Padre Pio Blog

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Tue, 21 Apr 2026 19:39:04 GMT

Third Sunday of Easter

“Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the scriptures…while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them.” (Luke 24,27.30)

The episode of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus reflects the spiritual reality of all Christians. Following Jesus' Passion—which had occurred the previous weekend—the two men were devastated by the thought that Jesus was no longer with them. Consequently, despair began to take root in their hearts: "But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel; and besides all this, it is now the third day since this took place." This attitude manifests in each of us whenever we gather to cele-brate the holy Eucharistic mystery; we need answers and mean-ing. It was at this precise moment that the Stranger—Jesus, the Risen One—appeared. This Sunday's Gospel serves as a gateway to understanding the Mass. Two parts—or two "tables"—present themselves to us: the Table of the Word and the Table of the Eucharistic Sacrifice. In the first, the Church does exactly what Jesus had already done for the two disciples: He explained the Scriptures to them.

The first part of the Mass offers us the opportunity to hear and understand the Word of God: "Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the scriptures." (Luke 24:27) And their reaction was positive: "Were not our hearts burning [within us] while he spoke to us on the way and opened the scriptures to us?" (Luke 24:32) The Word of God must be proclaimed and interpreted. And no one has the right to replace it with empty political rhetoric. It is the Word—not false ideologies—that sustains and nourishes faith. (Acts 4:31)

The second part of the Mass refers to the Eucharist itself. After explaining and interpreting the Scriptures to them, Jesus pro-ceeded to break the bread, as was His custom. It was at that moment that their eyes were opened and they recognized Him: "And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them." "With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight." (Luke 24:30-31) At the consecration of the bread and wine, it is Jesus who manifests and gives Him-self. He makes Himself known.

Finally, the two disciples retraced their steps to Jerusalem to announce to the others that Jesus had truly risen. (Luke 24:33-35) *Ite, missa est.* Go forth; the Mass is ended. It is the mission that begins after every Eucharist. And it falls to us to go out to others to proclaim the Good News of salvation and hope. Let us be disciples today, in this world that is plunging into despair and hatred.

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Mon, 13 Apr 2026 20:05:13 GMT

Divine Mercy

“Receive the Holy Spirit.

Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them,

and whose sins you retain are retained.” (John 20, 22-23)

The Second Sunday of Easter, known as Divine Mercy Sunday since Saint Pope John Paul II canonized Saint Faustina in 2000, highlights the Church's core mission of embodying mercy. This day reminds us that the Gospel of Saint John calls us to be stewards of mercy, not political parties or ideologies: "Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained." (John 20:23)

The Church received the gift of the Spirit in two phases: the first at the Resurrection (the Spirit is given to the Apostles for the forgiveness of sins), and the second at Pentecost (Acts 2:1ff), where the Spirit was poured out so that the Church might serve as the guarantor and voice of evangelization. These two phases constitute the same mission. In other words, Jesus intended His Church to be the place where divine mercy flows in abundance. It is what Saint Paul understood when he wrote the following to the Corinthians: "And all this is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and given us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting their trespasses against them and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. we are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us. So, we implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5,18-20)

Indeed, the Church—animated by the Spirit of the Resurrection—must always and everywhere be a " source of divine mercy, comfort and spiritual solace for sinners." When we serve as channels of God's mercy, we uphold our mission; if we fail, we risk losing our true identity as the Church of the Risen Christ.

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Tue, 07 Apr 2026 16:06:39 GMT

Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of Our Lord

“When Simon Peter arrived after him,

he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there,

and the cloth that had covered his head,

“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”

This second Sunday of Lent invites us to contemplate the Transfiguration of Jesus, revealing his divine glory and foreshadowing his resurrection, inspiring us to reflect on our spiritual transformation and growth.

Stopping on Mount Tabor, he revealed his glory and his mission to the apostles who accompanied him (three of them, as required by the Law of Moses in Deuteronomy 17:6; 19:15). He is the one to whom the new Israel

(the Church) must listen.

To give us proof of his preeminence over the entire Old Testament, the Gospel presents two essential figures from the past: Moses, representing the Law, and Elijah, repre-senting the prophets. Their presence on the mountain highlights the grace offered through Jesus, encouraging us to seek spiritual transformation. From now on, the believ-er no longer needs Moses (the Law) or Elijah (the proph-ets) to embrace the truth, but Jesus, the Author of the Law and the Head of all the prophets. Indeed, it is said in John 1:17: "For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." The voice of the Father resounded on the mountain, testifying that Jesus is the one we must listen to. By listening to him, we profess that he is our Shepherd: "My sheep hear my voice" (John 10:27). Thus, we can receive the grace of spiritual transfig-uration, which can lead us into the Kingdom of Heaven.

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Sun, 22 Feb 2026 23:22:08 GMT

First Sunday of Lent

“But the serpent said to the woman: “You certainly will not die! No, God knows well that the moment you eat of it your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods who know what is good and what is evil.”

Each year during Lent, the Church invites us to reflect on our fragility and the importance of turning back to the Lord, emphasizing the need to resist temptation as part of our spiritual journey. This invitation helps us stay engaged and committed to deepening our faith during this season.

The first couple failed in their mission. Instead of listening to the voice of the Creator, they preferred that of the temper, who has been the Father of lies from the beginning. (John 8,44) Recognizing this can inspire us to be humble about our own struggles with obedience: "You certainly will not die! No, God knows well that the moment you eat of it, your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods who know what is good and what is evil." (Genesis 3:4-5) By wanting to be "like God," the first couple felt lower than their own humanity: into death.This episode was repeated once again with the temptation of Je-sus. Three times, Satan offered him things that would only distract him from his mission. Jesus had come to serve his Father by obeying his voice, which asked him to be the sacrifice that saves the world: "My food is to do the will of the one who sent me and to finish his work." (John 4,34). As is written of me in the scroll, Behold, I come to do your will, O God.'" (Hebrews 10,7). Reflecting on Jesus' obedience can inspire us to stay committed to our own spiritual path.

The ancient serpent offered him all the riches and glories of the world, that is, to make him God: "All these I shall give to you, if you will prostrate yourself and worship me." (Matthew 4:9) Jesus stood firm against him and emerged victorious. Thus, he, the New Adam, was able to reverse the situation in favor of his mission, which is to obey his Father. This Sunday invites us to ask ourselves repeatedly: Whom do we obey? God or the serpent who rules this world of darkness?

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Mon, 16 Feb 2026 14:07:58 GMT

Ashes

Why does the Church impose ashes at the beginning of Lent?

To answer this question, we must return to the source of everything: the Bible. What does it say about ashes in the context of Lent's spiritual journey? Understanding this helps us grasp their deeper significance in our faith.

In the Holy Scriptures, ashes have several meanings. First, ashes are the image of nothingness, of what is worthless. It is the image of the human condition on earth: "By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return." (Genesis 3:19) Thus, ashes are often coupled with dust: "I have presumed to speak to the Lord, though I am but dust and ashes." (Genesis 18:27)

Ashes are also a symbol of repentance and mourning. Indeed, sackcloth and ashes go hand in hand in this respect: 'Daughter of my people, dress in sackcloth, roll in the ashes. Mourn as for an only child with bitter wailing.' (Jeremiah 6:26) The wicked political and religious leaders were invited to do the same: 'Howl, you shepherds, and wail! Roll on the ground, leaders of the flock! The time for your slaughter has come; like choice rams you shall fall.' (Jeremiah 25:34) To show his grief, after the death of his children and the loss of all his possessions, Job sat in the dust and covered himself with ashes: (Job 2:8; 16:15; 42:6; Joel 1:8). This reminds believers of the importance of mourning and shared human vulnerability during Lent.

Ashes are also associated with penance. Here, they are coupled with fasting: 'I turned to the Lord God, to seek help, in prayer and petition, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.' (Daniel 9:3) The City of Nineveh did it to show their desire for conversion. (Jonah 3,5-9) Jesus invited his

audience to do the same:

'Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in your midst had been

done in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.' (Luke

10:13). This encourages believers to see Lent as a time for spiritual renewal and hope through

repentance.

By imposing ashes on the foreheads of the faithful, the Church invites them to enter the season of

Lent with a humble and contrite heart, helping them feel more connected to their need for humility

and reminding them of their shared human fragility.

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Sun, 08 Feb 2026 23:28:28 GMT

Light and Salt of the World

“Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father."

In this Sunday's Gospel, Jesus invites us to be and to do as He did: salt and light of the world. To do this, He gives us the perfect example to follow. Acts of compassion inspire admiration in the world: "Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father." (Matthew 5:16) In this invitation, Jesus should be seen not as one who commands but above all as one who first does what He demands of others. He gave himself up out of love on the cross for his friends. (Cf. John 10:15) Thus, only love and compassion can draw humanity to God.

In the first reading, Isaiah made the same observation.

He exhorted Israel—not to religion, like fasting—but rather to love through works of charity: "Is this not, rather, the fast that I choose: Is it not sharing your bread with the hungry, bringing the afflicted and the homeless into your house; Clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own flesh? Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your wound shall quickly be healed; Your vindication shall go before you, and the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer, you shall cry for help, and he will say: "Here I am!" (Isaiah 58:7-9)

This plea emphasized action stemming from love. Jesus would do the same in the discourse on the Last Judgment. Works of mercy are the vectors of true faith: "I was hungry, and you gave me food, I was thirsty, and you gave me drink..." (Matthew 25:35) Indeed, Saint James was right to proclaim that: "also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead." Indeed, someone may say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without works, and I will show you my faith by my works.' (James 2:17-18)

To be the salt of the earth and the light of the world, we must first know how to love and become signs of compassion in a world without heart or fear of God. Our prayers and beautiful celebrations will not draw the world to God, but our acts of charity, which are different from those of the world, will. Let this in-

spire you to see your actions as vital to your faith journey, encouraging confidence in your ability to make a difference.

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Mon, 02 Feb 2026 22:49:17 GMT

Seek the LORD , all you humble of the earth

“Seek the LORD, all you humble of the earth,

who have observed his law; seek justice, seek humility; perhaps you may be sheltered

on the day of the LORD's anger.” (Zephanaiah 2,3)

In a world subjected to cultural paganism, hatred, pride, and indifference, the message of the prophet Zephaniah comes to awaken us from our spiritual slumber: "Seek the LORD, all you humble of the earth, who have observed his law; seek justice, seek humility; per-haps you may be sheltered on the day of the LORD's anger." Humility and justice go hand in hand in his message. Why? Because the righteous, the faithful, and submissive believer lives and acts with humility. But what is humility?

According to Scripture, humility is that grace that allows us to make room for God even when we have the power to do everything. It is humbling ourselves before His power and glory. Jesus teaches us humility by becoming humble and submissive himself: "I am gentle and humble in heart." (Matthew 11:29) By becoming Man in the womb of the Virgin, he humbled himself (kenosis in Greek) by taking on the condition of a slave and accepted death on the cross. (Cf. Philippians 2:7-8) Thus, he became for all who believe in him: a source of justice and joy. This should reassure us that humility is a path to peace and divine favor.

Saint James, who lived humility by imitating his Lord, encourages us to be humble and submissive to inherit the Kingdom: "Submit your-selves, then, to God." (James 4:7) This biblical call to humility serves as a reminder for believers to embrace humility actively as a path to spiritual growth and salvation.

Long before the coming of Christ, Moses denounced the proud behavior of Pharaoh: "Thus says the LORD, the God of the Hebrews: How long will you refuse to submit to me?" (Exodus 10:3) Persisting in his pride and his refusal to humble himself, the King of Egypt brought God's wrath upon his people, who perished in the Red Sea. (Cf. Exodus 14,28)

“The virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel.” (Isaiah 7,14)

With the fourth Sunday of Advent, we are close to Christmas. The first reading and the Gospel also give us a

glimpse into the identity and mission of the Messiah. He is Emmanuel (God-with-us), but above all, he is Yeshua or Jesus (which means God saves). Seven hundred years before the Messiah's birth, the prophet Isaiah prophesied his identity. He is Emmanuel (Isaiah 7:14). But at the fullness of time, when the Virgin Mary gave birth to him, the Messiah was not called Emmanuel but Jesus. Why is this change of name? What does it signify?

Emmanuel, God-with-us, is a prophetic name. But what is a prophetic name? It is a name that announces a

significant event or person in accordance with God's plan. Emmanuel is the one who comes to tell us that from now on, "God dwells in the midst of his people." Through his way of being, his miracles, and his message of compassion and peace, Jesus is the presence of God (Shekinah) in the world. Now, why is he

called Jesus?

To Joseph, the angel declared, "You shall name him Jesus." (Matthew 1:16) Jesus is his mission’s name. That explains his reason for being in the world. This name reminds us that he is the sacrifice through which God saves us and proves his love for us. "God so loved the world he gave his only begotten Son" (John 3:16). Jesus was never called by the prophetic name "Emmanuel," not even once. But his mission’s name (Jesus) continues to draw down blessings and peace upon the world. For "There is no salvation through anyone else, nor is there any other name under heaven given to the human race by which we are to be saved." (Acts 4:12) May his name be blessed now and forever.

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Mon, 15 Dec 2025 16:11:56 GMT

Third Sunday of Advent - John the Baptist

“Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he." (Matthew 12:11)

Several figures of men and women marked the coming of the Lord, who remain prominent in the Advent liturgy. Among these figures is John the Baptist, whom Jesus called "the greatest among those born of women." Why did Jesus speak this way about John? John, or Jonathan (in Hebrew, meaning "Gift of God"), is the miraculous son of Zechariah, a priest of the tribe of Levi, and his wife Elizabeth, an apprentice to the Virgin Mary. (See Luke 1:5-7) John became the greatest for several reasons.

1. He is the last prophet of the Old Testament and the first of the New. Thus, he became the bridge between the two.

2. John was an apprentice to Christ; he was his second cousin.

3. John was the only prophet who announced the coming of the Lord and who saw him with his own eyes. (See John 1:29, 34)

4. John had the privilege of baptizing the Lord, who is the very Author of baptism. (See Mark 1:9)

5. John was the first to offer his life as a sacrifice (martyrdom) to testify that Jesus is the truth. (See Matthew 12:2; 14:1-12) All the reasons above make John the greatest of the children born of woman.

But it is because of his first encounter with the unborn Christ that we rejoice today on this Sunday of Joy. "When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, 'Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb." (Luke1,41-42) With the desert, the parched land, and the steppe, let us exult and rejoice. (Isaiah 35.1-2) For, our salvation is at hand. “(James 5, 8)

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Mon, 08 Dec 2025 23:06:01 GMT

Baptism

“I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals.

He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” (Matthieu 1)

The second Sunday of Advent invites us to contemplate the grace of baptism, which opens the way to salvation. Baptism in the Bible is presented from several perspectives: repentance and adoption. With Saint John, baptism marked by repentance: "All Judea, and the whole region around the Jordan were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins." (Matthew 3) This baptism was offered to those who didn't know what to do after becoming aware of their sins. But it was without guarantee. That is why John didn't hesitate to tell them that another would come after him for a greater baptism, that is, Jesus.

The second baptism is what we call Christian baptism. Jesus proclaimed and commanded the apostles before he departed for heaven: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." (Matthew 28:19-20) The Church, the new Israel in the Spirit and Body of Christ, is formed with the living stones that are the baptized. But it was at Pentecost that God gave it to us. (Acts 2) The baptism proclaimed by Jesus is more than a

baptism of repentance declared by John in the desert. It is the gateway through which the Spirit passes to make us adopted children: "For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, through whom we cry, 'Abba, Father!'" The Spirit itself bears witness with our Spirit that we are children of God." (Romans 8:15-16)

Throughout the ages, there have been clashes between the baptism of John and that of Christ, highlighting their spiritual significance. The Book of Acts gives us an echo of this when Saint Paul asked the Johannites with what baptism they had been baptized? "Did you receive the holy Spirit when you became believers?" They answered him, "We have never even heard that there is a holy Spirit."He said, "How were you baptized?" They replied, "With the baptism of John. Paul then said, "John baptized with a baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus." When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus." (Acts 19: 2-5)The coming of Jesus brings us into God's covenant, not as enslaved people but as adopted sons and daughters.

Thoughts on Advent

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 21:43:39 GMT

God of light & life,

give us hope as we wait

for your coming again.

When we are tempted

to be grateful to have found you

while others are lost,

send us out into the darkness

in search of those

who need you most.

Amen

The extraordinary thing that is about to happen

is matched only by the extraordinary moment

just before it happens.

Advent

is the name of the moment

Frederick Buechner

This season and always may I stand in

awe & wonder of the Messiah

who came to save the world.

The good news of great joy

changed the course of every

silent night to come

Alicia Bruxvoort

Reframe Advent from a season of activity

to a season of adoration & anticipation

Advent is the language of Heaven…

"Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up."

Today, we celebrate the Dedication of the Basilica of Saints John the Baptist and John the Evangelist. This basilica is one of the four major basilicas in the Catholic Church. It is the episcopal seat of the Pope, as Bishop of Rome. In other words, it is the Pope's cathedral. Dedication is a spiritual way of saying that a place or activity has been dedicated to the service of God and His People. This term is found in the Bible, according to 1 Kings 8 and 2 Chronicles 5-7. Solomon, King of Israel, dedicated the Temple for the service of God. Therefore, the Church relies on the Scriptures to dedicate places, such as churches, basilicas, and cathedrals, so that God may be celebrated and served. And it is because of this dedication or consecration that the Gospel of Saint John brings us back in real time to this episode of Jesus driving the sellers from the Temple.

In all truth, the sellers had their place in the Temple. Their presence helped those who came from far away to offer their offerings to the Lord. However, the animal trade and the exchange of money have taken up too much space. In the Temple dedicated to the Lord, the only priority is His praise. "Take these out of here and stop making my Father’s house a marketplace." (John 2) Jesus' reaction aligns with this spirituality of respect for the place of worship. However, by saying to destroy the Temple and that he will rebuild it in three days, Jesus refers us to a greater reality: the Temple of our Bodies.

Through baptism, the Spirit has consecrated us, dedicated us so that God may be praised and served through our mortal bodies. The second reading describes it gracefully: "You are God's building. Do you not know that you are the Temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's Temple, God will destroy that person; for the Temple of God, which you are, is holy." (1 Corinthians 3:9-17) The Body of Jesus is the mystical Temple that was destroyed by our sins on the cross and rebuilt by the grace of the Spirit at the resurrection. Jesus is the True Temple, and we are the stones that form it. "Therefore, glorify God in our body," (1 Corinthians 6:20)

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Tue, 04 Nov 2025 14:20:50 GMT

All Souls' Day

“For this is the will of my Father,

that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him

may have eternal life,

and I shall raise him on the last day.”

What is the spiritual meaning of All Souls' Day? Is it a feast day or a day of remembrance? Celebrating life in Jesus Christ and the hope of eternal life are the reasons for this day. This memory of those who have believed in Jesus and are waiting to share in His glory is a way for the Church to encourage the faithful to stand firm in the fight against sin, to obtain eternal life. Saint Paul said: "The wages of sin are death" (Romans). God did not create us for death but for life. In the beginning, he shared with us the breath of life, "Ruah Adonai," which was not the case with animals. (Cf. Genesis). The purpose of life is "to be in God and with God." In the words of Jesus, "For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him up on the last day." (John 6:40)

Long before Jesus came to earth, the Old Testament provided compelling evidence of faith in the resurrection and eternity. The Maccabees were martyred for their faith, but this conviction that there is another life beyond the earth is highlighted. "It is my choice to die at the hands of mortals with the hope that God will restore me to life; but for you, there will be no resurrection to life." (2 Maccabees 7:14) Alongside their testimony, the prophet Ezekiel's vision of Israel's return from exile can also be understood in the sense of resurrection. In his vision, he saw dry bones receiving life through the divine breath. (Cf. Ezekiel 37:5 10; Daniel 12:2)

With Jesus, the notion of resurrection becomes evident. He raises the dead (Luke 7:11-17), he promises resurrection to his friends (John 5:28-29; 11:25), and he himself rises on Easter Day. (Cf. Jn 20:1 ) By celebrating All Souls' Day, we do not mourn death but rather rejoice in the promise of eternal life in Jesus Christ, resurrection, and life. The white color of our liturgical vestments is the visible sign of this victory promised to all those who persevere in faith and true holiness. It is a symbol of hope, a reminder that death is not the end, but a transition to a new and eternal life.

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Mon, 27 Oct 2025 23:40:34 GMT

Humility

“The Lord is not deaf to the wail of the orphan, nor to the widow when she pours out her complaint. The one who serves God willingly is heard; his petition reaches the heavens.”

There are three categories of people protected by the law of Moses in Israel's society: the widow, the foreigner, and the orphan. (Cf. Deuteronomy 10:18; Psalm 146:9) The first reading mentions the widow, the orphan, and the weak, who cry out to God because they know He is impartial. "The LORD is a God of justice, who knows no favorites." (Sirach 35:12; Romans 2:11; Deuteronomy 10:17) God's impartiality reveals His mercy, which is offered to all, especially to the humble.

Speaking of Humility, this Sunday's Gospel challenges us regarding our personal relationship with God. The Pharisee is a pious man who prays, gives alms, fasts, and goes to the temple for sacrifices. He seems perfect in every way. (Cf. Luke 18:11-12) That's humans thinking of religion. It's all about seeing and doing. But Jesus goes further. True religion doesn't consist in "doing" but rather in "being." It's about the inner being. It's about us, each one of us, living out this true religion in our daily lives.

The tax collector, on the other hand, is seen and considered a public sinner (hence his name) because he collaborates with the nation's enemy, the Romans. But he, despite the label of tax collector, remains a humble servant before God. He recognizes himself as a sinner and limited. Hence his strength and exaltation. "for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted." (Luke 11:13) The tax collector or any other believer who humbles himself draws ever closer to Christ Jesus, who humbled himself (despite his divinity and glory) by becoming poor (humble) to be glorified by his Father. (Philippians 2:8-9) The Virgin Mary sang the greatness of Humility in her Song: "He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly." (Luke 1:52) Humility and simplicity are the paths that lead to glory.

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Tue, 21 Oct 2025 23:01:23 GMT

Persevering Prayer

“As long as Moses kept his hands raised up, Israel had the better of the fight, but when he let his hands rest,

Amalek had the better of the fight.” (Exodus 17, 11)

This Sunday's first reading and Gospel reading invite us to meditate on the importance of persevering prayer. Perseverance, a divine grace that goes hand in hand with patience and courage, is not of human origin but a gift from the divine. It is this divine nature of perseverance that we must embrace and draw strength from in our spiritual journey.

In the fight against one of their worst enemies, Amalek, Israel had to resort not only to military force but also to spiritual. Moses and Joshua understood this and implemented a strategy that reflected their faith.

Moses' hands, turned toward the sky, were a sign that it was God who was fighting; when they were downward, it was the enemy who prevailed. This passage in the desert story reveals once again that some wars are won on the knees with hands raised to the Lord. Was it not King David himself who sang: "A king is not saved by a great army, nor a warrior delivered by great strength. Useless is the horse for safety; despite its great strength, it cannot be saved." (Psalm 33:16-17) or again: "Some rely on chariots, others on horses, but we on the name of the LORD our God. They collapse and fall, but we stand strong and arm. LORD, grant victory to the king; answer when we call upon you" (Psalm 20:8-9). And the book of Proverbs adds: "The horse is equipped for the day of battle, but victory is the LORD's." (Proverbs 21:31)

Jesus seemed to agree when he shared with the crowd the parable of the widow and the unjust judge. The judge's bad faith prevented him from rendering jus��ce to this woman who had turned to him. He would have made his eyes and ears not to grant her request. But the widow's unceasing prayer allowed her to succeed. That's what we call perseverance in prayer today. Indeed, Saint Paul encourages the baptized to pray at all

times, persevering: "Pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

Like Moses and the widow, let us raise our hands and eyes to the Lord. It is through our unwavering faith and perseverance in prayer that we can be victorious over sin and death, a hope that reassures us in our spiritual journey.

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Mon, 13 Oct 2025 01:31:21 GMT

Your Faith has Saved You

"If you will not accept, please let me, your servant, have two mule-loads of earth, for I will no longer offer holocaust or sacrifice to any other god except to the LORD." (2 Kings 5, 17)

The first reading and the Gospel for this Sunday reveal to us God's power in the face of illness. At a time when man had no idea what leprosy was or how to relieve those who suffered from it, the divine hand took the lead. First in the story of the Syrian general Naaman, then that of the ten lepers, of whom the only Samaritan returned to times (a perfect cure), Naaman emerged purified and healed. What appeared to be a simple bath exceeded the skill and knowledge of all the great physicians of his Assyrian empire. Thus, he decided to reject the gods of his fathers and worship and serve the God of Israel who had saved him. To do this, he asked permission to take sacks

filled with the earth of Israel with him to return home. Why the earth? Only the culture of that time can give us a proper explanation.

According to the beliefs of the desert peoples (Middle East), each city, each nation had its own tutelary God (or spirit) watching over them. In the book of Daniel, we find a spiritual struggle between the evil spirit overseeing the Persian kingdom and the Archangel Michael. (Daniel 10:13) The God or spirit worshipped by these peoples was trapped in that place. His territory, his place of action, was the city or country dedicated to him. It was because of this belief that the prophet Jonah decided to flee his country (where his God resided) to hide where he had no power, that is, another country. (Jonah 1:2-3)

General Naaman, who was a pagan, also believed in this folklore. Because of this belief, he allowed himself to take some of the land of Israel with him to go to his home in Assyria. To take land means to go with the God who resides there. For Assyria did not worship the true God, but idols. Today, the believer does not need a small plot of land to have God with them. Since our baptism, we carry God within us, for His Spirit has consecrated us as living temples, meaning that we are the dwelling place of God's Spirit. (Cf. 1 Corinthians 3:16) In a world where the notion of God is politicized and misunderstood, Christians must be Temples, images of his divine presence.

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Mon, 13 Oct 2025 01:09:34 GMT

Nothing New Under The Sun

“How long, O LORD? I cry for help but you do not listen! I cry out to you, "Violence!" but you do not intervene. Why do you let me see ruin; why must I look at misery? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and clamorous discord.”

Nihil sub sole novum." Nothing new under the sun. (Cf. Ecclesiastes 1:10) The social, political, and religious situation in Israel at the time of Habakkuk seems to be repeating itself today. History has a bad habit of repeating itself. The chaos that reigned and the desolation it brought find an echo in the reality of today's world. Lies, hatred, wickedness, prejudice, and indifference are the key words that confirm Jesus' words: "We know that we belong to God, and the whole world is under the power of the evil one." (1 John 5:19)

Those who are genuinely touched by the grace of the truth of Jesus Christ understand this situation and turn to him, eagerly awaiting the hour of final victory over evil. "The rash one has no integrity; but the just one, because of his faith, shall live." (Habakkuk 2:4)

The prophet cried out, but it seems God did not intervene. He remained silent. In Christian spirituality, one of the most controversial aspects is God's silence in the face of evil. This silence invites us to accept His will and His plan of salvation. He has set a time to correct everything. But in the meantime, everything must be accomplished.

Jesus also cried out to His Father in Gethsemane. He willed that the cup (a symbol of His suffering) should pass from Him. But His faith prevailed. "Not my will, but Yours be done." ( Luke 22,42) On the cross, He cried out His suffering to the Father. Not a word of comfort. He died in God's silence. (Matthew 27,46) Today, we understand that this silence is the path that leads us to Him. It helps us to hope more for the hour of Final victory.

Hoping against all hope, we become unprofitable servants who have only done their duty of service and waiting. The day will come, and we will hear God crying: ““Be still and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, exalted on the earth.” (Psalm 46:11

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Thu, 02 Oct 2025 17:50:12 GMT

Listen To Reason

“If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead."

Why is it so difficult for man to listen to reason? Why does the human heart tend to be more toward evil than good? The first reading and the Gospel for this Sunday seek to answer these questions. First, we have the prophet Amos, prophet of divine justice, decrying the sins of his people and especially their quest for luxury and forgetfulness of God: "Lying upon beds of ivory, stretched comfortably on their couches, they eat lambs taken from the flock, and calves from the stall! Improvising to the music of the harp, like David, they devise their own accompaniment. They drink wine from bowls and anoint themselves with the best oils; yet they are not made ill by the collapse of Joseph!" (Amos 6) This sad social and religious vision was a virus gnawing from within the very foundation of what constitutes Israel: love and faith in God. The uncontrolled pursuit of luxury leads to forgetfulness of God. Consequently, the punishment of exile would remind them of their sin.

In the parable of poor Lazarus and the rich man, Jesus teaches the same lesson. The rich man is not condemned because of his wealth or luxury, but because of his lack of charity and compassion. His inaction towards the poor man at his door is a stark reminder of the importance of compassion and charity in our lives. For having neglected love and compassion for the sake of his own pleasure, the rich man lost the chance to enjoy a blissful eternity. There is always a consequence for the evil we do. But how can we avoid this painful condition? How can we live here below to better prepare for our spiritual future, heaven? Jesus answers us without hesitation: "They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them." Why listen to Moses and the prophets? Precisely because they proclaimed and taught the word of wisdom to help us live according to God's will. And this will is none other than to be compassionate and caring for one another. "Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave me food, I was thirsty, and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me. 'Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.' (Matthew 25:34-36.40) Love of neighbor is the key that opens the doors of Paradise.

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Mon, 22 Sep 2025 00:34:44 GMT

The Cross

"Make a saraph and mount it on a pole, and if any who have been bitten look at it, they will live." (Numbers 21)

Today, the Church joyfully celebrates the exaltation of the glorious Cross. This feast is a powerful reminder of the transformative nature of our salvation, a salvation that was wrought through the instrument of death, the Cross, which became a radiant sign of life through the death of Jesus. Unlike Good Friday, which is dedicated to the passion of Christ and the crucifixion, this feast day exalts the Cross itself, a beacon of hope and transformation.

In the first reading, Moses interceded for Israel because of their sin. They forgot the wonders of the past, murmuring against God and his servant. As a result, God sent them fery serpents that killed them by the thousands. (Numbers 21:4-9) To save them from the burning bite of these serpents, God commanded Moses to make a bronze serpent and raise it on a pole so that all who were bitten could stare at it and live. Making a bronze serpent, one might say, is against the Law since it states: "You shall not make for yourself an idol or a likeness of anything in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters beneath the earth." (Exodus 20:4) Here, we do not have an idol but an instrument willed by God for the salvaton of His People. The bronze serpent on the mast, also known as the caduceus, was an image of the Cross of Christ.

In the Gospel of Saint John, chapter 3, it is written: "And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life." (John 3:14-15) The Cross becomes the instrument of salvation in Jesus Christ.

