ATTENDING THE ANNUAL MEETING FOR PRIESTS REGARDING DIOCESAN FINANCES.........

I just returned from St. James Parish Memorial Center in Davis, and the Annual Report on Diocesan Finances meeting with Bishop Soto and diocesan staff. It was a very good meeting with our Chief Financial Officer, Tom McNamara, who has led the Diocesan Finance Office the last 16 years, delivering another of his excellent powerpoint overview presentation as an update of current dioesan finances; the status of the proposed civil restruture of the diocese; a brief report on the work being done by the Schools Ad Hoc Committee, which was established in July 2008; as well as an update by the Diocesan Stewardship and Development Director Michael Halloran, on the activities of The Catholic Foundation Inc.; followed by a brief question and answer session with Bishop Soto; and a delicious Christmas Luncheon of Mexican food, homemade tamales, refried beans, Spanish rice, Mexican hot chocolate, and bonwuelos, (sp.) a dessert made of a fried tortilla and honey. It was very thoughtful during his introductions and acknowledgements at the gathering for Bishop Soto to recognize my presence and how well I am looking and feeling after my kidney transplant. As it turned out I was the only priest there from Presentation Parish...Today, Monday of the Second Week of Advent, is the Memorial of St. Ambrose, the great 4th Century Bishop and Doctor of the Church. He was the Governor of the Milan area of the Roman Empire, and only a catechumen, when he went to intervene in a riot over the new Bishop of Milan, and the crowd spontaneously acclaimed Ambrose to be their Bishop. St. Augustine, was initiated into Catholic-Christianity by Bishop Ambrose. The Ambrosian Rite is named for him and continues today, affirming diversity amidst our unity, as Believers...This is also the 68th anniversary of Pearl Harbor Day, a reminder during the unfolding holiday season to remember and support all our military men and women, serving in our nation's two active wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as at outposts around the country and throughout the world. At least two of my personal friends are serving on the war-fronts, not to mention the many dozens of present and past parishioners, who are also serving the cause of peace during this time of war...I will have a bill paying, then chillaxing night, watching the Carrie Underwood and Rick Steves Christmas Specials, and then the premiere of the new Ray Romano-Scott Bakula-Andre Braugher TNT series, 'Men Of A Certain Age'. Tomorrow morning I have my weekly blood lab, and Holyday Masses in the evening at Presentation and St. Rose's.........
St. Ambrose / Pearl Harbor Day / Advent Peace, Fr. Troy