Deep in the Heart of Texas

 

Dear Parishioners,

As I write, I am currently near Austin, Texas attending some days of continuing education courtesy of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology. This is my fourth year participating in various conferences and workshops led by Catholic scholars including Dr. Scott Hahn, Dr. John Bergsma, Dr. Jeff Morrow, Dr. Shane Owens and others. About 170 priests are in attendance from various parts of the United States and some other countries. The topic for this year is Jubilee, referencing the Jubilee Year of Hope that the Catholic Church has declared for the year 2025.

Being blunt, I would bet that many Catholics (and others) do not understand the concept of a Jubilee Year. I know I did not fully realize or appreciate its significance for the Church and its people. This week I am learning much about the biblical origin and history of a jubilee year and the connection that it has to the Jewish Sabbath and the Christian Lord's Day (Sunday). Jubilee is also associated with making a spiritual pilgrimage to a holy place, such as Rome.

A major premise made during the conferences was that we have to understand and re-establish the importance of the Lord's Day in our parishes in conjunction with any appreciation of a Jubilee Year for the Church. Sundays should be primarily set aside for Christian worship of God (going to Mass), for prayer, for works of charity, and for rest from unnecessary labor and other servile work (such as shopping and those various tasks that I did not have time to do during the rest of the week). This is a proper interpretation of Keeping the Lord's Day holy—the Third Commandment. Contemporary culture primarily sees Sunday as part of the weekend, often with little or no recognition of God, worship or some rejuvenating rest for body and soul.

In my opinion, various sports at all levels of competition have reigned as a false god for generations. I enjoy most sports as much as the next person, both to watch and as a participant. However, too often excuses are made that the kids have soccer or baseball on Sunday, that the weather is nice so dad went golfing or fishing (instead of attending Mass), that there's a playoff game on TV, etc., which allots an inordinate amount of time, money and/or energy to the sport. Much more time, money and energy can be invested in sports than is ever given to God in prayer or worship. An entire half-year of Sundays can be given to the NFL in "worship," just to reference one particular instance.

Then there are those who go to Saturday evening Mass to get it over with, to have more time for what I want to do on Sunday, so I can sleep in, etc. Sunday is nothing special or set apart for God. The obligation is fulfilled to attend Mass. Period.

How can we ever understand or recognize an entire jubilee year in a spiritual manner when we, as a culture, do not see the spiritual importance of Sunday as the Day of Resurrection where we weekly renew our covenant with the Lord and set the day apart from the activity of other days?

I will have more to say specifically on the Jubilee Year of Hope in future weeks. However, let me challenge everyone who calls himself or herself Catholic to examine the ways we may be ignoring or minimizing the commandment to Keep the Lord's Day Holy. It would make a good examination of conscience.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

   

Homily for the 2nd Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy Sunday) - Fr. Edward Namiotka

 

Divine Mercy Sunday, 2025

Dear Parishioners,

The Sunday after Easter has been designated in the Catholic Church as Divine Mercy Sunday.

On April 30, 2000 (Divine Mercy Sunday of that year), Pope John Paul II canonized St. Maria Faustina of the Blessed Sacrament and designated the Sunday after Easter as Divine Mercy Sunday.

According to the notebooks of Saint Faustina, Jesus made the following statements about this day:

On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy. The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. On that day all the divine floodgates through which grace flow are opened. Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet. My mercy is so great that no mind, be it of man or of angel, will be able to fathom it throughout all eternity. (Diary of Saint Faustina, # 699)

Devotion to Divine Mercy is also associated with an image painted as Jesus wished, based on descriptions by Saint Faustina. The words that accompany the image are "Jesus, I trust in Thee" ("Jezu, Ufam Tobie" in Polish). The rays coming from Jesus' body represent the Blood (red) and water (white) that poured forth from the wound He suffered when pierced by the lance. They are interpreted as representing the Holy Eucharist and Baptism.

The devotion is practiced by praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet and Novena to the Divine Mercy—both of which may be prayed at any time, but especially at "The Hour of Great Mercy"—3:00 PM, the hour our Lord died, and in conjunction with Divine Mercy Sunday.

I find it particularly interesting that after working to promote devotion to the Divine Mercy and even writing an encyclical about God’s Mercy—Dives in Misericordia or Rich in Mercy (1980)—Pope (now Saint) John Paul II died during the vigil of Divine Mercy Sunday in 2005.

Is this just mere coincidence or another indication of the hand of God continually at work in our world?

