Politics and the Moral Issues

Dear Parishioners,

Throughout history, politics and religion have started wars.  Therefore, I generally tend to avoid certain subjects that evoke strong feelings, especially when I am trying to have a peaceful meal, or when I am in mixed company (and I am not sure of one’s religious background or political leanings).  I attempt to keep matters civil and usually have a live and let live attitude toward issues that I see as non-essential or less-important.

Regarding politics, currently we are preparing for another presidential election and I think that many, if not most, people have already made up their minds concerning how they will vote.  What I particularly worry about are those who are not informed of the issues (and their various implications) and people who base their decisions on reasons such as a candidate’s likeability or popularity instead of more substantive reasons.  What also intrigues me is those who will vote for a particular candidate solely because of party affiliation.  (I once again state emphatically that I have never sold my soul to any particular political party and I base my vote on the substantive issues, while considering a candidate’s moral character, belief system, voting record, etc.)

Certain issues should be of utmost importance for Catholics (and, in fact, for all people with faith in God as creator).  Where does a candidate’s party stand on abortion, euthanasia (assisted suicide), traditional marriage, freedom of worship, socialism/Marxism, parent’s rights regarding the education of their children, etc.? How one values every human life from conception onward should never be minimized or made equivalent to some lesser issue. 

A candidate’s honesty and integrity need scrutiny.  Will the candidate’s political positions reflect the biblical values and principles that have guided civilization from its earliest days? What does the person’s past track record tell us about future decision making? Is political correctness more important than moral truth?

Regarding religion, I believe that my Catholic faith should guide how I do all things in life.  A properly formed conscience should assist me in my decision making.  This means that my faith, properly articulated and understood, needs to guide and inform my vote.

We have seen biblical examples of those who have stood up to kings and rulers on principle—being anything but politically correct—and were not afraid to speak the truth regardless of personal consequence.  Notable is St. John the Baptist who objected to King Herod’s choice of wife and was ultimately beheaded because of his unwavering stance (see Mk. 6: 14-29).  Our parish patron, St. Thomas More, was also beheaded for standing up to King Henry VIII on principle.

America’s future is going to be shaped by those we choose to represent us in public office—especially the office of President.  I suggest that we become informed of the issues, learn about the candidates (especially from their own words) and current/past actions (and not just what the PC media wants us to hear about them.)  Read the democratic and republican party platforms.  They are very revealing.

What worries me is that my singular vote, which I intend to take the time to make prayerfully and intelligently, can be nullified by someone else’s uninformed vote or by a vote that is motivated by a less-than-altruistic political or social agenda.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

"Sir, Give Us This Bread Always"

Dear Parishioners,

One of the things I enjoy (in the food category) when I vacation on the Caribbean island of St. Maarten /St. Martin, is the fresh baked bread. Every morning you will see a number of people heading to a bakery or local grocery store to get a baguette or some type of fresh baked French bread. The bread is outstanding, in my humble opinion. Crispy crust, soft inside, great taste . . . . Smother it in butter with a cup of coffee and I’m perfectly happy for breakfast.

St. Maarten / St. Martin is the smallest land mass (37 square miles) shared by two sovereign nations. It has no physical borders. There is a Dutch side and a French Side and people go back and forth freely. The island was discovered by Christopher Columbus on the feast of St. Martin of Tours (November 11) in 1493. The island has been arguably referred to as the Culinary Capital of the Caribbean and the many great restaurants (French, Italian, etc.) found there are supportive of this claim.

Bread is a staple of life for many people throughout history. In Jesus’ time it was part of the everyday meal as was table wine. He used both of these common elements in an extraordinary way when He was at table with his disciples before His death—the Last Supper.

Bread also had some spiritual significance throughout history for the Jewish and later Christian peoples. The Jewish people eat unleavened bread to commemorate their freedom from Egypt when they had to flee before they had time for the bread to rise (Ex. 34:18).  When the Jews were wandering in the desert after their exodus from Egypt, God gave them manna to eat—mysterious “bread from heaven.” (Ex. 16) The Jews also kept showbread or bread of presence—twelve loaves representing the twelve tribes of Israel—before God in the sanctuary of the Temple. Later, Jesus famously multiplied the loaves and fish, to feed the hungry multitudes as we see in this week’s Gospel passage (Jn. 6:1-15; see also Mt. 14:15-21, Mk. 6:34-42, Lk. 9:13-17). The use of bread comes to a spiritual summit in Jesus’ designation of it as His body at the Last Supper (Mt. 26: 26, Mk. 14:22, Lk. 22:19, 1 Cor. 11:23-24). 

 In the Gospel of St. John, Chapter 6, we read what is referred to as Jesus’ Bread of Life Discourse. It is seen as a commentary on the significance and value of the Most Holy Eucharist. We hear some definitive statements made by Jesus:  I am the bread of life .  .  .  I am the bread that came down from heaven  .  .  .  Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you do not have life within  .  .  .  Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day  .  .  .  My flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink  .  .  . .

The Real Presence of Jesus in the Most Holy Eucharist is one of the core teachings of the Catholic faith. We do not believe in some mere symbolic presence, but take Jesus literally--at his word--in our understanding of this mystery. Over the centuries, the term transubstantiation—a change in substance (but not in appearance)—have been used to explain this essential dogma.

When we approach the Most Holy Eucharist, we approach Jesus—our Lord, God and Savior. He deserves our love, reverence and respect.  Like some of the people in the Gospel, our attitude toward the Holy Eucharist should be one of desire, anticipation, thanksgiving and joy: 

“Sir, give us this bread always.” (John 6: 34)

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

Our Tumultuous, Fragile World

 

Dear Parishioners,

Last Saturday, while I was eating dinner, I received a text from one of my friends that the former President of the United Sates, Donald J. Trump, was shot. Of course, various questions started coming to mind: Who was the shooter? How did this happen? Is He okay? Why now? Etc.

I have seen numerous videos of the incident since that time while also listening to first hand reports from those who were at the location. There are still far too many unanswered questions about this apparent lone shooter, and I have to wonder sincerely if we will ever get the true and complete story from those investigating the situation. I fear not. Let me just say that there are many, many unusual circumstances surrounding this attempted assassination as well as signs of failure by those charged with protecting the former president.

There was also a man killed in the incident and two others critically wounded. Please pray for Corey Comperatore, a former fire chief, who was shot while protecting family members. The Pennsylvania governor said he “died a hero.”

As I think about what happened last Saturday, I realize that somehow by God’s Divine Providence, the former president was saved from immediate death. There was only an inch or so difference between life and death. Violence has no place in our society, whether it is towards an elected official or some unknown person in the city streets. Extreme violence can also be hidden from the average person’s eyes such as the termination of a baby in the womb. The baby dies nonetheless, and this sadly continues to be championed as something good and a “right” in our society.

I watched the Republican National Convention (July 14-18, Milwaukee, WI) to see that the former president has returned to the spotlight and is apparently in good health. No matter what your personal feelings are towards the man, he has proven to be relentless, strong, and courageous and filled with extraordinary resilience. I continue to pray for him as well as for our current president. I also beseech the Lord on behalf of our nation, which needs much prayer, conversion and a return to Almighty God, as does the entire world.

Meanwhile, the rest of the country and the world goes about its business. The MLB All-Star Game (July 16, Arlington, TX) takes place tonight as I write this column. The National Eucharistic Congress (July 17-21, Indianapolis, IN) also begins this week. I hope to be able to view some of it whenever it is available on live-stream. Finally, the Olympics (July 26-August 11, Paris) will begin at the end of the month.

Wars continue in Ukraine and Gaza. Natural disasters such as the recent Hurricane Beryl in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico will happen again. Let me remind you of some of Jesus’ words to His disciples:

See that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and they will deceive many. You will hear of wars and reports of wars; see that you are not alarmed, for these things must happen, but it will not yet be the end. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be famines and earthquakes from place to place. All these are the beginning of the labor pains. Then they will hand you over to persecution, and they will kill you. You will be hated by all nations because of my name. And then many will be led into sin; they will betray and hate one another. Many false prophets will arise and deceive many; and because of the increase of evildoing, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved. (Mt. 24: 4-13)

Remember, the Lord is still in charge and He expects our fidelity to Him in every circumstance.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

Homily for the 15 Sunday in Ordinary Time "B" - Fr. Edward Namiotka

 

Who Do You Trust?

Dear Parishioners,

With the current 24-hour news cycle, it appears that we are constantly bombarded with news and information—both in the legacy media and by bloggers on the internet. Very often there is a rush to be first at reporting an incident rather than be totally accurate in content. At other times, those “reporting” attempt to create/promote various stories to manipulate the outcome or favored perspective.

Repeatedly, there is often a glaring bias in reporters’ views. Try switching cable channels—from Fox to CNN to MSNBC—and you will notice the obvious difference in reporting. Objectivity too often seems lost. Far too often stories in the press contain inaccuracies, quotes are taken out of context, significant facts are omitted and people are left with a barrage of sound-bites. Is this good journalism? My biggest frustration is when the facts are distorted or purposely omitted. We seem to be lied to constantly and nobody seems able to do anything about it. Don’t we deserve the truth?

In Church matters, we see bishops and cardinals taking sides. Actions coming from the Vatican are questioned as heterodox and divisive. Pope Francis vs. Archbishop Vigano? Sexual cover-ups and financial improprieties are the subject of investigative reports and of gossip behind closed doors. Things seem an unholy mess.  

If I continue this line of thought into US politics, I find it difficult to trust too many of the candidates—especially with the US presidential election just around the corner. Obvious adversaries somehow become ardent supporters of one another. Are we supposed to believe in some miraculous reconciliation without some consideration of possible future political appointments or favors?

One presidential candidate’s very own words state how good a Catholic he is, while at the same time unapologetically supporting abortion on demand, same-sex marriage, in vitro fertilization, contraception, etc. Something just doesn’t jive here. His current mental capacity and possible family corruption are concerning topics worthy of further investigation.  

The other party’s candidate is described by his adversaries as a tyrant, a convicted felon, an insurrectionist, a narcissist, or even the reincarnation of Hitler. In contrast, his supporters see him as a strong leader, a tireless worker and a victim of political persecution. 

Exactly where is the truth in all these matters?

When searching for the truth, we need to look to Jesus.  We need to ponder the Gospel teaching and its eternal wisdom:

 

And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God. (Jn. 3: 19-21)

When no wrong is done, there is absolutely nothing to hide. There is no need for continual silence, stalling tactics, deflection, or cover-ups. This is true in politics, church management, and in a person’s personal life and morality. 

May God please save us and have mercy on us. 

In Him alone do I trust.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

Jesus I Trust in You

Homily for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time "B" - Fr. Edward Namiotka

 

Homily for the 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time "B" - Fr. Edward Namiotka

 

Summertime, Summertime . . .

 

Dear Parishioners,

I find it quite disturbing for me to address some of the matters concerning the lack of modesty found in society today. Let me begin by saying that I was not raised in an atmosphere where I lived a sheltered life. I may have been exposed, sadly, to just about everything humanly imaginable as a youth.

I grew up in Wildwood, NJ. My parents owned a hotel, motel, apartments and a restaurant. I frequented the beach and boardwalk. People rented rooms in our establishment with their families, spouses, significant others, mistresses, complete strangers, etc. We lived across the street from a bar notoriously known to have served alcohol to those underage. Drugs were available and used all around the neighborhood. Regrettably, I was far from naive when it came to things of the world. It is a miracle itself that I became a priest.

With all of this past history in mind, I was shocked on my recent Caribbean cruise to see many bathing suits that could have passed for band-aids. Dare I say there was a lack of modesty? I have come to the conclusion that most people look much better with their clothes on. The magic mirror some may have been looking at was not the same as what my eyes were seeing.

Unfortunately, traces of this lack of modesty permeates even our churches (and schools). Short-shorts (we used to call them hotpants in my day), excessive skin exposure (legs or cleavage) are certainly not appropriate for Mass attendance. We should not dress like we are going to the beach or boardwalk. Manner of dress should be befitting the dignity of being in the presence of Almighty God because we are doing just that!

The sexualization of youth worldwide is appalling and our young people should be taught that their bodies are not for display, let alone for perverts to gawk at. Parents need to be parents. No is an option.

Let me conclude by quoting two sections from the Catechism of the Catholic Church for your reflection: purity and modesty.

Purity requires modesty, an integral part of temperance. Modesty protects the intimate center of the person. It means refusing to unveil what should remain hidden. It is ordered to chastity to whose sensitivity it bears witness. It guides how one looks at others and behaves toward them in conformity with the dignity of persons and their solidarity. (#2521)

Modesty protects the mystery of persons and their love. It encourages patience and moderation in loving relationships; it requires that the conditions for the definitive giving and commitment of man and woman to one another be fulfilled. Modesty is decency. It inspires one's choice of clothing. It keeps silence or reserve where there is evident risk of unhealthy curiosity. It is discreet. (#2522)

I wish that I did not need to bring this topic to anyone's attention. However, I would be negligent as a spiritual father to pretend that certain situations do not exist all around us.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

Jesus Thirsts

 

Dear Parishioners,

Recently, I took the time to see the film Jesus Thirsts: The Miracle of the Eucharist. It had a short run in the theaters in our area as many independent religious films often do. However, I was truly impressed with the quality and content of the film. Providentially, I viewed it the day before we began our 40 Hours devotion here in St. Thomas More Parish.  It was a wonderful preparation for me as I would begin spending time with the Real Presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist over the next three days.

I am not in the business of film promotion, but I take the time to recommend this film as a catechetical tool to help understand what Catholics believe about the Holy Eucharist. I find that so many people are woefully ignorant about many important aspects of the faith—even those with impressive degrees in various fields other than theology. Our society’s understanding of the Holy Eucharist has been greatly influenced by the many other Christian denominations and sects that teach something not in agreement with long-standing Catholic thought.

Let me make one point abundantly clear: the Holy Eucharist is not merely a symbol or reminder of Christ. It is Christ Himself. I do not genuflect to a piece of bread, but to the Lord Jesus, whether on the altar or in the tabernacle. Everyone in the pews should not be invited or encouraged to come up to receive the Lord (Who is God) without a proper understanding of what is being done and certainly Who we are receiving. We are not distributing the Holy Eucharist like some object that everyone in the church is entitled to get. We, as sinners, are all unworthy to approach God. However, Jesus is given to us as believers to nourish and sustain us by the direction and command of the Lord Himself. Do this in memory of Me.  

Please remember Catholics should be in the state of grace when receiving Holy Communion (not conscious of any grave or mortal sin unconfessed in the Sacrament of Penance). Far too often I am dismayed by the manner in which the Lord is received, reminding me more of a person taking and putting a snack in the mouth. How many times at funerals or other Masses with many unchurched visitors where I have had to follow the person down the aisle because they took the consecrated host with them down the aisle and did not receive it immediately in my presence. I also witness those who try to grab the Holy Eucharist or do not know what to do when receiving Holy Communion, where I have to ask: Are you Catholic?

Yes, we are in the midst of a time of Eucharistic Revival in our nation. So let this revival begin with you and me. We need to make sure we are adequately prepared to receive the Lord by being in the state of grace and fasting from food and drink for a minimum of an hour beforehand. We should receive reverently and not grab and go. When receiving on the tongue (which has actually been the Church’s preferred option as we were permitted to receive in the hand in this country by an indult) stick your tongue out fully and close your eyes. I will be sure that the host finds its proper place on the tongue.

Make a proper thanksgiving afterwards in silence. The traditional adoration, contrition, thanksgiving, and supplication (ACTS) is a good guideline to follow. Also remember the fact that people come to church primarily to pray and worship. Extended conversation should be in the vestibule or outside of the body of the church to allow those who wish to pray in church to do so.

If we all do our part as individuals, maybe our actions will witness to others that we believe in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

Homily for the 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time "B" - Fr. Edward Namiotka

 

Jesus Asleep in the Boat

Dear Parishioners,

If you feel like me at this point in our Catholic Church’s history, you are probably, at a minimum, confused and frustrated. What’s going on here? Our spiritual leadership often appears out of sync with well-established tradition and theological history. Silence and seemingly contradictory actions do not help to clarify matters. Preciseness is woefully lacking on various moral issues and theological teaching. Help!  

To me, this is indeed a diabolical spiritual crisis of the greatest proportions. How do we deal with a spiritual crisis of such magnitude? Let me remind you of today’s Gospel passage:

A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up. Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” (Mk. 4: 37-38)

Is Jesus once again sleeping while the ship (the Church) seems to be sinking? Remember how quickly things change at the word of His command:

“Quiet! Be still!” The wind ceased and there was great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” (Mk. 4: 39-40)

In addition, I recall a story from Jesus’ ministry where the disciples could not cure someone and they looked to Jesus for the reason why they could not perform the miracle:

“I brought [my son] to your disciples, but they could not cure him.”  Jesus said in reply, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long will I be with you?  How long will I endure you?  Bring him here to me.”  Jesus rebuked him and the demon came out of him, and from that hour the boy was cured.  Then the disciples approached Jesus in private and said, “Why could we not drive it out?”  He said to them, “Because of your little faith.  Amen, I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move.  Nothing will be impossible for you.”  (Mt. 17: 16-20)

It was the lack of faith that Jesus pointed out as the reason for their inability to act. “But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” (Lk. 18:8) We seem to be living in a time where supernatural faith is missing-in-action. At a time of spiritual warfare, this is certainly not a good situation. Faith must be nurtured before it is lost entirely.

Our faith tells us that Jesus, the Son of God, continues to remain with the Church He established. “And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” (Mt. 28:20)  He is truly present in the Most Holy Eucharist, in the Sacred Scriptures, in all the Sacraments, and in His Mystical Body, the Church.

Undoubtedly, there will continue to be tribulations now as there was from the very moment when Jesus established His Church on St. Peter, the Rock—who had denied Him three times! Need we also be reminded that eleven of the twelve Apostles were missing from the foot of the cross, and Judas—one of Christ’s hand-picked twelve—turned traitor? Clearly, supernatural problems require supernatural solutions. Prayer and fasting are a must. Praying the Rosary daily has been continually requested by Our Lady:

The Most Holy Virgin in these last times in which we live has given a new efficacy to the recitation of the Rosary to such an extent that there is no problem, no matter how difficult it is, whether temporal or above all spiritual, in the personal life of each one of us, of our families . . . that cannot be solved by the Rosary. There is no problem, I tell you, no matter how difficult it is, that we cannot resolve by the prayer of the Holy Rosary.  Sister Lucia dos Santos (Seer of Fatima)

The Blessed Mother’s intercession is absolutely essential to the solution:

Some people are so foolish that they think they can go through life without the help of the Blessed Mother. Love the Madonna and pray the rosary, for her Rosary is the weapon against the evils of the world today. All graces given by God pass through the Blessed Mother.  St. Pio of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio)

I believe that the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary will triumph in the end.  Getting to that point, however, is definitely not for the faint of heart and for those without a strong faith!

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

Acts of Kindness in Antigua

 

St. John's, Antigua

Dear Parishioners,

As I write to you today, I am currently in a cruise ship in port at the island of St. Maarten/St. Martin. This island is one of a number of stops on our itinerary which included the Dominican Republic, Antigua, and Puerto Rico. I travel this trip with another priest and a married couple whom I have been friends with for many years.

In case you are curious, priests of our diocese are annually permitted four weeks of vacation, one week for a spiritual retreat and a week for continuing education. Most of the time I enjoy sun, sand and surf, whether it be at the Jersey shore or in some more exotic place.

I relate to you some incidents that happened to Fr. Bradley (my travelling companion) and me yesterday while in Antigua. While off the ship we searched for the nearest Catholic Church after first finding the local historic Episcopalian Cathedral. Since the Island is part of the British Commonwealth, there is a great presence of the Episcopalian church.  Not so much for the Catholic Church which is in the minority.

I stopped an elderly lady to ask her for the location of the nearby Catholic Church. She was kind enough to point out that it was up the hill. I further inquired if it was in walking distance and she said that it was. And so our journey continued up the hill, further and further, with no church in sight. I stopped another lady and asked her similar questions about the church's location. She simply stopped what she was doing and told us to follow her. We continued to walk further up the hill. In the distance she pointed out the church which had a prominent cross on its roof. After thanking her we resumed our journey up the hill.

When we finally reached the church we discovered it was the Catholic Cathedral of the Holy Family. However, after walking completely around the building and checking every door, the building was locked. We discovered an outdoor shrine to Our Lady of Lourdes and then one to Our Lady of Fatima. We rested on a bench near the second shrine and caught our breath. By the way, did I mention that it was somewhere around 90 degrees?

After some time we found a lady exiting a nearby building which we later discovered was the rectory. We identified ourselves as two priests (we were dressed as tourists) and asked her if someone could call a taxi for us to return to the ship. She agreed to help us. Soon after she left, a car arrived at the rectory and a priest (visibly dressed as such) exited the car. We told him we were priests and he offered not only to take us back to the ship himself but also brought us bottles of water and suggested that he could take us for a tour of the island if we had the time.

Fr. John Paul, a native of Togo in west Africa, gave us the best "Catholic" tour of the island pointing out historic churches, schools, a retreat center and various points of interest. We could not have asked for a better experience if we had paid for it!

I was so impressed with the various acts of kindness to two complete strangers. The people of Antigua whom we met, from the elderly ladies giving direction to the housekeeper at the rectory to the parish priest, all exemplified lessons that the Gospels teach us: whatever you do to the least of my brothers . . . whoever gives a cup of cold water . . . love your neighbor as yourself.

I wonder if I would have done similar to a stranger arriving at my door?

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

Homily for the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) "B" - Fr. Edward Namiotka

 

A Time of Grace for Our Parish

Dear Parishioners,

As you know, our parish is under the patronage of St. Thomas More. The church calendar honors him with St. John Fisher on June 22.

Once again this year, to celebrate our patronal feast day, we will include a celebration of 40 Hours Eucharistic Devotion from June 20 to 22. I will be the celebrant for the 7 PM Mass on Thursday, June 20, after which we will begin solemn Eucharistic Adoration around-the-clock until Saturday morning.

On Friday, June 21 there will be two Masses: 9 AM (regular morning Mass), and 7 PM (part of the 40 Hours celebration).

On Saturday, June 22 there will be a special closing Mass at 10 AM with a procession of the Blessed Sacrament following.

The practice of 40 Hours of Eucharistic devotion can be traced to Milan, Italy around the year 1530. It 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. It was St. John Neumann who promoted this devotion in the Philadelphia area as bishop.

I truly believe that when we take the time to be with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, it is a time of tremendous blessing not only for us as individuals but also for our families and for our parish family. I do not ever want us to take for granted the great gift of the Real Presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. Time spent with Him is a grace-filled time. We can express our love and adoration for Jesus, thankfulness for our blessings, and contrition for sin (our own and the sins of others). We can also intercede for one another and petition the Lord for our various needs. It is precious time to spend with the One Who loves us beyond our imagining and Whom we should love above and beyond everything else!

What I am requesting from you, my parishioners, is that you dedicate one hour sometime during these three days to spend with the Lord in adoration. (This should ideally be in addition to any time attending Mass.) I intend to continue this devotion both nights—around the clock—but I need your help and cooperation in order to do this. Could you please think about taking an hour to pray? Why not encourage members of your family to pray as a family for just an hour?  Perhaps a group or organization within the parish can make a holy hour together (choir, Knights of Columbus, Faith and Justice Team, Small Christian Communities, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Extraordinary Ministers of the Holy Communion, religious education teachers, etc.). I especially need a few insomniacs or night owls to cover the late hours!

Sign-up sheets will be available at the doors of the church so that we can be sure that there is always someone keeping watch with our Lord.

Please assist me in making this a special time for our parish as we adore our Eucharistic Lord.

Could you not keep watch for one hour? (Mk. 14:37b) 

The choice is always yours.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

St. Thomas More, Martyr

Showing Our Love for the Holy Eucharist

 

Dear Parishioners,

Our nation is being encouraged to grow in our love of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament. We use terms like Eucharistic Revival. National events are in process. Currently there are four walking pilgrimages (May 17 to July 16) taking place throughout the United States which began from the east (St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Route), west (St. Junipero Serra Route), north (Marian Route) and south (St. Juan Diego Route). These four pilgrimages plan to converge in Indianapolis, Indiana this summer for a National Eucharistic Congress (July 17 to 21).

I invite you to go to the web site (eucharisticrevival.org) to see the route of the pilgrims passing our area this weekend. Saturday (June 1) the path includes the St. John Neumann Shrine, while Sunday they will converge on the Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul, both locations right over the Benjamin Franklin Bridge in neighboring Philadelphia.

This pilgrimage motivated me to remind all of you what we have available right here in our own parish to show the importance of the Holy Eucharist and to encourage love and devotion to Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament.

Let’s begin with daily Mass at 9 AM. From Monday to Friday, Mass is followed by Eucharistic Adoration until 12 noon at which time there is Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament. This weekend (as we celebrate Corpus Christi), we planned a small procession with the Holy Eucharist around our parish property with Benediction in three locations after the 4:30 PM Mass. Later in the month of June, we have three days of around-the-clock Eucharistic Adoration—typically known as 40 Hours—scheduled for June 20-22. This devotion is purposely designed to occur around the feast of the patron of our parish, St. Thomas More (June 22).

I must also remind all of us to take our reception of the Holy Eucharist most seriously. We should never receive the Holy Eucharist when conscious of mortal sin in our lives. Go to confession first to be reconciled to God and the Church. We should always receive the Holy Eucharist with utmost reverence and respect. This is not ordinary food and drink, but we are being fed with the Bread of Life—Jesus Himself! Be aware of when we pass the tabernacle. Genuflection is most proper (or a profound bow, if we are physically unable to genuflect). Unnecessary or frivolous talking should be avoided in the presence of Our Lord, allowing people to pray, adore and worship the Lord in the tabernacle or on the altar. A proper thanksgiving after receiving our Lord is also essential. Remember to express your love and adoration for the Lord, to give Him thanks, to beg forgiveness for your sins from the Lord and to petition Him for all of your spiritual and temporal needs. Please realize you have just received Jesus, the Son of God—Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. Finally, leaving Mass early (habitually) is never proper—especially after just having received Our Lord—unless someone is dealing with health issues, etc.

I want us all to realize the great gift we have been given by the Lord Himself and to take the command of the Lord to “Do this in memory of me” most seriously. Too many Catholics have fallen away from the requirement to worship God each week by attending Holy Mass in person.

How much do we really love the Lord in the Holy Eucharist?

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

Homily for Trinity Sunday "B" - Fr. Edward Namiotka

 

Trinity Sunday, Corpus Christi and 40 Hours

 

The Holy Trinity

Dear Parishioners,

Trinity Sunday focuses on the mystery of the Triune Godhead as revealed to us by Jesus. Recall that the Jewish people were strict monotheists. It must have been quite a startling revelation for them that the One True God is a unity of three Divine Persons—Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Jesus made known the mystery of the Trinity for us. The mystery of the Most Holy Trinity is the central mystery of the Christian faith and of Christian life. God alone can make it known to us by revealing himself as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #261) This teaching is not something that we would be able to figure out for ourselves without God’s revelation.

Next week, we will celebrate Corpus Christi (which is celebrated in the universal Church on a Thursday—the day of the Last Supper —but moved to Sunday in the United States). This solemnity is all about the gift of the Holy Eucharist. How can the Son of God be truly present under the form of bread and wine? The Catechism instructs us:

It is highly fitting that Christ should have wanted to remain present to his Church in this unique way. Since Christ was about to take his departure from his own in his visible form, he wanted to give us his sacramental presence; since he was about to offer himself on the cross to save us, he wanted us to have the memorial of the love with which he loved us "to the end," even to the giving of his life. In his Eucharistic presence he remains mysteriously in our midst as the one who loved us and gave himself up for us, and he remains under signs that express and communicate this love. (CCC, #1380)

Volumes have been written and countless sermons preached over the centuries on both of these topics. From a pragmatic point of view, why not take time during the next few weeks to reflect on the wisdom of the Catechism as it tries to enlighten us about our Catholic faith? We should continually seek greater understanding and clarity as we try to delve more deeply into the precious mysteries of our faith that have been revealed to us.

I plan to have an outside Eucharistic Procession with Benediction around our grounds (weather permitting) at the end of the 4:30 PM Mass on Saturday, June 1^st. This will be an opportunity to give special honor to Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, especially during this time of Eucharistic Revival taking place in the United Sates.

Also in a few weeks (June 20 to 22), our parish will spend 40 Hours in adoration of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament. We will add two additional evening Masses at 7 PM on Thursday and Friday evenings (June 20-21) and close the 40 Hours at a Mass on Saturday (June 22) at a special 10 AM Mass. This day is fittingly the feast of the patron of our parish, St. Thomas More. Please take the time to sign-up with a commitment to spend an hour or more of your time in His divine presence. May we always realize Who we have before us on our altars and in our tabernacles and Who we are privileged to receive in Holy Communion: Jesus, the Son of God.

With the beautiful spiritual days ahead, may God grant the necessary graces to our parish to remain ever faithful to Him and to grow in the love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the Most Holy Eucharist.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

The Most Blessed Sacrament

Homily for Pentecost Sunday "B" - Fr. Edward Namiotka

 

I Believe in the Holy Spirit . . .

Dear Parishioners,

Pentecost Sunday. The Holy Spirt is poured out on the Apostles. The Catholic Church comes alive! 

The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us: 

The mission of Christ and the Holy Spirit is brought to completion in the Church, which is the Body of Christ and the Temple of the Holy Spirit. This joint mission henceforth brings Christ's faithful to share in his communion with the Father in the Holy Spirit. The Spirit prepares men and goes out to them with his grace, in order to draw them to Christ. The Spirit manifests the risen Lord to them, recalls his word to them and opens their minds to the understanding of his Death and Resurrection. He makes present the mystery of Christ, supremely in the Eucharist, in order to reconcile them, to bring them into communion with God, that they may "bear much fruit." (Jn. 15: 8, 16)  CCC #737

I think that we need to be reminded regularly about the presence of the Holy Spirit continually working among us. Let me relate to you a quite remarkable and unforgettable instance from my past.

While I was still in high school work, the theology department from my high school at the time would annually bring the senior class to Maris Stella Church in Avalon, NJ for a Day of Recollection. The day was known to the students as Senior Retreat. While I would inevitably celebrate the Mass for the students, I was not usually the speaker chosen to present all the talks or reflections the entire day. This one particular year, while I had some free time, I was given the duty to travel to the local convenience store to pick up lunch for all the chaperones.

As I was leaving the convenience store with the bag of sandwiches and other edibles in my arms, a young man approached me and asked if I were a Catholic Priest.  I was dressed in my black clerical garb wearing my roman collar at the time.  After telling him “yes,” he asked if he could speak to me in private.

In the course of the conversation, he told me that it was his birthday that day and he had prayed to God specifically for the opportunity to go to confession. He later sees me in the convenience store! And he was given the answer to his prayer—to go to confession—for some unbelievable, mysterious reason!

I wonder what the odds were of meeting this particular person at this particular convenience store in this particular town at this particular time for this particular purpose.  Probably as great odds as hitting the Power Ball! I believe it was the Holy Spirit mysteriously at work in a remarkable way!  This was not the first time—and I am pretty confident that it will not be the last time—when God’s Holy Spirit would mysteriously and inexplicably guide the course of things. Some may call it “chance” or a “random occurrence.” I, however, see it as God’s Holy Spirit at work in response to prayer.

On this Pentecost Sunday, try to become more attuned to the presence and working of God’s Holy Spirit in your daily lives. Just as the apostles were guided, strengthened and enlightened by the Holy Spirit on that first Pentecost, trust that the same Holy Spirit is present today, willing to do the same for you!

Oh, by the way, a strange occurrence happened to me subsequently when I went on a sick call. Intending to bring Holy Communion and the Anointing of the Sick to one particular person (as requested), I just “happened” to be temporarily delayed. Later, when I finally went, I inexplicably crossed paths with someone else looking for a priest to do the same for an entirely different person! Was this just another coincidence? Or was it rather God’s Holy Spirit mysteriously guiding me once again to do His work?

If you ask me, I’ll simply tell you that I believe in the Holy Spirit.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

The Ascension, Mother’s Day and Preparation for Pentecost

 

The Ascension

Dear Parishioner’s,

If you want my thoughts on the movement of Ascension Thursday to Sunday in the state of New Jersey, you can refer to my writing from last year when the change officially occurred. Needless to say, I did not agree, then or now. People who live in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, right over the Delaware River, were/are still obliged to the traditional day on Thursday. A bit of confusion for all, wouldn’t you agree?

That being said, when Jesus ascended into heaven after His time on earth, he never abandoned us. He left us His Body and Blood in the Holy Eucharist. He remains in His words and teaching in the Sacred Scriptures. The ordained priest acts in His very person (in persona Christi) in the sacraments of the Church. He is present where two or three gather in His Name—community prayer, liturgy and worship, especially the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. And, as God-Man, He continues to intercede for us at the right hand of the Father.

Our humanity is now elevated in Jesus’ glorious Body and has entered Heaven. The fall and exile of Adam (original sin) is now reversed through the saving action of Christ, the new Adam. Heaven is open to us through Him. As He told us, no one comes to the Father except through Him (Jn. 14:6). This is what we celebrate today.

I also wish all mothers today a happy Mother’s Day! For most people there is a special bond between mother and child. Our mothers carry us in their wombs for nine months. They endure the pangs of birth. They feed us, bathe us, clean up after us, teach us, comfort us, caress us and, most importantly, love us. How often they are willing to sacrifice for us!

Thanks moms for your strength, patience and ability to make things better by your calming and reassuring presence. Whenever we take you for granted or forget what you have done for us over the years, we apologize. You deserve better from us. We love you!

For those (like myself) who have lost their earthly mothers, please remember to pray for them and have Masses offered for them. Our faith teaches us, whether they are in purgatory or in heaven, they can pray for us! Let’s aid them in getting to heaven by offering our prayers, Masses and sacrifices for them. 

In addition to our biological (or adoptive) mothers, I think that it is also important to remember to honor Mary, our Spiritual Mother as well, especially in this month of May. We honor Our Lady as our Queen and Mother. She continues to intercede for her children here on earth and we place our confident hope and trust in her. Our Blessed Lady should play an essential role in the lives of Catholics and indeed all Christians. She was given to us as our mother through St. John at the foot of the cross: 

When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, behold, your son.’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Behold, your mother.’ And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.  (John 19: 26-27)

Finally, we enter into a period of preparation—originally, nine days of prayer or a novena—for the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. As the disciples prayed and awaited the promised Holy Spirit, so should we. The gift of the Holy Spirit to the Church transformed the lives of early Christians into true believers and bold witnesses to the risen Christ and His teaching.

One might see the obvious necessity of another outpouring of the same Holy Spirit for our times!

 Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

Homily for the 6th Sunday of Easter "B" (with 1st Holy Communion and the May Crowning) - Fr. Edward Namiotka

 

First Holy Communion and the May Crowning

Dear Parishioners,

When I received my First Holy Communion almost six decades ago, I was in first grade, not the traditional second grade. (Incidentally, the very next year, I received the Sacrament of Confirmation.) First Holy Communion was on a Saturday morning and I received as part of a rather large class of students—approximately 50 or more.

Depending on the parish, First Holy Communion frequently is on a Saturday (usually in May) or may also be celebrated at one or more of the Sunday Masses.  With our small size, the seven First Communicants here will be receiving at the 11 AM Sunday Mass this week.

Sometimes I have been asked why First Holy Communion is celebrated in this manner instead of in a separate group as in some other parishes. There are a number of reasons for our current practice (which, incidentally, has been in place prior to my arrival as pastor about four years ago). Let’s first look at our diocesan guidelines for sacramental preparation:

The preferred option for the celebration of First Eucharist is within the Sunday Liturgy.  It is the whole community, the Body of Christ united with its Head, that celebrates [the liturgy.]  Liturgical services are not private functions but are celebrations of the Church which is the ‘sacrament of unity’ (SC 26*).  Liturgical services pertain to the whole Church.  Rites are meant to be celebrated in common, with the faithful present and actively participating, and should as far as possible be celebrated in this way rather than by an individual or quasi-privately.  (SC 27*)  Eucharist is the crowning jewel in the sacraments of initiation and should be celebrated within the parish worshipping community.  It is recommended that the celebration take place during the Easter Season when the Church traditionally welcomes her new members.  (Sacrament Guidelines when Sacraments of Initiation are not Celebrated Together, Looking to the Rite of First Eucharist, Diocese of Camden, 2005)

It is critical to remember that the two families that should be most important in the children’s lives are their domestic family and their Church family.  The parents are the first (and need to be the best) teachers of their children in the ways of faith.  It is also necessary to consider that we are preparing the children to be a part of the regular worshipping community that we call the Church.  While it may look “nice” or “cute” to have all of the children together in one (or two) ceremonies with their classmates and friends, it is much more essential to emphasize for them the bonds of family and Church.  Essentially, we are not preparing them to be with their current friends (who may not be their friends past next week), but to be regular, practicing members of the Catholic Church as experienced through their local parish family.

Let me again quote our diocesan guidelines:

Children should be made aware that Eucharist is not a “once and done” sacrament. Therefore, there should be encouragement to the children (and their parents) to form good habits of weekly celebration of the Eucharist.

We all have much to learn from each other and to teach one another. We should rejoice to see our children share in the sacramental life of the Catholic Church, as lived and experienced in our parish family.  If the faith is not handed on to, experienced and practiced by our young, then eventually our Church will be nothing but a bunch of empty, lifeless buildings.

Congratulations to our First Communicants! My prayer is that your faith in Jesus Christ will grow ever stronger as you receive another important sacrament in your spiritual journey. 

Also, we will be honoring our Blessed Mother Mary today (during this month of May) with the traditional May Crowning led by our First Communicants.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

(*SC  Sacrosanctum Concillium 12/4/63, a document of Vatican II)