A Journey of Faith . . . beginning a Year of Faith (part 3)

Notre-Dame Basilica, Montreal

Just a bit further down the road in Fonda, NY is the National Kateri Tekakwitha Shrine.  It honors the place where St. Kateri was baptized and embraced the Catholic faith.  The Conventual Franciscan Friars maintain this shrine.  We had the opportunity to offer the Mass there while visiting.

All in all, I thought that we had visited places where ten saints and martyrs (the eight North American martyrs, St. André Bessette and St. Kateri Tekakwitha) lived and died trying to bring and spread the Catholic faith to this part of North America.

However, when I arrived home I recalled that we had also visited Notre-Dame Basilica (the city’s cathedral) and Notre Dame de Bon Secours Chapel while in Montreal.  We could not take pictures in either church while we were there, and so I went to the internet to see if I could find some pictures of these beautiful churches.

Lo and behold, when I started reading about the Notre Dame de Bon Secours Chapel, I discovered that we were in the presence of another saint’s remains without any of us realizing it!

The remains of St. Marguerite Bourgeoys, canonized by Pope John Paul II on October 31, 1982, were present in the sanctuary of this chapel!  We had mistakenly visited this beautiful chapel in our search for the city’s basilica which was a few blocks away.  I relate to you what I read about the work of this other saint of Montreal:

  

The educative and apostolic efforts of Marguerite Bourgeoys continue through the commitment of the members of the community that she founded.  More than 2,600 Sisters of the Congregation de Notre-Dame work in fields of action according to the needs of time and place - from school to college or university, in the promotion of family, parish and diocesan endeavours.  They are on mission in Canada, in the United States, in Japan, in Latin America, in Cameroon, and most recently they have established a house in France.

On November 12, 1950 Pope Pius XII beatified Marguerite Bourgeoys.  Canonizing her . . . Pope John Paul II gives the Canadian Church its first woman saint.

My retreat and subsequent pilgrimage proved to be grace-filled in so many ways.  Realizing how our continent was blessed with remarkable saints who were zealous and selfless in their love for the Catholic faith, helps me to strive to be more compassionate, loving and zealous for the souls in my care.   None of us are perfect, but we are called to imitate Jesus Christ in our thoughts, words and actions—despite our human weaknesses. 

Our faith is such a precious gift that was given to us to live, to cherish, and to hand on to others.

As we begin this Year of Faith, I pray that we may all realize what a gift—the gift of our one, holy, catholic and apostolic faith—we have been given!

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

St. Marguerite Bourgeoys

Notre Dame de Bon Secours Chapel

A Journey of Faith . . . beginning a Year of Faith (part 2)

The tomb of St. Kateri Tekakwitha in Kuhnawake, Quebec

From the Oratory of St. Joseph we journeyed south to Kuhnawake, Quebec, a reserve of the Mohawk nation, to visit St. Francis Xavier Mission.  In the church building the remains of St. Kateri Tekakwitha are entombed and venerated.

St. Kateri Tekakwitha, referred to as the Lily of the Mohawks, was born in 1656.  She was left orphaned at four years old when a smallpox epidemic killed her parents, her brother and most of her village.  Her face and skin were badly scarred and she suffered poor eyesight because of the same disease.  The name Tekakwitha literally means “she who bumps into things” because of her poor eyesight.

After moving from Ossernenon (current day Auriesville, NY) to Kuhnawake, Kateri encountered the Blackrobes—Jesuit missionaries from France intent on bringing Christianity to the New World.  She eventually embraced the Catholic faith, despite much ridicule and hostility from her uncle (who acted as her guardian) as well as being shunned by other members of her tribe.  Having professed a life of consecrated virginity, she died of tuberculosis at the age of 24.  Upon her death, the smallpox scars miraculously disappeared.

What made our visit to her tomb so special is that we were there only a few weeks prior to her scheduled canonization on October 21, 2012.  She is the first Native American to receive this honor.  Her feast day is July 14 in the USA.

