Always Let Your (Rightly Formed) Conscience Be Your Guide!

Dear Parishioners,

I hope that you have been taught somewhere along the line that you are supposed to follow your conscience.  This is absolutely true.  However, in the process we have an obligation to be sure that our consciences are rightly formed.

In our society, it appears that we often base things on opinion polls and/or a type of moral relativity—the way that I feel about a particular thing.  In other words, things become pretty subjective.  I may think that something is bad while you think that it is okay.  With this manner of moral decision making, my truth becomes just as valid as your truth.  Who then is right?

Catholic morality is not based on subjective opinions but rather objective truth.  Just because many people may think that something is acceptable in today’s society, it does not mean that it is morally acceptable in God’s judgment.

Let me give you a practical example.  Premarital or extramarital sex has become widely accepted in our culture.  It is displayed and encouraged on the TV, in the movies, in novels, etc.  “Everybody does it!”  “If it feels so good, how can it be wrong?”  Yet, the Church continues to teach that every sexual act or genital expression outside of the context of marriage is morally wrong.  Without getting into the many reasons why this is so, suffice it to say that one of the primary reasons for intercourse is to create new life and to engage in this act outside of marriage leaves open the possibility that children will be created in an environment other than the family unit.

What then is this conscience that we are supposed to follow? Conscience is not a thing or an object but rather a judgment. It is the last practical judgment concerning the goodness or badness of a human act to be performed here and now. It is our ability to make sound decisions or judgments based on objective moral truth.

In order to properly form our consciences (to make the best possible moral judgments), we have to do some homework.  Initially, we have to be sure that we find out exactly what the Church teaches on certain issues and why it teaches it.  The Catechism of the Catholic Church is a good reference book to use as a starting point.  Judgments on particular moral issues by the Church are prayerfully determined by referring to the Sacred Scriptures, to the writings of the Church Fathers and Saints, to the Magisterium of the Church, etc.  Often moral determinations employ an in-depth investigation of the natural law and both natural and social sciences involved with any issues.

I find too often that numerous Catholics in particular have limited learning about the faith—including various contemporary moral issues—because little or no continuing education takes place.  We should continue to learn until the day we die.  If a CCD education or elementary / high school Catholic education is where we stopped our formal education in the faith, then I guess that we do not always have the best tools to tackle the complexities of today’s moral issues.  We can rely on a blind obedience to the Church but it is always best to try to understand and to incorporate the rationale of the Church’s teaching into our own decision making. 

Simply stated, we need to be sure that our consciences are rightly formed (guided by authentic Church teaching) and then follow them.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

Homily for the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time "A" - Fr. Edward Namiotka

 

Christ Works through Us, (Sometimes Despite Us)

Dear Parishioners,

I have come to the conclusion that priests are a unique species. We come in all shapes and sizes.  We can lean to the left or to the right theologically and politically.  We minister with different levels of zeal and enthusiasm. We have varied gifts and talents:  some can sing, while others should not; some can preach, while others can only be understood with much difficulty; some can teach, while others are more effective than Sominex.

We might be better termed an odd lot—something you could perhaps find available at a Big Lots store.

What do we all have in common?  It’s our vocation—our “calling from God.”  Somehow, somewhere we all sensed an invitation from the Lord to be His priest:  Come follow me! (see Mk. 10:21)

Our Priestly vocations were tested in the seminary and eventually confirmed by the laying on of hands by a bishop.  At that time we begin to act in persona Christi (in the person of Christ). When a priest baptizes, it is Christ who baptizes.  When a priest forgives sin, it is Christ who forgives sin. When a priest anoints a sick person, it is Christ who anoints the sick person.  When a priest offers the Mass, it is Christ who is once again made present in the Holy Eucharist through the instrument of the priest. Christ does the work through the instrument of the priest.

While it is most important that a priest personally strives for holiness of life, the sacraments are not dependent on a particular priest’s holiness.  The simple reason is that it is not the priest (and his own talents or abilities) who is behind the act, but rather Christ.  If we use the theological terminology, we say it this way:  the sacraments occur ex opere operato (from the work itself being worked) and not ex opere operantis (from the person doing it or the work of the worker).  The lack of holiness of a particular priest does not invalidate a sacrament. The sacraments are efficacious in and of themselves and are not dependent on the on the holiness of the minister.

Additionally, for us to receive the fruits or benefits of a particular sacrament, we should be properly disposed.  We should be in the state of grace:  not aware of any mortal or serious sin.

When we realize how the sacraments “work,” we need also to realize that priests don’t automatically become “saintly” with ordination.  (Probably, most parishioners are quite aware of this already!) We need continual conversion in our lives—until the day we die.  Think about how Jesus (the Son of God) chose His twelve apostles.  All were called by the Lord.  Yet, Peter denied Him three times and Judas betrayed Him. They were far from perfect and even scandalous in their actions, even as they had closely accompanied Jesus throughout his ministry.  (Was Jesus trying to prepare us for future priests who may be responsible for scandal in the church?)

I would hope that people come to the Church for the sacraments because through them we encounter Jesus and are filled with His grace.  It’s nice to have inspiring homilies, uplifting music and a sense of community in our churches.  We should strive for that.  Yet, even when these elements are absent, Jesus still works through the sacraments ex opere operato.

Please pray for your pastor and for all priests.  There is much work ahead of us and only so many workers available for the seemingly endless tasks. When we fail or disappoint—in great things or in small matters—never give up on Christ.  He remains ever present in His Church, continually at work, sometimes despite us.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

Homily for the Epiphany 2023 - Fr. Edward Namiotka

 

Reparation on Five First Saturdays

 

Immaculate and Sorrowful Heart of Mary

Dear Parishioners,

For some time now I have been prayerfully considering again offering a public morning Mass on the first Saturday of the month. When I was sick and hospitalized more than a year ago, public Saturday morning Masses at our parish ceased allowing me some time to recuperate. With thanksgiving that I am now healthy and more determined than ever to accomplish whatever God desires, I sense some urgency and a necessity to encourage this perhaps unknown, forgotten or ignored devotion. Below is a brief history of the origin of the first Saturday devotion:

In the third of Her six apparitions at Fatima, Portugal in 1917, Our Lady promised to return to make a special request for the Communion of Reparation on the First Saturdays. Eight years later, on December 10th, 1925, the eldest and only surviving visionary, Lucia dos Santos, was an eighteen-year-old postulant in a Dorothean convent in Pontevedra, Spain. Having returned to her cell that evening after supper, she suddenly saw Our Lady standing close by her, in the presence also of the Child Jesus, Who was standing on a little cloud.

At first Our Lady did not say anything. It was as if She could not speak, being overwhelmed with sorrow. She held Her Immaculate Heart in Her hand for Lucia to see, pierced all around by terrible thorns, and She placed Her other hand on Lucia’s shoulder, as if to communicate a most familiar and loving appeal. It seems almost as if, in anguish, She sought to lean for support on Lucy’s shoulder.

The Child Jesus spoke first, imploring: “Have compassion on the Heart of your Most Holy Mother, covered with thorns, with which ungrateful men pierce It at every moment, and there is no one to make an act of reparation to remove them.”

Then Our Lady added: “Look, My daughter, at My Heart, surrounded with thorns with which ungrateful men pierce Me at every moment by their blasphemies and ingratitude. Do you, at least, try to console Me, and announce in My name that I promise to assist at the moment of death, with all the graces necessary for salvation, all those who, on the first Saturday of five consecutive months shall [1.] confess, [2.] receive Holy Communion, [3.] recite five decades of the Rosary, and [4.] keep Me company for fifteen minutes while meditating on the fifteen mysteries of the Rosary, with the intention of making reparation to Me.”             (The Fatima Center)

Beginning this month, first Saturday Mass will be offered each subsequent month at 9 AM followed by a recitation of 5 decades of the Holy Rosary. The Sacrament of Penance (Confession), requested as part of the devotion, can be satisfied within 8 days (before or after). I encourage everyone to consider making the five consecutive first Saturday devotion sometime during 2023.

I had mentioned in a previous homily (January 1, 2023), the five first Saturdays correspond to the five kinds of offenses and blasphemies committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary. They are:

a. Blasphemies against the Immaculate Conception

b. Blasphemies against her virginity

c. Blasphemies against her divine maternity, at the same time the refusal to accept her as the Mother of all men

d. Instilling indifference, scorn and even hatred towards this Immaculate Mother in the hearts of children

e. Direct insults against her sacred images          (The Fatima Center)

I believe it is of utmost importance that we all take seriously the urgent pleading of Our Lady over the centuries, and especially at Fatima, that has called us to repentance and to turn back to Her Divine Son.

Remember the words of of Our Lady: “I promise to assist at the moment of death, with all the graces necessary for salvation . . .” all those who fulfill the requirements of this devotion.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

Homily for the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God - Fr. Edward Namiotka

 

Christmas Vigil Homily 2022 - Fr. Edward Namiotka

 

Homily for the 4th Sunday of Advent "A" - Fr. Edward Namiotka

 

A New Year Resolution: Live Like You Were Dying

Dear Parishioners,

There is a tradition in America to make some personal resolutions as we begin the New Year.  From a Christian perspective, this attempt seems to be a  bit misguided as the new “church” year actually began for believers with Advent. This season—Advent—would have been a more appropriate time for us to make changes to prepare for the Coming of Christ. I remind all of us of Advent’s two-fold preparation:  celebrating Christ’s First Coming (the Nativity) and awaiting His Second Coming in glory to judge the living and the dead.

While listening to an online presentation some years ago, one of the speakers mentioned a rather intense and unique spiritual exercise.  Set a pretend date for your own death in a month and then do everything necessary to prepare for that day.  In other words, what would you do if you only had a month to live and you knew you were about to meet God and face judgment—an eternal reward or punishment— in only a month?  What would you do if you knew exactly the date of your own death?

This brought to mind a song released by country singer Tim McGraw back in 2004: Live Like You Were Dying.  The song tries to inspire a person to live life to the fullest in the time remaining on earth.  Activities suggested included skydiving, mountain climbing, bull riding and other bucket-list activities.  I think the song finally reached much more spiritual depth when it spoke about loving deeper and giving forgiveness that long had been denied.  The dying person spoke about becoming the husband that most of the time he wasn’t and becoming a friend that a friend would like to have.  The song goes on to mention reading the good book (presumably the Bible) and ultimately facing eternity.

Well then, let me bring this to a more Catholic perspective.  All of us have limited time.  We have a shelf-life whose expiration date is known only to God.  Even if we are given 100 years or more on earth, what is that brief time compared to e-t-e-r-n-i-t-y?  Eternity is forever.  Remember that! Church teaching prepares us with the instruction that we all will inevitably face death, judgment, heaven or hell at the end of our lives (the four last things).

What would you do if that step from eternity were only a month away? Go ahead. Set the date.  Pretend that it was only a month away.  What would you do to get your life completely in order?  Would you pray and go to Mass more frequently?  Begin now.  Would you make a good, sacramental confession like never before?  Start preparing now.  Would you forgive that person who has hurt you or ask forgiveness from someone you have hurt?  Make the phone call or write the letter today.  Would you find more time for your children or grandchildren?  Start now.  Would you visit that neglected parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle or friend?  Just do it.  What in your life needs to be done so that when you meet God face to face and have to account for your life here on earth you will be ready—completely ready?

Then [the king] will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.  For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’  Then they will answer and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?’  He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’ And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.  (Mt. 25:  41-46)

Why not give it a try?  Just think of how much more spiritually mature and prepared you would be after such a month of intense preparation!  It could be like a spiritual boot camp.  

Happy New Year!

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

Tim McGraw

There’s No Place like Home for the Holidays

Dear Parishioners,

Christ is born! Let us rejoice!

The trees are decorated, gifts are purchased and exchanged, various foods are prepared, businesses have their Christmas (or holiday) parties, cards are sent, students return home from college, families get together from far and wide to share good times, etc. etc.

I hope part of the routine for is also attendance at Mass.  By the way, I hope you take time to examine the last part of the word Christmas.  The word itself comes from the Old English for Christ’s Mass.

Usually the earliest possible Masses on Christmas Eve have been the best attended in most parishes to which I have been assigned.  They were usually filled with children.  Perhaps, there was a Christmas concert or pageant beforehand.  There is indeed something special about that most holy of nights, especially when seen through the eyes of a child!

Some have contended that the current chosen date for Christmas was a Christianizing of the pagan winter solstice. (Catholic author Dr. Michael Barber addresses this and other questions about Christmas in his book, The True Meaning of Christmas: The Birth of Jesus and the Origins of the Season.  He contends that there is no conclusive evidence to assert this proposition.) What is essential for Christians is Jesus took human flesh and was born at a particular point in time.  That is what we celebrate at Christmas.

Christmas is about Christ. Although things can get rather complicated and convoluted for some, Christmas is still about Christ and not Santa Claus, Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph, the Grinch, etc.  It’s not primarily about gift giving, family dinners or various other secular traditions.

Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  For today in the city of David a Savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord.  (Luke 2:  10-11)

God chose to become a man for us. “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” (Jn. 1:14)  Timelessness entered into time.  The almighty and all-powerful God became a helpless, vulnerable infant.  The creator of all life became subject to suffering and death.  The infinite majesty of God became finite.  God walked this very earth.  He could be seen, felt and touched.

When you peer into the manger this Christmas, realize that before you is a glimpse of the tremendous love that God has for you and me, as evidenced through the Incarnation of His only-begotten Son.

On behalf of the sisters and entire staff that serve our parish, we wish you and your families a happy, holy Christmas and a blessed New Year!  May the love of God which took human form in the person of Jesus be honored and revered in every human person that we meet.

I thank God that you have made St. Thomas More Parish your spiritual home!  Merry Christmas!

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor