There is a time and place for everything. The time is now. The place is Saint Joseph’s Parish. The what is retirement. The who is Deacon Jack Paruso.
As a deacon, I worked with a few pastors here at the parish. My time with each of them has been a blessing. I cannot recall off hand how many parochial vicars I’ve served with, but there have been many. All have been a blessing to me.
I’ve always considered it a privilege and honor to serve the wonderful parishioners of our parish and I say to them:
I caught your faith. I saw you stand bravely for years But saw no trace of senseless fears. I saw you stand calmly through stress But caught no glimpse of bitterness. I saw you stand prayerful in grief But caught no trace of unbelief. Though you spoke well of Jesus Christ, I caught your faith watching your life.
Please keep me in your prayers. With love and prayers,
Deacon Jack Paruso
We are grateful for the many years of diaconal ministry that Deacon Paruso has given to the Church. Deacon was ordained for the Diocese of Harrisburg in 1983 and has been going strong ever since, along with his wife Marlane, gracing us with his humble service here at Saint Joseph’s. Many parishioners throughout the years have benefitted from Deacon Jack fulfilling his call: Baptisms, Marriages, Funerals, service at the Altar during Mass, committees, counseling, parish socials, laughs and tears, etc., etc., etc. We are grateful for all that Deacon has done for us. As he steps away from this high level of service, Deacon assures that we will continue to see him and Marlane joining us in worship in the pews. We wish him all the best as he now takes that well-deserved time with his family, friends and loved ones.
Today is Good Shepherd Sunday, a reminder that there are many ways God calls His loved ones to serve in the Church. We do this through the vocations of Marriage, the Single State, and the Ordained / Consecrated Life of a Priest, Deacon, Religious Sister/Brother. In a particular way, on Good Shepherd Sunday, we pray for those who are called to the Priesthood, Diaconate and Consecrated Life. Hopefully our support, in prayer and in words of encouragement to those who show the possibility of such a vocation, will help the Universal Church continue to have the dedicated men and women who are so needed in order that the Gospel will spread in our world now and well into the future.
If you are reading this and have the desire to know more about the ordained or consecrated life, please contact the clergy of our parish, or reach out to the Vocations Office of the Diocese of Harrisburg at 717-657-4804 or Father Sawicki, the Diocesan Vocations Directors, at [email protected]. More information can be found at
www.hbgdiocese.org/vocations.