IVF and Other Moral Concerns

 

Dear Parishioners,

Decades ago when I was a college seminarian, I had to present a research paper on the topic of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) for my ethics class. What was frequently referred to at the time as "test tube babies," IVF technology was being proposed as a means of fertilization for those couples who were unable to conceive a child by natural means. With the desired end-result of having a baby, isn't this a good option for such couples? The moral answer may surprise many people.

When the male sperm and female ovum join together scientifically we have a new human being. Life begins at conception regardless of those who try to deny this fact. It is also our belief as Catholics that God infuses an immortal soul into the newly conceived person, hence destining him or her to live eternally. We are created to live forever.

In the case of IVF, multiple eggs are typically fertilized hoping that one of these will implant in the woman's uterus and eventually develop into a child. However, if all the eggs are fertilized in the lab, we then have multiple human persons being formed with an almost certain probability that not every one of them will be brought to term. Thus, innocent human lives are created, then eventually destroyed.

The IVF procedure also overlooks the morality of the means by which the sperm are usually obtained in a solitary manner (masturbation) outside of the conjugal act. Moreover, the implications of taking human conception and separating it from the conjugal act opens the door to such things as surrogate parenting, the harvesting of organs from deliberately created babies, intentional sex and genetic selection and other possibilities.

I also should bring to people's attention that various types of contraceptive pills and other means (e.g., the I.U.D.) have an abortifacient quality preventing a conceived embryo (a new person) from implanting in the womb of the mother. In essence, it is a microscopic abortion that takes place. If a human person is such at conception, then anything that destroys or deliberately prevents this baby from living has serious moral implications. This is true as well for the abortion pill, sometimes referred to as the "morning after pill."

You might witness as I do, sexual morality is something that has become relative and utterly subjective to many in society. However, I state clearly that just because something is technologically or scientifically possible, it is not necessarily morally correct. Science may remove genitals from a person and supply hormones, but does that make the person another gender in the eyes of God? I think not. Abortion may be termed health care or reproductive rights, yet does not a person once conceived have a God-given right to live? While a baby may arrive as a result of IVF, what about the lives of the other children conceived in the process?  Don't they matter?

As Catholics, all of these topics are important morally and spiritually. Human beings are sacred to God as He became one of us in the Person of Jesus. Every person, born or preborn, has the potential to be with God for all eternity and should be treated with dignity and respect. From a human perspective, once we begin to behave and act like we are gods, like we have control over life, sexual identity, who can marry whom, etc., we are opening ourselves to disastrous consequences for humanity.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

The Monastic Retreat

Dear Parishioners,

As you read this, I am preparing to leave for a Trappist monastery—the Abbey of the Genesee in Piffard, NY—making my annual, canonical retreat. Please be kind to Fr. Norris, Fr. Perreault and Fr. Coronado (my bullpen) while I am away.

The retreat I choose to be on is mostly silent. I speak with others briefly when necessary. The first prayers of the day (Vigils) currently begin at 3:30 AM. The day ends with Compline (night prayer) at 7:30 PM. The monks chant the psalms each day and rise early to keep watch and to wait for the Lord’s return. The monks work and pray (Ora et Labora) all day long. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is the central point of the daily routine. The schedule is relatively the same every time I am here.

While I miss the daily routine and people of the parish, I realize the importance of making a good retreat. Priests need to be men of prayer and to follow the example of Jesus who frequently distanced himself from the crowds to find time for intimate communication with His Father in prayer. Jesus went into the desert, up the mountain and to the seashore to pray frequently. He would spend entire nights in prayer.

What exactly will happen to me during this week? I am never really sure. I am simply called to listen for the Lord as He speaks, when he speaks. It is ironic that the quieter the atmosphere, the louder the Lord seems to speak to the heart. There is definitely time to read, to pray, to think, to meditate, to rest and to listen. Sometimes I am inspired to write or compose.

From a worldly perspective, people may not see value in what I am doing. However, those who experience the touch of the Lord in their lives usually hunger for more . . . and more . . . and more. At least I do. Being busy all of the time may seem productive, but life without prayer and intimacy with God frequently becomes shallow or even empty in so many ways. Prayer puts things in perspective and refreshes, often inspiring and motivating a person to cooperate more fully with God’s will. 

You will be remembered in my prayers and Masses during the week. As you come to mind each day, I will ask the Lord to be gracious to you and to bless you. He certainly knows best what each of us needs the most in our lives.

Please pray for me as I once again journey into the desert. That is how a monastic retreat is often described—like going into the desert. However, don’t forget that when Christ went out into the desert, He encountered various temptations from Satan. Spiritual warfare continues. Your prayers are much needed and certainly appreciated during this time.

When I return back to the parish, I hope to be able to share with you some insights, thoughts and experiences that were the fruit of this monastic endeavor. I never quite know the outcome. All I can do is watch and wait like the monks, seeking Jesus with my whole heart.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

   Main Church at the Abbey of the Genesee

Homily for the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time "B" - Fr. Edward Namiotka

 

Welcoming Our New "Coadjutor" Bishop

Bishop Joseph A. Williams

Dear Parishioners,

In a few hours I will be leaving to participate in the Mass of Welcome for Bishop Joseph A. Williams at St. Agnes Church in Blackwood, NJ. Bishop Williams is being prepared to be the ninth Bishop of Camden, serving the Diocese of Camden as its Ordinary (its leader or head). Initially, he is named as coadjutor bishop, assisting Bishop Sullivan until he steps down in March, 2025.

I can remember the rector of my seminary telling me a long time ago that I would most likely see at least five different bishops as Ordinary of my diocese during my lifetime. Well, he was certainly right!

Bishop George H. Guilfoyle was the first bishop that I actually met. He presided at a ceremony dedicating the new St. Ann’s School in Wildwood, where I attended and served as an altar boy. I remember the bishop blessing the cornerstone of the school while I stood nearby as an altar boy during the ceremony. Many years later, Bishop Guilfoyle would be the bishop ordaining me a priest to serve our diocese!

Although he was not the head of our diocese, I was friendly with Bishop James L. Schad, the only auxiliary bishop that Camden ever had. I would act as the master of ceremonies for some of the bishop’s Confirmation assignments, often driving him to and from the various churches. During those drives, we had the opportunity to talk about many things and I am grateful for the many insights that the bishop shared with me. May he rest in peace!

Bishop James T. McHugh, Bishop Nicholas A. DiMarzio, Bishop Joseph A. Galante and Bishop Dennis J. Sullivan all succeeded Bishop Guilfoyle, making Bishop Williams the 6^th bishop that I will have had as my Ordinary.

Bishop Williams comes to us from the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, where he served as an auxiliary bishop. According to his biography in the Catholic Star Herald:

Born May 2, 1974, to Dr. Gary and Mary MacDonald Williams, Bishop Williams is the third of nine children. He grew up in Stillwater, where he attended Saint Croix Catholic School and Stillwater High School. His brother, Father Peter Williams, ordained in 2004, is a priest of the Archdiocese, and is Pastor of Saint Ambrose in Woodbury, Minnesota.

Bishop Williams holds a B.A. in biology from the University of Minnesota, Morris, graduating summa cum laude in 1996. He studied philosophy and pre-theology at Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio, from 1996-1998 and attended The St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity in St. Paul from 1998-2002, where he earned a Master of Divinity degree. He was ordained a priest at age 28.

I take this time to welcome Bishop Williams to our diocese and to thank Bishop Sullivan for his years of service to the diocese.

Our prayers are with you Bishop Williams as you begin your time here with us. At every Mass, when we pray for Joseph, our coadjutor bishop, know that you have our prayerful and loving support!  May God grant you good health and the necessary graces to be our spiritual shepherd.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

    

Homily for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time "B" - Fr. Edward Namiotka

 

Mary, Our Mother of Sorrows

An image of Our Lady of Sorrows

Dear Parishioners,

In September, we celebrate the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (September 14th), normally followed the next day by Our Lady of Sorrows (September 15th). (However, this year—2024—it falls on a Sunday, which takes precedence). 

Are you familiar with the Seven Sorrows of Our Blessed Mother?  Mary experienced both pain and sorrow during her life, in union with her Son and His Passion.  

With Jesus’ Presentation in the Temple (1) as a baby, Simeon foretold that Mary’s heart would know pain: 

"Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." (Lk. 2: 34-35)

Subsequently, Mary knew additional grief and anxiety when she and Joseph, her spouse, necessarily fled to Egypt (2) to escape from King Herod and his command to kill all Hebrew boys two years old and younger:

. . . The angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.”  Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt.  He stayed there until the death of Herod . . . .  (Mt. 2:  13-15a)

Later, Jesus was eventually Found in the Temple (3) at age twelve after having been missing for three days: “Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety." (Lk. 2: 48)

Although she raised and cared for Jesus, her Divine Son, she was at the same time His faithful follower until the bitter end. She met Him on the way to his crucifixion on the road to Calvary (4) as we reflect on the 4th Station of the Cross. She was present during His death, standing at the foot of the cross (5). The image of the Pieta reminds us of her holding His lifeless body in her arms (6) after His death. She also watched as He was subsequently placed in the tomb (7) as we again reflect on the 14th Station of the Cross.

Mary, from the moment of her Immaculate Conception, had God’s special graces and protection from sin. She was chosen to be the mother of Our Lord and her “yes” to God at the Annunciation showed her obedience and willingness to cooperate with God’s plan for our salvation. Although she had some uncertainty concerning how God’s plan would unfold in her life, she trusted in God completely. How could a virgin have a child? The power of the Holy Spirit could transcend what is humanly impossible.  Nothing is impossible for God!

After showing us an example of her unselfish love by helping her relative Elizabeth who was also with child (Visitation), she gave birth miraculously to Our Lord in the humble surroundings of Bethlehem (the Nativity).

Mary was present at the Wedding Feast of Cana (Jn. 2: 1-11) where she requested her Son's assistance, leading to His first public miracle: changing water into wine. Her fidelity, love and continued intercessory role are evident as she was given to us as our Spiritual Mother at the cross (Jn. 19: 25-27). When her earthly life was complete, she was taken body and soul into heaven (the Assumption) and she reigns as Queen of Heaven and Earth (the Coronation).

The Blessed Virgin Mary should have a special place in the life of every Catholic (Christian). Traditionally, the month of May has been dedicated to her, and the month of October dedicated to her Holy Rosary. These mysteries of our faith (as well as many others) are found in the Mysteries of the Holy Rosary—meditations which are meant to have us reflect on some of most important aspects of our faith. Together with wearing the Brown Scapular (of Mt. Carmel) as an outward sign, we can show our love for and devotion to Our Lady. True, healthy devotion to her will only lead us to her Son Jesus and never detract from Him.

May we learn to imitate the faith and trust in God, the obedience to God’s will and the love for Jesus that Our Lady gave witness to in her life. Her example of purity and sin-less-ness is much needed in today’s world. May she continue to intercede for us as our Queen and Spiritual Mother.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

Homily for the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time "B" - Fr. Edward Namiotka