Deacon Tom Anthony

Lenten Message to the Prisoners at Concord MCI

2012-02-28T01:09:00.000-05:00

My Brothers and Sisters,

We have reached the First Sunday of Lent. Our journey together is still very fresh and very new. We haven't fully gotten to know each other but, in many ways, we are old friends. You see, there is an immediate trust between us because we are truly Brothers and Sisters through Our Lord Jesus Christ; and with that, we need to open our hearts to each other and be completely honest. That is what Jesus wants us to do.

The scripture Readings this past Sunday deal a lot with trust. In the First Reading, God renewed the world with water. Her cleansed it of its evil and brought forth a new creation. Today, the Church uses this imagery to explain our own baptism and relationship with God. God washes away our sins and cleanses our soul when we are baptized and we are then orientated towards God. As we progress through our life, we find ourselves sinning and making mistakes just as children will always do, for we are indeed Children of God. But God still gives us that opportunity to say that we are sorry; then, through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we are washed away clean again.

God further tells us today that he will never cleanse the world physically again with water. Instead, God spiritually cleanses us through baptism and keeps us clean through Reconciliation: from no hope to hope. We can always make our life new just as the Great Flood did the same to the world. The Covenant has been made, evil was punished, and we have an opportunity for salvation.

Peter mentioned this also: linking the great Flood to baptism. Water cleanses us and lifts us higher to God much the same way the arc was lifted by the floodwater. Remember, through baptism and the cleansing water of Our Lord Jesus Christ, we remain His forever. We will always be tempted to sin; that is our nature. But Jesus understands this. In His human nature Jesus was tempted also. He let this happen so as to serve as an example to us all: we all are tempted but through faith and love in Jesus Christ we can overcome these things.

Know that Jesus is with you this entire way and that I am with you always.

As I mentioned before, we all have lifted our crosses this Lenten Season and have begun walking together towards Calvary. When you get tired, talk to one another. When you grow weak, ask for help.

Remember, we all are in this together.

Deacon Tom

Season of Lent 2012

2012-02-22T03:43:00.001-05:00

My Brothers in Christ,

With Ash Wednesday, we haveentered the Season of Lent. This is a very important time in the Church andshould be a very important time in all of your lives. This is a time where weshould all realize that we are sinners and that we all are human. With that,our lives are hopeless and lost without Our Lord Jesus Christ. We come forwardto receive the ashes on our foreheads to remind us that we are sinners and thatour time on this earth is limited. We all have been born, we all have sinned,and we all are going to face the same end: death. We are then presented with achoice: Do we live our lives with Jesus and his meassage of forgiveness andsalvation or do we turn our backs on Him and face the consenquinces of a deathwithout forgiveness and eternal life? It cannot be made planer than this: Do wewalk with Jesus or without Jesus?

During this Season of Lent, weare encouraged to focus on the Human Jesus Christ; the Jesus Christ whosuffered and died for our sins. This same Jesus is the one took up his crossfor us and journeyed towards Calvary for us because of our sinful nature. As wetry to picture this event, we must also reflect on our own sins and thestruggles we encounter in our own lives. Jesus truly shares in these strugglesand the pain that they bring. We are never alone in this life: JESUS IS WITH USTHE WHOLE WAY. Lent serves as areminder of this. To truly experience our faithwe must reflect on this for the entire season of Lent. Through this exercise wewill become closer to Jesus and our faith. There is an exchange of feeling andlove: we feel Jesus’ pain and torment during his crucifixtion and he feels oursas we journey through this life. No one is without hardship, pain, andsuffering; NOT EVEN JESUS.

In the end, we form a bond withJesus because of this shared experience. Jesus knows that this life is hard.Jesus knows that we all suffer on one level or another. Yes, we all sin. No onedoes not sin. The first person who tells you otherwise or judges your is ahypocrite. Jesus says this himself. The only way to overcome our sinful natureis to come forward, admit our sin, and beg Jesus for forgiveness. If we dothis, if we beg for forgiveness, it will be given. Jesus has never turned awayanybody who has asked for forgivesness.

Lent is the season of newbeginnings and forgiveness. It is a time when we confront ourselves, admit wehave done wrong, then throw our sins away in the garnage and being anew. I invite you all to do this. Join me inprayer, celebration, and redemption and Brothers and Sisters through our LordJesus Christ.

As the ashes are placed on yourforehead, remember, YOUR JOURNEY BEINGS TODAY!!!!!

Yours in Christ,

Deacon Tom.

Newsletter - Jan 2012

2012-01-18T04:10:00.000-05:00

My Brothers in Christ,

I hope you all have had a blessed Christmasand a safe New Year. My heart goes out to all of those who have foundthemselves confronted with obstacles, trials, and tribulations. As you allknow, I have had my share pertaining to the safety and security of my daughterbut remember this: Christ does indeed hear our prayers and grants them. We asChildren of God should never forget this. As long as we maintain our faith andhand over everything to Christ, he will be there to guide us, strengthen us,and ultimately save us. Through adversity comes Grace, Love, and Salvation. Foreverything bad that comes our way, Christ will be there to stand with us andhelp us when necessary.

I would like to share withyou some wonderful news that I have been waiting on for months now. Theposition I have been waiting for as full-time chaplain at Concord MCI has beenfunded and I start February 13^th. This completes my transition toPrison Ministry where I feel God has been calling me to. I will be retaining myposition at the Nashua Street Jail also. I have been waiting for this momentsince November 3^rd and now it has come to fruitation. Please prayfor me as I go forward to build up the Kingdom of God here on this earth. Thosethat are to be served are truly the Lost Sheep.

It must be remembered thatwe are all Children of God and must not be judged except for that which Christhimself has said: “Stop judging that you may not be judged. For as you judge,so will you be judged, and the measure with which you measure will be measuredout to you.” In the end, realize that we are all Children of God and come toChrist as sinners seeking redemption. And how can we ask for redemption if wedo not offer forgiveness?

Bless you all and thank youfor what you do.

Deacon Tom

WHY I LOVE TIM TEBOW

2012-01-10T17:15:00.003-05:00

There has been a lot of criticism and accolades for Tim Tebow, much of it stemming from his unorthodox playing style and because of the way he professes his faith so openly. There appears to be no grey area regarding him and, as the Denver Broncos trudge forward in the playoffs, football fans appear to be lining up on both sides.

One observation I do have is why is there such a fuss about his religion and the way he has decided to practice it. He is a devout Christian, pro-life, and a professed virgin. He dedicates a large amount of his time to charity and regularly invites those less fortunate than himself to participate in the limelight with him. He has taken the opportunity that comes with his popularity to help the needy and to evangelize the faith (which we have all been commissioned to do by Christ). Yet, this makes a lot of people uncomfortable and downright angry. Tim Tebow has become a lighting rod for those who wish that he “would shut up and play.” Those against him try in vain to point out that he is not a “typical NFL quarterback” and that he is lacking in many areas. When the Denver Broncos have lost, the same individuals announce that “Tebow Time has ended.” Yet, Tim Tebow continues forward smiling, encouraging his team and giving thanks to God for the opportunity to utilize his talents; not for winning a football game.

When I started following Tim Tebow I couldn’t help but draw a comparison to other NFL Players and the lack of criticism and negative press they received:

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger: accused THREE TIMES FOR RAPE (http://www.politicolnews.com/roethlisberger-3rd-rape/)

Baltimore Ravens Ray Lewis: convicted of murder

Chicago Bears Sam Hurd: indicted on possession of cocaine and possible drug trafficking.

In 2011 alone, there were over 82 NFL and ex-NFL players charged with a variety of crimes from rape, stabblings, to domestic violence. This has been a focus of the current NFL Comissioner: to “Clean up the NFL” and change its image. Yet, here we are: a devote Christian is being criticized for proclaiming his love for Jesus and basically putting his money where his mouth is.

The challenge is this: who would we rather have for a roll model and a spokesperson: Ben Roethisberger or Tim Tebow?

Better yet, which one would we rather mentor our sons or bring our daughters on a date?

Pastoral Letter for January 4 2012

2012-01-04T04:30:00.001-05:00

My Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I spoke to many of you and promised you this pastoral letteras an update regarding my own Spiritual Journey and what is happening in mylife. I am fully immersed in my Prison Ministry and it has taken on so many new dimensions. I am still preparing to accept theposition at Concord MCI with much anticipation. The only piece that needs tofall into place now is the funding for the position that takes awhile becauseof the financial situation of the state (2 to three months). In the interim, myhours have increased at the Nashua Street Jail and I truly believe this iswhere God wants me to be.

The Christmas Season has slowed everything down to a crawl,especially regarding my new Home Parish Assignment, but I feel that in the nextfew weeks more solid information will be forthcoming. Truthfully, I am in nowhurry. I have taken this opportunity to acquire a new spiritual director and toconcentrate on my family where I feel I have taken for granted for some timenow.

I do have a wonderful story that I do want to share with youand one that really hits close to home. It has really impacted my prisonministry, my relationship with my family, and my faith. It is necessary to tellit in the third person but, at the same time, those closest to me will not findit hard to understand who am I am talking about:

It is a story about a 16 year old girl named Renee. Theyoungest of six children, she has always been known as a “fighter” and one whoisn't afraid to speak out or step up to get what she wants. She has always hada very charismatic and outgoing personality which has attracted people to her.She has always been very popular and outgoing. She has never been lacking inthe “friends department” and has been known to be active, especially in sports.At a younger age, she could be classified as a “Tom Boy” and has broken many ofthe sex barriers with sports including competing in boys soccer and baseball;keeping up and surpassing the stronger sex.

About three years ago, something happened to Renee which washorrifying to any parent. During an innocent snowball fight between a group oftwelve kids, a random snowball hit a house. The owner, a 48 year old mancharged out of the house and focused on the first person he saw: Renee. He thenproceeded to assault this girl by punching her, strangling her, and draggingher across the ground. The event was so shocking that traffic stopped andpeople got out of their cars to implore this man to stop. Finally, he did.Charges were filed but the damage to the girl was done. She described that thiswas the only time in her short life that she was truly in fear of dying.

The next day, the man's children seeking revenge for thecharges files, sought assistance from a 19 year old man to attack Renee with apolice baton and another assault ensued.

This initiated three years of a personal hell for Renee andher parents. There was a personality change that was baffling. “Daddy's LittlePeanut” became someone no one knewanymore. She became a fighter where she didn't start a confrontation butfinished it. Someone would call her a name and she would return a barrage ofinsults and derogatory insults which would make a drunken sailor blush. Ifsomeone would push her, she would unleash a barrage of physical retaliationthat would cause someone to think she was a professional boxer. Everythingwould be immediately brought to the extreme. There was also a rejection ofestablished institutions such as school, church, and authority in general.

Soon, Renee established a reputation with the school systemand the police department. They viewed here in a very negative manner. At thesame time, there were glimmers of hope which masked the true diagnosis of whatwas happening. In the eighth grade, Renee discovered basketball and a mentorwho was the coach. She excelled in the sport where she was being recruitedearly on by high-school coaches throughout the city where she lived. Yet, whenshe was off the basketball court, trouble always ensued. There appeared to be atug o' war between doing what was right and her instincts for survival andbeing safe.

An incident happened over the summer before high schoolwhere her and her brother were accused of throwing rocks at a police car, whichthey did not. Her brother, an honor roll student, was assaulted by a policeoffice along with Renee. This caused a situation where the father had to meetwith the Deputy Chief of Police and possibly bring forward a civil suite.Changes against the children were dropped but Renee continued her behavior ofacting out and fighting.

The High School Years brought about a series of fights andsituation that, with hindsight, could be linked to that initial assault by the48 year old and the actions of the police department. It became an ongoingcycle where Renee would seek the approval of adults and utterly rejectauthority when she felt threatened. Her parents defended her, advocated forher, and fought for her without the full understanding what she was goingthrough.

Finally, this past Thanksgiving, everything came to aclimax. On Thanksgiving Eve (Wed Night), Renee was arrested in her own home forassault and battery and held without bail in a Youth Detention Facility. Everyparents' nightmare became true: their child was gone. Renee spent the next 23days in Dorchester Massachusetts at a detention facility as she went throughthe system. Renee's father and mother fought to bring her home but to no avail:the intent was to hold her for 60 days.

The facility was an alternative facility which concentratedon positive reinforcement and therapy. It was here that Renee was diagnosedwith PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). She started receiving treatment andthe parents brought in an outside team to help. Renee flourished in the environmentand was termed, “The best detainee that we ever had.” The juvenile courtrealized the situation and gave Renee the break that she needed: all chargeswere continued and she was to receive treatment.” Renee was home for Christmas.

An emotional moment was when a church group went into thefacility as asked what the children wanted to pray about. Renee, who rejectedthe church for years, stood up and came forward: She said she wanted to pray toGod to help her go home.

Renee is now getting the treatment that she needs and agroup of adults that believe in her. She is looking for a fresh start in a newschool and playing basketball again.

Another emotional moment was when the judge looked at herand said, “I do not know why I am doing this but I am continuing all chargesagainst you. You have your fresh start. You can go home.” She immediately burstinto tears and ran to her parents yelling, “I love you!”

Renee's journey to recovery has just begun. It will be ahard road forward but one that is necessary.

Prayers are definitely answered. Saint Jude, the PatronSaint of Hopeless Causes (the Prisoners' Saint) truly does intercede. And,above all, Our God is a Loving God.

This story sums up why God has called me to be a PrisonChaplain. There are thousands of untold stories out there such as this.

Be thankful for Christ in your lives and thank you for allof your prayers.

-Deacon Tom.

Pastoral Letter November 20, 2011

2011-11-23T03:19:00.001-05:00

MyBrothers and Sisters in Jesus Christ,

Ihave been a member of this parish community for over 7 ½ years now. I broughtmy family over from All Saints Parish and settled here as I journeyed forwardthrough formation and ultimately to ordination as a Permanent Deacon. It washere where I received my first assignment and began exercising my office.Throughout this time I feel that I have served the community to the best of myabilities as I Proclaimed the Gospels and evangelized the faith. Throughout thistime period I have experienced new things that have both validated my officeand challenged me. I grew in my faith and knowledge as I progressed upon my ownjourney of faith. I felt both blessed and honored to be accepted into thiscommunity and have come to know each and every one of you as friends.

Therehave also been some unique circumstances within this parish community whichhave impacted us all in different ways. Over the past year and a half, I havelost my spiritual director and have been asked to perform many tasks andfunctions which have taken away from my own continuing formation anddevelopment. Personally, I had to deal with circumstances that I have never hadto deal with before in a parish setting while in my professional capacity I hadto do the same with the strike situation at the Methuen Distribution Center ofShaw’s Supermarkets. It was not uncommon for me to be working over 100 hoursper week as a deacon and as a manager at the Shaw’s Distribution Center all thewhile attempting to maintain a stable family life. This continued up until thepresent time as I have tried to stabilize all areas which I have found myselfinvolved in.

Iwas pleased to make the sacrifices and have never complained but in the endthere are things that cannot be ignored: I have only been on retreat once inalmost four years, I have no spiritual director, I have ignored my continuingdevelopment, and my family has shared these sacrifices along with me.

Recently,I took on the role as Chaplain at the Nashua Street Jail in Boston for SuffolkCounty, which was the first action regarding continued formation anddevelopment within the Permanent Diaconate that I had done in quite some time. Thisministry has produced much fruit and a spiritual awakening; but there is muchmore that I have to do regarding spiritual and professional development. Aftermuch deliberation, conversations with Father Murray, and prayer, we feel thatit is time that my ministries come to an end at Saint John the Baptist Church.This is a hard painful decision that Father Murray and I have not arrived atlightly and we agree that this is the best path forward. We believe that Christhad called me to serve this parish and brought me here for a particular purposeand now that purpose has ended.

Inlife and ministry there comes a time where hard decisions have to be made andthis is one of the hardest that I have had to come to. In the end, it is feltthat it is the right decision.

TheArchdiocese of Boston has assigned me officially to the Nashua Street Jail asthe Chaplain and has asked that my ministries be concentrated there for thetime being. I have also been instructed to find a spiritual director and focuson continued development. I will be assigned a “home parish” within the nextfew weeks as my time here ends on November 20^th, the Feast of Christthe King.

Iwill always consider Saint John the Baptist as my family and will hold each andevery one of its parishioners near and dear to my heart. I truly love you alland ask for you to pray for me and I will pray for you.

Yoursalways and forever in Christ,

DeaconTom Anthony

Pastoral Letter 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

2011-09-25T21:32:00.001-04:00

Brothers& Sisters in Christ:

Childrenmisbehave. That is one of the things that can be expected when interacting withor raising children: they won't always be perfect and they will make mistakes.It is through these errors and behaviors that children learn what boundaries,rules, and expectations are. Without the experience of making a mistake ordoing something wrong, a child cannot grow and fully understand the reasonsbehind why he or she can or cannot do something. Learned experiences provide somethe most valuable insight into a person and how they relate to others. Throughthe guidance of parents and mentors these experiences take on an even deepermeaning. By following guidelines set forth by them, a child formulates astructure to live by and gages what is truly right and wrong. Guided by aconscious and these lessons, the child develops and grows, hopefully shapingits personhood by all of these things mentioned.

Thiscan be said about our own faith and relationship with God. We are His childrenand as Jesus himself said, to enter his kingdom one must become like a child.Our spirituality and relationship with God is constantly being shaped by theway we approach it. Through prayer, sacred scripture, and the Church we learnhow to follow God's plan for us and what He wants us to do with our time onthis earth. There is a certain way we are expected to act and functions toperform as Christians endowed with the gift of eternal salvation. We are askedto open our hearts to God and evangelize that same faith which has become anintricate part of our lives.

Atthe same time we must realize that we are not perfect and will fall short ofGod's expectations and our own: we came to Christ broken and in many ways willremain broken until we achieve perfection through Jesus Christ when we arefinally reunited with him for eternity. Many times, like children, we will havean inclination to do wrong or will make mistakes created through our ownignorance or sinful nature.

Justas a child will act out in defiance to a parent and do something that it knowsis "against the rules" so will we be tempted to do the same; manytimes regardless of the known consequences. This is a

regardlesof Original Sin and our fallen nature. We will be tested and will at times failthat test.

Whenwe do fail the test we must acknowledge our imperfections and ask forforgiveness through the only way that we can be made whole again: The Sacramentof Reconciliation. Through this wonderful Sacrament, we can reestablish ourrelationship with God. This is a true exemplification of His love for us thatHe offers us the chance of forgiveness by acknowledging what we did was wrong.All we need to do is come forward and recognize our mistake. If we do not dothis, there is a great risk that not only the act itself, but the overwhelmingguilt that accompanies it can become an impediment to the reception of God'slove and our relationship with Him. It becomes a stumbling block.

Jesusministered to those who needed him the most: the sinner, the downtrodden, andthe forgotten. As they were lifted up, all of humanity was lifted up out of thedarkness. To lift up an object from the ground, you must grab it from thebottom and that is exactly what Jesus did when he ministered to the neediest insociety. And the first step when being ministered to is acknowledging thenecessity that what is being spoken

C,beingneeds to be heard. Jesus Christ died for everyone. He loves everyone the sameregardless of what was done in the past and what might happen in the future. Hetruly hopes that His love will influence us and strengthen us so as to live ourentire lives obeying His words and acknowledging that love through actionswhich emulate it. Yet, there will be those times where that same love will bethe only thing that will be able to rescue us, comfort us, and make us whole;especially when we have turned our backs on Him by sinning.

Jesusis not only there when times are good. He is also there when we need Him themost and that is when we can truly understand the Crucified Christ and what Hedid for us for one simple reason: We are His children and He loves us.

Yoursin Christ, Deacon Tom

Holy Hour Homily

2011-08-30T05:14:00.001-04:00

TUESDAY, AUGUST 30TH AT St John the Baptist Church, Haverhill, Ma

“A special evening was dedicated to Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Evening Prayer, and the Rosary.”

Sponsored by Mass Citizens for Life Haverhill,
Knights of Columbus Council 202
And the Marian Society of Saint John the Baptist Church

Pastoral Letter For Aug 28, 2011

2011-08-28T22:42:00.001-04:00

“You duped me, Oh Lord, and I let myself be duped! You were too strong for me and you triumphed.”

These worlds come from the Prophet Jeremiah in the Old Testament Reading this week. I feel that we all can relate to this circumstance. We are taught to make Christ the central aspect of our lives both spiritually and in our actions and deeds. To fully understand our relationship with Christ we must understand that he has to be ever-present in our thoughts and be reflective in what we do. We are Children of God and with that comes a certain responsibility being representatives of the Church. This includes during times of crisis where we might find ourselves praying to God in earnest to unburden us from our pain and anxiety. Usually, when we do this, there is a time of great tribulation where there appears to be no hope and only He offers the solace that we long for. In our humanness, along with this exercise, comes moments of doubt and fear. Will God hear us? Will He answer our prayers and make everything better? Is God even listening? This can become a real trial of faith. It is always easier to give God praise when things are going well. When times are bad is when we are truly tested.

Just like when a bad storm finally passes, so do most times of turbulence and we find ourselves emerging with a stronger faith and appreciation for our creator. We can look back and laugh at our doubt. He is indeed carrying us during these times and the Crucified Christ takes on a very important meaning; for it is through suffering that we receive a special grace and understanding from Christ. Through times like these we are given a small glimpse of a personified Passion and Christ's Sacrifice. We are taught that many things in our lives are beyond our control and that we must turn things over to God so that He may offer His guidance and support. We must open ourselves completely and surrender to His love so that we may truly understand our faith and live our lives according to His word. When this is done, our faith is put into action and takes on a whole new meaning. We are able to accept the good with the bad and understand nothing is forever except for God himself and His love for us.

The Gospel Reading today displays this in a particular way. Christ understands what he has to do and knows that this is the will of the Father, yet Peter is quick to offer the human alternative; refusing to surrender to God's will and instead offering a path of resistance. This is indeed a temptation: Do we have the complete ability to control everything in our lives regardless of its immensity or must we admit that some things must are beyond our control and that we must surrender them to God? Surrendering to God and trusting in His love is a wonderful display of our faith and can only make it stronger. Suffering together with Christ is something that He himself encourages. It offers a pathway to happiness and a fuller relationship with Him. Standing up and admitting that we are not perfect is the first step in an amazing journey to become closer to Him.

We can also share our suffering within the Christian Community and help those of us around us. The Book of Job offers us this example, especially when Job exclaims, “Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?” When we display our faith and reflect what Christ teaches we can serve as an example to others just as others have the ability to do the same to us. There is a perpetual sharing that benefits the entire community. It is through sharing and support that a community grows stronger. Each of us take on the responsibility of the other. We can feel each others' happiness and each others' pain. Doing this within the shadow of Christ lifts up the entire community and only makes it stronger.

Together, with Christ, we can overcome anything.

The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field

2011-07-26T19:47:00.000-04:00

During the summer months we are encouraged to take some time for ourselves and our families; to take a step back and enjoy the company of those closest to us. The opportunity is there for us to either slow down a bit or remove ones-self from some duties and responsibilities to make way for recreation. Not only is this good mentally and physically, but it also serves its purpose in the spiritual sense. In our spiritual lives, we are often directed what to read and what to do in response to events around us. The Church Calendar, parish events, religious education, and ongoing catechesis are some of the areas which dictate what direction we are to head in. We find ourselves responding to what needs to be done.

This is healthy and also points to a healthy Christian Community but it is also healthy to ask, “What about me and what I want to do?” Just like the secular world, religious life also has a “back burner” where all sorts of stuff can be set aside. There are certain books one might want to read or maybe a special trip to a shrine or chapel on a small pilgrimage. Whatever it is, it has been set in the back of the mind to be addressed and enjoyed at some other time. The challenge is this: “When will it be that time?” If we are able to carefully plan some time away to spend with our families and friends, why can’t we do the same thing with God? If we feel called to do something to further our own Journey of Faith, then shouldn’t we respond to that call? The ramifications of not responding to that call can be a lot more harmful and disheartening than turning to Christ and immersing ourselves in His love.

We are presented with a wonderful opportunity this summer. We just have to acknowledge what it is and react to it. Over the past several weeks, we have been listening to Jesus’ Parables in the Gospel. Each one possesses an undeniable truth of our faith and can add to the fulfillment that we all can work towards this summer. The Book of Matthew may just be the perfect Book in the Bible to start reading for those looking for more scripture in their lives. This Sunday, Jesus speaks of the Kingdom of Heaven being like a buried treasure in a field. We are the ones who have found it and now are commissioned to treat it as it is: God’s gift to us. To further appreciate its value, we must understand it and its relationship to us. This is only possible through Jesus Christ.

We all have something we want to do; something that is completely different for ourselves in relationship to Jesus. Is there any reason why we should deny ourselves any longer. For the very same reason why we make time for the beach, the barbeque, and family fun we should also be making the time for those special things that have been set aside long enough. We should also approach them the same way we approach any summer activity: with anticipation and happiness.

During the summer months we are encouraged to take some time for ourselves and our families; to take a step back and enjoy the company of those closest to us. The opportunity is there for us to either slow down a bit or remove ones-self from some duties and responsibilities to make way for recreation. Not only is this good mentally and physically, but it also serves its purpose in the spiritual sense. In our spiritual lives, we are often directed what to read and what to do in response to events around us. The Church Calendar, parish events, religious education, and ongoing catechesis are some of the areas which dictate what direction we are to head in. We find ourselves responding to what needs to be done.

This is healthy and also points to a healthy Christian Community but it is also healthy to ask, “What about me and what I want to do?” Just like the secular world, religious life also has a “back burner” where all sorts of stuff can be set aside. There are certain books one might want to read or maybe a special trip to a shrine or chapel on a small pilgrimage. Whatever it is, it has been set in the back of the mind to be addressed and enjoyed at some other time. The challenge is this: “When will it be that time?” If we are able to carefully plan some time away to spend with our families and friends, why can’t we do the same thing with God? If we feel called to do something to further our own Journey of Faith, then shouldn’t we respond to that call? The ramifications of not responding to that call can be a lot more harmful and disheartening than turning to Christ and immersing ourselves in His love.

We are presented with a wonderful opportunity this summer. We just have to acknowledge what it is and react to it. Over the past several weeks, we have been listening to Jesus’ Parables in the Gospel. Each one possesses an undeniable truth of our faith and can add to the fulfillment that we all can work towards this summer. The Book of Matthew may just be the perfect Book in the Bible to start reading for those looking for more scripture in their lives. This Sunday, Jesus speaks of the Kingdom of Heaven being like a buried treasure in a field. We are the ones who have found it and now are commissioned to treat it as it is: God’s gift to us. To further appreciate its value, we must understand it and its relationship to us. This is only possible through Jesus Christ.

We all have something we want to do; something that is completely different for ourselves in relationship to Jesus. Is there any reason why we should deny ourselves any longer. For the very same reason why we make time for the beach, the barbeque, and family fun we should also be making the time for those special things that have been set aside long enough. We should also approach them the same way we approach any summer activity: with anticipation and happiness.

Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Jesus Christ

2011-06-29T20:37:00.000-04:00

For the past several weeks we have been given a wonderful opportunity through the Church Calendar to examine important truths of our faith and to look at them through the perspective of mass and Christian Fellowship. On Pentecost, we heard about God’s Love and the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Last week we examined the Holy Trinity and its relationship to us and the Church. This Sunday, we celebrate The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. This is the foundation of our mass and that everlasting gift that Christ gave to us in the form of a Sacramental Grace so that we may experience His presence and love more fully every day of our lives. When we gather together to celebrate mass, it is of course to celebrate the Eucharist in community and Christian Fellowship, but we cannot forget the valuable knowledge and understanding we can gain simply by listening to the words that are spoken and the meaning they are trying to convey.

To fully appreciate this we must first and foremost be aware that the mass is divided into two Liturgies: the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. The Liturgy of the Word begins the mass and ends with the Prayers of the Faithful. In the Liturgy of the Word, we are invited celebrate our faith, profess it, and listen to the words of Sacred Scripture; meditating on their meaning. We are challenged to open our hearts to the message of God and to have it affect us in a spiritual way. There can obviously be an application to our own experiences in life and what we might be going through at that moment or it might be something that can be applied to our journey of faith. That is the beauty of Sacred Scripture: it is timeless and filled with God’s wisdom. The Homily is tailored so as to open the scripture to the faithful and assist us all in this area. Through this liturgy, we are afforded the opportunity to deepen our knowledge and understanding of our faith, but we must focus on what is being said. We must concentrate on the words that are being spoken to us, for they are indeed the Word of God. He definitely has something to say to us and He is asking us to listen.

For the past several weeks, the Church has been telling us a story. It is a story of God’s Love in action and the working of the Holy Trinity. Together, in the light of God’s Love and the Holy Trinity, we are then presented with the Eucharist. It is being handed to us to keep and to hold close to our hearts. As we look at it being raised before us, how wonderful would it be to recall the words of Moses, “"Do not forget the LORD, your God.” As it is placed gently into our hands Paul says to us, “we, though many, are one body.” And finally, as it is consumed, we are reminded by Christ Himself: “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day.”

Through mass we are able to experience everything in one climatic moment. The Word of God leads to His Living Body and Blood to be given to us who deserve it the least but need it the most. Then we leave filled with His Grace and Love; knowing full well that we are in receipt of something very special.

A Note About Pentecost

2011-06-12T20:58:00.001-04:00

We are frequently told throughout Sacred Scriptures how to conduct ourselves and interact with one another within community and within a family setting. These rules of conduct become an expectation if we are to live a full, devout, and fulfilling Christian Life. Going against these rules or justifying our actions leads to shortcomings and a less satisfying existence with Our Lord Jesus Christ. It also leads to conflict within us and a disordered life full of confusion. This we already know; our conscious is our guide and tells us this readily. More than an instruction manual, though, Sacred Scripture Offers us a key to understanding God and thus our relationship with Him. And knowing God is to understand His love for us and our love for Him.

It is very important to understand that love that God has for us, for as we explore that, we are exploring that third part of the Trinity: the Holy Spirit: the Love of God in motion: the Act of God’s Love. We listened today as the Holy Sprit descended upon the Apostles and they were then sent out into the world to preach the Message of Salvation. They left that Upper Room of Doubt and its Security and stepped out into the world fully understanding what they had to do. Whatever misgivings they had were replaced by that Spirit. And that Spirit gave them the strength, ability, and knowledge to carry on.

As with the Apostles, we too are receivers of God’s Love and also those special gifts that come with it. As an intricate part of God’s creation we are touched by His Love, through Sacramental Graces we feel the presence of His Love continuously throughout our lives, and as we open our hearts to Him, we are more apt to feel the presence of His Spirit.

Through His Spirit we are able to see His work in our lives and in the world and are able to comprehend how we need to live our lives as followers of Christ. We can understand the difference between right and wrong and have the ability to choose right. We can overcome our fears and take risks as followers of Christ. We start to understand God more and are humbled by His presence: we have a reverence for Him and for His Church. And first and foremost, we fear Him in a loving way. These are known as the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, and Fear of the Lord.

With these Gifts we become whole in our relationship to God as His children. And with these Gifts, we can come forward in service to God and His Church. Filled with the Holy Spirit and Confirmed with the Holy Spirit, we can be focused on doing what is right and proper in accordance with God’s Plan. Our individual talents and capabilities are now oriented towards the Greater Good and the Expectancies of Savior Jesus Christ.

We all have that choice to respond to Him and respond to His Love or to turn away and do our own thing. We can build up things around us in His Name and perform acts of charity as He asks us to do or we can walk away. It is no coincidence that as we act and do things in His Name that we feel good. We can actually feel God’s Love within ourselves and feel the Spirit alive within ourselves. When we don’t, there is a hole; a deep emptiness that threatens to overpower us.

And those feelings are not limited to us alone. All of us have that capability to influence others around us for better or for worse. We can lift ourselves up to the greatest heights and help those around us and we can pull ourselves down dragging others with us also.

This becomes a great responsibility. Each and every one of us is important in the eyes of Christ and in the eyes of the Christian Faithful. We cannot lose sight of this. And we cannot let society lose sight of this either. When it does, terrible things are apt to happen.

You can see a life with Christ and compare it with a life without Christ: a society where every living human being, born and unborn, is cherished and loved; where the human condition is above materialism and consumerism; where the thoughts and feelings of each person matters. This is what we stand for. This is what we believe. And this is what Christ wants us to do. Christ asks us to come forward and use our gifts and talents in His name for the betterment of His creation and for the betterment of His Kingdom. And when we do this, He responds to our actions and deeds. We feel His Love alive within us. It moves us and surrounds us. It becomes undeniable. This is one of the main reasons why we are here today: called forward to worship and love God. We are then challenged as we are sent forth back into the world.

And what a wonderful challenge it is: to serve our Lord, Creator, and Master.

We are frequently told throughout Sacred Scriptures how to conduct ourselves and interact with one another within community and within a family setting. These rules of conduct become an expectation if we are to live a full, devout, and fulfilling Christian Life. Going against these rules or justifying our actions leads to shortcomings and a less satisfying existence with Our Lord Jesus Christ. It also leads to conflict within us and a disordered life full of confusion. This we already know; our conscious is our guide and tells us this readily. More than an instruction manual, though, Sacred Scripture Offers us a key to understanding God and thus our relationship with Him. And knowing God is to understand His love for us and our love for Him.

It is very important to understand that love that God has for us, for as we explore that, we are exploring that third part of the Trinity: the Holy Spirit: the Love of God in motion: the Act of God’s Love. We listened today as the Holy Sprit descended upon the Apostles and they were then sent out into the world to preach the Message of Salvation. They left that Upper Room of Doubt and its Security and stepped out into the world fully understanding what they had to do. Whatever misgivings they had were replaced by that Spirit. And that Spirit gave them the strength, ability, and knowledge to carry on.

As with the Apostles, we too are receivers of God’s Love and also those special gifts that come with it. As an intricate part of God’s creation we are touched by His Love, through Sacramental Graces we feel the presence of His Love continuously throughout our lives, and as we open our hearts to Him, we are more apt to feel the presence of His Spirit.

Through His Spirit we are able to see His work in our lives and in the world and are able to comprehend how we need to live our lives as followers of Christ. We can understand the difference between right and wrong and have the ability to choose right. We can overcome our fears and take risks as followers of Christ. We start to understand God more and are humbled by His presence: we have a reverence for Him and for His Church. And first and foremost, we fear Him in a loving way. These are known as the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, and Fear of the Lord.

With these Gifts we become whole in our relationship to God as His children. And with these Gifts, we can come forward in service to God and His Church. Filled with the Holy Spirit and Confirmed with the Holy Spirit, we can be focused on doing what is right and proper in accordance with God’s Plan. Our individual talents and capabilities are now oriented towards the Greater Good and the Expectancies of Savior Jesus Christ.

We all have that choice to respond to Him and respond to His Love or to turn away and do our own thing. We can build up things around us in His Name and perform acts of charity as He asks us to do or we can walk away. It is no coincidence that as we act and do things in His Name that we feel good. We can actually feel God’s Love within ourselves and feel the Spirit alive within ourselves. When we don’t, there is a hole; a deep emptiness that threatens to overpower us.

And those feelings are not limited to us alone. All of us have that capability to influence others around us for better or for worse. We can lift ourselves up to the greatest heights and help those around us and we can pull ourselves down dragging others with us also.

This becomes a great responsibility. Each and every one of us is important in the eyes of Christ and in the eyes of the Christian Faithful. We cannot lose sight of this. And we cannot let society lose sight of this either. When it does, terrible things are apt to happen.

You can see a life with Christ and compare it with a life without Christ: a society where every living human being, born and unborn, is cherished and loved; where the human condition is above materialism and consumerism; where the thoughts and feelings of each person matters. This is what we stand for. This is what we believe. And this is what Christ wants us to do. Christ asks us to come forward and use our gifts and talents in His name for the betterment of His creation and for the betterment of His Kingdom. And when we do this, He responds to our actions and deeds. We feel His Love alive within us. It moves us and surrounds us. It becomes undeniable. This is one of the main reasons why we are here today: called forward to worship and love God. We are then challenged as we are sent forth back into the world.

And what a wonderful challenge it is: to serve our Lord, Creator, and Master.

The Ascension

2011-06-05T20:49:00.000-04:00

Imagine the spectrum of emotion that the Apostles and the rest of Jesus’ followers have gone through; from the Crucifixion, Resurrection, and the Ascension. Jesus is taken from them, returns, and then leaves once again. Through these events, Jesus’ message has been slowly revealed to them and their purpose within it.

But what an overpowering message and responsibility they are given. I would offer that human nature would raise the question: “Where do we start?”, “How are we supposed to accomplish what we have been invited to do?”

Then, they do the natural thing. They gather together in the upper room where they were staying and pray. They seek comfort in the presence of God and find themselves close to Christ being in that same place where he broke bread with them one last time. The very place where He instituted the Eucharist is where they return to. Here, possibly in the same room where Christ instituted the Eucharist, for is states the upper room a phrase of familiarity, is where we start to see the formation of the Early Church: a community gathering together immersed in prayer seeking guidance from God. And when they emerge from the upper room they are no longer the same. They become focused and begin to lay the foundation of their ministry.

Throughout the scriptures we are given a window into the humanness of Jesus’ followers and it is not only through their strength that we are able to learn more about our own faith and spirituality. It is more through their shortfalls and weaknesses that we are able to examine ourselves and our relationship with Christ. Many times, we already know what our obligations are and what we have to do. It is our very nature to look ahead: days, weeks, months, and even years. It is not uncommon to have a roadmap before us; a plan already in place. There are some more meticulous than others and there are those who prefer to “shoot from the hip,” so to speak. We have an intellect that we use to experience life before us. When the plan is followed and things run smooth is when we tend to coast; we get into a pattern and that pattern is very comfortable. Comfortable is good.

It is those times when confronted with adversity that some sort of crisis can arise; where faith can be questioned and doubts can be raised. It is here where we can receive our guidance from the Apostles, those before us who faced the most insurmountable challenges imagined. Being human, they too had their own doubts and felt overburdened by what they had to do. In the end, they brought it to prayer and turned it over to God. This we are encouraged to do. Through prayer we can bring clarity to life and its challenges. The simple act of prayer strengthens our relationship with Christ and has that ability to give all of us the support we need to circumvent obstacles and emerge from crisis all the more easily. It offers clarity and a safe-haven, as did the upper room to the Apostles.

But there is another aspect of prayer that cannot be forgotten. And that is prayers of thanks and appreciation. Through these prayers we can remind ourselves of the wonderful gifts that we have been given in our lives. We cannot ignore all the beautiful and glorious things that we have been given and the opportunities unique where we can seek comfort when we need it and love him because of what he has given us. Paul extols us that when we are troubled and are put to the test in matters of our faith to compare ourselves to the suffering Christ and all the more rejoice and celebrate that same faith. We can also bring this into our everyday life, knowing at all times that Christ is with us and loves us. Learn by his example and follow his example. Avoid the pitfalls and temptations of this world and keep the focus on him and his everlasting glory. Christ being central to our faith must also be central in our lives and the lives of our families. The more we live by the virtues of Christ, the more we will be able to shine forth as an example of the Christian Faith.

Christ taught us to pray by praying. He laid before us his own roadmap and plan for us. He prayed for us to the Father and continues to do so. We pray with him in the mass. Here in the mass we have a wonderful, beautiful liturgy that strengthens our faith with its celebration. The Church asks us to look beyond the Liturgy and see what is behind it. Jesus is present with us in this celebration and is praying amongst us. What a beautiful image that is. And what a wonderful truth. He is with us, immersing us with his love. It is sometimes easily to forget that as we go through the motions, but that is the ultimate truth of our faith: Jesus is here and he is also present in the Eucharist. The opportunity is there to feel him and truly be a part of the liturgy, an active participant, and not just an onlooker. It is all in how we approach it.

As Christ himself says, he is glorified within us. We are personally his in a very special way. That will never change.

Imagine the spectrum of emotion that the Apostles and the rest of Jesus’ followers have gone through; from the Crucifixion, Resurrection, and the Ascension. Jesus is taken from them, returns, and then leaves once again. Through these events, Jesus’ message has been slowly revealed to them and their purpose within it.

But what an overpowering message and responsibility they are given. I would offer that human nature would raise the question: “Where do we start?”, “How are we supposed to accomplish what we have been invited to do?”

Then, they do the natural thing. They gather together in the upper room where they were staying and pray. They seek comfort in the presence of God and find themselves close to Christ being in that same place where he broke bread with them one last time. The very place where He instituted the Eucharist is where they return to. Here, possibly in the same room where Christ instituted the Eucharist, for is states the upper room a phrase of familiarity, is where we start to see the formation of the Early Church: a community gathering together immersed in prayer seeking guidance from God. And when they emerge from the upper room they are no longer the same. They become focused and begin to lay the foundation of their ministry.

Throughout the scriptures we are given a window into the humanness of Jesus’ followers and it is not only through their strength that we are able to learn more about our own faith and spirituality. It is more through their shortfalls and weaknesses that we are able to examine ourselves and our relationship with Christ. Many times, we already know what our obligations are and what we have to do. It is our very nature to look ahead: days, weeks, months, and even years. It is not uncommon to have a roadmap before us; a plan already in place. There are some more meticulous than others and there are those who prefer to “shoot from the hip,” so to speak. We have an intellect that we use to experience life before us. When the plan is followed and things run smooth is when we tend to coast; we get into a pattern and that pattern is very comfortable. Comfortable is good.

It is those times when confronted with adversity that some sort of crisis can arise; where faith can be questioned and doubts can be raised. It is here where we can receive our guidance from the Apostles, those before us who faced the most insurmountable challenges imagined. Being human, they too had their own doubts and felt overburdened by what they had to do. In the end, they brought it to prayer and turned it over to God. This we are encouraged to do. Through prayer we can bring clarity to life and its challenges. The simple act of prayer strengthens our relationship with Christ and has that ability to give all of us the support we need to circumvent obstacles and emerge from crisis all the more easily. It offers clarity and a safe-haven, as did the upper room to the Apostles.

But there is another aspect of prayer that cannot be forgotten. And that is prayers of thanks and appreciation. Through these prayers we can remind ourselves of the wonderful gifts that we have been given in our lives. We cannot ignore all the beautiful and glorious things that we have been given and the opportunities unique where we can seek comfort when we need it and love him because of what he has given us. Paul extols us that when we are troubled and are put to the test in matters of our faith to compare ourselves to the suffering Christ and all the more rejoice and celebrate that same faith. We can also bring this into our everyday life, knowing at all times that Christ is with us and loves us. Learn by his example and follow his example. Avoid the pitfalls and temptations of this world and keep the focus on him and his everlasting glory. Christ being central to our faith must also be central in our lives and the lives of our families. The more we live by the virtues of Christ, the more we will be able to shine forth as an example of the Christian Faith.

Christ taught us to pray by praying. He laid before us his own roadmap and plan for us. He prayed for us to the Father and continues to do so. We pray with him in the mass. Here in the mass we have a wonderful, beautiful liturgy that strengthens our faith with its celebration. The Church asks us to look beyond the Liturgy and see what is behind it. Jesus is present with us in this celebration and is praying amongst us. What a beautiful image that is. And what a wonderful truth. He is with us, immersing us with his love. It is sometimes easily to forget that as we go through the motions, but that is the ultimate truth of our faith: Jesus is here and he is also present in the Eucharist. The opportunity is there to feel him and truly be a part of the liturgy, an active participant, and not just an onlooker. It is all in how we approach it.

As Christ himself says, he is glorified within us. We are personally his in a very special way. That will never change.

Fourth Sunday of Easter

2011-05-15T14:49:00.004-04:00

Reading 1
Acts 2:14a, 36-41

Then Peter stood up with the Eleven,
raised his voice, and proclaimed:
“Let the whole house of Israel know for certain
that God has made both Lord and Christ,
this Jesus whom you crucified.”

Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart,
and they asked Peter and the other apostles,
“What are we to do, my brothers?”
Peter said to them,
“Repent and be baptized, every one of you,
in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins;
and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
For the promise is made to you and to your children
and to all those far off,
whomever the Lord our God will call.”
He testified with many other arguments, and was exhorting them,
“Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.”
Those who accepted his message were baptized,
and about three thousand persons were added that day.

Ps 23: 1-3a, 3b4, 5, 6
Responsorial Psalm

R. (1) The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
or:
R. Alleluia. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He guides me in right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side.
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. or:
R. Alleluia. You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
or:
R. Alleluia. Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
or:
R. Alleluia.

1 Pt 2:20b-25
Reading 2
Beloved:
If you are patient when you suffer for doing what is good,
this is a grace before God.
For to this you have been called,
because Christ also suffered for you,
leaving you an example that you should follow in his footsteps.
He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.
When he was insulted, he returned no insult;
when he suffered, he did not threaten;
instead, he handed himself over to the one who judges justly.
He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross,
so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness.
By his wounds you have been healed.
For you had gone astray like sheep,
but you have now returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.

Jn 10:1-10
Gospel
Jesus said:
“Amen, amen, I say to you,
whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate
but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber.
But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.
The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice,
as the shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
When he has driven out all his own,
he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him,
because they recognize his voice.
But they will not follow a stranger;
they will run away from him,
because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.”
Although Jesus used this figure of speech,
the Pharisees did not realize what he was trying to tell them.

So Jesus said again, “Amen, amen, I say to you,
I am the gate for the sheep.
All who came before me are thieves and robbers,
but the sheep did not listen to them.
I am the gate.
Whoever enters through me will be saved,
and will come in and go out and find pasture.
A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy;
I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”

Jesus really didn’t ask too much from anybody when he walked amongst us. Think about it, He came to this Earth with the sole purpose to fulfill what was written down in the Scripture for thousands of years and offer us the opportunity for redemption and eternal life. This Eternal Life has been ours for the taking by simply following His call and recognizing His voice. When Christ asks us to follow Him we make that choice to receive that gift that has always been there; then we can pass through that Christ describes into beautiful pastures and ultimately paradise.

The imagery created in this Gospel Reading defines our relationship with Christ. Jesus describes how a sheep hears the shephard’s voice and immediately recognizes it. The voice is familiar and comforting. With that familiarity comes an obedience and understanding of the wants of the shepherd. The shepherd commands and the sheep listen in a loving way. There is an expectation that what the shepherd does will be in the best interest of the sheep and with that, they respond to the voice. This is how we should be in our relationship with Christ. How can we go wrong opening our hearts and minds to what Christ is trying to say to us? Everything is laid down before us, in some cases spelled out explicitly. We are just asked to listen to Him and follow His voice. How can we go wrong by following the traditions and teachings of the Church that emulate Christ?

We have turned to Christ and He in turn guides us through our lives. We have all entrusted to him our families, children, and our livelihoods. These can be seen as the ultimate acts of faith when we turn everything over to Christ. And He is turn watches over us vigilantly and puts us on sure footing.

We are also warned through Christ that there are others in the world who come forward claiming that they too have the answers to happiness. There are those who will ask others to have trust in what they have to say and do. They will try to influence and lead but only at the expense of those they claim to care about. Christ says it best in Mathew Chapter 6: “You cannot serve both God and Mammon.” In other words, those who are swept up in worldly desire and allures cannot fully give themselves over to Christ, thus their hearts remain impure as are their motives. To truly serve Christ and follow Him, we are challenged to put behind us those worldly thoughts and desire that might corrupt us or corrupt the image of Christ. We are further challenged to improve ourselves every day; to build ourselves up as well as Christ’s Kingdom here on this earth. The two go hand in hand. You cannot improve on one without working on the other.

That is beautiful in itself. We all are such an intricate part of God’s plan that our well-being is as important as any other part of His creation. We have all been lifted up to that plateau and it is Christ’s hope beyond hope that we can stay there. And it cannot be forgotten that Christ will do anything to keep us there safe and secure.

The soothing sound of Christ’s voice can always be heard through the Eucharist, prayer, and our conscious. We just need to make use of these wonder gifts that have been laid before us.

The first reading today emulates just how forgiving and loving Christ is to all of His children. Peter stands up and testifies to those who stood by and watched Christ be crucified and were either complacent or out-rightly endorsed the action. He called them to repentance and baptism: a call to forgiveness. All is forgiven as long as it is asked for. Everyone is welcome into Christ’s kingdom if only they turn to him and renounce what they have done; cast their sins behind their backs as rise above the corruption and degradation around them.

Read how Peter refers to the Christians in Asia Minor as beloved. There is that special relationship developed through Jesus Christ that he has with them that can be felt even through words on paper. There is a genuine concern and care for their well being. It serves as a lesson for all of us to follow. We must have a concern about the well-being of all of those around us, each being a child of God. Who are we to ignore another Child of God or put our own well-being above their own. We must all be lifted up together in order to achieve the goals that Christ puts before us: that is our own salvation as well as every one else’s. Together, as an entire flock we go forward.

Pastoral Letter for Divine Mercy Sunday

2011-05-01T20:27:00.001-04:00

would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who helped make Holy Week so special and so spirit

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone whohelped make Holy Week so special and so spiritually fulfilling. From PalmSunday to Easter Sunday, we celebrated together in community, reaching theclimax with the Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday. I was amazed by the amount ofpeople in our family who gathered and worshiped together in the Name of OurLord Jesus Christ. As we drew closer to the Easter Joy, the crowds grew largerand larger. Each moment was a testament to our faith and to Our Lord. The HolySpirit was definitely moving throughout our parish. It was amazing to witnessthe standing room only at our first 8:30 Easter Mass in almost nine years onSunday; only to have that attendance beaten by the 10:30 mass. Hundreds of thefaithful came to worship which only intensified the celebration. It was sospecial to witness and an undeniable honor to be a part of it. From the AltarSevers, lecturers, ushers, collectors, choir members, and all those who workedbehind the scenes (you who you are): each individual person was important andinvaluable. I feel the need to also mention our beloved priests, Father Murrayand Father Walsh, who worked tirelessly throughout the entire week andcelebrated each service and mass with an outpouring of faith and love. It is agift to watch them exercise their office with energy, faith, and vigor. TheChristian Faithful, all of us, responded to the calling of Christ and took thisopportunity to worship and love Him at the height of our Liturgical Year.

It is the perfect way to enter this Easter Season. For thenext seven weeks, we will be challenged to take these feelings of joy and lovefor Our Lord Jesus Christ, the experience of his Resurrection and carry it withus. We must lift up our hearts as an offering to Jesus and keep our spiritshigh. We ourselves have been transformed from carrying our own crosses withChrist to Calvary to stepping into the Light of Salvation: a new creationbathed in the Light of the Risen Lord! The celebration has only begun and we areinvited to participate in every moment of it. We will not be leaving behind theEaster Joy. It is with us; captured within our souls as it transforms our verybeing. Let it shape you, guide you, and have a lasting impact on yourspirituality.

Today, the Second Sunday of Easter, is Divine Mercy Sunday.This is a day set aside to reflect on Christ's Mercy that he has bequeathed onall of His creation. His Eternal Love flows over us all of the time and has thecapability of protecting us, nurturing us, and enveloping us forever. We areencouraged to come forward and praise Christ for this special gift, confess oursins, and continue the Resurrection Celebration. Here we pray for the souls inPurgatory and for the salvation of the entire world. We ask Christ to guide ustowards eternal life and to protect us each step of the way.

There is no coincidence that we are also celebrating theBeautification of Pope John Paul II the same day, since it was he who promotedthe cause of canonization of Saint Faustina, the visionary who Christ used toevangelize His Divine Mercy to the world. Through Pope John Paul II and SaintFaustina, we are able to form a special relationship to Divine Mercy Sunday:John Paul, one of the longest reigning popes in the History of the Church andSaint Faustina a modern day saint whose trials and tribulations we all canrelate to. These individuals have left a lasting impact on our faith and aretwo who many have witnessed in their own lives, especially Pope John Paul whospanned so many generations while sitting in the Chair of Saint Peter.

Our Easter Blessings seem never to end. What gifts Christgives to us as Children of God. What cherished memories we can carry with usfor the rest of our lives here on this earth and beyond. The Easter Celebrationhas only begun. Thank you for being a part of it and a part of this ParishFamily.

The celebration of Divine Mercy Sunday will be here, atSaint John the Baptist Church, Sunday from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Come join inadoring Christ Our Savior and His Divine Mercy.ually fulfilling. From Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, we celebrated together in community, reaching the climax with the Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday. I was amazed by the amount of people in our family who gathered and worshiped together in the Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ. As we drew closer to the Easter Joy, the crowds grew larger and larger. Each moment was a testament to our faith and to Our Lord. The Holy Spirit was definitely moving throughout our parish. It was amazing to witness the standing room only at our first 8:30 Easter Mass in almost nine years on Sunday; only to have that attendance beaten by the 10:30 mass. Hundreds of the faithful came to worship which only intensified the celebration. It was so special to witness and an undeniable honor to be a part of it. From the Altar Severs, lecturers, ushers, collectors, choir members, and all those who worked behind the scenes (you who you are): each individual person was important and invaluable. I feel the need to also mention our beloved priests, Father Murray and Father Walsh, who worked tirelessly throughout the entire week and celebrated each service and mass with an outpouring of faith and love. It is a gift to watch them exercise their office with energy, faith, and vigor. The Christian Faithful, all of us, responded to the calling of Christ and took this opportunity to worship and love Him at the height of our Liturgical Year.

It is the perfect way to enter this Easter Season. For the next seven weeks, we will be challenged to take these feelings of joy and love for Our Lord Jesus Christ, the experience of his Resurrection and carry it with us. We must lift up our hearts as an offering to Jesus and keep our spirits high. We ourselves have been transformed from carrying our own crosses with Christ to Calvary to stepping into the Light of Salvation: a new creation bathed in the Light of the Risen Lord! The celebration has only begun and we are invited to participate in every moment of it. We will not be leaving behind the Easter Joy. It is with us; captured within our souls as it transforms our very being. Let it shape you, guide you, and have a lasting impact on your spirituality.

Today, the Second Sunday of Easter, is Divine Mercy Sunday. This is a day set aside to reflect on Christ's Mercy that he has bequeathed on all of His creation. His Eternal Love flows over us all of the time and has the capability of protecting us, nurturing us, and enveloping us forever. We are encouraged to come forward and praise Christ for this special gift, confess our sins, and continue the Resurrection Celebration. Here we pray for the souls in Purgatory and for the salvation of the entire world. We ask Christ to guide us towards eternal life and to protect us each step of the way.

There is no coincidence that we are also celebrating the Beautification of Pope John Paul II the same day, since it was he who promoted the cause of canonization of Saint Faustina, the visionary who Christ used to evangelize His Divine Mercy to the world. Through Pope John Paul II and Saint Faustina, we are able to form a special relationship to Divine Mercy Sunday: John Paul, one of the longest reigning popes in the History of the Church and Saint Faustina a modern day saint whose trials and tribulations we all can relate to. These individuals have left a lasting impact on our faith and are two who many have witnessed in their own lives, especially Pope John Paul who spanned so many generations while sitting in the Chair of Saint Peter.

Our Easter Blessings seem never to end. What gifts Christ gives to us as Children of God. What cherished memories we can carry with us for the rest of our lives here on this earth and beyond. The Easter Celebration has only begun. Thank you for being a part of it and a part of this Parish Family.

The celebration of Divine Mercy Sunday will be here, at Saint John the Baptist Church, Sunday from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Come join in adoring Christ Our Savior and His Divine Mercy.

Third Sunday of Lent

2011-03-30T14:56:00.002-04:00

We are now upon the Third Sunday of Lent. FWe are now upon the Third Sunday of Lent. For sixteen days now we have been carrying our crosses with Christ and gathering each Sunday at the Lord’s Table in a state of rest and relaxation. We have drawn comfort and instruction from Sacred Scripture, gathered together in community to break bread, and enjoyed each other within the spirit of our faith in so many different ways. I feel that as each year passes, this wonderful place that defines our Christian Family only gets better. It provides peace, comfort, solace, and love enriched by the Living Water of Our Lord Jesus Christ mentioned in the Scriptures today.

As I reflect on our journey thus far, my mind goes back to the First Sunday of Lent and the Gospel Reading with Jesus going out in the desert for 40 days. My heart sunk a little bit because I realize that I am doing the same thing this weekend. As you read this pastoral letter, I will already be gone, gathering with my Deacon Brothers on our yearly retreat. We will be at Campion, the former location of the Jesuits’ Weston School of Theology and its current Provincial Headquarters (there is a general feeling that Father Walsh knows everyone here). Even though this is necessary and will be a wonderful experience, it is still strange and unique to be away from my parish and family homes during this Lenten Season. I will not be breaking bread at the Lenten Supper or be at the Stations of the Cross. I will not be at mass and my weekend will not scheduled around various appointments and activities at the church. I will be withdrawn from the world and, in some aspects, alone with Christ in my own spiritual desert oasis. This in itself is a perfect image for Lent and I will definitely carry it with me.

It is truly beautiful how the Gospel Reading from the First Sunday of Lent fits perfectly with that of the third. We have that vision of the parched, barren desert with Christ being at its center. Then we have Jesus professing that He is that Living Water which we all must quench our thirst with. All the more, we are challenged to place ourselves in that desert and suffer the sweltering heat and the merciless winds that cause the sand to rip into our flesh. We are laid bare and helpless against the elements; our sins and humanness exposed as what they are. Then, at that very moment where we feel our lives coming to an end, there is Christ to quench our thirst and give it back to us. He is there is cradle us and tend to our wounds. Through Him, we become whole again.

During this season, there should be times such as these where we strip ourselves bare before Christ and surrender ourselves to His will. Through this exercise, we are more susceptible to Him: we answer His call to love Him and He touches us. We then wait in anticipation for the Spirit to move us and for us to feel Christ’s love. There is a special grace through suffering and sacrifice. Saint John of the Cross taught this and the Book of Job reflects on this. This is also what the Church teaches us through the Season of Lent: loss is actually gain and sacrifice is actually reward. And the ultimate reward comes with the Easter Joy but only after the Passion of the Christ.

I invite you all to take these images from the Gospels and meditate on them. Those that are read in the coming weeks should also be contemplated. Believe me, they all fit together. It is a wonderful exercise to actually meditate on the scripture throughout the week and have it enrich your Lenten Journey. No one can even begin to comprehend the journey without including Sacred Scripture. It is part of the Living Water which nourishes our soul.

The third full week is before us. Our journey has just begun. Let us go back out into the desert to find that Spiritual Oasis. There, I can promise you there is one very special friend waiting there for us.

I hope you are having a wonderful weekend. Pray for me and I shall be praying for you.

Yours in Christ,

Deacon Tom

Lent 2011

2011-03-14T16:36:00.001-04:00

I truly hope you all are experiencing a truly fulfilling Lenten Season thus far. This past week we have had a 24 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament to mark the beginning of Lent, Exposition and Stations of the Cross on Friday, and our traditional Lenten Soup Supper. What a wonderful way to celebrate a wonderful season. For many of us, there seems to be a convergence of many different duties and obligations this time of year and these celebrations offer a welcome escape from a life that can oftentimes be overbearing and demanding. I encourage everyone to participate in what your individual parishes offer to more fully experience what Christ and the Church has to offer.

Winter is receding and the weather in changing. As you can see, there is not much snow left on the ground. This is where the sins of Autumn are revealed: the unraked leaves and clutter in the yard are now fully exposed again. Our “To Do Lists” become a little longer while to good weather beckons us outside. We are called forth from our caves. Spring Clean-Up is close at hand as well as Opening Day, fishing, and other activities. At the same time, we are called to examine our faith, our life, and all of our relationships; especially with Our Lord Jesus Christ. There is a lot there, especially when you factor in the state of the economy and current events that offer the possibility of a loved-one going overseas or being an obstacle in front of some natural disaster.

As it does in so many different circumstances, Sacred Scripture offers us some valuable insight into this season. Immediately following His Baptism, Jesus goes off into the desert and disappears from public view. Imagine the impact this had. His baptism was a public event where the Trinity appears it all its glory: the Spirit Descending in the form of a dove and God the Father proclaiming, “This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased.” Then, He was gone; alone in the wilderness.

We are invited to do the same. We are encouraged to remove ourselves from our worldly surroundings and find our own spiritual wilderness; just us and Christ. We are encouraged to visualize Christ before us, waiting for us to talk to Him, to open our hearts, and bring forth all that we keep inside: our faults, our sins, shortcomings, and pain. He wants us to lay everything bare and empty ourselves completely. Christ becomes our oasis, our central focus; a place of security and safety. From there, we can truly get to know Him and deepen our relationship with Him.

The visualization of a desert is perfect. There are no distractions or obstacles. There is only emptiness except for Christ. Our eyes and attention are naturally transfixed on Him. We examine Him in all of His humanness. What a wonderful state of being that is: to be alone with Christ and to break bread with Him. As we surrender something to God this Lenten Season, thee is an emptiness that brings us back to the reason why we sacrifice: the emptiness REMINDS us of Christ constantly. You see, when we fast we are hungry. Why are hungry? Because we chose to surrender something to God to share in His Eternal Sacrifice. His words should ring all the more true: “You cannot live on bread alone.” If we choose, we can truly try. There are those who do. They cloud their lives with worldly surroundings and indulge themselves constantly. In the end, they only encounter emptiness, for what they are pursuing is something that ends as quickly as it began. As Ecclesiastes says: “The sun rises and the sun sets,

and hurries back to where it rises.” Why chase after something that is gone almost as soon as you get it?

Here, we are building a home. We lay the foundation by practicing our faith and living our faith. Together, we continue to build that house intricately putting the pieces together. The skills in one area that one may lack another has and shares. We all help each other in our own way. As the house rises from its foundations, we invite others to come and join us. Through this process, we get to know each other more and understand ourselves all the more.

Just as in any major project, everyone gets tired. There are those who will slow down or start getting sloppy. There there are those who will abruptly say, “I quite,” throw down their hammer, and walk away. I can safely say that we all have been there. That is the exact time when we need to take that journey into the desert and be tended to by Christ; to be given that Living Water and to be nourished by Him. We can lay our heads gently on His lap and be comforted. Then He can lift us up and together we can carry our crosses to continue our journey.

We all need that time in the desert; a time away from responsibilities and pressures. Here, we can truely examine our conscious and open ourselves up to Christ. There, things become all the more clearer.

As well, we should keep all of ourselves in our prayers as we journey forward to build up what no man can tear down: our home.

Respect Life Sunday

2011-01-24T17:18:00.008-05:00

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – A West Philadelphia abortion doctor, his wife and eight other suspects are now under arrest following a grand jury investigation.

Dr. Kermit Gosnell, 69, faces eight counts of murder in the deaths of a woman following a botched abortion at his office, along with the deaths of seven other babies who, prosecutors allege, were born alive following illegal late-term abortions and then were killed by severing their spinal cords with a pair of scissors.

“I am aware that abortion is a hot-button topic,” said District Attorney Seth Williams. “But as district attorney, my job is to carry out the law. A doctor who knowingly and systematically mistreats female patients, to the point that one of them dies in his so-called care, commits murder under the law. A doctor who cuts into the necks severing the spinal cords of living, breathing babies, who would survive with proper medical attention, is committing murder under the law.”

Gosnell is facing charges of murder in the third degree for the death of 41-year-old Karnamaya Mongar. Mrs. Mongar died on November 20, 2009, when she was overdosed with anesthetics prescribed by Gosnell. He is also facing seven murder charges for the deaths of infants who were killed after being born viable and alive during the sixth, seventh, or eighth month of pregnancy. Gosnell is also facing numerous other charges.

Gosnell is suspected of killing hundreds of living babies over the course of his 30-year practice. However, he is not charged because the records do not exist.

DA Williams said Gosnell made approximately $1.8 million in one year alone performing the procedures.

Four of the suspects, some improperly licensed according to officials, also face multiple counts of murder for allegedly killing the newborns. All of the suspects are now behind bars after warrants were served overnight.

A search of Gosnell’s office, called the Women’s Medical Society, revealed that bags and bottles holding aborted fetuses were scattered throughout the building. Jars containing the severed feet of babies lined a shelf.

Gosnell, a family practioner, was never certified as an OB/GYN. He is accused of re-using unsanitary instruments and performing procedures in filthy rooms. Some of the rooms had litter boxes and animals present at the time of the operations.

Investigators also said Gosnell allowed unlicensed employees, including a 15-year-old high school student, to perform operations and administer anesthesia.

The grand jury investigation revealed that, for over two decades, government health and licensing officials had received repeated reports about Gosnell’s dangerous practices. However, no action was ever taken, even after the agencies learned that Mrs. Mongar had died during routine abortions under Gosnell’s care (see related story).

As I read this article my body became numb and my heart went out to these children unnecessarily ravaged and murdered; yanked from the warmth and security of their mothers’ wombs and discarded into cardboard boxes and trash cans. For this to have continued for as long as it did with as many victims as there were with no outcry from any of the witnesses to the horror is a testament to all that is wrong with society today. And as quickly as the news broke, it faded from the headlines into obscurity. If you happened to Google “Abortion Doctor,” there are more articles on the shooting of an abortion doctor in 1999 than a doctor responsible for killing over 120 victims. One has to ask why did this happen? How can a group of people, responsible for such a heinous act, not remain in the headlines for weeks, even months?

This society has become desensitized to abortion so much that when something as horrific as what just occurred is confronted with a deafening silence that is as shameful as the evil acts themselves. We need to ask ourselves, “What would have been the reaction if the 120 victims were teenagers systematically murdered by the same group of individuals? The media coverage would have been unprecedented.

It is a sad state of affairs but it is true. The more a society is exposed to something it becomes accustomed to it; thus it becomes accepted to a certain degree. That is why, when somebody wants to make something a cultural norm or wants something to be accepted; it is mentioned continuously, systematically, until there is a casual response to its presence. Something familiar is always more comfortable than something that is foreign. That is what is known as propaganda.

Media outlets provide a 24 hour news cycle filled with murder, violence, and salacious acts. We are bombarded with thoughts, opinions, and actions. What would have been considered outlandish behavior 10 or 15 years ago is now ignored. What a dangerous, unstable path that is.

As we are experiencing the worst recession in 80 years, some conditions have arisen that we do have to acknowledge. People are suffering, families are at risk, and those that we are commissioned to protect (the most venerable in our society) are the ones that are most threatened. More young women, teenagers in fact, are turning to prostitution as a means to escape the cycle of poverty or to fix a long-term problem with a short-term solution. That introduced to a world of drugs, disease, debauchery, and violence. Personhood is reduced to a shell while they are categorized as objects to be consumed. Yet, this is accepted as well as sexual deviancy and a culture wrought with over-indulgence and consumerism.

There are things existent that threaten the human condition. These things tell us that a person is an object; two dimensional in nature and something that is not unique and beautiful in its own right. Drugs, alcohol, violence, sickness, and war are common words and a common force that have become accepted in the present. In reality, they are a threat to our personhood. And what exactly is personhood? It is when someone steps forwards and says, “I am an individual, with individual thoughts and feelings. I laugh, I cry, I touch, and I know. I love. I am a Child of God, and because of that, I am entitled to the following things: life, love, freedom, food, clothing, shelter, and happiness.

Everyone on this earth is entitled to these things and no one has a right to take them away from. Yet, here we are. In light of this, there is the Holy Mother Church: the Keeper of the Deposit of Faith. She acts as a Beacon of Light and Hope shining forth to the world, standing in stark contrast to what is truly evil in the world. Through the Church, we are all lifted up to new heights and shown the beauty of all God’s Creation.

As Members of the Living Body of Our Lord Jesus Christ, it becomes plainly evident what we have to do. We have to continuously walk in the Light of Christ and become examples of the Faith; by what we say and what we do we must encourage others to follow. We must show that the Love of God does indeed conquer all. To walk with Christ gives us all the capability to combat the evil in the world today. It is our responsibility to stand up for these ideals, to fight for those who are unable to fight for themselves. The sick must be comforted, the hungry fed the naked clothed, and the defenseless defended.

All Creation belongs to God. Genesis tells us that we have been given the responsibility of Stewards to Creation. We have been told to guard it, protect it, and enjoy it. Part of that stewardship is that when we see something wrong, we fix it.

You know, that does infuriate some people. We are called zealots and extremists; yet we are the ones who profess that all life is precious from the moment of conception to natural death. Shouldn’t the opposite be true? Shouldn’t those who defend the right of terminating a life regardless of the reason be the ones classified as zealots? What is a Reproductive Right? What is a Health issue when the health or well-being of a child is never considered?

Where are the child’s rights? Where that child is’s right to live, to be.

There are times during Our Journey of Faith that we will be asked to stand up and be counted; to profess our beliefs and act on our beliefs. When it comes to the question of Life, this is one of those times.HILADELPHIA (CBS) – A West Philadelphia abortion doctor, his wife and eight other suspects are now under arrest following a grand jury investigation.

Dr. Kermit Gosnell, 69, faces eight counts of murder in the deaths of a woman following a botched abortion at his office, along with the deaths of seven other babies who, prosecutors allege, were born alive following illegal late-term abortions and then were killed by severing their spinal cords with a pair of scissors.

“I am aware that abortion is a hot-button topic,” said District Attorney Seth Williams. “But as district attorney, my job is to carry out the law. A doctor who knowingly and systematically mistreats female patients, to the point that one of them dies in his so-called care, commits murder under the law. A doctor who cuts into the necks severing the spinal cords of living, breathing babies, who would survive with proper medical attention, is committing murder under the law.”

Gosnell is facing charges of murder in the third degree for the death of 41-year-old Karnamaya Mongar. Mrs. Mongar died on November 20, 2009, when she was overdosed with anesthetics prescribed by Gosnell. He is also facing seven murder charges for the deaths of infants who were killed after being born viable and alive during the sixth, seventh, or eighth month of pregnancy. Gosnell is also facing numerous other charges.

Gosnell is suspected of killing hundreds of living babies over the course of his 30-year practice. However, he is not charged because the records do not exist.

DA Williams said Gosnell made approximately $1.8 million in one year alone performing the procedures.

Four of the suspects, some improperly licensed according to officials, also face multiple counts of murder for allegedly killing the newborns. All of the suspects are now behind bars after warrants were served overnight.

A search of Gosnell’s office, called the Women’s Medical Society, revealed that bags and bottles holding aborted fetuses were scattered throughout the building. Jars containing the severed feet of babies lined a shelf.

Gosnell, a family practioner, was never certified as an OB/GYN. He is accused of re-using unsanitary instruments and performing procedures in filthy rooms. Some of the rooms had litter boxes and animals present at the time of the operations.

Investigators also said Gosnell allowed unlicensed employees, including a 15-year-old high school student, to perform operations and administer anesthesia.

The grand jury investigation revealed that, for over two decades, government health and licensing officials had received repeated reports about Gosnell’s dangerous practices. However, no action was ever taken, even after the agencies learned that Mrs. Mongar had died during routine abortions under Gosnell’s care (see related story).

As I read this article my body became numb and my heart went out to these children unnecessarily ravaged and murdered; yanked from the warmth and security of their mothers’ wombs and discarded into cardboard boxes and trash cans. For this to have continued for as long as it did with as many victims as there were with no outcry from any of the witnesses to the horror is a testament to all that is wrong with society today. And as quickly as the news broke, it faded from the headlines into obscurity. If you happened to Google “Abortion Doctor,” there are more articles on the shooting of an abortion doctor in 1999 than a doctor responsible for killing over 120 victims. One has to ask why did this happen? How can a group of people, responsible for such a heinous act, not remain in the headlines for weeks, even months?

This society has become desensitized to abortion so much that when something as horrific as what just occurred is confronted with a deafening silence that is as shameful as the evil acts themselves. We need to ask ourselves, “What would have been the reaction if the 120 victims were teenagers systematically murdered by the same group of individuals? The media coverage would have been unprecedented.

It is a sad state of affairs but it is true. The more a society is exposed to something it becomes accustomed to it; thus it becomes accepted to a certain degree. That is why, when somebody wants to make something a cultural norm or wants something to be accepted; it is mentioned continuously, systematically, until there is a casual response to its presence. Something familiar is always more comfortable than something that is foreign. That is what is known as propaganda.

Media outlets provide a 24 hour news cycle filled with murder, violence, and salacious acts. We are bombarded with thoughts, opinions, and actions. What would have been considered outlandish behavior 10 or 15 years ago is now ignored. What a dangerous, unstable path that is.

As we are experiencing the worst recession in 80 years, some conditions have arisen that we do have to acknowledge. People are suffering, families are at risk, and those that we are commissioned to protect (the most venerable in our society) are the ones that are most threatened. More young women, teenagers in fact, are turning to prostitution as a means to escape the cycle of poverty or to fix a long-term problem with a short-term solution. That introduced to a world of drugs, disease, debauchery, and violence. Personhood is reduced to a shell while they are categorized as objects to be consumed. Yet, this is accepted as well as sexual deviancy and a culture wrought with over-indulgence and consumerism.

There are things existent that threaten the human condition. These things tell us that a person is an object; two dimensional in nature and something that is not unique and beautiful in its own right. Drugs, alcohol, violence, sickness, and war are common words and a common force that have become accepted in the present. In reality, they are a threat to our personhood. And what exactly is personhood? It is when someone steps forwards and says, “I am an individual, with individual thoughts and feelings. I laugh, I cry, I touch, and I know. I love. I am a Child of God, and because of that, I am entitled to the following things: life, love, freedom, food, clothing, shelter, and happiness.

Everyone on this earth is entitled to these things and no one has a right to take them away from. Yet, here we are. In light of this, there is the Holy Mother Church: the Keeper of the Deposit of Faith. She acts as a Beacon of Light and Hope shining forth to the world, standing in stark contrast to what is truly evil in the world. Through the Church, we are all lifted up to new heights and shown the beauty of all God’s Creation.

As Members of the Living Body of Our Lord Jesus Christ, it becomes plainly evident what we have to do. We have to continuously walk in the Light of Christ and become examples of the Faith; by what we say and what we do we must encourage others to follow. We must show that the Love of God does indeed conquer all. To walk with Christ gives us all the capability to combat the evil in the world today. It is our responsibility to stand up for these ideals, to fight for those who are unable to fight for themselves. The sick must be comforted, the hungry fed the naked clothed, and the defenseless defended.

All Creation belongs to God. Genesis tells us that we have been given the responsibility of Stewards to Creation. We have been told to guard it, protect it, and enjoy it. Part of that stewardship is that when we see something wrong, we fix it.

You know, that does infuriate some people. We are called zealots and extremists; yet we are the ones who profess that all life is precious from the moment of conception to natural death. Shouldn’t the opposite be true? Shouldn’t those who defend the right of terminating a life regardless of the reason be the ones classified as zealots? What is a Reproductive Right? What is a Health issue when the health or well-being of a child is never considered?

Where are the child’s rights? Where that child is’s right to live, to be.

There are times during Our Journey of Faith that we will be asked to stand up and be counted; to profess our beliefs and act on our beliefs. When it comes to the question of Life, this is one of those times.

Pastoral Letter

2011-01-19T05:45:00.001-05:00

“ I find nothing in the language or history of the Constitution to support the Court's judgment. The Court simply fashions and announces a new constitutional right for pregnant mothers and, with scarcely any reason or authority for its action, invests that right with sufficient substance to override most existing state abortion statutes. “The upshot is that the people and the legislatures of the 50 States are constitutionally disentitled to weigh the relative importance of the continued existence and development of the fetus, on the one hand, against a spectrum of possible impacts on the mother, on the other hand. As an exercise of raw judicial power, the Court perhaps has authority to do what it does today; but, in my view, its judgment is an improvident and extravagant exercise of the power of judicial review that the Constitution extends to this Court (Justice Byron White-dissenting opinion on Roe vs. Wade).”

January 22 will mark the 38^th Anniversary of the Supreme Court Decision that changed the social landscape of America forever. With it, Abortion became legal in this country and viewed as a “right” for women. Since then, Roe vs, Wade has become a rallying cry for those who believe in the Sanctity of Life from the moment of conception until natural death.

This issue has special meaning for the Christian Community around the world. The Catholic Church has been the leading opposition to this crime against humanity and to this terrible assault on the unborn of the world. Pope John Paul II wrote in his Encyclical “Evangelium Vitae” the “Incomparable worth of the human person” and how each individual, being a creation of God, shares the life of God and takes on an importance all its own. We are not destined for this world alone but are destined for a life with Our Creator. Each person is unique, each person is special, and each person is a Child of God. We are encouraged to take these worlds and hold them closely to our hearts as we conduct ourselves in accordance to God’s wishes and the teachings of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Every human life is precious in the eyes of God. We are truly His creation and are asked to live our lives with that full knowledge and understanding. We are commissioned to treat all others with the same dignity, respect, and love that we wish to be treated with. Sometimes it seems like an insurmountable goal but it is one that we are asked to strive for. This world is not perfect and neither are we; yet we must do our best to fulfill His expectations. Why? Because He loves us and we love Him. With that love there comes a great responsibility. Sometimes we will find ourselves at odds with what society tells us is acceptable or common. Our culture is different, our way off the beaten path and filled with obstacles, challenges, and fears. Yet, at the end of it, lies a bright shining light; a beacon of Love that guides us to Eternal Salvation.

Our soul longs to be one with God. We feel His presence as we gather together to celebrate the Eucharist. When we celebrate mass; when we partake in the Sacraments and live a Christian Life we come to a fuller understanding of what is right and what is wrong. The protection of life is a requirement to being fully Christian and living that devote Christian Life. Through our actions, we are doing Christ’s work here on this earth. In the beginning, God made us stewards of His creation. It was handed over to us to take care of and enjoy: a gift from Him to us. As society accepts more and more things that are directly against what He believes and what He wants, that gift is being threatened and we are challenged to answer this question: “Are we truly doing God’s will if we do not stand up and take some sort of action to oppose what we know to be wrong.? Can we truly say that we are acting out our faith in our daily lives if we do not say or do something to make our believes known and ultimately fight for those same beliefs? There are times when we can be content immersing ourselves with God’s Love and then there are times when our faith calls us to action. Each situation we encounter will cause us to react to it in a unique way; a way which will truly define who and what we are.

Feast of the Epiphany

2011-01-03T05:41:00.001-05:00

Our savior is born for us and dwells amongst us. This is what we now celebrate in the Christmas Season. This we cannot forget or ignore: Jesus is born for us today. The beginning of our Salvation Story. This is a shared experience which we gather together in Christian Community to celebrate. And we continue it through today, which is the Feast of the Epiphany, where we are reminded of the first ones who were called to come and adore Christ as the savior of the world.

The wise-men from the East and before them the shepherds from the fields.

The shepherds: the lowest of the low with no power, esteem, or riches to speak of. They were summoned to pay Christ homage. Through them it is emphasized that social class and economic status does not matter. We are called forward to worship Christ just as we are, whomever we are. The Gift of Salvation is not reserved for certain people who have achieved some sort of status in life. Status does not matter. In fact, the poorer you are, the more lowly you are, the more Christ wants you to come forward and serve as an example for all others to follow. Through the shepherds Christ say, “See, everyone is welcome to my banquette table.”

This is in stark comparison to the Jewish Culture of the time which taught that the more riches you obtained, the more sons you produced, the more you were blessed by God. This is also indeed in definite contrast to what society tells us all the time: the richer you are, the more successful and important you become. The widows, the slaves, the poor, and the alien were literal outcasts. Christ gathered the outcasts to himself and used them as messengers of salvation.

When we are touched by Christ, we feel unworthy at times. Our sins become more pronounced in comparison to the greater goodness, the perfect good that is God. It is at times like these that we must reflect on those lowly shepherds that were called forward. No one is deserving of salvation. It is given freely to all by Christ. We just need to respond to that call and let the presence of Christ shape our lives.

Then we have the wise-men. They were Medes, coming from what is now Northern Iran. Their religion was based in magic and astrology; a priestly class that were much revered and who also had a great influence over the Greek and Roman cultures of the time. Being called Magi, meant they were from the sixth tribe of the Medes, which was a priestly tribe. Sound familiar?

Being from a foreign region they were aliens, pagans with strange rituals. Yet they came forward , called by God himself, to adore Christ the Savior. Even then, when Christ first came to this earth, it was the gentiles called forward to adore him. Through Christ, eternal salvation was open to everyone. There was no separation of who people were: Greek, Roman, foreigner, or Jew.

It is fascinating to read about the Medes and some of their Theology; much of which has served as the foundation of early philosophy. There is one creator who is perfectly good. It is our responsibility, through our gift of free will, to perform acts of goodness and charity, which maintaining good thoughts in the pursuit of wisdom. For these men to be called forward and recognize who Christ truly was utterly amazing. And as we already know with God, everything has a purpose and a reason.

This entire world is connected through our Lord Jesus Christ and it can be witnessed as far back as his birth. The pathways to Christ are endless; each one as unique as the individuals who follow them. And as the generations pass, the more and more the world comes to Christ. For all of our unique backgrounds, cultures, races, and traditions, one thing remains constant: the eternal sacrifice that Christ did for us which is present at this altar and the mass around the world which is celebrated. That is our common unity and our common thread of existence: Jesus forever in the beginning, now, and forever.

We are now challenged to break down the barriers which separate us and celebrate the unity of the Christian Family. Through this we are able to live within a community of hope and love which extends around the world. We must let this knowledge and understanding of something bigger than ourselves influence us and touch us in the deepest of ways. We must perpetuate in our actions and our deeds. It reality, it should be like Christmas every day of our lives. Because we know what that means. We know what it means to be Christian and what a powerful sense of belonging that brings with it.

Fourth Week of Advent

2010-12-21T16:26:00.001-05:00

The LORD spoke to Ahaz, saying: “Ask for a sign from the LORD, your God; let it be deep as the netherworld, or high as the sky!” We come to God everyday immersed in our faith, responding to his call for us to love him. We come broken and longing, hoping to become fulfilled and whole again. With Christ comes meaning in life; a consoling measure that everything will work out from the safety and security of our families to a life filled with purpose and direction. Bad things do happen and we all do bad things; such is our nature. Yet, through Christ the pain fades away and is replaced with happiness and joy. Christ journeys with us and Christ is indeed around us.

The Season of Advent reminds us that Christ entered this world for our salvation and will one day return as he promised to bring us all to him. It is a somber feeling because it makes us long for something that maybe we do not think about too much. Yes, we pray to Christ and try to make him an important part of our lives; we strive to better ourselves and enrichen ourselves with the Christian Experience, but we rarely contemplate that this will eventually all end and we will all be gathered together before Christ. What will that be like? What are we to expect from such a pinnacle moment in human history? No one really has the answer except for God himself. The only thing we can do is wait.

It is ironic that we are forced to do something that, by our very nature, we are not good at. We are impatient, demanding, and intolerable. Society has taught us to be just that. Christ tries to teach us differently. We are told to slow down, have patience, and contemplate what all of this really means. The Mother Church follows suite with this beautiful season. Together, as Brothers and Sisters in Christ, we worship together with our hearts and minds firmly transfixed towards the great unknown, reaching out to our savior for strength and comfort; to face that great void which we all soon will pass. We learn to cry out for Jesus to come help us take those last fateful steps on our journey, his smiling face assuring us that everything is going to be alright. Inside, we might be afraid, terrified even, but as we look over to Jesus with the helpless expression of a child, he assures us it will be alright.

How often in our lives do we first have faith then lose it so easily when a conflict arises. Through Advent, we are directed to examine this thoroughly. We must continuously strengthen ourselves and prepare for that time when either we meet our physical end or Christ comes again in all his glory. Either way, it is a test of our own faith regarding how we conduct ourselves. It is so easy to proclaim that we are Catholic when things are good, but when it is bad, that is another story. We must take the trials and tribulations of the Holy Family and relate. We must then hold with us the image of the Crucified Messiah and what he did for us exclusively. He came into this world evangelizing to his children, and then died for his children. But before this, let us also remember the first way whence he came: as a little child, innocent and without sin on a quiet night in Bethlehem. Let us become like that child and trust as we give everything over to Christ. For Christ so loved us that he came into this world for our salvation. And this we cannot forget.

Third Week of Advent

2010-12-13T12:00:00.000-05:00

My Brothers in Christ,

The Third Week of Advent is upon us. My experiences this season have been very fulfilling and have also left me with the realization that there is a lot of suffering out there. The economy hasn’t been the best and there many who are doing their best just to get by. With that, work- loads increase and people find themselves doing more for less. It is an unfair situation and , in the end, our faith in our Lord Jesus Christ is what is needed to carry us through. This month will find our council discussing our path forward into the new year. We have had many successes and milestones in the first six months of the fraternal year which I would define as exemplary. Together as Brothers in Christ we have that capability of moving mountains and making a difference in the world today.

In under two weeks, we will be celebrating Christmas with our families. Please remember to keep Jesus close to your hearts and all that are in need in your prayers. Never forget our fraternity and the good work that we do.

Yours in Christ,

Deacon Tom

2010-12-06T09:56:00.000-05:00

THE SECOND WEEK OF ADVENT

Here we are in the Second Week of Advent, discerning the Second Coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ. I have to say that the first week flew by and now we are settling in for the remaining three. The Word of God is being revealed to us through Isaiah and we are asked to slow down, to remove ourselves from the day to day motions of the world and really concentrate on where we are in this season; as a Church and as individuals.

The Advent Wreath serves as a tool in this process and can really enrich our journey through this season. As we light a new candle each week, a special significance comes with it; not only for that season or for that week but something that can be carried throughout the year. Last week it was Faith and Hope. These words define who we are as Christians. We are told to have faith that Christ will come again, to have faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and to give everything over to Jesus. We are taught to release our troubles, to let go of our burdens, and to dry our tears. If we are indeed a faith-filled community, then we must do this. Know that Christ is our companion and our guide throughout this life of ours. It is a shared relationship. He feels what we feel and he understands when we hurt. By embracing our faith, we are able to become closer to Jesus. By practicing our faith, we are able to develop and strengthen our relationship more than it is now. The more we do these things, the more we are able to understand the world that we live in.

We can relate to the Prophet Isaiah. Isaiah, living in a world gone mad, was called to the Prophetic Office. He rose up and challenged all those before him to reform their lives, rebuild their relationship with God, and then offered a vision of salvation that would not be realized until over 700 years later through the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Through Isaiah, the stage was being set for the coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Today, The Season of advent calls us to the same task. We must challenge ourselves to reform our lives, rebuild our relationship with God, and have the faith and fortitude that vision of salvation we have through Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Now, this past Sunday the second candle of lit. We are further called to repentance and acknowledgement of our past sins. We are challenged to better ourselves and to conduct ourselves as Christians possessing the keys to eternal life. We are the keepers of the Living Word and must act accordingly. We are warned that we do not know when our savior will return but we must remain ever vigilant.

In Paul’s Letter to the Corinthians, he described the Crucifixion as “a stumbling block to the Jews and an absurdity to the Gentiles. Yet, we hold that special truth so close and dear to our hearts. This season asks us to hold it so much closer and tighter. We are asked to embrace it. Inside our hearts, we have a longing. That longing is Christ calling to us. We might be restless or we might be frustrated. We might be overwhelmed or underwater. We must turn to Christ and acknowledge what we already know: that he is God and that we are his children. From there, we need to slowly build everything around that simple understanding and everything else will fall into place.

Reflections On My Ordination - May 31, 2009

2010-11-14T23:54:00.000-05:00

It was one year ago today that I remember standing on the altar of this church and looking out into the rows of pews before me. It was 4:00 am in the morning; almost fourteen hours after my ordination to the Permanent Diaconate. I couldn’t sleep. Very soon, I would be assisting at my first mass. One journey had ended and another had begun. I recalled that famous line from the movie The Candidate. Robert Redford just spent an exhausting amount of time and resources fighting for a senate seat in California. He was the underdog going up against the entrenched veteran. He wasn’t expected to win but he did. As they were celebrating his victory, he looked over to his campaign manager and asked: “WHAT NOW?” At that moment, I could definitely relate to that feeling. After over six years of spiritual direction, preparation, and formation, the moment was upon me and my ministry as a member of the clergy had begun. It was a beautiful, terrifying moment that I will never forget.

Today, as we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost, I am able to reflect on my ministry and on my life. As Jesus sent the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and instructed them to go out into the world to spread the Good News of Our Lord Jesus Christ and His Message of Salvation. WOW. What an amazing moment and one that I could relate to in a most special way. A way very close to my own heart and my own Journey of Faith. It is also a Spiritual Moment that can be shared by all of us. The Holy Spirit guides us, moves us, and makes us feel God’s loves as we do those things we do which define us a Christians living the Faith in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is the deliverer of God’s special grace and that which we long for but only get a glimpse of in our lifetime.

Pentecost is a time of remembrance and renewal. We look back a Jesus’ commissioning of the Apostles and use that moment to energize our own faith and our own mission. We are counted among the faithful and are sharers in that same mission. We are asked to come forth and testify to Gift of Salvation and the wonderful presence of our God. With it comes the power to save the world and move mountains. It is a great responsibility and great place to be; dwelling in a community of love, fidelity, and faith. Within that community we live our lives and enrichen ourselves with the gifts therein.

The presence of the Holy Spirit has the ability and power to move us in a purely spiritual way. We only need to open our hearts to receive that gift. Jesus is always waiting to give it. He only needs to be asked. And when he is asked, a whole new world is opened to us every day. Through this gift, we all feel the need to do acts of charity and goodness which define the Christian Condition. A conscious guides us towards salvation and God’s Graces surround us. We are safe, we are comforted, we are loved within our community.

Take moment today and reflect on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. How has the Church been an impact on our lives? Where would we be without the Church and without Jesus Christ in our lives? How different would our lives be? How different would this city be? How different would this world be? We are all one body and our lives display this fact. Take a moment today and thank God for His Church, His Bride, the Rock of Our Faith. I thank Him every day as I look out into the rows of pews: be it at 4:00 am in the morning or any other time.

Yours in Christ,

Deacon Tom.

We Are St John the Baptist Church In Haverhill

2010-11-14T23:44:00.000-05:00

I was speaking during a reflection at Exposition and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament last Tuesday. I mentioned how those who do work the secular society and those doing God’s work react in two different ways when the job is done. Those in secular society breathe a sigh of relief and look forward to a well-deserved rest. Those doing God’s work breath a sigh of relief then ask: “What do you want me to do now Lord?” The building up of Christ’s Kingdom on Earth is reward enough them.

The Tridium was long, demanding, and exhausting. It was also utterly fantastic. The Holy Spirit moved through this church and it was a joyous occasion. Now, we gather again, on Divine Mercy Sunday to celebrate once again. Not only in remembrance of Jesus’ eternal sacrifice but also to celebrate his mercy and love for us; to celebrate our sinfulness and our redemption through Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Through the readings we learn that the Apostles spread the Good News of Our Lord Savior Jesus Christ with energy and an unbridled fervor. They were on fire. Sort of like a Baptist Tent Revival. Scattered after the Crucifixion, hiding for fear of reparations, they were reunited and invigorated by the Resurrection. It was the ultimate pep rally. You see. We as Christians now can look back can see the Crucifixion for what it is: Jesus’ Ultimate Sacrifice for our salvation and redemption. To Jesus’ disciples, they saw it as a shocking end to what they thought was a movement of promise and the fulfillment of God’s Promise of a Messiah.

That was until the Resurrection, when Jesus appeared to the Apostles for the first time after his death in that upper room and revealed to them everything in the fullness of his glory. Then they believed. Then they got it. Everything seemed to fall into place. This marked the beginning of the Apostolic Age. This was where the Apostles started spreading the Good News of Our Lord Jesus Christ as living witnesses. They were alive and energized by the Holy Spirit.

Here, in this Easter Season, we focus on this in a particular way, very much how we focused on the Crucified Christ during our Lenten Journey. We are encouraged to read the Letters of James and Peter: simple men from a simple way of life thrust into the spotlight and central to Jesus’ Plan. We are encouraged to learn about the early Church and how its influence spread like wildfire throughout the known world. We are also encouraged to continue to celebrate and immerse ourselves in Jesus’ Eternal Mercy. And through that, we learn more about ourselves.

What better way to celebrate all of this on Divine Mercy Sunday; a day of celebration first revealed to us by an individual not unlike the Apostles before her: simple, ignorant, uneducated, and like a child in their understanding and reverence of their Lord. Helen Kowalska, born in 1905 Poland, was from a poor religious family with 9 other siblings. From a young age she was devoted to her faith and at the age of 17 announced to her parents that she wished to enter a convent. They opposed the move and she obeyed for another year until her visions of Christ and her calling to religious life became too overwhelming.

Her persistence and her dedication to her vocation serve as an inspiration to everyone following a call to service to Christ. When she though she was ready to enter a convent and serve Jesus Christ, she was told to wait another year and work to save the money so as to purchase her wardrobe. A year later, in 1925, she entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy. Here, visions of Christ, her gifts of grace, and her participation in the Sufferings of Christ grew. Her life was filled with unspeakable joys and unspeakable horrors as she was overcome both mentally and physically as the sins of the world and the separations from the Grace of Jesus were weighed down on her so as to have her serve as a Messenger of Salvation.

Through it all she kept a diary, a confessor, and a spiritual director which would all serve as a testament in later years on her road to sainthood and as an inspiration for generations to come. She became a Messenger for Christ. Through her, this simple message was spread:

Jesus Christ is Mercy. Pray for His Mercy, pray for His love in the salvation of the world and the souls in Purgatory. A simple devotion from a simple Servant of God. How do we let this celebration of the Devine Mercy influence our own lives? There are the particular devotions which are set forth from the Chaplet, the Three O'clock Prayer, the Three O'clock Devotion, and Celebrating Divine Mercy Sunday.

There is also something else that can be done: forgiveness, praying for God’s Eternal Mercy for everyone. It becomes a collective event with the prayers of the faithful extending out beyond this community and into the world. We pray together, for everyone, and for Jesus' Mercy. This mercy that we seek can take on so many different characteristics. It can be for the sinner, for us, for faith, for understanding. For the doubts that we may foster deep within our souls. Or we can just pray; to experience Christ's Love.

Christ's Mercy and Christ's Love can be found in the most peculiar places and the most peculiar experiences. And we as human beings find ourselves reacting differently to it in different circumstances. I loved my grandmother so very much and she was an inspiration to me in my life. When she was dying, there were tears. But with her death came a peace and solace, for I knew she was with God. I missed her, but there was certain peacefulness to her death.

Maybe it was the way she accepted it as my good friend Deacon Dick did. Knowing it was there in front of them, they prepared themselves and, because of this, prepared those they loved the most; their concern for those around them. They also had tremendous faith in Our Lord Jesus Christ. I am comforted by the knowledge that they are now with Christ.

With their passing came a massive surge of love. I felt it, welling up inside of me. A gift from God and a Gift from the Holy Spirit. God's Love, what a gift of Mercy for us who grieve. I know, sometimes it is hard to find in times of trial and heartache, but it is there.

The other day, I suffered another loss. To those who do not have a pet or never had one, it might be hard to understand. But when one has one, such as my dog Abbey, she becomes a part of the family. The children grow up with them. They become attached to them; the entire family is melded together around them. I have mentioned Abbey before and my 3:00 am walks. She was over twelve years old; that is almost 70 years old in dog years.

In the last month, I noticed her slowing a little bit. And then, unexpectedly, I found her Thursday Morning on the floor. She could not walk. Her face was sunken and all her muscles had relaxed. I Brought her into my daughter's room and nurtured her back to health. I took her for a walk Friday Morning and Friday Night. She was alive; the kick was back in her step. She even refused to go home after her walk. The walk took over an hour.

In the morning we walked again. Then, she died. There was gathering at my house, a wake of sorts. Even my mother was there. She was an important part of me and nothing can replace her. There was a deep bond and a deep love between us. I felt it even more when she died. I realized she indeed was precious, for she was God's creation and a true gift from him to me. And I thank him for that, that gift of the capacity to love, to miss, and to mourn.

When we do these things, when we act out our humanness, God's presence is all the more overwhelming. We need to thank God for these moments and pray for his mercy to help us through these moments, to make these moments truly beautiful in the face of loss and tragedy. All of this is God's Gift to us. That is one connection that we cannot forget, we cannot overlook. Christ's Mercy and Love join all of us together and us to creation. This is God's majestic symphony. In it there is happiness, joy, trauma, temptation, sadness, and loss. But in the end, through His sacrifice and mercy, there is love.

A Pastoral Letter

2010-11-14T23:39:00.000-05:00

Where was the spring? Better yet, where is the summer? Did I miss something here or does it feel like we are approaching autumn again? The world is a wonderful and mysterious place that we cannot even begin to understand. God has given us a playground of mystery and wonder that, as soon as someone claims to have figured it out, something else happens that rises to the level of unexplainable. Just as we are being told that the planet is “suffering from a fever,” we begin to enter a cooling cycle where weather patterns once again change to confound many.

All my children are home from school and a new cycle beings in my household. Sleep patterns change (my children don’t sleep all night during the summer), meal habits change (they usually take it on the run), and there appears to be a new surprise daily. These surprises present themselves in different ways. Coming home from work this morning, it was about 58 degrees outside. The time was 3:00 am. I had just received a phone call from my youngest, Renee’. She wanted me to go swimming with her. And as it is always the cases, I could not say to Daddy’s Little Girl or to my son, Alex. So I found myself playing Marco Polo in my pool which was a chilling 55 degrees (if that) with my two youngest children for over an hour.

And you know what? It was wonderful. Moments like these are the ones that stay with you for the rest of your life. The birds chirping in the distance, the rustle of some unknown animal in the underbrush, a strange sound far away. I looked up into the sky at a blanket of white clouds that covered everything and thought, “God is Good.” Crazy as it was, it was also beautiful.

As Jesus healed the suffering woman and the child, we to need healing and spiritual refreshment. We all need to take time out of our busy lives to actually enjoy who we are and what we are. We need to take time to be with our families and our friends. Everyone needs rest and everyone needs companionship. It is not an option. It is a necessity. Without it, we are not complete. Taking time for ourselves and for those that we love completes us as human beings. God created us with the capacity to love and to express that love. He has given that as a gift to us. When we exercise that gift, we are able to feel God’s presence amongst us. From what we feel, we also know it is the right thing to do. Then come the smiles and the deep sigh of satisfaction. We are able to look around and nod, understanding fully why we work so hard: for our children, for our families, and for our friends. The small moments become bigger and more important.

Summer is not only a season. Summer is a state of being; an opportunity to surrender ourselves more completely to God and to enjoy ourselves. Have fun, take the day, take the week. Do not feel guilty about it. We all deserve it. Regardless if the sun is shining or the rain is pouring down, thank God for all the good things given to us, look around understand:

YES, GOD IS GOOD.

Call To Service

2010-11-14T23:32:00.000-05:00

Sometimes, in our lives, we may find ourselves in a situation where we are called to serve the Lord in the most unexpected circumstances. This may be something as small as a kind deed or as big as performing an act of sacrifice for the betterment of someone or something else. We can never be one hundred percent sure when Jesus Christ will call us to action. I have been witness to this a countless number of times within my own ministry and I have been truly blessed to watch normal people performing extraordinary things in the course of every day life.

Jesus Christ, in his own ministry, would often stop what he was doing to tend to the basic needs of others or to help someone in crisis. These simple acts, directed towards the lowliness of people within society serve as a life lesson to us all and were as important as the words he spoke. Saint James himself said it best when wrote, “So faith also, if it have not works, is dead in itself.” Christian Charity goes hand in hand with our faith. You cannot have one without the other. Jesus displayed this through the feeding of the 5000 in today’s Gospel. Not only did he feed them spiritually but he tended to their physical needs, providing more than enough nourishment to have twelve baskets left over: a symbol of the twelve tribes of Israel.

Us as members of the Living Body of Christ cannot fathom doing what Jesus did that day, but know this: everything that we do and say in the name of Our Lord Jesus Christ manifests into Christ on this earth. Every little thing that we do for ourselves, our children, family, and friends; people that we know and don’t know exemplifies our faith. It defines who and what we are. Through these acts we earn merit and are able to understand our faith more deeply. We also open ourselves up to the gift of God’s Grace. What a wonderful world this would be and what a wonderful state of being if we all could live our lives in this constant state. Impossible, yes, but something that we all could strive to do. Just the effort itself produces so many great results.

I am honored to witness this in our own parish community, with so many wonderful and beautiful people. I am also privileged to be able to carry out my own ministry in the name of Our Lord Jesus Christ and am humbled by some of the results. There are times, when I am out in the community and I am approached by people I do not even know. They tell me how wonderful Saint John the Baptist Church is and what great work the parish community is doing. Through their eyes and their words, I know we do indeed make a difference.

Through our acts, we all come closer together and are open to the Love and Glory of God. And as we feed his sheep and help tend his flock, he in turn takes care of us. He feeds us and takes care of our every need. The LORD is near to all who call upon him,
to all who call upon him in truth. We call and he answers. In the same way, others call to him and he answers through us. It is a great responsibility. A responsibility born out of LOVE AND THE GLORY OF GOD.

Welcome to our new Pastor Father Murray

2010-11-14T23:30:00.000-05:00

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome Father Robert Murray as our new pastor here at Saint John the Baptist Church. I have known Father Murray for several years now and have witnessed his dedication shepherding Saint James Church. Now, we have the opportunity to have him guide us in the same direction. Being a pastor of two churches is no easy task and Father Murray must be commended for accepting this assignment.

The Holy Spirit does indeed continue to move through this parish. I have been blessed to witness so many acts of selflessness and faith. As we move forward with our 55^th Anniversary Celebrations, we now have more causation for celebration. We have gone full circle in a particular way. We are indeed the Mission Church of Saint James and share a common brotherhood and sisterhood with the parishioners there. Now, we share the same pastor; a proven leader and holy priest who lives his life in the service of the Church. We are further blessed with the presence of Father Paul until September when we will be assigned a Parochial Vicar.

Saint John the Baptist continues to strengthen and grow. This week, we begin our second year of Vacation Bible School. As of this date, we have over forty children who signed up. This is a wonderful ministry led by our Religious Education Director Renee Barrick and our very own Secretary Diane Forte. One year ago they had a vision that they brought to life through Vacation Bible School and the results speak for themselves. With an energetic staff who will be recognized next week, this ministry has taken on a life of its own.

These events that I mention bring the Scripture Readings this Sunday to life. When our thoughts and actions are oriented towards Christ, what we do and say come to life, life within the Christian Family is celebrated, and the Love of God is spread throughout the community. This proves there is more to this world than what is in front of us: the Love of God always prevails. When we are able to take a step back and see the true gifts that God has given us: family, friends, this parish, and an overpowering love for each other, that which is of the greatest value shines forth ever so brightly.

When we focus on the riches and allures of the physical world, we are always left empty and disappointed. When we focus on Christ, everything becomes perfect. This perfection is sometimes hidden for a great deal of time but it slowly reveals itself. The Holy Spirit guides us on this journey and our thoughts are put into action. What happens then is eternally beautiful.

So much has been said, seen, and experienced. And there is so much more to do. And we do it together, in this community, in this church.

Our Voice Is Being Heard

2010-06-01T16:37:00.000-04:00

It is hard being a Christian in the world today. Our families, friends, and we ourselves are being bombarded with advertisements, temptations, and challenges that are directly contradictory to our faith and what we believe. We are viewed as being “out of touch” or “not with the times.” Prominent individuals in the business world, such as Ted Turner, have even called us, “Jesus Freaks” after witnesses many of his own employees bearing the ashen crosses on their foreheads after an Ash Wednesday Celebration. Many Catholics are very private and personal in regards to their faith, so it makes it even harder to respond when criticized. In the end, just as Jesus did many times in his own ministry, we just turn and walk away.

As I write this Pastoral Letter, I myself have become aware of a few things that I feel the need to pass on to you. These are items of grave importance within our Christian Community and have recently taken center stage in the State of Massachusetts and Nationwide. The first has to do with the Knights of Columbus. The Knights of Columbus, as many of you know, is a Fraternal Catholic Organization of Men with over 1.5 million members world-wide. It has a strong allegiance to the Pope and has recognition from the Vatican. All members espouse the virtues of Charity, Fraternity, Unity, and Patriotism. In the past, the Knights have donated millions of dollars to the Vatican, the Archdiocese of Boston, and many other diocese and organizations within the Church. It has been quoted as being “The Steel Spine of the Church.”

Recently, it has been announced that the Knights of Columbus has begun another initiative that will encompass the entire country. Each council will be asked to donate $3.00 per member which will then be matched by the Supreme Council. All monies collected will be put into a Defense Fund for Marriage and Pro-Life Issues. This totals over 9 MILLION DOLLARS. The states of Massachusetts and California have been targeted almost exclusively for issues dealing with the Defense of Marriage. The Knights of Columbus will distribute these funds to various legal causes favoring the Catholic Church’s views and theology. The Knights of Columbus will also distribute these funds to groups and organizations with a Pro-Life Stance and Pro-Life Initiatives.

In a world where some people are unable or unwilling to put into action what they believe, the Knights of Columbus have stepped forward in the name of God and of the Church. They have added their voice and have united behind the Holy See once again in defense of Christ and of the Church.

The second issue deals with Senator Joe Biden, the Democratic Vice-Presidential Candidate. Because of his recent public views regarding abortion, his unwillingness to institute any sort of policy that is congruent with his Catholic Faith, and because of his misstatement of The Catholic Church’s Theology in regards to the Sanctity of Life and when human life begins, Senator Biden’s bishop, Archbishop Chaput said Biden should follow the teachings of the Church by opposing abortion or voluntarily refrain from receiving communion. He is planning on meeting with Senator Biden privately in the coming weeks.

These two examples represent that our voices are being heard; there are those who are defending the Faith and are fighting for our beliefs and the Christian Message. Pray for them in community and when you are alone. Prayer does work and gives you an opportunity to add your own voice to the causes that deeply affect our lives as Christians.

Beyond that, if you want to help, call be and let's share a cup of coffee sometime.

Your Deacon,

Tom Anthony

Lent 2010

2010-04-01T16:44:00.001-04:00

The Crucified Christ

What a powerful symbol of our faith. But more than a symbol, it also defines who we are and our relationship with Our Lord Jesus Christ. In three days, we enter the Season of Lent: a time of reflection, penance, almsgiving, and a period of preparation. It is a time when we are urged to contemplate the Crucified Christ and what He means to us on the most intimate and personal level. Of course, this can easily be done at any other time during the Liturgical Year, but Lent offers an opportunity to make this central to our worship and our spiritual lives. The mass encourages this and the Church further defines it as we enter this time of preparation for the highest of Feast Days in Christianity: Easter Sunday.

As Catholics, we are challenged to look beyond the crucifix itself and focus on the personhood of Jesus; the human being that suffered, was crucified, and died for us so that we could receive the gift of eternal life. Yes, Jesus was fully human and felt all the pain, all the suffering, and the fears of death. This is easily forgotten in the light of the Resurrected Christ and the Gift of Salvation. This can be overlooked in light of Jesus, the Son of God in His divine nature.

Lent challenges us to shift the focus away from the divine and look at the humanness of Christ. To take that feeling when we celebrate the Eucharist and carry it with us for the entire Lenten Journey. HE DID THIS FOR US. Lent challenges us to put ourselves in the shoes of Christ and walk with him on that long, lonely journey to the Cross. Lent challenges us to pick up the cross and carry it with him. Feel His pain. Feel His sacrifice. Feel His love for us. At the same time, we must acknowledge our sins, short-falls, and our own humanness. We are sinners and through Christ we are forgiven.

When we fast during Lent, it helps as a constant reminder of what Christ did for us. We share a bond of sacrifice. This is more complete with the giving of alms to those in need, helping those while we are in a state of suffering ourselves. Through the giving of alms and the seeking of forgiveness, we are forgiven for those sins that we carry with us in our humanness. These sins and the fasting serve as our cross. We become sharers in Christ’s Passion.

During this season, there will be a lot happening within our parish family. From Exposition and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Stations of the Cross, viewing of the Passion of the Christ, to other special gatherings. Through it all, we will all be together. We must all ask ourselves: “What will we do to make this Lenten Season special? What will we do to make this season have a lasting impact on our Journey of Faith? What will we do differently?”

After that question is asked, we can all pick up our crosses and begin our journey. That journey up that lonely hill to be with Our Lord Savior Jesus Christ.

By Deacon Tom Anthony