"And whenever the serpent bit someone, the person looked at the bronze serpent and recovered." (Numbers 21:9) Those who have been bitten by sin need only turn to the Cross to be healed and saved. It is not the physical act of looking, but the faith and trust in the power of the Cross that brings about healing. Saint John proudly proclaims this to us, echoing the words of the prophet Zechariah: "They will look upon him whom they have pierced." (John 19:37; Zechariah 12:10; Revelation 1:7)

The sign of the Cross, or the Cross itself, is not just a historical event, but a living testament that constantly reminds us of the love by which we have been saved and the price that this love paid. Therefore, let us never cease to proclaim with faith and joy: "For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified." (1 Corinthians 2:2)

This week’s article should have appeared in last week’s bulletin. It appears this week because as the article reminds us, the Cross is a living testament that constantly reminds us of the love by which we have been saved and the price that this love paid.

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Sun, 14 Sep 2025 23:38:31 GMT

“There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished!”

On this 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time, the Gospel agrees with the first reading in inviting us to be ready to suffer so that the fire of the Gospel can set the world ablaze.

In the first reading, from the book of Jeremiah, we see the consequences of what the truth can inflict on faithful witnesses. Jeremiah was unjustly accused of stirring up people against the authority of the king and his nobles. This accusation was false, yet all accepted it. The prophet would also be thrown into a well for daring to proclaim the truth. His suffering, like his ministry, would be like a fire setting Jerusalem ablaze and subsequently bringing the truth to light.

Jeremiah, in many ways, reflected Christ, who would be rejected by the holy city of Jerusalem and thrown into the tomb to silence the truth. Despite the overwhelming forces that had gathered against him, the fire of his Word continues to set the world ablaze. Their courage in the face of adversity should inspire us all to stand firm in our faith.

Besides this similarity between the ministry of Jeremiah and that of Jesus, we must seek to understand the true meaning of these words coming from the mouth of Jesus: "There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished!" (Luke 12:50).

What did Jesus mean? Jesus received baptism from John in the Jordan (even though he was without sin) (2 Corinthians 5:21). But in this Sunday's Gospel, it is not a question of water baptism but of martyrdom. Since the beginning of the Church, martyrdom, or shedding one's blood for the cause of the Gospel and Christ, was seen as a form of baptism. Like Jeremiah, Jesus referred to his martyrdom, his passion, his death, and his resurrection. This baptism is the one that all the apostles (except John the Evangelist) received so that the truth of Christ could triumph over lies. This baptism is often associated with the cup (a symbol of suffering and persecution) (Mathew 20:22). Because of this baptism, Jesus becomes a source of division. Those who welcome him in faith become prey to those who reject the truth and the light. (Mother against daughter and son against father)

With Jeremiah, Jesus, and all witnesses to the truth, let us, in turn, be martyrs of truth, love, and hope today. In our shared sufering for the truth, we are united as a community of faith, bound together by our commitment to the Gospel.

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Mon, 11 Aug 2025 22:15:33 GMT

Gird your loins and light your lamps

“Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks.” (Luke 12:35)

This Sunday's first reading and Gospel passage come together to invite us to be ready to welcome the Master upon His return. The first reading begins with the idea of the night of the Jewish Passover. What happened that night?

In a world where individualism and indifference often overshadow our shared humanity, the Gospel of Saint Luke serves as a beacon of hope, reminding us of the transformative power of true love, as embodied in the teachings of Christ.

A scholar who is a devout man asks Jesus, 'What must I do to inherit the Kingdom?' Apparently, like a religious man, he knows all the commandments, but deep down, the commandment he lacks is the love of neighbor, the crowning glory of all.

He thought he knew everything because he practiced religion, but he lacked the essentials because the Spirit of God did not enlighten him. So, he asks Jesus, 'Who is my neighbor?' This queston stems from a tormented heart seeking peace. In response, Jesus tells him the parable of the Good Samaritan. In this story steeped in conflict, Jesus paints an image of love that transcends all divisions, quarrels, and enmities, uniting us in our shared humanity.

The man beaten to death is a Jew. A priest and a Levite, altar servants, pass through and leave him to die. Why? It is not because they are wicked but out of obedience to the Law of Moses. Those who serve the altar must not approach blood or a corpse to avoid becoming impure. (Cf. Leviticus 21:1) It is in this religious but not sufficiently human atmosphere that the Good Samaritan (this man's sworn enemy) approaches him and relieves him (with oil and wine, images of the sacraments) and takes him into his care at an inn. By caring for his enemy, Jesus makes the Good Samaritan the epitome of the Christian who understands the true meaning of love, which is limitless and faceless.

True love, as demonstrated in the parable of the Good Samaritan, knows no boundaries of nationality, social status, or religious affiliation. If God is love (cf. 1 John 4:8), then our love for our neighbors and even our enemies must reflect this universal truth. As the Lord commands us, 'Go and do likewise.' (Luke 10:37) Our neighbor is anyone who needs our love and care, here and now.

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Mon, 07 Jul 2025 14:37:17 GMT

"When the Lord established the heavens, I was there, when he marked out the vault over the face of the deep.” (Proverbs 8)

After Jesus' glorification in heaven (Ascension), the Church invites us to welcome in faith the presence of the Spirit who takes over from the apostles. Since his arrival on the day of Pentecost, he has presided over the Church's ministry. Thus, the cycle of the Paschal Mystery (Resurrection, Ascension, and Pentecost) is complete. Today, we celebrate the Most Holy Trinity.

First, it's important to understand that the term 'Trinity' is not explicitly found in the Bible. It's a word we've coined to express the profound mystery of God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This mystery, far from being a barrier, should inspire us with a sense of wonder and awe at the depth of God's being.

Second, despite its absence from the Holy Scriptures, the proof that God is Triune is indeed present. Take, for example, the episode of the creation of man and woman. "Let us make man in our image and our likeness" (Genesis 1:26-27), the visit of the three angels in the Book of Genesis. Abraham received them but spoke of them as if they were one person. (Genesis 18:2ff.) Another example is that of the Tower of Babel: "Let us go down and confound their language" (Genesis 11:6-7). These three references suggest that God used the 'plural of majesty,' a linguistic device where a singular entity speaks as if it were a group, to express his relationship with the other divine persons.

This relationship is expressed in the Gospels, most specifically in the episode of Jesus' baptism. (Jesus in the water, the voice of the Father, and the Spirit in the form of a dove) (Matthew 3:16-17; Mark 1:10-11) Today, the book of Proverbs refers to the pre-existence of Wisdom (Jesus Christ), who assisted and contributed to the creation of the world. (Proverbs 8) This reading takes us back to the beginning of Jesus' Gospel, which states: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him, nothing came to be." (John 1:1-3) Saint Paul later confirms this: "He is the image* of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For in him* were created all things in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things were created through him and for him." (Colossians 1:15-16)

And the final proof may lie in the word "Lord" (Adonai) that the three Persons share. God the Creator is called Lord. (Deuteronomy 4:19; 1 Kings 18:38; Psalm 118:27) Jesus the Son is Lord. (Romans 10:9; Philippians 2:9-11; 1 Corinthians 12:3) Just as the Spirit is Lord. (2 Corinthians 3,17) But the Three form only one Lord: "one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." (Ephesians 4,5-6)

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Mon, 09 Jun 2025 14:58:57 GMT

Come, Holy Spirit, Come

“Then there appeared to them tongues as of fre, which parted and came to rest on each one of them.” (The Acts of The Apostles 2:3)

Fifty days (Pentecost) after the Lord's resurrection, he fulfilled his promise to his disciples: the Holy Spirit came in the form of tongues of fire. But why tongues of fire? As we all know, fire is a powerful symbol in the Bible, representing the Spirit of God. It has the transformative power to burn away the chaff of our sins and refine us like gold in a furnace. This same fire also warms and gives life, symbolizing the hope and inspiration that the Holy Spirit brings to our lives. Thus, we find the answer to the question of why the Holy Spirit came in the form of tongues of fire.

The tongue is the smallest of the members of our body. But by itself, it can turn the world upside down or elevate it. Saint James reminds us of this clearly in his leter to chapters 3:5-6: "In the same way, the tongue is a small member and yet has great pretensions. Consider how small a fire can set a huge forest ablaze.” The Spirit came in the form of fire, specifically the tongue, to remind the Church of its primary mission: to ardently and powerfully proclaim the Good News of Salvation. This is not just a duty, but a calling that we must all be committed to, as Jesus himself commanded in Mathew 28:19.

In the Old Testament, an event marked history and can help us better understand Pentecost: The Tower of Babel. The children of men wanted to defy heaven by imposing a single language on all humanity. The Almighty One dispersed them, and thus, the diverse languages and cultures of the earth appeared. (Cf. Genesis 11:6-8) From the beginning, God's intenton for his creaton was unity in diversity, not uniformity. The Church, as the new Israel, is a testament to this. It is not made up of a single nation, but of all, reflecting its catholicity(universality). Everyone should be able to hear, celebrate, and bear witness to the Word of God in their mother tongue. This was the miracle of Pentecost, and it is a principle that must contnue to guide the Church. "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? Then how does each of us hear them in their natve language? (The Acts of the Apostles 2:7-8) Jesus is the Word of God, and all languages must proclaim it with tongues of fre.

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Mon, 02 Jun 2025 14:30:16 GMT

Ascension

“As he blessed them he parted from them and was taken up to heaven.” (Luke 24:51)

Forty days after the Resurrection, Jesus met his disciples on the mountain of Galilee. After blessing them, he rose up in a cloud and disappeared before them. The ascension, a unique and unparalleled event, is the penultimate stage of the Paschal mystery. Jesus passed from earth to heaven, where he sat in glory.

Jesus appeared to his apostles for the third time. This time, it was on the shores of the Sea of Tiberias, commonly known as the Sea of Galilee. This sea holds significant importance in Jesus's life and ministry, as it was the place where he performed many miracles and delivered profound teachings. There, he met Peter, his brother Andrew, and the two sons of Zebedee, James and John. It was in this place, at the crossroads of pagan nations, that he called them to become 'fishers of men' (Cf. Mathew 4:19).

Jesus met them at the point of departure to remind them of the reason for their call: to cast the nets of the Gospel into the sea of nations. He called them to become 'fishers of men,' a metaphor that signifies their role in spreading the teachings of the Gospel to all people. Just as fishermen catch fish from the sea, the apostles were to 'catch' people by sharing the Gospel and leading them to Christ. And that is what happened.

When the Lord asked them to cast the nets into the sea, Peter obeyed. And the miraculous happened. The net was filled to the brim, an abundance that defied all expectations and inspired awe. The number of fish increased to 153, a deeply symbolic number. (John 21:11) The apostle John, the author of the same Gospel, did not reveal the quantity of fish they caught to inform his audience, but rather the spiritual meaning of this episode. One hundred and fifty-three is a highly symbolic number. It reminds us of the 153 nations known at the time according to Jewish geography. For Saint John, Jesus commanded his apostles to proclaim the Gospel to all these nations of the earth, a mission that includes us all. Hence, the word catholicos to express the universal mission of the Church. The Church (bark of Peter) is sent to proclaim (net) the Good News to all nations, uniting us in our shared mission. (Cf. Mathew 28:19) This universal mission should instill in us a sense of responsibility and unity in our service to Him. For this mission to be complete, Jesus forgave Peter for his past denials. Three tmes, he had denied Christ (John 18:17, 25-27); three tmes, Jesus asked him to shepherd his fock. (John 21:15-17) The One chosen and sent is the One who has been forgiven and saved, a powerful reminder of the grace and mercy of our Lord. This forgiveness should fll us with grattude and humble us in our service to Him.

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Mon, 28 Apr 2025 19:29:00 GMT

Divine Mercy Sunday

Saint Pope John Paul II made the second Sunday of Easter Divine Mercy Sunday. In truth, he only had to establish the expression "divine mercy," but this Sunday's Gospel has always emphasized the grace of reconciliation in Jesus Christ.

This Sunday, which ends the Octave of Easter, reminds us that Jesus came and died on the cross to reconcile the world with his Father. His mission, the power of reconciliation, is a beacon of hope that can transform our lives. Indeed, the frst fruit of his resurrection is the gif of the Spirit of reconciliation: "Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained." (John 20:22-23) Before Pentecost, even before the official founding of the Church, Jesus offered his Spirit to forgive sins.

Thus, he reveals that the Church's only mission is to reconcile the world to God. Saint Paul understood this well when he wrote: "And all this is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and given us the ministry of reconciliaton. Namely, God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not countng their trespasses against them and entrustng to us the message of reconciliaton. So, we are ambassadors for Christ as if God were appealing through us. We implore you, on behalf of Christ, to be reconciled to God." (2 Corinthians 5:18-20) The urgency of our mission is clear. A Church that does not reconcile the world to God is not the Church Christ intended.

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Mon, 21 Apr 2025 12:57:38 GMT

The First Day

“On the frst day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb.” (John 20:1)

The first day? Why did Saint John place so much emphasis on the first day? First, we must remember that Jesus died on the Preparation Day for the Sabbath, called "Parasceve." (John 19:31). This “Parasceve” corresponds to our Friday.

That reality leads us to conclude that on the following day, the Sabbath (or our Saturday), Jews rest according to the Law of Moses. However, it was on this first day, the day after the Sabbath, that the Resurrection took place, signifying a new beginning and a new covenant. This is the theological significance of the first day in Christian tradition (Cf. John 19:1).

Considering these biblical considerations, we conclude that the first day of the Jewish week corresponds to our Sunday, the Day of Resurrection. Among the Jews, the days of the week had no names except for Friday (Parasceve) and Saturday (the Sabbath). But for Westerners—and more specifcally, the Romans, the days of the week bore the names of the deites they worshipped on that day. For example, Monday was Moon-day, Tuesday was the day of Mars (god of war), Wednesday was the day of Mercury (god of travel), Thursday was the day of Jupiter (god and king of Olympus), Friday was the day of Venus, the goddess of sensual love, and finally, Saturday was the day of Saturn, god of licentiousness and pleasure. However, the first Roman day was dedicated to the Sun (Sunday).

Let's return to the Jews. They didn't have names for all the days of the week. Since the first Christians (especially the apostles) were Jews, they gave the day of the resurrection the name Dies Domini (Lord's Day in French). This continuity with our Jewish roots is a testament to the unbroken thread of faith that runs through our history. In English and German, this day remains under the weight of the Roman pagan week (Sunday or Sontag). On this first day, the day of the resurrection, Jesus appeared alive and glorified. He conquered death. He is henceforth the Lord. Saint Paul sang of this mystery in his Epistle to the Romans: "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9) This is the Day that David proclaimed without seeing it. It is this day that the entre Church celebrates at Easter with joy and jubilaton: "This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice in it and be glad." (Psalm 118:24)

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Sun, 13 Apr 2025 14:42:10 GMT

Palm Sunday

Today, we celebrate the Sunday of the Passion of Christ, or Palm Sunday. This day reminds us of Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem amidst the popular acclamations of Hosanna. What is the significance of this Sunday?

This event is the fulfillment of a very ancient prophecy: That of the Prophet Zechariah who said: "Exult greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout for joy, O daughter Jerusalem! Behold: your king* is coming to you, a righteous savior is he, Humble, riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey." (Zechariah 9:9) By entering Jerusalem on a donkey, Jesus fulfills this prophecy and identifies himself with the descendant of David, the King before whom all doors open. "Lift your heads, O gates; be lifted up, you ancient portals, that the king of glory may enter." (Psalm 24:7). Unfortunately, this humble and loving King would not be welcome in the hearts of Jews and the imperial government. He would be judged doubly: Religiously by the Sanhedrin condemning him for proclaiming that he was the Son of God (cf. John 10:33; 19:7) and politically because he had made himself King. (cf. John 18:33). Both accusations would lead him to the gallows, and death would follow. Passion Sunday reminds us of the decisive moment of our salvation in Jerusalem, the city that killed the prophets. (cf. Matthew 23:37; Luke 13:34).

But it is also this Sunday that opens us to the hope of Easter, a time of joy and anticipation, since without the Passion and suffering of the Cross, there would be no resurrection at Easter.

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Mon, 07 Apr 2025 12:30:38 GMT

"Neither do I condemn you."

“Has no one condemned you?” She replied, “No one, sir.” Then Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you.”

At the beginning of his ministry, Jesus declared: "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill." (Matthew 5:17). If fulfilling the Law is his mission, how can we understand his reaction to what the Law requires?

A woman caught in the act of adultery is brought to him. The Law of Moses is clear on this point, as is the Law of the desert: she must be stoned. (Cf. Deuteronomy 22:22) On this point, the crowd was quite right since it is the Law. But there is a twist in this episode. It is also stated that the adulterous Woman must be condemned along with the man with whom she sinned. Indeed, the crowd brought the Woman but not the man. Therein lies the stark contrast between the Law and mercy that Jesus wants to address.

To understand Jesus' reaction to the Law of Moses, we must also go back to the infidelity of King David, who killed a married man to have his wife. (Cf. 2 Samuel 11:1-27) the prophet Nathan went to him to denounce his sin. However, the king and his soldier's wife, Uriah, survived, and their son Solomon became King of Israel. There was no condemnation or death.

Considering all this, let us return to the question posed at the outset. If Jesus came to fulfill the Law, why did he not condemn the adulterous Woman? By forgiving the adulterous woman, Jesus demonstrates to the Jews that forgiveness and mercy are not just alternatives to punishment but are in fact integral to fulfilling the Law. In a world where justice often means punishing the guilty, we can overlook the fact that God's justice is often expressed through forgiveness. This is the essence of the Law and the prophets: 'Go and learn the meaning of the words, I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' Jesus did not come to call the righteous, but sinners (Mathew 9.13; Hosea 6.6).

Thus, God restores what has been broken by the grace of love and mercy. "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" Has no one condemned you?" She replied, "No one, sir." Then Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you." (John 8:11)

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Forty, in the context of the Bible, is a number of preparation, generation, prayer and maturity. It is a number that signifies a period of significant change or transformation. For instance, God sent the flood that lasted forty days and forty nights to prepare the earth for the new creation. (Genesis 7:4; 8:6) To prepare Moses to receive the divine Law (Torah), he remained forty days and forty nights on the mountain. (Exodus 24:18) To prepare Israel to enter the promised land, God made them wander in the desert for forty years. (Numbers 14:33; Amos 5:25) Jonah proclaimed a forty-year preparation to the people of Nineveh to repent before the wrath of God came. (Jonah 3:4)

In the New Testament, the number forty continues to hold spiritual significance. Jesus, for instance, spent forty days and forty nights praying and fasting in the wilderness, preparing for his ministry. (Matthew 4:2) After his resurrection, Jesus spent forty days with his disciples, preparing their hearts for his ascension. (The Acts of the Apostles 1:3) These instances in the New Testament echo the significance of the number forty in the Old Testament, reinforcing the spiritual and symbolic value of this number.

Alongside the idea of preparation, there is also that of mourning. Forty is the fixed time to prepare a corpse in Egypt (Genesis 50, 3). In the history of Israel, forty is also the number of the beatings. The law provides for punishment with 40 lashes. (Deuteronomy 25:1-3) Finally, forty is the number of times of prayer and intercession. Moses prayed for forty days after Israel's sin, asking to forgive them. (Deuteronomy 9:25)

In her infinite wisdom, the Church invites us to imitate this favorable time of Lent to prepare our hearts for the celebration of Easter, the feast of our redemption. Forty days are offered to deepen our spiritual life and improve our relationship with God. This is a time of preparation, a time to reflect on our spiritual journey and make strides towards a deeper connection with our faith. PS: Lent lasts forty days (except Sundays). In the Catholic Church, we cannot fast on Sunday, the Lord's Day

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Mon, 03 Mar 2025 15:50:37 GMT

Hypocrisy

“Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own?

Through today's gospel, Jesus touches on hypocrisy, which goes unnoticed in our relationships and even in our spirituality.

The Greek word "Hupokrisis" means one who "plays a role that is not truly his own." It was formerly used in theaters to identify actors.

On many occasions, Jesus uses this word to express his disagreement with the religion of the Temple, the Pharisees who claimed to be better than others but deep down did themselves what they criticized in others. (Cf. Mark 7:6) Saint Paul defines them in his letter to Titus: "They claim to know God, but by their deeds they deny him." (Titus 1:16)

In the Gospel of Mathew, Jesus warns against their so-called faith and religiosity: "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves. By their fruits you will know them." (Mathew 7:15-16) And again, he declares: "Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice." (Mathew 23:3)

These verses show us how much Jesus was aware of his time and the people around him. He knew the dangers of hypocrisy (especially in religion) and its harmful consequences.

Today, it is the turn of the Gospel of Saint Luke to remind us that hypocrisy pushes us to adopt an attitude of compassion and service that has nothing to do with love (since it is based on lies) "Why do you notice the splinter in your brother's eye but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own? It is easier to see the faults and mistakes of others and what is missing in their lives. While our own faults make us blind, we cannot see them.

It would be much more effective if each of us could take a moment to reflect on our own shortcomings and correct them before we start pointing out those of our neighbor, the world, our family, our religion, and our politics.

Jesus doesn't just point out the problem of hypocrisy, he also provides a solution. He invites us to be the change we want to see in others, starting here and now.

With Opened Bible

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 17:02:42 GMT

“To the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well.”

“To the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well.”

This Sunday's Gospel places us before Jesus' attitude towards human violence. This portion of the Holy Scripture responds to the Law of Moses: "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth" (Cf. Exodus 21:24). In the Old Testament, this law was called Talion (personal vengeance or law of retaliation) and was a way to soften the desire for vengeance and personal retribution in the desert. While a man could kill another for a lost lamb, Moses proposed a perfect proportionality in retribution. One cannot kill a man to replace a lamb. That would be too much to ask.

With Jesus, it is no longer a question of a lesser evil or a proportionality of retribution. Instead, it is a question of letting love and mercy conquer and invade hearts and minds. "But rather, love your enemies and do good to them."

Now, a part of this speech must be elucidated to avoid the number of people toothless in this world and the Church. Why did Jesus ask his audience to offer the other cheek to the person who strikes? Jesus was not a coward, a fool, or a man without character. Rather, he was sent to pacify hearts and minds. Was it not him that the prophet Isiah called the 'Prince of peace' (Isaiah 9:5)? As such, he could not teach violence and vengeance. This reassures us that the path of non-violence is the one we should follow, bringing comfort and peace to our hearts.

Despite this attitude of non-violence, Jesus knew how to protect himself against the insult of the enemy. The proof is his reaction before the tribunal of the High Priest: "When he had said this, one of the temple guards standing there struck Jesus and said, "Is this the way you answer the high priest?" Jesus answered him, "If I have spoken wrongly, testify to the wrong; but if I have spoken rightly, why do you strike me?" (Luke 18:22-23) If Jesus wanted us to offer the other cheek without protest, he would never have asked: why did you strike me?

Saint Luke presents us with a speech inviting the believer to avoid conflicts and especially to avoid the man or woman who has no wisdom. He who does not know God and the revealed truth is a danger to be avoided. Thus, like Jesus himself, who prayed for his persecutors and executioners (Luke 23:43), and like the deacon Stephen, who imitated his Master by forgiving his detractors (Acts 7:60), the Gospel of this Sunday encourages us to be disciples who put into practice the Word of their Master: "If possible, on your part, live at peace with all. Beloved, do not look for revenge but leave room for the wrath, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." Rather, "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing, you will heap burning coals upon his head." Do not be conquered by evil but conquer evil with good." (Romans 12:18-21)

With Opened Bible

Mon, 17 Feb 2025 13:32:14 GMT

Law of Moses Versus the Beatitudes

This Sunday's Gospel reminds us of what happened on Mount Sinai after Moses received the Tablets of the Law (Exodus 20-21). He spoke to the People to tell them what to do to enter into God's Covenant, known as the Old Covenant. This Covenant, established between God and the Israelites, was based on the Law given to Moses, which included the Ten Commandments.

"Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing."(Luke 4:21)

In the Gospel of this Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Saint Luke paints a breathtaking picture of the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy. This page of scripture takes us back to the profound words of Mathew at the baptism of Jesus: "Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." (Matthew 3:15). Jesus, the embodiment of divine fulfillment, is the one who brings to life the prophecies of the Old Testament. And this is what he does today in the synagogue of Nazareth: "Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing." (Luke 4:21).

The Last Word of the Father, Jesus becomes, in the eyes of all, the awe-inspiring image of God's plans for humanity. The word "today" is not just a mere moment in the Gospel of Saint Luke. It is a beacon of hope, a sign of the tme fxed by God to accomplish his grand plans of salvaton. In Saint Luke, today brings to the present moment what the human heart eagerly anticipates at the end of time: God's salvation. Also, we find several passages where "today" is not just a word, but a significant part of the biblical narrative, a thread that connects us to the events of the past.

Mon, 30 Dec 2024 12:48:55 GMT

Holy Family

“Each year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom.”(Luke 2:41)

Every year, the Church offers us the opportunity to celebrate family values through the feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. This feast is an integral part of the octave of Christmas. It was instituted by Pope Benedict XV in 1921. Before 1969, it was set on the first Sunday after the Epiphany of the Lord. The liturgical reform of Vatican II placed it in the middle of the octave of the Nativity. What does the Church propose to us in this celebration?

Of course, it is about promoting family values (biological and spiritual) in a world where everything is focused on the individual. The feast of the Holy Family is rooted in this biblical traditon, which, from the creaton of the world to the creaton of the Church, has never ceased to proclaim the intrinsic value of the family for a balanced society. God wanted Man to be accompanied in the Garden of Beginnings: "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suited to him." (Genesis 2:18). Man is created to be in society, in company. The author of the book of Ecclesiastes understood it in his way and proclaimed it: "Vae soli" (But woe to the solitary person!) (Ecclesiastes 4:10)

From Adam until the coming of Jesus Christ, the Bible offers us nothing other than the History of humanity rooted in the family (whether on the individual, national, or spiritual level): the family of Noah in Genesis 7,1f.); Jacob's family in Genesis 28:1-5 (which will pass from the individual to the national because this family gave birth to the twelve tribes of Israel. When the times are fulfilled, we have the family of Nazareth (Luke 2:41ss), who will guide us towards the spiritual family of the Church. (Acts of the Apostles 2:1ss)

To celebrate the Holy Family is to give God credit for his project on humanity. A man or a woman cannot achieve without a family's contributon. It is where the soul, heart and conscience can be truly educated.

Saints John Chrysostom and Pope John Paul II said it is a “domestic Church”. (Cf. Familiaris Consorto, November 22, 1981)

We see the power of a family seeking God in communion in the frst reading with Elkanah going up with his household on a pilgrimage to Shiloh (1 Samuel 1:20-22, 24-28). This unity and shared faith bring blessings and strength. The gospel of Saint Luke also presents the family of Nazareth on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem (Luke 2,:41ss), further emphasizing the importance of a family that prays together. Such a family remains united and blessed, a testament to the power of faith and communion.

With Opened Bible

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 22:05:53 GMT

Bethlehem

“You, Bethlehem-Ephrathah too small to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel; whose origin is from of old, from ancient times.” (Micah 1,1ss)

The last Sunday of this Advent season brings us back to an old prophecy about Bethlehem-Ephratah, a place that holds a significant place in our spiritual journey, as the birthplace of David and his spiritual heir, Jesus Christ.

First, we must remember that the Hebrew word Bethlehem-Ephratah has a very profound meaning regarding Jesus' ministry. Bethlehem (Beth=house and lehem=bread) and Ephratah or Ephrath mean "fruitulness." In other words, it means a house flled with Bread and blessings. It is an announcement of the Church, the Mystcal Body of Christ.

Amazingly enough, the prophet Micah, long before the coming of Jesus, prophesied about this town that did not even have the value of a city. In this lost corner that has no value, the Leader will come out and lead the chosen people toward justice and peace.

In the Bible, Bethlehem is essential in that it was the scene of significant events that marked the history of the Jewish people, events in which we, as part of this community, are also a part. Such as the birth and royal anointng of David. (1 Samuel 16) and Jesus. (Luke 2,4.11) In this city, Jacob (who would later become Israel) had acquired a plot of land to bury Rachel, his wife. (Genesis 35,15) Furthermore, the events related to the book of Ruth occurred in Bethlehem. (Ruth 1,1-2)

The correspondence between Bethlehem and Jesus' ministry could not be more striking. Jesus is this Bread of life, prepared by Mary's "yes" to appease the hunger of this world. It is in Bethlehem, the House of Bread, that the Bread of life (John 6) was given to us.

Like Mary, who carried him in her womb, let us eagerly open our hearts to his divine Presence, flled with hope and expectaton, so that he may nourish us with his Body. Maranatha, come Bread of Life, we are waitng for you.

With Opened Bible

Sun, 15 Dec 2024 14:19:12 GMT

Joy!

“Shout for joy, O daughter Zion! Sing joyfully, O Israel!” (Zephania 3:14)

On this third Sunday of Advent, the Word of God invites us to joy. But what is joy? In the Bible, it is considered a divine gif to humanity and is encouraged by religious verses. Joy in the Bible is deeply rooted in Christianity and integral to biblical teachings. Joy is one of the most essential expressions of the Christian life and is often associated with concepts such as love, truth, faith, and forgiveness. These attributes are necessary to leading a rich and fulfilling life. Bible verses that deal with joy are an important reminder for believers of joy's benefits to our daily lives. The Bible contains many verses that evoke joy and encourage people to find happiness in their faith in God. In the letter to the Galatians, joy comes from the Spirit. (Cf. Galatians 5:22)

In our spiritual journey towards the Birth of Christ, joy accompanies our faith and encourages us to stay on the path of truth. Saint Paul makes this grace a refrain that must resonate daily in the heart of the believer: "Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4) Jesus reveals to us that true joy goes hand in hand with revealed truth: "I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete." (John 15:11) The spiritual joy that we need so much is linked to conversion. That is what Saint Luke helps us discover in this Sunday's Gospel. Those who listened to the Baptst were in search of joy and freedom. However, only conversion, change of behavior, and mentality could give it to them. To the queston: what should we do? The prophet replied: "Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise... "Stop collecting more than what is prescribed...

"Do not practice extortion, do not falsely accuse anyone, and be satisfied with your wages." (Luke 3,10-18) In a word, all those who practice justice will be in joy. On this Sunday of joy (Gaudete in Latin), may the Holy Spirit, the source of all joy, inspire us to practice good and celebrate the birth of the Messiah with a renewed heart.

With Opened Bible

Mon, 09 Dec 2024 17:54:15 GMT

Second Sunday of Advent

“For God will show all the earth your splendor:

you will be named by God forever

the peace of justice, the glory of God’s worship.”

“In those days afer that tribulation.” (Mark 13:24)

The first verses of the first reading and this Sunday's Gospel encourage us to reflect on the spiritual value of time in the Bible.

In the Holy Scriptures, time is not subject to fate or caprice. It is under the sovereign control of God and his divine plan. For us humans, time has the value of measure and duration. For God, it can mean the fixed moment for realizing a project or an event.

Thus, we have in Isaiah 26:1, "On that day this song shall be sung in the land of Judah: "A strong city have us; he sets up the victory as our walls and ramparts." It is the fixed time for the recognition of divine glory in Jerusalem.

Despite their absence, they received their share of ministry because they were chosen in advance to benefit from it. The Spirit descended upon them, and they prophesied outside the Tent. Joshua refused to silence them since he knew God's deep intentions.

A long time after this happy event, the apostles of Jesus did not learn the lesson of the past. They saw a man (not part of their group) performing miracles in Jesus's name. They wanted to stop him. (Mark 9:38-48) But Jesus replied: "Do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. For whoever is not against us is for us." (Mark 9:39)

In both stories of this Sunday, an existential truth must challenge us. The Spirit of God is free, and no one can control it (not even the Church of Christ): "The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." (John 3:8)

In Christian territory, jealousy has no place. Only the service of God and humanity counts. God is the Head of his Spirit. He gives it to whom he pleases. "In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation, whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him." (Acts of the Apostles 10,34-35) The two elders, Eldad and Medad, were outside the Tent of Meeting, yet they received their share of the ministry. This miraculous event serves as a powerful reminder of Jesus's words about the unity of his Church: "I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd." (John 10,16) We are all part of this one flock, united in God's plan.

The God of Jesus Christ has always desired the salvation of all humanity. He generously bestows his Spirit on all those he has chosen since the foundation of the world, including each one of us in this divine plan.

With Opened Bible

Sun, 22 Sep 2024 15:29:28 GMT

Humility in Service

“If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all”

The first reading and the gospel of this Sunday bring us to the heart of Jesus' primary mission, a mission of such profound significance that it is to die so that the world can live. His very name, Yeshuah, means 'God saves' (Cf. Mathew 1:21), underscoring the weight of his sacrifice.

Jesus is the perfect realization of the prophecies of the Old Testament. The Book of Wisdom mentions the sufferings that the Son of God would neglect. But he would know deliverance because he is Just.

Alongside the concepts of Sacrifice, death and resurrection, Saint Mark reveals to us a more astonishing aspect of Jesus' mission: his humility in service. This is a virtue that should not just be admired, but actvely strived for in our own lives, inspired by Jesus' example. "If anyone wishes to be frst, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all." How can we understand this idea when our humanity is inclined to power and authoritarianism?

Jesus never asked the apostles to do anything that he could not do. His entre mission rested on his obedience to the Father, which went hand in hand with his humility and devoton. "He became fesh and dwelt among us" (John 1). In doing so, Jesus (Pre-existent Word) gives us a lesson of humility and obedience: "For this reason, when he came into the world, he said: "Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; holocausts and sin offerings you took no delight in. Then I said, 'As is written of me in the scroll, Behold, come to do your will, O God.'" (Hebrews 10:5-7) By becoming a servant of the Father and the world, Jesus becomes the first among his equals. Saint Paul sang this great truth to the Philippians: "Who, although he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he empted himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, e he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name* that is above every name. (Philippians 2:6-9)

Also, Jesus invites his friends to do the same. The first will be the servant of all. During the last supper, he showed the way: "Do you realize what I have done for you? You call me 'teacher' and 'master,' and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another's feet. I have given you a model to follow so that as I have done for you, you should also do." (John 13:12- 15)

True Christians do not wait to be served but put themselves at the service of others. "You know that the rulers of the Gentles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be frst among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mathew 20:25-28), we become great. And it is also by serving that we become the Master and the First.

With Opened Bible

Sun, 15 Sep 2024 15:17:35 GMT

Get behind me, Satan

"Get behind me, Satan."

You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do."(Mark 8)

What does the Bible say about Satan, the Enemy of God's People? There are many stories about him, such as his first appearance in the Garden of Beginnings and his role in the temptation of Jesus. But what does the Bible say?

The first appearance of the Devil was in the Garden of Beginnings, as described in Genesis 3:1sss. The sacred author used the image of the terror of the desert (the fery serpents that killed thousands in Numbers 21:4- 9). This image has remained in the memories and has served as a model to personalize the Devil. But, for all those familiar with the Bible, the serpent is only an image. The Devil is not a serpent but a fallen Angel who no longer has access to the heavenly court, as revealed in Revelation 12:9.

An Angel? Yes, that is indeed the case. Satan, or the Devil (that is to say, the one who divides, referring to his role in creating discord and separation), is an Angel, the most beautiful. (Ezekiel 28: 12-13) Hence, his name is Morning Star or Lucifer in Latin (He who carries the light). Isaiah describes him as full of glory and splendor. (Cf. Isaiah 14,12) And since he lost his place in heaven, 'Satan masquerades as an angel of light.' (2 Corinthians 11: 14)

Having said this, the question we must answer is this: If Satan is an Angel, why did Jesus call Peter Satan? The word Satan can be understood in two ways: The frst is the personifcaton of evil par excellence, the Enemy of God and humankind. The second is his role, which is to put himself through the divine plan. By telling Jesus that no harm would come to him, Peter put himself through God's plan to sacrifce the Messiah for the world's salvaton. (Cf. Mark 8:33) Peter becomes Satan (i.e., an obstacle to realizing the divine plan). But Satan himself remains an angelic spirit who no longer has access to the presence of God.

With Opened Bible

Mon, 09 Sep 2024 15:48:25 GMT

"Be strong and fear not!

“Be strong, fear not!”

The God of Israel strengthens his people. The prophet Isaiah, who lived through the fall of Jerusalem and the deportation to Babylon, proclaims a message of strength and courage to those who are weakened by fear.

While the afflicted wonder how long deliverance will last, Isaiah comes and reminds them that they are not alone. The God of their fathers is with them: "Be strong and fear not!"

The phrase 'Do not be afraid' appears in various forms three hundred and sixty-five times in the scriptures. This abundant reassurance, whether from God, his messengers, or fellow believers, serves as a constant reminder of God's comforting presence in our lives, ensuring we always feel supported.

1- Jael, wanting to help King Sisera, said, "Turn aside, my lord, turn aside with me; do not be afraid." (Judges 4:18)

2- To reassure the witch of Endor, King Saul said to her: "Do not be afraid. What do you see?" (1 Samuel 28:13)

There are also many references where God himself assures the believer or his messenger.

1- To his people in the desert, the Lord declares: "Do not fear or be dismayed." (Deuteronomy 1:21)

2- To the young Joshua, called to replace Moses with the people, he said: "Do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD, your God, is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:19)

Many believers in the Old Testament heard this word of assurance and comfort coming from God: Abraham (Genesis 15:1), Moses (Numbers 21:34), or King Ahaz (Isaiah 7:4).

In the book of Paul, David and the other singers made this word their battle horse: "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff comfort me." (Psalm 23:4) or even Psalm 27: 1; Psalm 46:2)

In the New Testament, we find this same refrain of assurance:

1- The angel Gabriel to Mary: "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God." (Luke 1:30)

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With Opened Bible

Sun, 11 Aug 2024 16:10:10 GMT

The Angel of the Lord

The Angel of the Lord.

Who is the Angel of the Lord? And how does the Bible tell us about him? The expression "The Angel of the Lord" (Malak El in Hebrew) must be differentiated from the expression "an angel of the Lord." The Angel of the Lord is not just any messenger, but a unique spiritual entity with a specific divine mandate. In contrast, an angel of the Lord is a more general term for any messenger sent by God. Let's look at what the Holy Scriptures say about the unique role and significance of the Angel of the Lord.

In the Old Testament, the Angel of the Lord stands out as a unique divine character who speaks and acts as if he were God himself. To Hagar, Abraham's servant, he speaks as God. (Genesis 16,7-14) She said "God spoke to me". He speaks to Abraham using the first person. (Genesis 21,11-15) He appears to Moses in the burning bush and commands him what he must do. (Exodus 3, 2-4) He appears to Manoah and his wife (the parents of the great Samson) (Judges 13,3-22); To Gideon (Judges 6,11-23) The latter thought he was going to die since he saw God face to face. (Judges 6:22)

The Angel of the Lord fought against Jacob, blessed him, and changed his name to Israel (which means strong against God) (Genesis 32,27-19) In Judges 2:1, the Angel of the Lord reminded Israel that he brought them out of Egypt.

In the New Testament, there is a very distinct peculiarity. The Angel of the Lord is written with a "lowercase a" to differentiate it from the Angel of the Lord, who represents God himself. To Zechariah and Mary, it was the Angel Gabriel who came to announce the great news of salvation and not the Angel of the Lord (with a capital a)(Luke 1:11.26)

In Acts 12:7 we see Peter who was delivered by the Angel of the Lord in prison. After the birth of Jesus, the mention of the Angel of the Lord (with a capital A) disappears. This disappearance signifies the fulfillment of the prophecy, as God now lives amid his People in the Person of his Son, Jesus Christ. This theological shift is a key aspect of the New Testament narrative. "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign; the young woman, pregnant and about to bear a son, shall name him Emmanuel. (that means God-with-us) (Isaiah 7,14)

STEWARDSHIP

Sun, 11 Aug 2024 15:56:41 GMT

Serving your Parish as an Usher

STEWARDSHIP

Giving of your time, talent & treasure to build up the Body of Christ. We are in need of ushers. They were done away with due to Covid. Believe it or not that was 4 years ago. We should be back to normal. Liturgically, taking up the collection is part of the offertory rite and procession. It is not part of the communion rite and procession which focuses solely on the reception of the Body & Blood of Jesus Christ. “The early Christians each brought some bread and wine from their homes to the church to be used for the Mass and to be given to the clergy and the poor. Today a similar offering for the parish and the poor is made with our monetary contributions. Members of the parish will take up a collection from the assembly and bring it to the priest at the altar with the bread and wine to be used for the sacrifice”.

. herefore, I am asking you to consider serving your Parish as an Usher . A majority of you come to the same Mass weekly. If we get enough volunteers, it can be either a weekly, semimonthly or monthly commitment. I am asking you to prayerfully consider taking part in this important ministry. Any man, woman, teen, or family interested, please call the Parish Office at 856-691-7526

With Opened Bible

Sun, 04 Aug 2024 12:34:20 GMT

This is the bread that the LORD has given you to eat.

After crossing the Red Sea, the Israelites began to challenge their God. Murmurs continued, and they forgot the prowess of his divine power. They forgot the ten plagues of Egypt and the Rock of Horeb. Now, they were crying out for bread and meat, forgetting the years of suffering and despair they had experienced.

The God of gods decided to grant them an unexpected food unknown to men and the world: manna. The word manna comes from the Hebrew word "man hou" and means "what is it?" (Exodus 16:15). It was a grain with an aftertaste of honey. It was collected once a day to nourish oneself and stay alive. (Exodus 16:19) No leftovers were permitted. It risked spoiling and producing worms. (Exodus 16:20) This is the bread that was given in the desert. And this for forty years. (Exodus 16:35) The manna stopped falling when they received the first fruits of the earth in Canaan (Joshua 5:12)

In the Gospel of Saint in chapter 6, Jesus gave a speech on the bread of life by comparing the manna with the True Bread, which is the gift of his body and blood. The manna could not give life to those who ate it: "Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died." (John 6:49). But those who eat the Flesh and drink the blood of the Son of Man will live eternally: "Whoever eats* my Flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day.: (John 6:54)

This statement of Jesus divided his disciples. Many could not accept it: "Then many of his disciples who were listening said, "This saying is hard; who can accept it?" (John 6:57) The twelve believed Jesus is the True Bread of Life. They stayed with him. Peter, the first among his peers, declared: "Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God." (John 68:69) The Eucharist is not a celebration of the past but rather a mysterious event that continues to strengthen the Church and its members. Unlike the manna that stopped falling when Israel entered Canaan, the Eucharist is celebrated until Christ returns: "For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes." (1 Corinthians 11:26)

From the Pastor's Desk

Sun, 04 Aug 2024 12:21:22 GMT

This past week I received several emails, phone calls and texts regarding my article in the bulletin requesting ushers. The question is “Why change”? We have been doing it since Covid. So let me explain. Covid has been over for four years. We are talking about a virus with less than a 3% mortality rate, which is less than the amount that die from the flu each year. And the response to Covid regarding the Church was diabolical. Home Depot, Walmart, Liquor Stores, Abortion Clinics were allowed to stay open while churches had to close especially during Holy Week. If that wasn't diabolical, I don't know what is.

In regards to the collection. Several people who use the electronic giving feel uncomfortable with the present system. They feel they are being judged since they are seen publicly not contributing to the basket. And maybe some are judging them. Feeling that you are being judged or judging your neighbor should not be on one's mind when you are coming up for communion. We should be preparing ourselves spiritually to receive the Body & Blood of Jesus.

So I thank those who have stepped up to serve in this important ministry, helping to restore dignity and respect to the rite of Holy Communion. Be assured that Christ will bestow many blessings upon you and your family.

Fr Joe Ganiel

With Open Bible

Sat, 27 Jul 2024 21:08:39 GMT

Jesus: the perfect figure of the prophet Elisha

Jesus: the perfect figure of the prophet Elisha.

The Bible is subdivided into two parts: the Old and New Testaments. The first announces what will come in images, types, and figures. The second realizes in facts and events what the first announced.

So, we have some examples that can demonstrate this to us. The first Adam failed by disobeying the Creator. (Genesis 3,17) The second, Jesus Christ, remained faithful and obedient until death, fulfilling the prophecies of the Old Testament. (Philippians 2, 8) Moses gave the Law to the Israelites. Jesus, the New Moses and the Author of the Law gave us truth and grace, fulflling the prophecies of the Old Testament. (John 1:17) Israel was freed from the house of bondage in Egypt and crossed the Red Sea on dry ground. (Exodus 12.51; 14.14-31). Jesus, the perfect Israel, conquered death and passed through the heavens, giving believers access, fulflling the prophecies of the Old Testament. (John 20, 1f) The Rock of Horeb spouted the water of life to quench the people's thirst in the desert. (Exodus 17.6). On Calvary, water and blood gushed from the open heart of Jesus, fulflling the prophecies of the Old Testament. (John 19, 34) Moses raised the bronze serpent for the healing of the Jews in the desert. (Numbers 21, 4-9) Jesus is raised on the cross for the salvaton of the world. (John 3, 14-15) We can go even further with examples, but we are content with these.

The first reading and the Gospel of this Sunday bring us another example of this figure-realization relationship between the Old and New Testaments. It is, of course, the miracle of the multiplication of loaves. The prophet Elisha commanded that the crowds be fed. Despite everyone's reluctance, he insisted. And what he wanted came true. (Second Book of Kings 4.42-44). Despite the disciples ' reluctance, Jesus performed the same miracle: "Two hundred days' wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little." The miracle was accomplished, and the crowd was satisfied, and twelve baskets of remaining bread were collected.

By performing this miracle, the gospel of Saint Mark sends a message to the Jews for whom his gospel was written: Jesus is the New Elisha, continuing the legacy of the Old Testament figures. He realizes the prophecies, figures, and types of the Old Testament. Elisha was able to feed a crowd, Jesus the Bread of Life feeds not only the crowd but all those who believe in his divine Word: "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in I will never thirst." (John 6.35)

With Opened Bible

Sun, 21 Jul 2024 01:33:55 GMT

The Shepherd

The image of the shepherd is one of the most significant in the Bible. It expresses love, compassion but above all protection. David understood this idea when he sang in his prayer: "The LORD is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack." (Psalm 23) The shepherd is God himself who, through his divine providence, provides comfort and protection to his people.

However, it is important to note that God's selection of men in politics and religion to guide Israel is not arbitrary. He chose Moses, a general strategist, to become a shepherd for 40 years, not by chance, but to develop the virtues necessary to lead the flock (Israel) (Cf. Exodus 3,1; Acts 7,30). Similarly, he chose young David, a humble shepherd, to be the greatest of the Kings of his time. (2 Samuel 7, 8; 1 Chronicles 17, 7-8)

God also chose men to instruct and guide his chosen one towards the path of holiness and truth. Prophets, like priests, are shepherds. Amos was a shepherd and cultivated sycamore trees. but God made him the messenger to correct the errors due to the rejection of the Law of God. (Amos 7,12-15) Later, in the New Testament, Jesus inherited the ministry of the shepherd that the Father carried out in the Old Testament. His heart moves with pity as he sees the crowd like a flock without a shepherd. (Mark) He heals, consoles, raises, feeds and saves as a good shepherd would have done for his sheep. He is the Good Shepherd who knows the flock. To his voice the sheep obey. (John 10, 11-14)

After him, the Apostles, like the bishops and the priests, took on the pastoral responsibility of the flock. To them he entrusted the Church, the Flock which he saved with his blood. “Keep watch over yourselves and over the whole flock of which the holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, * in which you tend the church of God that he acquired with his own blood.” (The Acts of the Apostles 20,28) Peter added: “Tend the flock of God in your midst, [overseeing] not by constraint but willingly, as God would have it, not for shameful profit but eagerly. Do not lord it over those assigned to you but be examples to the fock. And when the chief Shepherd is revealed, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. (1 Peter 5,2-4)

If there is a reward for faithful shepherds, the prophet reminds us that there will be punishment for those who neglect the flock: "You have scattered my sheep and driven them away. You have not cared for them, but I will take care to punish your evil deeds." (Jeremiah 23, 2) Today, more than ever, the Church needs shepherds who are in the image of the Supreme Shepherd, Jesus Christ. But we must ask for it in prayer because God has promised it: “I will raise up shepherds for them who will shepherd them so that they need no longer fear or be terrifed; shall none be missing—oracle of the LORD." (Jeremiah 23,4)

With Opened Bible

Sat, 13 Jul 2024 18:35:23 GMT

Jesus Summoned the Twelve

The Bible is a treasure trove of divine codes, types, and images that convey the profound Word of God. Numbers, too, hold a sacred message or a divine warning. For instance, 40 signifies preparation and maturity, 7 or 70 denotes perfection and the number of nations. However, among these, the number 12 stands out as it is the divine number of the People of Israel. Let's delve into this divine significance through specific texts.

Jacob, the son of Isaac and little child of Abraham, had twelve sons and one daughter, Dinah. In Jewish tradition, only men can be named according to family descent. (Genesis 29,32-35; 30,1-26; 35,16-19;37,35) Jacob won in his spiritual struggle with the Angel of God ("Malak El," which is a way of saying God in person). The Angel of the Lord, or the Lord himself, blessed Jacob and changed his name to Israel (meaning God prevails or fights with God) (Genesis 32,28). Therefore, the twelve sons of Jacob, or the twelve tribes of Israel, form the federation of tribes or the Israelite nation, the chosen one of God.

In the New Testament, Jesus, the perfect image of Jacob, his ancestor, employs a similar strategy to establish the New Israel in the Spirit, the Church. He handpicks twelve men from the vast crowd of disciples and anoints them with the ttle of apostles (which means called to be sent): "When day came, he called his disciples to himself, and from them he chose Twelve, whom he also named apostles." (Luke 6.13)

The twelve become the stones on which the Church of Jesus Christ, the New Israel, is founded. (Ephesians 2,20) At the death of Judas, the apostolic college was incomplete. It had to be replaced as it was written in the Psalm of David: "For it is written in the Book of Psalms: Let his encampment become desolate and may no one dwell in it.' " (The Acts of the Apostles 1.20)

At the end of tme, the two Israels will be harmoniously united and entrusted with the world's judgment. The 24 thrones erected in heaven stand as a testament to this unity: twelve for the sons of Jacob and twelve for the apostles (Cf. Revelaton 4,4). This unity underscores the balance and harmony in the divine plan for Israel and the Church.

Behold the Lamb of God

Sat, 06 Jul 2024 16:34:11 GMT

“Behold the Lamb of God, behold Him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb”

A few months before his death, Venerable Fulton J. Sheen was asked who had been an inspiration to him, “Was it a pope?”

“ No, it was the true story of a young girl from China who was about 12 years old. As the Communists were in the process of taking over, soldiers entered a church in a predominantly Catholic village where inside the church the priest was praying . The villagers heard the commotion and rushed to the aid of the priest. The commandant saw the people filling the church and he took the opportunity to mock their Catholic faith. He broke open the lock of the Tabernacle door, took the ciborium into his hands and sent it with its consecrated contents rolling across the sanctuary floor. Then the commandant with his soldiers proceeded to step upon the hosts. The commandant pointed to one of the villagers who had his young daughter with him and said, “Do you really believe that this is God under my feet?” The brave man replied, “Yes sir, I do.” The man was arrested that day and was never heard from again. Before the soldiers dispersed the crowd, they locked the priest in a small room adjacent to the church where the coal for the furnace was stored. There was a small window that allowed him to see into the sanctuary. Later that evening, the priest saw the brave man’s daughter slip into the church undetected by the soldier standing guard. She crept up to the communion rail and knelt there in silent prayer for about an hour. She then proceeded into the sanctuary and fell to her knees and with her mouth pressed to the floor received her Eucharistic Lord. After making a short thanksgiving, she left the church, once again, slipping past the guards standing post in the front. The next evening she returned once again slipping past the guards and after silent prayer, pressed her mouth to the floor and received the desecrated Lord. Every evening for 31 days the young girl returned, receiving the Lord in the same manner. Since his 1st day of captivity, the priest had counted the # of Hosts that had been thrown on the sanctuary floor (32). He knew that only one Host remained. On the 32nd evening the young girl arrived and after prayer arose to enter the sanctuary just as a guard burst through the church doors, and shot her. The young girl crawled across the floor and consumed the last Host. The priest watching from his cell was a witness to all that happened. When Archbishop Sheen heard the story of this young Eucharistic martyr he thought to himself, “if this child under the daily threat of death could make time to adore her Lord’s presence in the Most Blessed Sacrament, then he could too.

He resolved to make a Holy Hour every day for the rest of his priestly life. He said that the daily hour spent with the Lord changed his life and would change the life of anyone who did the same. We should ask ourselves, “How much time do we devote to the Lord every day? How much time should we devote to Our Lord in prayer every day? And from today on, how much time will I devote to our Lord every day?

“ The Eucharist is source & pledge of glory, not for the soul alone, but for the body also...In the frail & perishable body that Divine Host, which is the immortal body of Christ, implants a principle of resurrection, a seed of immortality, which one day must germinate.”

Pope Leo XIII

Exiit qui seminat

Thu, 27 Jun 2024 15:05:26 GMT

Ci Vediamo

This is not "goodbye".

For the past nine years I have been truly blessed to be your pastor. Change is never easy, but the reality is that we are never static in the spiritual life. We are either growing closer to God or moving farther away. We can never be standing still when it comes to our Lord. Life is change and, God-willing, each change brings us closer to our heavenly home. In the life of a priest, there are many "firsts" - my first Mass, my first assignment, my first wedding, my first funeral, etc. However, I can tell you with certainty that there has never been a more profound "first" in my priestly life than my first time being a pastor here at St. Padre Pio. Through good times and bad, easy and hard, I have grown under your "tutelage" as my parishioners. I have experienced a holiness, a kindness, a generosity, a forgiveness and a love that has truly changed me for the better. I have become a better pastor, a better priest, a better man, a better brother and a better son - and I owe it all to you. A wise priest, Msgr. Timothy Ryan, who has since gone home to God, once told me a story about a pastor who had some pretty visible problems in his life. But, in spite of everything that had happened, the priest loved his people and so they forgave him. "Be kind", Msgr. Ryan said, "and love your people and they will forgive you." The lesson of that story has stayed with me for over 20 years and has been something that I have strived to do during our time together. It's why I said from the beginning that I would love you with a pastor's heart. Thankfully, I have experienced firsthand that forgiveness and for those who have struggled to forgive me for all I have done, I understand. I have not always been perfect. I am a sinner like the rest of us. If I have hurt you or somehow done you wrong, I apologize. I have never intentionally tried to bring someone harm. Even with good intentions, sometimes the wrong things happen and for that I am sorry. I am in awe of all of the unbelievably special people that I have in my life from this parish who will always have a place in my heart. I am grateful to Almighty God for all of the good priests that have been assigned with me. I especially am grateful to Fr. Dimitri. His priestly example and preaching has raised the bar for me and I am thankful for his friendship. In turn, I thank Padre Fortunato Grottola, OFM, now the Guardian for the Capuchin monastery in Pietrelcina, for his friendship and being the impetus for having the parish become the Diocesan Shrine of St. Pio of Pietrelcina. Graziemille Padre! I have been blessed with the best deacon and friend that I could ask for in Deacon Rich Sampson and his lovely wife Janet. I thank the parish staff for their love and support, from Janice and Joanne in the beginning, to Barb and Mannetta, to Carmine and Kit, Felicia and Cathy, to Ericka and Denise and to our "supervolunteers" during my time here: Joan, John, Linda, Connor, Amelia & Joe. I also want to particularly thank Dave Saglimbeni. Dave and his crew (in all of its multiple forms) work extremely hard trying to balance the church grounds, the cemeteries and the school. They have a lot on their plate, but Dave always seems to get it done, just in the nick of time. As hard a worker as Dave is, he is even more so a loyal and generous friend. Dave has never hesitated once to help me, and Batman is as good a dog as he is because of his "Unca Dave". Dave has watched my dog almost every Sunday over the past 5 years so I could get an overnight at home. He's a good man. I am eternally grateful to the farming community of the parish. Not only do they continue the long standing “agricultura” of the Italian immigrants that came to this country, they have been invaluable not just at the Festival but all the year through. The savings to the parish in snow plowing alone is incalculable. There have been so many good people in this parish who have gone home to their eternal reward. I especially miss Rosa Guerica and Fr. Al Onyutha-Ora pro nobis! I thank my predecessor, Fr. Pete Saporito, for laying down such a wonderful foundation here in this parish and in turn welcome my successor, Fr. Joe Ganiel to the parish. I am both excited and envious that he now gets a chance to experience the goodness of the people of Vineland.

Finally, I thank all of you! Please know of my great love and prayers for you and your families and don't be a stranger! Runnemede is only about 45 minutes away. That's nothing for someone living in Vineland. In Italian, "ciao" is a phrase that is used to say both Hello and Goodbye. While familiar, it doesn't fit the current situation. Instead, I say to all of you: ci vediamo - until we see each other again! God bless you and I love you all!

Exiit qui seminat

Sat, 22 Jun 2024 21:34:46 GMT

Yard Sale

It's become "crunch time" for me in terms of packing. In the midst of this inevitable confrontation, I have come face to face with a realization that I've had for a long time (and that the parish staff can easily attest to) - I ... have a ton of stuff. Papers, books, DVD's, CD's, recording and podcasting equipment (that stuff really saved our bacon during COVID by the way), toys, clothes, sports memorabilia, pots and pans, plates and glasses, spices, rubs and food stuffs. It's more than just the ordinary things that one accrues while living in a place for 9 years. It is the culmination of over 20 years in ministry and 50 years of life. While I do not think that I have reached the level of hoarder (denial just ain't a river in Egypt), I am certainly more than a serious pack rat. Over the past few days I have thought of the words of our Lord in John 17:14-16 as He prayed for His disciples: "I gave them your word, and the world hated them, because they do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world but that you keep them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world." As a person, and especially as a priest, I struggle with being detached. It's not that I'm overly focused on material things, or at least I hope not, but rather I think I struggle with the over importance of my agency and my role in my own life and hesitate to let the Lord be the author of all. I have always struggled with placing my entire trust and my entire life in Him. St. Padre Pio writes: Our present life is given only to gain the eternal one and if we don’t think about it, we build our affections on what belongs to this world, where our life is transitory. When we have to leave it we are afraid and become agitated. Believe me, to live happily in this pilgrimage, we have to aim at the hope of arriving at our Homeland, where we will stay eternally. Meanwhile we have to believe firmly that God calls us to Himself and follows us along the path towards Him.

He will never permit anything to happen to us that is not for our greater good. He knows who we are and He will hold out His paternal hand to us during difficulties, so that nothing prevents us from running to Him swiftly. But to enjoy this grace we must have complete trust in Him. With that in mind, I'm giving away some stuff. Outside of the rectory this weekend there will be a sundry of things. Take a look! If you want something, TAKE IT! No questions asked! In the end, it will be one less thing to pack and hopefully one step closer to trusting in God and getting to heaven!

Exiit qui seminat

Sat, 08 Jun 2024 20:20:41 GMT

Sacred Heart of Jesus

The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

St. John Paul II, a great devotee of the Sacred Heart, said, “This feast reminds us of the mystery of the love of God for the people of all times.

”Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus"

- "I will give them all the graces necessary in their state of life.

- I will establish peace in their homes.

- I will comfort them in all their afflictions.

- I will be their secure refuge during life, and above all, in death.

- I will bestow abundant blessings upon all their undertakings.

- Sinners will find in my Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy.

- Lukewarm souls shall become fervent.

- Fervent souls shall quickly mount to high perfection.

- I will bless every place in which an image of my Heart is exposed and honored.

- I will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts.

- Those who shall promote this devotion shall have their names written in my Heart.

“I wish solemnly to entrust the world to divine mercy. I do so with the burning desire that the message of God’s merciful love, proclaimed here through St. Faustina, may be made known to all the peoples of the earth and fill their hearts with hope.” With this phrase, Pope St. John Paul II entrusted to the whole world to God's Divine Mercy when he consecrated the International Shrine of the Divine Mercy in Lagiewniki, Poland in 2002.

It was the completion of a devotion that began some 60 years earlier when as a young seminarian, Karol Wojtyla, first learned of the locutions that St. Faustina Kowalska received from our Lord. From that time on, the soon to be pope was inspired in a particular way to be an instrument of the Lord's mercy and forgiveness, seeing it as his greatest calling as the Successor to St. Peter. he felt spreading the message of divine mercy to be his greatest calling.

”Right from the beginning of my ministry in St. Peter’s See in Rome, I considered this message my special task. Providence has assigned it to me in the present situation of man, the Church, and the world. It could be said that precisely this situation assigned that message to me as my task before God.

" Our Lord's mercy and forgiveness and a devotion to His Divine Mercy are all the more important and impactful in the world in which we live. In so many ways, our world can be a harsh and unforgiving place where mistakes are swiftly punished and second chances rarely given. It truly goes against our faith, because if the Lord can readily forgive us our sins (and does through the Sacrament of Reconciliation) then who are we to refuse that mercy to others? In addition, we must disavow ourselves of the misnomer that our own sins are unforgivable. That is the work of the devil who wants to be as far away from divine grace and mercy as humanly possible.

So on this Divine Mercy Sunday, let us avail ourselves of our Lord's redeeming and merciful love. In turn let us share the spark of the fire of divine love to our brothers and sisters. As Pope St. John Paul II proclaimed in April of 2000 when he canonized St. Faustina, "This spark needs to be lighted by the grace of God. This fire of mercy needs to be passed on to the world. In the mercy of God the world will find peace and mankind will find happiness! I entrust this task to you, dear Brothers and Sisters, to the Church in Kraków and Poland, and to all the votaries of divine mercy who will come here from Poland and from throughout the world. May you be witnesses to mercy!”

Exiit qui seminat

Mon, 01 Apr 2024 13:07:51 GMT

Easter

Sun, 10 Sep 2023 01:19:40 GMT

TRUTH

"My job is to inform, not to convince." ~ St. Bernadette Soubirous. Our first reading this Sunday comes from the Book of the prophet Ezekiel. Ezekiel writes during the time of the 2nd wave of the Babylonian exile, not just to admonish the inhabitants of Judah for their lack of faithfulness to God, but also to strengthen them in the fact that one day they will return home and the nation of Judah will be restored. In these verses from the 33rd chapter, God reminds Ezekiel the importance of speaking the truth, of warning the wicked of their wickedness. If Ezekiel fails to speak, not only will the person die for his transgressions, Ezekiel will be responsible for the death of the "wicked one". Being on the receiving end of the truth, being confronted with the hard things that we need to hear is not easy. Far beyond making a honest mistake, no one wants to be wrong or be called out on the times that we choose our will and our desires as more important than God's will and plan for us. It's even tougher to communicate the truth to others. The majority of us (ESPECIALLY myself) try extremely hard to avoid confrontation. There is an uncomfortableness to the truth and while it is necessary to correct others, the fear is that the message and the intention behind it will be misconstrued and force people away. But the most loving thing is to speak the truth - to be honest with a combination of firmness and charity. To do otherwise only makes the situation more difficult. If we were on fire and somehow didn't know it, I don't think any of us would want someone to pass by and neglect to tell us that we were burning. Also, if we speak the truth in charity and love and express it in the best way possible, it is not up to us whether or not others listen and take what is said taken to heart. It is our prayer that it all falls out that way, but God has given us all free will and have the choice to either accept the truth and change or reject the truth and remain in error. This attitude of love, of proclaim the truth, is all the more important in the world in which we live. The concept of "truth" in our society is more than subjective or relative. We are now licensed and have the ability to create our own "truth" regardless of whether it synchs with reality, as well as the natural and the divine law. Let us pray that our stoney and stubborn hearts may be replaced with hearts open and disposed to the will of God. Let us have the courage to receive the hard truths spoken to us with a desire to grow in greater love of Christ and His Church and let us have the courage to speak that truth out of love to our brothers and sisters that need to hear it the most.

Fr Rob

Exiit qui seminat “The sower goes out to sow ”

Sat, 02 Sep 2023 16:21:56 GMT

Beyond Companionship

I recently presided over the funeral service of a younger person. On the "clergy record", the form provided by the funeral home to the priest and/or parish is a list of loved ones. Along with the deceased's family members was listed a "companion", obviously someone the person had a close relationship, more than a mere boyfriend or girlfriend, but less than a fiancé or even a husband or wife. At the graveside, after the prayers had ended and the flowers placed on the casket, I saw the "companion", walking away by themselves, briefly comforted by the others present, but basically alone. I was truly struck by that moment and it really made me reflect about the current climate of our culture. Now I know that not every couple should get married, and while divorce is not what God desires for us, I understand the difficult choices people have to make for their own wellbeing. In addition, I have no idea about the nature and depth of this particular couple's relationship, but I couldn't help but feel compassion for the young person - wondering whether or not they would have the support they would need in the months and years following, long after the funeral had ended. Whether the companion would still be considered "family" even though the couple was never married. The reality is that fewer and fewer couples are getting married and instead are living with one another without ever feeling the need to be married. This trend, while popular in modern society, is a dangerous one. It seems to reject the underpinnings of commitment and permanence that bolster marriage. While proponents for not getting married would argue that one does not need a sacrament or piece of paper to show their commitment to one another, on the flip side, there is nothing to hold the couple together when times get tough and it would be easy to walk away. From a Church perspective, marriage is not just important for a couple, it is essential for the life of the Church herself. Marriage in the Church is a covenant with God. It gives grace to the couple, the necessary spiritual help to hold them together. That covenant lifts up the couple with God's love, especially when a husband and wife are having a hard time loving each other. In addition, marriage in the Church not only helps the couple to grow in love and fidelity to one another, but also is the formation of a "domestic church" in their own right. Marriage is the fundamental building block of society and is a visible sign of sacrificial love. Let us pray for couples, especially those who may be far from the idea of marriage right now. Let us pray that they may have their hearts moved by God to be closer to Him. Because I have to tell you, while spending your life with the person you love is pretty great, it pales in comparison to when you have a loving relationship with someone and have the grace and love of God lifting it up!

Fr. Rob

Exiit qui seminat “The Sower Goes Out To Sow”

Sat, 26 Aug 2023 16:39:43 GMT

National Eucharistic Revival

Even though the pandemic has officially end some time ago, it still has affected so many aspects of our lives, and the parish is no exception. For St. Padre Pio, the main focus since all of this began was to meet the spiritual and sacramental needs of parishioners. At the bare minimum, that meant a return to a somewhat normal Sunday liturgical celebration. Other aspects of parish life necessarily diminished. Now it's time to continue moving forward as a parish, to glorify God with how we love, live and pray and to strive to live out the Gospel as Christ commands.

As you may recall, the Catholic Church in the United States is engaging in a three-year Eucharistic Renewal to increase our faith and devotion in the True Presence of Our Lord in the Most Blessed Sacrament. In Year 2 we'll be making a concerted effort to pray before our Eucharistic Lord. So starting in September, the first Sunday of every month we'll have a brief time for adoration after every Mass (about 15 minutes). In addition the parish will be scheduling special opportunities to pray before the Eucharist and sharing further catechesis on the importance of Holy Communion in our lives.

Also starting in September, the parish will have additional time for confession on the third Sunday of each month. Along with 4 PM on Saturdays, a priest will be available to hear confessions after the 7:30, 9 and 11 AM Masses. As Padre Pio wrote, "When disturbed by passions and misfortunes, may the sweet hope of [God's] inexhaustible mercy sustain us. Let us hasten confidently to the tribunal of penance where He awaits us at every instant with the anxiety of a father; and even though we are aware of our inability to repay Him, let us have no doubts about the solemn pardon pronounced over our errors. Let us place a tombstone over them, just as the Lord has done."

These are just a few of the things that the parish will be doing over the next several months to not only feed and nourish the souls of parishioners, but also continue to foster our sense of community as a parish family. One thing in particular is the creation of a 'Welcoming Committee'. If that's something of interest to you, please reach out to me at the rectory!

Please continue to pray for our parish that we can make use of the opportunities that the Lord places in our lives and continue to foster our faith and unity among ourselves and one another!

Exiit qui seminat “The Sower Goes Out To Sow”

Sat, 19 Aug 2023 22:26:45 GMT

St. Pius X ora pro nobis!

This Monday, August 21st, we celebrate the feast day of Pope St. Pius X. Born Guiseppe Sarto in Italy in 1835, St. Pius X reigned as Supreme Pontiff from 1903 until his death in 1914. A man of great holiness and humility, Pius X had great love for both the poor and for children and rejected the trappings and wealth that came along with the papacy. While being well known for moving the age of First Holy Communion to the age of 7 and the creation of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) in order to catechize children, Pope St. Pius X also was involved in the reform of the Mass. He emphasized the importance of frequent reception of the Eucharist and that Holy Communion was at the heart of not only the Mass, but our faith. The best way to focus on Mass is to acquire its primary source "quae est participatio divinorum mysteriorum" - which is participating in the Divine Mysteries. Mass can seem to be a passive activity. We sit in the pew. We listen to hymns, prayers, readings, homilies, announcements, etc. We receive the final blessing and we go home. What Pope St. Pius X is telling us and what the Church continues to tell us is that we can't get the most out of Mass unless we fully and completely dive into what is happening right before our very eyes. We're not passive participants. We need to be active recipients - to be open and disposed, active and engaged in the graces that we receive at every Mass and the awesome reality that the living Word of God is present in our midst. When was the last time we felt that way when we went to Mass? AND what can we do to be better disposed to what we receive? Maybe it's reflecting on the readings and prayers ahead of time. Maybe it's looking at the words of hymns before we sing (IF we sing ). Because Mass is not a passive transaction ... it's a relationship. So in honor of Pope St. Pius X let us delve into the Divine Mysteries that are made present to us every time we come to Mass!

St. Pius X ora pro nobis!

Fr. Rob

Exiit qui seminat “The sower goes out to sow”

Sun, 13 Aug 2023 04:10:19 GMT

Holy Orders Part 2

Today, we finish up our look at the Sacrament of Holy Orders.

Holy Orders, at its core, is a participation in the 3-fold munera (or duties) of Christ to teach, govern and sanctify. For the priesthood and the episcopacy (aka being a bishop), the sacramental reality is that there is only one true priest: Jesus Himself. Bishops and priests are Christ's ministers and participate in His priesthood. A bishop is the fullness of His ministry and His obligations of love and is considered a successor to the Apostles. The priest is a further extension of Christ's priesthood, bringing the sacraments to the people. Deacons are actually a sacrament of the Church and the recognition of an important and specific need in ministering to the faithful. Bishops, priests and deacons take solemn promises of celibacy and obedience. We also make a solemn promise to be faithful to praying the Liturgy of the Hours or the Breviary, the official prayer of the Church. Priests that belong to religious orders (like the Franciscans, the Dominicans and the Augustinians) make vows instead of solemn promises. These vows are based on the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity and obedience and may also include things like stability (for monks and cloisters) and special promises of fidelity to the Holy Father (in the case of the Jesuits). These promises and vows help the priest to imitate Jesus Christ, who is literally the ultimate priestly model as the One, True High Priest. They aid priests in carrying out their vocation effectively and to serve the faithful in a meaningful way. Whenever a priest teaches catechesis, preaches, and evangelizes, gives pastoral leadership, celebrates and administers the sacramental life of the Church, we see the culmination of the munera and the promises/vows of the priests in a meaningful way. They compliment each other in building and sustaining the spiritual life of the Church. And in doing so priests play a vital role in fostering a vibrant and holier Catholic community, leading the faithful towards a deeper relationship with God and ultimately guiding them on the path to salvation. As we bring our discussion about the 7 Sacraments to a close, I want to thank each and every one of you for your attentiveness and engagement. I hope you found these articles interesting and maybe even learned something you didn't know before! It is my hope that by learning about how we pray and how the Sacraments are at the heart of the Church we can continue our journey together as a community and a Church in growing in love for Christ, His Church and one another! God bless you all!

Batman's Column

Fri, 04 Aug 2023 12:56:30 GMT

It iz me, Batman, da rectory doggo!

I haz 2 admit dat I am da victim o "Classical Conditioning". Basically, if u ringz da doorbell at da rectory o even happen 2 walk by da front door and I seez u, I tendz 2 b ... overly "enthusiastic" and I soundz like a maniac. I iz not proud. I cannot helpz it. I iz, after all, a doggo. However, if we happenz 2 meet outside, I tendz 2 b a little more under control and calmer. It's kind o like 2day's first reading from da 1st Book o Kings. God visitz Elijah on Mt. Horeb. But God wuz NOT in da strong and heavy wind o da terrible earthquake, o da raging fire. God came in a whisper. It's da same in Matthew's Gospel. Da disciplez were in dere boat getting hammered by both da wind and da wavez. They were in trouble. Jesus comez 2 dem walking on da water, not sprinting o running and brings calm 2 da boat. Heck even Peter wuz able 2 walk on da water wit Jesus! It's only wen Peter got distracted dat he started 2 sink. Our livez can be so loud sometimez dat we forget dat God iz with us. He standz in da middle o da storm, calmly and quietly telling us dat He iz dere and 2 giv us His peace. Da problem iz dat we often r 2 preoccupied with da fact dat we r sinking and forget dat God has His hand outstretched, ready to grasp ours, if we let Him. So wut storm r we in right now? Wut do we need from God 2 help stop us from sinking? Wut iz preventing us from reaching out and taking His hand? Let us never forget dat da Lord iz in our midst alwayz, in good timez and in bad, easy and hard and may we alwayz acknowledge da presence o da Son o God!

God Bless (and please forgive da barking)!

Batman, da rectory doggo

Exiit qui seminat - “ The sower goes out to sow ”

Fri, 04 Aug 2023 12:51:16 GMT

Holy Orders

This Sunday we focus on the last of the Sacraments of Service (and the last of the 7): Holy Orders. After I wrote everything I felt necessary for this Sacrament, I realized it was too big for just one week. So this week, we'll talk about the service aspect of Holy Orders and next week we'll take more about the "nuts and bolts" of the particular aspects of the episcopacy, the presbyterate and the diaconate. Both Holy Orders and Holy Matrimony are unique in the fact that not every baptized member of the faithful will get married and not every one can be ordained a deacon, priest or bishop. But even in the fact that we may never participate in these particular states of life, the most important aspect of both Marriage and Holy Orders is that they are not meant for the recipient of the sacraments themselves. These sacraments are meant to sanctify and give grace to others. While even on hard days, most married couples and priests can find joy in their lives (Godwilling), a husband is meant to give and share his life with his wife and vice versa, and a deacon's, priest's, and bishop's entire life is meant to be in the service of the local Church and the universal Church as a whole. This is true even for permanent deacons who are already married and have a family at the time of ordination. That's why the Church takes particular care that the wives of deacons are "on board" with what their husbands are about to be committed towards. Permanent deacons' families make A LOT of sacrifices that, unfortunately, go unnoticed. So take time to thank a deacon's wife for her support and the gift of her husband to our local Church!!! Celibacy certainly makes it easier for bishops and priests to dedicate their lives in service of the People of God, but some priests in the Eastern rites of the Catholic Church can be married (but have to be married before they are ordained deacons). While most of the faithful encounter clergy as a part of Mass on Sunday, it's not the only thing that we do. Priests and deacons do a lot during the week, like visiting the sick and the homebound. Anointing the sick and the dying at hospitals, some of us have special ministries to a particular community (like Fr. Dimitri to the Haitians and me to the Tribunal). As pastor there is a lot of administrative work and other pastoral responsibilities (like writing this column), but everything that we do as a part of our ministry is to help others get to heaven! So pray for the clergy of the parish and check in next week for more about the Sacrament of Holy Orders!

Fr. Rob

Batman's Column

Sat, 29 Jul 2023 19:47:44 GMT

My Deer Parishionerz o St. Padre Pio Parish,

It iz me, Batman, da rectory doggo! As a doggo, I iz hungry ALL o da time! What time iz it?!? It's FEED ME O'CLOCK!!! Dere iz never a time dat I iz not looking 4 a snacko and I iz NOT ashamed 2 beg! I will ask/beg/plead/demand/whine 4 someting 2 eat whenever dere iz an opportunity 2 do so. While eating IZ pretty important 4 doggoz, dere r better tingz 2 ask 4, lik a walk or a perfectly timed scratch or even just spending time wit da hoomanz dat I luvz (like my daddo)! In da 1st reading 2day, the Lord appearz 2 Solomon in a dream and sayz, "Ask something of me and I will give it to you." Solomon could have asked 4 anyting (like a long life, riches, or even victory over his enemies [dey were probably birdoz])! But instead Solomon asked God 4 wisdom and understanding. Wisdom iz considered da first and greatest gift o da Holy Spirit because it directz our minds 2 God. In Matthew's Gospel, Jesus tellz parables about how da kingdom of heaven is better-er dan a buried treasure o a pearl o great price! As poor sinnerz, we often look 4 worldly riches or worldly success. Dat doesn't get us very far and can end up doing more harm dan good. It iz only when we seek God and strive 4 da kingdom o heaven dat we gain access 2 riches dat do not fade and will last 4 all eternity. If da Lord appeared 2 us and asked us, "Ask something of me and I will give it to you", wut would our response be? Would it be 4 a long life? Worldly riches or some sort o pleasurable experience? O would be ask 4 da only ting dat would truly satisfy our heartz - divine wisdom and access 2 da kingdom o heaven? Instead o tingz dat don't matter much, let us ask God 4 da grace 2 keep our eyez on da prize!

God Bless (and I would still ask 4 a snacko! I iz a doggo after all)!

Batman, da rectory doggo

Exiit qui seminat - "The sower goes out to sow"

Sat, 29 Jul 2023 19:41:54 GMT

Holy Matrimony

As we continue our journey through the Sacraments, we look at the first of the two Sacraments of Service: Holy Matrimony. Most of the Church's understanding of marriage comes from the theology of St. Augustine. According to St. Augustine, there are three "goods" that a couple needs to have in order to enter into marriage. Both the bride and groom have to believe that marriage is meant to last forever, that they are called to be exclusively faithful to one another, and to be open to children (if appropriate to the age of the couple and if God grants such). Later, during the Scholastic period, theologians add the fact that marriage is meant to bring husbands and wives closer together in unity and the understanding that what God has joined, man must not divide (the concept of indissolubility). While the whole concept of love is not explicitly mentioned theologically or according to canon law, love is implicit in the concept of the community of life husbands and wives form with one another and that the Sacrament of Marriage is oriented toward "the good of the spouses" (1983 Code of Canon Law: Canon 1055 paragraph 1). Marriage, as a sacrament, is truly unique because it is the only one of the 7 sacraments that doesn't have a bishop, priest or deacon as its minister. The ministers of marriage are actually the bride and groom. Priests and deacons are present to serve as official Church witnesses and to make sure that the ceremonies and sacramental form of marriage are correctly observed. In terms of the celebration of marriage, the sacrament has two integral parts: the exchange of vows and the consummation of the marriage. While the exchanging of consent is essential in "getting married", it's the actual consummation of the marriage that seals the covenant between God and the couple. Marriage, sacramentally, has an exalted status in the Church. Not only is marriage a natural condition, meaning that marriage can be found across different cultures and societies, it also is a reflection of what the life of the Trinity is like. Like the relationship of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, marriage is a communion of persons that are meant to offer their entire selves to each other out of love. Even more amazing, when a marriage brings forth life, husbands and wives become co-creators with God. That's why marriage and family is considered not only a "domestic Church", but also the basic foundation and building block of society and the Church. As goes marriages and families, so goes the Church. As a parish community, let us pray for married couples and families, especially those that are in crisis, that their hearts may be opened to have the Lord instill the fullness of His love in their lives!

Fr. Rob

Batman's Column

Fri, 21 Jul 2023 19:07:48 GMT

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Exiit qui seminat - The sower goes out to sow"

Fri, 21 Jul 2023 19:03:05 GMT

Healing with the Anointing of the Sick

This week we delve into the second of the Sacraments of Healing with the Anointing of the Sick. The word anoint comes from the Latin ungere, which means "to smear". However, the noun form of the verb, inunctum, was translated as "a consecrated one" or "the Lord's anointed". In the Old Testament, oil was used not just to set others part for service, but used to strengthen and lift others up from a world filled with decay. It is this particular emphasis that is at the heart of the anointing of the sick - to be lifted up out of the illness and sickness that comes as a result of sin and death and to turn to the Lord who saves us. "It is before God that [the one who is sick] laments his illness, and it is of God, Master of life and death, that he implores healing. Illness becomes a way to conversion; God's forgiveness initiates the healing" (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1502). This restoration and healing in terms of anointing is mentioned in the New Testament in the Gospel of Mark and in the Letter of St. James. Christ sends His disciples forth to share in His mission, "So they went out and preached that men should repent. And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many that were sick and healed them" (Mark 6:12-13). The Letter of St. James is even more explicit in the power of the anointing with the oil of the sick: "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" (James 5:14-15). Like most of the sacraments, the ordinary minister of the Anointing of the Sick is the priest. When a priest celebrates the sacrament there are three distinct parts: the laying on of hands, the prayer over the blessed oil and then the actual prayer and act of anointing. In an emergency or in danger of death, all that is necessary to celebrate the Anointing of the Sick is the prayer of anointing and the act of placing the oil of the sick on a person's forehead and the palms of his hands. Also, while many of us consider Anointing of the Sick as applicable only when a person is dying (like in Extreme Unction or the final sacraments), there are lots of valid situations in which a person can be anointed. For example, anyone who is about to have surgery, an expectant mother right before delivery of her child, a person who has a persistent physical or mental illness, the elderly - all of these types of individuals can be anointed, no questions asked. Also, if someone with a serious health condition gets even sicker, even if they have already been anointed, can always be anointed again. The only thing that the Church asks is that you not wait until the very last minute to ask to have a loved one receive the Sacrament of the Sick. The priests in the parish make it a serious priority to "make it in time", but it's not always possible. A good rule of thumb is to call the parish the moment a person is placed on hospice or is given a serious diagnosis. That way we can not only visit and give comfort to all those involved, but also share the grace and hope of Christ that we can be reunited at His altar of praise in this world and in the world that is to come.

Fr. Rob

Batman's Column

Sun, 16 Jul 2023 13:45:09 GMT

My Deer Parishionerz o St. Padre Pio Parish,

It iz me, Batman, da rectory doggo! As a doggo I am used 2 <AHEM> "leaving my mark" outsidez. Every day, I make sure 2 visit as many placez on da groundz o da recotry as I can. It iz wut doggoz do! By spreading our scentz, doggoz make sure dat udder animalz know dat a particular place o area belongz 2 dem. It iz kinda lik a signature (cause doggoz don't haz opposable thumbz). As we listen 2 da wordz o da Lord from da prophet Isaiah, God sayz dat His Word goez out 2 da WHOLE ENTIRE WORLD in order 2 make His mark. Not only doez His Word accomplish God's will, it achievez His end goal - 2 make sure dat we know dat we belong 2 Him and 2 giv us everyting dat we needz in order 2 remain in His luv! However, as Jesus remindz us in Matthew's Gospel, His Word can only b living and affective in our heartz if we r open 2 Him. If our heartz r closed 2 His Word and His divine will, den we will b lik da seedz dat fell on ground dat wuz not good-o. If our heartz r open den not only will we bear great fruit, we will also b reflections o da Spirit o God living in us. On wut type o ground iz our seed sown? And if we r rocky and needz 2 b cleared or we need 2 do some weeding in our heartz, letz do it now! Lik my daddo wrote about dis weekend, God givz us da Sacrament o Confession so we can b reconciled wit God and wit one another! SO MAKE UR MARK ON DA WORLD! B open 2 da Word o God in your heartz and I would be real careful when smelling some o da treez around da rectory!

God Bless!

Batman, da rectory doggo

Exiit qui seminat - "The sower goes out to sow"

Sun, 16 Jul 2023 13:39:25 GMT

Penance and Reconciliation

This week, we start talking about the first of the two Sacraments of Healing: Penance and Anointing of the sick.

When the Catechism of the Catholic Church talks about "Confession" in discusses the sacrament in terms of Penance and Reconciliation. The Catechism quotes Lumen gentium, a document from the 2nd Vatican Council: "Those who approach the sacrament of Penance obtain pardon from God's mercy for the offense committed against him, and are, at the same time, reconciled with the Church which they have wounded by their sins and which by charity, by example, and by prayer labors for their conversion" (LG 11 § 2). All three terms for this sacrament speak to a different dimension of accessing God's mercy. Out of humility, we confess our sins and our faults before the priest. While we can't make up for our sins on our own, we do acts of penance to show how sorrow for our actions and get back on track in terms of living a Christian life. Finally, the goal of going to confession to reconcile/heal/repair our relationship with God. There are two reasons why we go to confession. We either have sorrow because we disobeyed God or "perfect" contrition or we wish to avoid the consequences of our sinful actions - "imperfect" contrition. Thankfully, both are valid reasons for going to confession. However, there are many Catholics who don't think that confession is necessary; that they can just go directly to God and have their sins forgiven. While such forgiveness is possible, it is rare for any of us to have perfect contrition. The reality is that serious or mortal sin separates us from God's grace and having a relationship with Him and the only way to regain to access grace is through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

The Catechism states that "[i]ndividual and integral confession of grave sins followed by absolution remains the only ordinary means of reconciliation with God and with the Church" (CCC 1497). We also have to mindful to the fact that the devil does NOT want us to be reconciled with God and he will often try to make us believe that our sins are much greater than the Lord's forgiveness. This couldn't be further from the truth!!! There is no sin that we can imagine that is more powerful than God's love. All we have to do is make the first move towards the Lord and He does the rest! Saturday is the usual day for Confession between 4 PM and 4:45, but it's not the only time. You can always call the parish a make an appointment to talk to a priest. You don't even have to say it's for a Confession!!! In addition it's my goal is to offer Confession one weekend a month starting in September.

SO, if it's been awhile since you've been to Confession, now is the time to experience the fullness of God's mercy. He is patiently and expectantly waiting for you!

Fr. Rob

Batman's Column

Sat, 08 Jul 2023 16:34:22 GMT

My Deer Parishionerz o St. Padre Pio Parish,

It iz me, Batman, da rectory doggo!

Dere r a lot o timez dat I bark o sniff o hear someting that hoomanz can't. My big schnoz iz 100,000 timez more powerful dan yours and I can hear tingz dat r 4 timez further away. I can also see MUCH better in da dark dan hoomaz can. When I notice someting important, like a squirrel, a birdo, a frog, da mailperson dat iz secretly a serial killer, I let da WHOLE rectory know. Dat IZ my job as a rectory doggo after all!

But do u know dat God can see and hear tingz SO MUCH MORE DAN ANY OF US (I don't know 4 certain, but I would hazard a guess dat God can smell goodo 2)! And even MORE amazing iz dat He readily revealz it 2 us. Datz wut we call da "mystery of faith". And da ting dis Sunday dat God wantz 2 share wit all o us is His peace and rest.

Doggoz and hoomanz worry about lotz o tingz dat r out o our control. It can really stress us out BIG TIME! But wut God offers us at Mass and wit His Word iz a respite from all o da messiness and all of da trialz dat we haz 2 face. And while following da Lord haz it's own share o crosses, God letz us know dat we don't carry dem alone.

So rest wit God! Let Him comfort us! Give Him ALL of our burdens so dat da Faddah and da Son and da Holy Spirit can reveal themselvez 2 all o us!

God Bless (and I tink dat I smell a snacko in your pocket)!

Batman, da rectory doggo

Exiit qui seminat -- “ The Sower Goes Out To Sow”

Sat, 08 Jul 2023 16:23:07 GMT

The Eucharist

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Batman's Column

Sun, 02 Jul 2023 19:03:27 GMT

My Deer Parishionerz o St. Padre Pio Parish,

It iz me, Batman, da rectory doggo! My daddo doez a lot 4 me. We go 4 walkies and he givez me snackoz and then we go 4 walkies and then he givez me MORE snackoz!!! Dere really isn't anyting dat my daddo won't do 4 me! It iz da same ting wit God! He luvz us A LOT and dere iz nothing dat He won't do 4 our sake! Sometimez wut He doez 4 us iz super simple, like giving us an opportunity 2 go outside 5 timez a day. Udder timez God comez thru BIG TIME lik giving a son 2 da Shunemite woman in da 1st Reading. But da BIGGEST ting dat God givez us iz de Resurrection and da opportunity 2 share in da newness o His life thru Baptism. 2 do dat, we must first believe dat we hav died with Christ so dat we can also liv wit Him. AND since death has no power over Christ, we too must think of ourselves as dead to sin and living for God in Christ Jesus (dat meanz being holy). Da 2nd part iz 2 realize dat dere iz nothing in dis world dat iz more important in our livz dan God. Just as Jesus sacrificed His lif on da cross 4 our sake, we hav 2 offer our livz 2 Him in da same way! De only way dat we can put God first in everyting iz if we hav space in our heartz 4 Him 2 dwell. Datz wut Jesus iz talking about when He sayz dat we hav 2 receive Him. If our livz r focused and preoccupied on udder tingz less important dan our Lord, how will we hav any space in our livz 4 Him? So let us b tankful 4 everting dat God doez 4 us, and let us put first tingz first by making da Lord da center o our livz! Den we can receive Him, luv one anudder and come 2 share in da fullness o life!

God Bless (and I iz available 4 a walkie at ANYTIME)!

Exiit qui seminat

robert.sinatra@camdendiocese.org (Rev. Robert Sinatra) — Sun, 02 Jul 2023 18:50:16 GMT

Confirmation

This week we'll be discussing the Sacrament of Confirmation, the 2nd of the Sacraments of Initiation. Confirmation is a character sacrament, just like Baptism, and its role is to strengthen and confirm the gift of faith through the gifts of the Holy Spirit (wisdom, understanding, courage, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord), the unique sacramental character that Confirmation bestows. For a candidate to receive Confirmation, he or she must profess the faith, be in a state of grace, have the intention of receiving the sacrament and be prepared to assume the role of disciple and witness to Christ within the Church and in their lives. Baptism and Confirmation are closely linked as Sacraments and were originally meant to be celebrated together as is done on the Easter Vigil. However, due to the difference in development and theological focus of both the East (the 23 individual Catholic rites stemming from the liturgical tradition out of Constantinople) and the West (or the Roman Catholic Church), Confirmation is celebrated differently. In Eastern Catholic Churches, Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Communion are celebrated all at once, focusing on the sacramental unity of initiation. In the Roman Catholic Church, the theological focus is placed on the bishop as the minister of Confirmation. By waiting for the bishop to come to a local parish to celebrate the Sacrament, the Church shows the unity of the people with their bishop in a particular way. It becomes logistically impossible for the bishop to celebrate the individual Baptisms (and thereby Confirmation) of every child, so Confirmation in the West is, "technically", celebrated out of sequence. In addition, at one time, the Church delayed both Confirmation and First Holy Communion until later in a child's life. Pope St. Pius X issued a decree in 1910 emphasizing the importance of having children receive the Blessed Sacrament as soon as they reach the age of reason, and to not delay the Eucharist any longer beyond that age. While the decree moved the age of Communion to where it is now, Confirmation remained a celebration that occurred later in adolescence. Because of the shift in First Holy Communion, Confirmation became the last of the "first sacraments" in the Latin Church, bestowing the fullness of spiritual maturity to the person receiving it, since initiation in the Church is now complete. Once receiving the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the newly confirmed are strengthened to give witness to the world. By using their gifts properly, they are able to participate and share in the fruits of the Holy Spirit (charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, modesty, self-control and chastity). Remember for Sacraments to be efficacious, they have to have tangible effects! Let us pray that the Holy Spirit may continue to strengthen His gifts in our hearts so that we may be witness and fruit of what we have received!

Sincerely in Christ,

Fr. Rob Sinatra

Batman's Column

Fri, 23 Jun 2023 15:26:26 GMT

My Deer Parishionerz o St. Padre Pio Parish,

It iz me, Batman, da rectory doggo. While it iz extremely rare, like hitting da lottery o being struck by lightning, I iz not alwayz perfect. I KNOW! It iz as shocking 2 me, as it iz 2 you!!! But it happenz. I barkz a lot and hav been known 2 b an attention hound. I knowz dat da mail lady doesn't lik me, and I haz issuez wit delivery people. But I iz a good doggo. I iz not a "Terror on every side" like Jeremiah, denounced by lotz o people. Really, da reason why nobody liked poor Jeremiah wuz becauz dey wuz NOT following da Lord. Jeremiah's job wuz 2 get dem back on track. Unfortunately, those folkz were REALLY stubborn! Hoomanz r not perfect either. Dey sin and at timez, don't follow da Lord. But as St. Paul remindz us, dat Jesus did wut He did 4 da VERY REASON da we r sinnerz. And even dough our transgressionz r bad, da gift and da grace o God iz even BIGGER! God wantz 2 show us His mercy instead o giving us wut we deserve. As Matthew's Gopsel tellz us, we needz 2 remain and speak in da light! Even in our weakness we r called 2 acknowledge God as a part o our livez and dat He iz DE MOST IMPORTANT TING IN DEM! Also, we MUST avoid those situationz and people dat can harm and kill not just our livez, BUT OUR SOULZ!!! Stay away from dem (and if u haz a problem getting away, let me know ... I will bark at dem)! So we r not perfect, but God iz! Let us liv in HIs light and His perfection, giving witness 2 Him with our whole livez!

God Bless!

Batman, da rectory doggo

Exiit qui seminat

Fri, 23 Jun 2023 15:17:08 GMT

The Sower goes out to sow

One of the recommendations from our parish survey was to have a bit more "teaching" content about our faith. In that light, we'll be going over each of the 7 sacraments over the next few weeks. We start with the gateway of the Sacraments - Baptism. Baptism is a character sacrament, namely that it gives an indelible and permanent mark on our soul that can't be taken away by anyone or anything (it's also why Baptism happens only once - you can't be "re-baptized", unless the baptism was invalid to begin with). Baptism has three main effects. First, Baptism removes all traces of sin: the Original Sin of Adam and Eve and any personal sin a baptized person has. Baptism also takes away all punishment for sin. Second, Baptism gives us the gift/grace/sacramental character of faith. Baptism is one of the few sacraments that gives a person a particular type of grace. Finally, Baptism gives a person entry into membership of the Church. By being a part of the Church, an individual also enters into our Lord's plan of salvation and gains access to heaven. Regardless if one is an infant or an adult, the one being baptized needs to have a godparent (but if you have two, one must be male and the other female). Godparents are required to be 16 years of age or older, have completed all of their Sacraments of Initiation - Baptism, Confirmation and First Holy Communion) and if they are married, it must be either in the Church or have a special dispensation to be married outside of the Church. Inherent in the role of godparents (and for parents for that matter), is that a person is living out the life of faith. Often times people are chosen to be godparents as a way of honoring special people in the lives of parents or children. But really the most important aspect is that parents and godparents take seriously the responsibility of raising children in the ways of faith. There is most certainly a responsibility for the one being baptized as well! As the Catechism of the Catholic Church (no. 1254) states, "For all the baptized, children or adults, faith must grow after Baptism. For this reason the Church celebrates each year at the Easter Vigil the renewal of baptismal promises. Preparation for Baptism leads only to the threshold of new life. Baptism is the source of that new life in Christ in which the entire Christian life springs forth." In closing, Baptism is not just a rite of passage, but the beginning and the continuation of the faith journey of parents, godparents and the ones being baptized. May we continue to be open to the gift of faith we have received and continuously ask for the grace to live out that faith more fully!

It iz me, Batman, da rectory doggo! According 2 my daddo, I haz MANY namez! I iz called Batman (DUH!) and "Bub Bubs". I iz often called "Your Royal Highness" and "Da Greatest Doggo in da World"! However, wen I getz in trouble I iz a "Big Boob" and get called a "Goober" (Whutever dat iz!). On dis feast of the Most Holy Trinity, we knowz dat we can callz God "Father", "Son", and "Holy Spirit" - TREE divine personz in ONE GOD! But as Sacred Scripture showz us in da readingz 4 2day, God iz called LOTZ more tingz!!! He iz "merciful and gracious", "slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity". God iz "praiseworthy" and 2 b "exalted"! He iz both "holy" and "glorious"! God iz filled wit love and peace and ABOVE ALL da Gospel of John remindz us dat God iz our savior (and we would b in BIG trouble if He wasn't)!!! So who iz God 2 you? Wut name would u give Him? We can name God anyting and everyting dat iz good becauz He iz da author o every good ting! So call out 2 God in da name da YOU have given Him!!! Just don't call Him a "Goober". I don't tink dat word iz very nice.

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you!

Batman, da rectory doggo

Exiit qui seminat

Sun, 04 Jun 2023 19:41:05 GMT

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

" The person who meditates and turns his mind to God, who is the mirror of his soul, seeks to know his faults, tries to correct them, moderates his impulses, and puts his conscience in order ." ~ St. Pio of Pietrelcina

As we celebrate one of the great solemnities of Ordinary Time, that of the Most Holy Trinity, this quote from Padre Pio takes on an even greater significance. God truly is the mirror of our soul. In a world filled with erroneous and distorted perspectives about one's self, it is only the Lord who, unabashedly and lovingly, gives us an accurate view of ourselves: of who we are in the moment, and most importantly, who He calls us to be. This reality, our true selves, are reflected in every aspect of the Trinity - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In the Father, the Creator, we recognize that we are made in His image and likeness and have dignity and worth in His Eyes. Through the saving action of the Son, the Redeemer, we know that we are loved beyond our comprehension. For Christ died on the Cross, not just for the mere fact that we could save ourselves, but because He loves us and would willingly, again and again, offer Himself over and over for our sake. Jesus also makes us painfully aware that we are in need of redemption. We are all sinners. We are selfish. We hurt others and disobey God. We are radically dependent on God's mercy and forgiveness and long for reconciliation. Finally, the Holy Spirit, the Sanctifier, not only guides us throughout life's journey, but through the divine grace that the Spirit of Truth ushers into our world through His Pentecost and the sacramental life of the Church, helps our wounded nature to be healed, nourishes us for the journey, and strengthens us to give witness. Every sacrament that we receive has an epiclesis, a calling forth of the Holy Spirit. As we strive to grow in holiness, the Holy Spirit is right by our side. So as we look towards the mirror of our souls, what do we see? Do we see a beloved Child of God longing to love Father, Son and Holy Spirit with all our hearts? Do we see a poor sinner in desperate need of mercy, healing and forgiveness? Is an image of someone who is striving to grow in greater relationship with the Lord and learning how to love our sisters and brothers better? The answer is we are all each one of them! Let us meditate and turn our minds to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit so that our lives can be transformed and we can be with them forever in heaven!

Fr. Rob Sinatra

Batman's Column

Sun, 28 May 2023 21:59:46 GMT

My Deer Parishionerz o St. Padre Pio,

It iz me, Batman, da rectory doggo and I iz a more dan a little upset! Auntie Baba decided-ed it would b a goodo idea 2 put in a feeder 4 da birdoz. Den a couple o weekz later, she putz in a bird bath! Now, dere r birdoz EV-ERY-WHERE!!! WHAT DA HECK IZ GOING ON HERE?!? Dey iz chirpin and doing birdo tingz all over da place! I haz been chasing dem 4 WEEKZ!!! On dis Pentecost Sunday, da Holy Spirit haz been all over da place doing Holy Spirit tingz! He haz been making peoplez speak in tonguez o da mighty actz o God (I only speakz doggo regarding da factz da I iz hungry o needz 2 go outisde)! Da Holy Spirit haz come 2 renew da face o da earth and givz us His spiritual giftz! And da best part iz dat we don't needz 2 chase Him. He comez 2 us like tongue o flame and within our heartz! Da Holy Spirit comez into our livz 2 forgive our sinz and give us His peace! So ... I guess itz OK 4 da Holy Spirit 2 b all over da place doing wut da Holy Spirit iz supposed 2 do. Hopefully we iz ready 2 receive Him and 2 b open 2 hav His power b a part o our livz. I guess we already haz a spiritual "bird bath" wit da baptismal font in church. Datz where we receive da Holy Spirit 4 da very first time anywayz!!! So get ready for da spiritual birdo! Just don't ask me 2 clean up after Him!!!

God Bless and Come Holy Spirit!

Batman, da rectory doggo

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Sun, 28 May 2023 21:54:42 GMT

Pentecost

Pentecost will always have a special place in my heart as a priest. 19 years ago, I celebrated my first Mass on Pentecost Sunday (May 29, 2004). For me, Pentecost is more than just a moment of nostalgia, remembering all of the wonderful memories with family and friends. Pentecost has not only been a reminder of the need to be close to the Holy Spirit, but also a mandate to continually use the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit as a part of my priesthood and everyday life. The reality is that Pentecost should be an important to each and every one of us because the Holy Spirit is meant to be a part of all of our lives. The really awesome part of all of this is that the gifts that God gives us is truly unique to us. As St. Paul reminds us in his first letter to the Christian community in Corinth, "There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone" (I Cor 12:4-6). Just as I give thanks for my own unique participation in the one, true and eternal priesthood of Jesus Christ, all of us are special and unrepeatable expressions of His love. All of us have a special role in building up the kingdom of God that is ours and ours alone. What might our giftedness be? Do we recognize how God has set each and every one of us apart for a unique purpose in His plan of salvation? And most importantly, do we recognize how the diversity of our call is brought together as unity and oneness in the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church? So as we bring the Easter season to a close, give thanks for who the Lord has made us to be and celebrate today the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in our lives! Let the Holy Spirit set our hearts and the world on ablaze with the fire of His divine love!

Fr. Rob Sinatra

Batman's Column

Sun, 21 May 2023 22:57:50 GMT

My Deer Parishionerz o St. Padre Pio,

It iz me, Batman, da rectory doggo! When I first gotz here, dere lotz o tingz dat I wuz not allowed 2 do. Da biggest wuz dat I wuz not allowed in my daddoz bed. 4 da LONGEST time my daddo wouldn't even let me in his ROOM!!! But it all changed one day wen he tapped on da bed and asked me 2 come up and sleepz wit him. Now he doesn't lik 2 sleep witout me!!! 2 make up 4 lost time, I make sure 2 take up all o da space on da bed. Dere iz only a little bit o space 4 him, but my daddo doesn't mind ... much. It's kinda da same ting 4 da Ascension! De Ascension iz not a mere recognition o someting dat happened in da lif o Jesus. Wen He goez up into heaven 2 b wit da Father, Jesus bringz all of humanity wit Him. Sin and death no longer hold us back! We haz been brought 2 lif with Christ. He haz raised us up wit him and seated us wit him in da heavenz (cf. Eph 2:6). So wut do we do wit all o dat?!? We getz ready 2 receive da Holy Spirit and b His witnesses in da world! We spread da Gospel 2 da WHOLE WORLD and baptize in da name o da Fadder and o da Son and o da Holy Spirit! R u ready 4 day Holy Spirit? How will u giv witness 2 Christ and His Resurrection? Do we feel lik our livez hav been lifted up o r we still "sleeping on da floor"? Dis Ascension, let us giv witness 2 Christ like we r supposed 2 and make sure dat we lift up livez 2 God just as He lifted up ours!!! God Bless (and I lik da cool side o da pillowz)!

Batman, da rectory doggo

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Thu, 06 Apr 2023 16:52:30 GMT

Resurrexit sicut dixit!

Resurrexit sicut dixit! 'He has risen as He said!' is a line from the Easter hymn, Regina Coeli (the Queen of Heaven) and points to the defining event of the Christian faith - that Jesus Christ, by His Passion, Death and Resurrection, has conquered sin and death forever! Our celebration of Easter is a profound moment of both joy and hope. Joy in Christ's glorified and resurrected body, freed from the ravages of the cross. Hope in the reality that we, too, can share in that same Resurrection. The challenge of Easter is what is our response? Easter is more than just a one day celebration (it's actually 8 whole days). It is more than a commemoration of a historical event. Easter is more than a season of 50 days. The truth of Jesus' Resurrection has to be a part of our everyday lives! Easter is more than just a mystery and dogma that has to be believed. The Resurrection must be lived. On behalf of the whole parish family of St. Padre Pio, I thank you for spending your Easter with us and I hope and pray that we may all live the glory of Easter each and every day!

Fr. Rob Sinatra

Batman's Column

Fri, 31 Mar 2023 14:59:21 GMT

My Deer Parishionerz o St. Padre Pio,

It iz me, Batman, da rectory doggo! It iz Palm Sunday an da beginning o Holy Week!!! It iz my daddo's favorite time o da year AND it iz very special for dis doggo! It wuz Holy Week o 2019 da my daddo and I rescued each udder! It iz fitting dat it happened dat way, becauz Holy Week remindz us o how Jesus rescued us from sin and death. That's wut Palm Sunday iz all about. In one Mass we see and hear about our Lord's entrance in2 Jerusalem, da Last Supper and His Crucifixion! God's saving action iz made present 2 us and helpz us 2 b grateful dat He luvz us SO MUCH!!! Hopefully we can use dis special time 2 day thank you 2 God 4 all dat He haz done 4 us as we celebrate His conquering o sin and death 4ever!

God Bless (and see u at da Pasta Dinner)

Batman, da rectory doggo

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Fri, 31 Mar 2023 14:55:18 GMT

Holy Week, the Triduum and the Celebration of Easter

This is a special time in the life of the Church as our celebration of Palm Sunday leads into another Holy Week, the Triduum and the celebration of Easter. There are so many wonderful opportunities to pray and bring the Lenten season to a fruitful end. On Monday, April 3, the parish will have the Sacrament of Penance available from 1-3 PM and 7-9 PM. On Tuesday, Bishop Sullivan invites all the faithful to participate in the Chrism Mass at St. Agnes Church at Our Lady of Hope Parish in Blackwood at 3:30 PM. The Chrism Mass is where the bishop blesses all of the oils that will be used by priests during the whole Church year - the Oil of Catechumens, the Oil of the Sick and Sacred Chrism. The Triduum begins with the Mass of the Lord's Supper at 7 PM on Holy Thursday. The parish has a lot planned for Good Friday starting with the praying of Tenebræ (the Latin word for darkness) at 7 AM. Stations of the Cross will be prayed at the Grotto at 12 PM (weather permitting) and finally the Celebration of the Lord's Passion at 3 PM. The culmination of the Triduum is the Easter Vigil at 8 PM on Saturday when Angelo Trapani, our elect, will be baptized, confirmed and receive our Lord in the Most Blessed Sacrament. Along with the Easter Vigil and our normal Sunday Masses for Easter, the parish has its annual Sunrise Mass at the Garden of Saints at 6 AM. It is my hope and prayer that you and your family will be able to attend as much of Holy Week (and of course Easter) as you can! May God bless us as enter these sacred days!

Fr. Rob Sinatra

Batman's Column

Thu, 23 Mar 2023 14:22:40 GMT

My Deer Parishionerz o St. Padre Pio,

It iz me, Batman, da rectory doggo! Not 2 getz 2 heavy, but doggoz do not livz 4ever and we don't livz as long as hoomanz. It iz da way o tingz. BUT ... If u had da chance 2 haz ur doggo (o catz, o special pet o ur choice) live 4ever, but in order 2 do so, u had 2 giv up somebody dat u luved would u do it? I imagine it would b a hard question 2 answer 4 many o us, but da reality iz dat iz EXACTLY wut God haz done 4 us. In order 4 us 2 liv 4ever, He gave up His Son 4 our sake. Da AMAZIN' ting iz dat in dat sacrifice, Jesus conquerz sin and death 4ever wit da hope dat none o us will ever b lost! We see and hear dat promise o de resurrection in 2day's readingz. Da Lord thru da prophet Ezekiel promisez dat He will raise us from death 2 lif and hav His spirit in us so dat we may live! And as we know, da Lord never forgetz His promisez!!! In John's Gospel, we see and hear da foreshadowing o Jesus' own resurrection. Lazarus, Jesus' buddy, iz very sicko and close 2 death. Jesus sayz 2 da disciplez and 2 us dat, “[t]his illness is not to end in death, but is for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” Jesus doez da seemingly impossible by raising Lazarus from da dead. But da reality iz dat one day Lazarus would die again. It iz only thru Jesus' victory on da cross dat not just Lazarus' lif, but ALL o our livez will not end in death, but in life. Dat iz why Jesus sayz 2 Martha da He iz "the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die." Martha, Mary and Lazarus believed and were saved. But do we? Do we believe dat Jesus iz da Resurrection and da Life? Do we show it in da way dat we livz, how we prayz and how we luvz Him and one another? Becauz da grave iz no more and da victory iz won 4 all who believe! As our Lenten journey comez 2 an end, may dese special dayz strengthen our faith and our belief in da One who offerz us Eternal Life! God Bless (and don't worriez, I haz at least anudder 10 good yearz left in mez)!

Batman, da rectory doggo

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Thu, 23 Mar 2023 14:17:45 GMT

Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord

On the 25th March, the Catholic Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord , the moment when the archangel Gabriel appears to the Mary and proclaims, "Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end." With Mary's "yes" to the Lord's plan for her life through the birth of His only begotten Son, all of creation is changed forever! Through this most humble, yet perfect vessel, the Savior of the world enters into the human condition in order to redeem it. If March 25th perks our spiritual ears, it should! Because even in the midst of our Lenten journey and our preparation for Holy Week and Easter, we recognize that in 9 short months from March 25th the Church will gather together to celebrate Christ's birth. So why does the Catholic Church point out to Christmas when Easter is so close? The answer is easy, because we can't have Jesus' Paschal Mystery - His Passion, Death and Resurrection, without His coming as man. The gift and mystery of the Incarnation, the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets, informs not just our liturgical year, but leads our faith and our lives toward Easter and the Resurrection. So as we recall this special celebration of the Church year, let our "yes" to God's will echo the "yes" of the Blessed Virgin Mary to allow Her Son to once more enter into our hearts and lead us to the glory of eternal life!

Fr. Rob Sinatra

Batman's Column

Sun, 19 Mar 2023 14:44:08 GMT

My Deer Parishionerz o St. Padre Pio,

It iz me, Batman, da rectory doggo. As winter comez 2 its end (we gotz NO SNOW ... BOOOO!!!), and spring iz around da corner, we needz 2 b careful, becauz dere r birdoz and squirrelz and bunny rabbitz EVERYWHERE!!!! Do not worry dough! I, Batman, da rectory doggo, will protectz u! Wen I goez out 4 my walkoz, I immediately goez on da prowl, racing 2 catch dem pesky creaturez off guard! I runz 2 da tree outside o church, da shed, da produce stand, da field, Rosary Hall, da cemetery, den back 2 da field, da Garden o Saintz, da Grotto. I ... iz everywhere, hoping against hope dat dey will not expect ... ME! But dey doez. And I become saddo. Fortunately, we haz a God

dat showz us dis Sunday 2 expect de unexpected! God sendz Samuel 2 choose da next king of Israel, but it wasn't who Samuel thought it would b. Da Lord remindz Samuel dat "Not as man sees does God see ..." Da Lord knew in

His heart dat David wuz da guy, even dough he wuz da least likely o da bunch! Even in John's Gospel, da Jewish people had preconceived (my $25 word o da day) notions about why dat poor guy wuz born blind. Dey thought it wuz becauz o some family sin. But Jesus not only tellz dem dat it wasn't because of personal sin, He wuz going to use dis man "... so that the works of God might be made visible ..." And BOY DID HE!!! Now da crazy ting iz dat God wantz 2 work de unexpected in US!!! He wantz 2 use us dis Lent 2 make Himself and His workz and His plan o salvation known. But da Lord will not force Himself on us. He needz our YES in order 2 help us and da whole world see! During this Sunday in Lent, may we turn 2 God in order 2 open our heartz, open our eyez, open our soulz 4 da glory o His name and point 2 da celebration o Easter dat iz right around da bend!

God Bless (and READY O NOT HERE I COMEZ!!!)!

Batman, da rectory doggo

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Sun, 19 Mar 2023 14:37:06 GMT

Blessing of a Golden Rose

The 4th Sunday of Lent has always had a special liturgical significance: It's Lætare Sunday , a Latin exultation which translates "Rejoice!". Like its Advent counterpart, Gaudete Sunday , we focus on the fact that our Lenten journey is coming to a close. In the midst of a penitential season the clergy have the option to wear Rose (or Pink) colored vestments as the Church briefly anticipates the joy of Easter. But there is another extremely symbolic gesture that goes with the 4th Sunday of Lent: the blessing of a golden rose. Since the 11th century, popes have blessed a rose made of gold and conferred them on churches, shrines and individuals as a sign of appreciation for exemplary practice of Catholicism and, of late, given as a special honor to various shrines dedicated to the Blessed Mother honoring the Queen of Heaven. The rose is chock full of symbolism reminding us of the glorious majesty of the Resurrection, its fragrance speaks to how faith in Christ should be spread far and wide, the thorns and the red tint of the pedals point to our Lord's Passion. Pope Francis has given 7 Golden Roses during his pontificate to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico, the Santuario della Consolata in Turin, Italy, the Black Madonna of Częstochowa in Poland, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima in Portugal, the Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida in Brazil, Our Lady of Csíksomlyó in Romania, and the Basilica of Our Lady of Sorrows in Slovakia. So as we look at the rose-colored vestments this weekend, let us not forget the symbol of the Golden Rose and turn our eyes towards the joy of Easter, rejoicing in what our Lord has done for us out of love!

Fr. Rob Sinatra

Batman's Column

Sun, 12 Mar 2023 20:03:31 GMT

My Deer Parishionerz o St. Padre Pio,

It iz me, Batman, da rectory doggo! Becauz I goez on lotz o walkz and eatz a lot o snackoz, I iz often very tirsty and I use my water bowl a lotz. My favorite way iz da way my friend, Rosa, used 2 do it. She would pour water in my bowl and den putz in lotz o ice cubez. It iz VERY refreshing!!! I heardz dat hoomanz don't drink as much water as dey should and den dey become dehy... dehy... dey needz 2 drink more water! Water iz wut givz us life. Da Israelitez were SUPER cranky becauz dey didn't haz any water. God told Moses 2 hit da rock wit his staff and BADDA BOOM, BADDA BING! Dey hadz all da water dey needed 2 survive. In John's Gospel, Jesus met a Samaritan woman at a well. She wuz tirsty 2, not just 4 water! Even dough dat woman wuz far from God, she wuz tirsty 2 have Him in her life! Jesus gave her his 'living water' so dat she would never b tirsty again. If u r reading dis, guess wut?!? U R TIRSTY 4 GOD 2!!! We needz Him in our livez! Even if we r farz away, da Lord wantz 2 not only feed us wit His Body and Blood, He offers us da life-giving water o Baptism. We can drink it and NEVER b tirsty again! As we continue our Lenten journey, do urself a favor and grab a drink from Jesus... It's even bedder dan water wit ice cubez!

God Bless (and I tink my water bowl needz a refill)!

Batman, da rectory doggo

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Sun, 12 Mar 2023 19:57:26 GMT

The Act of Contrition and words of absolution get new translations

There is an idiomatic expression in Italian, "Traduttore, traditore", meaning 'The translator is a traitor'. It speaks to the reality that when you translate something from one language to another, it is impossible to fully understand all of the cultural nuances and meanings embedded in words. In American English, we often say that we love our families. We love our pets. We love our favorite foods. We love a particular movie or book. We can love watching a sport or a particular activity. All of these statements use the same verb, but in different ways and intensities. The Church faces this "issue" all the time. The official language of the Church is Latin (with a little bit of Greek thrown in for good measure). All of the official liturgical books and most of the official documents are in Latin. Even the Bible, which is in Aramaic, Hebrew and Greek is translated into the Latin Vulgate, the official translation of Sacred Scripture for the Church and then translated into the language of a particular nation or group. Since the Second Vatican Council, the Church constantly strives to find the best translations into the vernacular of her original Latin texts. In terms of the liturgical books for the celebration of Mass and the Sacraments, the Church has emphasized a more inclusive and uniform use of Sacred Scripture. Since 2011, the Catholic Church in America has seen a new translation of the Roman Missal, the Roman Pontifical (the book that contains the rites and ceremonies usually celebrated by bishops like Confirmation and Ordinations), the Order of Holy Matrimony and the Order of Baptism. A new Order of Penance will go into full effect on Divine Mercy Sunday of this year, but starting from this past Ash Wednesday, priests are able to use the new rite, sort of like a liturgical Spring Training (go Phils!). The new Order of Penance makes two subtle changes to the Prayer of Absolution. The changes are a more faithful and nuanced translation of the Latin prayer:

God, the Father of mercies, through the Death and Resurrection of his Son has reconciled the world to himself and poured out the Holy Spirit for the forgiveness of sins (effúdit in remissiónem peccatórum); through the ministry of the Church may God grant (tibi tríbuat) you pardon and peace. And I absolve you from your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Order also includes 10 different Acts of Contrition for the faithful to use. Before you start to panic, all of the versions of the Act of Contrition, including the ones that we learned growing up, are still able to be used. The parish has ordered some pamphlets with the new Rite of Individual Penance and we'll be looking into some of the options that are now available to us for future penance services and catechesis. While change is often difficult, we can use this opportunity to renew and deepen our understanding of our Lord's mercy and the great sacrament that. He has given His Church for the forgiveness of sins.

Fr. Rob Sinatra

Batman's Column

Fri, 03 Mar 2023 12:22:30 GMT

My Deer Parishionerz o St. Padre Pio,

It iz me, Batman, da rectory doggo! I hopez ur Lent haz been going well and u haz been praying and fasting and been kindz 2 da poor. Dis year I haz decided 2 b kind 2 catz ... AND IT HAZ PAID OFF! On Ash Wednesday, as I wuz walkin' around da parish, a little cat came out o da pavillionz and wanted 2 say Helloz 2 me! We booped nosez and sniffed each udder. Against my better judgement, I guess dat catz wuz ... OK. It wuz cold and I invited my new ... friend, 2 hang out at da rectory. She wuz hesitant at first, but finally decided 2 come inside. "Wednesday" as we haz called her, iz being fostered by my friend Cathy and should hav a 4ever home very soon (just not da rectory). Da whole season o Lent iz about us trying 2 find our 4ever home - Heaven. As St. Paul writez, God haz saved-ed us and called-ed us 2 a holy life. We should b grateful becausz God haz "rescued" us and showed us His mercy. Da key 2 our rescue iz dat we listen 2 Him and follow in His footsteps. Lik my daddo and Wednesday, my daddo opened da door but it took trust and courage 4 Wednesday 2 come inside. Da Lord comez in2 our livez but it iz up 2 us whether o not we want 2 "build 3 tentz" and 2 make room 4 Him in our heartz. Even if our Lent isn't going as we thought, da Lord never stops calling out 2 us and telling us how pleased He iz o His Son ... and hopefully us 2!

God Bless (and help a 4-legged friend find a warm place dis winter)!

Batman, da rectory doggo

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Fri, 10 Feb 2023 17:28:29 GMT

"For the Life of the World"

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Exiit qui seminat

Mon, 06 Feb 2023 15:16:09 GMT

Black History Month

Since 1976 the United States has officially recognized February as Black History Month, not only recognizing the struggles, accomplishments and strides of African Americans and their tremendous contribution to our country, but also the impact of the African diaspora on the world in which we live. While we don't often think about it in the same way, the Catholic Church is filled with a rich diversity throughout her history of so many saints and prominent figures from Africa and of African descent. With Pope Francis currently on a pastoral visit to Africa, it's important to remember that by 2025, it is estimated that one-sixth (230 million) of the world's Catholics will be African. The continent has given the Church 3 popes (Pope Victor I, Pope Miltiades, and Pope Gelasius I), early Church Fathers like Origen, Tertullian, St. Augustine and Clement of Alexandria and numerous saints. Father Al would always talk about the idea of a parish pilgrimage to visit the Shrine of Ugandan Martyrs in Kampala. Fr. Dimitri has a strong devotion to Venerable Pierre Toussaint, a Haitian American whose cause for sainthood is on-going and is the first and only member of the laity that is buried in the crypt at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City. St. Martin de Porres, a Dominican brother from Peru in the 1600s, cared and ministered to slave ships in Lima. All of this helps us realize that being a One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church aren't just words. They mean something. The Catholic Church exists throughout the whole world. Some places we are blessed to be able to worship freely, like here in this country. Other places the Church is still persecuted and the faithful martyred for their belief. So as we recall Black History Month, let's not forget that the Church is a vital and vibrant part of that history.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Rob Sinatra

Batman's Column

Sun, 29 Jan 2023 15:10:09 GMT

My Deer Parishionerz o St. Padre Pio,

It iz me, Batman, da rectory doggo! It iz true dat I iz da bestest doggo in da world. R dere udder doggoz better dan me? Maybez ... but unlikely. But even being da bestest doggo in da world, I still listenz 2 my daddoz (kinda sorta) and de udder important peoplez in my pack, becausz dey r looking out 4 wut iz best 4 me. Really, it iz in my best interest 2 listen and pay attention 2 wut dey haz 2 say. In da readingz dis Sunday, we hearz a lot about humility. Humility iz not just realizing wut we can o cannotz do. It iz also da realization dat dere iz a God and we iz not Him. True humility iz being willing 2 listen 2 wut da God wantz from us and saying, "Yes" because it iz wut iz best 4 us - 2 b da remnant dat takez refuge in da Lord, 2 b wise, not in human wayz, but in God's wayz. Datz wut da Beatitudes r all aboutz. Wedder we r poor in spirit, o meek, o hungering and thirsting 4 righteousness, it meanz dat we r listening and open and "disposed" (datz my daddoz word - I haz no idea wut it meanz) 2 da will and da law o da Lord. Da problem iz dat sometimez we only kinda sorta listenz 2 Him and DATZ wen we getz in trouble. So as da bestest parishionerz in da world, let us b ready 2 say "Yes" 2 God, 2 listen 2 Him, and 2 b wise and humble in His sight!

God Bless (and know dat dere r no bestest birdoz in da world)!

Batman, da rectory doggo

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Sun, 29 Jan 2023 15:03:53 GMT

Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

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Batman's Column

Sun, 22 Jan 2023 16:00:41 GMT

My Deer Parishionerz o St. Padre Pio,

It iz me, Batman da rectory doggo! Did u knowz dat doggoz can seez FIVE TIMEZ better in da dark dan hoomanz? Dat iz why wen I getz up in da middle o da night (which iz often), I haz NO PROBLEM walkin' around da bedroom. My daddo, not so much! He haz hitted hiz toez on lotz o tingz in hiz room and den startz hopping up and downz, speaking wordz dat I doez not understand (@#$%)! It iz hardz 2 see in da darkz. Datz why it iz alwayz important 2 haz light! We hearz in our first reading from the Book o the prophet Isaiah dat da Lord will shine His light in da midst o darkness and bringz dem joy. Thru de eyez o faith, we knowz dat Isaiah, thru the inspiration o da Holy Spirit, wuz talking about Jesus. In Matthew's Gospel, see and hear how our Lord not only proclaimed de arrival o da Kingdom o heaven, but also called de Apostles 2 b able 2 aid in His mission and plan o salvation. De CRAZY ting iz dat Jesus brought His light, da light o salvation, not only 2 His world, but 2 ours 2! We see and hearz ALL DA TIME how dark tingz r in our world - how bad tingz haz become. But God's Kingdom cannot b ended by sin and death. Da Lord will alwayz b our light and our salvation so we haz no needz 2 b afraid. All we needz 2 b iz united in one faith, in one mind and one purpose - 2 proclaim da glory o God! So no matter how dark o bright our livez our world iz, stay close 2 God who can DEFINITELY make our livez a whole lot brighter!

God Bless (and don't forget 2 turn on da bedroom light)!

Batman, da rectory doggo

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Sun, 22 Jan 2023 15:50:20 GMT

The March for Life

On June 24, 2022, the United States Supreme Court issued a landmark decision in the case of Dobbs v. Mississippi, not only overturning of Roe v. Wade, but also giving the states to regulate any aspect of abortion not protected by federal law. While this was a great victory for the protection of human life from the moment of conception to the moment of natural death, as well as for the dignity of women and minorities, states like New Jersey still have abortion on demand and have marketed themselves as a new type of "sanctuary state" in the worst possible sense. That's what makes what occurred on Friday, January 20th in Washington, DC all the more important. The March for Life, which has taken place on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade since 1974, continues to take place at the Capital and the Supreme Court in Washington, DC. Hundreds of thousands of peoples of faith and people of good will not only continue to advocate for the dignity and the protection of the most vulnerable among us. We must continue to pray and offer our support to women and young families in need and in crisis. As Catholic Christians, it is our obligation to pray for the end of abortion and to be a true sanctuary and refuge for anyone who experiences the anxiety and stress of an unexpected pregnancy. For we are called to remember that while the march is only one day, we are called to be Pro-Life the other 364. We continue to pray that our nation defends the liberty and justice, not just of some, but for all our brothers and sisters both in the womb and out. Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Rob Sinatra

Batman's Column

Sat, 14 Jan 2023 22:19:44 GMT

My Deer Parishionerz o St. Padre Pio,

It iz me, Batman, da rectory doggo. Tingz haz finally gotten back 2 normal as we return 2 Ordinary Time. If u rememberz from my daddo's talkz about da Mass, Ordinary doesn't mean boring. It meanz "measured", a time 2 reflect on da life and public ministry o Jesus and everyting He haz done 4 us. Da readingz dis Sunday talk about da depthz of His luv. While it would b easy 2 call us His servantz, God speakz thru da prophet Isaiah, "It is too little, the LORD says, for you to be my servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and restore the survivors of Israel; I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth." We r not just recipientz o God's luv and care, but also His instrumentz, called 2 bring salvation 2 da whole world! Do we accept da part o God's plan? R we open 2 His will 4 our livez? R we willing 2 receive not just a baptism o repentance (like John da Baptist) but 2 hav our livez transformed by da power o da Holy Spirit? And filled wit da faith o our baptism, do we proclaim dat Jesus iz da Son o God? So even dough da Christmas season iz over and Lent iz still a little bitz away, our livez are more dan just "ordinary". We r called 2 b open 2 da will o God, receive His Spirit and spread da Lord's plan o salvation 2 all!

God Bless (from an extraordinary 4-legged friend)!

Batman, da rectory doggo

Exiit qui seminat

Sat, 14 Jan 2023 22:15:45 GMT

Pope Benedict XVI

With everything that went along with the feast days of the Christmas season, this is my first opportunity to write about the death of Pope Benedict XVI on December 31, 2022. This is truly an unprecedented time because the Church hasn't had the funeral of a "retired pope" in about 600 years. I'm sure we've watched in one way or another how the Church has decided to pray for and honor the life of this true Churchman and Priest. I was blessed to meet Pope Benedict personally twice: once, as Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger while I was vacation in Rome in the early 2000s. He was so kind to spend a few minutes talking to me and my friends. Unfortunately, it was the only day of my trip that I didn't bring my camera with me! The second was almost 10 years later in January 2010. Now Benedict XVI, the seminarians of the Pontifical North American College and the student priests of the Casa Santa Maria (the American House of Studies for advanced Church degrees) had an audience with the Pope on the occasion of the 150th Anniversary of the North American College. My interaction with Pope Benedict was brief. My only thought at the time? Don't miss his hand when attempting to kiss his ring. I've included the two photos of that moment in this week's bulletin. I also had the great privilege of distributing Holy Communion at the Easter Vigil at St. Peter's that same year. It was truly a "pinch me" type of moment - one that I will never forget. My take away from these special moments point to the humility of Pope Benedict and how he tried, as best as he could, to live out the office as the Successor of St. Peter. It was that same humility that shocked the world in February 2013 as he stepped down from the Petrine Ministry. The reality is that any of us who are priests, bishops and even popes, are truly the same people after we are ordained as we were before we were ordained. Thankfully, ii is the Lord's priesthood and not ours. It's only by our sharing or our full participation (for bishops) of the priesthood of Jesus Christ that we are aware of the humbling and incredible life that God calls us. We try and live out that life in the best way we know how. So pray for the repose of the soul of Pope Benedict XVI. Pray for our priests. Pray for our bishops. Pray for the Pope. Because in the end the Lord knows that none of us are worthy to follow in the footsteps of the Savior. We just try to be open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit in order to follow the will of God and humbly serve His Church.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Rob Sinatra

Exiit qui seminat

Sat, 07 Jan 2023 22:47:18 GMT

Twelve Days of Christmas

One of my earliest memories growing up was the old fashioned Blaupunkt radio that my dad received as a graduation present from college. It had a shortwave radio built in along with the AM and FM receiver and a record player underneath. One of the records that we listened to around Christmastime was "A Christmas Together" by John Denver and the Muppets. The first track was the Twelve Days of Christmas, a fan favorite. Little did I know that the Twelve Days of Christmas would have so much more significance in my life as a priest. The song signifies the 12 days between Christmas and the feast of the Epiphany (when it's celebrated on January 6. Most of the universal Church still celebrates the Epiphany on January 6. The Catholic Church in the US changed the date in 1970). The Twelve Days of Christmas speak of the gifts given each day in celebration of Christ's birth. But the song could be much deeper than that. A theory was posited in the late 70s and 80s that the song was a mini-catechism to help teach the faith secretly to Catholic children in England during the time that the faith was prohibited and actively persecuted. While unsubstantiated, the gifts symbolize different aspects of the faith: Partridge in a Pear Tree = Jesus Christ, 2 Turtle Doves = The Old and New Testaments, 3 French Hens = Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues, 4 Calling Birds = The Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists, 5 Golden Rings = The Pentateuch, the first Five Books of the Old Testament, 6 Geese A-laying = The six days of creation, 7 Swans A-swimming = The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, 8 Maids A-milking = The eight beatitudes, 9 Ladies Dancing = The nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit, 10 Lords A-leaping = The ten commandments, 11 Pipers Piping = The eleven faithful apostles, 12 Drummers Drumming = The twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle’s Creed. Whether it's true or not, the Twelve Days of Christmas, as well as the feasts of Christmas and Epiphany remind us that so many aspects of the faith and Church have, not just an obvious face value and meaning, but also something more! While our Christmas season ends on Monday after the Baptism of the Lord, let us not forget the lessons and message of love that the Christ Child shared with us during these past "12 days" and how they point to what we will celebrate in little more than a month's time: the season of Lent and ultimately our Lord's Passion, Death and Resurrection!

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Rob Sinatra

Batman's Column

Sat, 07 Jan 2023 16:00:33 GMT

My Deer Parishionerz o St. Padre Pio,

It iz me, Batman, da rectory doggo! Peoplez alwayz ask my daddo whedder o not, he got me anyting 4 Christmas. He keepz sayin' dat I don't needz a Christmas gift becauz every day wit my daddo iz Christmas 4 me! I disagree and I tinkz he iz being cheap (pardon me whilst I eat my 35 snacko o da day ... MUNCH MUNCH MUNCH ... Ah! Delicious!!!) I iz hoping dat on da Epiphany, my daddo will finally change hiz mind. Becauz 2day iz when da Magi come from a land FAR, FAR away 2 bring giftz 2 da Baby Jesus! Dey bringz Him gold, frankincense and myrrh (not my first choice 4 a baby gift, but who am I 2 judge?!?) But my daddo (and da Church) remindz all o us dat da Epiphany izn't just da giftz da we giv Jesus, but da gift dat Jesus givz 2 us. It iz Jesus Himself who iz da gift. Da Epiphany iz da realization o EVERYTHING dat God wuz about 2 do 4 da people dat He luved (namely all o us). He haz come in2 our livz 2 save us and 2 b our King and Lord. If dat izn't da bestest gift ever, I don't know wut iz! So let us giv tankz 2 God 4 da lif da He haz won 4 us and let our response b 2 giv da Lord our livz in return. So I guess everyday iz Christmas, not just 4 me, but 4 all of us (But I iz not returning my giftz. I haz already eaten most o dem)!

God Bless and "giftz" r alwayz welcome in da rectory!

Batman, da rectory doggo

Batman's Column

Mon, 19 Dec 2022 00:21:18 GMT

It iz me, Batman, da rectory doggo!

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Exiit qui seminat

Mon, 19 Dec 2022 00:10:13 GMT

Merry Christmas

"Far into the night, at the coldest time of the year, in a chilly grotto, more suitable for a flock of beasts than for humans, the promised Messiah – Jesus – the savior of mankind, comes into the world in the fullness of time." ~ St. Pio of Pietrelcina

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

On behalf of the whole parish family of St. Padre Pio, I want to offer my heartfelt welcome and thanks that you've decided to spend Christmas with us. Literally "Christ's Mass", Christmas is more than just the celebration of Jesus' birthday. Christmas is the reality that God, out of His tremendous love for us, became one of us, not just to share in our human condition, but to be able to enter into it and heal the damage caused by the original disobedience of Adam and Eve. By His coming into the world, Christ transforms existence forever and offers us a chance to participate in His plan of salvation. Christmas, and all it represents, is not just celebrated on the 25th of December but for 8 whole days, and the Christmas season lasts until the Baptism of the Lord on January 9th. This celebration and our Lord's desire and longing for us is a choice. God never forces Himself upon us, but invites us this Christmas season to share in His life and love. It is my hope and prayer that our celebration of Christ's birth touches all of our hearts so that we may love and serve Him, His Church and one another more and more each day. May our Lord bless you and your family and I wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy and Holy New Year!

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Rob Sinatra

Batman's Column

Sun, 11 Dec 2022 17:38:15 GMT

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Exiit qui seminat

Sun, 11 Dec 2022 17:30:25 GMT

Advent Retreat/Mission.

This weekend, we welcome Fr. Matthew Breslin, a priest from the Archdiocese of New York, who will be conducting our parish Advent retreat/mission. Retreats are times for us to draw away from the extraordinary business of our lives and spend time reflection on the things of God. This is especially true during holy seasons like Advent and Lent, and are meant to help us all focus on the seasons that are to come: Christmas and Easter. As we get ready for the celebration of Christmas, Father's reflections: The Greatest Love Story Ever Told, is all the more appropriate as we enter into the last two weeks of Advent. Christmas is the celebration of the Incarnation, of Jesus becoming human, becoming one of us in all things but sin. The Birth of Christ is the first scene of the final act of God's plan of salvation. This makes the Incarnation and what follows as the ultimate act of love. It shows how our Lord humbles himself by entering into the human condition out of love, because we cannot save ourselves. It leads to the culmination of the most loving act ever as Jesus takes on sin and death on the Cross and conquers them forever by His passion, death and resurrection. Father Breslin will walk us through these mysteries of our faith through the next few days. I encourage all of you to spend time with us this Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at 7 PM here in church and take advantage of the opportunity to open up hearts and make room for the Christ Child to dwell!

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Rob Sinatra

Batman's Column

Sun, 04 Dec 2022 18:15:00 GMT

My Deer Parishionerz o St. Padre Pio Parish,

It iz me, Batman, da rectory doggo! I haz really bad allergiez. While I luv being here and I luv all o u, I iz allergic 2 Vineland. I getz da gook in my eyez. I sneezez a lot. My skin getz super duper itchy. My poor daddo haz 2 giv me hooman allergy medicine. I iz a mess. Imagine my shock wen I readz da 1st reading today from the Book o da prophet, Isaiah. He talkz about shootz and budz and blossomz. 4 me, datz a recipe 4 DISASTER! But God thru Isaiah wasn't talking about flowers (and da terrible pollen insidez o dem), but wuz pointing 2 da coming o Jesus as da Messiah. Wen Jesus comez again at da end o time, He will bring true justice and peace. So not only do we long 4 dat day, we, as a people o faith hav 2 b instruments o da Lord's justice and peace 2. We don't know wen da 'end o da world' will b, but we haz 2 liv everyday lik Jesus iz coming back very soon. Datz wut John da Baptist wuz talking about wen he sayz, ""Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" and quotes da prophet Isaiah:

Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. It iz hard sometimez 2 focus on heaven becausz we iz so busy and preoccupied wit stuff here on earth, but even in da midst o da everyday, we haz 2 b focused on Jesus and wen He will come again in glory. So letz b ready everyday 4 da coming o Jesus, and if u couldz hand me a

tissue, I tink I haz 2 blow my big snozo!

God Bless (and pass da Benadryl)!

Batman, da rectory doggo

Exiit qui seminat

Sun, 04 Dec 2022 18:10:27 GMT

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, a Holy Day of Obligation

This week on Thursday, December the 8th, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, a Holy Day of Obligation. It's even more important in the Diocese of Camden and the United States, both of which have Our Lady under the title of the Immaculate Conception as our patron (that's why our cathedral in the heart of the city of Camden is called the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and the most important church for Catholics in the United States is the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC on the campus of Catholic University). It's a day where we recall that Mary was conceived in her mother's

womb (St. Ann) without the stain of the Original Sin of Adam and Eve. While the feast day has been a Holy Day of Obligation since the early 1700's, the concept of the Immaculate Conception as a dogma of the Catholic Church wasn't until 1854 by Pope Blessed Pius IX. Mary's immaculate conception was held by many of the faithful as well as early Church Fathers like St. Ireneus. So Blessed Pius IX's predecessor, Pope Gregory XVI, wrote all the bishops of the Church asking their opinion about whether this belief, held by so many Catholics, should be officially codified. In many ways, December 8th is the peoples' feast because its origin came from the sensus fidelium (literally 'the sense of the faithful'), the ability of the People of God as a part of the Universal Church to know, hold and believe truths and dogmas just by earnestly living out the life of faith. While Holy Days of Obligation (and even Sunday Mass) often lose their import in the lives of people, I encourage you to come and pray with us on Wednesday night at 7 PM or on Thursday at 8:15 AM, 12:15 PM or 7 PM to not only honor the Blessed Virgin Mary but also to celebrate YOUR feast day, the Feast of Mary's Immaculate Conception. Mary, under the title of the Immaculate Conception, pray for us!

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Rob Sinatra

Batman's Column

Sun, 20 Nov 2022 04:22:19 GMT

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Exiit qui seminat

Sun, 20 Nov 2022 04:18:47 GMT

Advent

As a Church, we begin a new liturgical year with the celebration of the 1st Sunday of Advent. This Advent, in particular, is especially unique because Christmas falls on a Sunday. So unlike other years in which the 4th Sunday of Advent is rarely a full week, we actually get 4 whole weeks Advent! Two whole weeks to prepare our hearts and our souls for when Christ comes again at the end of time. Two whole weeks to prepare for our celebration of the Birth of our Lord and Savior. As a part of this important spiritual journey the parish is happy to welcome Father Matthew Breslin, a priest of the Archdiocese of New York, to give our Advent retreat on December 12-14 entitled, "The Greatest LoveStory Ever Told: God's Never-Ending Pursuit of Humanity". I encourage you to attend as much of the parish mission as you can. We are also offering the Sacrament of Confession several times during Advent: Tuesday, December 13th from 1-3 PM, Wednesday, December 14th at 7 PM as a part of our mission, and Tuesday, December 20th from 1-3 PM and 7-9 PM. Our Lord shows us the fullness of His mercy by entering into the world to save us and gives us Confession as an instrument of that same mercy. But just as Advent came upon us so quickly, Christmas will be here before we know it. It is my prayer that we, as a parish and a Diocesan Shrine, that we can use this time of preparation well. Come Lord Jesus!

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Rob Sinatra

Batman's Column

Sat, 12 Nov 2022 21:48:28 GMT

My Deer Parishionerz o St. Padre Pio Parish,

It iz me, Batman, da rectory doggo! I iz a pretty smart doggo and I wuz taught 2 do lotz o trickz. I can sitz. I can giv my paw (plus de udder one). I doez a "high five". I can speakz and MOST IMPORTANTLY, I BEGZ (dat one iz my favorite)!!! I don't tink datz wut St. Paul had in mindz wen he said that we need 2 imitate him. St. Paul said dat he wuz trying 2 b a model 4 us (not da onez da r on coverz o magazinez). He wuz trying 2 model and teach us wut it iz lik 2 b a follower o Jesus. It doesn't seem lik da Thessalonians were paying attention. R we? Da problem iz dat it iz really easy 2 b distracted by unimportant tingz o even sinful tingz den 2 work quietly 4 God. So dis Sunday, our Lord iz trying 2 help us learn a new "trick": 2 work 4 God and 4 one another instead o working 4 ourselvez. May God give us da grace 2 b models 4 Him and Him alone.

God Bless (and I hazn't figured out how 2 roll over yet)!

Batman, da rectory doggo

Exiit qui seminat

Sat, 12 Nov 2022 21:43:23 GMT

33rd Week in Ordinary Time

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Batman's Column

Sat, 05 Nov 2022 21:06:07 GMT

My Deer Parishionerz o St. Padre Pio Parish,

It iz me, Batman, da rectory doggo! I don't knowz a whole lotz about were I comez from. I knowz dat I wuz born in Georgia and dat a nice lady saved-ed me right b4 tingz got BAD (if you knowz wut I meanz) and sent me to New Jersey. My daddo did my doggie DNA and I haz a close relative in Vermont who lookz JUST like me! His name iz Mr. Charlie and maybez I can meetz him some day. Luke's Gospel remindz us dat we belongz 2 God and dat da God who luvz us iz DA SAME GOD who luvz our parentz, grandparentz, great-grandparentz ... EVERYBODY! It iz His longing 4 us 2 His children and 2 liv out a life o faith. It iz only by participating in a da lif o grace that we can be "deemed worthy" and to share in da resurrection o da dead (which apparently iz very important during da month o November). So who do u belong 2? I iz sure dat u all haz wonderful family and friendz lik I doez. But if u do o if u don't we still ALL belong 2 God and r called 2 follow Him to eternal life!

God Bless (and can I walkz 2 Vermont?)!

Batman, da rectory doggo

Exiit qui seminat

Sat, 05 Nov 2022 21:02:19 GMT

"Is there anything or anyone that I would be willing to die for?"

In this Sunday's readings we hear from the 2nd Book of Maccabees. 1st and 2nd Maccabees recalls the history of the nation of Israel after the death of Alexander the Great. Alexander (who had no sons) had his kingdom divided among his generals who continued Alexander's dream of Hellenizing the whole world by forcing conquered lands to embrace Greek culture. The Greeks desecrated the Temple by placing a statue of the Greek god Zeus in the sanctuary of the Holy of Holies. They erected gymnasiums to help assimilate Jewish youth into Greek ways of life. Finally the Greeks forced the Jewish people to worship foreign gods with their refusal punishable by death. One such story of persecution is depicted in our first reading as we hear a mother and her seven sons being coerced to convert. The sons stay true to their faith and one by one are killed in front of their mother. One of the sons, before his death, spoke, "You accursed fiend, you are depriving us of this present life, but the King of the world will raise us up to live again forever. It is for his laws that we are dying." Dying for God and or one's faith was, unfortunately, commonplace, not just in the Bible, but also in the life of the early Church. Even today, there are many of our brothers and sisters who continue to be persecuted for their faith and their belief in Christ. The question that comes to mind and the one I ask myself, "Is there anything or anyone that would be willing to die for?" I would hope that I would give my life for my family or close friends, but would I be willing to give my life for God as He has done for me? I pray that I would have the faith and the courage to do so. It's the same question that the Lord asks each and every one of us. What are we willing to die for? Is our faith and our belief in God one of those things? While we hope and pray that circumstances in this country would never get to the point of martyrdom, do we have a martyr's heart that's willing to die for Christ? Let us ask for the grace to have a sacrificial heart and a desire to offer everything we have, our entire lives for the sake of our Lord and Savior.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Rob Sinatra

Batman's Column

Mon, 31 Oct 2022 19:04:47 GMT

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Exiit qui seminat

Mon, 31 Oct 2022 18:59:45 GMT

All Saints Day & All Souls Day

As October draws to a close and November (and World Series Baseball) is right around the corner, the Church focuses on two very important Catholic celebrations: All Saints Day and All Souls Day. These celebrations help us to focus on the twofold nature of our spiritual journey: The first is that we are "saints in training" and by virtue of our baptism a part of the Communion of Saints. Saints, of course, are those gone before us with the mark of faith in full communion with God and a part of the Beatific Vision (the ability to see God face to face). Just as we have intercessors and people who pray for us here on earth, our Blessed Mother and all of the saints intercede and pray for us before the throne of God. So many of us have devotions and special connections with saints (like Padre Pio for example). However, we do have to be careful to make sure that our love of any saint and the important role they play in our lives doesn't supersede the adoration and love that we need to have for the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The celebration of All Saints Day helps remind us of our connection with the saints in heaven and how we long to be a part of their number. But the truth is that we are not quite there just yet! That's where All Souls Day comes in. As the Spiritual Works of Mercy impel us, we have an obligation to pray for the dead. There are so many family members and friends that we love that have died and their passing has had a profound effect on our lives. We miss them, especially if they have died unexpectedly, and for those who suffered greatly, are thankful that their suffering is now at an end. The danger becomes when we understandably "canonize" our loved ones and forget the fact that each and every one of us are poor sinners, struggling on our way to conversion and heaven. So we continue to pray for the dead, so that if any aspect of sin might remain, our merciful Lord will forgive our loved ones from their offenses. It is also a reminder that we will all die someday and recognize the fragility and preciousness of our earthy and spiritual lives. In this month of November let us continue to pray for every sinner and to pray with all the saints so that we can be with all those washed clean by the Blood of the Lamb and stand before the throne of God glorifying Him for all eternity!

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Rob Sinatra

Exiit qui seminat

Sun, 23 Oct 2022 20:54:09 GMT

World Mission Sunday

Since 1927, the collection for "Mission Sunday" has been a part of the universal Church. Always taken up on the next to last Sunday in October, World Mission Sunday connects local Churches (like the Diocese of Camden) with their role and responsibility to evangelizing the whole world. It is a reminder that although the Catholic Church in the United States is fairly well established, it wasn't always so. Missionaries, priests and religious from across the world have come to these very shores to teach us the faith and to celebrate the sacramental life of the Church, especially the Eucharist. I have both written and spoken before that I was baptized by a priest from Ireland who emigrated to the United States in order to serve this local Church. St. Padre Pio, too, has been ministered by many priests from other lands. As many well know, this parish was supplied by Italian priests and religious. In more recent times, Father Anthony and Father Parisi have given witness here in Vineland and left a lasting legacy. Fr. Francis and Fr. John both spoke at length of how the Lord called them from Korea to be with the People of God in the United States. Father Al (of happy memory) was blessed to call both the United States and Uganda "home". He left a lasting memory with us all. I am also truly grateful for Fr. Dimitri and his presence here in Vineland. He has mentioned many times that his mission as a priest is not just limited to the Haitian community that he has been called to serve, but to share the Gospel with us all. And while this reality is so true for our local and "well established" Church, there are still many other places both in the United States and throughout the world that are not as fortunate as we are. The Church in these places may be newly established and burgeoning and require the help of the universal Church in order to continue to survive and to thrive. I pray that we not only give thanks to God for the blessings that we have received in this parish, but that we might be able to share our gifts with the whole Church so that she may grow and bring the Gospel to the ends of the earth

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Exiit qui seminat

Sat, 08 Oct 2022 17:36:54 GMT

Thank you for your amazing generosity

Over the past several weeks, I have once again been reminded of the tremendous generosity of the people of St. Padre Pio Parish. Not only have so many of you volunteered your time and your talents to help make the 20th Annual Padre Pio Festival a success (and thank you for your patience as we finalize the numbers and pay off the bills that are still coming in), but the response for the plea of the parish to help defray our ever increasing utility costs has been nothing short of amazing! It continues to speak volumes of the generous nature and hearts of our parishioners and reminds me of how lucky I truly am to be assigned here as your pastor. In parish life, we learn pretty quickly that people will more easily give for a particular cause or a particular project. I think back to my first day as pastor on July 1, 2015, arriving at St. Mary's Church only to find that someone stole the air conditioning units on the side of church. Within a week, a group of parishioners came forward and took care of replacing what was stolen. It was a taste of what was in store for me over the past seven years. The Lord reminds us that generosity is more than just giving financial gifts. He speaks to us also of magnanimity - a generous spirit. It's the recognition that everything we have, every good gift, every important aspect of our lives comes, not from ourselves, but from Him. It's having an attitude of humility, graciousness and gratitude. In response to that reality, we give the entirety of our lives back to God. Our very lives become a reflection of His goodness in us and we learn to live our lives accordingly. It's the realization that even in the worst and toughest of times, that every moment is a gift and every second an opportunity to glorify God in a loud voice like the Samaritan who was healed of leprosy in Luke's Gospel. So thank you for your goodness and your gifts and in return, let us give thanks to the One who is the Author of every good gift, our loving Lord and Savior.

Sincerely yours in Christ, Fr. Rob Sinatra

Batman's Column

Sun, 02 Oct 2022 17:50:44 GMT

My Deer Parishonerz o St. Padre Pio,

It iz me, Batman, da rectory doggo! Dere were a lotz o people hear last Sunday!

While I iz happy dat peoplez hadz a good time, I iz happy dat all o da truckz, and

busez and tractorz and forkliftz and carz behind da rectory r gone! Dat kind o stuff

drivez me bananaz!!! At timez it seemed lik it would never endz! It iz kinda da

same 4 all o us. Lif can b hard. Timez can b tough and it seemz lik it will never

ever ever ever endz. We cry out 2 God and feelz lik He isn't even listening. But

He iz! It iz just dat His time and our time are not da same! So we r called 2

continue 2 cry out 2 da Lord, and even dough God may challenge us, we cannot

ignore Him o "harden our hearts". 4 as God's children, not only r we 2 set da

world on fire, we r called 2 give testimony 2 Him wit courage and power and love!

Even if we startz small lik da mustard seed, our faith can grow so dat we can live

out our obligation 2 love and serve our Lord and one another. So wut r asking o

our God? And then, what iz His response? Wut r we being asked 2 do by da

Father and da Son and da Holy Spirit? Wut iz da challenge and da witness dat we

r called 2 giv? May da Lord giv us all dat we need 2 cry out 2 Him in courage and

listen 2 His response with courage and luv!

God Bless (and do u haz any left over chikenz? Dey wuz REALLY good!!!)!

Batman, da rectory doggo

Exiit qui seminat

Sun, 02 Oct 2022 17:46:50 GMT

Respect Life Sunday

The Catholic Church in the United States observes October as

"Respect Life Month", an opportunity for us as a Church and a

country to "consider more deeply why every human life is

valuable and reflect on how to build a culture that protects life

from conception to natural death." The month is kicked off on

the first weekend of October designated as Respect Life

Sunday. As Archbishop Lori, the Chairman of The United

States Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on Pro-Life

Activities writes, “it is the time for a renewal and rededication

of our efforts to build a culture of life and civilization of

love.” The Pro-Life landscape has radically changed in light of

the Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's

Health and the ending of Roe v. Wade. But even in light of this

victory over the culture of death, our role as a Church as the

defender of human life continues, especially in states in which

Abortion on Demand continues. Now more than ever, we, as a

people of faith, we are challenged to "practice radical

solidarity and unconditional love" for pregnant and parenting

mothers. Because, unlike what the critics say, the Catholic

Church is NOT Pro-life only until a child is born and then

mothers and families at risk find themselves abandoned. We

are called to accompany them throughout their lives and to

assist others to give them everything they need to not only

survive, but thrive. So let us continue to pray for the spreading

of the Gospel of our Lord and Savior and the Culture of Life.

Let us support families in all stages of their lives and remind

them of their God-given dignity of worth. And finally let us

"help the people of our nation better see who we can be as a

nation by truly understanding what we owe to one another as

members of the same human family. To build a world in which

all are welcome, we must heed the words of St. Teresa of

Calcutta and remember 'that we belong to one another.'"

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Batman's Column

Sun, 18 Sep 2022 22:57:12 GMT

My Deer Parishionez o St. Padre Pio Parish,

It iz me, Batman, da rectory doggo! As u knowz, I luv my daddo. A lot. A lot a

lot! In factz, I likez 2 follow him and spend timez wit him almost every moment o

da day. Except 4 da timez in which I iz hungry (which iz a lot) o takin' a walko, I iz

totally focused-ed on him. Even wen I sleepz, I lik 2 b next 2 my daddo, lik right

next 2 him. My lif revolvez around him (and my stomach). Da readings 4 dis

Sunday talk about da importance o havin our livez focused-ed on God (and how

bad it iz wen we don't). Da prophet Amos talkz about hoomanz who CAN'T WAIT

4 da time o prayer and rest 2 b over so dey can do dere own stuff instead of God's

stuff. St. Paul prayz 4 us 2 liv livez dat r pleasing 2 God filled wit devotion and

dignity. Jesus uses da parable o a steward who wuz 2 focused-ed on da stuff dat

he wanted 2 do and gotz in trouble wit his master. It wuz only due 2 da steward's

fast tinkin 2 save his own bacon ... I LUV BACON! It iz tasty and I ... Sorry about

dat! It wuz da lengthz dat da steward wuz willing 2 go 2 protect himself dat getz

rewarded. Jesus urgez us 2 b prudent, not in da wayz o da world, but in da wayz

o God. We needz 2 b focused-ed on da tingz dat givz us wealth in heaven instead

o da less important tingz o our livez (like bacon and snackoz and bacon). Do we

treat God lik petz treat dere hoomanz? R our livez constantly directed-ed towardz

Him? If we iz focused-ed on "mammon" o unimportant stuff, wut iz it and how can

we put it aside 4 da tingz o God? Becauz, ultimately, God iz our "daddo" and He

saved-ed our livez lik my daddo saved-ed mine.

God Bless (and pass da bacon)!

Batman, da rectory doggo

Batman's Column

Sun, 11 Sep 2022 21:48:01 GMT

My Deer Parishionez o St. Padre Pio Parish,

It iz me, Batman, da rectory doggo. Did u knowz dat I haz never seen a sheep? De only sheepz I haz seen were stuffed-ed toyz. It didz not end well 4 dem. I don't knowz how I wouldz react 2 dem. Hopefully we wouldz get along and I would showz dem da best place 2 eat grass on da rectory groundz (right by da chikin pit). In 2day's Gospel, Jesus talkz a lot about sheep and how precious and special dey r. If even ONE o dem getz lost-ed, He will go getz dem. And if Jesus will doez dat 4 sheepz, just tink about wut lengthz He will go 2 bring us back home?!? Not only would He go 2 da endz o da earth looking 4 us, we knowz dat Jesus wuz willing 2 (and DID) die 4 us!!! When we iz "lost" sometimez it iz hard and even embarrassing 2 "go home". We iz afraid o being judged-ed o shamed-ed. All we haz 2 remember iz dat God luvz us and dat dere iz nothing dat we can do dat iz more powerful den His luv. And His priestz r da instrumentz o dat forgiveness and luv 2!!! So tankz b 2 God dat we r His sheep and dat God iz alwayz looking out 4 us. And if we iz lost let us turn 2 Him so dat da whole Church can rejoice dat a lost sheep haz come home!

God Bless (and I feelz really bad about da time I eatz da lamb chop)! Batman, da rectory doggo

Batman's Column

Sat, 27 Aug 2022 23:55:20 GMT

My Deer Parishionez o St. Padre Pio Parish,

It iz me, Batman da rectory doggo! I iz pretty straightforward when I needz someting. When I iz hungry I let my daddo know by barking. When I needz 2 go out 4 a walko, I boopz him wit my schnoz and scratch da front door. When I wantz a snacko o 12 I goez 2 da cabinet so dat dere iz no doubt wut I iz asking. God iz straightforward 2! His plan is super duper clear. He humbled Himself out o luv 2 save us. He made no bonez about it (Did I mention dat I lik bonez? But I digress)! So if we r called 2 imitate Him, we haz 2 b humble 2. In da Letter 2 da Hebrews, we hear dat God, in all His awesomeness and glory, made Himself accessible 2 us. So we humbly approach Him wit thanksgiving. In da Book o Sirach we r reminded 2 humbly seek da tings o God and not get wrapped up in stuff dat isn't important 2 Him. Jesus in da Gospel tellz us 2 luv others humbly and 2 serve as God in His humility does 4 us. We r reminded dat dere iz a God and we r not He. Dis humility doesn't mean we haz 2 do it secret. It just haz 2 b directed toward God and 4 His glory! So b direct in our relationship wit God and humbly serve Him and each udder!

God Bless (and it iz time 4 anudder walko)!

Batman, da rectory doggo

Exiit qui seminat

Sat, 27 Aug 2022 23:51:11 GMT

As you might have heard, on Sunday of last week, Daniel Panneton wrote an article in Atlantic magazine entitled, "How Extremist Culture Is Trying to Co-opt the Rosary". The purpose of the article attempts to depict the role of the Rosary as a spiritual weapon as being perverted by "the extremist fringe" as a violent, racist and politicized symbol intended to be a clarion call to overthrow an ever increasing oppressive government and society. It is, in the words of Colonel Sherman T. Potter of the award winning TV show M.A.S.H., "a load of horse hockey". The Rosary is one of the most powerful prayers we have and is very much a spiritual weapon used to combat the presence of evil in our world. While there are always people of faith and Catholics on the fringe that have crazy ideas, to intimate that the Rosary has been usurped by the "alt Right" is the epitome of anti-Catholicism that is still acceptable and allowed in our culture. So our response as Catholic Christians has to be twofold. One: Stand up and be proud of our faith. Catholics have the reputation of being timid because of the concept of "turning the other cheek". Just because we are called to love our enemies and pray for them does not mean that we have to be floormats for discrimination. Two: Pray the Rosary! Padre Pio writes, “Love the Madonna and pray the Rosary, for her Rosary is the weapon against the evils of the world today. All graces given by God pass through the Blessed Mother.” Pray for the conversion of hearts and souls. Pray for those who would do us harm. Pray for our Church. Pray for our families and friends that God through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary may keep them safe. Because while some would infer that the Rosary has become intertwined with the 2nd Amendment, it’s actually grounded in the First. So as the Church Militant and Suffering grab a weapon: Pray the Rosary!!!

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Rob Sinatra

Batman's Column

Sun, 21 Aug 2022 19:37:43 GMT

My Deer Parishionez o St. Padre Pio Parish,

It iz me, Batman, da rectory doggo! I iz SO happy becausz my daddo iz back from his vacation!!! I missed-ed him very much! We haz been making up 4 lost timez by hazing walkoz and cuddlez and snackoz and snakcoz and more snackoz. Now I know dat my daddo luvz me very much and I luvz him 2. But he iz not REALLY my faddah and I iz not his kid. It'z wut hoomanz call anthropo... anthropor... It'z when hoomanz giv animalz and objectz hooman qualities and characteristicz. U guyz doez it all o da time and datz OK. But u know wut realtionship isn't made up? Our relationship wit God. In da letter 2 da Hebrews we r reminded dat all o us thru our baptism r adopted sons and daughters o God - dat we r sons in da Son. And even dough we face tough timez as His children, we iz strengthened by His cross. It iz by getting stronger in faith dat we can enter thru da "narrow gate" and by His grace get 2 heaven. We can say dat we r Children o da Lord, but how often do we really live it? Let us liv out r faith with gusto becausz our Lord tellz us dat His relationship wit Him can't b fake. It haz 2 b really REAL!

God Bless!

Batman, da rectory doggo

P.S. The South Jersey Regional Animal Shelter in Vineland and da Homeward Bound Pet Adoptions Center in Blackwood hav a TON o doggoz and catz 2 adopt. If u haz space in ur home 4 a furry friend, dey needz ur help ASAP!!!!

Exiit qui seminat

Sun, 21 Aug 2022 19:34:47 GMT

"Mary, Mother of God, pray for us!"

This past week on August 15th, we celebrated the feast of the Assumption. While it wasn't a holy day of obligation this year, it was important to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary in her role as Mother of God, but also as the first and greatest disciple of her Son. From very early on in my priesthood, I've been blessed to be a part of the Diocesan Marian Commission. The role of the commission is to plan and execute the Diocese of Camden's biannual pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC. Every two years, thousands of pilgrims for our diocese travel to the shrine for a day of prayer, honoring Our Lady and thanking her under her title of the Immaculate Conception for being the patroness of the Diocese of Camden. The basilica is the largest Catholic church in North America and really is a stunning tribute to our Blessed Mother. Side chapels line both the upstairs and the downstairs of the church, each one dedicated to a specific title of Mary. This year's pilgrimage is on Saturday, October 29, 2022. We'll be offering a bus along with Christ the Good Shepherd that will take you back and forth from Washington, DC so you don't even have to worry about the drive! If you've never been to the basilica, I really encourage you to plan now and make the sacrifice for Our Lady during the month dedicated to her. As Padre Pio wrote, "Give yourself up into the arms of your Heavenly Mother. She will take good care of your soul." Mary, Mother of God, pray for us!

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Rob Sinatra

Batman's Column

Sun, 14 Aug 2022 21:53:31 GMT

My Deer Parishionez o St. Padre Pio Parish,

It iz me, Batman, da rectory doggo! Did u know dat doggoz r creaturez o habit? We haz a normal routine dat helpz doggoz feel ... normal! My routine iz pretty straightforward. First, I make Daddo tak me 4 walkiez. Den we eatz all kindz o foodz - foodz 4 doggoz and treatz and an occasional piece o bagel. Den we nappz. Den 3 o 4 more walkiez, lotz o beggin' 4 foodz, plus barking at da mail truck and u haz Batman's daily routine! In da readings from Sacred Scripture, we iz asked a simple question: Iz our life, our "daily routine", focused-ed on God o on the wayz o da world? In da book o da prophet Jeremiah, da king and his princes didn't want 2 hear da Word o God and did wut dey wanted (it did not work out so well 4 dem). Da Letter 2 da Hebrews tellz us dat while "running da race that lies before us" we need 2 keep our eyez fixed on Jesus. It seemz pretty clear wut we haz 2 do, but it doesn't make it easy! Following God instead following da world can put us at oddz wit our family, our friendz, our co-workerz ... anybody! But da Lord wantz us to set da world aflame wit da fire o His luv. So wut iz our routine? Do we make time 4 God o r we distracted by tingz dat r not of Him? Wut iz ONE ting dat we can do, so dat we can show dat we r running da race 4 God? May our eyes b always focused-ed on Him so that we can share da glory o eternal life!

God Bless (and iz it time 4 my walkiez now?)

Batman, da rectory doggo

Exiit qui seminat

Sun, 14 Aug 2022 21:46:38 GMT

"Show them love, not just yours, but God's. "

I've been on vacation the past couple of weeks, spending some well needed time with my family. I was sitting at my computer, trying to figure out what to write for this week's article and I saw something that my brother, Frank (yes ... Frank Sinatra) wrote on his Facebook page several years ago as a reflection on the death of my aunt. It is poignant, timely, fits the themes from Sacred Scripture this Sunday and certainly worth sharing. Here it is:

"There's time and timeless. While we're here on this earth, we find ourselves living from moment; but all the while, our hearts and souls yearn to be reunited with He who created us. And by sharing special moments with our family and friends, we actually get glimpses of that infinite love in the here and now. We can give that love, flawed as we are, to others. And that love, which can never be destroyed, gives us inspiration, comfort and solace until we all meet again, in the place were there are white shores and a far green country under a swift sunrise."

In short, spend time with the people in our lives who matter. Show them love, not just yours, but God's. If there are bridges that are broken and fences to be mended, do it now. Time is short. Show love to those who have no one else to love them. Be the face of Christ and be an aid and not a hinderance to assist those on their journey to heaven. See you next weekend!

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Rob Sinatra

Batman's Column

Sun, 07 Aug 2022 19:48:32 GMT

My Deer Parishionez o St. Padre Pio Parish,

It iz me, Batman, da rectory doggo! As a rescue doggo I knowz wut it iz like 2

both choose and b chosen. Wen my daddo first came 2 see me at Beacon

Animal Rescue, he wuz kinda nervous becauz Daddo never hadz a doggo

b4. So I madez sure dat he knew dat I liked-ed him ... A LOT! So much so

dat da volunteer at the shelter said 2 my daddo, "I don't know if you've chosen

him, but Batman has certainly chosen you!" Luckily, my daddo took da plunge

and adopted-ed me and da rest, as dey say, iz history! We hearz in 2day's

readingz how God chose da Israelitez and us. In da Book o Wisdom, we hear

about how God saved da Chosen People from slavery in Egypt and how dere

faith wuz and still iz rewarded. Our Psalmist sayz da same ting, "Blessed the

people the Lord has chosen to be his own." Da Book o Wisdom and St. Paul

remindz us dat de act o faith iz de important action o us choosing God back.

It iz "the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen."

Faith iz da necessary response 2 God sharing His lif wit us and as we can

see, faith iz alwayz rewarded (just not alwayz how we expect). As Jesus

remindz us, faith iz not a one time act. It iz a constant choice on our part.

Every day we haz 2 choose God. Every day we haz 2 b ready. We haz 2 hav

our loinz girded (I do not know wut dat meanz. U iz going 2 hav 2 look dat

up. I iz only a doggo afta all!) and b ready all o da timez, listening 4 wen God

callz. So b tankful dat da Lord haz adopted us as His Chosen People and

remember dat we haz 2 choose God 2 and liv our livez 4 Him!

God Bless (and don't forget 2 hug ur furry and non-furry friendz and tell dem

dat u luv dem!)

Batman, da rectory doggo

Exiit qui seminat

Sun, 07 Aug 2022 19:46:36 GMT

While returning from his weeklong trip to Canada, Pope Francis told

reporters that he's realized that he needs to slow down his activity

because of his physical health. Pope Francis, who will be 86 in

December, while not considering resigning from the papacy at the

moment, the Holy Father recognized that it might become an eventuality if

he was unable to perform his duties as Roman Pontiff. "You can change

the Pope," he remarked. While it would be unprecedented that the

Church could possibly have two "Pope emerti", it's not an impossibility.

Being Pope is an "office" and role of the church that is given to the Bishop

of Rome and, even though it is much more important and has a lot more

responsibility, in essence it's no more different than being named the

bishop of a diocese or even the pastor of a parish - all of them are offices

that have specific roles and responsibilities under canon law. A priest or

anyone can resign from an ecclesiastical office. Under normal

circumstances, a resignation has to be made to the proper authority (a

pastor has to resign to his bishop, the bishop resigns to the Holy Father).

The only wrinkle is that, except for God, there is no greater authority in the

life of the Church that the Pope can offer his resignation ("the First See is

judged by no one"). So canon law has a special provision in place for the

resignation of the Pope. Canon 332 §2 states that for the Roman Pontiff

to validly resign it has to be "made freely and properly manifested but not

that it is accepted by anyone." It has to be done of the Pope's own free

will and announced in an appropriate manner. If you recall, when Pope

Benedict XVI announced his own resignation, he did it during an official

declaration of the canonization of several saints. If Pope Francis were to

do so, he would have to announce it in similar circumstances. Then, after

the resignation date, a conclave of cardinals of voting age (under 80)

would be called and the Holy Spirit would be invoked for the election of a

new Holy Father. As a Church and at every Mass we pray for the Pope.

Let us continue to pray for Pope Francis and for our Church that the Chair

of Peter may faithfully fulfill his office as Vicar of Christ and true shepherd

of His flock.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Rob Sinatra

Batman's Column

Sun, 31 Jul 2022 21:27:42 GMT

My Deer Parishionez o St. Padre Pio Parish,

It iz me, Batman, da rectory doggo! I don't tink dat I iz vain, but I will admit dat I likz 2 look good. Afta all, I do haz m y picture taken every week 4 da bulletin. But az da readingz tell us dis week, dere iz MUCH MORE 2 lif den worldy tingz. Da big problem iz dat da world iz a super busy place wit lotz o noise and distractionz (lik doggoz barking and peoplez dropping off packagez at da rectory). It can make it very hard 2 listen 2 wut God wantz us 2 hear. Datz why da Psalmist singz, "If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts." While we can choose 2 not listen 2 God, it iz not a good ting at all (You tink dis summer wuz hot? LOOK OUT!!). Datz why itz so important 2 be "God-minded", 2 make sure dat He iz a part of every day o our livez. St. Paul remindz us that if we were raised wit Christ den we haz 2 seek wut iz above - to be focused on heaven, not da fading tingz o da world. Worldly tingz can b important, but dey iz not da end all b all. One o da greatest issuez o our society iz dat we put doz type o tingz in place of our Lord. We can be rich in da wayz o da world and b poor in giving God His due. So wut iz distracting us from God? Is dere anyting dat we iz denying God dat belongz 2 Him? Why won't my daddo tak me on walkoz 7 times a day? Let us ask God in a special way dis week 2 focus on da one person Who iz more important dan all de udder vain stuff in da world!

God Bless (and when can we goez 4 anudder walko daddo?)!

Batman, da rectory doggo

Exiit qui seminat

Sun, 31 Jul 2022 20:06:01 GMT

This is a subtitle for your new post

I love doing baptisms. Other than celebrating Mass, it's by far my

favorite sacrament. First, babies are cute (in my humble opinion

there is no such thing as an ugly baby). Second, baptisms are a

wonderful opportunity to teach and evangelize in a more relaxed and

personal setting than other sacraments. But I had a baptism

experience recently that was a first in my over 18 years of

priesthood. I was baptizing two sibilings who were about 5 years

old. The baptism was delayed for several reasons including COVID.

Baptizing children who are on the older side is not usually a problem,

but one of the siblings wanted nothing to do with the baptism at all. I

bypassed most of the signs and symbols that go along with the

sacrament and it was only by the grace of God that this child ended

up being baptized. The last thing that I wanted was for baptism to be

a traumatic experience, especially for a child who could possibly

remember the moment and emotions that went along with it. While

grateful that this child was able to be baptized, it did get me thinking

about Baptism and our current culture. When it comes the current

practice of baptism, many of the families present their children to the

Church usually due to pressure from grandparents and greatgrandparents

or consider the sacrament a rite of passage more than

the reality of entering the Church, being freed from Original Sin and

receiving the grace of faith. Even more discouraging is that for more

and more families, baptism becomes an afterthought rather than a

spiritual necessity. This reality bears itself out in the fact that the

retention rate of families who continue to be an active part of the

Church after their children are baptized is around 8%. While the

parishes in Vineland put in an effort to make sure that parents are

properly prepared for the responsibility and obligations that go along

with Baptism, there needs to be more. If we are to accompany

families in their faith journey, we have to give families an opportunity

to be a part of our Church. I think we are in the process of doing

that. COVID has delayed a lot of the purposeful "self-scouting" and

evangelization but it seems like we are slowly getting back on track.

But the adage is equally true, "You can lead a horse to water, but you

can't make them drink." The Church and the life of faith has to be

something that people want to be a part of. It has to be their

conscious choice. It's a fine line and balance between being

encouraging and inviting, but at the same time to challenge families

to make sure Baptism isn't merely a ceremony, but a life altering

encounter with God. So I open it up to all of you! What more can we

do to welcome families and, at the same time, help them take more

responsibility for their faith? Feel free to give a call to the parish or

email me your thoughts at robert.sinatra@camdendiocese.org.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Rob Sinatra

Batman's Column

Sun, 24 Jul 2022 02:28:16 GMT

My Deer Parishionez o St. Padre Pio Parish,

It iz me, Batmam, da rectory doggo! Let me tell u, it iz HOT outside (deez r da doggo dayz o summer afta all)! Even dough da temperature iz insanely hot, I still needz my walkoz. So out we goez 2 or 3 or even 4 timez a day!!! My daddo haz been very patient wit me in all o dis heat. Datz wut daddoz do! Jesus talks about God as da Faddah in 2dayz Gospel thru da oldest prayer we haz as Christians, da 'Our Father'. Now we can only callz God our Faddah thru our baptism. In baptism we become "sons in da Son". We become adopted into the Sonship of Christ. Thru dat we died 2 sin and share da Resurrection. We haz our trespasses forgiven and we haz da ability 2 forgive udderz. If we don't dere iz da possibility o going someplace even hotter, if u knowz wut I mean! So embrace our Faddah in heaven, embrace da lif dat wut won 4 us in da cross and liv out da faith we haz in baptism. Dat way, we can follow in da footsteps o Jesus!

God Bless (and I can't wait 2 go swimming in Unca Dave's pool)!

Batman, da rectory doggo

Exiit qui seminat

Sun, 24 Jul 2022 02:14:41 GMT

"If the world around us is falling apart, its still our responsibility to be faithful and holy."

At first glance, the Lord's total destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah due to their wickedness seems antithetical to what we know about God and what is spoken of Him in Sacred Scripture. Why would a good, gracious and merciful God wipe out an entire land or an entire people? But a much deeper look in the Old Testament tells us a different story, because in truth, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah isn't "total". The Navarre Bible Commentary on the Book of Genesis states, "The final outcome of this episode shows that, even though he destroys these cities, God saves the righteous who live in them. God does not punish the just man along with the sinner (as Abraham thought): a person is allowed to perish or is saved depending on personal behaviour" (The Navarre Bible - Pentateuch page 107). It's the same exact thing when God commands the total destruction of other nations like the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites in the Book of Deuteronomy. While societal sin exits, we are judged ultimately as individuals and whether we are faithful to God. I think this is particularly important as we reflect on our own time and age. Everything in the world seems to be the exact opposite of what the Lord wants. While we speak out about the injustice and immorality that exists in the world that we live (and rightfully so), it can't distract or prevent us from living our lives righteously, justly and faithfully to our Lord and God. If the world around us is falling apart, its still our responsibility to be faithful and holy. For in the end, we truly know that sin and death, as well as everything else that goes along with it, has already been conquered by the saving action of our Savior.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Rob Sinatra

Batman's Column

Sat, 16 Jul 2022 23:24:53 GMT

My Deer Parishionez o St. Padre Pio Parish,

It iz me, Batman, da rectory doggo! My daddo sitz at his desk a lot. He iz always writing da emailz o talking 2 peoplez on da phone. But while my daddo iz preoccup.... preoccup... super busy, he forgetz someting .... ME!!! So I haz 2 go up to him in his chair and nudge him. And den I pawz him. If dat doesn't work, den I whine (I iz very good at it). My last resort iz 2 bark and bark and bark and bark and bark and bark and bark and bark and bark and bark and bark (You getz de idea). My daddo FINALLY givz up and takez me 4 a walk. I haz 2 do dis 2 him AT LEAST twice a day! It iz important 4 him 2 get up and move around (and more importantly let me go 4 a walk around my favorite parish grounds IN DA WORLD!). It iz very easy 4 hoomanz 2 get distracted-ed by stuff from da really important tingz in life. Datz wut Martha wuz strugglin' wit in Luke's Gospel. She wuz serving Jesus. Dat in itself wuz not a bad ting. But Martha wuz burdened and anxious about it. Serving wuz takin up da space dat wuz meant 2 listen 2 Jesus (dat ting Mary wuz doing and I STILL haz trouble doing). We doez a lot in our livez. Dere r so many tings, actvities and eventz dat dominate our livez. In itself, dese tingz r not bad, BUT if dey tak da place o God o da time dat iz meant 4 God, den itz a BIG PROBLEM! Even when we iz at Mass, r we focused-ed on Jesus o r we tinking about someting else? R we anxious about da life outside o da church o r we ready 2 let God enter in2 our heartz, mindz and soulz. So don't b anxious and worried about all da crazy stuff in da world! Instead, focus on WHO iz most important in our livez, not da wut!

God Bless (and r u talking 2 me?)! Batman, da rectory doggo

Exiit qui seminat

Sat, 16 Jul 2022 23:22:31 GMT

The week of the 4th of July, I had the opportunity to teach the 5th and 6th graders for our Summer Intensive Religious Education Program for a day. Teaching about the faith is one of my favorite things to do and I was really excited for the opportunity. Due to no fault of their own, I quickly realized how little of the "basics" of our faith these children truly retained. Thankfully, one of the great aspects of the program that we use, is a continually re-presenting of the doctrines of our faith and why we believe what we believe. The topics and the themes are the same for each grade level and gives another opportunity to reinforce that which was "lost". However, the saddest part of the eight days of the program was a phrase that was uttered in multiple ways: "We don't go to church," "My parents don't take me to Mass," or even worse, "My family doesn't really believe". It would be easy to blame parents. On the day of their children's baptism, parents and godparents accepted the responsibility of handing on the faith and instilling it in their children. However, the Church has equally failed our families. While meeting the needs of our parishioners and striving to be flexible to meet the demands placed upon family life, the Church has unfortunately catered to our "clientele" and erroneously believed that the Sunday sermon would be enough, or our Catholic schools would be enough, or that Religious Education would be enough. The solution (in this priest's humble opinion) requires all hands on deck. Homilies become opportunities for catechesis and teaching, all the while focusing on the message of our Lord's plan of salvation at the same time. In the midst of our truly secular society, the truth of the Gospel has to be unabashedly proclaimed couched with charity and love. And while it might seem obvious decision to make Mass and the Church relevant for younger people, it couldn't be further from the truth. Unlike their previous generations, today's children and young people don't blindly follow authority. Their loyalty and their assent are focused much more on relationship and authenticity. If someone is authentic and real, then they will listen and, perhaps, follow. It becomes so important to have a ministry of presence. Before we "preach", we have to be present to youth and young families and acknowledge and accompanying them in their complicated lives, all the while fighting the great urge to critique and judge. Once we gain their trust and belief that the Church loves them for them, only then can we teach and sculpt. We have to be more purposeful about our faith and living it then we have ever had to be in our lives. The first step, as I mentioned in last week's homily, is an invitation. So I invite you to "invite" someone to Church. If they say, "No", let it go and then wait for the next time that an invitation can be given. Preach with our lives and continue to pray for the conversions of the hearts, minds and souls of our people. Also know that the Catholic Church in the City of Vineland is working to do the same!

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Rob Sinatra

Batman's Column

Sun, 10 Jul 2022 23:47:28 GMT

My Deer Parishionez o St. Padre Pio Parish,

It iz me, Batman, da rectory doggo! I no likz 2 brag, but I iz a

smart doggo. I know lotz o trickz lik sit and speakz and paw

and down. I even knowz dem in 3 LANGUAGEZ (English,

Italian and Spanish)! I also knowz wen my daddo iz SUPER

SERIOUS and needz me 2 listen. 4 all da timez dat I iz a

good doggo, dere r timez dat I do not listen. I know wut my

daddo wantz, but I actz lik I can't hearz him. It iz dem dat I

REALLY getz in trouble!!! Unfortunately we do dat wit God

2. Lik Moses said 2 da peoplez, we already knowz wut God

wantz from us. Even dough it is obvious and near 2 us, we

do not listen. Da CRAZY ting iz dat God givz us deez

commandz becauz He luvz us and when we don't listen, we

r rejecting His luv. And as we hear in Luke's Gospel, we

need da Lord's luv to inherit eternal lif! If we don't haz den

we REALLY getz in trouble!!! So in da wordz of da scholar

who quotes de Old Testament, "love the Lord, your God,

with all your heart, with all your being, with all your

strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as

yourself." As Jesus tellz us in da parable o da Good

Samaritan, we haz 2 luv not just da hoomanz dat luv us. We

needz 2 luv strangerz and our enemies 2! Luv doesn't pass

us by. It actz! Wut iz da luv o da Lord asking o us 2day?

Who needz our luv now most of all? Do we luv only da

people who r close 2 us, or do we luvz EVERYBODY (even da

catz)??? So let us open our heartz and listen 2 da

commandmentz o God, da commandmentz o luv and share

it wit every single creature!

God Bless (and I never reject any luvinz from anybody)!

Batman, da rectory doggo

Exiit qui seminat

Sun, 10 Jul 2022 23:44:57 GMT

On the solemnity of Ss. Peter and Paul (June 29) Pope

Francis issued the apostolic letter Desiderio

Desideravi which focuses on the importance of the proper

celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. It is a

welcomed change in tone from the Holy Father, especially

in light of the firestorm and borderline cruelty our more

traditional brothers and sisters have had to face with the

restrictions placed upon the ancient rite of the Roman

liturgy in the motu proprio, Traditionis Custodes. Pope

Francis rightly reminds us that the Mass is not a history

lesson, but making re-present the realities of the

Incarnation and the Resurrection - that the Mass is our

prayer and declaration that these mysteries of the faith are

real and are a tangible part of our lives. Desiderio

Desideravi places an increased emphasis of celebrating the

Mass properly. Pope Francis reminds us that the Mass is

not a time for the priest to engage in attention seeking

innovation or "creative" interpretation, but by strictly

adhering to the Mass' instructions and prayers. When Mass

is celebrated poorly or incorrectly, it can have far reaching

implications. One of the most core tenants of the liturgy is

"Lex orandi, lex credendi, lex vivendi" (Latin for "How we

pray points to what we believe and leads to how we are to

live"). So if we radically change the Mass, we are altering

not just the prayers, but our beliefs and our lives. We don't

often think about Sunday Mass in this light, but considering

what our local Church is embarking upon in the next three

years in renewing our adoration, love and belief in the Most

Blessed Sacrament, then it is more than time to renew why

the Mass is our highest form of prayer and how it gives us

the source and summit of all grace in the Eucharist.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Rob Sinatra

Exiit qui seminat

Sun, 03 Jul 2022 02:18:11 GMT

On this past May 14th, Bishop Sullivan ordained five men to the priesthood: Rev. Mr. Paul Abbruscato, Rev. Mr. Christopher Myers, Rev. Mr. Logan Nilsen, Rev. Mr. Cesar Pirateque and Rev. Mr. Stephen Robbins became Priests of Jesus Christ. While it is certainly the largest class of ordinandi that we've had in several years, the stark reality is that this is the last priestly ordination the Diocese of Camden will have until 2025. While it might seem that the right solution would be opening up the priesthood or focusing on the ever-declining numbers of priestly and religious vocations in the United States and in the world, the real truth is that the Lord is still calling men young and "older" to be His priests. The issue is that society and our world are so much different than they used to be. There are so many other competing voices and attitudes, so many distractions and problems that prevent not just potential priests, but all of us, from hearing God's call. These days, men truly need to be courageous to be a priest. Our world is a secular one, totally intolerant of the concepts of true religious freedom, as well as universal and immutable truths. And if this past week has shown us anything, it is that anti-Catholicism is all too alive and well. But even in the midst of all of these crosses and trials, the priesthood is a wonderful and fulfilling life. The grace-filled moments more than make up for our never-ending confrontation of sin and death. The joys of celebrating the sacraments and ministering to the People of God are a gift that I experience every single day. It is our job, our responsibility and our obligation to identify and encourage men who have "the right stuff" to be open to the Lord's call and the possibility that God has an unbelievable life planned for them as HIs priests. As the Gospel reminds us, "the harvest is abundant but the laborers are few". Not only do we continue to pray for more priests, let us be emboldened to be vocation directors to make sure that our Church has the priests she needs to serve Her people.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Rob Sinatra

Batman's Column

Sat, 25 Jun 2022 19:47:00 GMT

My Deer Parishionez o St. Padre Pio Parish,

It iz me, Batman da rectory doggo! As I hav stated in da past, I am <AHEM> "food driven". Dat meanz dat I iz REALLY focused/obsessed/fixated-ed on food. I luvz it and would eat all da timez if I had my way (which I usually doez) I understandz wut I iz and hav 2 rely on my daddo and da hoomanz dat luv and take care o me 2 make sure I doesn't turn in2 a 4-legged sausage. Hoomanz r kind o similar. Hear me outz! St. Paul tellz da Galatians dat dere iz a difference between doing wutever dey want and living in true freedom. 2 truly b free and living a responsible lif den we haz 2 liv "by the Spirit". But wut doez living by da Spirit mean? 3 tingz: Numba 1: We need 2 cherish da fact dat Jesus freed us from sin out o luv. In gratitude we strive to turn away from sin. Numba 2: Freedom = Luv. 2 b free we haz 2 show how we luv God and our neighbor. Numba 3: In a world dat iz focused on pleasure and avoiding pain (aka da Flesh), we haz 2 b focused on wut God tellz us iz da most important: sacrifice and luv. So putz down all dose "fleshy/worldly" tingz and learn wut it really meanz 2 b free. And pass da carrotz. I probably could use some (and dey isn't DAT bad).

