Fr. Lucian W. Beltzner, O. Carmelite
Fr. Lucian was born and raised in Allentown, Pennsylvania. He joined the Carmelites at St. Albert’s Junior Seminary in Middletown, New York. Fr. Lucian professed simple vows in 1957, solemn/final vows three years later and was ordained to the priesthood in 1963.
Since ordination, Fr. Lucian has been assigned as a high school teacher for twelve years after which he studied Pastoral Theology to prepare for parochial ministry. As parochial vicar, Father has been stationed at Ridgefield, Connecticut, with a following appointment as pastor of St. Joseph’s Church located in Troy, New York. He served in that capacity for ten years starting in 1982.
Father’s next assignment was as pastor of Mount Carmel Parish, Middletown, New York, from 1992 until his appointment as pastor of Transfiguration Church, Tarrytown, New York, in 2002, the position he currently holds.
A graduate of St. Bonaventure University, Father holds a B.A. in Philosophy and M.A. in English Literature. Studies in Theology have been done at Catholic University of America. In the theology field, Father has special interest in scripture, liturgy and pastoral ministry. His English teaching background shows in his continuing interest in literature and history.
Fr. James Sidoti, O. Carmelite
Fr. James was born and raised on Staten Island, New York, earning a degree in business administration. Upon graduation, Fr. James and his brother, Conrad, entered a joint business venture, namely; the Huguenot Pharmacy and Gift Shop. Fr. James established and managed the Hallmark Card section of the store within the pharmacy.
Fr. James entered the Carmelite Order in 1985, earning a degree in Divinity at the Washington Theological Union School of Ministry, after 7 years of formation. Ironically, Fr. James was ordained at the Church of the Transfiguration in 1992.
Fr. James’ ministries have been diverse consisting of parish, hospital, elementary school, shrine, retreat ministry, as well as adult catechetical formation. Fr. James was assigned as an Associate Pastor at the Church of the Transfiguration in 2003.
Fr. James enjoys gardening, cooking, travel, reading, dancing and motor boating. Liturgy and Scripture continue to fascinate him.
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Memorial:Deacon Jerry BloodDeacon Jerome W. Blood of Tarrytown died August 23, 2008, at the age of 82, while vacationing in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. He was the son of William and Bernadette Plouffe Blood, born and raised in Syracuse, New York. Jerry received a bachelor’s degree from St. Andrew’s and St. Bernard’s Seminaries in Rochester, New York. In addition, Jerry received a Master’s degree in American History from Fordham University, as well as a second Master’s degree in European History from Columbia University. After completing his education, Jerry taught American history and French for 1-year at Canisus High School located in Buffalo, New York. In addition, he was an editor at the American Management Association and Macmillian Company followed by a 25-year career with IBM as a program manager in Personnel.Jerry was extremely active in Village and community affairs serving in the following positions:
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Jerry was a parishioner and very active in Transfiguration Church where he served in the following roles:
- • Past President and member of the Parish Council
- • Established the Senior Outreach Program at Transfiguration Church
- • Chaplain for the Transfiguration Conference of the St. Vincent de Paul Society
- • A Parish Delegate to the Central Westchester Vicariate
Jerry received the distinct honor of being ordained as a Deacon by Cardinal Edward Egan in 2000, and since that time he served as the only Deacon at Transfiguration Church in Tarrytown, New York.
Jerry not only enjoyed life with family and many friends here in Tarrytown, but in Cape Cod, Massachusetts where he vacationed for over 45-years. Jerry is survived by his wife, Alice of Tarrytown and two daughters; Dr. Elizabeth Blood of Salem, Massachusetts; Mary Baker and her husband Richard Baker residing in Mahopac, New York with Jerry’s twin grandsons Mark and Jack Baker.
Jerry will be sorely missed by his Transfiguration Church family and more broadly by the citizens of Tarrytown, who have greatly benefited from his philanthropic and compassionate activities.
Reverend Lucian Beltzner “Responding to a truly felt need in the very early church, the twelve Apostles, in union with the community of disciples, selected seven reputable men, men filled with the spirit and wisdom.” These seven were chosen to perform the daily tasks of care for the community. These seven by prayer and the imposition, the laying on of hands, were commissioned, were ordained by Apostles to be deacons in the church. Four centuries later, an individual, Lawrence by name, was ordained as one of the seven deacons of Rome. Pope St. Sixtus, successor to the apostles, aware of his own impending martyrdom, instructed his Deacon Lawrence to use the means at the church’s disposal to take care of the poor, the widows and the orphans. This Laurence did with all speed and great thoroughness, even selling the sacred vessels so as to help those in need. At this same time, the Emperor Valerian the one responsible for ordering the persecution of Christians found himself in need of gold and silver to pay and maintain his soldiers. With the promise of leniency and freedom from torture, Lawrence was instructed to turn over to the emperor all the treasure of the Church. He was given three days to comply. In the time allotted to him, Deacon Lawrence searched every corner of Rome and gathered together the Church’s treasure. And right on schedule presented that great treasure to the Emperor. A treasure – not of the expected gold and silver – but a treasure made up of the decrepit, the blind, the lame, the crippled, lepers, orphans, widows and maidens. These comprised the ministry for which Deacon Lawrence provided and worked for. These were really and truly the Treasure of the Church. And here, in the words of the Lord, Himself, here lay “the treasure that no thief can reach, not moths destroy.” Where this treasure is, there also will the Church’s heart be. Where this treasure is, there also will be the heart of the Deacon Lawrence and here also will be the heart of the deaconate ministry. Eight years ago, Cardinal Edward Eagan, successor to the apostles, ordained Jerome Blood as a deacon for the Church in the Archdiocese, of New York. In the tradition of the original seven deacons of Jerusalem and of St. Lawrence of Rome, Jerry was ordained to be of service to others, particularly to the poor and needy. Such faith orientation and spiritual ministry were not, in the year 2000, blessings new to Jerry: As a young man Jerry successfully completed philosophical and theological studies just shy of ordination to the priesthood and he did it in a seminary known for being very, very demanding; a seminary known as “The Rock.” As husband to his beloved wife Alice and father to Elizabeth and Mary (whom he could not be more proud of) he was the head of a family where faith was embraced and practiced, a place where love was lived. As an active and giving member of the community he contributed much on the political level: board member, commissioner, trustee, deputy mayor. On the individual, more personal level, he gave of himself and his time as ambulance volunteer, hospice worker, you name it, Jerry was part of it. As deacon, one could not ask for anyone more prayerful, reverent, dedicated and ready to serve the needs of his faith community. And he did so willingly, cheerfully and without complaint. In particular, the outreach program and the St. Vincent de Paul Society relied heavily on his spiritual guidance and direction. Putting every thing together, Jerry was a good man! After you say that what more do you need to say? Except: he was a really nice guy; a great friend; a hard worker. He was someone to laugh with, a shoulder to cry on. He was a man so talented and organized that he had “an appointed time for everything and a time for everything under the heavens.” In so many ways, Jerry was “A man for all Seasons.” He shall be missed but in his going forth he has left all of us so much the richer in true treasure and as much more blessed in the memory of what he did, who he was. Our condolences go to the Village of Tarrytown for having lost an outstanding citizen. Our condolences to Transfiguration Parish in no longer having the ministry of our Deacon. Our condolences go to the Blood family for the loss of such a husband, father, grandfather. We would indeed be remiss if we failed at this time to thank Alice, most sincerely, for the wonderful care that she took of Jerry, especially as his health declined in the last months. By means of his life, his service, and his ministry, Deacon Jerry Blood pointed out to us where the true TRUE treasure is.” In doing so, he proved to us where his heart lay – where no thief can reach nor moths destroy. We know that Jerry followed the Gospel and “provided money bags for himself that do not wear out” and we firmly believe that, now Jerry has “an inexhaustible treasure in heaven.” May he be rewarded for all the good he has done, and may perpetual light shine upon him, may he rest in peace.” Amen.” |