by Phil Dedora, President of SVDP

About 15 years ago Our Lady Queen of Martyrs in Centerport discontinued the 9am daily Mass, so I started attending the 8:30am Masses here at St Francis. I was already a Eucharistic Minister there, but soon got “roped” into becoming a Religious Ed Teacher by Deacon Allan. Then Mary Rand asked me to pray the daily rosary prior to Mass and after her daily walk. (she was 95 at the time and has since passed, Bless her Soul), And Now Diane, Nancy, Ellen and Mike lead the Rosary every day at 8am.

A year or two later George Pozderac (then the President of St Vincent De Paul – SVDP) asked me to join so I attended a meeting. At that first meeting, it was clear what his intention was for me. Twelve of our 15 members were in their 80’s. George had been the president for 20 years, (the term is supposed to last only 2 years before some else is supposed to “step up”).

I do enjoy helping people in need. The vocation really is a calling, though, and requires prayer. That’s one thing George always harped on. He always started the meetings, as we do now, with a request from God for help. Like I’m doing now, writing this. I have asked the Lord to help me write the words that eyes will see, that will help change and convert hearts to doing the things God wants us to do. Because, let’s face it, what we want always changes as soon as we get what we think we want. “Oh I gotta have the double beef McDonalds cheeseburger. And we gotta get the McDonald fries, Are there any other… and Dr Pepper/Root Beer. Wait!!! Don’t forget the Chocolate thick shake, and the Hersey’s Peanut Butter Pie. Oh, I’m stuffed, How about a nap. Someone say football? Yes… I’m so in!!! Wait, Let me score one more touchdown and then we can go home!! Basketball?? OK? I’ll play… I’m in.. I’m so sore and exhausted, going to bed early” .. Get my drift??? No matter what we do or get, we want something else… Except Jesus, Once you get a “taste” of Him inside, nothing this world has to offer will cut it.

Because, let’s face it, we’re all New Yorker’s and we want things now, Right Now!!! (Oh God, Give me patience… Right Now!!) And we want to know the cost of what you are asking me to do. How much time do you want from me???? So I can get God’s work done quickly, so that I can do what I want to do… “which is more important..” Duh!

So when I said yes to being the President of St Vincent De Paul, I had my doubts about my leadership abilities, (and still do). But that’s the thing, I don’t feel that I am leading. A little voice in me says “get out of the way and I will lead”. I do hope it’s Our Lord saying it… or we’re in trouble!

And let’s face it the cost to ourselves and those who follow can be drastic… I’m a bald headed geek with glasses, and I did have my hair when I started here! But I’m not the only one. Look what it’s cost the people in the parish… Father Peter is only 32 years old!!, Deacon Allan was an NFL Quarterback and Deacon Jean used to be Italian!!! Sorry Deacon, it was all I could think of to make a point. That is, we all have our lives that we want to control and be in charge of. The Apostles, martyrs and those who follow Christ choose a different path. The Gospel!

Ok, reader, you know what I’m asking. We do need help to carry on God’s work, that is helping those in need. Don’t worry about not being able to do what needs to be done. We focus on what people have the time to do. Pray about it and let The Lord tell you. Don’t worry, we do the social distancing thing. No one is in touch with anyone else. When we deliver food, we leave it on the porch with a phone call that it is there. Before Covid, we would deliver the food in person and pray with our neighbors in need, and are looking forward to the time when we can bring back that essential part of our ministry.

Because I am self employed, there are times when I don’t have the time, (especially during tax season) to devote to this ministry that I want to. But I gotta say, it’s always worked out. My hope is that our Lord somehow got the things done that needed to be done. Because I know it wasn’t me.

So please!!! Put the rosaries down (after praying them), pick up the phone and call me. (631-651-2655) You can leave a message on our direct line. And if you don’t feel you have a calling for St Vincent De Paul, then try one of the other Church Ministries, like Music, Carmelites, Religious Ed, Peanut Butter and Jelly Gang, Mothers Group, decorations, just to name a few. Try and pick one. You won’t be sorry!