How Do We Refer to the Mass?

Dear Parishioners,

Whenever I read an article about the Mass in secular publications, I note the way in which it is referenced and, in particular, how the author describes the priest’s actions.  I have seen such descriptions indicating that the bishop performed the Mass, or the priest held a Mass, the pope delivers Mass, the pope leads Mass, or the priest presided at the Mass.

In times gone by, I have heard people say that they were going to hear Mass.  Similarly, it was the priest who was going to say Mass.  The Mass was also spoken of as the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.  I still use this last phrase that I learned from my morning offering as a child.

There are various ways that I prefer to speak about the Mass:

Remembering that the priest is offering a sacrifice of bread and wine which will become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, I like to say that I am going to offer Mass.  When I begin daily Mass, I usually note that “Today’s Mass is being offered for . . . .”  You might notice the frequent use of the word oblation (offering) found in many of the prayers of the most recent English translation of the Mass.  We are reminded that the priest is indeed offering the most perfect sacrifice of Jesus Himself to God the Father.  Recall the prayer (doxology) at the conclusion of the Eucharistic Prayer: “Through him and with him and in him, O God, Almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, forever and ever.” “Amen.”    

Some time ago I heard it said that the priest should be praying the Mass (above and beyond simply going through the motions and not merely reading/saying the words that are written in front of us).  We speak in terms of Eucharistic Prayers, orations, etc. which remind us that we are praying during Mass.  Pope Benedict XVI urged priests with the following:  “. . . We must think of the various forms of the prayer of a priest, first of all daily Holy Mass. The Eucharistic celebration is the greatest and highest act of prayer, and constitutes the center and wellspring from which all the forms receive their ‘lifeblood’. . . . “ (May 3, 2009, Priesthood Ordinations in St. Peter’s Basilica)

It may also be said that a priest celebrates the Mass and I am the celebrant at Mass. When more than one priest offers the Mass together, we refer to them as concelebrants.

The current form of the Mass (frequently referred to as the Novus Ordo or the Mass of Paul VI) is the Mass most people are familiar with, especially if you were born in or after the 1960’s.  What came before was the Traditional Latin Mass (or the Tridentine Mass) which is available in some parishes throughout the Camden Diocese (and is solely offered at Mater Ecclesiae Parish in Berlin, NJ.)  There are many differences/changes that have occurred in the transition from the Traditional Latin Mass to the Novus Ordo including the use of the vernacular, the orientation of the priest, the positioning of the altar, those who are permitted to enter the sanctuary, etc. which I will attempt to address in subsequent columns.

  

How we speak about the Mass usually indicates what we think about it or what we believe happens during it.  There are multiple facets of what the Mass actually is and what happens during it.  I want to continue to emphasize, however, its essential sacrificial nature on an altar (the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass ) which has often been obscured in more recent times in favor of a meal/table aspect (Last Supper).

If we take the time to understand the mystery before us at the altar, perhaps we can come to the realization that we are truly experiencing a foretaste of the Heavenly Liturgy awaiting us someday.  

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

The Definition of "Insanity"

Dear Parishioners,

One popular definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.  It’s cliché, but I use this concept to begin my thought process regarding the difficulties within the Catholic Church in general, and the Mass, in particular.

I am “all in” when it comes to traditional teaching, longstanding moral values, and everything that has its roots in Jesus Christ and His established Church.  After all, the bedrock of the Church is Sacred Scripture and Tradition.  We are an Apostolic Church.  We have over 2000 years of history which includes the writings of Church Fathers, the instruction of saints, the heroic witness of the martyrs, various teaching from Church councils, and many other contributions helping us to understand and to pass on the deposit of faith.

Where we run into problems is when there is deviation—even if it is ever-so-small—in our fidelity to this deposit of faith.  Being even a little wrong is still being wrong.  When things begin to be built on erroneous ideas or unorthodox teaching, we begin walking the path to heresy and apostasy.  Whether the error occurs by design (intentionally) or actually in good faith, there is never a reason to allow such error to continue or to try to re-label it or disguise it in some other way.  Some small things that we let creep into Church teaching and practice have, in reality, snowballed and turned into an avalanche.  We seem to be buried in it now.

If we deviate from an all-male clergy and allow ordained women deacons/priests, we will be in error.  If we try to accommodate so-called gay marriages, we will be in error.  If we create a new rite within the Church which incorporates pagan or idolatrous elements, we will be in error.  If we allow the divorced and re-married (without rectifying the situation through an annulment, etc.) to receive Holy Communion, we are in error.  If we say one religion is as good as another, that God actively wills a plurality of religions and minimize the importance of the Church that Christ Himself established, then we are in error.  The above list is certainly not all-inclusive.

We are told (and can reasonably verify) that approximately 20% of our faithful attend Mass weekly.  We are also instructed that about only 30% of Catholics believe what the Catholic Church teaches about the Holy Eucharist.  The teaching on the Real Presence has been successfully undermined. People are leaving the faith in droves—especially the poorly-catechized and misinformed.  Ever more claim no formal religious practice or affiliation.  Moreover, the importance of Baptism and Confirmation is de-emphasized.  Church weddings are not occurring.  Many times, people just live together.  We are given more of the same moral and doctrinal ambiguity, the same moral and doctrinal pablum that we have been fed for decades.  Just be nice.  All are welcome.  Don’t judge.  And how exactly is that working out for any of us?  Take another survey please.

I want to spend a few future bulletins emphasizing the importance of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.  The Mass is the heart of the Catholic faith and the soul of the Church that Jesus established.  Beginning with more reverence and silence, we need to re-establish the atmosphere within the Church as a sacred place of prayer and worship, not just some ordinary place of communal social gathering.  We need to understand the importance of the Real Presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle.  How we behave in the presence of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament speaks volumes concerning what we actually believe.  Most importantly, we must see the Mass as the greatest sacrifice to God, the Almighty Father, that we, as humans, can be a part of and witness on this earth.  So much has been misunderstood, poorly taught, disregarded or even deliberately distorted.  When we do not realize the essential sacrificial nature of the Holy Mass and its importance as established by Jesus Himself, little by little, everything else begins to crumble as well. 

It was Jesus who commanded us to “Do this in memory of me” regarding the Holy Eucharist. (Lk. 22:19)  My goal is to help us all see more clearly the utmost importance of carrying this out reverently and faithfully by our attendance at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor 

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

(Definately worth repeating--reverently, of course.)

 

Out of the Amazon (in Rome?)

Amazon region in South America

Dear Parishioners,

From its inception, the whole thing seemed extremely peculiar to me.  A synod on the Amazon? Its location was not to be in the Amazon region itself but in the Eternal City.  (As a side note, priests of the Diocese of Camden had previously been sent to Brazil as missionaries.  In fact, one of our priests, Fr. Miguel Pedro Mundo, had even become a bishop for the diocese of Jatai, Brazil.)

The pretext of this meeting was ministry to the indigenous peoples of the Amazon.  However, its various critics held that it was a means being used to change the Catholic Church radically with a globalist agenda, backed, in large part, by the German bishops.  Some saw Marxist liberation theology rearing its head once again.

The synod began with what appeared to many to be various pagan rituals led by a female shaman.  A figure of pachamama—mother earth—was carried around Rome, brought into Catholic Churches including St. Peter’s Basilica, and even bowed down to at the opening ceremony in the Vatican gardens.  Paganism and idolatry penetrating our Catholic Church?  What do we make of this as it occurred even in the very presence of the Holy Father?

 Pope Francis receiving pachamama

The synod had its various moments of intrigue.  Several of the pachamama carvings were removed from the Catholic Church in which they were kept and then thrown into the Tiber river.  The pope subsequently apologized for what happened, even mentioning the pachamama by name.

The outcome of the synod was presented in a document recommending the following to the Holy Father for his final say on the matter:

·         The ordination of married men (viri probati) in the Amazon

·         Further study of the issue of female deaconesses

·         The creation of a special Amazonian Rite of the Church

What this would mean for the Church at large is yet to be seen.  However, critics warn that it could lead to optional celibacy, female deacons and a rite within the Church that espouses various pagan elements.

Ultimately, the Holy Father has the final say on matters of faith and morals.  However, he can never deviate from the deposit of faith that has been given to us by Jesus Christ and handed down to us through apostolic tradition.  To do so would put his own salvation in jeopardy.

We need to pray for the Church, for fidelity to the deposit of faith, for clarity in teaching and for the Holy Father himself.  There are a few voices in the hierarchy speaking up for truth but far too many worldwide remain silent on any potentially controversial matters.  When there is abundant uncertainty or confusion, we certainly need clarity and not silence.

Let’s begin here:  Commandment #1 - I am the Lord, Your God.  You shall not have any false gods . . . .

Seems abundantly clear to me.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor 

Church of Santa Maria in Traspontina

Vatican garden ceremony

The "None" Culture: What Has "Prayer" Morphed Into?

Dear Parishioners,

I have noticed it happening on social media over time.  Some people no longer say that they pray for each other but send other kinds of ambiguous greetings or condolences lacking any mention of God, religion or faith.  Let me give you a few of these taken directly from Facebook.  The comments were sent to a person to express sympathy after the death of a family member:

·         Sending you love and light

·         Sending lots of good vibes your way

·         Sending wishes for comfort and peace

·         Sending you electronic hugs

·         Sending you comfort and light

·         Sending love and strength

At other times I have witnessed people send others good energy or positive thoughts.

