PadreChuck.com

It is amazing how fast, and i guess EASY it is to tear out walls (plumbing is a bit more tricky!) It has been one week since they have begun the renovations to our new quarters. I have been amazed each day this past week as I toured the space and saw or rather imagined how things will be as we progress in this endevour. I’m hoping to give updates a little bit more often as they begin the RECONTRUCTION phase now that the demolition has concluded. Hope all are well and please know you’re all in my prayers. God Bless.

Well, they finally started construction of the new rectory yesterday, August 4th. And I must say these guys works fast. In the span of 24+ hours the carpet has been pulled up, the light fixtures are gone, electrical outlets removes, and oh yeah…..WALL pulled down. I must say it is going to be an interesting construction season here at St. Alphonsus. I’ll try to keep updates on the progress and if I can figure out how, I might even post a picture or two. We’ll see how it goes…..

Well, tomorrow July 26th I turn 42!!!!!!.  I am happy to see this birthday come, as it means that I have survivied another year, and a lot of things have passed in my life in the last 365 days.  I am thankful for the blessings the Lord gives me each day, and I am thankful for the love of family and friends. Please know that you all mean the world to me. As I write this, I am prpeapring to leave for a few days of family vaction, so wish me luck, and I will see you all again on MONDAY!!!!!

Strangely, there isn’t really much of anything going on at the moment here at St. Al’s. A relatively quite day on the home front, but that will soon change. Construction should beginning literally within a few days, on a project that I think will bring about a lot of change, but also in the long run hopefully, some smiles, as people in the parish begin to see what all the hub-bub and “talk” actually brings to fruition. More later…… I PROMISE!!

AS of this moment, I am sitting in an oasis of calm while things are a bit hectic outside my door. Fr John Gallagher the pastor of St. Alphonsus is moving OUT today to head to his new assignment as pastor of St. Jude Parish in Glendale, WV. At the same time, Fr. Frank O’Kruta is moving IN as he begins his new assignment here at St. Al’s. This is a yearly phenomena within most Catholic parishes, as the new assignments of priests happen near this time. And starting with the next few weeks or so, we will enter into a phase of new beginnings as construction/renovations begin on the “new” rectory and parish offices. I say “new”, because as the construction will bring about new uses for existing spaces, the only real “new, new” building will come after the rectory and offices move , and the old rectory and parish school are torn down and a new side entrance with elevator and stairs will be built once the old school comes down. I look at this a time of new beginnings, and a time for changes to invigorate us all and remind us of how change can bring about some amazing things.

I hope this blog entry finds you all doing well and looking forward to all that summer can bring us.. Until later…. God Bless

Couldn’t let the month of May pass without writing SOMETHING. All is well here in the “Friendly City” of Wheeling. I have quickly settled into my new routine. 7AM never changes, but at least I am getting up earlier now…. well OK, when I HAVE to!!!! Folks, and sisters, and nieces, and yet to be born (in October) niece or nephew  are all doing good.  My nephew Matt got married recently.  He’s in the army and doing well, and he is safe.  My love and prayers to all. Hope you all are doing well too… See Ya Soon….

Well Folks, Here I am again….. As of Monday, April 28th, I am now in residence at St. Alphonsus Parish in Wheeling, WV.  MY HOMETOWN!!!!! The past month has been kind of interesting to say the least, but it was well worth everything I’ve gone through lately.  For the first time in a long time, I feel at peace, and feel as if I can finally live “in the moment”. I truly miss all my friends at Immaculate Conception in Clarksburg, but don’t worry folks, I’ve only moved and I will be back once in a while to say HI and catch up on all the goings-on.  Love you all tremendously and please know you are forever in my heart.

To my dear friends and parish members, my apologies  for the  suddenness of my leave-of-absence.  To say that I was overwhelmed might be too strong, but in hindsight, I came back too early from my recuperation, and with everything that has been going on, I just wasn’t completely prepared for what needed to be done.  I hope you all can forgive me for leaving without properly saying good-bye,, but I think I would have been a basket-case if I tried to explain my leaving in person.  I take with me so  many wonderful memories of I.C. and this parish will always be in my heart, because YOU all have been my teachers in my very first assignment.  So I say THANK YOU for all your love, and your prayers, and of course we WILL see each other again.  All my love and prayers to you… Fr. Chuck

Hello All,

My apologies for not keeping up-to-date.  Been very busy lately and have let this slide a bit.  As I write this we are entering into the Paschal Triduum, which is the center of our Catholic faith.  I have really been enjoying my uuhhh “newfound” health and am feeling GREAT.  I hope that after Easter arrives that I will be able to keep you all alert to how things are going.  Please keep Fr. Federico in your prayers.  His recovery is foremost in all our minds and although he is retiring, I know that once he regains his health he will be back at life with full gusto. Peace and love to all for now…….

Hello all.  Well, I’m back at the parish here in Clarksburg, and it feels GOOD!!!!! Thank you ALL so much for your cards, your prayers and your love while I was away.  I am taking it a little bit easy and things are getting better day by day.  It has been a huge eye-opener for me to have had something so serious happen to myself and not be in control. I am so truly grateful for everything that everyone has done for me and the offers for help since I’ve been back.  Now that I am home we need to focus our love, thoughts, and prayers on Fr. Jack, so that he may get back to us as soon as he can…..

As we enter into the season of Lent with Ash Wednesday, a season of reflection, sacrifice, and reconciliation will begin.  I hope that in this season, as we prepare for the death of our Savior, we may find a way in our hearts to TRULY thank him. Not just for the things we have in life, but that we HAVE life because of HIS sacrifice for us…..