Incidentally, Pope Francis’ funeral Mass is scheduled to be celebrated on the vigil of Divine Mercy (Saturday, April 26) this year.

May God show His Divine Mercy to Pope Francis and may the Holy Spirit guide the College of Cardinals to choose the person God wills to head the Holy Catholic Church as the next successor of St. Peter.

Jesus I trust in Thee!

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

(St. Mary’s Church on 2001 Springdale Rd., Cherry Hill is scheduled for devotions to the Divine Mercy beginning at 3 PM this Sunday, April 27)

Sr. Faustina

Homily for Easter Sunday 2025 - Fr. Edward Namiotka

 

Homily for Good Friday 2025 - Fr. Edward Namiotka

 

Homily for Holy Thursday 2025 - Fr. Edward Namiotka

 

Homily for Palm Sunday "C" - Fr. Edward Namiotka

 

Easter: Christ is Risen!

Dear Parishioners,

An ancient Christian Easter (Paschal) greeting is the following: Christ is Risen! The other person would respond: He is Risen indeed!

What is your reaction to this statement?

When St. Paul went to Athens and spoke to the people there, the following occurred: “When they heard about resurrection of the dead, some began to scoff, but others said, ‘We should like to hear you on this some other time.’” (Acts 17:32)

What happened on Easter Sunday is the most significant event for all humanity but especially for us as believing Christians. Christ rose from the dead demonstrating for all his divinity and giving us, His followers, the promise and hope of eternal life. Christ conquered sin and death. He now offers us a share in His Resurrection (eternal life).

So again I ask: What is your reaction?

Is it one that takes this event for granted? Is it one of intellectual curiosity like some of the Athenians? Is it one of doubt and confusion? Do we scoff with unbelief like some of the Athenians? (I would then have to question the very fact of your coming to church today, if that is the case.)

Or is your reaction one of belief, gratitude and hope? And if we do believe, does our belief express itself in the way we live our lives?

When we get to that point in our earthly journey when we realize our own mortality—we are all going to die—it is our belief in the Resurrection of Christ that turns despair and grief into life and hope.

I again refer to the words of St. Paul: “. . . If Christ has not been raised, your faith is vain; you are still in your sins. Then those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.” (1 Cor. 15:17-18)

I can only imagine the inexplicable joy that the apostles had when they saw Jesus alive again. I am sure that it surpassed their greatest expectations and gave them a faith in Christ that they would subsequently take to the ends of the earth. They would live and die for Christ, trying to spread His message of Good News—the Gospel. They would speak about resurrection and eternal life. They had their hope restored and they attempted to give others hope in Jesus.

This Easter I pray that you experience the joy of the Risen Christ. May your faith in Him and love for Him increase and radiate from your entire being. He is not dead but very much alive!

Today as a Church we boldly proclaim our belief in the Risen Lord. Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed! Alleluia!  

Happy Easter!

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

Holy Week 2025

Dear Parishioners,

This weekend we begin the most sacred week of the year for Christians. We recall Christ’s passion, death and resurrection. We are reminded of all that God has done for us in sending us His Only Begotten Son.

Palm Sunday recalls Jesus’ triumphant entry into the city of Jerusalem. His royal reception sees Him being lauded by the crowd: Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; hosanna in the highest.  (Mt. 21:9)  However, entering Jerusalem meant that Jesus was now ready to begin His bitter passion and to face death on a cross. The crowd quickly turned on Him as they chanted: Let him be crucified! . . . Let him be crucified!  (Mt. 27:  22-23)  We can see how quickly any glory and honor that the world may have for any of us can change to ridicule, scorn and even hatred. Sic transit gloria mundi.

On Holy Thursday (7:00 PM Mass) we recall the Last Supper where Jesus instituted the Holy Eucharist and the Ministerial Priesthood. Priesthood and the Holy Eucharist are intimately connected: without the Priesthood, there would be no Holy Eucharist. Jesus’ actions also remind us of the call to service displayed by the mandatum or washing of the apostles’ feet.  Do you realize what I have done for you?  You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am.   If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet.  I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do. (Jn. 13: 12-15)  The Blessed Sacrament will remain in the repository in our chapel until 10 PM, where there is time for silent prayer and adoration.

The liturgy of the Passion of the Lord on Good Friday (3 PM Service) has 3 main components: a reading of the passion account from St. John’s gospel followed by various intercessions, veneration of the cross and Holy Communion. Masses are not offered on Good Friday. In addition, the Stations of the Cross will be observed in the chapel at 7 PM. (This day remains a day of fast—one full meal—and abstinence from meat.)

The Easter Vigil (8 PM Mass) is not intended as a Mass to be rushed through quickly. (Please note: Mass usually lasts minimally about 2 hours.) There are so many beautiful parts that, if done reverently and properly, should not be hurried or omitted. We begin with a lighting of the Easter fire and a candlelight ceremony. Then follows the singing of the Exultet or Easter Proclamation. Salvation history is traced through a series of readings as the congregation is reminded of how God has continued to work in and through every age. After the readings comes the time to bring new members into the Catholic Church through Baptism and the reception of other Sacraments of Initiation—Confirmation & Holy Communion. (Unfortunately, there are no candidates or catechumens in our parish for the vigil Mass this year. We certainly need to encourage others among our family and friends who are not Catholic to consider becoming Catholic.) The Easter water is blessed at this time and sprinkled on the congregation as we renew our baptismal promises. Finally, Mass continues in normal fashion with the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

Please consider participation in these liturgies of the Easter Triduum. All of us need to be reminded of the saving events Christ undertook out of love for us, sinners. Any extra time we might choose to spend in Church pales in comparison to His many hours of suffering when He was mocked, tortured and died for us on the cross. 

The Masses for Easter Sunday are at the usual times: 8:30 AM and 11 AM.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

Homily for the 5th Sunday of Lent "C" - Fr. Edward Namiotka

 

“What Are You Giving Up for Lent?”

Dear Parishioners,

“What are you giving up for Lent?”

I have been asked this question many times in my life. I think very carefully before I respond. An easy answer would be to say something like chocolate, desserts or soda. Case closed. Many would be satisfied with this response. In my opinion, however, it seems that we need to look beyond this question to something deeper and more profound: How can I be changed for the better by my observance of Lent?

The Gospel reading of Ash Wednesday (Mt. 6:1-6, 16-18) reminds us of three traditional practices of Lent: prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

Lent should be a time for increased prayer. When I first began seeking his direction and guidance, my spiritual director at Mt. St. Mary’s Seminary asked me to describe for him how I pray. For most people, including me, this is a very personal request. That’s between God and me! You are now invading my personal space!

How do I pray? (I will reluctantly let you have a glimpse at my inner sanctuary. Please keep this between you and me!)

It depends. Some elements are part of my daily routine. My most important prayer each day is the Mass. I deliberately try to pray the Mass. Over time Mass can sometimes become very routine for priests (and laity alike). Priests (and laity) can consciously or unconsciously just go through the motions and simply read the words that are printed in the Roman Missal. To pray the Mass is deliberate and intentional. It involves an act of the will and a conscious effort. It requires concentration.

I also pray my Liturgy of the Hours—a series of psalms, Scripture readings, intercessions and formal prayers—intended to sanctify the various hours of the day. Additionally, my personal goal is to include a rosary, some spiritual reading, and time (usually a holy hour) before the Blessed Sacrament each day. At various times in my life I have been drawn to centering prayer (a doorway to contemplation), charismatic prayer, devotional prayer (novenas, Stations of the Cross, rosary, etc.), intercessory prayer, meditation, and to whatever else the Holy Spirit leads me at any given time. Frequently I talk to God from the heart. Prayer is the means by which I hope to seek out God’s will, to know Him better and to be united with Him one day. Increasingly, it has become for me a time to be quiet and simply to listen to God. Despite all of the busyness of life, Lent should include time for increased prayer.

Fasting involves some self-denial—food or otherwise. In addition to not eating certain items that we may enjoy, we can “give up” watching TV, frivolous time on the computer, tablet or phone, unnecessary shopping, music in the car, and various other things that not only teach us some discipline and self-sacrifice but may free us up for more time for God and prayer. Two official fast days (from food) during Lent are Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

Almsgiving is a reminder for all of us to be charitable—with our money, of course—but also with our talents and with our time. What we do not spend frivolously on shopping, we can give to a personal charity. What we save by eating a simple meal, we can use to send a gift or flowers to an elderly homebound person to let him or her know that he or she is still loved. We can also volunteer our time on behalf of our church, in some civic organization, with a youth group or for some charitable cause. We can use the skills of our profession or trade pro bono.

What am I giving up for Lent this year?

This question is much too simplistic.  (And you might be sorry that you asked me!)

Fr. Ed Namiotka

 Pastor