Dear Parishioners,
This Sunday, November 9, we have a
departure from the usual ordinary time Mass and readings. This
feast day commemorates the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome.
Every diocese has a cathedral, and
the Diocese of Rome is no exception. The pope, as bishop of
Rome, has a cathedral but it is not St. Peter’s Basilica as
some might think. His cathedral is located about two and a half miles north of
Vatican City where an ancient Roman family, the Lateran family,
once had a palace that it occupied. Now established on the site is a basilica
dedicated to Christ the Savior in honor of both St.
John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist. Sometimes
the basilica is simply referred to as St. John Lateran.
If a tourist goes to Rome on a (Catholic) religious pilgrimage, it is often recommended that the person visit the four
major basilicas. First, there is St.
Peter's Basilica where we normally see the pope speaking or offering Mass. It
may be the most famous church in the world. Then we have the Lateran Basilica that was just
described. St. Mary Major is the
oldest basilica dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary in Western Christendom.
This is the church where Pope Francis was recently buried. Finally, there is
the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the
Walls, referred to as such because of its location outside of the walls of
the ancient city of Rome. According to tradition, this church contains the
chain which bound St. Paul to the Roman soldier guarding him as he was imprisoned
and awaited trial. These basilicas and many others like them are part of our
heritage as Catholics and receive many thousands of visitors regularly,
especially during this Jubilee Year of
Hope.
However, the buildings themselves
do not make up the Catholic Church. All of us who are baptized, together with
Jesus Christ our Savior as its Head, make up His Church. We must never forget
that even when all the buildings are gone, Christ's Church remains. We also should
be reminded that we are part of the Communion
of Saints consisting of the baptized here on earth (Church Militant), the souls in Purgatory awaiting purification so
as to enter Heaven (Church Suffering),
and those already with God in Heaven (Church
Triumphant).
In recent years the Camden
Diocese, through its process of merging and consolidating parishes, upset many
people who were attached to their particular church or parish. Unfortunately,
some church buildings were closed, sold and even demolished. I truly understand
how people can associate faith with the particular building where they were
baptized, received First Holy Communion, were confirmed, were married or may
have had relatives buried from there. It is indeed painful to see the loss of
certain buildings. However, we should always keep in mind the Catholic Church
is greater than any particular building, no matter how beautiful or significant
it may be. The faith is more important than a building itself.
The sad reality today is that
people are less attached to the individual parish or any particular building.
It is not unusual to see the younger generation "shop around" for a
church that suits their needs or ideologies. People frequently go where it is
convenient according to their busy schedules, if they go at all.
As we commemorate this important
basilica today, pray that future generations will have beautiful churches in
which to worship God and a sense of identity with a local parish community.
While I am personally hopeful, I do not have all the answers as to what needs
to happen so that the Church will grow and flourish into the future.
Fr. Ed Namiotka
Pastor
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