Stephen Yusko's Blog

Homily for my mother, Florence Yusko-Church of St. Joseph, Babylon, NY -  11/15/2018 Fr. Seth, Fr. Jason, Fr. Francis, Fr. Joe, Fr. Ethel, Deacon Barry, my brother deacons, dear friends and all gathered. On behalf of the entire Yusko family, I want to thank you for your presence here, for your many words of comfort, and even more the many prayers, and Mass intentions you have offered at the death of our mother, Florence Yusko. I want to thank the dear parishioners of St. Joseph’s, as our mother felt very welcomed with each visit, as I am sure she thanks you for your continued formation of her deacon son. This week has been trying, as well as inspiring, as many have recounted the virtues with which God has blessed Mom.   There is one virtue that we can agree that centered mom’s life here on earth.   Her faith. Emotions well up in each of us, as we grapple with mom’s passing as we think of her impact on our lives. Your prayers and expressed thoughts have given us c

Deacon's Corner for February 2, 2018  In Sunday’s scripture readings we see how Job “sings the blues” (JB 7: 1-4,6-7). The great lament on the drudgery of life. My mind wanders to early mornings on the Babylon LIRR platform as commuters face another cold Winter’s trek into the “city” and what could be just another day of toil. The hope of an eventless train ride is dashed, as the announcement crackle s over the platform speakers and cries out yet another train delay. Job speaks to our lament of today, “Is this as good as it gets” ? We often feel the longing for something more! Parish life can be the center of activity for us, whether in our Sunday worship, bringing the kids to religious education or tending to our prayer life and spiritual well-being.  For others, particularly the millennials, being drawn to have the Parish of St. Joseph as the central place in their lives can be chalked up to wishful thinking. Bishop John Barres calls us all toward Dramatic Miss