Author: Gerry Palermo

Roman Catholic Deacon.

Smokey White

by Gerry Palermo, posted in AT, ATNOBO26

A letter.

Dear Father Bob,

Tomorrow is Father’s Day and, as you are a spiritual father to so many sons and daughters,  I send you holiday greetings and my hope for your ministry at your new assignment and personal happiness for the whole of your life. Perhaps, one day, we’ll meet again.

Your patience and forbearance regarding my Appalachian Trail work (and boyhood dream) has been wonderful, and you should know about the fruits of the work. I’ve shared previously some amazing holy events please allow me to share one last story (without violating confidentiality).

In regards to ministry 2026, Deacon Greg and I started to arrange parolee hiking outings. Because of prior veteran commitments, I had to defer patolees edition to 2027. Then, the veterans backed out due to injury. So I had zero company. But the Lord provides, and I’m helping elderly hikers make their milestones.

Now, the story.

In 2024, I met an engaged couple on the trail. Nice couple, and they shared their hopes and dreams. We are well regulated on Sacramental marriage, so I was unable to honor their request to marry them. Nevertheless, I  was able to bless them as engaged couple with full faith.

Hurricane Helen took me off the trail, so I lost touch with them.

2026

As I was hiking, I met an old man by chance, and we had a nice conversation about his married son on the trail. He was very proud. I didn’t make the connection right away.

A hundred miles later at a shelter, who arrives? The same couple, now married, and there was instant recognition. We had a lot to catch up on, so we talked for hours.

As they left the next day, I blessed them as husband and wife, as they are, then blessed his career to come and for her the joys of motherhood and the center of his life now to-be re configured to her queenship in his mansion. And, reminded him that he may not know or internalize, but his father is very proud of him.

So that is the trail for me. Prayers, contemplation, and specific / personal service.  What the Lord has planned for the next 200 miles, it’s gonna be awesome.

With love and respect,
Deacon Gerry

Saint of Second Chances

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Catholic
A group of people holding hands in silhouette against a colorful sunset sky.
Did you know vegetables are holy? Why else do we say… Lettuce Pray!

Greetings on this the Memorial of Saint Barnabas, Apostle

Summary

Drinking my morning coffee while reading the daily scripture. So I checked my blog for all reflections for the Memorial of Saint Barnabas, Apostle.

https://deacongerrypalermo.blog/2025/06/11/what-god-has-done/
https://deacongerrypalermo.blog/2024/06/11/seasoned-and-visible/
https://deacongerrypalermo.blog/2022/06/11/holy-spirit-guide/

The three themes:

  1. From Broken to Beautiful. (Healing Presence)
  2. Salt, Pepper, Herbs and Spices make for a delicious life! (Seasoned Person)
  3. Drainage ditch to the left. Open field to the right. Pathway in the center. (God does the heavy lifting)

Reflection

The name Barnabas stems from Aramaic and Greek roots, literally translating to “son of encouragement” or “son of consolation”

Or if you are a movie buff, (Saint) Lenore, played by actress Marla Sucharetza. She is one of the women who celebrates New Year’s Eve in Times Square with Lieutenant Dan. She tells Forrest, “Don’t you just love New Year’s? You get to start all over. Everybody gets a second chance.”

Personal Reflection

I guess I am in an uber reflective mode today. So I wish to gift you… Barnabas. A seasoned person who can help us rely on God to do the heavy lifting so that we (all of us) can go from Broken to Beautiful.

Saint Barnabas, Apostle, (fictional) Lenore, & Mother Mary – pray for us, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/061126.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus (Early Release)

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Catholic
Two hands reaching out towards a glowing sacred heart encircled by thorns and topped with a cross, set against a radiant background.

Greetings on this the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
Readings: Deuteronomy 7:6-11; Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8, 10; 1 John 4:7-16; Matthew 11:25-30

Summary

Cycle A – The Praise of the Father & The Gentle Mastery of Christ (Mt 11:25-30)
Cycle B – The Parable of the Lost Sheep (Lk 15:3-7)
Cycle C – The Blood and Water (Jn 19:31-37)

Here is a grid of the readings from the 3 year cycle with an interpretive lens.

Solemnity of the Sacred Heart Cycles ABCDownload

Reflection

The second reading does the heavy theological lifting binding the first and gospel portions together in the Theological Virtues.

  • a. Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God.
  • b. Prayer … that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, rooted and grounded in love
  • c. Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us.

The transformations.

  • Love as Jesus loves.
  • Pray as Jesus prayed (faith).
  • Hope because God can be trusted.

Personal Reflection

While this Solemnity is primarily devotional the liturgy is grounded in theology with specific patterns emerging. It is tempting to boil the ocean in reason or to lose oneself in the poetry of Sacred Heart love. I also note the readings are relational, coventual, with a transformational intention with .shades of Call-to-Action.

In a Franciscan context, we would explore the mystery of the convergence of divine-meeting-human, in Jesus and for us (Sacramental, Relational, Eucharistic). That would be worthwhile.

Allow me to retreat to the two headings of our gospel portion for this Solemnity Cycle A:

  • The Praise of the Father – Let us praise the Father for his love revealed.
  • The Gentle Mastery of Christ – Let us allow his relief. The question is: how long endure such bitter thirst?

Let the praise begin now.

Let that bitter thirst end now.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/061226.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Eucharist Procession

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Catholic

Leo said that Eucharistic processions are “not merely a matter of bringing out the monstrance, but of allowing ourselves to be brought out of our selfishness and indifference, of a comfortable, private faith, so as to respond to his invitation to conversion, to change our perspective, and to welcome his presence which transforms us and makes us builders of a new world.”