From the Pastor's Desk

Marriage

2012-02-12T00:00:00.029-05:00

Saint Valentine's Day will be celebrated this Tuesday. Many greeting cards, boxes of candy and flowers will be given to loved ones. This tradition started with the Romans who observed that this was the time of year that birds started pairing off with each other. It became an annual tradition when young men would seek young ladies to be their partners. The Church used this to teach the truth about human sexuality and marriage. God instituted marriage at the beginning of the creation with Adam and Eve. Man and woman He made them, and He said "Be fruitful and multiply..." From that time on men and women have been entering this vocation out of love and to have children.

You will not find a time or place in history when same-sex marriage was sanctioned. Spin a globe and pick virtually any place on earth at any previous time in human history; you will find that they do marriage one way: between men and a women. There may be other differences, but marriage has always required a husband and a wife. Why? Marriage teaches that men and women need each other and that children need mothers and fathers. A loving and compassionate society comes to the aid of motherless and fatherless children, but no compassionate society intentionally deprives children of their own mom and dad. But this is what every same-sex home does -- and for no other reason but to satisfy adult desire.

Because marriage between a man and a woman is God's plan, it is understandable why the following facts are true in the majority.
Marriage reduces the risk of poverty for children and communities.

Fatherless households increase crime.

Marriage protects children's physical and mental health.

Both men and women who marry live longer, healthier and happier lives.

Children whose parents cohabit are at increased risk for domestic violence and child abuse and neglect.

Children whose parents divorced or never get married have lower grade point averages.

When marriages fail, ties between parents and children typically weaken
I know that marriages often have difficulties -- some serious. The reason is that we are human beings and are not perfect. Each person brings his and her weaknesses and shortcomings into the marriage. But, the special love of marriage truly does conquer adversity. Marriage works by fostering commitment, trust, fidelity and cooperation between a man and a woman.

God already blesses marriage. May each of us pray for and be of help to husbands and wives in their marriages.

Father Stanley

God's Love at Lourdes

2012-02-05T00:00:00.008-05:00

February 11, this Saturday, is the feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes. In 1858, this was the day on which the Blessed Virgin appeared to a fourteen year old girl named Bernadette Soubirous at Lourdes, France. Over a period of five months, there were eighteen apparitions. Our Lady wanted to get people to abandon sin, to pray and to love God. So, she chose a simple poor peasant girl to convey the message.

Many of us are familiar with the events surrounding these apparitions. Bernadette was scrutinized again and again by Church and civil authorities. When it would have been easier for her to say that she was mistaken or might have dreamt of these apparitions, she stuck to the truth. The clincher to believing Bernadette's honesty was her relaying to the inquisitors the name that Mary called herself. Our Lady said that she is "the Immaculate Conception." It was four years earlier that the First Vatican Council defined the dogma of The Immaculate Conception, declaring that Mary was conceived without original sin. Bernadette was not aware of these proceedings and never even heard of the term "immaculate conception."

Our Saint was most obedient. She trusted when our Lady asked her to wash in the spring when there was no spring to be found. She went to the place to which Mary pointed and started digging with her hands. Soon, a spring of water started to the surface. This is the water that has been and continues to be instrumental in so many miraculous cures. Of course, it is not the water per se that does this, but God who has chosen this way to lead people to Himself.

There are a few significant points that we can understand from the apparitions at Lourdes. First, we see God's ever abiding love and mercy. People were going astray through sin and falling away from faith. God did not punish but sent his Mother to lead them back on the right road. She asked that a church be at the grotto, the place of the apparitions. What is a church for? The Sacraments! So that confessions can be heard, sins forgiven, Masses offered; so that Baptisms, Confirmations and marriages could take place. God did this for our spiritual well being and even in some cases for physical health.

Secondly, Lourdes teaches us about obedience. St. Bernadette showed her strong character and remained faithful to the truth. In spite of all interior suffering she obeyed our Lady. Obedience was also demonstrated by the Virgin. She did as God wanted and brought His message to us through our Saint. She also obeyed Christ her Son. The Church is the Body of Christ. The Church declared her "The Immaculate Conception." She accepted and declares herself the same.

Hopefully we come to know God's love for us more and more through Lourdes and respond with joyful obedience.

Father Stanley

More on Chastity

2012-01-29T00:00:00.007-05:00


Presentation of Christ at the Temple by Hans Holbein the Elder, 1500–01

This coming Thursday, Feb. 2, is the feast of The Presentation of the Lord in the Temple. By law the first new born son had to be offered to God forty days after birth. Also, the mother had to present herself for purification because according to Levitical law, a new mother was considered unclean until she presented her son to God. Certainly, our Lord was exempt from this law. But, though his Mother and St. Joseph He submitted anyway. It was not necessary for our Lady to be purified since she was without a spot of actual sin or stain of original sin. Yet, she chose to act like any other Jewish woman of her time.

This feast highlights purity. Jesus is the source of purity. Mary is most pure; she is the Immaculate Conception. Last week I reflected on the virtue of chastity: that it is meant of every single one of us; that it is necessary in order to have real love. At the center of chastity is love. By it we are able to have an affection towards God and a selfless desire for the good of others. We are able to see others as God's children.

Impurity destroys love. Impure thoughts lead to impure actions. Impure actions lead to more and greater impure deeds. The loss of chastity weakens one's will to do good and causes one to lose the desire to know God and to understand His Will. By licentiousness one can quickly and easily become merely a sensate being, living for only that which can be experienced through the senses. Hence, we have the world of advertising. The appeal is made to us on the basis of what can make us feel good. So, we are encouraged to be self-centered.

There is a high correlation between impurity and violence and cruelty. The libidinous person thinks not of the other person but only of his desires. The consequences of his actions are disregarded.

So, in a world with much temptation to selfish impurity, how does one stay chaste (or become pure if he has lost that virtue)? First, one must truly desire the virtue of chastity and hold it as a treasure. Our motivation must be a realization of its worth, more so than a revulsion to the results of its absence.

So, truly wanting purity we must beseech God for it and cooperate with his help. That means avoiding impure shows, internet sites, reading materials, etc. It means controlling our sight -- how we look at others. Also, controlling our desires for constant comfort as well as mortifying our imagination are essential. We should also ask Mary for her help as our mother and for her prayers.

On Thursday, which is also called Candlemas Day, the priests will bless candles which people can take to their homes. It symbolizes Christ Who is the Light of the world. Through the aid of the Virgin most pure may we receive the Light of Purity Himself.

Father Stanley

Chastity

2012-01-22T00:00:00.004-05:00

We know that the sexual appetite in us humans can be strong and that it is often manipulated for profit. It's well known that sex sells. The advertisement and entertainment industries, among other enterprises, take advantage of the disorder in us caused by original sin. Conjugal relations belong exclusively to marriage because their purpose is both procreation and mutual permanent love. That's the way God designed it for us from the beginning. He made us male and female and said to be fruitful and multiply (Gn. 1:28). This was the institution of marriage. However, Adam and Eve sinned; they disobeyed God. Things went awry. So, a disorder ensued. Among other things the abuse of sex occurred.

The virtue of chastity is that capacity we have to understand and use our sexual powers properly. This involves not only our body but also our mind and heart. Jesus said that it's not only the act of adultery that is a sin but also looking at another lustfully is also the sin of adultery (Mt. 5:28). Therefore we should avoid those thoughts, desires and affections which are not appropriate to our state in life. Without chastity it is not possible to have true human love nor to love God. Without this virtue, a person becomes a slave to his or her passions and can easily be reduced to the animal state, existing merely for the pleasures of the flesh.

Chastity is a positive strength. It is only those, who promote sexual license, believe that it is an unfair restriction. It is meant for everyone. It's for married people as well as those who are single. It engenders true selfless love and mutual respect. It promotes the dignity of each person. If it is removed from the conjugal act, then sexual relations are nothing more than acts of selfishness. They are good so long as they please the persons involved. Too often this leads to unhappy marriages and divorce.

Charity is the greatest of virtues. Yet, without the virtue of chastity there cannot be real love. In the marital state couples encounter God in the proper fulfillment of their duties as loving spouses. For those who are in the celibate state of the priesthood and/or religious life, chastity means having an undivided heart that is given only to God and His work. For those who are single, it means respecting the bodies of others as well as their own bodies and not enjoying the relations proper to marriage.

It's no surprise that God's plan for us to live chastely is completely foreign to most people. But such was the case when Jesus walked the earth and when the Church was born. Yet, Christians faithful to our Lord's teaching were able to convert much of the world. Why? Because they spoke the truth - the truth that spoke to the hearts of the people then. This is the same eternal truth that speaks to our hearts.

Father Stanley

Dump the Computer, Dump the TV

2012-01-15T00:00:00.007-05:00

Several weeks ago I heard about a talk given at Seton Hall about the effects of pornography. The speaker, Dr. Mark Laaser, said that watching it changes the chemical operations in the brain so that a pattern is established. This makes it very difficult to break the habit. Then, while I was in tuning in to one of the Life on the Rock programs on EWTN, a married couple was talking about the devastating effects that pornography had on the husband and on their marriage. Thirdly, there was an article about this subject in the November issue of Columbia, the Knights of Columbus magazine. The writer said that one third of men are in the pornography trap and one in six women are as well.

The level of dopamine in the brain increases with the viewing of these impure images, so much so that the brain wants more and more. It is even more addictive than food because with eating there is a limit when one can not eat more. But, looking at erotic pictures goes on and on. It is important to know that as one stops this habit, the dopamine levels go down and eventually the brain will be restored to normalcy.

The Church has been saying this all along. To have spiritual health we must avoid all proximate occasions of sin. So, for example, we don't browse around in a candy store if want to go on a diet and abstain from candy. Through the millennia the Church has also taught that one must avoid the remote occasions of those sins to which one is most seriously tempted. We will stay far away from that street on which the candy store is located.

Do you remember Lot's wife in the incidents at Sodom and Gomorrah? In spite of warnings, she looked back at those two cities she and the other believers were leaving. She was turned into a pillar of salt. The lesson is to leave sin behind! We can't go thinking about past sins; soon we will begin to pine after them and once again fall into their trap.

Our Lord used the hyperbole: if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out, and if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off (Mt. 18:9 and 5:30). Of course Jesus did not mean that you should actually maim yourself; that would be against taking care of the body which God gave you. But, He was underscoring the gravity of sin and its destruction of the life of grace in the soul. However, in the case of the habit of watching pornography, one should get rid of the computer (or at least the Internet). The TV should go as well as; programs broadcast over the airwaves are getting just as bad as those through cable.

Moreover, one should never go alone in the battle against any addiction like pornography. First, go to God with frequent Confession and prayer. Also, seek out human help through good self help groups like sa.org and a moral, competent counselor.

Father Stanley

The Epiphany and Baptism

2012-01-08T00:00:00.017-05:00

Today is the Solemnity of the Epiphany, and tomorrow is the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, the last day of the liturgical Christmas season. The Epiphany commemorates the visit of the three Magi to the infant Jesus. This is the beginning of the manifestation of Our Lord beyond Israel to all the nations. God's Revelation is meant for everyone He has created.

The commemoration of Our Lord's baptism in the River Jordan recalls the institution of this Sacrament. For Him it was the marking point of the beginning of his divine mission. For us, however, it is the Sacrament by which original sin is taken away. In the case of an adult who is baptized, all sins are removed. This Sacrament not only cleanses the soul, but it makes us adopted children of God. We become true sons and daughters of Him by virtue of our being incorporated into the Church which is the Body of his Son. It follows that because of this, we become heirs to his Kingdom. Out Father passes on to us what is his. We have the best inheritance of all.

No one can take this inheritance from us, and God certainly will not go back on his word. Only we, ourselves can give up our right to Heaven. When a person commits a deliberate serious sin, that person in effect destroys his inheritance. Fortunately, it can once again be restored through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, that is, Confession.

Having been given the wonderful gift of faith and Baptism, as well as the other Sacraments, we should naturally desire to share this with others. We can make the Epiphany alive today. The three Magi saw Jesus in his cradle. Others should see Him in us. We can bring others to the faith. But in order to share this faith, we must know it. That is why we should keep up with our knowledge of our religion.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (1994) is the official catechism of the Church. It is a good reference work to have in every household. There is always Eternal Word Television Network on television, on the web and on radio through the Internet. Also, check out our parish web site for more links.

By gaining more authentic knowledge of the Catholic faith, we have greater satisfaction. Moreover, we are better equipped to help our friends and neighbors understand the truths God has given us and so to love Him more and more. The more that people know about God's Revelation, the more can they love Him and be happy in this life.

Father Stanley

God Is With Us

2012-01-01T00:00:00.008-05:00

"If God be for us, who is against us?"

This is a good time to reflect on the last fifty-two weeks. We can see many bad things that have occurred: the tragic loss of life in our cities and in the suburbs due to violent crime, in the wombs because of abortion and in other places because of natural disasters. We have seen the further corruption of morals through the entertainment industry and by the bad example of politicians and other public figures. The very definition of marriage is being compromised.

God does not abandon us, nor will He. He has always remained with us. That is why many good things have occurred. We have the heroic efforts of people who defend and protect life such as those of our soldiers, police officers, firefighters, doctors, nurses, and rescue workers. There are the prayers and work of pro life men and women. They selflessly seek to defend and protect the lives of the most innocent and the most defenseless, those not yet born. They do this through education and awareness programs. Also we have a number of so many others who do good, including our educators who are truly interested in the welfare of their pupils. The list could go on and on.

Even in television, radio and movie productions there is good. In November, the television series Catholicism was shown not only on Eternal Word Television Network but also on the Public Broadcasting System. Moreover EWTN continues to be a blessing offering many of us solid Catholic programming 24/7. There is also an increase of Catholic media through satellite radio and through the Internet. However, we should always check to make sure that sites are trustworthy and faithfully adhere to what is taught by our Catholic Church.

In our own parish, many goods things have occurred. We have the blessing of two more priests in residence: Fr. Quill and Fr. George. Msgr. Hubba continues to help us on weekends. The more priests we have praying for us the better.

We are in our seventh year as a Stewardship parish. Of the various ministries, particular mention must be made to Thursday Adoration and to the food pantry. Those who watch and pray are bringing more people to our Lord. Our food pantry volunteers and those of you who donate food and money to the needy should be recognized for all the help given in this ongoing lackluster economy.

It is true that we can shake our heads at all the evil that has occurred. But, there is no room for despair. The good far outweighs the bad. God effects good through people like us. Let us continue in humble obedience to Him. May we enter this new year with the resolve to continue using our hands and voice as He wants.

Father Stanley

Merry Christmas

2011-12-25T00:00:00.038-05:00

Actually the word "merry" in the context of "Merry Christmas" means peaceful or pleasant. It's from old English. We are familiar with the carol God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen. So, we are wishing others to have a nice, peaceful Christmas, not a boisterous, fun-filled one.

It is true that Christmas is perhaps the most joyous time of year for Christians and even for some nonbelievers. Almost everyone remembers the happiness of their childhood Christmases. I think that this is why many of the secular traditions are maintained. So, many decorate (some extravagantly), send Christmas cards, listen to and sing carols, get together with family and friends, go to parties and eat well. A few have tried to maintain this spirit of joy while denying the Person responsible for it, Jesus Christ.

Christmas means Christ's Mass. It is the day on which the Mass of Christ is offered. Yet, every Mass is that of Jesus Christ. Every Mass is the unbloody Sacrifice of Jesus on Calvary whereby He redeemed us from our sins. The name Christmas was given to underscore the Mass commemorating his Birth. It is because of this Birth that the Redemption could take place.

So, Jesus is the reason for all the joy, giving and receiving. Without Him the celebration is empty, meaningless. The faithful Catholic keeps Jesus central in their life. Thus the happiness of Christmas day is real and lasting -- lasting into eternity.

Knowing this, let each of us make every effort to cooperate with God's grace and live our Faith. We should be in conversation with God and always consider how He wants us to act. It is good to remember that He sees us 24/7, not only to judge us but to help us -- to help us be like His Son, for whose birth we are most grateful!

Father Stanley

Mary and Joseph and Us Today

2011-12-18T00:00:00.019-05:00

In this last week before Christmas, it is worthwhile to reflect upon the Holy Family and on what they were doing at this time about two thousand years ago. Mary and Joseph knew that they would have to uproot themselves and undertake a journey to Bethlehem. This was necessary because of the decree of Caesar for everyone to return to their native town for the census. Although Mary was with Child, they were not exempt. So, off they went: Mary, Joseph and the unborn Son of God and Mary. They had a tremendous trust in God, knowing that, if God said that Mary would be the mother of His Son, everything would turn out all right. They probably had to sleep outdoors. They had to endure the cold of night and whatever else mother nature delivered. They did not have reservations at an inn. So, there was the question of where they could be safe and warm. Just imagine how St. Joseph felt concern not about himself but about his wife and his foster child. Mary would have been concerned with the place in which Jesus would be born. They, nevertheless, cooperated with God, and He provided. They did not have the best of conditions for this first Christmas, but they were safe under God's protection.

We always can learn something new from the Holy Family. One lesson for mothers with child and the fathers is that they should not feel threatened by unfavorable circumstances. The political power twenty centuries ago was against the birth of Mary's Child. A king tried to kill Him. No matter how difficult it may seem to a woman to bring her unborn child to term, God will always get her through it. But, she needs trust in Him. We probably do not know the pressure that is put upon young girls and women to abort their children. They are urged to do so not just by friends and counselors but even by their own parents and family members. It really is a bad situation for many of them. Yet, in spite of it all, they are able to do the right thing and protect the lives of their little ones and have peace. God not only comforts them but also provides help. There are many Catholic groups that support and help women who think that abortion is the only option, such as Several Sources Foundation. They will even provide them with a place to live and help them take care of their children. So, this is God helping some through the cooperation of others.

We too can learn from the Holy Family. We may not have to protect a baby from adverse circumstances, but we often encounter unfavorable situations, some serious and some not so bad. We just need to have that hope that our heavenly Father gives us. We need to say what Jesus asked us to say through St. Faustyna: "Jesus, I trust in You."

Father Stanley

Our Need for Confession

2011-12-11T00:00:00.011-05:00

Advent is the time of our spiritual preparation to celebrate the birth of our Savior. The best way to make spiritual progress is through continued conversion. This simply means a turning around. Turning away from sin to God. Without this there is no spiritual life. We need Confession, also called Reconciliation. In fact, we need frequent Confession. What person, say an athlete, does not continually examine his performance? Isn't our journey to Heaven immeasurably more important than achieving a victory in a stadium or any other kind of worldly success?

I would like to quote from a book of spiritual reflections, Conversations with God:

Sins involve a double disorder. First of all they are an offense against God. They make the soul his enemy. In the case of mortal sin the soul makes a radical choice contrary to its final end. Mortal sin merits eternal separation from God. For the forgiveness of mortal sins committed after Baptism we must have recourse to the sacrament of Confession.

In addition to the loss of friendship with God, sin also damages the sinner himself. It hampers ones personal growth and that of the community of the faithful. "For sin has diminished man, blocking his path to fulfillment."1 "A soul that lowers itself through sin drags down with itself the Church and, in some way, the whole world."2 The soul suffers from the consequences if sin even after receiving sacramental absolution. Besides his particular penance, the sinner needs to make reparation in his life through good works and indulgences.

Fernandez, Francis, Conversations with God vol. V. p. 405. Scepter Publishers, London, 1991

1 Second Vatican Council, Gaudium et Spes, 13.
2 Pope John Paul II, Apostolic Exhortation, Reconciliatio et Paenitentia, 2 Dec 1984, 16

Ordinarily, it is essential to receive sacramental absolution of mortal sins in order to have the Divine life within us. We need to confess all mortal sins. Moreover, a person who has mortal sins and has not gone to Confession, may not receive Holy Communion. Doing so, would incur another mortal sin, that of sacrilege.

Venial sins are slight offenses against God. Although they are not serious, we should not tolerate them because they still offend God Whom we love. An enormous number of venial sins cannot equal nor amount to one mortal sin. These sins can be forgiven through prayer, the Holy Mass especially, and through good works. Nevertheless, going to Confession with only these sins is an excellent practice because we receive the grace of this sacrament.

If we are not already frequenters of this great sacrament of mercy, hopefully we will begin to be so during this Advent.

Father Stanley

Saint John the Baptist and Us

2011-12-04T00:00:00.049-05:00

The Preaching of St. John the Baptist by Baciccio 1690

We have begun using the updated translation from Latin into English in the Holy Mass. It will take time before we get use to it. So, you and I will have to be careful and read what we are praying. Other language translations were accurate and did not need adjustment. As we continue to say and pay attention to the prayers of the Mass we will come to appreciate their beauty.

In the Gospel today St. John the Baptist was preparing the people for the advent of the Messiah. It is worth meditating on St. John the Baptist. He is a good example for us. St. John's whole life was determined by his vocation, that is, to prepare the people to receive Jesus. He carried out this task without holding back; he gave up his life for this purpose. He did not consider himself, nor his desires or comforts. He did not say that he was the cousin of the God's Son or that he was the son of Zachariah of the priestly tribe. No, he said that he was the voice of one crying in the wilderness, one who was not worthy to unfasten the sandal straps of Jesus.

Like the Baptist, we should want to bring others to Jesus. By being friendly and helpful to others, we are preparing an environment that can be receptive to God. Each of us can ask ourselves certain key questions. Do I desire to bring the people around us closer to God? Do I give good example in the workplace, at home and in public places? Do I speak about God to my relatives, friends and colleagues?

We should not make ourselves the center of attention. Without humility we cannot bring others to Jesus. What is important is that Christ should be announced, known and loved. Only He has the words of eternal life.

One most worthy way of imitating the zeal of St. John the Baptist is to invite someone to Church. We should not be hesitant to ask a friend, relative or coworker to come with us to Confession and to Mass. Sometimes such an invitation is much appreciated. This is something that we can always think about doing, not just now as we approach Christmas, but always throughout the year.

Father Stanley

Advent, A New Church Year

2011-11-27T00:00:00.018-05:00

In today's Gospel, Jesus said to his disciples: "Be watchful! Be Alert" (Mk. 13:33). We have too take time to consider what meaning our life has here and now. As we were reminded last week on the feast of Christ the King, Jesus gives true meaning to each of our lives. The Incarnation, God made man, effected a radical change to the universe. Jesus taught us what it means to be human -- to be in the image and likeness of God. If we do not see this clearly, it is time to remove whatever interferes with our vision.

The Church gives us this Season of Advent to make a thorough and honest examination of conscience and to purify our souls through Confession so that each of us can welcome and receive our Savior. This is the time to see those things, attitudes and dispositions that separate us from Him. We have to look deep down inside ourselves to confront the root causes of being lukewarm or cool in our relationship with Him. Through Confession, prayer and penance, we are released from the hold of these bad influences and traps.

It is not easy to do this because we are leaving ourselves open to a realistic evaluation of ourselves. We have to let go of that often false, perfect self image. Most of us would like to see ourselves as selfless, noble and good. We, however, have to see the selfish and bad things lurking inside. This is the only way to spiritual healing. Then, we bring these to Confession, and we are cleansed by Christ. His strength and love take the place of the corruption of sin.

When Christmas arrives, the new born King should find us with everything in order and with each of our souls ready to receive Him.

Today is also the first day when we are using the new Roman Missal translations of prayers. It might take a little while to get used to them and know them by heart. But, we know that, even if we stumble, we are praying beautifully to almighty God.

Father Stanley

Thanksgiving and the New Roman Missal

2011-11-20T00:00:00.045-05:00

If each of us would take the time to review his or her situation, I think that we would find much for which to be grateful. When there are problems -- especially now with financial and employment issues -- we tend to focus on them. The greater the difficulties the more do we spend our time thinking and talking about them. But as we look more closely at our lives, we see that everything is not bad. We are grateful for life, for the health that we do have or had, for the family that God gave us, for the ability to love and help others, and for many more things.

Today, on this Solemnity of Christ the Kng, we might thank God most of all for the greatest possible Gift, that of Jesus His Son. He is the One Who saves us, Who never leaves us, Who truly cares for us. We realize that by seeing Him as our King, we are saying that He is central to our lives.

When we celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday this Thursday, hopefully we will see the blessings that we have and be thankful. Perhaps we find time everyday to tell God how much we appreciate what He has done for us. In spite of pain, heartache and worry, we know that He does care for us and wants us to be happy now and forever. Knowing the Eucharist means thanksgiving, we thank Him for this greatest of all the Sacraments and the other Sacraments. His Sacrifice, his forgiveness and his word are among other gifts for which we are grateful.

A natural response to receiving from God is for us to give to others. It is so good to see the outpouring of gifts for the less fortunate at this time of year in spite of the poor economy. May God reward you. May we continue this spirit of giving throughout the weeks and months ahead.

Right after Thanksgiving Day comes Advent next Sunday with the anticipated Saturday evening Mass. It is important to do our best to start praying well the prayers with the new translations. We should be aware that these prayers are the best translation of the standard official Latin prayers. The other languages in the world already have had these adequate translations in the vernacular. So, as we pray each prayer of the Mass, beginning next week, we will not only be praying with accurate words but also more perfectly in union with people of other languages.

In behalf of Fr. Joe, Fr. Sharp, Fr. Quill and Msgr. Hubba, I wish you a very HAPPY THANKSGIVING. I pray that God bless you with good health and all that you need.

Father Stanley

Silence

2011-11-13T00:00:00.016-05:00

"Were men to learn the message
Silence always brings,
They'd learn to span Earth's bridges
To touch immortal things."

-- Sr. Elizabeth Loretto Triail, C.S.J.

Pope Benedict in his visit to Carthusian monks brought up an important point. He was extolling the value of silence and noted its growing absence in the modern world. He said:

Technical progress, markedly in the area of transport and communications, has made human life more comfortable but also more keyed up, at times even frantic. Cities are almost always noisy, silence is rarely to be found in them because there is always a lingering background noise, in some areas even at night. In the recent decades, moreover, the development of the media has spread and extended a phenomenon that had already been outlined in the 1960s: virtuality that risks getting the upper hand over reality. Unbeknown to them, people are increasingly becoming immersed in a virtual dimension because of the audiovisual messages that accompany their life from morning to night.

The youngest, who were already born into this condition, seem to want to fill every empty moment with music and images, as for fear of feeling this very emptiness. This is a trend that has always existed, especially among the young and in the more developed urban contexts but today it has reached a level such as to give rise to talk about anthropological mutation. Some people are no longer capable of remaining for long periods in silence and solitude. (LAMEZIA TERME, Italy, OCT. 11, 2011)

Human beings need periods of silence as well as times for rest in their lives. When a person is immersed from birth in constant noise and activity, there is a possibility of becoming less human. A mere sensate being can develop, devoid of meaningful thought. A person becomes considerably less than what he can be -- less than what he is called to be by God.

Some are so wrapped up in the frenzy that they go to their computers, tablets and smart phones in the middle of night when they should be getting a full night's rest. As the Holy Father pointed out, some are afraid of silence, of being alone with themselves. But, when one does not allow for times of silence, he misses a great opportunity to know himself and to become more aware of eternal truths. Perhaps the fear is that of being confronted with the truth of oneself or the fear there being no meaning to one's existence. Yet, if such people only knew that God is with them always and how much He loves them, perhaps they would come to look forward to and to enjoy silence.

Father Stanley

Good and Bad Entertainment

2011-11-06T00:00:00.008-04:00

The entertainment industry, to no one's surprise, always tries to go as far to the extreme as possible. It's often called "pushing the envelope." The goal is to make lots of money by appealing to our baser human appetites. It plays upon human concupiscence. This has a detrimental effect on us as individuals as well as on society as a whole. I remember that, way back in the early 80's, President Reagan asked the Attorney General Edwin Meese to examine the possible causes of the increase in sexual crimes, particularly towards the young. The Meese Commission found that the rise in the viewership of pornography was a major contributing factor. Certainly, this finding is common sense. The more people are portrayed as objects of pleasure, the more is one's moral sense dulled. People are less apt to be treated with respect.

Things have gotten worse. What was considered pornographic thirty years ago is upgraded to only an "R" or even a "PG-13" rating today. We don't have to go to video games or the Internet to be very concerned about the lack of moral content. There are big problems with what is considered as acceptable Hollywood fare. It's not only the flaunting of sexual impropriety that's bad, it's also the glorification of other vices such as theft, fraud, deception, vengeance and violence. Many action films seek to outdo each other in portraying sensational and disturbing ends to the protagonists. This does nothing more than to try and arouse the desire for revenge and its supposed satisfaction in the audience.

These vices were marks of pre-Christian societies. It was OK to kill an offender, to take an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth (Leviticus 24:19-24:21). Our Lord's teaching brought civility into our world. Our own justice system reflects that. We would rather give a criminal a chance to reform than put him to death. The very word penitentiary comes from penance, a chance to make up for one's transgressions and to change for the better. Vengeance never brings peace. It perpetuates violence.

Sexual license and rampant violence in films are destructive. The films that are popular are those that portray good character, decency and wholesomeness. This kind of entertainment builds up society. To find out how good a movie is in terms of its value, we can go to http://www.catholicnews.com/movies.htm. By choosing good movies, we will not only be entertained but feel good about being human.

By the way, speaking about good films, let’s remember to watch the series called Catholicism which is running on PBS and also on EWTN (see TV listings). It would be good to write and thank PBS for airing this series and to support financially EWTN.

Father Stanley

Halloween

2011-10-30T00:00:00.005-04:00

First Graders Dressed as Their Patron Saints

Halloween has become kind of a secular "holiday." Do we know its origin? It comes from a pagan feast of the Celtic people. It was called Samhain, the god of the dead. On October 31 and November 1, the ancient Celts would celebrate the beginning of winter and the end of the harvest. They would give tribute to Samhain. They believed that during this time the spirits of the deceased could roam the land causing mischief. These ghosts would be appeased with treats, and they could be frightened away with caved turnips and bonfires.

Through the passage of time, this feast lost its pagan religious roots and became the costumed celebration it is today. Pumpkins have replaced turnips. Treats are given to kids and not ghosts.

The Church Christianized this feast of the dead in the 9th century, just as the pagan feast of the saturnalia was Christianized as the celebration of Christmas from December 25 through January 6. This was a way of helping the Christians who spread so rapidly to pray and to understand and celebrate the faith. So, on November 1 we have All Saints Day. The night before was called All Hallows Eve, whose contraction is Hallowe'en. The purpose was and is honoring the Saints: those faithful departed who are in Heaven beholding God face to face (the Beatific Vision). The day after, November 2, eventually became a day dedicated to those departed faithful who have not yet reached Heaven. They are in purgatory. On this day, All Souls Day, Catholics gather together in Churches throughout the world to pray in the Holy Mass for these brothers and sisters who no longer can merit for themselves but rely upon us for prayers.

The Halloween tradition is harmless unless it is used not for fun, but to glorify evil. Although I do not see this happening in the near future, it would be a great teaching tool if kids got dressed up like their favorite Saints and learned something about them in the process. It would be nice to see a St. Theresa, St. Joseph, Moses, etc. with their bags for treats or even alms for the poor.

Above all, this is the time to remember both the Saints and the holy souls in Purgatory. We ask the Saints to be our prayer partners so that we too may get to Heaven one day. We also pray for the deceased that their sojourn may end soon so that they will behold the Face of God.

Father Stanley

Contraception

2011-10-23T00:00:00.031-04:00

The new health care law signed by the president in 2010 requires that all employers provide health care insurance for employees. The Department of Human Services mandates that contraceptives be a part of the insurance, and the religious conscience exception is so narrow as to be almost ineffective. This is the reason why the bishops in September were urging Catholics to ask HHS to fix the conscience clause so that Catholic institutions would not be required to include birth control pills as part of their health care plans. September 30 was the deadline to contact HHS. I have not heard what effect this had on the law.

Some may wonder why the Church is against contraceptives. The Church has consistently taught that artificial contraception is intrinsically wrong because it interferes with a natural process created by God concerning human life. It manipulates that which results from human intimacy between a man and a woman. Conjugal union is meant to be an expression of selfless love open to life. To block the natural function of this union is to hold back on fully giving oneself to the other. It's to say that my love only goes so far and stops at the possibility of being open to new life.

Over forty years ago, Pope Paul VI wrote the encyclical Humanae Vitae (On Human Life) which explained the Church's continual opposition to artificial means of birth control. He taught that it essentially destroys the unitive and procreative aspect of the marital act. Prophetically, he said that once artificial contraception is accepted, the door will be open to all kinds of sexual license such as casual sex and homosexual activity. He even indicated that it would lead to abortion. The reason is that a contraceptive mentality values pleasure as the purpose of sexual union. Responsibility is not part of the picture. Further analysis would lead to the conclusion that it's the individual's pleasure that counts. That doesn't exactly strengthen marriages. Aside from all of this, there are a host of possibilities that can compromise the woman's health by using the pill.

The Church is not saying that husbands and wives must have as many children as they can. Of course not. There is such a thing as responsible parenthood. Sometimes a pregnancy must be postponed. But, the way to do this is by the natural means: Natural Family Planning which does not involve any chemicals, surgery or devices to obstruct the natural process. NFP is at least as effective as the pill, and it's completely safe, without any side effects.

Once again the Church teaches as the voice of Christ and not as the consensus of men. As such she is distinguishing for us what is harmful and what is good for our souls and even for our bodies. This is the work of love.

Father Stanley

Serving Others

2011-10-16T00:00:00.012-04:00

Today is the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time. In the Gospel Jesus tells us that we should render to Caesar (or the government) what belongs to him, and to render to God what belongs to Him. Religion is that virtue by which we give to God what is due Him. We live in his presence; we pray to Him and adore Him; we keep his Commandments. We also have a responsibility to the state, meaning to our political leaders and our nation. Patriotism is a virtue. So, whenever we get involved in the political process, mainly by voting and letter writing, we must think of the good of everyone. Often we think how a politician can benefit us personally. That is selfishness. Those running for political office then pander to various groups, promising them more wealth and an easier life.

We and political office holders should realize that it's not about us; it's about the good of all, about the good of our country.

Today also happens to be the day we usually celebrate the feast if St. Hedwig. God gives us the Saints, not only as our intercessors, but also as those whom we can imitate. St. Hedwig (1174 - 1243) was born in Bavaria. She was given in marriage at an early age to Henry Duke of Silesia, Poland. Although she lived in a palace and had all the accouterments associated with royalty, she lived an austere life exemplified by great charity. She wore the clothing of someone who was poor unless a state visit required something befitting her office. When she traveled, she would serve her retinue at table on her knees before she herself would eat. She cared for the sick whenever time allowed by washing even diseased persons. Her finances were always depleted because of her charity to the poor and the destitute. After her husband died, Hedwig went to live with Cistercian nuns in the monastery at Trebnitz where her daughter Gertrude happened to be the abbess. As her garb, she took a tattered habit. She did not take the vow of poverty, however, so as to allow herself to continue to disperse to the poor whatever revenue came her way.

What an example St. Hedwig is to those who hold any kind of political office -- to all of us! I do not think that any of our leaders are going to live the type of life that she did. But, perhaps they could have some of that spirit: a genuine, non ideological concern for those whom they are supposed to serve. May each of us have that same spirit too.

Father Stanley

Unemployment

2011-10-09T00:00:00.003-04:00

Last month the Pope reflected his concern about the number of people out of work by speaking about the lack of employment and job security. He asked people to look at history and see the consequences of controlling society through power and through the economy. The only answer is for all of us to establish the primacy of God. He said that through the Holy Eucharist we can understand the right order of things in the world. We need bread that satisfies our physical hunger, but more than that we need Jesus Christ, the Bread of life. From Him comes a real understanding of our responsibilities to each other; we become more concerned with the person rather than with things.

God created each of us to share his Life, his Love. Jesus Christ, in obedience to the Father, died in order to restore the Divine Life to us. We can see that God went to the extreme to save us. He values each person.

There were various schemes, legal and illegal, which led to our economic crisis, the result of which is many people losing their jobs. Corporations have money as their objective -- perhaps their only objective. It's the money that enables them to be number one, the money that brings much power and the ability to decimate the competition. When service is mentioned or when they make humanitarian efforts, it's often with an ulterior motive: to attract more customers, shareholders and favorable opinion, to attract more money.

Government control is not the answer. We are not pieces on a chessboard. Only God is the answer. Yes, God! The very One whom government laws try to suppress. If the government and corporations knew Him and listened to Him, people would be regarded and treated as they deserve. We might not have super rich and super powerful companies, but we would have people treating others as they would like to be treated. There would certainly be much more concern for others rather than for money.

Father Stanley

The Angels

2011-10-02T00:00:00.015-04:00

Picture from Holy Card Heaven

The Mass today is that of the twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time. Whenever, October 2 falls on any other day of the week, we commemorate our Guardian Angels. Angels were created by God to share in His happiness. They are spirits; they have no bodies. Some have appeared to have a body; but such apparitions made it easier to communicate with the person to whom God sent them. They each have their own intellect and will. Their intellects are superior to those of humans.

Certain angels have been assigned by God to be our personal friends and helpers. Others have been given the task of watching over particular places, like churches, our homes, hospitals, etc. It is a worthy practice to speak with our guardian angel each day. There is much evil in the world, and it is most ugly and powerful. Fallen angels, devils, are superior in strength to humans. We are no match for them. So, then how do our guardian angels fair in comparison to them? Good angels, because of their humility, have the power of God. So, as St. Michael defeated Lucifer and his minions, our angels can defeat any evil spirit. No human being, relying on his own abilities, stands a chance against an evil spirit. But, each person will be victorious if he depends upon his angel.

Why not ask your angel for protection from evil and for help in carrying out God's will each day? We can also ask other people's guardian angels to help them. Let's not forget about requesting their protection for our home too.

Just one more thing: October is the month dedicated to the Rosary. We are asked to consider the value of saying the rosary frequently if not daily. Through meditations on the twenty mysteries of rosary we gain a deeper understanding of God and his love for us. Also, we obtain the intercession of the Mother of God.

Let's make an effort to say this prayer each day even if we have many distractions or are tired. Pope John XXIII said that the worst rosary is the one that is never said.

Father Stanley

Saint Michael

2011-09-25T00:00:00.004-04:00

St. Michael and The Fall of the Rebel Angels by Peter Paul Rubens, 1623

On this coming Thursday we will remember the patron of our parish, St. Michael the Archangel. He shares his feast day with two other archangels: St. Raphael and St. Gabriel. His name, translated from the Hebrew, means “Who is like God.” He is credited in the Book of Daniel (10:13) with defending God’s people. The Book of Revelation (12:7) tells us that war broke out with Satan revolting against God. St. Michael prevailed over him and cast him from heaven.

The devil still tries to war against heaven by doing what he can to tempt people to commit evil. He and his pinions want to extinguish the life of God in our souls so that we will be lost. He can never make us sin; but he can use all means of trickery and deceit to get us to cooperate with his nefarious plans. We have to say “yes” to him and “no” to God of our own free will. We wouldn’t stand a chance if it were not for the help of God. St. Michael would not have defeated Satan if God had not asked him to fight and had not given him divine strength.

Good triumphs over evil. We face basically simple choices. Either we choose to do God’s will or not. But, it’s not often easy. There is a struggle within us because of our weakness caused by past sins. There also are many allurements around us. The devil can step up his efforts. However, just as St. Michael relied upon the power of God, we should do so as well. Then, we will win each and every time.

It is important to call upon others to help us in times of temptation. We should ask our patron saints, our guardian angels, St. Michael himself and our Lady to pray for us. Evil cannot stand up to such power coming from Heaven. Our relatives and friends here on earth can help with their prayers too. Good is stronger than evil.

In just one year we will celebrate our 100th anniversary as St. Michael the Archangel Church here in Lyndhurst. We are very happy about this. I believe that St. Michael has continually protected our parish and helped to keep it growing. He does the same for all of us. Let us ask him for his help and prayers so that we will continually say “yes” to God and “no” to the devil.

Father Stanley

The Litany of Saint Michael the Archangel

To Teach, To Learn, To Love

2011-09-18T00:00:00.007-04:00

We may correctly recall that the reason why God created us was that we would know, love and serve Him in this life and then be happy with him forever in Heaven. A critical point here is knowledge. Once we know God, we cannot help but love Him; loving Him, we will always want to serve Him. That is real happiness.

So, from the time when God revealed Himself to man, man sought to teach others about God. We have the Holy Bible with the prophets, the Psalms, the books of Wisdom. Then, we have fullness of Divine Revelation in Jesus Christ, true God and true man. Our Lord’s mission was to redeem us by His Sacrifice. But, He also taught us. He gave us the truth in a world mixed with truth and lies.

The Church has consistently carried on the mission of teaching as Christ commanded: “Go and teach all nations...” From the time of the Apostles, Catholic missionaries have educated all those to whom they were sent. Catholic schools were eventually established as well as parish catechetical programs. Almost all the Saints were involved in teaching the faith.

Through all of these years, catechesis was divided into four parts. First, there was doctrine, that is, what God has revealed. This part is a delineation of the twelve articles of the Apostles’ Creed. The second part concerns morality, what God tells is right and wrong. Then, catechesis focuses on prayer, the lifting up of our hearts and minds to God. Finally, the seven Sacraments are explained.

This Sunday is Catechetical Sunday in all the parishes of the United States.Teaching the faith is a work of love. Imparting truths concerning God and our relationship with Him is most valuable. It prepares the recipients to grow spiritually for the rest of their lives.

Because there is so much to understand and appreciate in the Catholic faith, the process of learning it should not stop. Unfortunately, for most practicing Catholics religious education ended with the eighth grade. I hope that we all continue to learn the deeply beautiful and enlightening truths of our faith. We have so many opportunities to do this without even venturing out of our homes. We can watch and listen to EWTN on TV and through the internet. Also, on the web, we have good trustworthy sources of Catholic information. Unfortunately not all are reliable, so don’t just google Catholic Church. It’s best to go to the source, such as vatican.va, ewtn.org, or our own website st-michael.org.

Let us try to know God better so that we will grow more in love with Him and eventually be happy with Him forever in Heaven.

Father Stanley

Whose Will? Mine or God's?

2011-09-11T00:00:00.004-04:00

Although ten years has passed since those inhuman attacks on America, we cannot forget. It's hard to conceive how anyone could perpetrate such wicked destruction of other persons. These were free will acts, but they were spawned in hell. The devils have no respect for people; they hate us because they hate God. We were created by Him to share in his Divine Life. This Satan could not stand. In his pride, he saw himself as the one -- the only one -- deserving of divine favors. He saw himself as the one who should be a god. How could God be intimate with us? And sending His Son to take on human flesh! Unimaginable! That is, in the devil's mind.

Those who want to kill people share in the devil's pride. They are above the next person, as a matter of fact, above everyone else.

We can extend this principle to other sins. Those who use others for their own benefit are in the same category. The thief sees the victim as a thing, not a person. The swindler does the same. The liar thinks of himself only and not the one lied to; no, that thing does not deserve the truth. The lustful person calls it love but disregards the other person without consideration to the harm caused to the other. And then there is abortion. Those who call it a choice do not even want to think of what goes on in an abortion. They do not want to face the fact that there is a human life within that womb, a life that expects the love of his or her mother.

It boils down to what one wants. Is it always what "I want?" That's the way of the devil. Must everything be centered on me? That attitude leads to self destruction and to end of society -- the survival of the strongest. It causes much misery, reaching its pinnacle in 9/11, in ethnic cleansing, in genocide, in wholesale abortion.

The only way to happiness and peace is in God's will. That's not the devil's way; he rails against it. The Saints knew this. That's why they constantly struggled to unite their will with God's. We are each called to be a saint. We most certainly can be! Let us ask Our Lady to help us to do her Son's will. And let us never forget to pray for peace and for the victims of 9/11 ten years ago.

Father Stanley

Labor Day

2011-09-04T00:00:00.008-04:00


Rest on the Flight to Egypt by Federico Barocci, 1570

It was nice to have a different change of pace in the previous two months. The days were longer; the weather was warm and hot. Perhaps some of us had the opportunity to get away for a few days or to make some day trips. I hope that you had some time to relax and enjoy this time.

God wants us to relax. He taught us so when the Bible says that God rested on the seventh day. His Son, Jesus, had to get away from the crowds to pray and rest awhile. He was truly human and needed this.

We know that rest and relaxation are desirable and that almost everyone looks forward to this. Some would consider it ideal if they could do this all the time without any work. But, it would be so boring because we are human, and work is part of our human make-up.

As we celebrate Labor Day, we recall that God made us to work. The first sin of Adam and Eve did not bring work into our world along with all the other undesirable things such as concupiscence and a weakened will. Work would always be with us. Whatever work a person has to do should never be hated. Out of work comes good -- the good of society and the building up of one's own character.

A job can be hard and or distasteful by its very nature. Yet, it should have joy within it because of the accomplishment gained for those who benefit from it. Cleaning up a dreadful mess or performing invasive surgery are just two examples of jobs we would not consider pleasant. Yet, the successful completion of them brings happiness.

The thing which makes a job bad is unwholesomeness or immorality. When someone is disrespected by being forced to take unjust wages or to work in unsafe or demeaning conditions. It is also very wrong when a job's purpose is to take advantage of others, particularly involving sins against honesty and purity.

So, this Labor Day we thank all of us who have worked to bring about a nicer country in which to live. We pray for just wages, good working conditions and respect for the working person.

Father Stanley

Jesus Is With Us Personally

2011-08-28T00:00:00.021-04:00

We are friends, indeed, brothers and sisters of Jesus. He is with us 24/7. How much of that time we are with Him depends on each of us. How do we do this more and more?

We need time. We need time to spend with Him -- a certain amount of time each day dedicated to Him. We have to realize that He is with us. Then, we talk with Him, knowing that He listens and cares about what we are saying. This is prayer. We can talk with Jesus from our hearts. We can also pray the prayers committed to our heart such as the Our Father (Matthew 6:9ff) and the Hail Mary. The first one is perfect because Jesus Himself taught this to us. The Hail Mary is also from the Bible (Luke 1:28, 42) and ends with our asking for her intercession. We make it our own by paying attention to what we are saying. If we do not give the words of these prayers our full attention, we still pray well if we keep the object of our prayer in mind, that is, God. Our prayer is also good when we keep the intention of our prayers in view even though the words fade from our minds.

Our personal relationship with Jesus is best through the Sacraments. It is in each of the Sacraments that God gives us grace. Jesus meets us personally in each Sacrament. There are two that we can receive frequently: Reconciliation or Penance and Holy Communion. Each ordained Catholic priest is in the person of Christ. So, when someone confesses sins in the Sacrament of Penance, Jesus personally absolves him or her of those sins, provided that it is a proper confession. When the priest distributes Holy Communion, it is Jesus Who gives Himself to the ones who receive.

All the more should we want to pray often and to receive frequently Reconciliation and Holy Communion. By this God’s life within us is nurtured and our deepest longing satisfied. Let us not miss these opportunities.

Father Stanley

Mary, Queen of Heaven and Earth

2011-08-21T00:00:00.032-04:00

Tomorrow, August 22, is the feast of the Queenship of the Mary. Pope Pius XII instituted this feast in 1954. The faithful have been meditating on this honor bestowed upon Mary in the fifth glorious mystery of the rosary. She is rightly called the Queen of Heaven and earth, of Angels, Saints and men.

The Immaculate Virgin, preserved free from all guilt of original sin, on the completion of her earthly sojourn, was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, and exalted by the Lord as Queen of the universe, that she might be the more fully conformed to her Son, "the Lord of Lords" (Rev. 19:16) and the Conqueror of sin and death. (Vatican Council II, Lumen Gentium, no. 59)

Friday, August 26, is a great feast for the Polish people; it is the feast day of Our Lady of Czestochowa. This icon of Our Lady has been enshrined in the monastery of the Pauline monks since the 14th century. The origin of this painting dates back to the first century when legend has it that St. Luke painted the image of Mary on a table top. During the Teutonic invasion of 1430, it was damaged in an attempt to destroy it. It still bears the marks of this assault, with the two slashes on Our Lady’s cheek.

In the 17th century the Swedes invaded Poland. There was vast destruction, and towns as well as Polish regiments fell under the attackers. It seemed that Poland would be lost to the Swedish invaders. The tide changed, however, when the Swedish army surrounded Our Lady’s monastery and were not able to break into it. In spite of massive bombardments and incendiary assaults for many weeks, it remained undefeated. The dark complexion was due to a fire caused by one of these forays. Mary’s monastery perdured. This gave inspiration to the rest of Poland who organized and fortified themselves once again. The invaders left; Poland triumphed; Our Lady was the means. One year after this victory, King Jan Casimir, proclaimed her officially to be the Queen of Poland. Later on she would be declared Queen by an act of the Polish Parliament.

Our Lady is still the means by which all that is good can be accomplished. Indeed, she is Queen of Poland, Queen of Heaven and Earth; she is our Queen who is as our Mother watches over each of us tenderly. Let’s go to her always with our desires, our hopes and all of our needs.

Father Stanley

On this earth there is a place

Where every soul wants to return.

For there reigns the Queen of Poland,

On her face two cuts are seen.

Ever gentle as she gazes, almost begging one and all,

That they ask for her protection with this call:

Refrain:

Madonna, O Black Madonna,

How good to be your child.

O hide us, dear Black Madonna,

In your heart, so meek and mild.

St. Maximilian - the Assumption

2011-08-14T00:00:00.008-04:00

The feast of St. Maximilian Kolbe is today, and the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is tomorrow. Because Sunday takes precedence, today we celebrate the twentieth Sunday in ordinary time rather than using the Mass prayers for St. Maximilian.

When he was a boy, Our Lady asked him which of two crowns he would like as she held out a white one and a red one. He asked for both, knowing that the white crown represented purity and the red one indicated martyrdom. St. Maximilian, as Franciscan priest in Poland, started the militia of the Immaculata to get more and more souls to Jesus through His immaculate Mother. He began Niepokalnow or Marytown in his friary not too far from Warsaw in order to publish the Immaculata a magazine with the goal of helping people to know and grow in the Faith. Remarkably its circulation grew to more than 750,000 per month. He and the friars also established a radio station. All of this in Poland of the 1930’s. He also traveled with some fellow Franciscans to the far east and established another Marytown in Nagasaki, Japan. It escaped the destruction caused by the atomic bomb which was dropped over Nagasaki in 1945.

He was arrested by the Nazis and sent to the concentration camp at Auschlitz. There in 1944, he offered his own life for a prisoner about to be executed by the commandant. He was sent to a starvation bunker. Impatient with waiting for his demise, after two weeks the commandant ordered his death by an injection of carbolic acid. It was August 14.

St. Maximilian won over many sinners through his media which he established under the guidance of Mary Immaculate. Perhaps we can ponder the great role Our Lady had in his life and in the world through his apostolate. We commemorate her assumption tomorrow. God took her body and soul up to heaven She, who was without sin, did not suffer one of the effects of sin, namely death. Through our devotion to her, we can become more faithful to her Son and lead others to Him too.

Father Stanley

Holy Communion

2011-08-07T00:00:00.008-04:00

We know that, once the words of the consecration are said by the priest during the Mass, there is no longer bread and wine on the altar, but the body and the blood, the soul and divinity of Jesus Christ. The inanimate wafer is changed substantially into our living Lord. This means that Holy Communion has effects.

It increases sanctifying grace, the life of God in our souls. Food keeps the bodies alive, and Communion sustains the life of the soul. It helps us combat temptations to serious sin and venial sin and gives us spiritual fervor. It makes us grow in the supernatural life and increases our desire for the things of God. Also, the grace of Holy Communion gives us joy deep within us because of Jesus presence within us. Not only do we receive grace, but the Source from Whom all graces flow. This is a foretaste of eternal life in Heaven.

Jesus loves us and wants us to receive Him frequently. He wants to strengthen us and to dwell within us. He wants us to be completely united with Himself in this heavenly bond of love. If you can, go to Mass daily, even though we are obliged only once a week. Daily Mass will make a tremendous difference in your life. All the effects listed above will grow day by day.

One most important factor in receiving Holy Communion is our preparedness and disposition. First, are we in the state of grace, that is, are there any serious sins on our souls? If so, we must make use of sacramental Confession; only God can forgive mortal sins. Second, we should realize the great Gift that we are about to receive and have a prayerful attitude. The effects of Holy Communion will bear fruit only if we are capable of receiving them and receptive to them.

Let’s ask Our Lady and our guardian angels to help us prepare to receive the Gift which words fail to describe!

Father Stanley

Christ Our Way

2011-07-31T00:00:00.009-04:00

Christ is the light of the world. The Apostles and then the Christians of the first several centuries were able to transform nations because of their love for Him. They persisted in spite of hostile environments. They knew that Jesus is "the way, the truth and the life." (John 14:6) He is not a way but the way. Motivated by love for everyone as well as for Our Lord, they brought the Faith to whoever they went. If they were banished from countries, they found new places to live the teachings of Christ. Often persecuted, they were undeterred even though there were some Christians who lapsed out of fear. So, much of the world became Christian, especially Europe and the Americas.

This great achievement has been lost in recent decades. The new European constitution will not recognize its Christian roots. Our own country has become secularized whereby God is continually pushed out of the public forum. Religion is marginalized.

Maybe this is the fault of Christians themselves. Many had become too comfortable with the Faith in which they were baptized. Many were Catholic in name only. They missed the opportunity of having a personal relationship with Jesus and of spiritual growth. It became easier to follow the course of society rather than to lead others to the way, the truth and the life.

Right now where we are is God’s will for us. We must not see our Catholicism as merely a name. The Catholic faith is rich; it is alive. It’s not a cold set of doctrines, but rather the teachings of Jesus who is with us now and always. The very life of Our Lord flows in the Church through the Sacraments.

When the attitudes of people around us become indifferent or hostile to God, we must show with our words and with our example that Christ is alive among us. We have to struggle against any temptation to compromise what Jesus has given us. We need more prayer and the strength that comes from the Sacraments of Confession and Holy Communion. Then, we will know the necessary graces that God gives in all circumstances.

Love of Jesus and love of our brothers and sisters will compel us always to show Him who is the way, the truth and the life.

Father Stanley

Jesus Loves Us Personally

2011-07-24T00:00:00.007-04:00

Several months ago Pope Benedict said that there is a problem today with the individual person creating a false identity for oneself. A cause of this is a culture of materialism and consumerism. A person sees his happiness in what he possesses rather than in his eternal destiny. One can identify himself with wealth, with the power to buy many things and with the freedom to be entertained according to his whims. These things are misleading in that they may cause one to feel satisfaction. But, this is not a real satisfaction; it is temporary. True fulfillment comes from understanding who and what we are. We are not things; we are persons. Each person has a relationship to other persons. Each person, in fact, is called into a relationship with three Persons: God, the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

Real satisfaction happens when we have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Then, we know God’s enormous love for us. We know that in Christ we are true daughters and sons of the Father and that the Holy Spirit dwells in us.

How sad it is when people see themselves as "things." It’s a delusion; it’s like living in a bad dream. We are created by God in his image. In Christ He answers the deepest questions of our lives. Pope Benedict went on to say:

The path to rediscovering humanity’s true destiny can only be found in the re-establishment of the priority of God in the heart and mind of every person... Only true friendship with God will break the bonds of loneliness from which our fragile humanity suffers and will establish a true and lasting communion with others, a spiritual bond that will readily prompt within us the wish to serve the needs of those we love in Christ. (Address in Rome to bishops from the Philippines on their ad limina visit, Feb. 18, 2011)

I pray that more and more come to know Christ’s love for each of us personally. There are many distractions which bring imitations of fulfillment, but not the real thing. We can find meaning only in God and in that which is of Him.

Father Stanley

The Holy Mass: Our Behavior, Our Attire

2011-07-17T00:00:00.016-04:00

The following is a "Pastor's Desk" which I have been repeating each summer. Last week, we considered what the holy Mass is and what our dispositions should be. Now we might think about our deportment, especially considering the hot weather of summer.

The Church gives us the obligation to come to Mass on Sundays and on Holy Days because it is good for us. It is like the obligation to eat foods that will nourish us. Without nourishment, a person will soon starve and die a very unpleasant death. Without spiritual nourishment one’s soul begins to starve and die, that is, lose the life of Grace.

The Mass is the unbloody Sacrifice of the Cross on Mt. Calvary. Our participation gains for us an increase in Grace (God’s life), provided we are free from serious sin. We become holy -- more in the image of God. We are actually in the presence of our divine Savior who offers Himself up and sacrifices Himself for us and for the whole world. So, out of love for her children, the Church imposes the obligation to attend Mass. But, rather than just attend Mass, we should participate. This means that we listen, pray, and offer ourselves up through the priest. The extent to which we do this is the extent to which we realize the beauty of the Mass and the love of Jesus.

Thus, we can see the importance of our attitude and our preparation for Mass. First, do we make an effort to come to Church on time and stay to the very end? Not only is this good for us, but it is helpful to our brothers and sisters who already are in Church. Being on time gives us the full benefit of the whole Mass and reduces considerably any distractions that latecomers may cause to those praying and listening. In a movie theater, if it’s bad when many latecomers walk down the aisles and move into seats after the start of the picture, we can imagine how much worse it is when it happens during Mass.

Second, do we use our time to participate well avoiding undue talk, movement and noise? For the same reasons already stated, it makes sense to have the proper deportment.

Third, do we dress appropriately? This is particularly worth considering during the warm weather. Although in our church we do not seem to have a problem in this area. Nevertheless it is good to think about it. God wants us in Church for Holy Mass and doesn’t look at what we are wearing; but how do we want to present ourselves to Him in His house? All we have to ask ourselves is -- and I think that we are doing this -- "Am I dressing to meet someone very special?" Indeed, we are meeting Someone very, very special in Church.

We have probably all heard someone say that it is better to be at Mass whether late, a little noisy, and/or sloppy than not to be there at all. However, knowing the Treasure, Who is there, makes us eager to be in Mass with our whole attention, with all of our hearts.

Father Stanley

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

2011-07-10T00:00:00.012-04:00

In every sacrifice there must be an offering, a victim, and the one who does the offering, a priest. The holy Mass is a true sacrifice: the same sacrifice that took place on Mt. Calvary two millennia ago. But, unlike any other sacrifice, in the holy Sacrifice of the Mass, Jesus is at once both the Priest and Victim. He was not offered up by the chief priest of the Temple, nor by Pontius Pilate. He surrendered Himself to the Father. He said in his last agony: "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit." (Lk. 22:46)

The event on Calvary and each Mass are separated in time. Each Mass makes present the same self offering of Jesus; there no longer is the pain and blood of that first Good Friday. As on the Cross, our Lord makes the same submission to the will of his Father. That is why each Mass is perfect and holy. It is the greatest prayer in which one can participate.

In the holy Mass Jesus offers Himself through a priest. Each priest is in the person of Christ (in persona Christi). Moreover, because the faithful are members of Christ’s Body, they offer themselves up through the priest. We offer up our work, our joys, our sorrows and sufferings through the celebrant. We are united with Christ in his Offering. Therefore, the Mass is not a private action, even if it is offered quietly without a congregation. It is never a particular priest’s Mass. Rather, it is the action of Christ and the Church.

In each holy Sacrifice of the Mass, there is the perfect offering of adoration, thanksgiving and reparation, independent of the dispositions of the priest and the people at that Mass. Christ is the One Who principally offers the Sacrifice of each Mass. This is why there in nothing more pleasing to God than the Mass.

The benefits to be gained from just one Mass are limitless. But the effectiveness of these benefits is dependent upon the disposition of the recipients. If those participating are prepared for the holy Mass, if they really want to offer themselves, then, the Mass will be fruitful in their lives. If a person goes to the Mass expecting to be entertained or to have a catharsis, he will completely miss the point.

Let us try to spend our time in Mass with the spirit of self surrender and the desire to do the will of God the Father. Then, we will know the true gifts of this Sacrifice; we will realize the love of Jesus poured out into us.

Father Stanley

The 4th of July

2011-07-03T00:00:00.003-04:00

We are privileged to have our risen Jesus in each tabernacle of every Catholic Church. We have Him on our altars at the Consecration of the Mass. It is natural that we are moved to express with faith what St. Thomas said because of what he saw, namely: "My Lord and my God." I pray that more and more come to see more clearly with the eyes of faith the truth that Jesus is risen, that He is here.

Tomorrow we celebrate our independence as a nation. For many, it is a time for barbecues, picnics and vacations. It is a time to remember the great land in which we have the good fortune to live. Geographically, it is beautiful: the forests and the meadows, the mountains and hills, the lakes, rivers, streams and two great oceans. It is rich in fertile soil and minerals. It is rich and beautiful in the diversity of its citizens. We have much to be thankful for.

We might, this week especially, remember the character of good men like George Washington and those who fought for our independence as a nation. They simply did what was right -- even if it meant risking their lives to end oppression. We should pray to God to have the same sense of right and the willingness to sacrifice for it. Now, is the time to live and work for justice, peace and love. Particularly, let us do so for those who are not able to defend or help themselves: the sick, the poor, the homeless, the discriminated and the unborn.

Today’s first reading from the prophet Zecariah says, in reference to the future coming of the Christ: "...the warrior’s bow shall be banished, he shall proclaim peace to the nations. His dominion shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of he earth." (Zech. 9:9-10). Let us make Jesus Christ the center of our lives so that there may be true peace and justice for all.

Father Stanley

The Greatest Gift of All, Our Lord in the Holy Eucharist

2011-06-26T00:00:00.005-04:00

Years ago, Corpus Christi or The Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ was commemorated on the Thursday after Pentecost Sunday. In order to encourage more of the faithful to reflect on this great gift, the Church moved it to the following Sunday. Many Churches throughout the world have Eucharistic adoration and processions. This is the fourth year that St. Michael's and Sacred Heart parishes will together as one in faith and love adore and thank Our Lord for the Gift of His Body and Blood.

Adoration and procession is scheduled after the noon Mass in Sacred Heart Church. Then, all of us will proceed outside for song and prayers at two stations at Sacred Heart. From there we will process with the Blessed Sacrament down Ridge Rd. to two stations outside St. Michael's. The concluding prayers and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament will take place inside our Church.

As we get use to something or someone, we all have a tendency to take it for granted. This can happen with someone we love or with a gift. It happens with us and Jesus who is Someone we love and also the greatest Gift. So, we take more time today to meditate on this great mystery of our faith. Once the words of consecration are said by the priest with the proper intention over the bread and wine, they are no longer bread and wine although they retain the appearances of such. Because our Lord cannot be divided, each of the species contains the whole Christ. So, the sacred Host is the Body and the Blood, the Soul and the Divinity of Jesus Christ, whole and entire. The precious Blood is the same, that is, the Body and the Blood, the Soul and the Divinity of Jesus Christ, whole and entire.

Because this is such a profound and tremendous Gift, it is always worthwhile to spend sometime in meditation before Mass, thinking about what is going to happen on the altar and Whom we are going to receive. Then, after Holy Communion, it is recommended that we use the time to thank God for the Gift of Himself. Also, we examine ourselves to see how prepared we are to receive Him. This is where Sacramental Confession comes in. Our preparation and the manner in which we receive manifest our appreciation and love of the One about to be received.

Father Stanley

The Holy Trinity and Fathers’ Day

2011-06-19T00:00:00.009-04:00

Today, we honor the Most Holy Trinity. Each of us began life in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit; and in this same Name we will leave this world to find in Heaven the fullness of the vision of these three divine Persons. One God in three divine Persons: this is the profession of our Faith that the Apostles heard from Jesus lips and handed down. It is the faith that Christians have held from the very first moment in the history of the Church.

The whole of a Christian’s supernatural life is directed towards the knowledge of the Blessed Trinity and the intimate conversation with the Father, and the Son and Holy Spirit. It is for this end that we have been created and raised to the supernatural order: to know, to talk with and to love this Trinity of Divine Persons.

Let us reflect daily on the fact that the Holy Trinity is with us always, loving us.

Today, on this Fathers’ Day we might reflect on what fatherhood is. We look to God for that understanding. God loves all his children. His love is shown by his watching over and protecting us. He, moreover, provides for us. St. Joseph is the model of God’s fatherly love. He certainly did all that he could in order to watch over and protect Jesus and Mary. He worked to provide for them. He was a man of tremendous faith and trust in God.

Our fathers most likely did not go through the lengths that St. Joseph did (the flight into Egypt, etc.) But, they nevertheless showed the same love by their taking care of us. Some did travel great distances so that there would be a better life for their wives and children. They worked hard in spite of temptations to take it easy. Their families come first. Like their wives they always want the best for their children. Every father’s heart bursts with pride whenever his child does something good or makes an achievement. This shows a true desire for the happiness of their children.

It really is a blessing to have a day each year to remind us about the gift that each of our fathers is to us. May we respect and honor them each day. If we give a gift, may that gift be a manifestation of the love in our hearts. For those fathers who have departed this life, may they always be remembered by their children in their prayers and Masses. These are ways that we can express our appreciation and our love for them.

Father Stanley

Pentecost Sunday

2011-06-12T00:00:00.009-04:00

Today we commemorate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles. It is the fiftieth day of Easter. It was an annual feast day of the Jews back then. Many came to Jerusalem to commemorate that day when Moses descended from Mount Horeb with the tablets containing the Ten Commandments. Then, Moses found that many of the Hebrews fell into idolatry and were worshipping a golden calf fashioned by Aaron. Moses told those who wanted to be for God to come to him. The rest, who remained obstinate in their sins, were to be slain by the faithful ones who had come over to Moses. Some three thousand were put to the sword. (Ex. 32:38)

On this particular day, ten days after Jesus ascended into Heaven, the eleven Apostles were somewhat afraid. They were without their Leader. I am sure that Mary was encouraging them. They were probably praying. Suddenly the room in which they were gathered shook with wind, tongues of flame appeared above each of the Apostles’ heads. They knew that God was present. In fact it was the Third Person of the Holy Trinity who was there giving them his gifts among which was fortitude.

The Apostles were no longer fearful. God was with them. God, the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit were with them. Where one Person is, so are all three. They courageously went into the streets of Jerusalem to preach the truth that their Teacher had taught them. The result? About three thousand were added to their number (Acts 2:41), as if to counter the same number of those who had deserted God centuries before at the foot of Mt. Horeb.

Many depart from God today to worship their own false idols. They are the usual idols of greed, power, constant pleasure; in short, self-centeredness. God loves them as certainly as He loves us. But, He needs us to be like His Apostles of two millennia ago. He asks us to teach the same unchanged truth that His Son teaches us.

Father Stanley

The Holy Mass and Some New Translations

2011-06-05T00:00:00.000-04:00

About a year ago there appeared in this column a series about the forthcoming changes in the Mass. Accurate translations of certain prayers will begin on the first Sunday of Advent, November 27, this year. It’s important to remember that it is not a new Mass. It is the same holy Mass that has been offered throughout time. The new translation of some of the prayers are a close rendering of the official prayers of the Mass which have been in use since it was put into English more than forty years ago. The translation that was used over the last four decades took a number of liberties with the official texts. This applies only to the English translation. Other translations, such as the Polish and the Spanish, were pretty accurate from the start and need no changes.

You will find that this accurate translation of the prayers of the holy Mass will make it even more prayerful and reverent.

We know that the holy Mass is the Sacrifice of Jesus on Calvary, though in an unbloody manner. Our Lord does not undergo that pain anymore. His Sacrifice on the Cross was and is redemptive. It was redemptive because Jesus took our guilt upon Himself and made satisfaction for our sins. It is redemptive because it continues now in each and every Mass.

After the Second Vatican Council which concluded in 1965, many liberties were taken with the Mass in places throughout the world. I suppose in an effort "to make it more meaningful" the Mass was reduced to an experiential venue. There were such celebrations as "Hootenanny" Masses, "Rock" Masses, even "Polka" Masses. It’s hard to imagine that the rhythm at those Masses would have been present at the foot of the Cross. The holy Mass is not entertainment, not something to make me feel warm, cozy or amused. Jesus Christ, truly present on the altar in each Mass, offers Himself to the Father. We do the same through the priest at the same time. Therefore, the question should not be "what can I get from the Mass," but rather "what do I give during the Mass." Do I offer myself up to God freely?

Many times when we think that the Mass is "boring" or that we want to make it more to our liking, we do not really understand the beauty of the Mass itself. In spite of bland homilies, cold or hot churches, poor music or no music at all, Jesus Christ is in every holy Mass. Moreover, the Angels and Saints are there in humble adoration. They offer themselves up to God. May each of us do the same.

Father Stanley

Our Lady’s Love and Our Soldiers’ Love

2011-05-29T00:00:00.007-04:00

Tomorrow, Memorial Day is a day given to us to show our heartfelt appreciation for the sacrifices our military men and women made for our country -- for us. They did this out of love for our country, for their families and for us who benefit from what they did. Without thinking about them and praying for them, we can easily take for granted the land for which they fought. May we never forget them, and may they be with our Lord in eternal glory!

Tuesday, May 31, is the feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary with the message that God was asking her to be the mother of his Son. He told her that her kinswoman Elizabeth, who was advanced in age, was with child. Once Mary responded to God’s call with her fiat (Let it be done to me according to your word), she conceived Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit. The Gospel of Luke tells us that Mary set out in haste to the hill country of Judah to be with Elizabeth who was in her sixth month of pregnancy. This is what we commemorate tomorrow. We reflect on Our Lady’s charity. She was not concerned about any inconvenience in terms of traveling even though she herself was with child. She must have traveled with others going in that direction; it would not have been safe otherwise. Certainly, the way must have been arduous considering the terrain and weather.

Mary lived the love of God. She knew that her cousin would need help considering her old age. Mary brought not just her assistance; no, she brought something more; she brought the greatest Gift imaginable: Jesus. John the Baptist stirs joyfully in his mother’s womb as she is greeted by the Mother of God’s Son. So, our Lady brought joy to her cousin’s house because she carried Jesus in her womb.

We too can be of great help to those we meet. Like Mary, we can have that love which compels us to help others without looking for something in return. Moreover, we can carry Jesus in us to bring joy to others.

Thursday, June 2, is the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, a holy day of obligation. We commemorate the day that Jesus went up to Heaven. He shows us that this is the place that is prepared for us. This is the reason why He took our sins upon Himself, so that we could go there to live eternally in perfect love with God, Our Lady, the Angels and all the Saints. If we follow Mary’s example, we will imitate Jesus and stay on that road to Heaven.

Father Stanley

Our Kids

2011-05-22T00:00:00.007-04:00

Last week, the topic was about authentic love. Calling something love which in reality is selfishness causes many problems, including the break down of marriages. One particularly upsetting issue is that of pornography, especially when it involves children. I am not tech savvy, but I wonder about the availability of it to kids. I understand that parents could put a filter on their computers to prevent inappropriate material from being opened by their children. Now, I wonder about the ease with which the internet can be accessed through cell phones and other hand held devices such as tablets. Do parents have the ability to screen out bad stuff from these e gadgets? I was told that even with filters there are ways to get around them. Moreover, what happens when kids are presented with dangerous sites on other kids' machines? Also, there is the unimaginable peril of becoming victims of predators through chat rooms or other web sites.

It is interesting that pornography gets such a free pass by our laws. It is permissible because of what reason? Art? Can anyone be serious about this? I remember that in the early eighties, President Reagan commissioned Attorney General Edwin Meese to do a study as to why there was such an increase in sexual crimes against women and children. The answer came back: the availability of pornography. But nothing was done. Here we are thirty years later, and there still is the proliferation of lewd material in publications, in film and on the internet.

There is the argument that one is free to look or not look at this material. The same argument can be used to say that one is free to buy or not buy a controlled dangerous substance. Pornography is a multi-billion dollar industry. How hard it is to curb it. Just imagine the tax revenues it brings. But, should not every effort be made to protect our children, to protect women and men too? Should we not invite the love of God into our hearts and see everyone as his children who deserve nothing less than respect?

Father Stanley

Love

2011-05-15T00:00:00.027-04:00

Authentic love comes from God. He is love. He defines what real love is. The word love is often used to describe something that it is not. It is used to legitimize what amounts to selfishness. If a person makes another one feel good and happy, then that is love. Not so. Love is selfless. There is a difference from agape and eros. The first is the love that has its source in the love among the three persons of the holy Trinity. This is the love which Christ said Christians must have for one another, It seeks nothing for itself but only the good of the one loved. Eros looks for its own benefit; self-satisfaction is its object.

Last March, Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, preacher of the papal household, said that love suffers today because agape is separated from eros. It is reduced to the profane because it is divorced from God. (March 25, 2011, Rome)

God’s love is perfect. The three Divine Persons love each other perfectly, selflessly. When God created us, He did so out of selfless love. He did not need us. His purpose was to share his own life and love with us. So, to love properly, we have to reflect God’s love. When a man and a woman have this love, their objective is the good of the other even though they receive satisfaction from this love. Out of this selfless love comes the gift of children. That is the way God intends it to be. The beautiful love of husband and wife blossoms out into a family.

True love is full of life; it leads to life. Conversely, disordered love is not love at all; it is an abomination. It leads to death. Because it based on selfishness, it is the cause of the end of many marriages. Furthermore, it is the reason why the institution of marriage is being threatened these days.

If we could appreciate more the love that God has for each of us, we would be ecstatic. We could not help but return that same love to Him.

Father Stanley

God Is With Us

2011-05-08T00:00:00.007-04:00

Many are away from God, but He is always with them. He is everywhere and wants our happiness and for us to love Him. He is with us above all in the Sacraments and particularly in the Holy Eucharist which is the Body and Blood Soul and Divinity of the Son of God Jesus Christ.

I want to mention another way in which God has been and continues to be with us. Although it is not in a way that is so close and personal as in the Sacraments. He is with us through the papacy. This is a great gift to the Church. Throughout the last two millennia, it is the papacy that has guaranteed freedom from error in the area of faith and morals. It has guaranteed the Church unity; there is only one authentic Catholic Church. Even in times when there were pope who led questionable moral lives, they never as pope taught error.

We have been especially blessed in our lifetimes. Some of us might remember Pope Pius XI, Pope Pius XII, and Pope Paul VI. Most of us know Blessed John Paul II and our present Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI. They have inspired so many to come into the Catholic Church and many fallen away Catholics to come back home.

From the day he was made Pope in St. Peter’s Square in 1978, Blessed John Paul II said "Do not be afraid..." To be Christ’s disciple, to make Him the center of your life. It is in Him that we find true fulfillment. What a privilege it is to have seen on earth someone who is in Heaven now. Some of us even saw him in person. Whether we were ever able to be in his presence, what is important is that he loved us and wanted us to know Christ. He loves us perfectly now, not hampered by physical impediments. Each of us can talk to him as often as we like.

Although we cannot talk with Pope Benedict as we can with Blessed Pope John Paul II, he continues to lead us into a deeper insight into who Christ is and what He means for each of us. If you have a chance it is well worth it to read Pope Benedict’s two books on Jesus. They are indeed fruitful for meditation. We would benefit from anything written by him and Blessed John Paul.

Father Stanley

The Beatification of Pope John Paul II

2011-05-01T00:00:00.024-04:00

This day marks the day in Rome when Pope John Paul II is beatified. Beatification is a declaration by the Pope as head of the Church that a person lived a holy life and or a martyr’s death and is now living in heaven. What is the process of beatification? First, there must be a cause arising from the desire of the faithful that someone should be recognized as a saint. If the person’s life is worth investigating, the inquiry begins. The subject is granted the title Servant of God. Secondly, after the state of their holy lives and heroic virtues has been proved, a solemn decree is made by the Pope stating this. The person now has the title Venerable.

The extensive study of the subject’s life, writings, reputation and virtues continues. A miracle (an event inexplicable by natural phenomenon) through the intercession of the venerable person is usually required. This must be authenticated by doctors, scientists, etc. who are not necessarily believers. There can be no natural explanation for the miracle. In the case of Pope John Paul II, a nun who had Parkinson's decease asked for his intercession. She was cured, herself having undergone thorough inquiry including examinations by doctors. There no doubt were other miracles attributable to Pope John Paul. But, only one is chosen as the one for his beatification.

If the faithful still desire, and of course they do, the cause for sainthood is undertaken. When a beatified person is formally declared a saint, the Church is saying that his or her life is exemplary and worthy of imitation.

Today, May 1, is a day of thanksgiving. We should thank God again and again for Blessed Pope John Paul II. He certainly was a gift to the world for the twenty-six and a half years that he served as the Vicar of Christ on earth. Moreover, this is Divine Mercy Sunday, a title given to the Sunday after Easter by Bl. John Paul II. He lifted the suppression of this devotion and eased the way for it to be promoted throughout the world. Also, he died just on the eve of Divine Mercy Sunday in 2005.

Let us try to imitate Bl. John Paul II’s virtues as well as his love for God and for mankind. Let us also pray to him for all of our needs and for the world. May more and more people be open to God’s mercy.

Father Stanley

He is Risen

2011-04-24T00:00:00.005-04:00

The Solemnity of the Resurrection of Our Lord is the highest of all holy days. This is the basis of our faith. Because of it, we have a certitude of hope in our own resurrection. It confirms that Jesus is the Son of God and that everything He said is true. It confirms the fact that He loves us with perfect love -- a love that will neither die nor diminish. We can rely on this love and on his teaching.

The Resurrection inspires us to share the faith. We know that believing Jesus and living his words is the guarantee of eternal life for us. Naturally, we want the same gift for others. We want them to know the love of God and the wonderful truths He has revealed to us. Hopefully, we are finding ways to bring Our Lord to those who have fallen away from the faith and to those who have not yet been acquainted with it. We might invite someone to Church, encourage them to go to Confession, suggest that they pray. To discover what the Church really teaches, we can inform our friends about watching EWTN (check the listings of your television service provider) or go to their web site, www.ewtn.org, or of course to the Church itself at www.vatican.va/phome_en.htm.

Above all, let us use the most powerful means to share our faith: prayer for those we know and for the world.

Father Stanley

Palm Sunday and Passion Week

2011-04-17T00:00:00.006-04:00

Zacharia, a prophet in the Old Testament, prophesied that the Messiah would enter Jerusalem upon a donkey (Zach 9:9). People of importance often made their entrances to towns or cities, seated on a donkey. It was customary for crowds to greet large groups of pilgrims to Jerusalem. Our Lord held special importance: the people laid their clothes in his path, waved olive and palm branches and praised God by singing "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord." (Luke 19:39)

Jesus wants to enter triumphantly into the lives of people today. He wants to be close to us in every circumstance. Yet so many turn from Him. This is the mystery of human freedom which always retains the sad possibility of rejecting God. He loves us so much that He gives us the freedom to love Him or to hate Him.

As He descended down the western slope towards the Temple, Our Savior wept. Seeing Jesus, the disciples were probably befuddled, not understanding why he should cry amidst such acclamation and joy. However, He saw how the people were sunk in sin, blindness and ignorance. His heart was deeply hurt by their impenitence. He had nothing but love and the desire for the good of the very people who rejected Him.

Our Lord loves us the same and wants us to accept his love and be with Him. As we meditate upon the Passion this week, we might examine ourselves to see how often we say "yes" to God and "no" to our selfishness, to our laziness and to everything that amounts to a lack of love, even if is only something small. There are striking contrasts in our hearts. We are capable of the very greatest things and also of the very worst. So, if we wish to possess the divine life and triumph with Jesus, we need to be constant and, through penance, deaden within ourselves anything that separates us from God.

Father Stanley

Mortification

2011-04-10T00:00:00.009-04:00

As we get closer to the commemoration of our Lord's Passion, we might consider the value of mortification or self denial. In the practice of this dying to self, we find that it is good not only for our souls but also for our general well being. We become of stronger character, more productive and, yes, even happier.

There are two kinds of mortification: passive and active. Passive mortifications have to do with accepting certain circumstances and events that we would rather avoid. It means peacefully accepting interference to our plans, putting up with annoyances and sometimes with annoying people. It also involves cheerfully sharing the sufferings of Christ, that is, those pains and illnesses that we medicines cannot relieve. We remember the prayer of our Lord: "My Father, if it is not possible that this cup pass without my drinking it, your will be done!" (Mt. 26:42)

The following is taken from In Conversation with God the second volume of daily meditations:

As well as those mortification known as 'passive' -- mortifications which present themselves to us without our looking for them -- the mortifications that we propose to ourselves (and seek out) are called active mortification. Amongst these, the mortifications which refer to the control of our internal senses are especially important for our interior progress and for enabling us to achieve purity of heart. These are: mortification of the imagination - avoiding that interior monologue in which fantasy runs wild, by trying to turn it into a dialogue with God, present in our soul in grace. We try to put a restraining check on that tendency of ours to go over and over some little happening in the course of which we have come off badly. No doubt we have felt slighted, and have made much of an injury to our self-esteem, caused to us quite unintentionally. If we don't apply the brake in time, our conceit and pride will cause us to overbalance until we lose our peace and presence of God. Mortification of the memory - avoiding useless recollections which make us waste time and which could lead us into more serious temptations. Mortification of the intelligence - so as to put it squarely to the business of concentrating on our duty at this moment and, also, on many occasions of surrendering our own judgment so as to live humility and charity with others in a better way. To sum up, we try to get rid of those internal habits that we know we would not like to see in a man or a woman of God. Let us make up our minds to keep close to Our Lord during these days by contemplating his most Sacred Humanity in the vivid and memorable scenes of The Way of the Cross. Let us see how, for our sakes, He walks along the Path of Sorrow.

Fernandez, Francis, In Conversation with God, vol. II. Scepter, 1993, p. 18.

Father Stanley

Truth and Opinion

2011-04-03T00:00:00.011-04:00

In an article a few months back, the writer indicated that technology today has dramatically affected the way people view religion. The availability of vast amounts of information through the internet has resulted in people making their own decisions regarding what to believe. He opined: "Lay people are staking out moral and ethical positions on issues that were once the exclusive domain of an educated hierarchy. Clergy can either fight and trivialize this irreversible movement and be marginalized, or embrace it and find ways to meet the needs of wandering flocks while still preserving their eternal messages." (A. James Rudin, "Religion is going global," The Star-Ledger, Dec. 20, 2010, section two, p. 3.)

This "cafeteria" attitude with regards to faith is nothing new. It even predates the invention of the printing press. There has always been that temptation to pick what one wants to believe and to leave in the dust those doctrines considered unpleasant or difficult. What we sometimes forget is that our religion is a revealed religion. Faith is a supernatural gift from God. That is why among believers there is unity; it is based upon the revelation of only One: God Himself. When left to ourselves, there are as many beliefs as their are personal opinions.

Our Lord, Jesus Christ was not a product of his day. He did not reflect the customs and culture when it came to teaching the truth. If He did, then women would be relegated to servitude and children would be seen as an annoyance. Rather He revealed God's love for everyone: children, women and men, whether rich or poor, healthy or sick. He loved sinners too. He was not only marginalized because of his teaching, but was also arrested and put to death.

Jesus established the Church in order to be with us until the end of the world. The Catholic Church teaches as He taught. She speaks the same truths that cannot be changed by public opinion. Her aim is not to "fight" against or to "trivialize" public trends concerning religion. Her purpose is simply to proclaim what is true for our salvation. The Catholic Church does this because she loves as Jesus loves.

Father Stanley

The Sacraments - Conclusion

2011-03-27T00:00:00.005-04:00

From last October, the Pastor’s Desk began reflections on the seven Sacraments. Each was instituted by Jesus Christ to give sanctifying grace to our souls. Grace is a share in God’s own life and is given to those who receive them worthily. To receive them worthily, a person must have the proper disposition, that is, he must believe in and want to cooperate with what the Sacrament does.

The purpose of the Sacraments is the sanctification of our souls and our salvation. Because such a great good is given to a person receiving a Sacrament, many want to celebrate the occasion with a party. Relatives and friends are invited to gather to rejoice over the fact that their loved one has been given the gift of God’s life in a special way. Although not necessary, it is a natural way to express our happiness because something wonderful has happened. Remember: Our Lord went with his mother to the wedding feast at Cana and the father in the parable of the prodigal son threw a big party to celebrate his son’s return from a sinful life.

So, the Sacrament is the reason for the celebration. Yet, sometimes it seems that the focus is on the party and not on the Sacrament. It’s almost as if the Sacrament is subordinate to the party. As a result, Baptisms are delayed because of waiting for the availability of a reception hall or for the ability of all guests to be present. The same is most often the case with weddings. Fortunately, each parish determines the specific dates for first Penance, first Holy Communion and Confirmation. But even with these Sacraments the preparation for the peripherals can outweigh the sacred event itself.

Whenever a celebration of a Sacrament is about to take place, prayer and reflection is necessary. Do we really believe what the particular Sacrament is for? Do we really want it for ourselves or for the child? In short, how valuable is the Sacrament to us?

I hope that we come out on the side of the Sacraments. Imagine God’s gift of his Life and Love coming to dwell in our souls! What more could we ask for?

Father Stanley

The Priesthood

2011-03-20T00:00:00.045-04:00

Last week, I wrote about the Sacrament of Holy Orders. Most of us are familiar with priests since we see them more often than bishops and deacons. In his address to seminarians in Ethiopia Pope Benedict had this to offer in regard to priests: "(Christ) does not suppress the person’s characteristic qualities; on the contrary, he elevates them, he ennobles them, making them his; he calls them to serve his ministry and his work." Essentially, this means that the Sacraments of Holy Orders does not change a man’s personality. He remains who he is, but is sanctified. Priests come in all shapes and sizes, and so their personalities come in different guises. Our Lord does not miraculously make a man into whatever our ideal conception of a saint is.

Perhaps one would like a jovial priest or a gregarious one. But, that may not be the case. When God calls a man to the priesthood, He knows his purpose, and how He will use that man with all of his personality traits and defects. Through ordination, He will give him the power to administer the Sacraments.

This is why we are expected to respect all priests regardless of our liking certain personality traits or not. We respect him because he is in the person of Christ, 24/7. But, there are two things of which we should be mindful. First, priests must respect priests which means each priest respecting himself. This involves living the life which is expected of his office all the time. He must always be aware of who he is wherever he is, whether he is working, recreating, relaxing, etc. It is, of course, understood that he has to live the moral life. He also is happy living as a priest and doing what God wants.

Secondly, even though a man’s personality is not changed by Holy Orders, no one is given a free pass to meanness or nastiness. Those might be considered as personality disorders, especially if they are constant. He is called to respect everyone and to love them as Christ does.

Finally, there is enormous joy in being a priest. Why? Because he is fulfilling the vocation to which God has called him. He is not a CEO, not a professional of the world, not a entrepreneur; but he is teaching and sanctifying in the person of Christ.

Father Stanley

Holy Orders

2011-03-13T00:00:00.040-05:00

From ancient times there were groups bonded together for particular purposes which are called orders. There were orders of spouses, orders of widows, orders of catechumens and more. Jesus Christ established Holy Orders by which the mission which He entrusted to his Apostles would continue until the end of time. There are three degrees of these orders: episcopate (bishops), presbyterate (priests) and diaconate. By this means Christ is made visible in the world today, especially amongst the believers.

The day before He died, Jesus instituted this sacrament at the Last Supper when He commanded his Apostles to "Do this in memory of Me." He gave them the power to do what He did, namely to change unleavened bread into his Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity and also to change wine into his Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. He effectively ordained his first bishops. He moreover gave them the power to administer all seven sacraments which He instituted.

The bishops are the only ones in Holy Orders able to ordain. They ordain as bishops certain priests who are called to the episcopate. They, of course, ordain men who have the vocation to the priesthood in order to be co-workers with their bishops in the Apostolic ministry. They ordain men who are called to serve as deacons by assisting bishops and priests in their ministry.

A priest can never administer Holy Orders and ordinarily may not administer the sacrament of Confirmation. While each diocese has at least one bishop, it is usually the case that there are a number of priests whose ministry is to teach and sanctify in parishes, educational, medical and other institutions. Each priest is in persona Christi, that is, in the person of Christ Himself. As such, the greatest work that a priest does is forgive sins (the sacrament of Penance or Reconciliation) and celebrate Holy Mass (the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist). A priest may have other skills such as counselor or educator, but his calling is for the sanctification of souls.

There are two kinds of deacons: transitional and permanent. The first are those who are on their way to the priesthood. The latter are those who are called by God to serve by teaching, preaching, assisting at Mass and administering the sacrament of Baptism and by witnessing marriages (the sacrament of Matrimony).

God loves us so much that He makes Himself present though Holy Orders for the spiritual welfare of all of us. We should always thank Him for this and moreover respect and pray for all bishops, priests and deacons. Also, let us not forget to pray for an increase in vocations to the priesthood. May more respond to God’s call to work in his vineyard.

Father Stanley

Lent

2011-03-06T00:00:00.012-05:00

It seems late this year, but in three days we will be in the Lenten season. Easter Sunday is April 24. We begin each Lent with Ash Wednesday as a reminder that we are dust and to dust we shall return (Gen. 3:19). It is good for everyone to consider this truth because we will all have to face death sooner or later. So many are attached to the things that will deteriorate by decay or rust. Money, power, entertainment and simply doing nothing occupy the time of people in the world.

God wants all of us to be with Him in this life because He loves us. It is the best thing for us. He wants us to abandon sin which makes us unhappy slaves. We cannot serve two masters. We must love God with our whole heart, mind, strength and soul. To do so involves saying "no" to all sinful temptations and even to some legitimate desires. This is not easy because there is a barrage of temptations from the world all around us. Moreover, the devil comes into the scene and tempts us, as well as our past sins. That is why it is important to go to sacramental Confession frequently and to make reparation for forgiven past sins by prayers and charitable deeds.

The reason why it is good sometimes to deny ourselves good things is that it helps us to focus more upon God. Everyone sees the wisdom in this to some extent. People see diet and exercise as valuable for a healthy life here. Mortification or self-denial is good for a healthy spiritual life here and in the next world, Heaven. St. Francis de Sales said that self-denial "...strengthens our spirit as it mortifies our flesh and sensuality. It raises our souls to God. It gets rid of concupiscence by giving us the strength to overcome and mortify our passions, and it disposes our heart that it may seek for nothing except to please God in everything." (from his Sermon on Fasting).

Because it is a difficult task to lead an authentically spiritual life, some seek an easy religion. There is the religion of the upwardly mobile: succeed in this life and be religious too. There is the heresy of making excuses for whatever we would like to do: God wants me to be happy so it’s OK to indulge as long as I don’t hurt anyone. But, in reality, with this attitude we hurt ourselves. The soul becomes dull and dead to the Life of God.

During Lent, we have the opportunity to draw up a plan of mortification for each day. This along with our prayers will help us to know God’s Life and Love.

Father Stanley

Annointing of the Sick

2011-02-27T00:00:00.007-05:00

Over forty years ago this Sacrament was called Extreme Unction, which means last anointing. It was usually at the last moments of a person’s life that a priest was called to administer this Sacrament. Now, it is given whenever there is a serious illness, or before surgery or in old age.

A baptized Catholic’s forehead and hands are anointed with the Oil of the Sick, a special oil consecrated by the bishop in the cathedral in Holy Week. In the Book of James we read: "Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the presbyters of the church, and they should pray over him and anoint (him) with oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven." (5:14-15)

The effects of this sacrament are the strengthening and comforting of the soul, the remission of sins and, in some cases, the restoration to health. It is presumed that the recipient is well disposed to receiving it. This means that even in the case of an unconscious person, it is known that he or she would be open to receiving the anointing.

We should never be hesitant about calling a priest to administer the anointing to someone who needs it, especially to someone who is at home. When someone is in the hospital or nursing home, it is not necessary to call their parish priest because every one of these facilities is served by a Catholic chaplain. The chaplain daily makes it his duty to see who will benefit and desire this Sacrament.

This sacrament can be received more than once, as in the case of a prolonged illness or when a person becomes sick again after a recovery.

During an illness and also at the point of death, a person can be tempted to despair or anger. The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, as well as prayers, serves to thwart evil and bring the comfort of God Himself.

Father Stanley

Marriage

2011-02-20T00:00:00.019-05:00

For the last five weeks, I have written about the Sacrament of God’s mercy, Penance or Reconciliation. Prior to that I had given some thoughts on the Sacraments of Baptism, Holy Eucharist and Confirmation. Now, I continue this series on the sacraments with that of Matrimony.

At the beginning of the Bible we read: "...God created man in his image; in the divine image he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them, saying: "Be fertile and multiply..." (Genesis 1:27-28) Here God instituted marriage. Later on, Jesus Christ elevated it to a sacrament at the wedding feast of Cana (John 2:1-10). Baptized Catholics, who worthily enter into a properly conducted marriage ceremony, receive a special grace which enables them to love and to be faithful to one another. This grace also gives them the strength and power to bear the difficulties that might come along.

The marriage is only for male and female together. It cannot be otherwise; we need only read the Bible. Once the Catholic is married before a bishop, priest or deacon, the marriage can not be dissolved.

Some of the prerequisites necessary for a Catholic marriage to be valid are the following. First, there must be freedom, that is, no person or circumstance can force one into the marriage contract. Secondly, the couple must be capable of marital relations. Next, each must be of age, mature enough to make a life long commitment. They must believe in the permanency of marriage and also commit themselves to be exclusively faithful only to each other for as long as they both live. Thirdly, the bride and groom must be open to life, which means willing to accept children if God so grants it. Moreover, they must be psychologically capable; one may not be so impaired as to not be able to make such a serious commitment.

A marriage can take place in the Catholic Church between a Catholic and a non-Catholic. The differences in faith must not be a obstacle for either. They both promise to see that the children are baptized and raised in the Catholic faith.

It takes two to make a marriage happy and successful. No one should take the marriage commitment lightly. It is a lived commitment, meaning that the husband and wife are serious about each moment of each day. It takes an upright character to do this. Each has to remember the other person. Each has to remember God and what they promised before His altar. He is always with them with His help and love.

Father Stanley

Sacrament of Mercy, Part V

2011-02-13T00:00:00.010-05:00

We have gone through what the Sacrament of Penance is. Now we should consider how we make our confessions.

First, we should use only the words necessary to convey the sins committed. We should not elaborate or make excuses. It there are circumstances which change the gravity of a sin, then we should reveal them. For example, one can confess using hateful language towards someone else, but should not go into a whole explanation as to why. Yet, a person should mention if the language were used against one’s mother or father or against God.

Next, we should be specific. The penitent should indicate how long it has been since his last good confession and then tell all his sins, whether they be in thought, word, deed or omission. It is necessary to be clear, not trying to mask the gravity of a sin or to be so euphemistic as to obscure what the sin is. One should not say, for instance, that he did bad things or was not a nice person. What does that mean?

Finally, each confession should be complete. We should never keep anything back out of a sense of shame or for any other reason. Remember each of us is heartily sorry and not partly sorry for our sins.

We want to make a clean slate with God. Loving Him, we want to make sure that we confess our sorrow for everything that has offended Him. This is where the examination of conscience comes in. An honest look into ourselves is liberating.

Indeed, Confession is the Sacrament of God’s mercy. He waits for us there, not to condemn but to embrace us, telling us tenderly that our sins are taken away. Our souls are sanctified by being washed in the Blood of Jesus, His Son. In the case of forgiven mortal sins, grace is restored to the soul. If the sins forgiven are venial, then grace is increased.

Let us take a serious look at our use, or lack of use, of the Sacrament of Penance. Has it been a while since the last confession? Have my confessions been only infrequent? Only before Christmas and Easter? Have I let it fall by the way side?

Let us pray to God seriously about this. May we get into the practice of making good confessions frequently.

Father Stanley

Sacrament of Mercy, Part IV

2011-02-06T00:00:00.001-05:00

Each Catholic priest and bishop, by virtue of Holy Orders, is the minister of the Sacrament of Penance. We again recall that Jesus gave this power to absolve from sins to his Apostles when He said: "Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them...." (John 20:23). The bishops are the successors to the Apostles, and priests are their assistants. It is the bishop who commissions his priests to administer this sacrament.

Jesus said: "...there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance." (Luke 15:7) For this reason every bishop and priest is happy when he absolves a person. God is happy; his priest is happy. It is a major reason why God calls men to the priesthood. It is inextricably part of a priest’s life.

While a priest makes judgments regarding the nature of sins, whether they are serious or not, he does not judge the character of the person confessing. In fact, the priest admires each penitent. Why? Because he or she is doing the right thing. The person confesses, receives absolution and the grace of God which heals and makes him stronger. This sacrament increases grace in the soul of the penitent.

Priests do not get tired of the same old sins. Jesus said to forgive seven time seventy-seven times (Matthew 18:22). In the mentality of Our Lord’s day, seven was a perfect number. "Seven time seventy-seven times" is like saying an infinite number of times. Therefore, the confessor willingly hears and absolves the same sins he has heard countless times before.

A priest can hear confession anywhere although the usual place is in a church’s confessional. This underscores the seriousness of the matter of having sins absolved. As long as the person is sincere and there is a need for the absolution sins, the priest will hear the confession in the rectory, on the street, etc.

Finally, each priest is bound under very strict penalties to keep absolutely secret the sins he hears in the Sacrament of Penance. There have been cases in totalitarian countries where priests have been imprisoned because they would not reveal a person’s confessions. The seal of confession is so sacred that there can never be a reason to break it.

The Church wants to assure us that we should never be afraid or hesitant about making good confessions. The important thing is the health of one’s soul. What can be better than to be in the state of sanctifying grace? Then, we are joined with God in intimate friendship. Moreover, we are reconciled with the Church. This sacrament:

...has also a revitalizing effect on the life of the Church which suffered from the sin of one of her members. Re-established or strengthened in the communion of saints, the sinner is made stronger by the exchange of spiritual goods among all the living members of the Body of Christ, whether still on pilgrimage or already in the heavenly homeland... (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 1469)

Next week will be the final part concerning Penance.

Father Stanley

Sacrament of Mercy, Part III

2011-01-30T00:00:00.006-05:00

Last week we read that for a confession to be valid there must be contrition, the confession of sins and satisfaction. Here is what the Church says specifically about satisfaction:

Many sins wrong our neighbor. One must do what is possible in order to repair the harm (e.g., return stolen goods, restore the reputation of someone slandered, pay compensation for injuries). Simple justice requires as much. But sin also injures and weakens the sinner himself, as well as his relationships with God and neighbor. Absolution takes away sin, but it does not remedy all the disorders sin has caused. Raised up from sin, the sinner must still recover his full spiritual health by doing something more to make amends for the sin: he must "make satisfaction for" or "expiate" his sins. This satisfaction is also called "penance." (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 1459)

One way of looking at it is this. Suppose a child insults his mother. He realizes what he has done, is sorry for it and asks forgiveness. His mother understands, is moved by his sorrow and readily forgives him. Yet, her child is not completely comforted. He wants to make up for the hurt that he caused her. So, he will look for ways to be especially nice and helpful to her.

Every sin ruptures our relationship with God. Even though He wipes away our confessed sins, we should want to fortify our filiation with Him and with the Church. Even sins committed in secret injure the Church. The Church, which is the mystical Body of Christ, is not as strong as she could be due to sins. Each member of the Church has a relationship with each other in this Body. We, together, also have a relationship with God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Every sin weakens us as a whole.

The satisfaction or penance which priests most often assign is prayer. Prayers that are said well lead to a deeper faith in and relationship with God. But, other good penances that the priest can give are: service to our neighbor, almsgiving, acts of self-denial, sacrifices and acceptance of the crosses we have to bear (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 1460).

Next week we continue with this Sacrament.

Father Stanley

Sacrament of Mercy, Part II

2011-01-23T00:00:00.002-05:00

Jesus instituted this sacrament, knowing that we need continued conversion. Even after having received the Sacrament of Baptism there still remains in us concupiscence, a tendency towards sin. This tendency is not sin. As a matter of fact, the person, who struggles against these temptations, gains merit in the sight of God. Freely consenting to them is sin. However, only God can forgive sins. That is why Jesus gave this power to every validly ordained priest in his Church: "Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained." (John 20:21-23) By the power of God each priest forgives the sins he hears when he says the words of absolution.

To have a valid confession, there must be contrition, the confession of sins and satisfaction. There are two kinds of contrition. The most desirable is perfect contrition which arises purely from the love of God. Sufficient for a good confession is also Imperfect contrition which is regret coming form the loss of God and heaven. Understandably, either kind of sorrow must include a purpose of amendment, that is, the resolution to avoid sin and all occasions leading to sin.

The actual verbal confessing of sins to a priest must include all sins committed since a persons last good confession:

Confession to a priest is an essential part of the sacrament of Penance: "All mortal sins of which penitents after a diligent self-examination are conscious must be recounted by them in confession, even if they are most secret and have been committed against the last two precepts of the Decalogue; for these sins sometimes wound the soul more grievously and are more dangerous than those which are committed openly." (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 1456)

Because of heartfelt sorrow and sincerity, a person makes an honest examination of conscience. He sees the sins he has committed (particularly the serious ones) and takes responsibility for them. One should never be afraid of confessing any sin or feel embarrassed. The only way to heal the soul is to reveal all the wounds. Jesus is there with his love and mercy.

Satisfaction means doing our best to remedy the damage caused by our sins. Every sin causes some disorder. First, it offends God, Also, it often wrongs another person. Thirdly, it harms the one committing the sin. So, we have the obligation to try to make up for this injury usually through prayer but also by good works.

Sacrament of Mercy

2011-01-16T00:00:00.029-05:00

Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: "This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel." (Mark 1:15)

The Gospel is one of repentance or conversion. It means turning away from all that is not of God and turning towards all that is of God. He told the woman caught in adultery "...go and sin no more." (John 8:11). Before curing the paralytic he said: "...your sins are forgiven." (Luke 5:23) In the parable about the lost sheep, Jesus taught that "...there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. (Luke 15:7) Also, He told the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 5:11-32). Here, a son of a wealthy man demands his share of his inheritance and goes to another country and squanders all of it living immorally. Because he is starving, he returns home to ask forgiveness of his father. Rather than scold him, the father embraces his son and throws a party for him. These are just a few instances where Our Lord taught us about the importance of being forgiven by God. Even in his last agony he said of his persecutors and executioners: "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:24)

Consistent with his mission, Jesus lived up to his name as Savior by instituting the Sacrament of Penance or Reconciliation. He said to the Apostles on that first Easter Sunday: "'Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.' And when He had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.'" (John 20:21-23) He virtually was saying that each Apostle had to hear the sins of people; otherwise how would they know whose sins to forgive and whose sins could not be forgiven? Thus do we have Confession. A person is aware of his sins, is sorry for them and confesses them to a priest; the Sacrament of Penance is administered.

Next week, there will be more on this Sacrament of mercy in part two. But, before I close: to what sins could Our Lord be referring when He told the Apostles that they could withhold forgiveness? It would be sins confessed without sincere sorrow, that is, sins without the purpose of amendment, the intention not to commit them again.

More on this Sacrament next week.

Father Stanley

The Sacraments

2011-01-09T00:00:00.008-05:00

Beginning today I resume my series on the Sacraments which began in the fall. Then, we considered Baptism, Confirmation and the Holy Eucharist. I would like to give a short review of these Sacraments.

Today, is the Solemnity of the Baptism of the Lord and marks the close of the Christmas season. Jesus instituted the Sacrament of Baptism when He was baptized by St. John the Baptist. John’s baptism was more or less a sign that the baptized was going to enter a new life, a life turned toward God. The Baptism that Jesus instituted is a different kind of sign. This sign contains the reality of what it signifies. The water and the words ("I baptize you...") indicate that God cleanses one of all sin and infuses His Divine Life into the baptized.

The Holy Eucharist is the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ. It is also called Holy Communion when a person receives it. That is why one must be in willful communion with the Faith, with the Catholic Church, and not be aware of having any unabsolved serious sin on the soul in order to receive this the greatest of Sacraments.

Baptism, the Holy Eucharist and Confirmation are called sacraments of Christian initiation. Confirmation completes baptismal grace. When an unbaptized adult studies and enters the Catholic faith, he or she receives Baptism, Confirmation and the Holy Eucharist at the same time, that is, within one Mass.

The ordinary minister of Confirmation is a bishop. Sometimes a priest may confirm as in the cases of persons who have completed Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. The bishop anoints the forehead of the person with sacred chrism which is a sweet smelling oil consecrated during Holy Week. While anointing he says "N. be sealed with the Gift of the. Holy Spirit." Just like at Baptism, the newly confirmed receives an indelible mark or character on his soul. This mark is the seal of God, meaning that the person now totally belongs to Him and is in his service forever. This mark also guarantees God’s protection when the person undergoes spiritual trials, especially at the point of death.

Confirmation strengthens the gifts of the Holy Spirit already given at Baptism, namely, wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. These gifts are supernatural aids to counter our defects. They help us to do what God wants us to do, that is, to spread the faith and to defend it when challenged.

God wants us to be happy with Him now in this life as well as in the next. We thank Him for instituting these Sacraments so that this may be a reality in our lives.

Father Stanley

The Way, the Truth and the Life

2011-01-02T00:00:00.005-05:00

As we begin this new year, we can be of service to the world by our prayers as well as by our deeds. We need to pray daily for the conversion of sinners and of nonbelievers. The Gospel is the gospel of repentance. Jesus wanted everyone to know the truth, to turn away from selfishness and to be reconciled with his Father.

There are more and more attacks on Christianity in our own country as well as in other parts of the world. Jesus Christ is disrespected and ridiculed in plays and in what sometimes passes as art. While Christians go about peacefully practicing the Faith, they are openly and, at times, maliciously criticized. This amounts to "shooting the world in the foot." The very Person Who is the answer to the world’s problems is the One who is rejected.

Pope Benedict said: "...in Christ, the Son of God, man can always find the strength to combat poverty, domestic violence, unemployment and corruption, seeking social justice, the common good, and the integral progress of human beings." (Pope’s audience with the new ambassador of Costa Rica to the Holy See, Dec. 3, 2010). Jesus said that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6). He is the only way to the Father. Without his dying for our sins, we could not be in union with God. He tells us the truth about ourselves and about God. He is truly Life which means the indwelling of the Holy Trinity in us (sanctifying grace).

As more and more people live their faith, there is less and less corruption, violence, poverty, etc. Why? Because to act as Christ means that we respect each individual as a daughter or son of God. We may not use another for our own purposes. As a matter of fact we are obliged to help others in so far as we have the means to do so.

From now on, let us be careful to act as true disciples of Christ. Daily examinations of conscience help us to see if we are doing this. Moreover, let us also pray. Prayer is powerful. I suggest praying for the triumph of Mary’s Immaculate Heart in everyone in the world. If Our Lady triumphs, then Jesus Christ reigns. When that happens in individuals there is real peace, true happiness.

A blessed 2011 to you and your loved ones!

Father Stanley

Family

2010-12-26T06:00:00.005-05:00

"The Holy Family with a Palm Tree"

Raphael

I hope that you had a wonderful Christmas yesterday. Today is the feast of the Holy Family. The Son of God wanted his saving work to begin within an ordinary family. St. Joseph was the father according to the law and provided for Mary and Jesus. Mary with him took care of her Son. The three lived in service of each other, doing God’s will always. This family was and is the paradigm what every family should be.

As technologies advance and economies grow, families become less and less a unit. While in the past the family meal was pretty much common place, now it is a rarity. There isn’t the time to take an adequate interest in each other or to enjoy each other. To have healthy children who have self worth and are happy, it is important for them to be with their parents (or parent in the case of a single parent family) at home and outside of the home, sharing various activities.

An essential element in sharing time together is the time spent in prayer. Servant of God Pope John Paul II, in his apostolic exhortation on the family, had this to say:

Do you teach your children the Christian prayers? Do you prepare them, in conjunction with the priests, for the sacraments that they receive when they are young -- Confession, Communion and Confirmation? Do you encourage them when they are sick, to think of Christ suffering, to invoke the aide of the Blessed Virgin and the Saints? O you say the family Rosary together...? Do you pray with your children ... at least sometimes? Your example of honesty in thought and action, joined to some common prayer, is a lesson for life and an act of worship of singular value. In this way you bring peace to your homes... (Familiaris Consortio, no. 60).

This takes time and devotion. May parents make this time, and may children cooperate with their parents. Moreover, may our government make it possible. Parents should not be compelled to give more and more of their time to work in order to make a descent living for their families. Nor should they be forced to do so in order to pay constricting taxes.

The government should protect and support the family unit, rather than making it more difficult to be together.

As we close 2010 and begin 2011, may the members of each family grow in their appreciation of one another. May they forgive and forget past injuries and begin anew always looking forward to being together.

Father Stanley

The Christmas Season

2010-12-19T06:00:00.009-05:00

"The Adoration of the Shepherds"
Gerrit van Honthorst (1622)

We are in the very last preparations for Christmas. The secularists have been preparing for this "holiday" for a couple of months now. They see it in terms of dollars and cents. That's why the Christmas season is over for them in a few days. For us who commemorated the real reason for Christmas, the season will begin with Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. There was a time when the Christmas tree was decorated after dinner on Christmas Eve? Then, it was not taken down before January 6 which, at that time, was the Feast of the Epiphany (Three Kings). This is the spirit of Christmas; we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God in our midst. Hence, we have the twelve days of Christmas.

Hopefully, we don't want to celebrate Christmas as if it were about money, presents and parties. It's about Christ. Because of Him, we have potential for true love, true peace and true joy. This is something for which to be happy.

The best way to celebrate is to pray the perfect prayer which is the holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Then, we can continue this by going to Mass each day of the Christmas season. In our current liturgical calendar, this season lasts from Christmas day until the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord which this time (2011) is on Sunday Jan. 9. So, instead of twelve days, we will have sixteen days of prayerful celebration.

May each of us at this time be fully open to Jesus. Let Him come into your heart. Know his Love. I now conclude with the words of Pope Benedict VI spoke a few years ago:

To enter into communion with Christ and contemplate his face, to recognize the Lord's face in that of brothers and in everyday affairs, 'innocent hands and pure hearts' are necessary. Innocent hands, that is, lives illuminated by the truth of love that overcomes indifference, doubt, falsehood and egoism; and, in addition, pure hearts are necessary, hearts ravished by divine beauty, as little Thérèse de Lisieux says in her prayer to the Holy Face, hearts that bear the imprint of the face of Christ. This is the experience of the true friends of God, the saints, who recognized and loved in their brothers, especially in the poorest and neediest, the face of that God long-contemplated with love in prayer. They are for us encouraging examples to imitate; they assure us that if we journey with faithfulness in this life, on the way of love, we also -- as the psalmist sings -- will be filled with the presence of God

The Holy Father said that one must allow oneself to be transformed "by the radiance of his Face."

I, Fr. Joseph, and Monsignor Hubba wish you a most happy Christmas, filled with the Love of Christ, our Lord.

Father Stanley

Joy

2010-12-12T06:00:00.016-05:00

The Road to Bethlehem by Joseph Brickey

We are nearer each day to the celebration of Jesus’ birth. Children have a great sense of joy, eagerly looking forward to Christmas presents and, as an added bonus, vacation from school. This joy is merely symbolic of the happiness of having Our Lord near us. Nothing can really compare to the joy of being in the presence of Christ.

Christian happiness is profound and everlasting. Worldly happiness leads to its own loss. It is transitory, unsustainable. When we have Jesus within ours souls, we carry joy in our hearts and minds. This joy can help us in difficult times. Pain, discomfort and contradictions cannot affect it. Jesus promised us: "Your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you." (John 16:22) This is true as long as we do not separate ourselves from the source of our happiness, Jesus.

The state of grace means that Jesus is with us; He is within us. We are members of the Church which is His Body. He is among us also as we pray with others. This is joy. Now, can you imagine the joy of encountering Him in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Confession? In merciful love He takes away our sins. His love replaces the misery of bad deeds, words, thoughts and desires. The penitent is at last free and filled with the Love of all loves. Then, imagine the joy of actually receiving his Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity in Holy Communion. He is one with us.

I ask "Can you imagine the joy..." Of course, you and I can because we go to Confession and receive Him. Let us show and communicate this joy with others.

Today is called Gaudete Sunday meaning Rejoice Sunday because we are more than halfway through Advent to Christmas. That is why rose vestments can be worn. Rose is a liturgical color symbolizing joy. May this joy always be in our hearts.

Father Stanley

Preparing for Christ in Today's World

2010-12-05T06:00:00.008-05:00

Thy Kingdom Come!

We are underway in our preparation period for the commemoration of our Lord's nativity. It is well worth it if we recall the events of two millennia ago. The world was largely pagan, without the one true God. People, usually the ones in power, dictated the definition of god. The ones who believed in the true God were faithful Jews. They were in a period of waiting -- waiting in patience for the promised Messiah. They had to endure oppression and other hardships. They were not respected as persons as they should have been. People had to live by the ethics concocted by the state and not by the gift of good moral teaching from God.

Our modern world is becoming sadly similar to that time of the birth of Christ. The ethics of the state dictate what is right and what is wrong. More and more freedoms are taken away though a plethora of new laws. Marriage, as we know it and as God has instituted, is threatened. Individual rights to ownership are whittled away through unjust taxes, through eminent domain and through exorbitant lawsuits. Because of political favors, we are at the mercy of special interest groups. Worst of all, the human person has become a commodity to be exploited. Only for the simple reason that a person is not born, he or she can be put to death through dismemberment. All this is the "ethics" of man.

God always triumphs. Even if our world becomes more corrupt and more vile, the holy will of God will be accomplished. The question is where will each of us stand: with Him or with an ethical system doomed to implode on itself?

God helps us and asks us to be a part of His work to sanctify the world. We can be like the faithful Jews of the Old Testament, praying, keeping the Commandments, living upright lives according to His will. The best of those models are our Lady and St. Joseph. Just think about it: Mary's "yes" (her fiat) radically changed the world. God and man were united in the two natures of Jesus Christ. St. Joseph's perfect obedience prevented interference in God's plan of salvation. Let's rely on them. They are our champions; they are our intercessors.

Our witness will be a leaven for society. On the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, this Wednesday, we might make it a special day of prayer that each of us show that Christ is the center of our lives. We judge by His Standards and not by the world's.

Father Stanley

Advent, A New Church Year

2010-11-28T00:00:00.003-05:00

In today’s Gospel, Our Lord tells us to wake from sleep and to watch. We have too take time to consider what meaning our life has here and now. As we were reminded last week on the feast of Christ the King, Jesus gives true meaning to each of our lives. The Incarnation, God made man, effected a radical change to the universe. Jesus taught us what it means to be human -- to be in the image and likeness of God. If we do not see this clearly, it is time to remove whatever interferes with our vision.

Just as we look for the causes of bodily sickness or a general malaise, we examine our hearts and souls to learn why we are not as close to Jesus as we should be. Carefully going over the Ten Commandments is necessary. Also, it is beneficial to consider the influence of the seven capital sins: pride, covetousness, envy, sloth, lust, avarice and gluttony. How many of these are within our actions, our thoughts, our words and the way we look at persons and things.

It is not easy to do this because we are leaving ourselves open to a realistic evaluation of ourselves. We have to let go of that often false, perfect self image. Most of us would like to see ourselves as selfless, noble and good. We, however, have to see the selfish and bad things lurking inside. This is the only way to spiritual healing. Then, we bring these to Confession, and we are cleansed by Christ. His strength and love take the place of the corruption of sin.

When Christmas arrives, new born King should find us with everything in order and with each of our souls ready to receive Him.

Father Stanley

Thanksgiving

2010-11-21T01:00:00.005-05:00

Beginning today I interrupt my series on the Sacraments as we approach Thanksgiving Day and the season of Advent. For the last two, we considered the Holy Eucharist. Eucharist means thanksgiving because it is an action of giving thanks to God, particularly for Himself.

If each of us would take the time to review his or her situation, I think that we would find much to be grateful. When there are problems -- health, financial, emotional -- we tend to focus on them. The greater the difficulties, the more do we spend our time thinking and talking about them. But as we look more closely at our lives, we see that everything is not bad. We are grateful for life, for the health that we do have or had, for the family that God gave us, for the ability to love and help others, and for many more things.

I can imagine that, after such an arduous journey, the pilgrims were most grateful to God for having made it to a new land and for their lives. Rather than mulling over the hardships in their homeland and on their voyage, they found the time to give true thanks to God. The Thanksgiving holiday is a reminder for us to see the blessings that we have and to be thankful. Hopefully, we find time everyday to tell God how much we appreciate what He has done for us. In spite of pain, heartache and worry, we know that He does care for us and wants us to be happy now and forever. Knowing the Eucharist means thanksgiving, we thank Him for this greatest of all the Sacraments and the other Sacraments. His Sacrifice, his forgiveness and his word are among other gifts for which we are grateful.

In behalf of Father Joe, and Monsignor Hubba, I wish you a very HAPPY THANKSGIVING. I pray that God bless you with good health and all that you need.

Father Stanley

The Holy Eucharist and Us

2010-11-14T06:00:00.005-05:00

"The Institution of the Eucharist"

Nicolas Poussin (1594-1665)

At the words of the Consecration in the holy Mass, the unleavened bread is changed into the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, and the wine is changed into the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ. Both species become the whole Christ because He cannot be separated or divided. Transubstantiation occurs so that the appearances of bread and wine remain, while the substance is Jesus Christ Who is both God and man.

To receive our Lord worthily, one has to be a baptized Catholic who tries to live the faith and who is not conscious of any serious sin on his soul. We live the faith essentially by loving God above all things and our neighbors as ourselves. This entails accepting the teachings of Jesus Christ which involves keeping the Commandments and the precepts of the Church. Receiving Jesus is called Holy Communion indicating union not only with Him but also with the Church which is his Mystical Body. Living in communion with the Church means going to Mass on Sundays and on Holy Days of Obligation. It means keeping the laws of the Church regarding marriage, that is, being married in the Catholic Church. There are other precepts such the laws on fast and abstinence, going to Confession, supporting the Church, etc.

Sometimes there is a lax attitude with the reception of Holy Communion. A politician who votes in favor of laws allowing for abortion, may not receive. Nor should a non-Catholic, who happens to be at a Catholic Mass, receive Holy Communion. Communion is the important thing. One must ask if he or she is making a continued effort to live in communion with the Catholic Church. Moreover, each can ask: Do I have any serious sins? Do I seriously examine my conscience often, daily? Do I go to Confession regularly? Do I take seriously the privilege of receiving Holy Communion? Also, do I keep the regulation of fasting from food and drink (except medicine and water) for one hour before the time of distribution of Holy Communion?

The Holy Eucharist is also called the Blessed Sacrament. Our Lord is reserved in the tabernacle of each Catholic Church throughout the world. It is good to be conscious of this. For instance, as we pass in front of a Catholic Church, we can make a little sign of the Cross on our foreheads or perhaps give a little nod of respect towards that church. If possible, we can make time to pay at least a short visit to Jesus who is behind the tabernacle door. If Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament is available, as it is here on Monday nights and on Thursdays from 7:30 AM through 8:00 PM, then, how beneficial it is to us to spend some time in adoration. This helps us to appreciate the great gift of Holy Communion even more.

Jesus loves us so much that not only did He die to save us from sins, but He gives us his Body and Blood to adore and to receive. This enables us to become more like Him. May we in fact grow into Christ more and more as we receive Him. May others, who are not yet aware of this Gift, come to know the Holy Eucharist.

Father Stanley

The Holy Eucharist

2010-11-07T06:00:00.001-05:00

This is the greatest of the sacraments because it is Jesus Christ Himself, his Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. It is the "source and summit of the Christian life. (Vatican Council II, Lumen Gentium, no. 11). Jesus said:

Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever. (The Gospel of John)

This was no symbolic statement. Our Lord literally meant that we must actually eat his Flesh and drink his Blood in order to have eternal life. A further reading of John 6 shows that many in the crowd could not reckon with Jesus' teaching. "Then many of his disciples who were listening said, "This saying is hard; who can accept it?" (v. 60). and "As a result of this, many (of) his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him." (v. 66).

Our Lord could not change the truth in order to prevent these disciples from leaving his company.

At the Last Supper, Jesus showed us how we would be able to consume Him. He changed the bread and wine into his Body and Blood. When He told his Apostles to "do this in memory of Me," He was saying that this sacred Meal should be celebrated often. Thus, we have the holy Mass. So, those baptized into the Catholic faith can eat his Body and drink his Blood not only once or on special occasions in one's lifetime, but daily. As a matter of fact, the Church encourages frequent Communion. If possible, it is a worthwhile practice to go to Mass not only on Sundays and holy days of obligation but also every day. Just think what happens: we are actually participating in the same Sacrifice that took place on Mount Calvary and we can receive into our bodies, our hearts and our souls Jesus Himself. The ultimate union!

Next week, I wil continue on the Holy Eucharist.

Father Stanley

Saints

2010-10-31T06:00:00.004-04:00

Today is Halloween. It comes from a contraction of two words meaning the eve of All Saints Day. 'Hallow' means 'holy' or 'saint' In the Lord's Prayer we pray "...hallowed be Thy Name." So, All Hallows Eve became Hallowe'en.

We are part of the Communion of Saints: the church on earth, the suffering church in purgatory and the triumphant church in Heaven. Tomorrow, we honor the Saints in Heaven. The overwhelming majority of them are not known to most of us on earth. They are ordinary people who died in faith -- in grace. They did what God called them to do. Some were called to do things that became well known, and, as a result, these faithful people became famous. So, we have St. Augustine, who was a sinner, whom God pursued. Augustine confessed his sins and did penance. He led a holy life and through his preaching and writings led many others to God. God called St. Theresa, the Little Flower, to give up secular life and to become a nun who would pray for the world. There are many Saints in Heaven who are not known wide and far for their deeds. They struggled to be good and just. They failed, sometimes by sinning greatly. But, then they repented and struggled again. We, no doubt, know a number of them; they are our relatives and friends who have gone before us. Let us pray to them, that is, let us ask them often to pray for us before God Himself. We want to be saints too. Being a saint does not mean that we are without sin. Of course not! Remember that Christ came to save sinners. The Church is for sinners. Each of us is going to have our ups and our downs. That is expected. We are weak, and there are a lot of temptations. But, all God asks of us is that we try and never stop relying on his mercy.

Tuesday is the day we reserve for praying for the church suffering in purgatory. They are part of the Communion of Saints as well. They count on our love and on prayers and sacrifices for them. Let us not forget them. May we remember them not just on All Souls' Day, but every day.

Father Stanley

The Sacrament of Confirmation

2010-10-23T07:35:00.007-04:00

The Catechism of the Catholic Church says:

Baptism, the Eucharist, and the Sacrament of Confirmation together constitute the "sacraments of Christian initiation," whose unity must be safeguarded. It must be explained to the faithful that the reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace. For by the Sacrament of Confirmation, the baptized are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with the special strength of the Holy Spirit. Hence they are, as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed. #1285)

This Sacrament strengthens baptismal grace, enabling the newly confirmed to defend and to proclaim the faith. The Holy Spirit gives us the power to be truly good examples of living Christ. The consecrated oil, with which the bishop anoints the person, is called chrism which reminds us of our Christian vocation -- that we are fully in Christ.

This Sacrament, like Baptism, imparts an indelible seal, meaning that one is sealed in Christ forever. This is why Confirmation can be administered only once to each person. The ordinary minister of Confirmation is the bishop. Under certain circumstances the bishop can delegate a priest to confirm.

In Catholic churches of the Eastern rites, Confirmation is administered at the time of Baptism. As a Sacrament, it is the action of God upon the individual who is expected to respond to His gift. We are most familiar with the celebration of Confirmation for those who are twelve years of age or older. The reason is that it is hoped that, as the child matures and learns more, he will understand what this Sacrament is about and cooperate with grace.

When a child stops going to religious education classes after receiving first Holy Communion, it is unfortunate. In this case there is a failure to understand the gift of the Sacrament of Confirmation. This gift is the Holy Spirit involved with every aspect of the person's life for as long as he lives. May each of us appreciate this and thank God for his bestowal.

In two weeks, this Pastor's Desk will continue with the Sacraments, specifically the Holy Eucharist. Next week, the topic will be the Saints in Heaven and the holy souls in purgatory.

Father Stanley

Baptism, Part 3

2010-10-15T21:26:00.010-04:00

This is the final part on the topic of Baptism which is part of the larger topic of the seven Sacraments.

Baptism takes away original sin, infuses sanctifying grace, and makes the baptized person a child of God and an heir to the Kingdom of Heaven. There are certain requirements that must be met in order for this Sacrament to be licit and valid.

Parents are obliged to take care that infants are baptized in the first few weeks; as soon as possible after the birth, or even before it, they should go to the pastor to request the sacrament for their child and to be prepared properly for it. Baptism is the priority and not the celebration and not the convenience of the intended invited guests. Parents need to focus on the gift of this Sacrament. Sometimes a Baptism is postponed for months or even years because not all of the family can be present at an earlier time. Other times parents put off this Sacrament because they want to save and prepare for a party. When this happens, their baby is deprived all the longer of the grace and benefits flowing from this beautiful gift from God.

As a rule an infant is to be baptized in the parish church of the parents unless a just cause suggests otherwise. For an infant to be baptized licitly, the parents or at least one of them or the person who legitimately takes their place must consent. There must be a founded hope that the infant will be brought up in the Catholic religion; if such hope is altogether lacking, the baptism is to be delayed.

There is to be only one male sponsor (godfather) or one female sponsor (godmother) or one of each. This means that you cannot have two godmothers or two godfathers. Most have two godparents, but only one is necessary.

A godparent is really a sponsor as was the case in the early Church. This person must be a Catholic who lives the faith. He or she must be in good standing. It is required that each godparent be at least sixteen years old and not be the father or mother of the one to be baptized. It is also necessary that each be a Catholic who has been confirmed (that is, received the Sacrament of Confirmation) and has already received the most holy Sacrament of the Eucharist and who leads a life of faith in keeping with the function to be taken on. The prospective godparent may not be bound by any canonical penalty legitimately imposed or declared. This means if married, the marriage took place in a Catholic Church. Because they are standing up for the child who is to be baptized in the Catholic Faith, the godparents must be practicing Catholics.

This concludes the topic of Baptism. Next week, I will continue with the Sacraments by focusing on Confirmation.

Father Stanley

Baptism, Part 2

2010-10-08T18:19:00.008-04:00

Pope Benedict XVI Celebrates Baptism Of Children At The Sistine Chapel

Our reflection on Baptism continues this week.

The usual way to receive Baptism is by the sacrament itself through the pouring on of water in conjunction with the words: "I baptize you N. in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." The ordinary minister is a bishop, a priest or a deacon. In the case of emergency, anyone can baptize, even an non-baptized person, as long as that person has the intention of doing what the Church does when he baptizes and uses the correct procedure.

Besides the Sacrament of Baptism, there are two other ways of receiving the benefits of Baptism, though they be uncommon. There is the Baptism of blood. This occurs when an non-baptized person suffers death for the sake of the faith. There is also the Baptism of desire. Here, a person desires to receive Baptism, as in the case of one studying the faith, but he or she unexpectedly die without having actually received the Sacrament.

Baptism is the first Sacrament without which one may not receive any of the other remaining six Sacraments. Baptism, as Jesus taught, is necessary for salvation. In the case of infant children who die without Baptism, the Church can only entrust them to the mercy of God (Catechism, # 1261).

It is understandable why the Church desires baptism for everyone as long as they freely want it with the proper dispositions and intentions. Moreover, we can see why Catholic parents want this for their newborns. They want not only the best for their material well being, but they want the best for them spiritually.

Next week, I will write about the requirements for receiving this Sacrament in the Catholic Church.

Father Stanley

Worth More Than The Whole Universe

2010-10-02T06:00:00.001-04:00

"I baptize thee in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost."

Over the next several weeks I will devote this column to the seven Sacraments which Christ instituted to give us his Grace. The fact that He gives us the Sacraments is a manifestation of his infinite love for each one of us and his desire that we are in union with Him now and always.

St. Thomas Aquinas stated that the benefit and value of the Grace received during Baptism is greater than all the goods of the universe, greater than all created nature and even greater than the angels. Why is this so? Sanctifying grace is a share in God's Life. The Divine Life is infused into the soul at the moment of Baptism. It is an action of God whereby original sin (and all sin in the case of adult baptism) is taken away. The baptized person becomes a member of Christ's Body which is the Church. As such, the newly baptized is at once an adoptive child of God and therefore is an heir to Heaven. No one can take away that right to Heaven except for the person himself by committing serious or mortal sin. Here, effectively the sinner says I repudiate God's will now regardless of the consequences. But, promise of Heaven can be restored once that sinner makes a good confession in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Because the baptized person is configured to Jesus Christ, he or she is sealed with an indelible character or mark of belonging to Christ. Nothing can erase this mark, not even sin which prevents one from going to Heaven. The Holy Sprit has marked us with the seal of the Lord for the day of redemption (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1994, no. 1274). Wherever we go, whatever we do, this indelible character remains on our souls. Since Baptism gives this to us once and for all, it can never be repeated. A person is baptized only once.

Next week, I will write about the ways one can receive Baptism.

Father Stanley

Saint Michael

2010-09-24T19:34:00.007-04:00

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle

Saint Michael is an archangel, that is, an angel who is given an especially important task. Angels are pure spirits who are ambassadors for God to men. An archangel has a critical mission, one which is crucial for the good of mankind. Michael, like the other archangels and angels, was free to say yes to God's will or to refuse it as the fallen angels did. We know that he happily conformed his will to God's, and that is fortunate for us.

The name Michael comes from the Hebrew and means who is like God. In the Bible we learn that war broke out in heaven. Saint Michael fought against Satan and the other wicked angels who were eventually cast down to the earth (Rev. 12:7-9). Nevertheless, in spite of their defeat, the fallen angels continued to fight against the Church throughout the centuries. They will continue to do so until their definitive and final defeat at the end of time.

In the Book of Daniel, we see Michael defending the people of God (Dn. 10:13; 12:1). He is still our defender against the attacks of the devil. Many do not want to admit the evil work of the devil. But, there are times when this work is expressed with great force. No devil can make a person do something unwillingly. Yet, Satan and each devil can tempt us and try to cause confusion and to wreak havoc. They have nothing but hatred for God and for us.

We need not fear. God is all powerful. Michael loves God perfectly, and he loves us. He is our ally. We should always remain close to God and call upon Saint Michael for our protection and for the protection of the Church. We know that Satan is no match for Saint Michael.

The Saints and Angels not only intercede for us, but they also give us example of how to live. Saint Michael gives us the great example of serving God courageously. The wicked angels decided not to serve God, but to revolt. Saint Michael could have chosen to rebel with the other fallen angels. But he chose the right way. Let us follow his example and resist the temptation to disobey our Father. May we try our best to serve God just as Saint Michael does.

This Wednesday will be the feast day of Saint Michael, Saint Gabriel and Saint Raphael. We are happy to give special honor to Saint Michael because he is the patron of our parish. I have prayed to him every day, and continue to do so, for this parish that bears his name. I know that he has been beseeching God for us because we see the results of it. We have come a long way over the last seven years. So, we will have a special Mass on the 29th at 7:00 PM in thanksgiving for all that God has given us in Saint Michael's.

Also, let us pray to St. Michael to defend the Church and us by saying the prayer that most of us learned:

Saint Michael defend us in battle and be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God restrain him, we humbly pray. And do you, O prince of the heavenly host, cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who roam through the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Father Stanley

Contraception and Life

2010-09-18T18:34:00.009-04:00

Last week I wrote about the staggering amount of money used for artificial contraception. For nearly fifty years a contraceptive mentality has been entrenched in the world. The Church has steadfastly taught that artificial means to prevent or terminate conception are intrinsically immoral.

Why is that?

God created human sexuality -- "Male and female He created them..." Intimate sexual relations are special and meant for husband and wife in a life long union. Each marital union essentially has a twofold purpose: the expression of marital love and the openness to life or procreation. Love means the deep abiding desire for the good of the spouse. This love is not limited by selfishness. It is a love that is fertile; it bears fruit. This means that love is expressed not only in deeds and words but also in the joyful acceptance of the gift of the conception of new life.

This is not an ideal that would be nice, but rather the way God intends it to be. Objections to the Church's position on artificial contraception have been arguments centering the difficulty of having and rearing a large number of children or even one child. Yet, the occurrence of many births is rare for couples who do not use birth control. Moreover, the Church has alwayssanctioned natural family planning. With NFP the wife and husband can scientifically and accurately postpone birth for as long as it is necessary. But, there is a caution. The same contraceptive attitude can creep into the use of NFP, that is, not wanting children for selfish reasons (luxuries, easier life style, etc.).

Natural Family Planning is not what many older people remember as the rhythm method which was inaccurate. NFP is precise in determining when the wife is able to conceive. As opposed to the artificial means, it strengthens the marriage bond because the use of NFP as a team (husband and wife) effort and not a responsibility left only to the woman.

Pope Paul VI rightly predicted back in 1968 in his encyclical Humanae Vitae that the use of artificial means of contraception would lead to a rise in immorality including pre-marital sex, abortion, the devaluing of women. In short, it has ushered in a world where anything goes as far as sexual activity is concerned, even the attempts to redefine marriage.

Hopefully, true love will prevail. We need a world that is less selfish, a world open to life.

For more information about NFP, see http://www.njnfp.org/ or look for it on EWTN.

Father Stanley

A Positive Attitude - An Attitude Towards Life

2010-09-11T21:21:00.007-04:00

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported that between 2002 and 2008, Planned Parenthood spent $657.1 million from government grants and programs. Planned Parenthood's own books during that same period show that it took in $2.02 billion (that's right: billion with an "b"). They now have a surplus of $1.3 billion. All this money is used to promote contraception and abortion. These are fundamentally anti-life programs.

How good it is to have an attitude that is for life. God is for life. He creates. It is sin that brought death into the world after that original sin of our first parents. A pro-life attitude not only respects human life but also cherishes it. It is a selfless demeanor which seeks the good of others even if it means personal sacrifice. We have an experience of this through our donations for the needy. Even though we are not directly involved, some of our taxes goes to programs that help the poor with food, shelter and medicine. We are in the right direction here, a direction that ultimately comes from God. He is the God of life, not of death and darkness.

A lack of concern for others betrays self-centeredness. We can become very much occupied with getting more and more of what we want and of protecting what we have. As long as someone else does not get in the way, we are fine. We become tested once we realize that we will have to make personal sacrifices, especially if these sacrifices will be on-going.

A contraceptive disposition is not a positive one. Intrinsically, it is against the conception of life. Human sexual intimacy becomes a matter of mutual self satisfaction. Dignity is lost. In his encyclical on human life, Pope Paul VI wrote:

Let them first consider how easily this course of action could open wide the way for marital infidelity and a general lowering of moral standards.... Another effect that gives cause for alarm is that a man who grows accustomed to the use of contraceptive methods may forget the reverence due to a woman, and, disregarding her physical and emotional equilibrium, reduce her to being a mere instrument for the satisfaction of his own desires, no longer considering her as his partner whom he should surround with care and affection. (Humanae Vitae, 1968, 17)

In the 1960's, promoters of artificial birth control said that its use would make abortion unnecessary. Forty years later the number of abortions keep on increasing alarmingly. Marriage is in peril. Sexual license and immorality continue to be on the rise.

Staggering amounts of money are given to Planned Parenthood. Billions are spent for contraceptives and abortions. Would it not be better if our resources were used to promote decency and good moral living? It would be a happier world if more and more people respected themselves, their own bodies and others. It would be a place where we would see the love of God more often.

Father Stanley

Unity with the Pope

2010-09-04T00:27:00.008-04:00

Last June, in his address to new archbishops, Pope Benedict said the greatest harm to the Church comes not from persecution from outside the Church but rather from that which "pollutes the Christian faith and the life of its members and its communities, eroding the integrity of the Mystical Body, weakening its ability to prophecy and witness..." Even at the beginning of the Church's history, St. Paul specified some of the dangers within the Church such as negative attitudes that belong to the world, selfishness, vanity, pride, love of money, etc. (cf. 3.1 to 5 )

The Body of Christ continues our Lord's redemptive mission today and throughout history. There have been many persecutions against the Church over the last twenty centuries; some were quite harsh and cruel. Yet, they strengthened the Church. The blood of martyrs is the seed of the Church. The sins of the members of the Body of Christ impede its mission. Those who teach false doctrine as well as those who live immorally damage and make the Church less effective. This gives all the more reason to avoid everything that is contrary to the Faith no matter how attractively it is presented or how charismatic the speaker might be. We want the truth and have a right to it. The authentic truth of Christ is guaranteed by the Pope. No Pope throughout history has ever formally taught anything contrary to faith and morals.

When bishops, priests, religious, theologians and the faithful are in union with the Holy Father, we are kept free from errors in the area of faith and morals. We can rest in the assurance that we have the true Gospel handed on to us.

The papacy is a great gift to us -- to the world. Let us never forget to pray for the Pope each day.

Father Stanley

Labor Day

2010-08-28T06:00:00.005-04:00

"The Angelus" by Jean-Francois Millet, 1814-1875

So, this Labor Day we thank all of us who have worked to bring about a nicer country in which to live. We pray for just wages, good working conditions and respect for the working person.

Father Stanley

The Queenship of Mary

2010-08-21T17:16:00.006-04:00

One week after the commemoration of our Lady's Assumption into Heaven, the Church recalls her coronation as Queen of all creation. The Mass today, however, is that of the twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time. Nevertheless, it is a good day to reflect on Mary's role in our lives.

Pope Pius XII instituted this feast in 1954. The faithful have been meditating on this honor bestowed upon Mary in the fifth glorious mystery of the rosary. She is rightly called the Queen of Heaven and earth, of Angels, Saints and men.

The Immaculate Virgin, preserved free from all guilt of original sin, on the completion of her earthly sojourn, was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, and exalted by the Lord as Queen of the universe, that she might be the more fully conformed to her Son, "the Lord of Lords" (Rev. 19:16) and the Conquerer of sin and death. (Vatican Council II, Lumen Gentium, no. 59)

She is the Mother of Christ Who is King of all. As mother of the King , she is properly Queen. More importantly, she served her Son perfectly. She conformed her will to God's will. Our Lord said "...Blessed are they that hear the word of God and keep it." (Luke 11:28) Mary certainly kept the word of God. She bore the Word in her womb.

What a perfect example our Lady is for us. She is our mother who leads us to do what God wants and what is good for us. By Baptism each of us is incorporated into Christ's Body, the Church. Mary is the Mother of Christ; she is the Mother of the Church. It is to our benefit to have recourse to her every day.

This Thursday, August 26, marks the 100th birthday of Bl. Teresa of Calcutta. She had a great devotion to the Mother of God. Each day, she got her strength from the Holy Eucharist in order to help the sick and the dying in India. She was helped also by the intercession of our Lady. We, too, are aided by Mary in doing whatever God asks of us.

Father Stanley

The Solemnity of Our Lady's Assumption

2010-08-14T09:35:00.013-04:00

In honor of the Solemnity of Our Lady's Assumption, the following is an excerpt from Conversation with God by Fr. Francis Fernandez, Scepter Publishers, New York, 1990:

Let us look at Our Lady, already taken up into heaven. Just as a traveler, gazing out to contemplate a vast panorama, seeks some human figure in his surroundings to bring the distant objects into perspective, so do we look towards God with amazement, but can identify and welcome a purely human figure at the side of his throne. A ship has finished its passage, a destiny has been fulfilled, a human perfection has existed Through her, his masterpiece, we see God's relations with humanity more clearly and with greater insight.

Our Lady's privileges are related to her Motherhood and, as such, with our redemption too. Taken into heaven, Mary is an image and forerunner of the Church, still on the way towards eternal life. From heaven, she shines forth until the day of the Lord shall come, as a sure sign of hope and solace for the people of God during its sojourn on earth. By the mystery of the Assumption into heaven, there were definitively accomplished in Mary all the effects of the one mediation of Christ the Redeemer of the world and Risen Lord.. In the mystery of the Assumption is expressed the faith of the Church, according to which Mary is united by a close and indissoluble bond to Christ: She is the assurance and proof that, as her children, we will one day be in our glorified bodies beside the glorious Christ. Our aspiration to eternal life gains impetus as we meditate on our heavenly Mother above. She sees and watches over us, with a look full of tenderness, with more love the greater our need. She also has the specifically motherly role of mediatrix of mercy at the final coming'.

She is our great advocate before God most High. Truly, life on earth is a valley of tears, we are called to make sacrifices and do endure suffering. Above all though, we are not in heaven yet. At the same time, the Lord gives us many joys, and we have the hope of heaven so that we may look ahead with optimism. Mary is one of our reasons for happiness. She is our life, our sweetness, and our hope: We feel the affection of our Mother in our lives as Christians. We tell her, Turn, then, your eyes of mercy toward us.... Like her Son, she is full of mercy and compassion. She never withholds her helping hand from anyone who turns to her for help: Remember O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection... May we make ever more of an effort to seek the intercession of the Blessed Virgin, Queen of heaven and earth. May we fly to her, Refuge of sinners, and say to her: Show to us Jesus, whom we are in need of above all else.

For those who look to Mary in every circumstance, with the simplicity and confidence of a child before his mother, there is great security and joy. A Father of the Church writes:
Just as the Virgin Mary was a most docile instrument in the hands of the Lord, I desire greatly to be subject to her service. Grant me this request Jesus, God and Son of man, Lord of all creation and Son of your Handmaid Allow me to serve your Mother in such a way that You will acknowledge me as your servant. May she be my sovereign on earth, so that You may be my Lord for all eternity.
We need to examine the quality of our daily dealings with her. If you feel proud to be a Son of Our Lady, ask yourself: How often do I express my devotion to the Virgin Mary during the day, from morning until night? - the Angelus, the Holy Rosary, the three Hail Mary's before going to bed.

Saint Dominic and the Rosary

2010-08-06T20:02:00.006-04:00

Although today is called the 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time, August 8 is the feast of a well known Saint, namely Dominic de Guzman. He was born in 1270 in Spain. His parents were devout Catholics. Having been ordained to the priesthood, he had a desire to preach the truth and to combat a heresy Albigensianism which was running rampant in Europe at that time. The Albigensians believed that there was a duality in the world: the spirit was good while matter was evil. Therefore, they lived austerely, ate and drank minimally and even abstained from procreation.

St. Dominic formed a group of men and went about preaching the truth in the manner of our Lord in the Gospels. They themselves lived poverty; they owned nothing and begged for their daily sustenance. In time. they were recognized as a religious order, he Order of Preachers also called Dominicans.

What helped immensely in St. Dominic's conversion of the Albigensians was a vision of our Lady. She appeared to him and showed him a wreath of roses which represented the rosary. Mary asked him to say the rosary daily and to encourage everyone to do the same. In saying this prayer, one had to meditate upon the fact that our Lord took on flesh (the Annunciation), that He was born, that his Body underwent the passion and that He rose bodily on the third day after his death. This led people to understand that the material realm was not evil and that conception and birth were good things. It is not the body that is bad, but the abuse of the body that is wrong.

Our Lady, the rosary and St. Dominic's persistence in his vocation transformed Europe. The heresy abated.

The rosary is a powerful prayer. Not only do we ask for our Lady's intercession, but we gain a greater insight into the mysteries of our holy Faith. We grow more rooted in what God has revealed which leads to even more love for Him.

St. Dominic is a help for us too. He is an example of accomplishing God's will by his obedience and fidelity. He can be our champion in praying for us so that we can do the same things that he did in our own little way. May each of us always have the desire to know God better and to share the truth with everyone.

Father Stanley