I wonder if such people understand the value of prayer?  Or are they afraid to admit that they pray?  Or do they not believe in God?  When we pray for others, we ask for God's help.  We admit that we depend on Almighty God as our Creator since we are His creatures.  We make a profession of faith in God who is all-powerful, all-loving, etc., and Whom we believe can help us in every situation. 

In like manner, when we ask a saint or saints to intercede for us, we are requesting those whom we believe to be already in the presence of Almighty God for all eternity, to petition God on our behalf.  Please pray (to God) for us.

Before I went to interview the Confirmation candidates last Sunday evening, I was watching the news.  A story that struck me reported that in a recent Pew survey the number of Americans who have no religion or religious affiliation is now about 26% of the population.  This is an increase of 9% in the past decade.  Such people are sometimes referred to as nones, since they check the box or answer "none" when asked their religious affiliation.  The alarming trend is that many in younger generations want nothing to do with organized religion.  Sometimes they declare they are spiritual but not religious.  Ever more worrisome are those who say that they no longer believe.  Period.

As one who has close relatives who no longer go to Mass, who find no immediacy in having their children baptized, who are  ignorant of or who simply disregard traditional Church teachings, I worry tremendously.  However, I also pray for them.  I remember them in the Masses I offer.  I beg Almighty God on their behalf because I do not want to see them lost for all eternity.  I care about the condition of their immortal souls as I do the souls of all my spiritual children.  (After all, I am called "Father" for a reason.)

Things cannot continue in the nation and in the Church business as usual.  God sees all, knows all, cares for us all, and will act accordingly as He sees appropriate.  Precisely what He will do, I claim no personal knowledge.  However, I have previously given reasons (see last week's bulletin / blog) why I have hope.  

Jesus continues to love His Bride, the Church. 

Meanwhile,  I pray . . . and pray . . . and pray.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor      

Ceremony of Consecration of Pan-Amazon Synod of Bishops to St. Francis

As Clear as Mud

Dear Parishioners,

I must admit that I am more than a bit confused by some of the things going on in the Roman Catholic Church these days.  Besides the horrendous sexual scandal (which is bad enough), the ambiguous teaching coming from Rome seems to be confusing at a minimum, if not outright contradictory to the traditional Deposit of Faith.

 

As a former high school teacher, I desire to be as clear as possible, especially  when it comes to teaching the doctrines of the Holy Catholic Church.  My opinion becomes insignificant when it comes to being completely faithful to what the Lord Jesus handed down to us, from age to age, through the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.  The specific areas in question include:  the indissolubility of marriage and the reception of Holy Communion by those in irregular unions; permissiveness toward homosexual acts and homosexual unions; acceptance of the diversity of religions as a means to salvation; the ordination of women and priestly celibacy; and the acceptance of various forms of paganism, especially at the current Amazon synod.

Thankfully, there have been some in the hierarchy who have undertaken to provide such desired and needed clarity.  Cardinal Gerhard Müller scripted a Manifesto of Faith affirming key Catholic doctrinal points that have been questioned today.  I encourage you to read it or to watch the free online video that was recently produced illustrating its teaching.  We will provide a link to the film from our parish web site (holyangelsnj.org).

 

In addition, Cardinal Raymond Burke and Bishop Athanasius Schneider have together written a document entitled A Clarification about the Meaning of Fidelity to the Supreme Pontiff.  This writing speaks of respecting the office of the Pope, while disagreeing with or seeking clarity from some of the Holy Father’s apparently confusing or ambiguous comments or from his apparent lack of willingness to provide clarity in certain of his teachings.  Moreover, there is an essay by Cardinal Walter Brandmüller critiquing the working document (Instrumentum Laboris) on the Amazon Synod currently taking place in Rome. I encourage the reading of these documents if you want to keep informed and to be able to navigate through what is happening in the Roman Catholic Church today.  I have provided links to all these documents from my personal web site (www.fr-ed-namiotka.com).

The internet provides us with the opportunity to follow so many matters in real time. Often, news can be obtained on the internet well before it appears on network television. While there are various cautions I give about some internet web sites, many of those who want to be loyal to the Catholic Church and her traditional teaching are providing a valuable tool to see various Church happenings from an up-close and personal perspective. Unfortunately, we are made aware of things that can be unnerving and confusing. Why were there what looked like pagan rituals and pagan symbols recently in the Vatican gardens?

I know I am not alone in questioning what seems so far removed from what should be expected from the Roman Catholic Church. We want answers and clarity and not the mess in which we find ourselves. Right now, some things are as clear as mud.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

More About the Forty Hours Devotion

Dear Parishioners,

Beginning Sunday night (9/29/19) after the 6 PM Mass in St. Patrick Church, we will offer the opportunity for prayer and adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament, commonly known as the Forty Hours Devotion.  This practice, which can be traced to Milan, Italy around the year 1530, is a formalized period of prayer and adoration centering on the Real Presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist.

Prior to this period in the Catholic Church’s history, there were times of exposition and benediction, Eucharistic processions and devotion to the Blessed Sacrament reserved in the tabernacle.  However, both Saints Philip Neri and Ignatius of Loyola instituted the Forty Hours Devotion (with reference to Jesus’ 40 hours in the tomb and recalling other biblical citations in which the symbolic number 40 was specified) in reparation for sin.

Fr. William Saunders, whom I knew from my college seminary days, wrote a rather thorough article, “40 Hours with Jesus Christ,” originally for his diocesan paper (Arlington Catholic Herald) describing this devotion.  I quote from a part of it here:

While the Mass is the central act of worship for us Catholics, an act which participates in the eternal reality of our Lord's passion, death, and resurrection, Vatican Council II upheld and encouraged the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament outside of Mass.  Of course such devotion derives from the sacrifice of the Mass and moves the faithful to both sacramental and spiritual communion with our Lord (Eucharisticum Mysterium, #50). . . . Pope John Paul II has repeatedly "highly recommended" public and private devotion of the Blessed Sacrament, including processions on the Feast of Corpus Christi and the 40 Hours Devotion (cf. Dominicae Cenae, #3, and Inaestimabile Donum, #20-22).

It was the 4^th Bishop of Philadelphia, St. John Neumann who was a strong promoter of this devotion in his diocese.  The practice would also spread to our area of New Jersey and beyond.

After considering this brief history lesson and the official encouragement by saints, popes and church documents, I really think that the essence of this devotion comes down to our belief—our deep faith—in Jesus’ Real Presence in the Holy Eucharist.  If Jesus is really there, why wouldn’t we want to spend time with Him in prayer?

I can simply relate to you from my own personal experience that spending time with Jesus in the Holy Eucharist has been for me my most fruitful times of prayer beyond comparison.  I love the Holy Eucharist in all of its dimensions—from offering the Mass to the reception of Holy Communion to adoring and worshiping Jesus’ Real Presence in the tabernacle / monstrance.  Jesus is present throughout—Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity.

Those that I know (and have known) who have prayed in the presence of the Most Blessed Sacrament have overwhelmingly come to appreciate what a most precious gift that we have.  The Mass is so much more meaningful.  The reading of the Sacred Scriptures becomes alive and motivating.  The inspiration and wisdom that comes from sitting at the feet of the Master is beyond price!

I invite you to come to Mass and to spend some time during these days—September 29th to October 1st—with our Eucharistic Lord.  Pleas sign up so that all the time slots are filled!  Our Lord deserves nothing less.  

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

  

“I Have Come to Cast Fire Upon the Earth”

Dear Parishioners,

The Gospel reading for this Sunday (Lk. 12: 49-53) might make a person very uncomfortable or even troubled.  If you have been fed a type of sugar-sweet Jesus most of your life—being presented only with an ultra-compassionate, always-forgiving, never-judgmental savior—then you could seriously doubt that Jesus would ever say such things.  One reaction to this Gospel might be to gloss over it quickly.  Let’s pretend that it does not exist.  This is not the Jesus I know.  He is merciful, forgiving, and patient.  He prays in St. John’s Gospel (17:21) “that they all may be one. . . .”  He would never want any division among us.

There’s a problem when we do not see the more complete picture of Jesus as presented in the Gospels.  Jesus is the one who called the scribes and pharisees a brood of vipers (Mt. 12:34), hypocrites and white-washed tombs (Mt. 23: 27).  He told us to pluck out our eyes and to cut off our hands (Mt. 5: 29-30) to avoid sin.  He made a whip out of cords and overturned the money changers tables in the temple (Jn. 2: 13-16).  He called Peter, his close friend, “Satan” and told him to get behind Him (Mt. 16:23).  In the Gospel this Sunday, He speaks about casting fire on the earth and creating division—even within families.

 

What gives?

How we react to Jesus’ teaching might just depend on how we are living our lives.  Jesus sometimes has to jolt people out of complacency or erroneous thinking.  “You are thinking not as God does but as human beings do.”  (Mt. 16:23)  He requires a radical change in our way of living when we are headed to eternal destruction.  “Go [and] from now on do not sin any more.”  (Jn. 8: 11)   He demands things from us that are not appealing.  “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and pick up his cross daily and follow me.”  (Lk. 9:23)  One thing that can be determined upon thorough investigation:  Jesus was not some pushover and his teaching inevitably made an impact on people.  “ . . . For he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.”  (Mt. 7: 29)

Jesus’ chosen path to freeing us from sin and eternal damnation was through the cross.  It involved suffering and a sacrificial love.  It involved the Son of God being put to death by His creatures.  His life and teaching cast a fire upon the earth.  He jolted those who were complacent in their sin.  He upset the status quo and the religious leaders of His time.  And some totally resented Him.  Some wanted to see Him dead.  Crucify Him!  Crucify Him!

 

The reaction today to Jesus’ teaching and to his actions can  and does create division in families, in communities, and in nations throughout the world.  The call to conversion and repentance does not necessarily bring peace to those resistant to change.  People can become very, very comfortable in their sin.  Nobody is going to tell me what to do.  Some might follow Him, while others reject Him.  His moral requirements require a decision from us.  If one tries to straddle the fence, it promises not to go well.  “I know your works; I know that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.” (Rev. 3: 15-16)

Does Jesus’ teaching upset you?

Fr. Ed Namiotka
Pastor

Facing Death (with the Help of My Guardian Angel?)

Dear Parishioners,

(Summertime and swimming in the Atlantic Ocean once again bring to mind this life-changing event.)

I was going to die. 

I seriously thought that the end had come.  Recalling the situation still produces a cold sweat.

It was September, 1989--sometime around Labor Day weekend.  The storm that was to become known as hurricane Hugo was picking up strength as it approached the Caribbean many miles away.

I was vacationing with a priest-classmate and his family in Sandbridge Beach, VA (just south of Virginia Beach).  He had invited me down to join him for some R & R.

Sandbridge Beach was private and isolated.  No lifeguards.  A few surfers were in sight as the waves were kicking up significantly.  And there was lurking along the coastline a soon-to-be opponent waiting for someone to combat—a very strong, deceptive riptide.

My classmate, Fr. Bob, decided that he was going to go into the ocean.  Not too bright of an idea, looking back.  As I was walking along the beach I saw him swimming and realized that he was having some real problems.  No, he was in trouble, for sure.

Without much thought I jumped in and began to swim toward him.  (Even though I grew up in Wildwood, NJ—a beach resort—I was not a great swimmer.)  I was fortunate enough to reach him, and to give him just enough assistance to allow him to catch a wave and head into shore.

In the meantime, the riptide got me!  It wrestled me down. It pulled me under.  When I surfaced it seemed like I was more than a football field’s length from the shore.  And I began to panic! Seriously panic!

“Help! Help!” I screamed as I waved my hands hoping that someone in the distance would see me.  I was treading water but then I was pulled under once again!  I never was more afraid in all my life.  I am going to die.  Nobody’s here to help me out in the Atlantic Ocean.

When I surfaced, I remembered that I looked down at my Miraculous Medal (an image of the Blessed Virgin Mary) hanging around my neck and resting on my chest.

Soon after I heard a voice coming from my left side.  “Everything will be alright! Stay Calm! Stay Calm!”  Someone was swimming toward me.  A young fellow in his teen age years.

Although he reached out his hand toward me once he was next to me, I didn’t want to take it.  For some reason I recall thinking that if I was going to die I didn’t want to take him down under with me.  I was significantly larger than he was—probably at least 100 pounds.  And I was panicking.  (Funny the things that you remember.)  He kept swimming around me trying to keep me calm and assuring me that everything would be alright.

Meanwhile, Fr. Bob had reached shore and pointed out to some surfers that I was in trouble.  They came after me with a surfboard.  Good thing they did because I felt my body going into shock.  It was as if there were lead weights on my arms and legs making it difficult (nearly impossible) to move them.

Thankfully I was rolled onto a surfboard and pushed to shore.  Fr. Bob, looking exhausted and beat up, was there waiting for me.  I could hardly walk.  I sat down on the beach with my body so tense that every little movement was a major project.

The fellow who first reached me in the water and swam around me keeping me calm was now standing at my left side.  He asked me if I was okay.  I remember saying, “Yes. Thank you so much.”  Then I turned to talk to Fr. Bob for just a moment.  He was sitting on my right side.  When I looked back to the left, my rescuer was no longer there.  Where did he disappear to so quickly?  There were only a few people on the entire beach.  And he was nowhere to be seen. 

That evening Fr. Bob and I celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving for having averted a possible tragedy:  the drowning/potential death of two priests.

We asked ourselves a number of questions:  Who was that teenager who swam out to meet me?  Where did he come from?  Why did he not seem to have trouble swimming in those rough waters like we did?  Where did he disappear to all of a sudden, as if into thin air?

I continue to wear my Miraculous Medal every day, faithfully. 

I also believe in guardian angels.  Do you?

Fr. Ed Namiotka,

Pastor

Life's a Beach!

Dear Parishioners,

By the time you read this message, I should be heading back from my all-too-brief vacation.

Being raised in Wildwood-by-the-Sea, NJ, I grew up loving the beach and boardwalk.  I still like to soak in the sun when I am able, although I get continual warnings from my skin doctor to “be sure to use your sun-block!”  I spent most of this vacation time on the beach.

While sitting under my umbrella some years ago, a group of teens camped out behind me.  They were playing with their electronic devices and the “music” was blaring quite loudly.  I couldn’t help but hear the lyrics (or at least some of choice the words)!  Emanating from what appeared to be some type of rap “music”, I heard the notorious N-word at least 25 times or more in the various songs being shouted, as well as a few select 4-letter words interspersed continually.  I would be hard pressed to call any of it music.  It was a gross insult and assault to any person’s sensibilities.

As the day progressed I saw the same group drinking beer and passing around a funny looking cigarette while swimming in the water.  None of them appeared to be over 18 years old.  Oh, how I worry about today’s youth!

When I thought about the various matters troubling today’s young people, I also realized that my generation had its own problems.  With the drinking age at 18 at the time, alcohol was easily accessible (through many of the seniors) at the high school level.  The combination of drinking and teenagers was ultimately bad news.  Drugs were starting to be more prevalent and accessible.  Add to it all the growth of a free-love society, and the path to the future became an even more destructive one!

Today the problems seem to start to be grave at an even younger age.  Blame it on the breakup of the family, the lack of parental supervision, the internet, the availability of drugs and alcohol, the decline of religious practice and morality, etc., and I wonder what the world will look like in 10 or 20 years from now.  They say that the pendulum swings back and forth.  I sure hope, for humanity’s sake, that it will reverse course and soon be headed in the other direction.

When St. Paul came to Corinth, it was a notorious sea port filled with vice.  When he went to Rome, he had to face the immorality and corruption within the Roman Empire.  All the cities he visited had their own particular problems and degrees of sinful behavior.  To the people of Ephesus, he wrote the following:

   

So be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and handed himself over for us as a sacrificial offering to God for a fragrant aroma. Immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be mentioned among you, as is fitting among holy ones, no obscenity or silly or suggestive talk, which is out of place, but instead, thanksgiving. Be sure of this, that no immoral or impure or greedy person, that is, an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. (Eph. 5: 1-5)

I hope and pray that we all desire to have some inheritance in the Kingdom of God.  This means that we must strive continually to conform our lives to the teaching of the Sacred Scriptures.  It is important that this message gets out to everyone, including (and especially) our youth.  

Pray for them.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor  

Vocations and the Holy Eucharist

Identical Twin Priests:  Fathers Gary and Todd Koenigsknecht

Dear Parishioners,

A few years ago, I read a story from the New York Times regarding priestly vocations flourishing in a particular area of Michigan.  It caught my attention because this is usually not the type of story reported in a secular, national newspaper.  More than likely, the focus in such a newspaper is on some church scandal and/or how the Catholic Church is incorrect in some teaching or another.

At the time of the article (June 2014), Fowler, Michigan had twenty-two priests to its credit as did its neighboring town of Westphalia.  Forty-four priests from two small towns with a combined population of about two thousand people.  

What was their secret?

Reading information from a secular newspaper source is not always the best way of reporting something theological, religious or spiritual.  I did notice that the Times article mentioned “a weekly prayer hour dedicated to religious vocations.”  I went to the web site for the parish of the Most Holy Trinity in Fowler to get more details.  More precisely, I discovered the parish there holds a weekly Eucharistic Adoration for Vocations—a Eucharistic Holy Hour—followed by Mass.

Since my seminary days, I have believed in the importance of Eucharistic adoration and its intimate connection to the Catholic priesthood.  I can remember the great reverence for the Holy Eucharist that the pastor from my childhood parish (St. Ann’s, Wildwood) had.  It was so mystical the way that Msgr. Joseph Conlon gazed at the Eucharist.  As I knelt next to him as an altar boy, it seemed to me that he was somehow other worldly.  I can’t necessarily put it into words but I somehow knew that he and I were kneeling before Jesus, the Son of God.  No doubt about it!

Then I read something printed in the Most Holy Trinity church bulletin:

This is how St. John Vianney taught his faithful to pray: "You do not need many words when you pray. We believe on faith that the good and gracious God is there in the tabernacle; we open our souls to Him; and feel happy that He allows us to come before Him; this is the best way to pray."  He did everything that there was to be done to stir up the reverence and love of the faithful for Christ hidden in the Sacrament of the Eucharist and to bring them to share in the riches of the divine Synaxis; the example of his devotion was ever before them.  "To be convinced of this, witnesses tell us, all that was necessary was to see him carrying out the sacred ceremonies or simply to see him genuflect when he passed the tabernacle."

--Pope Saint John XXIII

Unfortunately, this year (2019) the Diocese of Camden did not ordain a single priest.  Years ago, this same diocese ordained large classes of twenty, thirty or more.  Maybe it’s time that we once again get down on our knees and pray to (rather, beg) Jesus in the Holy Eucharist to send us priestly and religious vocations.  Spending time before the Blessed Sacrament, while fostering and encouraging priestly and religious vocations, seems to work in Fowler and its surroundings.  (Remember we have a Eucharistic Holy Hour every Monday at 7 PM in St. Patrick Church.)

In the end, what do we have to lose?  (Maybe our faith.  The stakes are really that great.)

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

Taking the Pulse of the Parish

Dear Parishioners,

There are many concerns that a pastor has to deal with when shepherding a parish.  My primary concern is the spiritual well-being of you, my parishioners.  Ultimately, I want to see all of you (and me) in heaven for all eternity.  I also need to be sure I am properly caring for the other priests in the rectory.  Then there are the more mundane tasks that I also have to face:  paying the bills, being sure the buildings and grounds are properly maintained, supervising the employees, etc.

I can look at some measurable statistics:  Mass attendance, the number of baptisms, weddings and funerals, the number of converts to the faith (R.C.I.A.), the number of people making use of the Sacrament of Penance (confession), the number of families and youth actively involved, etc. 

What do the stats tell us?  The number of registered households reported for 2018 in our parish was 2362 with a total of 5268 individuals.  The average Mass attendance per week is approximately 1100 at the eight Masses.  (This statistic must also allow for weekly visitors from other parishes/areas.)  This means that about only  20% of parishioners attend Mass weekly.  Unfortunately, this is pretty much the situation in many other local parishes throughout the diocese/region.

We have our fair share of funerals.  Last year there were 90.  However, we only had 77 children baptized.  I have been told many times that we have an aging parish.  I heard a recent talk in which the speaker stated:  Unless there are babies in church crying, the parish is dying.  Certainly, this is something to think about! 

While we list 64 First Holy Communions and 61 Confirmations last year, sadly we see only a fraction of these at Mass weekly.  Just look around you and take a count to verify what I am saying.  Remember, if a similar number of children receive their sacraments each year, the total number of children should be multiplied per academic year.  This makes the mere handful of young children at Mass weekly even more discouraging.

We witnessed only 13 weddings in the parish last year.  I guess this should be no surprise since society is comfortable with people living with each other out of wedlock.  Moreover, many, if not most, young people are not informed of Catholic Church requirements for a valid marriage (usually in church before a priest or deacon and two witnesses) or else they simply ignore them.

In addition, at the Easter Vigil we saw 6 people receiving their sacraments or being received into the Church through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (R.C.I.A.).  We average a half-dozen or so daily confessions (after the 9 AM Mass) and maybe a dozen confessions over the weekend.  Fortunately, during the holidays there is more frequent use of this sacrament.

They say that the numbers don’t lie.  Actually, all stats must be examined and interpreted.  So far, I have placed them in front of you for your consideration.  I plan to follow-up in subsequent weeks with other dimensions (financial, future planning) of our parish situation.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

Reading Another Pastor's Bulletin Letter

Dear Parishioners,

The following letter was composed by a priest-friend (who attended college seminary with me) to his parishioners back in 2013. He is now deceased after battling some serious illness. I thought that you might like to reflect on the letter as I did. I will add some personal commentary afterwards.

Dear Friends in Christ,

Over the past several months, I have received numerous letters and concerned comments regarding poor manners at church. In one sense, we should not be surprised at the lack of proper respect and dress at church, because we live in a very casual world where many people have forgotten manners and discipline. However, manners, whether at Mass or in other situations, reveal the value we place on each other and God: think about the term “Sunday best.” With respect to our dress, we live in a society where even corporate America has changed to casual attire. However, some of those companies have or are revisiting this policy because of the psychology of dress: our dress assists us in the ways in which we behave. More and more, I see casual attire at weddings and funerals, which were always considered “dress-up” events. Many people have lost all sense of basic politeness, like holding the door open for someone, especially a lady, particularly an expectant mother or an elderly person.  (I was raised to be a gentleman, so call me old fashioned if you like.) Seldom do the words “please” and “thank you” echo in our ears.

While we may not be surprised at such a state of affairs, we should not condone it or lower ourselves to embrace this standard. Each of us should strive for better manners, especially “Church Manners.”

Therefore, as a Priest and one who was raised by good, diligent parents, I will present what I consider good Church Manners.

First, let us start at how we prepare for Mass. People should dress appropriately. In our society, we still consider coat and tie for men and dresses or suits for women appropriate attire for weddings, for special parties (even Christmas parties) and certainly for meeting dignitaries, like the Pope or the President. We should then dress in the same way to meet our Lord, present in the Holy Eucharist. Granted, perhaps in the summer we could be a little more casual, but we can still be neat, clean, and properly clothed. Frankly, shorts and beach wear are an inappropriate form of dress for Church.  In deciding what to wear, we should be thinking, “I am dressing to meet my Lord and to participate in the mystery of my salvation.”

Before leaving home, we should make sure we go to the bathroom. People going in and out of the pews during Mass for the bathroom is distracting. Granted, there are legitimate reasons for having to use the bathroom during Mass. However, I think that some of us have just gotten into a routine: during the homily, go to the bathroom; during Communion, get the drink of water. Frankly, when I was growing up, I don’t think our church even had a public bathroom, because we were taught by the Sisters and reinforced by our parents not leave that pew except to receive Holy Communion.

Next, leave home with time to arrive at church before Mass begins, preferably about five or 10 minutes. Doing so allows everyone to have a few moments for prayer and to be ready to participate in the Mass.  Granted, circumstances arise which will delay a family. Such a situation is different from the perpetually late.

When entering the church, be sure to make the sign of the cross with the Holy Water; this gesture reminds us of our baptism and does dispel evil. Before entering the pew, be sure to genuflect, an important act of reverence to the presence of our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament in the Tabernacle.  Also, please turn off the cell phones and [other devices], not only to give some undivided attention to God, but also to spare everyone else the distraction of a phone ringing or other electronic devices sounding during Mass.

In worshiping, participate in the songs and prayers, follow the readings and listen attentively to the homily.  In all my Priesthood, I have been surprised at those “pillars” that never open their mouths to sing or pray. Parents should help their children: last Sunday, I saw a mother following the readings with her finger so her two young children could more easily and attentively read. In all, everyone should joyfully and reverently participate in the Mass.

Parents need to supervise their children. Jesus loves and welcomes children, but they do need our help.  If a child is fussy, then the parent should quickly take the child to the Narthex or to the Children’s Chapel to allow the child to calm down before returning. Children should not be allowed to rattle keys, drop toys, kick the pews or run in the aisles. These behaviors are enormously distracting. Parents simply need to be parents, using good judgment and discipline with the little ones.

When receiving Holy Communion, always do so reverently. Remind ourselves that when we receive the Consecrated Host, we should be very conscious that we are receiving the same Lord who was born for us on Christmas Day; the same Jesus who died for us on Good Friday; the same Jesus who rose from the dead on Easter Sunday and now sits at the right hand of the Father in heaven! If receiving on the hand, the hands must be clean and held like a throne for the Lord. After receiving, one should consume the Sacred Host before turning around to go back to the pew. Holy Communion must not be reminiscent of a cafeteria line experience, but rather of an encounter with the glorified Lord.

After Communion, each person must give thanks for the precious gift received and allow the grace to fill our souls. How tragic it is to see people leave Mass right after Communion, not because of an emergency, but because they want to get out of the parking lot first. I can only think of Judas, who was the first person ever to leave Mass early. To give the Lord one hour — and usually less — for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is really not much of a sacrifice. I wonder how these same people would feel if someone left their own home in the middle of a meal without even saying thank you.

Finally, after the Mass is concluded with the blessing, wait until the priest has proceeded down the aisle before leaving the pew. The congregation should disperse only after the recessional hymn has concluded. However, before leaving the pew, be sure to put the hymnal back in its holder and pick up used tissues or other items; otherwise, someone else has to attend to them.

While I am sure that this list is not exhaustive, I have witnessed all of these actions as a Priest. I do not want to seem cynical or condescending, but only teach proper respect for the Mass we love to celebrate.

Saint Joseph, pray for us, now and at the hour of our death!

Blessings,

Fr. Ogden

(Former) Pastor, St, Joseph Church, Mechanicsburg, PA

Personally, I add the following to Fr. Ogden’s observations:

Please do not bring food and drink into the Church and pews.  I have seen people entering Church carrying Wawa coffee cups and other inappropriate items. While someone may need water for medical reasons, other food and beverages break the Eucharistic fast (generally 1 hour) and are not to be brought into Church.

In a former parish (and recently here), as I was beginning to preach the homily at a Mass, someone actually began clipping fingernails in front of me. Can you imagine something more rude and distracting than to hear click, click, click, while trying to preach the Word of God?  In Church?  Really?

While I am not against people socializing (fellowship) when they see each other at Mass, please remember that people come to Church to pray and to find quiet time with the Lord. Please do not become a distraction to those trying to find quiet time and certainly keep the socializing out of the sanctuary area.

Remember that we come to Mass primarily to worship the Lord. Anything that was mentioned here is only meant to help all of us to remember why we attend Mass and always to do so with reverence and respect.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

Fr. Louis P. Ogden

1958-2015

Diocese of Harrisburg, PA