Fr. Timothy Patrick Dore, OFM Conv.
Most Holy Trinity Friary
138 Montrose Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11206
(718) 384-0215
Christmas 1994
Dear Friends:
Season's greetings! I hope that all is well for you and for your families.
I have avoided writing this type of letter for the longest time, but I know that I have really neglected keeping in touch with so many friends and wonderful people in my life. I apologize for resorting to this "form letter" approach. This is just a simple attempt to let you know what I am up to in my life. I hope that I will be able to write to you a real letter or phone you sometime in the near future.
One thing that has really bothered me for the past two years is that I never finished sending all the "Thank You" cards from the time of my ordination to the priesthood. At this point, I am ashamed to admit that, and I sincerely apologize if you were one of those whom I neglected to properly thank. Please forgive me. Although I may not have sent a formal thank you, I was and continue to be grateful to all of those people who were so generous to me at that time. I know that this is not the best way to convey these thoughts, but please accept this at best feeble attempt to make up for my failure to appropriately express my gratitude.
Things have been very busy for me here at Most Holy Trinity in Brooklyn. I really enjoy the life and work here in the parish. At this point, I am hoping that I will be able to continue here in this parish for at least a couple of more years. There is certainly never a dull moment here. I am busy with the usual work of a parish priest (celebrating masses, preaching, teaching the school children, coordinating a high school confirmation program, working with adult sacramental preparation, visiting the sick, hearing confessions, working with various prayer groups, responding to the needs of the many people who come to the door each day, attending meetings, etc. etc.). In addition to this, I spend some time each week acting as chief "pick up man" for various furniture and housewares which people have donated to our Parish Thrift Shop. Although I love the work, sometimes I feel like my real job is to be a moving man--a number of times I have emptied whole apartments! Fortunately, I can always get a couple of dedicated people to help with the moving jobs!
I love living in Brooklyn. New York is a great city where there is always something happening. It is exciting to be so close to the center of so much activity. During the two and a half years that I have lived here, I have come to know the area very well. If you ever need to get around The City give me a call--I would love to give you the tour.
At this time last year I was making preparations for a trip to Honduras, Central America. I went there for six weeks during February and March of 1994. While there I spent some time studying and immersing myself in Spanish. I had hoped to improve my use of the language. Although I think I did that somewhat, the trip was more interesting in the sense that it served to continue my desire to someday be a missionary. You may remember that I spent a summer in Ghana, West Africa back in 1991. Both of these missionary experiences have given me much to reflect upon as I contemplate my future in ministry.
One of my biggest activities during the year is the Summer Fun School (SFS) that I started here at Most Holy Trinity two summers ago. I am now beginning preparations for the third year of the program. The SFS is day camp for children that is run on weekdays from 8:00 A.M. until 5:00 P.M. during seven weeks of the summer. Although especially true during July and August, the program involves a tremendous amount of work throughout the year. The work could not be done without the help of many dedicated workers and volunteers. After the first of the year, I will begin another fund raising season for the program. I ask you to pray for our efforts as we once again prepare for what I hope will be another great summer.
If you are ever in the area, or planning to visit New York City, please give me a call. I would love to hear from you or see you when you are in town. New York is always friendlier when you visit it with "a local."
Please note my address and phone number above. Every so often I get a letter forwarded to me from my previous address in Maryland. Since it has been over two years since I lived there, I guess it is a good idea to let you know what my current address is. Once again, I apologize for being so out of touch.
Please continue to pray for me--as I will surely do for you. I look forward to the next time that we will be able to get together. I hope that you had a wonderful Christmas. May God grant you his choicest blessing in the New Year!!!
Timothy
