A "Spirit-Filled" Experience

Dear Parishioners,

I have wanted to visit the Franciscan University of Steubenville for some time now.  I have known quite a few of its graduates over the years.  They all seemed very fond of their alma mater.  Most importantly, they seemed to continue to practice their Catholic faith long after their college days.  I recall one of my former professors speaking of how the place was uniquely "spirit-filled" and boasted of the wonderful, young people on campus.  So when Deacon Bob Oliver asked me if I would like to join him this year for the annual Priests, Deacons and Seminarians Retreat, in a moment of weakness (and probably temporary insanity), I said yes!

After a drive of seven hours or thereabouts--mostly on the scenic PA turnpike--we arrived at the campus in Ohio.  Back to those glorious days of dorm rooms with notoriously uncomfortable single beds!  What! Oh darn! No roommate to get used to!  Shucks!  Yet, there were still the common bathrooms (psst, someone just passed gas rather loudly as I entered through the bathroom door this morning), the oh-so-tasty cafeteria food, the long walks up and down hills to go from building to building.  You just gotta love it!  College 101 revisited!  Dreams (nightmares?) of Animal House!  Woo-hoo!  To be young again!  NOT!

On a more sobering and serious note, the first conference began Monday night with the music ministry warming us up with a couple of songs.  Gathered were over 100 priests, about 50 deacons and 30 or so seminarians.  We were here for a common purpose--to Come to the Table--the theme of this year's conferences.

Last night's opening talk, powerfully delivered by Dr. John Bergsma, spoke on the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation (confession) as seen through the story of the Israelites' Exodus from Egypt.  Dr. Bergsma is a former Protestant pastor who converted to Catholicism.  His witness (and unique perspective) on the inestimable value of this sacrament and its capacity to deliver a person from bondage and sin, appeared to touch many hearts and minds.   Everyone was then given the opportunity to receive the sacrament employing the many priests who were present, including myself.

The celebration of Mass followed with Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger of Albany, NY as the principal celebrant.  Fr. Dave Pivonka, TOR,  delivered a passionate homily setting the tone for what I suspect will be a continued call to all of us to be more authentic witnesses to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I look forward to the upcoming conferences by presenters such as Dr. Scott Hahn (another Protestant pastor and biblical scholar who converted to Catholicism), Fr. Jonathan Morris (often seen on TV as a news contributor), Deacon Ralph Poyo, Caroline Gambale-Dirkes, and various others.

Know that you will be remembered in my prayers and Masses this week.

I hope to return back to Somers Point more "spirit-filled."  Let me know over the weekend if you see a difference.  

(Keep quiet if you don't.)

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

An Unexpected Arrival

Dear Parishioners,

Last week I received a call from the Camden Diocesan office informing me that Bishop Sullivan has assigned Fr. Christopher Markellos as the full-time Parochial Vicar (associate) for our parish.  I was surprised, but glad, to hear the news!  Fr. Markellos comes to us from St. Joseph High School in Hammonton, where he was the Director of Catholic Identity for the school.  The change is effective as of July 1^st.

It will be nice having Fr. Markellos around the rectory.  It has been rather quiet here since both Fr. Larry Polansky and seminarian Anthony Infanti left us this past year.  Fr. Christopher Onyeneke, who is a religious order priest (Missionaries of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary), will continue to work as the chaplain at Shore Medical Center and help us here on an as needed basis.  Our two (married) permanent deacons, Mr. Robert Oliver and Mr. Steven Theis, will also continue to assist at the parish.

In addition to the personnel changes, a few facility improvements are in process as a result of our Capital Campaign (Celebrating 70 Years:  Embracing the Mission, Continuing Our Tradition) initiative.  A new digital piano has replaced the aging baby grand piano in the choir area.  The fire sprinkler system is currently being installed in the church basement.  We have obtained the bids for a new sound system that will, most likely, begin to be installed in August.  The old slate roof on the rectory garage is being replaced as I write this.  Also, the HVAC system is being studied by a company to determine what is the best and most energy efficient way to heat and air-condition our church.  I am happy to see so many things in process, with more to come!

With all the changes and improvements being planned, may we always keep in mind the importance of growing as disciples of the Lord Jesus.  My ultimate goal as pastor is to help people to know, love and serve Jesus Christ.  I try to guide people in whatever way I am able toward union with God in Heaven.  I certainly cannot do this alone.  It involves a united effort from all of us.  Please do your part to encourage weekly participation at Mass in your families and to take advantage of the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation (confession) regularly—I suggest monthly.  Always pray daily in your homes.  Try to learn more about your faith—perhaps by bible study, reading a good Catholic book, listening to a Catholic CD (available in the vestibule of the church), etc.  We provide links to many of these matters on our parish website:  www.stjosephsomerspoint.com/.

Faith needs to be nurtured and not left dormant.  I remember reading a line from the Venerable Bishop Fulton J. Sheen:  There are no planes in the spiritual life; we are either going uphill or coming down.  Too many things in this materialistic, secular world can distract us or even attempt to suck the very soul / life-blood out of our lives.  In my view, without the sacraments—especially the Holy Eucharist—this struggle would seem near impossible.  Jesus knew what we needed and gave us the means toward holiness of life and union with Him.  Try to be open to all that the Catholic Church has to offer.

To me, it’s a shame that more people do not take advantage of His many precious gifts and His rich, unfathomable mercy.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor                    

A Few Words at Graduation

Dear Parishioners,

Last Monday night (6/6/16), I preached the Baccalaureate Mass for St. Joseph Regional School's 8th grade graduation.  I share with you a synopsis of my homily:

During your recent reception of the sacrament of confirmation by Bishop Sullivan, you were asked to choose a confirmation name--usually stemming from a saint who impressed you.  When I was ordained, I too chose a patron saint, with whom I want you now to become more familiar.  I was inspired by the life and example of a Franciscan Friar--a priest--who lived during World War II.  Fr. Maximilian Kolbe gave me a vivid example of how to imitate Christ by his selfless love of others.

Towards the end of his life, Fr. Kolbe was imprisoned in a death camp in Poland--the infamous Auschwitz. Whenever a prisoner tried to escape from this prison, ten people were chosen to die as punishment and as a deterrent to others from trying to escape.  When one of the ten chosen prisoners started to cry out that he had a wife and family, Fr. Kolbe stepped forward and offered his life in place of the married man.  Fr. Kolbe was placed in a starvation cell and left to die.  For weeks before his death he led the other prisoners in prayer and song until he was eventually injected with carbolic acid which killed him immediately.  His act of selfless love was a motivation for me to be a priest dedicated to the service of and love for others.

As you leave this school and move on to various high schools, please remember to imitate the selfless love of Christ.  Take the Catholic faith that you were given and nurtured with here at this school, and witness it to others.  There will be many changes in your life--both good and bad.  As your time here ends, your future begins somewhere else.  Wherever you may go, remember that Jesus is always with you.  Pray to Him.  Be faithful to Him.  Trust Him.  Listen to Him.

You have reached a point of accomplishment in your lives.  However, I hope that you all realize that the purpose of our lives is much more than obtaining a piece of paper that we call a diploma or a degree.  Handing God a diploma or degree is not what is required for one of us  to wind up in heaven--to have union with God--someday.  Living a life of loving God and others, caring for the poor, sick and neglected, forgiving and showing others mercy is what God looks for in our lives.  By carrying out the spiritual and corporal works of mercy--which I know you had to study in preparation for your Confirmation--is a good start.

Chances are you will probably forget most of what I say to you here tonight.  However, I left you a little remembrance in your pews to remind you of my words.  At each of your places I placed a holy card with the picture of St. Maximilian Kolbe on it as a reminder.  Think of him and the example of his selfless love and let it be a continual reminder for you as it is for me.

May God bless you and all of your families and friends who join us here tonight--especially your parents who provided you with this opportunity to receive a Catholic education.  

Always be grateful for what you have been given.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor 

St. Maximilian Kolbe

           

Having a Sense of Balance in One's Life

Dear Parishioners,

I consider a true friend a person who tells you what you need to hear rather than what you want to hear.  When I was newly ordained, one such friend indicated to me that I seemed to be changing my behavior in ways that were not necessarily flattering.  This person helped me to put matters in perspective and to realize certain things about myself that I had not identified on my own.  The way of fools is right in their own eyes, but those who listen to advice are the wise (Proverbs 12:15).  In other words, only the fool keeps his own counsel. 

At another time in my life, a good friend handed me a piece of paper with one word on it.  The note simply read balance.  My daily routine was then filled with stress and a multitude of responsibilities.  Things were far from balanced.  I had to re-evaluate the priorities in my life.  Was I praying enough?  Did I get adequate sleep each night?  Was I eating healthy meals?  Did I exercise regularly?  Did I have the insight and humility to seek out and to talk to someone to help me?

I think we all need this sense of balance in our lives.  We have become a society where we are often too busy, running around and constantly doing.  In the midst of all the activity, I find that important spiritual matters tend to get neglected.  Prayer is pushed aside as not that important.  Soccer or baseball games, shopping, or various leisure activities take precedent over going to Mass on Sundays.  People, perhaps, may still go to confession before Christmas and Easter, but not necessarily frequently in order to become more spiritually attentive and open to God.  Things of the world generally outweigh the things of God. We may suffer harmful effects as a result, perhaps without even realizing it.

When we don’t pray regularly—and I don’t mean occasionally throwing a prayer up to God for some particular need or want—we become spiritually lethargic.  God indeed speaks to us in the silence, in the depths of our hearts.  We need to listen to that interior voice of the Holy Spirit directing and guiding us.  We need to be reflective, introspective people.

If we are made of body, mind and soul, is the soul being fed?  The Sacred Scriptures nourish us.  The Holy Eucharist—the Bread of Life—is true soul food.  How much of a priority do these have in my life?

Where did I leave off in my religious education?  Was it in 8^th grade or even earlier, after Confirmation and CCD (now referred to as religious education or PREP)?  The sad joke is that for many CCD (the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine) actually stood for Communion, Confirmation and Done.

Other matters are also important, such as adequate sleep, good nutrition, regular exercise, etc. in order to keep a balance in life.  From my own personal experience and testimony, however, when my spiritual life is in order, almost everything else becomes more balanced.  A few words of wisdom given by an elderly priest many years ago still resonate with me:  Take care of your spiritual life.  Everything else will fall into place.

So please consider these words some sound advice from a true friend.  Don’t be offended if I ask:  Is your spiritual life in order and your life truly balanced?

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

The Priestly Blessing

Dear Parishioners,

Last Sunday afternoon I concelebrated Mass for the 40^th Anniversary of Ordination of a priest-friend.  It was quite an elaborate Mass with a packed church including fifty-nine priests, two transitional deacons, our bishop, numerous altar servers and diocesan seminarians.  Needless to say, there was much pomp and circumstance everywhere from the burning incense emitting from a thurible the size of a small watermelon, to the ruby flowers and decorations filling the church for Pentecost, to some intricate, uplifting musical selections.

During all of the various happenings of the day, one could not but think of the Catholic priesthood and the Catholic Church in all of its majestic glory.  The regrettable events that have tarnished the priesthood and the Church itself in recent years were pushed aside for this moment, so that the sacred mysteries in their rich splendor could shine forth.

When I looked at the calendar on my smart-phone after the Mass, I was reminded that the next day (May 16) was my own anniversary of ordination—twenty-nine years ago. Thank you Jesus!  In fact, many priests will celebrate their anniversaries this time of the year.  For most of us, it is our special day reminding us of when the bishop imposed hands on us and we were mysteriously changed forever.  For all eternity we would be configured to Jesus Christ, the Great High Priest.

After an ordination, the newly-ordained priest normally would give his first blessing individually to the people present.  I remember in my particular situation I began by blessing Bishop George H. Guilfoyle, the ordaining prelate.  Then my immediate family came up to the sanctuary.  I nervously began to bless those in front of me beginning with my father.  Later, I was told that it is usually the priest’s mother that gets the blessing first.  (Sorry mom, I guess I really didn’t know or I was just too anxious in the moment.)

Funny, how my crazy mind works at times.  Stream of consciousness?  Adult A.D.D.?  My thoughts drift from the importance of that unique moment when people wait in long lines just to receive the newly-ordained priest’s first blessing, to my weekly frustration with how many people rush out of church regularly after Holy Communion before the priest’s blessing is ever given.  What happened? Is that priestly-blessing no longer important?

After the dinner reception which followed the Mass last Sunday, I waited for my car from the valet.  The young driver pulled up, got out of my car, handed me the keys and uttered the following:  “Father, could you give me a quick blessing?  I have a lot of [stuff] going on in my life right now and I could use a blessing.”

I blessed him.  I prayed for him then and again today.  He reminded me, after all was said and done, after all of the great celebration and fanfare that day, of why I was ordained.

 

A priest gives his blessing.  Christ encounters a person in need.

 

It was one of those simple unexpected, grace-filled moments.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

Holding My Nose on the Way to the Ballot Box

Dear Parishioners,

I always preface the situation when I write something concerning politics.  I am neither Democrat nor Republican nor hold any party affiliation for that matter.  I am an independent, conservative.   I try to vote for the best person I see running for office and will cross party lines to do so.  I will not sell my soul to any political party—ever.  Parties and candidates all have their faults and failings—some more than others.  My soul belongs definitively and solely to Jesus Christ.

That being said, what I see happening in the political arena is quite amazing.  If you would have asked me who the frontrunners in the 2016 presidential election would be at this point in time, I might have been one for two (.500).  Do I like what I see?  Nope.

People for years have been saying that we seem to have to choose between the lesser of two evils.  Would you prefer to die by firing squad or lethal injection?  Either scenario appears quite dreadful.

What does a person do in such circumstances?  There is often disagreement among Catholics and other Christians and sometimes even among the Church hierarchy.  Do I vote my conscience?  A basic moral principle is that we should always follow our conscience.  This is not as simplistic as it may seem.  We have an obligation to see to it that our conscience is rightly formed.  The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) teaches the following:

Conscience must be informed and moral judgment enlightened.  A well-formed conscience is upright and truthful.  It formulates its judgments according to reason, in conformity with the true good willed by the wisdom of the Creator.  The education of conscience is indispensable for human beings who are subjected to negative influences and tempted by sin to prefer their own judgment and to reject authoritative teachings.  (CCC, #1783)

The Catechism continues:

In the formation of conscience the Word of God is the light for our path, we must assimilate it in faith and prayer and put it into practice.  We must also examine our conscience before the Lord's Cross.  We are assisted by the gifts of the Holy Spirit, aided by the witness or advice of others and guided by the authoritative teaching of the Church.  (CCC, #1785)

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has authored a document entitled Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship intended to assist in the process of voting in an election.  I suggest that Catholics and people of good will read it before stepping into the voting booth.  There will be a link to it on the parish website.  I quote one pertinent paragraph:

The formation of conscience includes several elements.  First, there is a desire to embrace goodness and truth.  For Catholics, this begins with a willingness and openness to seek the truth and what is right by studying Sacred Scripture and the teaching of the Church as contained in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.  It is also important to examine the facts and background information about various choices. Finally, prayerful reflection is essential to discern the will of God.  Catholics must also understand that if they fail to form their consciences in the light of the truths of the faith and the moral teachings of the Church they can make erroneous judgments.

Educate yourselves, read Sacred Scripture, pray and listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit within.  

Try not to breathe in the stench that is sometimes emitted from various political candidates.  It's pretty repulsive.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor                                      

(PS, More to follow in the months ahead.)

The Joy of Love

Dear Parishioners,

Pope Francis recently released an Apostolic Exhortation entitled The Joy of Love (Amoris Laetitia).  Such a document, by its nature, is not as formal and authoritative as an Encyclical.  It does not attempt to define or redefine church doctrine.  It is meant to express the mindset of the pope on a particular topic.  In this instance, the theme is love within the family and is written as a result of the two Synods of Bishops held in 2014 and 2015 concerning marriage and the family.

Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz, the President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), issued the following statement:

The pope has given us a love letter to families—a love letter inviting all of us, and especially married couples and families, to never stop growing in love. It is also a love letter calling the Church, the family of God, to realize more and more her mission to live and love as a family.

Pope Francis is calling us to enter more deeply into the beauty of marriage and Christ's teaching. From the opening lines of Genesis to the closing chapter of Revelation, and throughout the Gospels, God speaks eloquently to us about the joys and challenges of marriage and family life.

The Holy Father is giving us an active opportunity to reflect upon how each of us can belong more deeply to Christ. The Joy of Love is inviting us to share the treasure and medicine of Jesus. The teaching of Jesus inspires us to live out God's hope for us, and the mercy of Jesus heals and sustains us when we fall short. Let us remember that no obstacle is too big for Christ to overcome.

I encourage all to read and reflect on how the words of Pope Francis can be applied in our lives, in our families, and in our society. I am grateful once again to our Holy Father for encouraging and leading us in our call to encounter Jesus ever more deeply, especially in the great gift of family life, and to be His missionary disciples in the world.

On our parish website www.stjosephsomerspoint.com I have provided a link to The Joy of Love as well as other writings by the pope.  You can prayerfully read for yourselves and ponder the thoughts and reflections of our Holy Father.  Too often the media may sensationalize various statements by the pope, take them out of context or truly misunderstand that everything that the pope says or does needs to be seen in the light of the magisterium’s (the pope united with his bishops) ongoing, consistent teaching.

Additionally, on our Camden Diocesan website www.camdendiocese.org there is an article by Fr. Phillip Johnson, the pastor of St. Thomas More Parish in Cherry Hill, explaining the key points of The Joy of Love.  You may find it helpful in your reading.

As with anyone serious about his or her Catholic faith, it is necessary for us to want to learn more and develop a better understanding of what our Catholic Church teaches.  The pope seems to encourage an intelligent and prayerful discussion of contemporary topics in light of the Gospel.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

'Nova Nation

Dear Parishioners,

I have already told many people that my three brothers, my sister and one of my sisters-in-law all graduated from Villanova University.  Do you want to know what I was doing last Monday night?  I’ll give you three guesses, and the first two don’t count.  'Nova Nation.

God bless my parents and their support of Catholic education because all of my siblings and I attended Catholic elementary (St. Ann’s, Wildwood), high school (Wildwood Catholic) and college.  (I happened to enter St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Wynnewood, Pennsylvania for college, just slightly down Lancaster Pike from Villanova.  This was followed by four years at Mt. St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland for my graduate studies.)  There was never really an option for us.  We were supposed to attend Catholic school.

Personally, I spent twenty years of my Priesthood formally assigned to Catholic schools.  I was involved with every task from teacher, to chaplain, to guidance counselor, to assistant principal, to principal and school president.  Sadly, I watched as two of my former schools were closed.

Lots have changed regarding Catholic schools, including people’s attitudes toward Catholic education.  Tuition rates are much more expensive.  Gone are the days of multiple religious sisters in every Catholic school.  Combine this with the property taxes in the state of New Jersey and a sluggish economy.  Frequently people find money and household budgets extremely tight.  Choices are made and Catholic school is not always an option for families for various reasons.

With all of this said, was Catholic school the right choice for me?  I know so, without a doubt.  I credit my vocation to the priesthood, in large part, to my Catholic school background.  I also state definitively that no Catholic school is perfect and meant for everyone.  I had my share of good and bad teachers over the years.  I saw all too many people view Catholic schools as an escape from poor public schools in a particular district.  Disappointingly, not everyone practiced their Catholic faith while attending a Catholic school.  This created a type of dichotomy in the household—Catholic school during the week but no church, no Mass attendance on Sunday.  Mixed message?

Granted, while Catholic schools are, in various ways, imperfect and unfortunately costly, they are still one of the best tools to help carry on the Catholic faith.  Yes, the education is excellent, the discipline superior, and the family atmosphere priceless.  Yet, can we ever put a value on the formation of someone’s eternal soul?  Catholic schools encourage prayer, a relationship with Jesus Christ, a study of the faith, a moral code to live by, service to the community, and seek to form the whole person—body, mind and soul.  Their goal—our goal—is to help develop a well-rounded, Christian lady or gentleman.  We desire to give them the tools that they will need for life and its many difficult decisions.  Catholic schools, needless to say, always need to be true to their identity.

Maybe children do not always appreciate what was given them when they are young.  I am not sure that I always did.  That’s the essence of being an immature child.  Looking back, however, I am grateful for the sacrifices of my parents and others who allowed me to experience a Catholic school as an important part of my faith formation.  I am pretty sure my Priesthood vocation was nurtured there.

Getting back to Villanova for a moment, congratulations on a national men’s basketball championship!  You made us all proud.  (Secretly, you had the Catholic advantage playing the final game on the Solemnity of the Annunciation of Our Lord.  Just saying!)

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

40 Hours and the Solemnity of St. Joseph

Dear Parishioners,

As we once again prepare to celebrate the Solemnity of St. Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary (March 19), our parish will observe 40 Hours of Eucharistic Adoration from March 17 to March 19.  Beginning with an evening Mass at 7 PM on March 17, the Blessed Sacrament will remain continually present on the altar for private prayer and adoration, except when a Mass is scheduled.  We will have an additional evening Mass at 7 PM on both March 17 and 18 (in addition to our regular morning Mass at 8:30 AM). 

On Saturday, March 19 there will be a Mass at 8:30 AM (regular morning Mass), and at 12:00 Noon we will have the closing of the 40 Hours with a procession of the Most Blessed Sacrament and Benediction.  Please note:  There will be no Stations of the Cross on Friday, March 18 while 40 Hours Eucharistic Adoration is taking place.

I have asked Fr. Larry Polansky, our former hospital chaplain, to return to preach during the 40 Hours evening Masses.

I truly believe that when we take the time to be with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, it is a time of tremendous graces and blessing not only for us as individuals but also for our families and for our entire parish family.  I do not ever want us to take for granted the great gift of the Real Presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist.  Time spent with Him is indeed a grace-filled time.  We can express our love and adoration for Jesus, thankfulness for our blessings, and contrition for sin (our own and the sins of others).  We can also intercede for one another and petition the Lord for our various needs.  It is an invaluable time to spend with Jesus, truly present in the Most Blessed Sacrament—especially during this Jubilee Year of Mercy.  Remember to ask for God’s mercy.

 

When we come into the Lord’s presence, Jesus can do something to us.  We may think that we go to pray, to petition and to worship, or even that we might be doing God a favor by spending some of our precious time with Him.  Our Lord Jesus, however, can transform us while we spend time with Him.  We do not need to worry about what prayers we should say, what spiritual readings we should be reading or what we should be doing in His Presence.  Just being with the Lord can be transforming.  Be quiet and listen.  He can soften our hearts, heal our wounds, inspire us and guide us.  He can give us an inner peace that nothing in this world can match.  Making the commitment to spend time with Him can truly transform us.

What I am once again requesting from you, my parishioners, is that you dedicate one hour in adoration of the Lord sometime during these days.  (Ideally, this should be in addition to any time attending Mass.)  This devotion will continue for two nights—around the clock—and I need your help and cooperation in order to do this.  Could you please think about dedicating an hour in prayer before the Most Blessed Sacrament?  Why not encourage members of your family to pray as a family for an hour?  Perhaps a group or organization within the parish can make a holy hour together.  I especially need a few insomniacs or night owls once again to cover those late hours!

 A sign-up sheet is available near the baptismal font of the church so that we can be sure that there is always someone keeping watch with our Lord.  Please assist me once again in making this a special time for our parish as we adore our Eucharistic Lord.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

A Day in the Life . . .

Dear Parishioners,

When I began writing a weekly column for my parishioners a number of years ago, I wanted to express what I was thinking and illustrate what was going on in my life.  Priests and priesthood can be somewhat mysterious to many people.  If people are regular in their Mass attendance, they might actually encounter their parish priest each week.  If they are more sporadic in going to Mass, then they might not see—let alone get to know—their pastor.  Then there are those Christmas and Easter Catholics . . . .

Questions like “What does a priest do all week?” demonstrate to me that sometimes people have no clue concerning what a priest’s life may entail.

Let me give you my schedule from yesterday while it is still fresh in my mind.  I was up around 5 AM spending time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament in my rectory chapel.  I celebrated daily Mass (with a homily) at 8:30 AM.  Then I was off to Hammonton to celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial (with another completely different homily) for a former student.  She was only 36 years old.  I prayed the rosary in the car on the way there.  Following the Mass, I went to the cemetery for the interment.  On the way back to the rectory, I received a message that there were a few Flyers tickets available from the Knights of Columbus for a game that night, if I wanted to go with them.  After making a few calls, I was scheduled to pick up a few seminarians (who happened to be on spring break) and take them to the game that evening.  I picked up the seminarians, drove to Philly, watched the game, took them out to get something to eat afterward, and got back to the rectory at 2 AM.  I knew that I had the morning Mass the following day at 8:30 AM.

This past weekend saw me celebrating Mass four times (once in Spanish with two different homilies to prepare), speaking at all the weekend Masses (six in total) about our capital campaign, making two Communion Calls with the Anointing of the Sick, hearing the confession of someone by request, a wedding appointment, and an appointment with someone wanting to be a godparent.  Then there was the time that I needed to spend in preparation of the homilies, contemplating what to write for a bulletin article such as this, and trying to maintain the semblance of a prayer-life through it all.

I know that my life is not unlike many of my brother priests.  I also realize that priests are not the only people who are busy each day.  (I give credit to those mothers and fathers who have to provide for their families, sometimes working more than one job while going to school, etc.)  My point, however, is that most priests have far from a boring or monotonous life.  My favorite line that I use is: Every day is a new adventure.  Will I be called to the hospital?  Who will want to schedule an appointment?  And for what reason?  Will someone request the Anointing of the Sick or to go to confession?  Wedding?  Funeral?  Baptisms?  Teach in school?  The possibilities each day are endless.

With all of this being said, if I had to do it all over again, knowing what I now know, I would not even hesitate.  Priesthood is a gift, a blessing greater than I could ever have imagined.  Why is there a vocation shortage?  Why do more young people not say “yes” to the call?  I know that the answer is very complicated today.  

However, I am so glad—more than I can express here in words—that God invited me to be His priest.  I am forever grateful.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor