5 and the Church as his bride to the call to the priesthood of God which you have received with in the most genuine way. Father Mark! joy." The pope, who frequently men- Vision of tions the wisdom and lessons he learned from his grandmother, told the Future PHOTO BY COLLEEN MINER the men, "Remember your mothers, Father William Muench, right, helps Msgr. C. John McAvoy prepare for a special Mass April 21 at St. Bernard’s Church in Saranac your grandmothers, your catechists, Five year strategic plan announced Lake in honor of Msgr. McAvoy’s 50th anniversary of the priesthood. Msgr. McAvoy, one of ten priest jubilarians who will be who gave you the word of God, the for Immaculate Heart Central honored this year, served as pastor of St. Bernard’s from 1973 to 1986. faith -- the gift of faith." Schools in Watertown FULL STORY, PAGE 6 DEACON SCOTT BELINA: Awaiting ordination with great anticipation... p. 4 2 Diocesan Life NORTH COUNTRY CATHOLIC NORTH COUNTRY CATHOLIC news 15 MAY 1, 2013 MAY 1, 2013 NORTH COUNTRY EDITOR’S NOTES OBITUARIES CATHOLIC The Pontifical Mission Societies of the Carthage – Irene (Burns) Goetz, 94; Fu- Dame Church; burial in parish cemetery. Plattsburgh – Thomas W. Fortin, 65; Fu- neral Services May 29, 2013 at St. James neral Services April 27, 2013 at St. Peter’s Box 326 Called to serve: seedbed of vocations Diocese of Ogdensburg, Inc. Ogdensburg, N.Y. 13669 The Society for the Propagation of the Faith Church; burial in Fairview Cemetery. Massena – Richard “Dick” A. Diagostino, Church; burial in St. Peter’s Cemetery. 75; Funeral Services April 24, 2013 at St. USPS 0039-3400 If it’s May in the Diocese of and a religious Sister and Allow me to share with you Sr. Mary Ellen Brett, SSJ, Director The Seedbed of My Vocation: Chazy – Celia (LeClaire) Garrow, 104; Fu- Mary’s Church; burial in Calvary Ceme- Plattsburgh BISHOP TERRY Ogdensburg, it’s time to think beloved Father who have ways that my family became 622 Washington St., Ogdensburg, NY 13669 – James J. Sweeney III, 61; R. LAVALLEY about vocations! served our diocese for One Sister’s Story the “seedbed” for my vocation (315) 393-2920; fax 1-866-314-7296 neral Services April 22, 2013 at Sacred tery. Funeral Services April 27, 2013 at Our President In a couple weeks, generations. as a religious sister: [email protected] Heart Church; burial in St.