It has meant hard work, as pastors and lay people pull disparate communities together in service of the Gospel. Now the first fruits of those changes are beginning to emerge.

During these past few months, I have had the privilege, thanks to a series of deanery meetings held throughout the diocese, of listening to the stories of how our parishes are meeting our pastoral priorities.

WILMINGTON, Del. — Sea captains employed by the Delaware Bay Oyster Restoration Task Force are currently wrapping up efforts to replenish oyster reefs off Delaware and New Jersey. This comes after the task force successfully raised $200,000 to continue its seven-year-old program.

According to past experience, these efforts will boost the economies of local bayshore communities by approximately $5 million over the coming years. Rutgers University has estimated that past investments in shell planting have resulted in a return of at least $25 for every $1 invested in oyster restoration, and in some years much higher. A report released by the University of Delaware in May notes that retailers and wholesalers paid almost $3.7 million for last year’s harvest alone.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (photo) is quoted as saying that the State Department was \”instrumental in sealing the deal\” for Lady Gaga to appear at the June 11 Euro Pride concert in Rome.