Why I Support "Traditional" Marriage

Dear Parishioners,

I posted an article on Facebook by the late Cardinal George of Chicago in support of “traditional” marriage. The following is part of a response that I received from someone I know [who went to Wildwood Catholic High School (now Wildwood Catholic Academy) with me]: “I believe . . . that you don't intend to attack anyone here. And while your writing is thoughtful, it's woefully misinformed. The church is sadly wrong in this issue, as it's been on nearly all issues involving human sexuality for years.”

Lest I am labeled by those too quick to judge with some unkind epithet because I am not being considerate or sensitive to the difficulties that homosexual couples face in our society, I think that it is only fair that I be given a hearing first. Why do I believe in “traditional” marriage and stand by the position that I have taken?  Let me explain.

First, there are two major presuppositions that I make. As a Christian I believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God and is meant to teach us and guide us.  This belief should, in theory, be true for all who profess to be Christian—not just me.  Next, I believe that Jesus is the Son of God and His teaching matters more than any other because of His Divine Authority.  What the Son of God has to say about a matter is certainly more significant than what I—one of His lowly creatures—has to say.

Let’s look now at a passage from the Gospel of St. Mathew where Jesus

teaches on divorce:

Some Pharisees approached [Jesus], and tested him, saying, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause whatever?” He said in reply, “Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female’ and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, no human being must separate.”  (Mt. 19:  3-6)

Notice how in this passage Jesus refers to the Book of Genesis containing the story of the first human beings who were created by God as male and female (Gn. 1: 27).  Next, He refers to a joining together of these two humans—one male and one female—by God in a one flesh experience (Gn. 2: 24).

It seems pretty obvious to me from this passage (supported by other Biblical teaching) that Jesus is affirming what we consider the “traditional” position on marriage which society has presumably followed since the beginning of the human race.  And the foundation of Jesus’ teaching here is based on the authority of Sacred Scripture as He reads it and explains it.

I have explained in another of my writings why homosexual acts are both sterile and empty (while granting that they may be pleasurable) and contrary to the very design of the human body.  In essence, there is no fruitfulness (i.e., a child) ever possible as a result of a sexual act (a one flesh experience) between a male and another male or a female and another female.

I do not write this particular column to sit in judgment of anyone or to be seen as someone unsympathetic to the various struggles that people with homosexual attraction encounter.  So if someone wants to condemn me for the position that I take here, I take consolation that I am following what appears to me to be the position that Jesus articulated through His reading and explanation of Sacred Scripture.  Overwhelmingly, society has honored and upheld this “traditional” marriage relationship through the centuries and the Church continues to defend it—even when it seems unpopular or counter-cultural.

 

There is another passage from the Sacred Scriptures that I also think is relevant to the matter at hand:

Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you [falsely] because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.  (Mt. 5: 11-12)

No one ever said that it would be easy or popular to preach and teach the Word of God.

I’ll take my chances, however, siding with Jesus and His Church.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

Welcoming a New Permanent Deacon (and His Wife)

Dear Parishioners,

Last week I received a phone call, followed by a letter, notifying me that Bishop Sullivan has assigned Deacon Robert Oliver to our parish as a permanent deacon.  Deacon Oliver was ordained on May 4, 2013.  He has been married to his wife Shirley for 40 years.  For the past 39 years the couple and their eight children were parishioners of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Mays Landing.

The oldest of six children, Deacon Bob grew up in Cologne, NJ.  His wife Shirley is the oldest of five children and grew up on a dairy farm in Southern Lancaster County, PA.  Deacon Bob worked for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as an electronics engineer and his wife teaches life skills (Home Ec.) in Galloway Township.  They are awaiting the arrival of their fifteenth grandchild.

Both Deacon Bob and Shirley served on St. Vincent’s evangelization ministry and as catechists.  Deacon Bob also served as Coordinator of Religious Education for St. Vincent’s from June 2008 to June 2010.  Deacon Bob and Shirley serve as mentors for engaged couples who elect to use the Preparing to Live in Love program offered by the diocese.  Shirley is a certified catechist, as well as a trained lector and extraordinary minister of the Holy Communion.

In addition to his parish ministry, Deacon Bob will serve with the Diocesan Evangelization Ministry.

The obvious question at this point is what can a permanent deacon do within our parish?

The Catechism of the Catholic Church gives us some insight:

Among other tasks, it is the task of deacons to assist the bishop and priests in the celebration of the divine mysteries, above all the Eucharist, in the distribution of Holy Communion, in assisting at and blessing marriages, in the proclamation of the Gospel and preaching, in presiding over funerals, and in dedicating themselves to the various ministries of charity. (CCC 1570)

A deacon is ordained to be of service to the parish.  He can preach during Mass.  He can baptize.  A deacon can help prepare couples for marriage and assist / witness at marriage ceremonies.  He can be the celebrant of liturgical and para-liturgical services such as Christian burials and wake services, benediction and Stations of the Cross.  He can bring Holy Communion to the sick and dying.  He can teach in religious education classes and with the R.C.I.A. (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)  A deacon can assist with these and various other parish functions as well as serving in some diocesan capacity for the bishop.

We welcome Deacon Bob and his wife Shirley to our parish.  I am sure that they will find a home here just as I have, and will grow in love of you, our parishioners—the people that we are called to serve.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

Sickness

Dear Parishioners,

As I write my weekly message today, I am sick.  I went to the doctor yesterday, was given a couple prescriptions to be filled and was told to rest.  So far I have been listening to the doctor’s recommendation and I am sleeping a lot.

Like many people, I usually just keep going and going until something forces me to stop.  I am reminded, at times like these, of my many limitations and the need to take care of myself.

My illness also gets me thinking about those who have much more severe problems than I do—those who are hospitalized, those in nursing homes or assisted living facilities and the homebound or shut-ins.

Sickness is certainly no fun.  Many people get frustrated by it.  It is downright depressing for others.  It can be painful for us just to watch a friend or loved-one suffer with an illness.  Seeing a child with a serious disease or illness more than breaks my heart.

 

This past weekend I preached about picking up our crosses and following Jesus—the command given in St. Luke’s Gospel (Lk. 9: 18-24).  Sickness can certainly be a cross.  Whether it is physical illness, mental suffering, or both, I suspect most of us want to petition God for relief like Jesus did in his agony in the garden:  “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me . . .” (Lk. 22:42)

In general, sickness reminds me that this life on earth—no matter how many good things it holds for us—still involves some form of suffering and pain at various times.  It re-focuses my mind on the fact that life in this world is only temporary.  Set your heart on the greater things . . . the spiritual things.  Someday I hope to experience a heaven without sickness, suffering, death or pain.  Someday.

I suspect that soon enough I will be back on my feet, out and about as usual.  In the meantime, this temporary inconvenience is once again telling me to slow down and rest a while.  Be grateful for your usual good health and overall well-being.  Sometimes it needs to be taken away so that you realize what you have.

 

I guess I have much too much time to think right now.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor     

Remembering Sr. Virginia

Dear Parishioners,

For 37 years Sr. Virginia Cleary, SSJ was a part of our regional school and parish community.  Sister spent most of her days here as a first grade teacher, forming and influencing countless young lives.  In her later years, she cooked for the sisters at the convent, keeping a clean, very organized kitchen.  Sister recently celebrated her 85^th birthday.

Most mornings, since I arrived here as pastor two years ago, I would look out from the altar at Mass time and Sister would be seated to my left, quietly saying her prayers.  That practice continued up until several months ago when she began to feel ill.  Sister quietly battled cancer for the last few months, residing most recently at St. Joseph Villa in Flourtown, Pennsylvania.  

A viewing and Mass of Christian Burial took place this past Friday at St. Joseph Villa where Sister was interred in the Villa cemetery.

Realizing that many parishioners could not be present for Sister’s funeral, I will celebrate a Memorial Mass for Sister on Monday, July 1^st at 7 PM in the Church.  Please try to attend to pray for the repose of the soul of Sister Virginia.  After so many years of dedicated service to our school and parish community, this is one small way to say “thank you” for all she has done.

The Sisters of St. Joseph request any donations be made in Sister’s name to St. Joseph Villa, 110 W. Wissahickon Ave., Flourtown, PA 19031.

May she rest in peace.

Fr. Ed Namiotka
Pastor

Now You See Them . . . Now You Don’t!

Dear Parishioners,

During the past two months our parish family saw 101 young children receiving their First Holy Communion, and 85 older students receiving their Confirmation.  I, as pastor, was happy to be an integral part of the preparation for and reception of these important sacraments.

I have consistently held a sincere belief in the innate goodness of our young people.  I have great hope that they will meet the many challenges of our time with their youth, creativity and energy.

This being said, I also experience a significant disappointment after the sacramental ceremonies are completed.  Where are those same children who just received the Most Precious Body and Blood of Jesus for the first time?  What about those who were recently sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit?   Where are they each subsequent weekend as I look for them at Mass?  It’s the same type of let down that occurs for me the week after the large Christmas and Easter crowds are no longer filling the pews.

 

Yes, I see a few of the children weekly.  However, there are far too few.  I do not see anywhere near the numbers that I should be seeing.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem to make a significant difference whether the children go to our Catholic school or participate in our religious education program.  It is all too obvious that too many of these students are conspicuously absent . . .  along with their parents.  Period.

I reminded the parents on numerous occasions that they are the first teachers—and need to be the best teachers—of their children in the ways of faith.  They teach by word and example.  Second graders and probably most eighth graders need to be driven to church.  They’re not really to blame if they lack the means of transportation and no one brings them.

When a second grader tells me that “they’re just too busy” to go to church, I can pretty much guess where that statement has its real origin.  “Too busy” at age seven?  Really?

I try to be upbeat and encouraging.  I attempt to convince and persuade people of the need for God.  I tell them how much Jesus truly loves them.  He died for us.  Just look at the crucifix.

I ask myself continually “what am I doing wrong?”  I never thought that being a pastor would entail this type of frustration.  Is it apathy?  Indifference?

I guess that I shouldn’t take it so personally.  When priests meet and talk—when we compare notes—we frequently vent the same frustrations about our respective parishes.

 

The scenario is far too common:  Now you see them . . .  now you don’t.

Best magic act around—sad to say.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

“The Time is Yours”

Dear Parishioners,

Back when Andy Reid was still coaching the Philadelphia Eagles football team, he would often conclude his post-game press conference with the following phrase:  “The time is yours.”  In other words, he gave the press a chance to ask some questions and he made himself available to them after his chosen remarks were completed.

This got me thinking about prayer.  (Oh yes! The Philadelphia Eagles and most Philadelphia sports teams usually need lots and lots of prayer, but that is a discussion for another day!)

Consider this.  Sometimes we may approach prayer with our own set agendas.  We may seek out God because we want something or because we feel moved to pray for someone.  Perhaps, we pray because we sense some sort of obligation to recite various prayers that we may have committed to memory long ago.  Perhaps, we may enter prayer frustrated, doubtful, confused, lonely or even afraid.  Quite often I think we would like to tell God just how He should be running His world.

How often, however, to we go to prayer to just be there and listen?  “The time is yours!”  I am giving you my time Lord, so that you can speak to me.

I believe that there is a certain efficacy, and that it is a unique privilege that we, as Catholics, have to pray before the Blessed Sacrament.  I pray with the Lord, in His presence, because I believe that He is truly found in the Holy Eucharist.

I share with you some thoughts on this matter  by our last two popes:

 

In a world where there is so much noise, so much bewilderment, there is a need for silent adoration of Jesus concealed in the Host.  Be assiduous in the prayer of adoration and teach it to the faithful.  It is a source of comfort and light, particularly to those who are suffering.  

Pope Benedict XVI, May 25, 2006, Address to the Clergy of Poland

I heartily recommend to the Church’s pastors and to the People of God the practice of Eucharistic Adoration, both individually and in community.  (67)  

Pope Benedict XVI, February 22, 2007, Sacramentum Caritatis, Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation

The Church and the world have a great need of Eucharistic worship.  Jesus waits for us in this Sacrament of Love.  Let us be generous with our time in going to meet Him in adoration and in contemplation that is full of faith and ready to make reparation for the great faults and crimes of the world.  May our adoration never cease.  

Pope John Paul II, February 24, 1980, Dominicae Cenae

Pope Benedict XVI also clarifies an objection that was widespread at the time (of Vatican II) where it was argued that the Eucharistic bread was given to us “not to be looked at,” but to be eaten:

In the light of the Church's experience of prayer, however, this was seen to be a false dichotomy. . . . Eucharistic adoration is simply the natural consequence of the Eucharistic celebration, which is itself the Church's supreme act of adoration. . . . The act of adoration outside Mass prolongs and intensifies all that takes place during the liturgical celebration itself. Indeed, "only in adoration can a profound and genuine reception mature.  And it is precisely this personal encounter with the Lord that then strengthens the social mission contained in the Eucharist, which seeks to break down not only the walls that separate the Lord and ourselves, but also and especially the walls that separate us from one another." (66) 

Pope Benedict XVI, February 22, 2007, Sacramentum Caritatis, Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation

By a continual growth in the love of and devotion to Jesus Christ truly present in the Blessed Sacrament,  we as individuals and as a parish family have a unique opportunity to give our time to the One who gave His life for us!

                                   

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

Some Reactions to the "Mom" Song and Video

 Dear Father Namiotka,

                I read the story about you and your song in the newspaper today and I was immediately brought back to a time in my life when you helped me put my life situation in perspective.  It was 1988 and I found myself pregnant at 42 years old, already the mother of four.  I was torn between wishing that I did not have to have another child and knowing that I would never do anything to harm the unborn child that I carried.  I had just returned to teaching the previous fall, a career I had interrupted to have my family, only to find myself in the same situation again.  You were newly assigned to St. Matthew’s Church and talked to me like a friend, of your own family and how your place in that family had affected your life in such a positive way.  It was a brief exchange, but it made such a difference to me.  It helped me find the peace I needed and helped me see the beauty in what lay ahead for me and my family.  Months later, you baptized our L., a long awaited sister for my oldest daughter.

                Now 24 year later I am still brought to my knees by your kindness and the enormity of God’s love for me.  This last baby was the occasion for my older children to see first-hand how much time and attention it took to care for a child.  It gave them the opportunity to be part of that process and helped them to understand a mother’s love at a time when they could really appreciate it.

                How appropriate for me to read about your song and remember you on Mother’s Day.  Listening to the children sing your beautiful song and the video that goes with it brought tears to my eyes and made my day that much more special.  I hope my children always think of me as their “best friend like no other.”  Thank you for your kind words years ago and for the heartfelt words of your song.  May God bless you, always.

Sincerely,

A. G. 

• My compliments to the gentleman who wrote this song and to the children for singing it. I think more people should recognize their mothers as this video shows us. I think this song should be played on the Radio, every station, on every Mothers Day to show how much we truly love our Mothers and how special they are to us. Thanks so very much for sharing this I too will make sure this is shared on Facebook as well as many others. Again thanks so very much it touches the heart.~~L. P.

• You kidz put a lump in this mother's throat. Thanks for the beautiful tribute!   S. C.

The Story of Our Faith in Colored Glass

St. Joseph the Worker

Dear Parishioners,

In a society where we are often in an extreme hurry to go here and do this or that, we may unfortunately miss or take for granted the things that surround us every day.  I think of the white sandy beaches nearby with their accompanying sunrises continually greeting us as they ascend high above the mighty ocean’s waves.  Then there’s the colorful flowers and trees in bloom (albeit with loads of irritating pollen!) appearing daily beside houses and along the various streets and roads for our viewing pleasure.  Even in our church building, there are the picturesque stained-glass windows telling just a small portion of the glorious history of our faith through colors and images pierced the by sun’s rays.

It is these magnificent works of art found along the perimeter of our church that I wish to bring to your attention as we begin a project to restore them and to protect them for generations to come.  Perhaps you’ve noticed the various saints portrayed or some of the incidents in the life of St. Joseph, our patron.  Traditionally, these stained-glass images told Bible stories and the various lives of saints to a population that generations ago could not read or write but could see the colorful tales narrated in glass and lead as they prayed and worshipped.

Two of these windows are soon to be removed and completely restored.  You may have noted that some of the panels of the windows are cracked, some windows do not close properly, some lead supporting the glass has bowed or bellied, and that time and weather has begun to deteriorate each of these works of art to a greater or lesser degree.  We have had them evaluated and set up a plan to have them restored over time according to the most urgent need.

For the most part, the actual interior windows have been patched or repaired over the years (as needed), but a proper restoration will now begin.  This involves removing the windows completely, having them taken to a professional studio to be restored, replacing them into their original locations while repairing their fittings/frames (and surroundings) and protecting them exteriorly.

The project will be costly—the two windows nearing $15,000 to restore—but the alternative is to allow the windows to sit in disrepair and continue to patch them, while they deteriorate and become even more of an urgent issue as time goes by.

If anyone would like to memorialize a window as it is being restored, we will gladly accept donations for this project.  This can be done completely or partially (i.e., a group of families/parishioners combining efforts to restore a particular window).  A plaque under each window will indicate in whose memory the window was restored.

Every undertaking—even the loftiest—begins with an initial step.  Our stained-glass window restoration will commence with two windows.  Please take the time to appreciate the beauty of these windows which regularly surround us as we worship.  I want their beauty to endure for future generations to experience and to love.  You can certainly help us do this!

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

                 

St. Therese of Lisieux: "The Little Flower"
(A window in need of repair)

Pure Jerzy Kidz - Mom (Official Music Video)

Click here for the link to the music video of my "Mom" song on YouTube.

Please take the time to "like" it on YouTube and Facebook!

Comments are also helpful and welcome!

Please consider sharing it with others by using the "share" feature under the video.

http://youtu.be/p8g32jv722A

Some Information about First Holy Communion

Dear Parishioners,

Last weekend and this weekend we have the privilege of gathering as a parish family at Mass as our children receive their First Holy Communion.  I can recall having made my own First Holy Communion in 1^st grade with my classmates at St. Ann’s Church in Wildwood.  It was a separate ceremony back then, on a Saturday morning (if I remember correctly).  Some parishioners have asked me, “Why don’t we do it like we used to do it all together as a class?”

There are a number of reasons for our current practice (which, incidentally, has been in place prior to my arrival as pastor).  Let’s first look at our diocesan guidelines for sacramental preparation:

The preferred option for the celebration of First Eucharist is within the Sunday Liturgy.  It is the whole community, the Body of Christ united with its Head, that celebrates [the liturgy.]  Liturgical services are not private functions but are celebrations of the Church which is the ‘sacrament of unity’ (SC 26*).  Liturgical services pertain to the whole Church.  Rites are meant to be celebrated in common, with the faithful present and actively participating, and should as far as possible be celebrated in this way rather than by an individual or quasi-privately.  (SC 27*)  Eucharist is the crowning jewel in the sacraments of initiation and should be celebrated within the parish worshipping community.  It is recommended that the celebration take place during the Easter Season when the Church traditionally welcomes her new members.  (Sacramental Guidelines when Sacraments of Initiation are not Celebrated Together, Diocese of Camden, 2005)

It is critical to remember that the two families that should be most important in the children’s lives are their domestic family and their Church family.  The parents are the first (and need to be the best) teachers of their children in the ways of faith.  It is also necessary to consider that we are preparing the children to be a part of the regular worshipping community that we call the Church.  While it may look “nice” or “cute” to have all of the children together in one (or two) ceremonies with their classmates and friends, it is much more essential to emphasize for them the bonds of family and Church.  Essentially, we are not preparing them to be with their current friends (who may not be their friends past next week), but to be regular, practicing members of the Catholic Church as experienced through their local parish family.

Let me again quote our diocesan guidelines:

Children should be made aware that Eucharist is not a “once and done” sacrament.  Therefore, there should be encouragement to the children (and their parents) to form good habits of weekly celebration of the Eucharist.

We all have much to learn from each other and to teach one another.  We should rejoice to see our children share in the sacramental life of the Catholic Church, as lived and experienced in our parish family of St. Joseph.  If the faith is not handed on to, experienced and practiced by our young, then eventually our Church will be nothing but a bunch of empty, lifeless buildings.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

(*SC  Sacrosanctum Concillium 12/4/63, a document of Vatican II) 

My First Holy Communion, 1967