Stephen Yusko's Blog

  Spiritual & Emotional Pain - A Diocese in Turmoil  March 30, 2021         Dialoguing with the Diocese of Rockville Centre is very challenging these days. Ask any parish ministry leader, priest, or deacon, and you will find in private, a common response: “…the diocese is not effective at communication”. In non-church speak, his excellency seems to be circling the wagons, and rather not dialog directly, at least with this Rogue Deacon.    “However, the hierarchy's ability to brush dirt under the carpet is noteworthy.” Bishop Barres delivered a scripted video this past Autumn about the diocese's "Reorganization" by filing Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, an inevitable move, not driven because of lawsuits from the sexual abuse scandal, but in my opinion, from the actions of the men responsible for the well-being of the diocese, Bishop Barres and former Bishop William Murphy (Cardinal Law's right-hand man in Boston during the "Spotlight" scandal). It is due to t

  Propelling Out of the Parish Bubble  (Originally posted in 2018   and challenged by the Diocese of Rockville Centre )   The key to the new evangelization is for a parish to build on its historic culture and break out of the parish bubble into the community. A healthy parish will become a resource for the community’s spiritual, physical, emotional, intellectual, and social needs. During my pre-ordination interview for the permanent diaconate, I had a fifteen-minute interview with my bishop. The time together was more or less akin to a speed-dating interview, each prospective future deacon doing his best to impress the bishop. I was able to express an interest in evangelizing outside of the “parish bubble”. The bishop expressed interest in evangelization, as most church leaders are concerned about the dwindling numbers in the pews and lack of robust support for the church by millennials. Having spent my adult married life (twenty-five years) in my home parish, I came to understan

  Seeking Harmony on the Seas (Originally Posted on 11/6/2018 This article was challenged by leadership in the Diocese of Rockville Centre) It had been a long winter and we decided that a vacation was overdue, so we booked a weeklong cruise through the Caribbean. Adjusting to the ship’s accommodations went smoothly, as we boarded one of the largest cruise ships in the world, “Harmony of the Seas”. The warm weather helped melt away the winter blues along with the tensions and trials of life at home. We enjoyed a warm welcome from the captain and crew as we embarked on our journey from island to island.   We were amazed at the size of the ship, as well as the diversity of the patrons and crew. Traveling together we met people from India, Australia, Mexico, Hungry, Russia, England, South Africa, and America, all journeying together.   The technology to keep the massive vessel on course was impressive as each crew member knew their role in bringing us safely from port to port. With

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