Homily for the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe "C" - Fr. Edward Namiotka

 

Give Thanks and Prepare!

 

Dear Parishioners,

As I write this bulletin column, I anticipate enjoying my annual Thanksgiving dinner with various family members. I certainly realize how truly blessed I am. I have three brothers and a sister and their families, who mostly live in close proximity. I am so fortunate to have a number of people gathered together to share this family day and traditional meal. Thanksgiving always fell near my mom’s birthday and she is certainly missed. I will not be doing the cooking this year, as I have done many times in the past, since my brother’s family graciously offered to host the dinner.

As I reflect, I remember those people who would forgo time spent with family and friends to begin to camp out or stand in line on Black Friday in order to be early enough to get some advertised bargain at the retail stores. Thankfully, online sales have curtailed this practice. Nevertheless, I worry whenever we start to put material things ahead of family, friendships and relationships. People should certainly be more important than things, as far as I am concerned.

Advent begins the Sunday after Thanksgiving. I ponder once again whether or not this season of preparation for the Birth of Christ will actually make a difference to most people. So many people skip the intended Advent preparation and begin celebrating Christmas much too soon. When Christmas finally arrives, people are ready to move on to something else. Meanwhile, in the Church, we are just beginning the actual celebration. According to the Catholic Church’s calendar, the Christmas season begins on Christmas Eve and lasts to the Baptism of the Lord (this year on January 11, 2026).

I urge everyone not to waste precious time by getting caught up in all of the materialism that the world is concerned about and continually sells us. Rather, we should take time for the spiritual life. After all, we as humans are comprised of body and soul. We should make the time for Jesus Christ and prepare for Him. Personally, I find that when my spiritual priorities are in order and Christ is forefront in my life, everything else mysteriously seems to fall into place. 

I attempt to do my part by keeping any Christmas preparation in proper perspective. My annual Christmas shopping remains almost non-existent. Unfortunately, I don’t think the economy will be helped by my miniscule number of purchases. Perhaps, my spiritual life might be deepened instead.

I know that the anticipation of the birth of the Christ Child still brings hope to many lives. For those who try to pray, to spiritually prepare (especially with a sacramental confession), and even to fast, the joy that comes from readying our hearts for the coming of Jesus surpasses any temporary, illusory pleasures that the many TV commercials may promise.

Please do your part to ready for Christ's coming during these four weeks of Advent and attempt to forgo turning this preparatory season into a premature Christmas celebration. While the consumer mentality and secular customs appear to win the battle, Christians need to put Christ first and prepare not only to celebrate His birth, but also to ready ourselves for His Second Coming.

Come Lord Jesus!

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

Christ the King

Dear Parishioners,

Here in the United States we are not used to having royalty as part of our system of governance, as are the United Kingdom and various European nations. We, as Americans, declared our independence from a nation ruled by a king.

In addition, we as an American people go through a seemingly endless and (sometimes brutal) democratic election process in which we "elect" our president and other civic officials. Democracy appears to be part of the fabric of our nation.

So how do we in our society understand and react to this concept of Christ the King?

First of all, I have continually reminded people that truth is not subject to a democratic vote or to a popularity poll.  For example, if we were to take a vote and popular opinion decided there are now four persons in God and God is not a Trinity, would it make it so?  Absolutely not. Our opinion of this matter is really insignificant because it can never supplant Divine Revelation. This is also true with morality and the law. Just because various laws are enacted by our government, it does not mean that these laws are necessarily morally correct or in conformity with God's will. Laws permitting the unjust taking of innocent human life illustrate this fact clearly.

When we call Christ our King, we acknowledge that He has absolute sovereignty over us as His people and we are subject to what He commands of us.  While we always retain our free-will and can choose to be obedient or not, God is still ultimately in charge.  Jesus the Christ announced to us that “the Kingdom of God is at hand.” (Mk. 1:15)

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church: "The kingdom of Christ (is) already present in mystery", "on earth, the seed and the beginning of the kingdom."(#669) The Catechism continues: Though already present in his Church, Christ's reign is nevertheless yet to be fulfilled "with power and great glory" by the King's return to earth. (#671)

Humanity, as the most integral part of all God's creation, must ultimately conform to the will of God and acknowledge the absolute sovereignty of Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, from the very beginning, we as creatures seemed to think that we knew better and can do better than God, the Creator. This is the essence of the original sin. Various ongoing effects of this sin continue to manifest itself over and over again throughout history, right up to this very time: “Nobody is going to tell me what to do!”—for some, not even God Himself!

Moreover, when various Church leaders today advise that we need to listen to and dialogue with the various peoples of the "world," there must also be an ultimate realization that in the end the entire "world" needs to conform to the sovereignty of Christ the King. Christ is the standard of all truth. He is the Son of God. Listening to and dialogue with others can never be seen as caving into various worldly demands and succumbing to anything that would be contrary to Divine or natural law. It is the world that needs conversion to Christ and His teaching.

May this Solemnity of the Church—Christ the King—remind us of the need to be humble, respectful and obedient to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ the King.  

It is utter foolishness to do otherwise.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

Homily for the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time "C" - Fr. Edward Namiotka

 

The Four Last Things

 

Dear Parishioners,

This Sunday we welcome back to our parish Bishop Dennis J. Sullivan to administer the Sacrament of Confirmation to our Confirmandi. Although he is technically "retired," Bishop Sullivan continues to help Bishop Joseph A. Williams administering the Sacrament of Confirmation and to assist where he is able. Whenever the bishop visits the local parish, it is a special honor for us!

The Scripture readings for this Sunday focus on some end times events. As the liturgical year comes to a close next week with the Solemnity of Christ the King, I think it is a good opportunity to remind everyone of the Catholic Church's teaching on the four last things.

First, Death comes to us all. There is no escaping it. What is experienced at that time is the soul leaving the earthly body. We do not become angels (pure spirits) because we will eventually be given a glorified body (like Jesus) in the Resurrection of the Just. For a time, however, we are disembodied spirits.

Next comes our particular Judgment. St. Paul reminds us, " . . . We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive recompense, according to what he did in the body, whether good or evil." (2 Cor. 5:10) There will be an accountability for all of our actions before Christ, and we must live in such a way that we are prepared for this day. This judgment is different from the final judgment of the world where there an eternal separation of good from evil. (See the Catechism of the Catholic Church, # 1038-1041)

While it is not technically listed as one of the four last things, the Catholic Church's teaching on Purgatory is very important. Any unrepented venial sin or any attachment to sins that are not mortal or deadly, must be purged from us before we could ever see the "face" of God. Sin and God are not compatible. That is why we pray for the dead and have Masses offered for them. We can (and should) help the dead in their journey towards God. Church teaching holds that they can no longer help themselves once they die, so please do not deprive your deceased loved ones the prayers and Masses they many need to get to Heaven. Too often people assume that they are already in Heaven which only God can determine.

Finally, there is either Heaven (an eternity of happiness with God) or Hell (an eternal separation from God). There are plenty of references to both places in the Scriptures, and we should take the time to familiarize ourselves with the many times and ways Jesus speaks of them. Whether it is Jesus saying The Kingdom of God is like . . . or His warnings about the fires of Gehenna, Jesus definitely wants our attention focused on eternity and not solely on this world.

There is an adage in Latin worth keeping in mind with regards to eternity: Tempus fugit, momento mori (Time files, remember death). As we listen to the Scripture readings this Sunday and next, may we be reminded that the things of this world will come to an end, and our focus should always be on getting to Heaven. Ultimately, nothing else really matters.

If we lose Heaven, we really lose it all. Think about that.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

St. John Lateran

 

The Lateran Basilica

Dear Parishioners,

This Sunday, November 9, we have a departure from the usual ordinary time Mass and readings. This feast day commemorates the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome.

Every diocese has a cathedral, and the Diocese of Rome is no exception. The pope, as bishop of Rome, has a cathedral but it is not St. Peter’s Basilica as some might think. His cathedral is located about two and a half miles north of Vatican City where an ancient Roman family, the Lateran family, once had a palace that it occupied. Now established on the site is a basilica dedicated to Christ the Savior in honor of both St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist. Sometimes the basilica is simply referred to as St. John Lateran.

If a tourist goes to Rome on a (Catholic) religious pilgrimage, it is often recommended that the person visit the four major basilicas. First, there is St. Peter's Basilica where we normally see the pope speaking or offering Mass. It may be the most famous church in the world. Then we have the Lateran Basilica that was just described. St. Mary Major is the oldest basilica dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary in Western Christendom. This is the church where Pope Francis was recently buried. Finally, there is the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, referred to as such because of its location outside of the walls of the ancient city of Rome. According to tradition, this church contains the chain which bound St. Paul to the Roman soldier guarding him as he was imprisoned and awaited trial. These basilicas and many others like them are part of our heritage as Catholics and receive many thousands of visitors regularly, especially during this Jubilee Year of Hope.

However, the buildings themselves do not make up the Catholic Church. All of us who are baptized, together with Jesus Christ our Savior as its Head, make up His Church. We must never forget that even when all the buildings are gone, Christ's Church remains. We also should be reminded that we are part of the Communion of Saints consisting of the baptized here on earth (Church Militant), the souls in Purgatory awaiting purification so as to enter Heaven (Church Suffering), and those already with God in Heaven (Church Triumphant).

In recent years the Camden Diocese, through its process of merging and consolidating parishes, upset many people who were attached to their particular church or parish. Unfortunately, some church buildings were closed, sold and even demolished. I truly understand how people can associate faith with the particular building where they were baptized, received First Holy Communion, were confirmed, were married or may have had relatives buried from there. It is indeed painful to see the loss of certain buildings. However, we should always keep in mind the Catholic Church is greater than any particular building, no matter how beautiful or significant it may be. The faith is more important than a building itself.

The sad reality today is that people are less attached to the individual parish or any particular building. It is not unusual to see the younger generation "shop around" for a church that suits their needs or ideologies. People frequently go where it is convenient according to their busy schedules, if they go at all.

As we commemorate this important basilica today, pray that future generations will have beautiful churches in which to worship God and a sense of identity with a local parish community. While I am personally hopeful, I do not have all the answers as to what needs to happen so that the Church will grow and flourish into the future.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

Homily for the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls Day) - Fr. Edward Namiotka

 

Bereavement and Praying for the Dead

Dear Parishioners,

Ministry to the sick and dying is an essential concern for us as Christians. To visit the sick and to bury the dead are two of the corporal works of mercy. Our parish’s consolation ministry can be of assistance with ongoing support after the death of a loved one.

Let me begin by reiterating the importance of having a priest visit when a person is seriously ill, is on hospice or is in the hospital. Please call the parish office and request that a priest visit the sick person for the Anointing of the Sick, the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation (confession) and Holy Communion. Regular visits by an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion can also be arranged.

When death occurs, someone from the parish will be available to meet with the family to help prepare the funeral liturgy. I am always looking for additional people to be trained to assist in this task. I encourage families to have a Mass of Christian Burial offered for the soul of the deceased. Joining our prayers to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is the greatest gift that we can give to one of our deceased loved ones.

I am also looking for additional volunteers to be present at the funeral Mass. People who can help to set up and clean up, to greet any parishioners and visitors, to serve during the Mass, to read the Scriptures (if no one does so from the family), can be a tremendous assistance during a funeral Mass. Those who are retired or senior citizens seeking to get more involved would be wonderful for this task. We will train you!

As time passes, it is important that those who have experienced the loss of a loved one not fall through the cracks. I know that when I finish one funeral, it seems I begin preparing for the next situation. I need people to help me by following up with a card or a phone call. I want those who may now be alone to know that they are not forgotten. This phase of bereavement ministry can be done right from home! I hope this task is appealing to someone looking to do more for others.

Part of our follow-up is our annual All Souls Day Mass during which we remember all our dead, especially those who died this past year. Please fill out your All Souls Day envelopes with the names of your deceased as they will be placed on the altar for the entire month of November—the month of the Holy Souls. 

If any of these phases of bereavement (helping to prepare the funeral liturgy with the family, serving on the day of the funeral Mass, or following-up afterwards) appeals to you, please contact the parish office for further information. We could always use your help in some capacity.

People are also encouraged to visit a cemetery during November to pray for deceased friends and relatives.

Most importantly, please take the opportunity and encourage others to have Masses offered for the dead. More than flowers that will wither quickly afterward, the spiritual benefits of the Mass are beyond what we as humans can fully comprehend.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

Homily for the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time "C" - Fr. Edward Namiotka

 

The Annual Presbyteral Convocation

Dear Parishioners,

Every year in the Fall, the priests of the Diocese of Camden, NJ gather with their bishop (currently Bp. Joseph A. Williams) for a few days of prayer, workshops, fraternity and relaxation at the shore. In recent history this meeting has taken place in Avalon at the Icona (Golden Inn). Usually, there is a presentation given by a priest or bishop on a particular topic. This year Fr. Mark Yavarone, OMV spoke on "Discernment in the Daily Life of the Priest." It was based on some of the Rules for Discernment of Spirits in the tradition of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus or Jesuits.

There was a discussion primarily on spiritual consolations as well as spiritual desolation, which both occur in the life of the priest, how to recognize them and what to do with each. The goal here seems to be to help the priest navigate daily living in a manner more attune to the spiritual dynamics of consolation (which can lead us to God) and desolation (which can obscure God) as taught by St. Ignatius. The topic of discernment of spirits is a primary tenet of Ignatian Spirituality.

Besides the talks, there is time for the priests to pray the Liturgy of the Hours together, to make a Eucharistic Holy Hour, and to concelebrate Holy Mass with the bishop. Some of the priests and the bishop competed in an international soccer competition, while others enjoyed the sunshine on the beach or swam in the heated pool.

Over the years I have noticed an aging priest population and how the clergy of Camden has definitely become more international. We honored priests for 25, 40, 50 and 60 years of service. I enjoyed meals with priests form Africa, Asia, Central and South America, Europe as well as with a few of us who have been here in New Jersey all (or most of) of our lives.

May I ask a continual remembrance of your priests in your daily prayers? It is apparent to me that most of our priests are aging quickly and, in many ways, our diocese is currently a type of mission territory served by an ever increasing number of foreign-born priests. Regarding our native clergy, thankfully this past year we had two home-grown sons ordained priests to serve the diocese. However, in years past this diocese boasted of classes of twenty, thirty or more priests per year. We continually need to pray that those called by God will respond to the need for priestly and religious vocations.

I truly believe that God will provide for the needs of His Church but we should do our part to pray, to encourage others and perhaps even to make spiritual sacrifices so that God may give us good holy priests now and in the future.

As I finish my writing and prepare to go to my Eucharistic Holy Hour, I will bring you with me to prayer and ask God to help you in whatever way He sees necessary for your eternal salvation. I trust that you will remember me and my brother priests in your prayers and Masses.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

Fr. Mark Yavarone, OMV 

(our guest speaker)