Homily for the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph "C" - Fr. Edward Namiotka

 

New Year's Resolutions

Dear Parishioners,

At the beginning of a calendar year, many people make one or more New Year’s resolutions which they may or may not keep. Personally, I think the beginning of Advent or Lent makes better sense from a spiritual perspective.

In an attempt to put these resolutions in a more spiritual light, I make the following twenty suggestions for your consideration.  I do not think that it is wise to try to tackle too many things at once but rather pick one or two that you might be able to incorporate successfully into your routine.

 Here’s my suggested list:

• Be faithful in Mass attendance weekly
• Read a passage from the Bible each day
• Say a daily Rosary
• Visit an elderly relative, friend or neighbor on a regular basis (weekly or monthly?)
• Volunteer to help at a Church activity or with some Church ministry
• Go to Confession monthly
• Send a card or make a call to someone who has recently lost a loved one
• Audition for the Church choir
• Make a visit to the Blessed Sacrament on First Fridays or some other time (during daily Eucharistic Adoration time)
• Invite someone to go to Church with you
• Call the parish priest about something that you need to do to for your spiritual benefit (for example, investigate an annulment, complete any Sacraments that were not received, get some spiritual direction, etc.)
• Purchase and read a Catholic spiritual book (perhaps a spiritual classic)
• Stop gossiping
• Take the time to listen carefully to someone
• Be a good example to children (take them to Church, teach them to pray, talk to them about God, teach them to share, etc.)
• Limit time in front of the TV or computer or on the phone
• Make an effort to smile more and complain less
• Make a conscious effort to remind yourself daily that you are living in the presence of God
• Thank Jesus every day
• Pray for someone whom you do not like / Reconcile with someone from whom you are alienated 

I also suggest that you take the time to consecrate your family to the care of the Blessed Virgin Mary as I do the same for the entire parish as your pastor.

Oh Mother Most Pure, we come to You as a family and consecrate ourselves to your most Immaculate Heart. 

We come to You as a family and place our trust in Your powerful intercession. 

Oh Dearest Mother Mary, teach us as a mother teaches her children, for our souls are soiled and our prayers are weak because of our sinful hearts. 

Here we are Dearest Mother, ready to respond to You and follow Your way, for Your way leads us to the heart of Your Son, Jesus. 

We are ready to be cleansed and purified. 

Come then Virgin Most Pure, and embrace us with Your motherly mantle. 

Make our hearts whiter than snow and as pure as a spring of fresh water. 

Teach us to pray, so that our prayers may become more beautiful than the singing of the birds at the break of dawn. 

Dear Mother Mary, we entrust to Your Immaculate Heart of hearts, our family and our entire future. 

Lead us all to our homeland which is Heaven. Amen. 

Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us.

Happy New Year!

Fr. Ed Namiotka
Pastor

Homily for the Vigil Mass of Christmas 2024 - Fr. Edward Namiotka

 

A Christmas Message for 2024

Dear Parishioners,

 "Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord.”  (Luke 2:  10-11)

I wish you and your families a happy and holy Christmas season.  Although the commercial celebration of Christmas started well before Thanksgiving, the Christmas season for the Church extends until January 12, 2025 with the Baptism of the Lord. 

Don’t be in a hurry to take down the Christmas decorations too soon—especially during the actual Christmas season!

Despite some difficult moments like the loss of my mom, there have also been so many blessings for which I thank God. Most especially I thank God for the prayers, support, genuine love and concern of so many faithful parishioners. I am edified by the prayerful fidelity of so many! May God bless you for your goodness!

I try to live by a philosophy (and truly believe) that God is ultimately in charge of every situation. I pray constantly that His will be done. I do not claim that I know each and every detail of His plan and what lies ahead. But, in imitation of the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary, I attempt imperfectly to echo her profound trust and consent to the will of God: “May it be done to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38)

I thank all who work so hard in the parish and continue to strengthen our Christian community. Christianity is never a “spectator sport” in which we simply sit back, watch and cheer. Rather, it involves active participation and a life-commitment: daily prayer, attendance at Mass weekly, a sacramental life including regular confession of sins, Christian service, love (even of enemies), forgiveness, Christian charity, conversion, repentance, etc.

As we adore the Christ Child in the manger at Christmas, may we be moved by the great love and humility that God showed to us in the birth of His Son! God emptied Himself and became one of us. Our faith also professes that He will come again.

O come let us adore Him! 

Be assured of my daily prayers and a remembrance in my Masses for all of you.  May I ask a small remembrance in your prayers and Masses as well? 

On behalf of Fr. Victorino and all our parish staff, have a blessed and peace-filled Christmas and a holy New Year! I do not know what will be in store for us in 2025, but I trust that God knows what is truly best for us all. I leave things in His merciful hands.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

Homily for the 4th Sunday of Advent "C"

 

Holy Family vs. Modern Family

The cast of ABC's Modern Family

Dear Parishioners,

As believing Christians, we are called to look at the Sacred Scriptures for valuable lessons in living our lives. What do we see in the pages of the Bible when we examine the lives of those comprising the Holy Family—Jesus, Mary and Joseph?

First, we see two particularly faith-filled people more than willing to do God’s Will. We hear Mary’s often-quoted response to the angel Gabriel: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” (Lk. 1:38) We also see Joseph’s obedient reaction to angel of the Lord telling him not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife into his home: “When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.” (Mt. 1: 24) Joseph was also obedient in relocating Mary and Jesus to Egypt (Mt. 2:13-14) and in returning them once again to Israel. (Mt. 2: 19-21) 

As we look further, we see the many difficulties that this couple had to face: pregnancy outside of wedlock (albeit, a miraculous pregnancy without marital relations) (Lk. 1:26 ff), no dignified place to give birth or to live (Lk. 2:7), a threat to the life of the child (Mt. 2:13 ff), substantial distances to travel (Mt. 2:13 & 2:20), and the scare and worry over a lost child (Mt. 2:41 ff). Later, Mary was witness to the brutal torture and death of her Son on the cross (John 19: 25-27). These were not the easiest life experiences to have to face, if you ask me!

Although most details are absent, we can surmise that this family prayed together, went to the synagogue regularly, worked hard and faced the various concerns that go with raising a child in Israel at that particular time.

Contrast this situation with the many bizarre concepts that we have been subjected to in TV sit-coms like Modern Family, Family Guy, The Simpsons or All In the Family, to name just a few. A tagline for Modern Family gives enough information to let us know that we are not dealing with anything resembling a Leave It to Beaver family: “One big (straight, gay, multi-cultural, traditional) happy family.” The Simpsons deals with a “dysfunctional family” headed by Homer, the “oafish, unhealthy, beer-loving father” and including Bart "the ten year old underachiever (and proud of it)." One only has to have a brief glimpse of the irreverent humor of creator and comedian Seth MacFarlane, to know that the content of Family Guy is going to be Offensive—with a capital O. Finally, most people see Archie Bunker (of All In the Family) as an icon for the bigoted, questionably-educated, pseudo-conservative male. Not the best examples of family life to be found anywhere around here, unfortunately.

I close with words from a man much holier and more intelligent than I will ever be, Saint John Paul II:

I wish to invoke the protection of the Holy Family of Nazareth.

Through God's mysterious design, it was in that family that the Son of God spent long years of a hidden life.  It is therefore the prototype and example for all Christian families. It was unique in the world. Its life was passed in anonymity and silence in a little town in Palestine. It underwent trials of poverty, persecution and exile.  It glorified God in an incomparably exalted and pure way. And it will not fail to help Christian families—indeed, all the families in the world—to be faithful to their day-to-day duties, to bear the cares and tribulations of life, to be open and generous to the needs of others, and to fulfill with joy the plan of God in their regard.

St. Joseph was "a just man," a tireless worker, the upright guardian of those entrusted to his care. May he always guard, protect and enlighten families.

May the Virgin Mary, who is the Mother of the Church, also be the Mother of "the Church of the home." Thanks to her motherly aid, may each Christian family really become a "little Church" in which the mystery of the Church of Christ is mirrored and given new life. May she, the Handmaid of the Lord, be an example of humble and generous acceptance of the will of God. May she, the Sorrowful Mother at the foot of the Cross, comfort the sufferings and dry the tears of those in distress because of the difficulties of their families.  (Familiaris Consortio, # 86) 

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

The Holy Family

Homily for the 3rd Sunday of Advent "C" (Gaudete Sunday) - Fr. Edward Namiotka

 

The 3rd Sunday of Advent - Gaudete Sunday

Dear Parishioners,

The liturgical season of Advent originated as a fast of forty days in preparation for Christmas. It was sometimes called Little Lent or St. Martin's Lent because it began on the feast of St. Martin of Tours (November 11). The third Sunday of Advent is called Gaudete Sunday—from the Latin word “rejoice.” We rejoice because the Lord is near. Advent is halfway completed. Priests have the option of wearing a rose colored vestment and we light the rose candle of the advent wreath.

Society seems completely to overlook this minor penitential season and move right into Christmas. There is no fasting, sacrifice or spiritual preparation but Christmas parties, holiday shopping and increased celebration. Unfortunately, when the actual Christmas season begins with the Mass of Christmas Eve, many people will soon thereafter take down the decorations and the tree. The time for celebrating is over and we move on to the next thing. Christmas tragically ends all too abruptly within the actual Christmas season for many.

How often we are driven by the consumer mentality as the stores will begin preparing for Valentine’s Day and Presidents Day, immediately following those after-Christmas sales. Why everything have to be about buying and owning many things? I again emphasize the importance of person and relationship over things and possessions. Christmas-time can have some wonderful effects when families come together and people socialize with both families and friends. People can be extraordinarily generous and kind as well.

Yet, the essential meaning of Christmas should never be lost: God became a man. He revealed His inner life to us and spent time with us. He lived with us and died for us. Many messages distract from this one. However, the coming of Jesus Christ is truly the focal point of all human history. Why do even Christians sometimes miss or forget this truth?

First and foremost for all of us there has to be more of a focus on prayer and conversion—a change of heart—within our parishes and families. The glamour of sin and the illusory happiness that it may temporarily bring has a choke hold on the world today. While many may not directly deny the existence of God, far too many live in such a way that His effect on our lives is negligible or non-existent.

Use the remaining time of Advent in the way it was intended. Prepare spiritually for the coming of Christ. Go to confession (the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation). Pray, fast, read Sacred Scripture, be charitable. Come visit Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament. Just take some time to be quiet and to reflect. Slow down!

When Christmas actually arrives (Christmas eve), we all will be much better off spiritually.

Come, Lord Jesus!

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

Homily for the 2nd Sunday of Advent "C" - Fr. Edward Namiotka

 

An Upcoming Holy Day of Obligation

Dear Parishioners,

Among some Catholics and various others, there is still a misunderstanding regarding what is meant by the term (or title) Immaculate Conception. Some people mistakenly think that this title refers to Jesus and His being conceived miraculously in the womb of His Mother Mary. This is not the case.

In 1854, Pope Pius IX proclaimed the following in the Apostolic Constitution Ineffabilis Deus:

The most Blessed Virgin Mary was, from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Saviour of the human race, preserved immune from all stain of original sin.

This proclamation was one of two notable times in more recent history of the Catholic Church when a pope declared an infallible dogma ex cathedra (that is, from the chair of St. Peter’s teaching authority). The other occasion was the dogma of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven.

Our catechism instructs us: “Through the centuries the Church has become ever more aware that Mary, "full of grace" through God, was redeemed from the moment of her conception. That is what the dogma of the Immaculate Conception confesses . . . .”  The Catechism of the Catholic Church, (491). Mary was redeemed by Christ as all humanity is, but her redemption began at her very conception in the womb of her mother by a singular grace—hence, the term Immaculate Conception.

Around the same time as the pope, bishops and theologians were wrestling with this theological matter, Bernadette Soubirous was born in Lourdes, France in 1844. Saint Bernadette, as she is now known, is remembered for having received eighteen apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary between February 11 and July 16, 1858. Our Lady asked for a chapel to be built at a grotto in Massabielle where the apparitions occurred and a miraculous spring of water now flows. During these apparitions, Our Lady identified herself to St. Bernadette with the phrase “I am the Immaculate Conception.” St. Bernadette, an illiterate peasant girl with no formal training in theology, had no idea what the phrase Immaculate Conception meant. She was only fourteen at the time of the visions. It seems that in these apparitions Our Lady herself confirmed what the Church had formally declared just four years earlier. The Church holds these apparitions as worthy of belief.

Since it falls on a Sunday of Advent, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary this year is moved to December 9^th and is observed as a Holy Day of Obligation in the Diocese of Camden. Catholics are obligated to attend Mass this day. The schedule at the parish is 8:30 AM and 7 PM on Monday, December 9. While I admit that there is quite often confusion regarding various Holy Days and our necessity of going to Mass, I sum matters up simply. A holy day is important because of what it celebrates and signifies. Therefore, whether or not we are required to attend Mass, the day is still holy and should be treated as such. Shouldn’t we desire to go the extra mile because of our love for God to be at Mass that day whether or not we are obligated?

Our Lady, as the Immaculate Conception, is the patroness of our country and our diocese. Our cathedral in Camden is also dedicated to her under this title. She should certainly have a special place in all our hearts.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

Homily for the 1st Sunday of Advent "C" - Fr. Edward Namiotka

 

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

 

"¡Viva Cristo Rey!"

The execution of Blessed Miguel Pro, 11/23/27

Dear Parishioners:

I watch various videos primarily on YouTube, Rumble, X (formerly Twitter), and Facebook. (I have not entered the world of other platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Reddit, etc. because of the element of time and certain priorities in my life currently.) Some of the videos have illustrated how certain high profile people recently became Catholics such as Candice Owens, Russell Brand, J.D. Vance, Shia LaBeouf, and Rob Schneider, to name a few. While this is not meant to be an endorsement of any of these people in particular, it was the Candice Owens story that caught my attention. She got in trouble on social media for acknowledging Christ the King publicly and has not backed down from her position.

This then brought to mind the phrase used by the Cristeros in Mexico. When I heard about the sacrifices that the Cristeros made and the tortures that they endured for their Catholic faith, I was speechless with a pain deep in my heart. During a three year period (1926-1929) in Mexico’s history, approximately 90,000 people died in what was called the Cristero War. In an interview with Ruben Quezada in 2012, the author of For Greater Glory: The True Story of Cristiada, he explains the background to the war:

When Plutarco Calles took over as president of Mexico, he did not want the church to be part of any moral teachings to its citizens. He did not want God to be a part of anyone’s life. After the Mexican Revolution the two presidents that followed (Venustiano Carranza and Alvaro Obregon) abused their power to wage their personal attacks against the Catholic Church as well. There were similar persecution incidents and abuses towards the clergy and Catholics alike, and we have a few Mexican Martyrs from those persecutions who were not part of the Cristero War. When President Calles came into power, he wanted to bring Mexico’s population to belong to a Socialist state. He would insist that the Church was poisoning the minds of the people and that its teachings were a threat to the Revolutionary mentality which it stood for. Calles wanted to ensure that all citizens were going to be educated under the government’s dictatorship and secular mindset. He wanted to ensure that only the government would have the freedom to form the minds of its citizens and insisted that the church was poisoning the minds of the people. In order to enforce this new law it was necessary to expel all clergy, except for a few priests who would oversee the spiritual needs of the people and with the supervision of the state authorities. This led to various states of Mexico going without a single Mass being celebrated for a long time.

A total of 35 martyrs have been canonized and fifteen were beatified as a result of this persecution. The motto of the Cristeros was “¡Viva Cristo Rey!” (“Long Live Christ the King!”) which so many refused to denounce even when facing torture and death. With some subsequent thought, the following questions keep haunting me:

• What sacrifices would I make in order to offer the Mass or to practice my Catholic faith freely?
• What suffering would I be willing to endure for my Catholic faith?
• Would I be able to hold fast to my Catholic faith in the face of torture or a threat of death?
• How much do I value religious freedom?
• Would I have the courage to proclaim: “¡Viva Cristo Rey!” like the Cristeros?

A special recognition needs to be given to the Knights of Columbus who helped the Mexican people during this war. Again, according to Quezada:

In August 1926, just days after the Calles Law took effect, the U.S. Knights passed a resolution to support the Church in Mexico. They established a fund that raised over a million dollars to offer relief services for those exiled from Mexico, to provide for exiled seminarians to continue their priestly formation, and to educate the American public about the true situation. The Order printed and distributed five million pamphlets about the Cristiada and two million copies of the Pastoral Letter of the Catholic Episcopate of the United States on the Religious Situation in Mexico. The U.S. Knights also sponsored over 700 free lectures and reached millions by radio.

The film A Greater Glory: The True Story of the Cristiada, which only had only a very limited theater run in most areas, is a story of fidelity to the Catholic faith in the face of torture and persecution. It illustrates what people are willing to sacrifice to preserve their religious freedom. I certainly recommend viewing this film. (Beware, however, of the intense violence at times—the reason it received an “R” rating.) 

Long Live Christ the King!  

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

Remembering and Understanding Our Sacred Tradition

Dear Parishioners,

When I finished high school and was accepted for admission to a college seminary to study for the priesthood, I was told at the time that I needed to study both Latin and Greek—two years of each. I had no familiarity with either language up to then. Since we belong to the Latin or Roman Rite—we are Roman Catholics—the study of ecclesiastical Latin provided me with some valuable background for what is still our official church language. (Moreover, Koine or biblical Greek would prove very beneficial for my understanding of Sacred Scripture.)

At times, various people will reference Vatican II (the Second Vatican Council) and not know what the documents from that ecumenical council actually say. Sacrosanctum Concillium, the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy of the Second Vatican Council, actually states the following:  Particular law remaining in force, the use of the Latin language is to be preserved in the Latin rites (#36). It certainly makes no sense to me to disregard approximately two thousand years of our precious history and tradition.

That is why, at various times during the liturgical year, I encourage our musicians to introduce various elements of Latin and Greek into our liturgy—specifically, the Kyrie (Greek) and the Sanctus and Agnus Dei (Latin) during the seasons of Advent and Lent. By now, if we regularly attend Mass, we should all know the English translations for the above as the Lord, Have Mercy, the Holy, Holy, Holy and the Lamb of God. With time, it would also be beneficial to know the Our Father, Gloria and Nicene Creed in Latin as well. Moreover, this variation gives us an opportunity to experience some Gregorian Chant, another significant tradition from our musical heritage. I believe we should change our routine during Advent and Lent since these liturgical seasons are meant to be different from Ordinary Time. 

Interestingly enough, my experience in the classroom has shown me that if it is presented in a positive manner, children and teens are receptive to learning these parts of the Mass in the ancient languages.  (Sadly, I sometimes have received much more resistance from others of slightly older generations who seem to have an aversion or even disgust for anything considered pre-Vatican II).

Someone once disparagingly reminded me how Latin is no longer a spoken or conversational language. It is used for the liturgy and in church documents and writings. Interestingly enough, as a result, it allows an ancient language to be unique and set aside for sacred matters, like addressing God in prayer. Keeping something as special or reserved for God alone seems like quite a novel idea, doesn't it! Maybe its use would reflect a bit more reverence above and beyond the colloquial or pedestrian language that we use for everyone and everything else.

[As a side note, another matter referenced in this document was the assumed ad orientem position of the priest (i.e., facing liturgical East with the people). The priest facing the people (versus populum) is never mentioned in this document! Yet, high altars were moved or even destroyed in many churches and the priest regularly faces the people during the post-Vatican II liturgy. This, however, is a topic for another day.]

I leave you with the following Latin motto which one of my seminary professors used to inscribe atop his papers and handouts: A.M.D.G.—Ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam. It is the motto of the Society of Jesus, the Jesuits, of which Pope Francis is a member. May all things be done for the greater glory of God!

Fr. Ed Namiotka 

Pastor

 Gregorian Chant

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

 

Thanksgiving and Advent

 

Dear Parishioners,

As I write this bulletin column, I anticipate enjoying the annual Thanksgiving dinner with various family members at my rectory. This will be the first Thanksgiving without my mom. This holiday was special to her because her birthday (November 28) fell in close proximity to it each year. This year the dates coincide.  She considered Thanksgiving her holiday and expected everyone who could to be there.

I realize, once again, how truly blessed I am. I have three brothers and a sister and their families, who mostly live in close proximity. I am so fortunate to have a number of people gathered together to share this family day and traditional meal. I will do most of the cooking this year while some of the family will bring some particular specialties from their own homes to the table.

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

Advent begins the Sunday after Thanksgiving. I ponder once again whether or not this season of preparation for the Birth of Christ will actually make a difference to most people. So many people skip the intended Advent preparation and begin celebrating Christmas. When Christmas finally arrives, people are ready to move on to something else. Meanwhile, in the Church, we are just beginning the celebration. 

Why did we have to come up with slogans like Keep Christ in Christmas in order to remind us of something that should be so very obvious? I advise that we don’t waste precious time by getting caught up in all of the materialism that the world is concerned about and continually sells us. Rather, we should take time for the spiritual life. After all, we as humans are comprised of body and soul. We should make the time for Jesus Christ and prepare for Him. Personally, I find that when my spiritual priorities are in order and Christ is forefront in my life, everything else mysteriously seems to fall into place. I may have to learn this lesson over and over again, but someday I may finally get it right.

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

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

Please do your part to ready for Christ's coming during these four weeks of Advent and attempt to forgo turning this preparatory season into a premature Christmas celebration.

Fr. Ed Namiotka,

Pastor

 

Homily for the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time "B" - Fr. Edward Namiotka

 

Election Day 2024

Dear Parishioners,

As I write today (Election Tuesday), people are going to the polls (or may have already voted) to elect a president and various other officials throughout the country. I have no idea what the results will be by the time you read this message in the Sunday bulletin. However, I have a few comments and observations I wish to make regarding the current state of politics in America.

First, I have never been affiliated with any one political party for as long as I have been eligible to vote. While I know that this may prohibit me from voting in certain primary elections, I have found no compelling reason to make a complete allegiance to any political party as they currently stand. My allegiance is and will always be to Almighty God and to my Catholic faith. I publicly endorse no candidate, although I will certainly have leanings toward (and have voted for) those who clearly represent my beliefs as a Roman Catholic. The biggest of these is the right to life issue. We can never support an intrinsically evil action such as the killing of the innocent unborn through abortion.

I do vote regularly and I vote based on the issues, on a candidate’s observable moral character and values, on what a candidate and his/her party's platform actually stands for, on a candidate’s record of service and past voting on issues, etc. This sometimes makes voting very difficult, considering most candidates without a major party affiliation probably do not have the money or political clout necessary to run a campaign that is actually able to win. Is choosing the lesser of two evils—a position in which we may find ourselves all too often—ever the optimal moral position to be in? 

I raise the following ongoing election concerns:

• Enough with the negative campaigning and political mudslinging! If you are going to run a political ad, tell me what you are going to do, not how bad your opponent is! I suppose that negative campaigns must produce a greater result, or they would not be used by so many. But I am truly sick of them! My hope is that there will be a backlash against those proponents of the negative campaigns and that your efforts will ultimately backfire.

• Stop lying to the people! Personally, I do not want continually to be told what you are going to do simply to pacify me or to get my vote. If I do not see results or I see broken promises time and again, you simply will not get my vote again. Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me!

• If you are elected to public office, do your jobs! We have a political system that was intended to have a check and balance system. Deliver me from a plethora of executive orders, from activist judges, from a congress that does not do what it is actually elected to do—continually stuck in political gridlock from partisan loyalties rather than the good of the constituents. Deliver me from all abuses of political power, in whatever form they may appear!

• If you do not vote or fail to become informed on the issues, you have no one to blame but yourself! I hope and pray that when they interview people on various TV shows, the people are not as ignorant about social and political matters as they make them out to be. If they really are, God help our country!

• Dear news media: please report the news and not continually slant it to meet your own political objectives! Is there such a thing as objective journalism anymore? Does everything have to be seen through a political pundit’s eyes? We are intelligent enough to make good decisions if the facts are actually presented and propaganda is not spewed forth continually. 

I think that I represent the average American citizen. I did not come from wealth or privilege. Because of my parents, I was provided an excellent education and raised with a decent work ethic. My parents struggled to raise five children, to put food on the table and to make ends meet each week. They taught us the value of the dollar and advised us to live within our means. 

Like many Americans, I think that I have become highly disillusioned with our current state of politics and don’t know exactly how we are ever going to get out of the mess that we are currently in.  May God help us! 

The genuine hope that I hold comes from remembering that no matter who is elected to public office, Jesus Christ is still King!

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

         

Homily for the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time "B" - Fr. Edward Namiotka

 

The Diabolical Litmus Test

 

Ah! Those who call evil good, and good evil, who change darkness to light, and light into darkness, who change bitter to sweet, and sweet into bitter! (Is. 5: 20)

Dear Parishioners,

I will be glad when this election season is over. I am tired—exhausted—with all of the lies, the confusion, the visceral attacks, the compromised candidates, etc. that seem to be ever more present with each election. I will state for the thousandth time that I am an independent voter—neither democrat nor republican. I have never registered with or contributed to either party. My soul belongs to Jesus Christ and to Him alone, not any political party. Period.

With this being clearly stated, there is something diabolical going on once again. What is an intrinsic evil is continually being portrayed as a good on many fronts, but especially when it comes to the lives of the innocent children in the womb. There is no “right” to take an innocent human life in the womb. If a civil law permits such, it is an unjust law and needs to be changed. Whether it is by chemical or surgical means, by a pill or a suction machine, the willful destruction of the innocent baby in the womb—euphemized as the “termination of a pregnancy”—is immoral in the sight of God. It is against Divine Law and natural law.

Yes, Roe v. Wade was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court. The decision gave the situation back to each state to decide for itself—for better or for worse. The diabolical litmus test for political candidates is whether they support the “right to choose.” Let’s finish the sentence here. The right to choose . . . what? Rape? Murder? Terrorism? Theft? Abortion? There is an object of any choice. We choose something. We can use our God-given intelligence to see that we indeed have the ability to make free choices. However, choices have consequences for the person choosing and for others impacted by the choice itself.

The baby in the womb had no choice, either to be conceived or to be killed. He or she is innocent. He or she is a person in the image and likeness of God. Termination of this person is being portrayed as a good, in some twisted, diabolical corruption of the thought process. In reality, it is not. A baby is dead. A potential life with all of its possibilities is gone.

Something very telling happened at one of the political rallies recently. As one of the presidential candidates was speaking emphatically about this right to choose, two college-aged Christian students peacefully shouted out, Jesus is Lord and Christ is King. The democratic candidate responded, “Oh, you guys are at the wrong rally . . . no, I think you were meant to go to the smaller one down the street.” She was referring to the republican rally taking place at the same time in another location. This was certainly an eye opening statement for many people as the two students were subsequently escorted from the building.

Is Jesus Lord of your life? Is Christ the King of the Universe? Do the lives of the unborn matter or are they merely disposable? Is marriage between a man and a woman? Did God make us male and female? Are we willing to ask some fundamental questions about God, faith, morality, society, government, etc.?

Asking these questions is not hate speech, but rather a call to make a decision about the future of our own family and our nation. Our decisions, our choices, will ultimately determine our path towards or away from God’s plan for humanity. Are we with Jesus or against Him? While Election Day is one decision process we can and should participate in, there is much more at stake than what meets the eye. There is a battle both for the soul of our country and for our individual souls. Choices matter.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

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

 

Praying for the Dead

Dear Parishioners,

As we approach the month of November, we should consider the importance of remembering and praying for the dead. We begin with two notable liturgical celebrations—All Saints and All Souls days. St. Paul reminds us . . . Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.  (Phil. 3:20)

Saints are destined for heaven. Once their lives are finished on earth they will spend eternity enjoying the Beatific Vision—the "Face" of God—in God's time and according to God's plan. Many saints will not be officially canonized and placed on the church calendar. However, the Solemnity of All Saints reminds us of all those intercessors in heaven closely united with God who pray for us. (see Catechism of the Catholic Church, #956)  Where they have gone, we hope to follow someday. They have been called the Church Triumphant. Just as we may ask a friend here on earth to say a prayer for us, we can ask the saints in heaven to pray to God for us. Once they reach heaven, they no longer need our prayers but they can certainly pray and make intercession on our behalf.

While we may hope that our deceased relatives and friends are in heaven, we do not have that absolute certainty simply because of our hoping or desiring it to be so. While our Christian funerals are meant to strengthen our hope in eternal life, they are not meant to be canonizations.  Only God knows the ultimate destiny of any soul as he alone knows the disposition of the person when he or she dies. Did the person die in the state of grace or not? We can only hope and pray. We should pray.

Still, we can take great consolation if a person receives the last rites of the church—the sacraments of Penance and Reconciliation, the Holy Eucharist and the Anointing of the Sick. I remind people constantly that the sacraments are for the living and we should not wait until a person dies (if at all possible) to call for the priest. If the person is homebound, elderly, on hospice, in the hospital, terminally ill, etc. let the priest know so that a pastoral visit can be arranged. Moreover, we should all try to be living continually in the state of grace and not be conscious of any mortal or serious sin. The sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation (confession) is the ordinary means that we have to keep the fullness of God's life (grace) alive in us. God's mercy will be given if we but ask for it!

All Souls Day reminds us that we should pray for the dead. Our prayers can help them if they are in a state of purification that we call purgatory. Remember that if someone is in heaven, they do not need our prayers. If they die not in the state of grace, being unrepentant, obstinate, and alienated from God—thus being in a state of hell or eternal separation from God—our prayers cannot help them. Church teaching encourages us to pray and to offer Mass for the dead. The greatest spiritual gift that we can give to our deceased loved ones is to have a Mass offered for them. The Catholic Mass is a re-presentation of the offering of Jesus himself on the cross. We have no better intercessor with the Father than Jesus who suffered and died for us.

Souls in purgatory, in a state of cleansing or purification—what I like to refer to as the fringes of heaven—can pray for us as we can assist them on their eventual journey to heaven. They have been referred to as the Church Suffering, in regard to their temporarily being kept from the fullness of heaven.

Finally, members of the Church on earth all are saints-in-potential. As baptized Christians, part of the Body of Christ, while we are alive in Christ Jesus, our ultimate destiny is heaven. Only our choice to sin gravely, to put ourselves out of the state of God's life, His grace, will keep us from that path. We are the Church Militant, currently battling sin and evil. 

So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones [saints] and members of the household of God. . . . (Eph. 2:19)  May we live up to our calling!

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

Homily for the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time "B" - Fr. Edward Namiotka

 

"How Did We Get Here?"

Dear Parishioners,

I recently heard our Coadjutor Bishop, Joseph A. Williams, speak about how he would attend daily Mass with his father. His father is a physician with a family of nine children, yet found time not only to attend Mass each Sunday but each and every day. God bless him!

Over the years I have heard hundreds, if not thousands, of the confessions of children whether it was in the Catholic school or in the religious education programs. I regularly try to put the children at ease and try to help them realize that God is a forgiving God, if only we request His mercy. I tell them that there is no sin God can’t forgive, if we are truly sorry. My emphasis is on how merciful God is to all of us. I want this sacrament to be one in which children will never be afraid and will continue to keep a positive attitude toward it as they mature into adulthood.

Without going very long I usually begin hearing from the young children how they are “too busy” to go to Sunday Mass, that they “have sports on Sunday,” that their family “usually goes to Mass for Christmas and Easter” but not necessarily each week, and a whole bunch of similar comments. All this is unfortunately telling me that going to Mass each Sunday is far from a priority in many, many families. I dare not even mention Holy Days of Obligation—like the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven (August 15), All Saints Day, (November 1), or the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (December 8). Holy Days of Obligation are treated with an attitude of optional at best, similar to the overwhelming number of Catholics who think in similar manner about Sunday Mass attendance each week.

Let me answer a few questions directly. Do Catholics still have an obligation to attend Mass each week? Yes  Has this requirement changed over the years? No 

"Sunday . . . is to be observed as the foremost holy day of obligation in the universal Church." "On Sundays and other holy days of obligation the faithful are bound to participate in the Mass." (2192, CCC)  

[Please refer to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) under the section on The Ten Commandments for a complete explanation.]  

So what is a pastor like me to do? I certainly have an obligation and accountability before God for the spiritual well-being of my people. I care about them. I love them. I pray for them each day.  

1) Maybe I can pretend that there is no problem. Just be silent and not bring up the topic. I will only alienate people further.  (How much worse can it get?  About four-fifths of the average parish is missing each Sunday already!?)  

2) Maybe I can gently urge and try warmly to invite people.  (Realistically, I have been attempting to do this almost every day of my priestly life. The results, unfortunately, have not been overwhelming.)  

3) Should I preach hell, fire and damnation like the good, old days? (While I think that the Fear of the Lord is a much needed virtue for our times, most of society does not want to be told what to do—rarely, if ever.)  

4) Should I go on trying to live and lead by example? Will my striving for personal holiness and my desire for conversion of life became contagious and lead people to Christ? (I can only hope and pray!)

Growing up as a child in the 60’s and 70’s was, in my humble opinion, a very crazy time.  Free-love, the drug culture, Vietnam, the Cold War, unrest on college campuses, racial tension, etc. all seemed overwhelming to me as a kid. Yet, somehow God was present to me in the midst of it all. Despite the many adversities, I mysteriously heard the call to be Jesus’ disciple. God could truly penetrate even the most difficult of situations—then and now. Just look at the cross. Didn’t this, too, seem to be the worst of all situations? When I ask myself today “How did we get here?” as a culture and as a Church, I know deep down I must continue to trust that God is still in charge and in His plan for salvation good will ultimately triumph.

Please come to Mass each week.  I will never stop asking (begging). I care about your eternal salvation much too much.                                                                                                                           

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

Homily for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time "B" - Fr. Edward Namiotka

 

My Spiritual Journey with St. Joseph

 

When I began elementary school at St. Ann Regional School in Wildwood, NJ, I first became acquainted with the Sisters of St. Joseph (Chestnut Hill/Philadelphia). They taught me for twelve years both in grade school and at Wildwood Catholic High School. Later, when I entered St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia for college, some of the faculty members were also sisters from that same community.

After ordination, I spent twenty years in Catholic education, fourteen of which were at Sacred Heart High School in Vineland, also staffed by the Sisters of St. Joseph. Ironically, I was to become the first principal of the school who was not a member of that religious community. From the high school’s establishment, every principal until me had been a Sister of St. Joseph.

Some years later, I was appointed pastor of St. Joseph Church, Somers Point, NJ. With an elementary school and convent on the campus, I once again experienced the presence of the same community of religious sisters. They continued to be a part of my life and ministry.

It was during my time as pastor of St. Joseph Church that my choir director suggested to me that I compose a hymn dedicated to St. Joseph. I took on the task and with the help of some of my friends O Joseph, Righteous One—an original hymn honoring St. Joseph—came to be.

In more recent times, after a dinner discussion with a longtime friend, Tom Raniszewski, while I was back in my hometown, we decided to compose a Christmas piece from the unique perspective of St. Joseph. It was my thought that St. Joseph never received much attention in the Christmas story, although he was usually seen in every Nativity scene with the Virgin-Mother Mary and the Baby Jesus. I knew how much Tom loved Christmas and everything related to this feast. If I was going to take on such a project, Tom seemed the right person for the task.

From a completely unconventional manner of composing a song, The Carpenter’s Son came into being. Tom and I did not ever sit in the same room or, in fact, collaborate other than through text messages, e-mails and phone calls. Yet, everything miraculously seemed to come together. The finished product is now available on most streaming platforms in time for Christmas. The gifted vocalist is Drew Seigla, a Julliard graduate and New York musical theater performer. The streaming proceeds will be donated to the South Jersey Catholic Ministries Appeal.

St. Joseph has been accompanying me since my youth and this latest accomplishment is but another time he has influenced my thinking and spiritual journey. Although he says nothing in the Sacred Scriptures, his actions speak boldly and clearly. He was obedient to God. He was described as a righteous man whom God entrusted with the care of His Only-Begotten Son. Joseph loved, cared for, protected, and provided for both Jesus and Mary. Jesus was known as the carpenter’s son (Mt. 13:55).

I hope that you will listen to and enjoy this piece and that it will help more people to incorporate St. Joseph into their spiritual journey as well.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor