Father's Day!

Dear Parishioners,

First of all, I pray for all fathers today—living and deceased. I lost my father many years ago in 1995 when he was only 64 years old. His love and concern for his wife and family are memories that cannot be easily erased from my mind.

As I was preparing to write for Father’s Day, I primarily want to address the men of our parish and community who are honored this day. While I do not have any biological children myself, I can still understand some of the obligations and duties of fatherhood since I am a spiritual father for the parish as priest and pastor. After all, I am called “Father” on a daily basis by young and old alike.

When I was teaching the Family Life class in high school, I would remind the students that it was relatively easy for most men biologically to have a child. No one has to teach the various animal species of the world the process of mating. Animal instinct will generally take care of that. However, to serve as a father to a child involves a lot more than the biological act of mating.

Fathers have the responsibility to love and care for, to feed and clothe, to educate and teach their children. More than that, however, fathers are to be the spiritual leaders of their homes—their domestic church. Every father is a type of priest for his home. He is the moral leader and exemplar for his family. Remember that when we call God “Our Father” as Jesus taught us, it is practically impossible not to have our own earthly fathers somewhat in the back our minds when we think of the concept of fatherhood. Earthly fathers should seek to be an example of the unconditional love that our Heavenly Father has for us.

Too often in our society and sometimes in various cultures, men do not accept the responsibility to be the spiritual fathers for their families.  We will have various women in a parish who become “church widows” since their husbands do not come regularly to church. This also leaves any children that they have as spiritual orphans since their dads are teaching their children that there are other things more important in life for them than God and Church. Remember that true fathers teach by both word and example!

Do I ever see dad pray?  Does dad ever volunteer his time at church?  Does dad go to confession regularly?  Does dad go to Mass and receive Holy Communion each week?  These are questions that might be going through your children’s minds. How will these questions be answered?

I propose St. Joseph as a role model for all fathers. God chose him to be the father-figure for Jesus on earth and he was His legal father (foster father) in worldly matters. While we have no spoken words from him in Sacred Scripture, Joseph is known as a “righteous” man (Mt. 1:19), obedient to the will of God. His concern and love for the Blessed Virgin and Jesus becomes apparent by his actions on their behalf.

I realize that some of the dads who need to hear this may not be in church to read this bulletin. Calling all church widows and spiritual orphans: please bring this bulletin to your husbands and/or fathers for me special delivery. I would be anxious to see the expressions on their faces.

For those many men who are faithfully trying to do a good job for their families: “thank you, dad!”

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

Give Thanks and Prepare!

 

Dear Parishioners,

As I write this bulletin column, I anticipate enjoying my annual Thanksgiving dinner with various family members. I certainly realize 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. Thanksgiving always fell near my mom’s birthday and she is certainly missed. I will not be doing the cooking this year, as I have done many times in the past, since my brother’s family graciously offered to host the dinner.

As I reflect, I remember 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 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 much too soon. When Christmas finally arrives, people are ready to move on to something else. Meanwhile, in the Church, we are just beginning the actual celebration. According to the Catholic Church’s calendar, the Christmas season begins on Christmas Eve and lasts to the Baptism of the Lord (this year on January 11, 2026).

I urge everyone not to 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 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 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. While the consumer mentality and secular customs appear to win the battle, Christians need to put Christ first and prepare not only to celebrate His birth, but also to ready ourselves for His Second Coming.

Come Lord Jesus!

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

Mother's Day!

Dear Parishioners,

I wish a Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers this weekend.

Having lost my mother over a year ago at the age of 90, I still miss seeing her and hearing her voice. She and I became very close over the years as I was her oldest and only unmarried child. I had time to visit her at home (usually weekly), to vacation with her and to act as her "social director" during the many years she was able to travel. We would go out to dinner, go to the movies, go to the beach, and attend various theater performances, etc. for the many years after my dad passed (in 1995).   

For most people there is a special bond between mother and child. Our mothers carry us in their wombs for nine months. They endure the pangs of birth. They feed us, bathe us, clean up after us, teach us, comfort us, caress us and, most importantly, love us.

How often they are willing to sacrifice for us!

Thanks moms for your strength, patience and ability to make things better by your calming and reassuring presence. Whenever we take you for granted or forget what you have done for us over the years, we apologize. You deserve better from us.

We love you!

For those who have lost their earthly mothers like me, please remember to pray for them and have Masses offered for them. Our faith teaches us, whether they are in purgatory or in heaven, they can pray for us! Let’s aid them in getting to heaven by offering our prayers, Masses and sacrifices for them. 

In addition to our biological (or adoptive) mothers, I think that it is also important to remember to honor our Spiritual Mother as well. Our Blessed Lady should play an essential role in the lives of Catholics and indeed all Christians. She was given to us as our mother through St. John at the foot of the cross: 

When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, behold, your son.’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Behold, your mother.’ And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.  (John 19: 26-27)

We honor Our Lady as our Queen and Mother. After First Holy Communion last week, we crowned her at the 11 AM Mass. We pray that she will continue to intercede for her children here on earth and we place our confident hope and trust in her.

We need to ask her continually to pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Pray her Rosary and meditate upon the mysteries of our faith. You can also choose to wear a Miraculous Medal, Brown Scapular or some other outward sign of commitment/consecration to her care and protection. We desire to share eternity with her and her Son Jesus in His Heavenly reign.

Whether biological, adoptive or spiritual, Happy Mother’s Day to all our mothers! 

Thanks for loving us!

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

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

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 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time - "B" - Fr. Edward Namiotka

 

My Mom's Passing into Eternal Life

Mrs. Catherine Namiotka

My mother Catherine passed early Friday morning (2/16/24) at the age of 90. May she rest in peace.

Funeral Mass will be Friday (2/23/24) at 11 AM at St. Ann Church (Notre Dame de la Mer Parish) in Wildwood.

A viewing will be held from 9:30 AM to 10:45 AM in the church prior to the Mass.

My brothers, sister and I would appreciate your prayers for her.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

When the Entire World is Upside Down

Dear Parishioners,

I know that Jesus would use a type of hyperbole—an intentional exaggeration for effect—at various times in the Gospels. Did he really want us literally to tear our eyes out and throw them away (see Mt. 5:29) or to cut our hands off and throw them away (see Mt. 5:30) as stated in the Sacred Scriptures? I don’t think so. He most likely said things in this manner to wake people up and have them pay attention to what he had to say.  He needed people to recognize his legitimate, definitive authority.

Much was the same with Jesus’ miracles. His miracles were often meant to attract people to His message and to show His true authority: “’But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth’–he said to the paralytic, ‘I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home.’” (Mk. 2:10-11)  I suppose in Jesus’ time, just as in ours, people wondered who to listen to, who is telling the truth and what authority is legitimate. Many people, then and now, have various things to say, but they certainly don’t all carry the same weight. My utmost loyalty and attention goes to the Son of God—hands down!

In today’s conversations we too may say some things emphatically to get a point across: “That weighs a ton!” “I’m so hungry that I could eat a horse!” and “I’ve told you a million times already!”

I guess that there are times when our current culture has become so de-sensitized or may even have become so calloused to current societal issues that we may need to say something in an unusual or extreme manner to get people’s attention once again. Society nowadays is also so careful to be politically correct on almost every matter for fear of offending someone and being cancelled.

So how do we make people realize that the breakup of the traditional family is tragic for society, how [according to the World Health Organization (W.H.O.) website] there are 73 million abortions worldwide per year, how co-habitation outside of marriage can have detrimental effects on relationships, how homosexual sexual acts are always sterile and empty acts, and how our addiction-prone society (alcohol, drugs, sex, pornography, gambling, shopping, etc.) can destroy moral character and ultimately lead to self-destruction, just to name a few contemporary societal concerns?

What do I say or do to make people pay attention? Perhaps I need to quote Jesus again:

 

Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few. (Mt. 7: 13-14)

 

Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come. Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into. So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come. (Mt. 24: 42-44)

 

But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth? (Lk. 18:8)

I often wonder just who is listening to and following Him?

I express my frustration like this: The entire world is upside down!  And, in my humble opinion, this seems to be no exaggeration!

 Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

Giving Thanks

Dear Parishioners,

With Thanksgiving approaching, I think it is always a good practice to take the time to say “thanks” to God for the many gifts and blessings that we have in life.

First of all, I thank God for what He has done in my life. I thank Him for the gift of life itself, for health, for family, and for the gift of the ministerial priesthood. I also give special thanks for you, my parishioners, whom I have the privilege of serving in St. Thomas More Parish. 

For almost 20 years, my family has joined me for Thanksgiving dinner at whatever rectory where I have resided as pastor. This year, however, there will be an exception. We will be celebrating both Thanksgiving and my mom’s 90^th birthday at my brother's home. My brother asked that the annual dinner be moved to his house and I was glad to accommodate his request. This year someone else will have the job of cooking for 25-30 people!   

I think that there is no better way to give “thanks” to God than by joining together for the Eucharist—the most perfect offering, the most perfect prayer of thanksgiving to God. What a privilege to receive the precious Body and Blood of Jesus our Savior! We remember Him at every Mass when He took ordinary bread and wine and changed these elements into the inestimable gift of Himself for us! Please make it a priority to join our parish family each week around the altar to give thanks. Please join us for Mass on Thanksgiving Day (9 AM) as well!

The 1^st Sunday of Advent begins on December 3^rd and the new liturgical year commences. While the Christmas season does not actually begin until Christmas eve, we are unfortunately driven by the consumer mentality that starts selling Christmas items as early as late summer. By the time Christmas arrives, people are ready to take down decorations when the actual Christmas season is really just beginning. Incidentally, the Christmas season ends on January 8^th with the Baptism of the Lord.

In conclusion, it is a good practice to take an inventory of the things in our lives that we might take for granted or fail to fully appreciate each day. A statement that I heard quite some time ago seems to put things into proper perspective: “I used to complain about the shoes I wore until I met the man with no feet.”

• Am I thankful for that fact that I am alive?

Aborted babies never had that opportunity.

•  Do I thank God every day for my health?

The hospitalized and homebound might long for days without pain and the ability to get out of bed.

• Do I take my faith for granted?

There are places in the world where people suffer and die for being a Christian.

• Do I go to bed each night with a roof over my head and a full stomach?

The homeless and those in line at the soup kitchen are probably envious.

• Do I have a family with whom to spend the holidays?

The orphan, widow / widower, soldier in a foreign land, or prisoner might not have such good fortune.

• If I can read and understand what this reflection is all about, am I truly grateful?

The blind, the mentally ill, a person with Alzheimer’s, or simply an illiterate person might not be able to do what you are doing right now.

Need I say any more? Please give thanks. 

On behalf of the priests, sisters and staff, have a happy, blessed Thanksgiving with your families!

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

Tempus Fugit

Dear Parishioners,

Where did the summer months go?

School has begun and I’m sure there are some mixed emotions in many families. There may be disappointment that summer is over, a certain joy for students to be reunited with their classmates, relief for parents that the children are back in school, etc. etc. For many of us, it seems the summer just flew by too quickly!  Tempus fugit!  (Time flies!)

What is it about our fast-paced life in which so many of us seem to be carried away? For me, it can sometimes be described like a riptide experience. We often go about our lives doing so many things until we reach a point when we can be over our heads and become overwhelmed and overpowered by various activities and demands. We may seem rushed—maybe even a bit out-of-control. We may ask questions like: How did we get to this point? Where did the time go? Where did my life go?

When I was a child, it seemed there was more time in the day. It’s funny how various perspectives in life can change! There have always been 24 hours in the day. Why did there seem to be longer days back then?     

When I become recollected and reflective, I realize that time is one of the precious gifts we have been given. We don’t know exactly how much time we have left in our lives, do we?  How we spend those precious minutes, hours and days should have certain priorities. I suggest a few here:

• Take time for prayer each day.  A life lived in prayer seems to be more manageable—especially when there are difficulties. I have found that when I take the time to pray, I am able to handle the day’s activities better and I find the necessary time to do what I need to do. When I push prayer aside, my days frequently are more chaotic.
• Take time to worship God—at the very minimum, once a week at Mass. I am amazed that so many people find excuses why they can’t (or don’t) make it a priority to go to Mass. We need to be spiritually fed with the Word of God and the Holy Eucharist.  If we love God, then this small portion of my weekly time needs to be spent with my fellow Catholic Christians in prayer and worship.
• Take time for the family. The people in our lives who should certainly be a priority when divvying up our time and attention are our family members. Sharing meals, regular conversation, family activities, and common prayer are good ways to spend family time.
• Take the time to stay healthy. Physical, spiritual and emotional health are all important considerations for a well-balanced person. Do I exercise? Do I eat right? What productive activity do I use to release stress? Do I have a spouse, companion or good friend who I can talk to and share what is happening in my life? Do I take time for my spiritual needs? (After all, I am made of body and soul!)
• Take the time to enjoy life. Everyone has different enjoyments in life. I have found that a walk on the beach, on the boardwalk or in a park can refresh the mind and uplift the spirit. A bicycle ride also helps me relax. I enjoy listening to music. The various wholesome activities that help to refresh and renew a person are certainly worth prioritizing.

Life’s journey when compared to eternity is simply a blink of an eye! Spend the time you have remaining wisely, living life to the fullest!

Tempus fugit, momento mori.  (Time flies, remember death.)

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

My Mom

Mom and me in Alaska (2011)

Dear Parishioners,

My father died suddenly of a massive heart attack in 1995. Subsequently, I began to travel on a regular basis with my mother. Being her only unmarried child (I have three brothers and a sister), it was easiest for me to accompany her to different vacation destinations over the last quarter of a century. At times to her friends she has affectionately referred to me as her “social director.”

My mother is a rather private person.  She would never want me to say anything about her let alone write something about her.  I guess that I truly admire her interior strength and fortitude over the years. Not only did she give birth to and raise five children, but she helped my father run their own businesses (grocery store and butcher shop, hotel and restaurant, motel) while battling some major health issues over the years (thyroid surgery, gall bladder surgery, back surgery, breast cancer, atrial fibrillation, to name a few).  And she has lived as a widow now for almost 28 years. 

I have journeyed with her all over the country and the world. We've been on cruises (Alaska, Caribbean) and religious pilgrimages (Rome, Holy Land).  She never wanted to repeat any destination if she could help it. For her, the world has too many other places to see!  

Why bother telling all this to you?  Simply because I love my mother as I hope that you all do.  As priests we are no more or no less human than anyone else. We come from a family. We have various family responsibilities depending on our particular situations. We are somebody’s child. The mother who gave me life deserves at least some of my time and attention. This was one way I have been able to spend some quality time with her through the years.

(As an aside, I am truly disgusted and saddened with the woke mentality in our contemporary society where mothers are referred to as "birthing persons" and even someone who now sits on the Supreme Court of our country couldn't/wouldn't clearly define what a woman is in her approval hearing. The world is insane!)

So as I write today. I am preparing to wish my own mom a Happy Mother’s Day!  This November, with God's grace, she will reach her 90th birthday. Thank you God! Thanks so much for her!

Additionally, I wish a Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers this weekend.  

For most people there is a special bond between mother and child.  Our mothers carry us in their wombs for nine months. They endure the pangs of birth. They feed us, bathe us, clean up after us, teach us, comfort us, caress us and, most importantly, love us. How often they are willing to sacrifice for us! Thanks moms for your strength, patience and ability to make things better by your calming and reassuring presence. Whenever we take you for granted or forget what you have done for us over the years, we apologize. You deserve better from us. We love you!

Those who have lost their earthly mothers, please remember to pray for them and have Masses offered for them.  Our faith teaches us, whether they are in purgatory or in heaven, they can pray for us!  Let’s aid them in getting to heaven by offering our prayers, Masses and sacrifices for them.  

In addition to our biological (or adoptive) mothers, I think that it is also important to remember to honor our Spiritual Mother as well.  Our Blessed Lady should play an essential role in the lives of Catholics and indeed all Christians. She was given to us as our mother through St. John at the foot of the cross (See John 19: 26-27). After all, May is her month! 

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

My "Mom" Song

My Mom with Her 4 Sons and Daughter (several years ago!)

Dear Parishioners,

I want to tell you about a song I had written about 10 years ago.  Please indulge me for a moment while I familiarize you with the details.

Each month, when I have a day or two off, I try to spend some time with my mother at her condo at the Jersey shore.  She and I have grown rather close over the years, especially since the passing of my father in 1995.  We have vacationed together, enjoyed many dinners and shows out and about, and simply talk about everything and anything.

While I was visiting mom one Tuesday afternoon, my sister arrived at my mom’s home with her youngest son.  He was cranky after just getting up from a nap and I watched as Cathy held him, tried to cheer him up and simply gave him her time and attention.  The moment was priceless as I looked at the young mom (my sister Cathy) take care of her then two year old and the slightly older mom spend her time with her then fifty-two year old son.

On the way back to my rectory I thought about the experience and I wanted somehow to capture this moment.  I also thought of a very special image of a Mother to me—the icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.  I give a brief description of the icon’s meaning:

It represents the Mother of God holding the Divine Child while the Archangels Michael and Gabriel are presenting  Him the instruments of His Passion. . . . His passion is represented by angels holding instruments of His passion, most often the cross, the lance, the sponge, and the nails. . . . The Child Jesus is shown with an adult face and a high brow, indicating His divine Mind of infinite intelligence.  As God, He knew that the angelic apparition was prophetic of His future passion.  Yet in His human nature as a small child, He is frightened and runs to His Mother for protection.  Our Lady hastily picks Him up and clasps Him to her bosom.  This action is indicated by the fact that the Lord’s right foot is nervously curled about the left ankle and in such haste that His right sandal has become loosened and hangs by a single strap.   Further action is indicated by the way the Child Jesus clasps His Mother’s right hand with both of His, holding tightly to Our Lady’s thumb. (Catholic News Agency)

A song began to come to my mind while driving in my car with a simple melody and lyrics that I thought just about anyone could sing—especially a young child.  When I arrived at my rectory, I put my words to paper and sang the basic tune into my smart phone, using an app that I had on my phone for recording messages and talks.

I employed the help of my long-time friend Julie Linn, who was the music/choir director and vocalist from my former parish (and now, once again, holds that position here at St. Thomas More Parish). With Scott Armato, whose creative genius was responsible for the piano accompaniment and harmonies, the song Mom took its current shape. It was sung by select children (now grown) from five different schools combined into a single choir, we called Pure Jerzy Kidz. The students came from five South Jersey schools:  Edgarton Christian Academy, Newfield; Cleary Elementary School, Buena; Main Road School, Franklinville; St. Joseph's Regional School, Somers Point; and Joy D. Miller School, Egg Harbor Township.

  

The song is meant to honor all moms with the inspiration coming from three moms in particular:  my own mother, my sister Cathy and Mary, the Mother of God.

The song is available on iTunes, Amazon, and other digital music stores.  It is also available as a CD single.  In addition, a music video can be found on YouTube.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

These are the lyrics to my song:

MOM

She wipes away my tear;

Provides a listening ear;

Her smile’s a work of art;

She holds me in her heart.

When I think about her, such joy comes to my face.

Everything about her is filled with love and grace.

She’s the one I run to in times both thick and thin.

            She’s my best friend

            Like no other

            She’s my mother!

She shows me how to love,

Tells me ‘bout God above.

Finds sunshine in the rain,

Kisses away all pain.

When I think about her, such joy comes to my face.

Everything about her is filled with love and grace.

She’s the one I run to in times both thick and thin.

            She’s my best friend

            Like no other

            She’s my mother!

Having a real bad day,

She makes it all okay!

Whenever I’m afraid

The worries quickly fade.

When I think about her, such joy comes to my face.

Everything about her is filled with love and grace.

She’s the one I run to in times both thick and thin.

            She’s my best friend

            Like no other

            She’s a godsend,

            That's my mother!

            She’s my best friend

            Like no other

            She’s my mom!

            ©2012  Edward F. Namiotka

The Holy Family

Dear Parishioners,

Family means a great deal to me.  Spending time with my mom, my brothers and sister and their families, especially around the holidays, is a special gift to me.

I realize that no family is perfect.  We all have to deal with particular family issues and circumstances, varying problems and challenges, diverse personalities, etc. Yet, all of this is accompanied by multiple blessings.

Sometimes I think that certain people tend to idealize the Holy Family and forget the many difficulties and hardships that Jesus, Mary and Joseph had to endure.  We read in the Sacred Scriptures that Mary was found with child before living with Joseph.  He was initially going to divorce her quietly. (Mt. 1: 18-19)  Then, there was no place for Jesus to be born in the lodgings of Bethlehem after Joseph and Mary (now in the final stage of her pregnancy) had travelled considerable distance. (Lk. 2: 4-7)  As an infant, Jesus’ life was threatened by King Herod and His parents had to flee with Him to Egypt. (Mt. 2: 13-18)  Joseph and Mary seemingly lost—could not immediately find—the boy Jesus during their pilgrimage to Jerusalem. (Lk. 2: 41-51)  Mary later witnessed her only Son tortured and killed in front of her eyes. (Jn. 19: 25)

These were not quite the circumstances of a perfect, ideal life, were they?

Yet, through it all, Jesus, Mary and Joseph had each other and were bound together by mutual love and respect.  They all greatly loved and trusted God, our Heavenly Father, and were obedient to His will as it was revealed and unfolded for them.

Today, problems within the family unit continue to exist—at a somewhat grand scale and pace.  Various people question, with some even wanting to redefine, the traditional understanding of “family.”  Family life as we once knew it in society seems to be eroding.

I contend that we need to look at the Sacred Scriptures to see what they teach us (albeit ever so briefly) about the family life experienced by the Holy Family.  Their obvious trust in God in difficult circumstances, their obedience to His will, and their fidelity to God and to one another are great examples for us all to follow.

Pray to the Holy Family.  Consecrate your families to the care of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Pray that our families be blessed and protected from the many threats that try to destroy them.

Pray fervently for the grace to know and to do God’s will.

And pray that our families will one day join the Heavenly Family that awaits us—united with Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor