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