Tuesday, April 22, 2025
Monday, April 14, 2025
Monday, April 7, 2025
Easter: Christ is Risen!
Dear Parishioners,
An ancient Christian Easter (Paschal) greeting is the following: Christ is Risen! The other person would respond: He is Risen indeed!
What is your reaction to this statement?
When St. Paul went to Athens and spoke to the people there, the following occurred: “When they heard about resurrection of the dead, some began to scoff, but others said, ‘We should like to hear you on this some other time.’” (Acts 17:32)
What happened on Easter Sunday is the most significant event for all humanity but especially for us as believing Christians. Christ rose from the dead demonstrating for all his divinity and giving us, His followers, the promise and hope of eternal life. Christ conquered sin and death. He now offers us a share in His Resurrection (eternal life).
So again I ask: What is your reaction?
Is it one that takes this event for granted? Is it one of intellectual curiosity like some of the Athenians? Is it one of doubt and confusion? Do we scoff with unbelief like some of the Athenians? (I would then have to question the very fact of your coming to church today, if that is the case.)
Or is your reaction one of belief, gratitude and hope? And if we do believe, does our belief express itself in the way we live our lives?
When we get to that point in our earthly journey when we realize our own mortality—we are all going to die—it is our belief in the Resurrection of Christ that turns despair and grief into life and hope.
I again refer to the words of St. Paul: “. . . If Christ has not been raised, your faith is vain; you are still in your sins. Then those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.” (1 Cor. 15:17-18)
I can only imagine the inexplicable joy that the apostles had when they saw Jesus alive again. I am sure that it surpassed their greatest expectations and gave them a faith in Christ that they would subsequently take to the ends of the earth. They would live and die for Christ, trying to spread His message of Good News—the Gospel. They would speak about resurrection and eternal life. They had their hope restored and they attempted to give others hope in Jesus.
This Easter I pray that you experience the joy of the Risen Christ. May your faith in Him and love for Him increase and radiate from your entire being. He is not dead but very much alive!
Today as a Church we boldly proclaim our belief in the Risen Lord. Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed! Alleluia!
Happy Easter!
Fr. Ed Namiotka
Pastor
Sunday, April 6, 2025
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
“What Are You Giving Up for Lent?”
Dear Parishioners,
“What
are you giving up for Lent?”
I have been asked this question
many times in my life. I think very carefully before I
respond. An easy answer would be to say something like chocolate, desserts or soda. Case closed. Many
would be satisfied with this response. In my opinion, however, it seems
that we need to look beyond this question to something deeper and more
profound: How can I be changed for
the better by my observance of Lent?
The Gospel
reading of Ash Wednesday (Mt. 6:1-6, 16-18) reminds
us of three traditional practices of Lent: prayer, fasting and almsgiving.
Lent should be a time
for increased prayer. When I first began seeking his direction
and guidance, my spiritual director at Mt. St. Mary’s Seminary asked me to describe for him how
I pray. For most people, including me, this is a very personal request. That’s between God and me! You
are now invading my personal space!
How do I pray? (I will reluctantly let
you have a glimpse at my inner sanctuary. Please keep this between you and me!)
It depends. Some
elements are part of my daily routine. My most important prayer each
day is the Mass. I deliberately try to pray the Mass. Over time Mass can sometimes become very
routine for priests (and laity alike). Priests (and laity) can consciously or unconsciously just go
through the motions and simply read the words that are printed
in the Roman Missal. To pray the Mass is deliberate and intentional. It
involves an act of the will and a conscious effort. It requires
concentration.
I also pray my Liturgy of the Hours—a series of psalms,
Scripture readings, intercessions and formal prayers—intended to sanctify the
various hours of the day. Additionally, my personal goal is to include
a rosary, some spiritual reading, and time (usually a holy hour)
before the Blessed Sacrament each day. At various times in my
life I have been drawn to centering prayer (a doorway to contemplation), charismatic
prayer, devotional prayer (novenas, Stations of the Cross, rosary,
etc.), intercessory prayer, meditation, and to whatever
else the Holy Spirit leads me at any given time. Frequently
I talk to God from the heart. Prayer is the means by which I
hope to seek out God’s will, to know Him better and to be
united with Him one day. Increasingly, it has become for me a time to
be quiet and simply to listen to God. Despite all of the
busyness of life, Lent should include time for increased prayer.
Fasting involves
some self-denial—food or otherwise. In addition to not eating certain
items that we may enjoy, we can “give up” watching TV, frivolous time
on the computer, tablet or phone, unnecessary shopping, music in the
car, and various other things that not only teach us some discipline and self-sacrifice but
may free us up for more time for God and prayer. Two official fast
days (from food) during Lent are Ash Wednesday and Good
Friday.
Almsgiving is
a reminder for all of us to be charitable—with our money, of course—but
also with our talents and with our time. What we do not spend
frivolously on shopping, we can give to a personal charity. What we save
by eating a simple meal, we can use to send a gift or flowers to an elderly
homebound person to let him or her know that he or she is still loved. We
can also volunteer our time on behalf of our church, in some civic
organization, with a youth group or for some charitable cause. We can use
the skills of our profession or trade pro
bono.
What am I giving up for Lent
this year?
This question is much too simplistic. (And you might be sorry that you asked me!)
Fr. Ed Namiotka
Pastor
Sunday, March 30, 2025
Monday, March 24, 2025
Friday, March 21, 2025
When Two Eyes Met
Dear Parishioners,
Back in 1982, when I was reflecting on the Stations of the Cross during Lent, I wrote the following poem when thinking about the 4th Station: Jesus Meets His Mother. I pray that it may lead you to a deeper insight and appreciation of a Mother’s love for her Son and a Son’s love for his Mother.
The Meeting of the Eyes (The Fourth Station)
On Via Crucis the time arrived
When they should meet each other.
He bore the timber: the saving cross;
—Redemption out of Adam’s loss—
Slowly he neared his Mother.
She stood and watched her only Son
And shared the pain he knew.
A feeling so helpless and ever-intense;
An ache in the womb: her motherly sense
That longed to do more than view.
His face was covered with dirt and blood;
His body all scarred from beating.
A crown of thorns upon his head
Pressed cruelly down until he bled.
—Yet his eyes awaited the meeting.
He knew his Mother to be close by;
She carried him in his youth.
Upward he sought and she was there;
Her aid by presence and inner prayer.
She cried to the Father for truth.
And now their eyes had pierced each other;
All hurt and sorrow laid bare.
Her eyes peered into eternity—
His eyes beheld her purity—
The words unspoken spoke care.
Flowed down his brow this Victim’s blood,
Co-mingled with a tear.
His sight more blind as each drop fell
Into those eyes she knew so well.
—Hers filled with pain and fear.
From distance still she kept her watch
As soldiers forced him on.
Her will unceasing in its trust
Of God, all-loving and all-just.
Life’s victory shall be won.
Internal pangs: a sword so sharp;
She tended upon the death-spot.
Though in her heart she yearned to be
Fastened also upon the tree,
—Her silence continued the fiat.
© 1982 Edward F. Namiotka
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