Crossing back to the USA, we continued our pilgrimage to Auriesville, NY (about 40 miles west of Albany).  It was here that the American counterpart to the Canadian Martyrs’ Shrine stands—the Shrine of Our Lady of Martyrs.

The current site was once a 17th century Mohawk village (called Ossernenon) where three Jesuit missionaries were martyred during the 1640s.  Father Isaac Jogues, René Goupil, a Jesuit brother, and John Lalande, a lay missioner, are canonized American martyrs.  Together with five Jesuit priests killed in the native missions of Canada, they are known as the North American Martyrs.  Their feast is celebrated on October 19 in the USA.  As mentioned before, St. Kateri Tekakwitha was also born here.

Part of this shrine includes the Ravine, the holy place where a grieved Father Isaac Jogues interred the bones of René Goupil in an unmarked grave.  I briefly relate his story:

St. René Goupil was a lay Jesuit, or donné, who served as a physician at the Jesuit missions in Quebec.  Enroute to Huronia [around Midland, Ontario] with Father Isaac Jogues in 1642, he was ambushed and taken to the Mohawk village of Ossernenon.  He survived weeks of torture and was then enslaved in the village.  He was a compassionate man who tended the wounds of his tormentors.  He was killed on September 29, 1642, while praying the rosary, because he had blessed a little boy with the sign of the cross.  Buried by the loving hands of Father Jogues, René's holy relics rest in an unmarked grave in the Ravine on the Auriesville Shrine property.

I was very moved by his story because making the Sign of the Cross, which we probably do routinely and without much thought, led to his death.

                                                                                            

(To be continued) 

Shrine of Our Lady of Martyrs--Auriesville, NY

A Journey of Faith . . . beginning a Year of Faith

Martyrs' Shrine (Midland, Ontario)

Dear Parishioners,

Last week I made my annual retreat. As in many years past, I went to the Abbey of the Genesee (Piffard, NY--in the northwest part of the state) with the Trappist Monks for a week of prayer and solitude. I am truly grateful for this time to be spiritually renewed. It helps to put so many things into proper perspective. Be assured that I prayed for you during this sacred time!

I also began to prepare spiritually during the retreat for the upcoming Year of Faith (October 11, 2012 to November 24, 2013) declared by Pope Benedict XVI.

After the retreat, my two priest-friends and I decided to take a few days travelling together somewhere mutually agreeable. This year we continued our spiritual journey by visiting some of the holy shrines located in New York state and Canada since we were already up in the area.

Our first stop was the Martyrs’ Shrine in Midland, Ontario. The Shrine honors the eight Jesuit saints who lived, worked and (some of whom) died there almost 400 years ago. Jesuit missionaries, Jean de Brébeuf, Gabriel Lalemant, and their companions were responsible for bringing Christianity to Canada over 380 years ago! A magnificent twin-spired church sits on 75 acres of hallowed ground.

Nearby was a reconstructed village—Sainte-Marie among the Hurons—which claims to be Ontario’s first European Community. This village was the headquarters for the French Jesuit Mission to the Huron (Wendat) people. In 1639, the Jesuits, with French lay workers, began construction of a fenced community that included barracks, a church, workshops, residences, and a sheltered area for native visitors. 

Also in this area were monuments commemorating St. Louis and St. Ignace, two settlements where the French Jesuit missionaries Jean de Brébeuf and Gabriel Lalemant were captured and subsequently martyred in 1649.

It was a considerable drive through the night to Montreal, Quebec to visit the Oratory of St. Joseph. This oratory, standing atop Mount Royal, was completed in 1967 and is the largest (basilica) shrine in the world dedicated to St. Joseph. It is here that the remains of Saint (Brother) André Bessette are entombed and reverenced.

Brother André (known as the Miracle Man of Montreal) was a humble, illiterate lay brother of the Congregation of the Holy Cross. Among other tasks, he served as porter (doorkeeper) for Notre-Dame College in Montreal for approximately 40 years during which time construction of this magnificent shrine began. He was known for his hospitality and compassion for the sick and thousands of miracles and healings are attributed to his intercession. On October 17, 2010 he was canonized a saint by Pope Benedict XVI.  His feast day is January 6.

St. André Bessette

St. Joseph Oratory, Montreal

(To be continued)

Abortion: Is It Ever Justified?

Dear Parishioners,

Abortion is a topic that seems to be verboten in so many instances in our society.  However, with the upcoming presidential election, it needs to be discussed with various other important issues.  While there are those who will argue that no election is ever about a single issue, the topic of abortion has to be an issue.  Human life—and respect for it at all stages—cannot be simply ignored or be a non-issue.

Abortion is seen as a moral evil—the taking of an innocent human life.  According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (#2271):

Since the first century the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion.
This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable.
Direct abortion, that is to say, abortion willed either as an end or a means, is gravely contrary to the moral law:

You shall not kill the embryo by abortion and shall not cause the newborn to perish.
God, the Lord of life, has entrusted to men the noble mission of safeguarding life, and men must carry it out in a manner worthy of themselves.
Life must be protected with the utmost care from the moment of conception: abortion and infanticide are abominable crimes.

Some time ago, this issue was cleverly changed in the political realm to a concern about “choice.”  This word (or the phrase a woman’s right to choose) has become the mantra of those who are pro-abortion or trying to hide behind some level of justification of this act.  The fact is:  we can never deliberately choose anything which is morally evil.  We all should know that we have God-given, free will (choice).  However, what we choose is our concern here.  We can never choose a moral evil—the taking of an innocent human life.  It is gravely sinful.

That being said, what do we do about the so-called exceptions—rape, incest and a threat to the mother’s life?  Rape and incest are again grave moral evils.  Anyone who has suffered from these has experienced a grave injustice and merits our prayers as well as our utmost compassion and sympathy.  If a pregnancy occurs, however, will abortion take away the sexual assault or its memories?  Unfortunately, no.  Does the abortion of the developing baby not, rather, become a continuation of the hostility?  The innocent life in the womb—remember that the baby didn’t have anything to do with the circumstances of its own conception—now becomes another victim.  Strong emotion, rather than reason, often drives the argument that abortion is the solution in the situation of rape and incest.

What about when a mother’s life is threatened because of the pregnancy?  Circumstances like an ectopic (tubal) pregnancy often result in the indirect (neither directly desired nor intended) death of the developing baby when part of the infected fallopian tube is removed.  Morally, this action is considered permissible by an acceptable moral principle known as the principle of double effect.

When other serious illnesses possibly threaten a mother’s life, it could undoubtedly be one of the most difficult choices that a mother will ever have to make.  No one could ever fault a mother for trying to bring the baby along as far as possible to try to reach some level of viability.  Unfortunately, even then, some babies will die.  Then there are those exceptional people who go above and beyond the ordinary with great acts of heroism.  I recall someone like St. Gianna Beretta Molla (canonized in 2004) who unselfishly decided:   "If you must choose between me and the baby, no hesitation; choose – and I demand it – the baby.  Save her!"

I realize that emotions run very high when a topic like abortion is even considered.  Yet, the respect for all human life—from the moment of conception until natural death—has to be part of the discussion leading up to any presidential election.  Topics like a candidate’s “likability” and the economy (alone) are simply insufficient for Christians taking their faith seriously.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

St. Gianna Beretta Molla

Sitting Around the Dinner Table (or Whatever Happened to "Family Time?")

Dear Parishioners,

I was having dinner recently with a family that I knew from a previous assignment.  I related to them that I write a column each week for my parish.  They suggested that I develop this week’s topic:  sitting around the dinner table together (and all of its implications).

There was a time when the family meal in many homes was a sacred time.  It was where and when the family would not only eat together, but also share what was happening in their lives (“What did you do today?” or “What happened in school today?”), learn some basis communication skills, (say “please” and “thank you” and “Wait until your brother/sister is finished speaking before you talk”), pray together (grace before and after meals minimally), and simply spend quality time with each other.  Often, Sunday meals were a time with the extended family and friends.

Things have certainly changed!  Today there are frequently split shifts in the home where a meal is from the microwave oven or the nearby fast-food establishment, children (and even some adults) sit around the table playing their hand-held games, listening to their iPods, talking or texting on their smart phones, the flat screen TV might be on in the background, and there is little or no actual quality conversation taking place.  Social skills and person to person communication now give way to all forms of social networking.

Technology can be a wonderful thing, but not when it takes the place of the necessary interactions with the human person.  (We have all had the frustrating experience of the automated telephone response when wanting to speak to an actual human being!)

The bottom line is:  communication skills and the art of conversation have become lost arts!  (Try getting some young persons to look you in the eyes and say “hello.”  It can be a frustrating experience at times.)  Additionally, regular family time around the dinner table has frequently lessened or disappeared in too many homes.  There’s soccer and basketball practice, dance, piano lessons, etc., etc., that all suck up much family time and energy!

I even think our current life-style patterns have eroded the time that we should spend around the Table of the Lord for the most important meal—the Mass—which we should be attending as a family each week!

May I suggest that each family take the time to evaluate their own situation to see if what I have said applies?  If so, then why not take a few concrete steps to prioritize family time around the dinner table?  Turn the TV’s off, put the smart phones away, have a meal together, look at each other and talk to each other!

I feel very sad even having to write what I just did.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

The Courage to be Chaste

Dear Parishioners,

Years ago (in 1985), when I was still attending the seminary, Fr. Benedict Groeschel, CFR wrote a book entitled:  The Courage to be Chaste.  As with all of Fr. Groeschel’s books, I highly recommend this one.

Chastity simply means being sexually pure according to one’s state in life.  For a single, unmarried person, it means refraining from all sexual activity (if and until one chooses to marry).  For married persons, it means to be faithful and exclusive in all sexual activity with one’s spouse.  For Catholic priests or religious, it means that we ordinarily remain celibate (promising not to marry) and thus are called to live purely, in a type of consecrated, single life dedicated to God.

I sincerely think that most people who have walked this earth have struggled at one time or another with being chaste.  After all, a normal, healthy person has a sex drive which urges us to “be fertile and multiply” (Gn. 1:28) as the bible states.  As we understand this drive to have its origin in God, it is good and needs to be seen as such.  It is when sex is taken out of the parameters of the Christian, biblical understanding of a marriage, that it becomes problematic and, in fact, sinful.

We have recently seen grave sexual scandals, once again, come to the forefront within the Church and in the secular world, right in the neighboring state of Pennsylvania.  Is that the only area where we are going to find such problems?  Absolutely not.  I think that this is just the tip of the iceberg, so to speak.

As long as we live in a sexually charged society, where pornography is as easily accessible as turning on a computer, TV or even using a phone, where traditional sexual morals are seen as passé, where abuse and lack of regard for human life has had our popes warning us about a “culture of death,” where the breakdown of the traditional family is so evident, where contraceptives are as easily available as buying candy at the convenience store, we are going to continue to have problems—severe problems.  Sadly, I think it’s inevitable.

Sexual abuse in any form should never be tolerated.  No one is above God’s moral laws.  Although there is usually shame and fear by those who are abused, they should seek the proper help and counsel and realize that they are victims in the situation.

In the meantime, we all have to work at being sexually pure and chaste.  The process is aided by a good prayer life and personal relationship with God, by seeking spiritual direction, forgiveness and counsel—especially in the Sacrament of Penance, by the frequent reception of Holy Communion, by channeling our energies into good, healthy activities (like exercise or sports), by avoiding the occasions of sin (for example, don’t surf the web or the TV channels for porn, don’t frequent bars looking to find “love”), etc., etc.  With the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, pure and chaste, it is possible to live a chaste life in today’s world.  It won’t be easy, but it will be possible.

We all need the courage (with God’s grace) to be chaste.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

Meeting an African Bishop

Dear Parishioners,

We were privileged to have Bishop Sanctus Lino Wanok of the Catholic Diocese of Nebbi, Uganda as our guest this past weekend.  He was the principal celebrant at the 5:30 PM Mass on Saturday and the 10:00 AM Mass on Sunday.  Bishop Wanok arrived in the USA to visit the priests from his diocese who are working here in the Camden Diocese—most notably Fr. Alfred Onyutha who had been assigned here at St. Joseph Church.

While enjoying a couple of meals and conversations with the bishop, a few priests and I were able to ask some questions about the church in Africa.  We were told by the bishop that one of his major concerns for his diocese was the strengthening of the family unit and having marriages take place or regularized (convalidated) within the Catholic Church.  For various reasons, people in his diocese would get married outside of the Church (or not be married at all) and he desired to correct that situation.  He informed us that recently 220 couples had their marriages take place together in a common ceremony at the cathedral in Nebbi.  Plans were being made to have this happen in other cities as well.

We were also informed of a few interesting bits of information during our conversations including:  the relative youthfulness of the clergy in the Nebbi Catholic diocese, the large Catholic population there (approximately 80%), the problem of AIDS present in an almost exclusively heterosexual culture, and the matter of fact attitude toward not having many material or technological amenities.  At one point the Bishop informed us that he had been discouraged from visiting our area because of the recent power outages.  His smiling response was:  “For us this is every day.”

There is a certain peace and serenity that I found in these our African brothers.  I observed that they had a pleasant sense of humor, they appreciated so many things that we probably take for granted (like running water and electricity), while they seem to embody a refreshing, simplistic spirituality.

The bishop asked me if we could send his priests some Mass intentions since these were lacking for his diocesan priests.  (If anyone wishes to have us send the priests of his diocese some intentions for Masses to be celebrated, please contact our parish office with the information and any donation.)

Our guest bishop, by his very presence, reminded us all of the true universality or catholicity of our Church.  We all enjoy one faith rooted in Jesus Christ and were able to be with one of the Successors of the Apostles who shepherds a Church far away from us in distance, but nonetheless united in Spirit!

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor  

        

What It Means to Volunteer

Dear Parishioners,

I have asked, on quite a few occasions, that people be willing to step up and volunteer their gifts, talents and abilities for service in the Church—and ultimately, for the greater honor and glory of God. I truly believe that everyone has something to contribute to the parish, in accord with the words of St. Paul:

There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit. (1 Cor. 12: 4-7)

With this in mind, I suggest a few things for you to ponder concerning the idea of service.

Too often today, people look to see what they are going to benefit from a situation: “What am I going to get out of it?” “How much am I going to get paid?” The idea of service, in my opinion, should be seeking the good of the other—not one’s own self—without calculating the cost or benefit. Consider how Jesus had washed the feet of His disciples while giving the following exhortation:

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.  (John 13: 12b-15)

Being of service to others does not always mean doing it when it’s convenient for me or when it fits into my busy schedule. I can remember many, many years ago, as an altar boy being required to serve the 7 AM as well as the 5:15 PM Mass on various weekdays! Did I like getting up so early before school to serve Mass? Not really. Would I have rather been outside playing with my friends in the evening? Most likely. Being available to help others--even if I am inconvenienced--certainly needs to be kept in mind since service to others usually involves some personal sacrifice and possible inconvenience.

Being of service to others should not include the primary purpose of getting the recognition of others or being noticed. Jesus told us clearly in the Sermon on the Mount: “Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father.” (Mt. 6: 1) When we do things for others, we may, unfortunately, never get any recognition or even a “thank you.” But remember, God sees all things, knows our true motivation, and, in the end, is the only one we should be worried about pleasing!

With the above things in mind, I, once again, ask you to offer your gifts to help others, to help strengthen our parish and ultimately to give honor and glory to God by building up the Kingdom of God here on earth!

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

It’s Been a Year, Already!

Dear Parishioners,

First of all, if you haven’t realized it by now, I humbly confess that I have a few flaws.  (My confessor would probably tell you that there are considerably more than just a few flaws—but he won’t/can’t break the seal of confession!  Thank God!)

I know this may come as a complete and utter shock, but I can sometimes procrastinate a bit.  Put this along side of my being a tad bit unorganized and you could potentially have some of the ingredients present in a recipe for certain disaster.

Thank God, again, for the very competent office and parish staff that surrounds me, supports me and helps to keep me on track!  I don’t know what I would do without them.  They are a godsend!

That being said, I want to do a few things that I have been putting off.

I take this time to say “thank you” to all of the people who were so kind, loving, generous and helpful to me at the time of my 25^th Anniversary of Ordination to the Priesthood back in May.  There are far too many to mention individually and by name here.  (It is always a danger that in doing so, someone would be forgotten unintentionally, thus leading to hurt feelings.)  So I make this general thank you to all who made the day, the Mass, the celebration and my priestly ministry—that I am so privileged to have been given—completely joy-filled and beautiful!  You are all remembered in my thoughts, prayers and Masses.

Next, I can tell you that the church parking lot, after much frustration, worry and consternation on my part, should be re-lined shortly.  This will involve a new parking pattern in which cars will no longer be blocked in by others.  Successful results depend, however, on whether or not people follow the new pattern and park within the lines!  The arrangement calls for multiple handicapped spots close to the church doors.  I wait with bated breath!

Unfortunately, across the street in the school lot, we are facing a mysterious sinkhole which we hope to remedy as soon as possible.  I pray that no one gets swallowed up in the meantime!  Stay clear!

Moreover, plans are underway to turn part of the vestibule of the church into a multi-use confessional, cry room and bride’s room.  I had something similar in my last parish and the concept worked pretty well there.

Finally, I express my gratitude to those who stepped forward and answered my Help Wanted ad in the church bulletin.  I once again remind all of you, my parishioners, that this is your parish (as well as mine) and it will only be as active and dynamic as your willingness to be an active part of it.  We are always looking for your help!  Please volunteer your services.  Don’t wait to be asked!

My year at St. Joseph’s has been one of the best in my life!  Thanks to all of you who make it great to be here and to serve you as your priest and pastor!

I love you all!

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

Fortnight for Freedom

Dear Parishioners,

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has declared the fourteen days from June 21 to July 4 as a “fortnight for freedom.”

The fortnight began with the vigil of the Feasts of St. John Fisher and St. Thomas More and continues to Independence Day.  The bishops remind us that “Our liturgical calendar celebrates a series of great martyrs who remained faithful in the face of persecution by political power—St. John Fisher and St. Thomas More, St. John the Baptist, SS. Peter and Paul, and the First Martyrs of the Church of Rome.”

 

It is a special time dedicated to prayer, study, catechesis as well as public action emphasizing “both our Christian and our American heritage of liberty.”

Why now?

According to the Catholic News Agency, “The initiative was created in response to several moves by the Obama administration that are threatening the Church’s religious freedom.  The most well-known action is the Health and Human Services mandate that requires employers to cover birth control and other services that Catholics and other believers find morally objectionable.”

Various forces in the media and in politics have tried to make it appear that this issue is only about the Catholic Church’s opposition to artificial birth control or abortion.  This is truly not what the matter is all about.  It concerns our ability as Catholics to practice our faith freely and in the manner in which we see fit.  No government can mandate what we can or should believe and how we must practice our beliefs.  The entire situation seems to be an attempt to confuse and to split the ranks of Catholics—in essence, to divide and conquer.

I urge you to become more informed about the issue by reading information supplied by the USCCB (http://www.usccb.org) or similar resources.  Be aware of how the secular media and certain groups, organizations or factions may try to slant or spin the issue to suit their own purposes—political or otherwise.

This matter has become a slippery slope and a grave danger to all believers where our government has overstepped its bounds and attacked religious liberty in the land of the free.

We should be worried.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor