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REPRIINT OF PRIESTHOOD SUNDAY ARTICLE
Local Catholics Honor Priests with
Billboards that Say Thanks
By Antonio M. Prado Staff Reporter/Brandywine Community News
Catholics have designated October 29 as Priesthood Sun-
day, a day to say thank you to the majority of priests who have served
their parishioners well.
This week, four billboards can be seen throughout New
Castle County, from Newark to Brandywine Hundred. They are plain,
black billboards with a priest's collar and the message, "Father, thank
you."
Jerry Dawson, state deputy of the Delaware Knights of Co-
lumbus Dawson, teamed up with Dr. Herb Casalena, president of the
Serra Club of the Diocese of Wilmington, to put up the billboards at a
cost of about $2,500.
In addition, the Knights of Columbus Delaware State Council
having been giving certificates of appreciation to each priest in the dio-
cese, Dawson said. "We appreciate you and God will reward you," the
certificates say in part, he said. "There is a strong desire by the vast
majority of Catholics to send a positive message of affirmation to our
priests so they feel the gratitude of their parishioners for their lives of
selfless service," Dawson said. "I've been a Catholic all my life and the
priests have always been a good representa-tion of Jesus Christ's
teaching and the Catholic faith."
Priests' service includes teaching in parochial schools, work-
ing as chaplains in hospitals and nursing homes and working in soup
kitchens with-out asking anything in return, he said.
"For all this negative publicity for a small number of priests -
maybe 3 percent - these other priests have done nothing wrong," he
said. "We're certainly not defending child abuse but the press cover-
age has been terrible, and I just wanted to show that the majority of
Cath-olics appreciate what priests are doing for them."
Bob Krebs, spokesman for the Catholic Diocese of Wilming-
ton, said good priests work hard.
"There is no doubt that the vast majority of priests are good; hard-
working, faithful people and it's a shame that the actions of a few that
have come to light in the last few years have tarnished the reputations
of the many fine men in the priesthood," Krebs said. "The Knights and
the Serra Club recognize that and I'm sure the priests in our diocese
are grateful for that token."
John V.Ryan, PSD
April 30, 1906- November 26, 2006
Everyone tells me I talk too much
But today the words cannot flow.
I knew he would not last forever
But I wasn't ready for him to go.
Why is this house still standing?
Why isn't it raining and cold?
Why can't I cry??
My heart is cracked and dry.
Being the youngest had more advantage
Than just being spoiled.
I got to know him better and knew
His worries and his foils.
He was so strong not long ago.
How did he fail so fast?
I did not want to know this pain
I was hoping he would last.
My girls are lost without him
They do not know how to cope.
The only thing I can offer them
Is everlasting hope.
My siblings- always so strong and true
Are showing that they feel lost.
Who knew what an impact
His death would all of us cost?
Of course, our mom is waiting
She always was so calm
He joins so many others
Maybe they can give us balm.
It has been one week ago today
When I said "OK. It is just you and me kid"
We said our prayers, I picked some hymns.
I asked God to take him home,
but cried when HE did.
-- Ann Marie Ryan
"IN MEMORIAM"
Photo by Antonio Prado
Billboard on Centerville Rd near Prices Corner