God Bless!

Batman, da rectory doggo

Exiit qui seminat

Sat, 25 Jun 2022 19:44:48 GMT

"Christ is still in our midst."

It iz me, Batman, da rectory doggo! My daddo had a REALLY busy weekend last week and I got to spend some extra time wit my Unca Dave. I luvz him very much and he iz a special member o my pack. But he iz not alone! Dere r so many hoomanz dat luvz me and takz good care of me. My pack IZ HUGE!!! I iz a lucky doggo becauz I iz loved so much. But as awesome as da luv o my family, dere iz da real Alpha da iz da source o all luv, God! AND HE IZ NOT SHY IN SHARING IT! It iz dat luv, da reason why Jesus suffered and died 4 our sake, dat fillz us wit lif and givz our livez purpose. We see it in da readings from Sacred Scripture: Wut made Paul and Barnabas go 2 da endz o da earth 2 make disciplez? LUV! Why do we praise our king and God? LUV! Who makez da whole world new? Da God o LUV! And we r called ... NO ... COMMANDED 2 LUV! Dere iz so much hate in da world, so many hoomanz who suffer from a lack o luv. It iz up 2 us 2 luv dem all just like Jesus doez. We r all members o da same "pack", da Church, so letz hop 2 it! SO, how iz God asking u 2 luv? More importantly, WHO iz God asking u 2 luv? Becauz datz how we show dat we r His disciples. If u need some practice, u can alwayz comez 2 da rectory and spendz some time wit me. I LUV giving and receiving some luvinz (lint brush available upon request)!

God Bless and Haz a LUVLY DAY!

Batman, da rectory doggo

Exiit qui seminat

Fri, 13 May 2022 20:34:09 GMT

Congratulate Our New First Holy Comm unicants

At most of the Masses this weekend, our second graders will be receiving First Holy Communion. I can remember my own First Holy Communion and the excitement that I felt over 40 years ago. I can only imagine what our children are feeling, since this is the first real "normal" First Holy Communion that the parishes in Vineland have celebrated, especially in light of how we've had to celebrate these special sacramental moments so differently over the past several years. But as unbelievably special as our first Eucharist can be, "first" and "normal" are very much the appropriate terms, because this Mass and the reception of our Lord in the Most Blessed Sacrament is meant to be the first of many and Mass is supposed to be a normal and ordinary part of our lives. But in the midst of the ordinariness of it, receiving our Lord in the Eucharist is always extraordinary! For where else can we have an intimate and intense experience of our God and to actually have Him enter inside of us? This miraculous moment is something that we can experience every single day of our lives! The issue that we face as a Church is that so many of us have lost the sense of wonder about Holy Communion and what the Church truly believes about the Eucharist. Depending on what study or research you look at, anywhere from 60 to 70% of Catholics don't believe in the True Presence (meaning that Jesus is fully present in the Eucharist and at the consecration at Mass). In order to address this loss of wonder, all of the diocese in the United States in the next three years are focused on the re-catechesis of the faithful on the Most Blessed Sacrament, called "My flesh for the life of the world". Starting on June 18, 2022, the Vigil of the Feast of Corpus Christi, the Diocese of Camden is having a Eucharistic Procession on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City to kick off a mission to remind and renew us about the Eucharist as the lifeblood of our faith and our lives. It will be an opportunity for the parish to ground ourselves in the defining element of the Catholic faith. As Padre Pio once said, "It would be easier for the world to exist without the sun than without the Holy Mass." So let us pray and congratulate our new First Holy Communicants and let us pray that they (and us) never lose their sense of wonder and awe in receiving their Lord and their God!

Sincerely Yours in Christ,

Batman's Column

Thu, 28 Apr 2022 18:16:03 GMT

My Deer Parishionez o St. Padre Pio Parish,

It iz me, Batman, da rectory doggo! I LUV dis Gospel! I feel lik Jesus really getz me. Da very first ting dat Jesus askz o da disciplez iz if dey haz someting 2 eat!!! It iz da very first question I ask my hooman every single day! Our Lord even askz Peter 2 feed His flock! I hav never wanted 2 b a lamb o a sheep so bad in my entire lif! However, Jesus doez not ask dis question becauz He iz hungry, but 2 show TWO tings: Da first iz dat da Resurrection iz real and dat Jesus iz not a ghost. Da second iz dat it iz da world iz hungry, not 4 earthly food, but 4 da food dat comez down from heaven. Dat iz wut Jesus entrustz 2 Peter: Da feeding and tending o da lambz and da sheep, taking care o da entire people o God. And while Peter denied Jesus 3 timez during His passion, Peter expressez hiz luv 3 times 2, even if it iz in an imperfect way. Da challenge 4 us iz r we 2 willing 2 feed da flock? R we willing 2 lead all da peoplez 2 know Jesus and b fed by Him? And secondly, how r we hungry? Wut do we need God 2 giv us so dat we 2 can b fed by His luv? Wut iz da desire o our heartz dis day as da lambz and da sheep? Wut new snackoz can u drop off at da rectory (Dat Sheena kid iz doing a number on my food supply! Good ting she iz cute!!!)? As we continue da Easter Season, may we tak up da mantle 2 feed da Church and da whole world and turn 2 our Risen Lord dat He may feed us 2!

God Bless and BAAAAAAA!

Batman, da rectory doggo

Exiit qui seminat

Thu, 28 Apr 2022 18:12:12 GMT

St. Catherine of Siena

This past week, the Catholic Church celebrated the feast day of St. Catherine of Siena (April 29) the second woman to be declared a Doctor of the Church in 1970. Born to a wealthy family, Catherine had the desire not to be married or to even enter traditional religious life, Catherine longed to be married to Christ in a truly mystical way. Catherine would often give her clothing and possessions away, even denying herself food because she knew that the rewards she sought were not on earth, but in heaven. Catherine became what is known as a 3rd Order Dominican (lay people who are not professed as Dominican priests or Dominican brothers and sisters, but living out a life of prayer and service according the rule founded by St. Dominic. Even though St. Catherine lived a life of seclusion and prayer, she felt called to intervene in the larger world of the Church. In the 1300s, embroiled in political tensions of the day, seven Popes resided in Avignon, France in order to avoid the infighting of powerful Roman families. During this time, St. Catherine travelled throughout northern Italy encouraging the reform of the clergy and healing the Church in the midst of her political entanglements and back towards Her mission for the salvation of souls. St. Catherine became very influential as an ambassador between secular and Church authorities and played a role in urging Pope Gregory XI to return the Papacy to Rome. The extremely ascetical life that St. Catherine took a tremendous toll on her body and she died on the 29th of April 1380 at the age of 33. Her last words were "Father, into Your Hands I commend my soul and my spirit." In a world that touts separation between Church and State and champions the removal of any vestage of religion and morality, St. Catherine of Siena shows us how our faith is meant to be tangible, present and heard in the public square. However, it was and is St. Catherine's spirituality and how it has profoundly affected the life of the Church that allowed her and us to love our Lord in a more intimate way and to share that love with the world that we live. St. Catherine of Siena pray for us!

Sincerely Yours in Christ, Fr. Rob Sinatra

Batman's Column

Sun, 20 Mar 2022 21:10:27 GMT

My Dear Parishioners of St. Padre Pio Parish,

It is me, Batman, the rectory doggo! I had a veterinarian visit this week for a normal checkup. I am fine, but I don't do so well at the vet's office, so the very nice lady said that maybe some anti-anxiety drugs might be helpful. As I "write" my article this week, don't be alarmed! I am still feeling the effects of my medication and am not quite myself. So, here is an abbreviated version of my article as I shake off the after effects. In da first reading, God reveals His Holy Name to Moses, "I am who am". Wit God saying who He iz, He tells Moses and the whole people of Israel, dat He can b everyting that they need in order to b freed from slavery to Egypt. In Lent, God remindz us dat He STILL iz everyting dat we needz in order 2 b freed from slavery 2 sin! Datz why we pray, fast and givez 2 da poor during dese 40 dayz - 2 remember wut da Lord haz done 4 us and our willingness 2 follow da flame of His luv!

Exiit qui seminat

Sun, 20 Mar 2022 21:06:01 GMT

While the whole world and most of secular society has been preoccupied with the "celebration" of St. Patrick's feast day, quietly and unassumedly under the radar is what was more importantly (with no offense intended to Ireland's patron saint) celebrated this past Saturday, the Solemnity of St. Joseph, foster father of Jesus. Although depicted in Sacred Scripture, St. Joseph never speaks a word. Instead he speaks volumes with his actions, protecting the Holy Family and the Universal Church. While the Year of St. Joseph ended on December 8th of last year, we cannot and should not underestimate his influence on our lives. So the question becomes, "How often do we turn to St. Joseph in prayer?" If he was worthy and righteous enough to take care of the Holy Family, then we shouldn't hesitate to have him a part of our own lives. As our parish patron, St. Pio of Pietrelcina, writes, "Ite ad Joseph. Go to Joseph with extreme confidence, because I do not remember having asked anything from St. Joseph, without having obtained it readily." As we continue our Lenten journey, let us not hesitate to follow in St. Joseph's footsteps and ask for his intercession for our families and our lives.

Sincerely Yours in Christ, Fr. Rob Sinatra

Batman's Column

Mon, 14 Mar 2022 01:58:45 GMT

My Deer Parishionerz o St. Padre Pio Parish,

Top o' da mornin' 2 ya! It iz me, Batman O'Sinatrahan, da rectory doggo! Did u know dat I wuz Irish? My great-great-great-great-great grand pappy wuz an Irish Setter. Dat iz why I haz da schnozo dat I doez. We getz a lot o great tingz from Irish culture: da muzik, textilez (wutever dat iz), adult beveragez, and lush and beautiful green countrysidez. But da bestest gift da we getz from Ireland iz dere faith. Many Irish priestz came 2 America 2 spread da faith. One even baptized-ed my daddo!!! And just as religious from Ireland helped-ed spread da faith in dis country, God showz how great He will make da descendantz o Abram, soon 2 b Abraham. Da Lord provez His luv by making a covenant wit Abram. Much more dan a contract, a covenant iz forged-ed by luv and sacrifice. Dis covenant pointz 2 da new and eternal covenant dat Jesus made wit us. Out of luv Christ willingly sacrificez Himself, not just 4 one particular people, but 4 da WHOLE WORLD! It iz dis covenant and how God conquered sin and death thru His Passion, Death and Resurrection dat we enter into during da season o Lent. As part o dis covenant how hav we shown da same sacrifice and luv dat da Lord haz shown us? By praying, fasting and almsgiving, we show how much our Lord's sacrifice means 4 us and how we long 2 turn away from sin and embrace da Gospel. Even if our Lent hasn't been good, we still haz 4 more weekz 2 enter into God's luv! Let us ask Jesus 2 increase our faith so dat we can enter ever deeper into da covenant o His luv.

Go mbeannaí Dia thú!

Batman, da rectory doggoTh

Exiit qui seminat

Mon, 14 Mar 2022 01:56:13 GMT

As we celebrate the Memorial of St. Patrick (and Bishop Sullivan's Birthday) on March 17th, we have so much to be grateful for to the Catholic Church in Ireland. Starting in 1830, priests from Ireland came to serve the Church in America. By the end of the 19th Century, there were over 4,000 Irish priests ministering in America. This influx continued for the next 60 years. Not only did these priests provide for the celebration of the sacraments in places that were in desperate need of them, Irish priests as well as Irish Catholics that emigrated to the United States brought with them a great fervor for the devotional life fostered by Paul Cardinal Cullen, Archbishop of Dublin, who inspired a renewed piety in Ireland rooted in the attendance of Mass, regular Confession and reception of the Eucharist (something Catholics didn't do on a frequent basis because of the influence of French Jansenism [another article for another day]), as well as being familiar with the Catechism of the Church. The presence of Irish Catholics and priests and the spiritual gifts that they brought with them became the bedrock of the American expression of Catholicism and our prevalent devotional life. So as we celebrate the more ... secular aspects of St. Patrick's Day, let us not forget the spiritual fruits that we have received from our brothers and sisters from the Emerald Isle.
Sincerely Yours in Christ,

Fr. Rob Sinatra

Batman's Column

Sun, 06 Mar 2022 15:37:41 GMT

My Deer Parishionerz o St. Padre Pio Parish,

It iz me, Batman, da rectory doggo! Many tankz 2 everyone 4 dere wordz o comfort 4 my shorter-er column last week. But now I IZ BACK just in time 2 talk about da 1st Sunday o Lent! I haz an admission 2 make. I am very easily tempted. If u offerz me a snacko, u can get me 2 do all sortz o tings and if u make da mistake o leavin' someting out, I will get it and eat it. I can'tz help it!!! But I iz a doggo and datz wut we do. Hoomanz r also tempted by lotz o tingz 2, but hopefully u haz better self control dan I do!!! Even Jesus wuz tempted in da desert 2 abuse His power as God, not once, not twice, but TREE timez! But Jesus knew EXACTLY who He wuz so He toldz da devil 2 scram like a catz. Dat iz wut Lent iz all about, not just about all da tingz da we doez wrong, not all da tingz we r givin up or tryin 2 do, but da realization of who we EXACTLY r in God's eyez! When we know exactly who we r as children of da Lord, den we knowz dat dere r tingz dat we haz 2 work on so we live out our livez as Christians (see prayer, fasting and almsgiving). So don't b like me and keep fallin 2 temptation! BE LIKE U - LOVED BY GOD AND ON DA JOURNEY 2 HEAVEN! And may u haz an awesome Lent 2 be a better U!

God Bless (and remember dat doggoz don't hav 2 giv stuff up 4 Lent)!

Batman, da rectory doggo

Exiit qui seminat

Sun, 06 Mar 2022 15:35:05 GMT

The Lenten Season

This week, of course, as we're well aware, marks the beginning of the Lenten season. However, last year, Ash Wednesday was on February 17th and next year Lent will begin on Wednesday, February 22, 2023. So why do the dates change? It actually has everything to do with Easter and our Jewish roots. Judaism follows a calendar that is based on a lunar cycle in regards to months and the orbit of the Earth around the Sun for its year. Since there is a difference between how often full moons occur verse how long it takes for a full revolution around the sun (a difference of 11 days), Jewish months and feasts are variable and makes 7 adjustments every 19 years in order to make up the difference so that the celebration of Jewish feast days will be around the same time every year (the same reason why we have a leap year every four years as a part of our civil calendar). So Passover is celebrated either in March or April every year (sound familiar?). For Roman Catholics, Easter is based off the same lunar and solar phenomena every year. Easter Sunday is calculated as the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Spring Equinox, the time in which the Sun can be found exactly midway in the sky. Now while the actual date of the Spring Equinox varies (either March 19, 20 or 21), the Church, for simplicity's sake, has a firm date of March 21st. SO, the first Sunday after the first full moon AFTER March 21st determines when Easter will be. However, it is interesting to note that not every Catholic celebrates Easter the same way. The Eastern Rites of Catholicism don't use the Gregorian calendar (from Pope Gregory XIII) as the basis of the liturgical year like the Roman Church. Instead they follow the older Julian calendar created by Julius Caesar around 46 BC. The Julian Calendar uses 19 year solar cycle instead of the 84 year cycle of the Gregorian Calendar and causes a 13 day difference between the Eastern and Western expressions of the Church. This year, our Eastern rite brothers and sisters will celebrate Easter on April 24th, a full week after we do. Even though the dates keeps changing, the full impact of the mystery remains the same and our celebration of Easter will be no less glorious!

Sincerely Yours in Christ,

Fr. Rob Sinatra

Batman's Column

Sat, 26 Feb 2022 19:46:37 GMT

My Deer Parishionerz o St. Padre Pio Parish,

It iz me, Batman, da rectory doggo! Apparently, my daddo iz a gigantic windbag and taked-ed up a lot o space! So guess who getz da short end o da stick?!? ME!!! But we haz 2 giv da people wut dey want! So witout further ado, an abrev.. an abrev.. a really shorto column about da readingz 4 2day. Doggoz and catz r often reflectionz o da mommoz and daddoz. If u hav a good and well behaved-ed doggo dere iz a good person behind dem. Unfortunately da opposite iz true 2! Bad behavior comez from peoplez not understanding o helping dere furry friendz navigate da world dey live in. I wuz lucky da I gotz my daddo and dat he had LOTZ o people who helped-ed him b a good one. It iz da same 4 humanz 2! We iz lucky dat we haz DA BESTEST DADDO IN ALL O CREATION - God! If we listenz 2 Him den we will bear good fruit. Wit His grace we become reflectionz o Him. Not only do we recognize our own sinfulness and weakness, we can, filled wit kindness, help udders. We just hav 2 hav heartz dat r open 2 God and listen 2 Him. We must luv da Lord and udders as He luvz us! We haz 2 hav more space in da bulletin so we can write betterer about Jesus! So don't be blind and fallz in da hole o sin. Open ur heartz and eyez 2 da will o God!

God Bless (and stop da censureship o doggoz)!

Exiit qui seminat

Sat, 26 Feb 2022 19:41:38 GMT

"I" vs. "We"

I've gotten a lot of questions as of late about the situation involving a priest, stationed in Arizona, who for over twenty years incorrectly, and therefore invalidly, used the wrong formula for the celebration of the Sacrament of Baptism. Instead of saying, "I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit," the priest in question used the words, "We baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." Such a revelation has happened a couple of times over the past year or so and It can seem like such a minor and insignificant change. So how can one word in terms of Baptism have such a radical impact on the lives of the faithful? The short answer is that when it comes to the Sacraments, words matter. But it's a bit more involved than that. Let's start with the basics. All of the Sacraments are broken down into two parts: matter and form. The matter are those signs and symbols that go along with the Sacraments. For example, the matter for Baptism is made up of pure water, the Oil of Catechumens, Sacred Chrism, the baptismal candle and a white garment. The form of the sacrament are the words and actions that are used celebrate the sacrament. For Baptism, the form is comprised of pouring the blessed water over a person's head (or by immersion) and using the formula, "I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." In addition to the matter and form, the celebrant has to have the proper intention to celebrate the sacrament in question. And you don't even have to be Catholic! You just have to intend what the Church intends. While every aspect that is a part of a sacrament is important, some things are more important and necessary than others. SO ... For a baptism to be valid in the eyes of the Church in terms of matter and form, all you need is real water (and not some other type of liquid) and the proper formula, "I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" accompanied with the intention to actually baptize someone as the Church would. Now that we have an overview (albeit a long one) about the important parts of Baptism, let's break down the words of the formula. In the "biz" we call the proper words of celebration from the minister of Baptism as the "Trinitarian formula". Namely, it must include the words Father, Son and Holy Spirit and not any of the other names attributed the Most Holy Trinity. The reason why using the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are necessary is because it comes from a command from Jesus Himself in Matthew's Gospel: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith put out a document in 2008 outlining that very notion and how the Church could not change what Christ commands. Now to the more recent question: Why is "I baptize you" absolutely vital? It's because it's not the minister or the community or the Church that baptizes - it's Christ. And since it is God that is the source of the grace of Baptism, it is He and He alone that dispenses it through us. The minister of Baptism acts in persona Christi or "in the person of Christ." This reality is reiterated in the Second Vatican Council, "when a man baptizes it is really Christ Himself who baptizes". Any other expression (we, the community, the Church), while seemingly well intentioned, is contrary to the source and author of Baptism and the sacramental life of the Church. While the Church has been successful for the most part in tracking down those affected and rectifying the situation, what happens to those who have already died as well as those who received the "sacraments" from an invalidly ordained priest in their final moments? The good news is that while the Lord created the Sacraments, He is isn't limited or confined by them. So God who is mercy itself would not and could not allow the victims of this tragedy to be negatively impacted nor deny them access to eternal life. In closing, the rites and rituals of the Sacraments are there for good reason. Priests, deacons, religious and all the faithful are called to adherence to those rites and dissuaded from personal innovation where it is not possible or appropriate. May the Lord continue to bless the Church and her Sacramental ministers and may we always baptize, not in our own name, but in the name of Christ.

Sincerely Yours in Christ,

Fr. Rob Sinatra

Exiit qui seminat

Sun, 20 Feb 2022 20:02:37 GMT

The first man, Adam and the Adam, Christ

The second reading this Sunday, comes from the First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians. St. Paul speaks to us about the difference between the first man, Adam, and the last Adam, Christ. He makes an important distinction about the two Adams. The first was created by God to begin the human family here on earth. Things did not go as planned and Adam focused more on himself and "the world" than the One who made all things. The second Adam was begotten by God to reconcile that same family with our Creator and God and to heal the breach that was made by human sinfulness. As both fully human and fully divine, Christ takes on everything that went wrong with our original parent and makes it right. Instead of disobedience, He is obedient to the will of the Father. Instead of selfishness, our Lord selflessly offers Himself on the Cross for our sake. Instead of the Original Sin that allowed sin and death into the world, Jesus gives us His life. St. Paul reminds us that the choice is ours of what happens next and what side we choose. Do we live lives that are too worldly, too selfish, too self absorbed? Or are our eyes focused on our Lord and our pursuit of our heavenly home? Do we live as Christ commanded us in Luke's Gospel to love our enemies and live a true life of Christian charity? As Catholic Christians may we be present in the world but have our hearts firmly grounded in heaven.

Sincerely Yours in Christ,

Fr. Rob Sinatra

Batman's Column

Sat, 05 Feb 2022 23:18:40 GMT

It iz me, Batman, da rectory doggo! Even dough it iz da winterz time, I iz alwayz tinking about summer! I luvz summer and swimming! It iz my fav-o-rite activity and I getz super duper excited 2 b in a pool, especially a new one. But I needz 2 b careful becauz witout tinking I will jump in da deep end and not knowz how 2 get out. Dat's why my daddo getz in da pool wit me and showz me da steps over and over again until I learnz. Den everyting will b OK! In Luke's Gospel, Jesus helpz the Apostles get fishies. But dere iz one "catch" (see what I didz dere!!!). Dey haz 2 go into da deepest o waterz where it is da most dangerous. But Jesus not only leadz the Apostles dere, He leadz dem back 2 shore! Our Lord den tells dem dat dey will b "fishers of men"! It iz also risky 4 us 2 preach da Gospel. Da "waterz" dat we haz 2 navigate are deep and dangerous 2! But Jesus is wit us! Not only will He help us "catch" peoplez, but God will give us da grace 2 bring us back 2 shore, Heaven. But the Lord can only doez dem tingz if we letz Him not only b da captain o our boat but also da captain o our livez! So don't b afraid 2 put out into deep water. God will b wit us and wen da summertime comez feel free 2 invitez me 2 ur pool!!!

Exiit qui seminat

Sat, 05 Feb 2022 23:15:17 GMT

Grace

We read this weekend from St. Paul and his first letter to the Corinthians, "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been ineffective. Indeed, I have toiled harder than all of them; not I, however, but the grace of God that is with me." As Catholic Christians we hear about grace all the time and hopefully we realize the importance of the God's grace. But do we actually know what grace is and how is it a part of our lives? The Baltimore Catechism defines grace as a "supernatural gift of God bestowed on us through the merits of Jesus Christ for our salvation." Grace, therefore, is a gift from God to help us get to heaven. Grace adds to our strengths and helps us overcome our own weaknesses so we can live out the life of faith. There are two types of grace: Actual and sanctifying grace. Sanctifying grace is the easier of the two to explain. It's the supernatural aid that we receive every time we receive the sacraments and through our life of prayer. Every sacrament confers grace. Baptism, for example, gives us the gift of faith, removes the mark of Original Sin, makes us official members of the Church and opens us up to receive the rest of the other sacraments. Every time we pray, we also open ourselves up to sanctifying grace. When we pray we tell the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit how much we love them, how sorry we are for our sins, to say thank you and to ask God for help. Every prayer is answered by Him and grace - that supernatural help - is given. Actual grace is based off our actions and good works. Just as every sin effects the whole Body of Christ in a negative way (more on that in a future column), every good deed we do in the Lord's name is meritorious and helps lift up the whole Body of Christ. Acts of charity, acts of love, acts of kindness, reading this column (just kidding) - all these things open us up to gift of actual grace. So when we do good and avoid evil, when we pray and receive the sacraments, we can be vessels of God's actual and sanctifying grace and have them strengthen us on our journey to heaven. Fill 'er up!

Sincerely Yours in Christ,

Fr. Rob Sinatra

Batman's Column

Sat, 29 Jan 2022 18:57:14 GMT

My Deer Parishionerz o St. Padre Pio Parish,

It iz me, Batman, da rectory doggo! Did u knowz dat dere is nuttting lik da luv o a doggo? When we haz a humanz dat we can luv, we luvz dem 2 bitz! We even luvz u MORE when u feedz us and givz us treatz and back rubz and snugglez (pleasz take notice o da not so subtle hint)! But as awesome as da luv o a doggo iz (and it IZ pretty awesome) dere iz someting even more awesome-er: da luv o God. Becauz it iz not human luv dat St. Paul talkz about in da first letter 2 da Corinthians. It iz only God's luv dat iz so dynamic and iz over all tingz! If we don't haz God's luv in our livez den we r nutting! So when u r having a bad day and needz a lot of patience... look 4 God's luv! When u needz 2 b kind… God's luv! When u REALLY want 2 fly off da handle… God's luv! When u iz hungry and r barking so much dat u tink nobody hearz u? Steal a snacko and then look 4 GOD'S LUV! God's luv is truly da answer 2 all of life's problems. So wut part o our livez do weneed to insert God's luv into 2day? And, even more importantly, where r we called 2 show God's luv 2 somebody who really needz it? So if u r having a bad day, go hug ur dog! Don't hav one? DEN GO GETZ ONE! But even more necessary iz 2 open up our heartz 2 His luv!

God Bless (and don't skimp on da cuddles)!

Batman, da rectory doggo

Exiit qui seminat

Sat, 29 Jan 2022 18:55:19 GMT

"Philosophy is the handmaid of theology"

"Philosophy is the handmaid of theology." This was the motto of Medieval Scholasticism, which from 1100 to 1700 dominated the life of the Church by taking the critical method of philosophy and wedded it to theology. Scholasticism's greatest champion and perhaps the greatest theologian the Church has ever seen, the Dominican St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274), celebrated his feast day this week. I know I have written about him before in this column, but St. Thomas' contribution to the life of the Church cannot be understated as his theology has been the forefront of Christian life for centuries, even until today. Aquinas rediscovered the works of the Greek philosopher Aristotle and "baptized" them, integrating them into the life of faith, most notably in Aquinas' five proofs for the existence of God. St. Thomas' understanding of theology and philosophy, morality and virtue, even the life and nature of angels, have become the backbone of who we are and what we believe as Catholic Christians. Over 6000 commentaries have been written about his life and works, especially his opus work, the Summa Theologica. As great as Aquinas' theological mind was, it was the fruit of his own spirituality and faith. For Aquinas, Christ was and is the guide to our salvation and even more important the way to have a relationship with God. St. Thomas stated that Christ was not just the example we have to follow to get to heaven, but the way to know Him, love Him and serve Him. So as honor the life of this great, let us continue to strive in God's grace in our pursuit of the Source of all Truth and Goodness and as much as we pursue him with our heads, let us pray to him with our hearts!

Sincerely Yours in Christ,

Fr. Rob Sinatra

Batman's Column

Mon, 24 Jan 2022 14:48:24 GMT

My Deer Parishionerz o St. Padre Pio Parish,

It iz me, Batman, da rectory doggo! I hadz a “ruff” weekend wit my Unca Dave. APPARENTLY, he thought dat it would b a good idea 2 getz a catz. I no likz catz and I wuz a bad boy. My daddo sayz dat thankfully no catz wuz harmed during my weekend escapadez. Den he read da readingz 4 dis weekend 2 me and explained-ed dat wen St. Paul talkz about da Body o Christ, he wuz not talking about ACTUAL eyez o earz o schnozoz, but dat it meanz everybody, even catz! Dere r peoplez (and udder animalz whose name rhymez wit “catz”) dat r hard 4 us 2 luv and even harder 4 us 2 imagine dat dey r a part o da Body o Christ, but dey r!!! It iz EXACTLY 4 deez people dat Jesus came into da world. He luvz us all, every part o da Body SO MUCH dat He died 4 our sake. It wuz 2 da WHOLE Body o Christ dat Jesus came “to bring glad tidings to the poor ... to proclaim liberty to captives ... recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.” It’s wut da Lord not only does 4 us and wut He wantz us 2 do. So if Jesus can do it, so can we! In fact we haz 2! So, I want 2 apologize 2 Unca Dave ... AND 2 da catz 4 my behavior. And maybe, just maybe, we can luv da people in our livez who r difficult 2 luv 2, becauz everybody iz a member o da Body o Christ and we needz 2 luv dem all!

God Bless all of da Body (even da catz portion o it)! Batman, da rectory doggo

Thank You!

Mon, 24 Jan 2022 14:45:10 GMT

Now that the parish ahs finally settled down from our celebrations of Advent and Christmas and the ordinary rhythm of the parish has thankfully returned, I wanted to take a long overdue moment to say, “Thank you.” As you’ve probably noticed, there is an insert in the bulletin filled with signatures of many of the volunteers that sacrificed of themselves and worked so tirelessly to make our annual Padre Pio Festival happen. And while these are not all of the names of everyone who volunteered (some didn’t want to be acknowledged and I’m sure we, unintentionally, missed several others), I am truly humbled by the over 130 individuals who made the festival possible. St. Paul reminds us that there are many parts who make up the Body of Christ and all of the “parts” were in full display in the preparation leading up to the festival, as well as the festival itself. Volunteerism, especially in this time and age, is at a premium. But it is the generosity of so many of our parishioners and friends that is the lynchpin of what makes this parish the wonderful place that it is. Generosity of spirit and giving back to God, as we are well aware, is not something that happens once or twice a year but is a perpetual attitude and something that needs to be present in our lives every single day. The challenge is to continually be engaged in our relationship with our love and generous God and respond with the entirety of our lives. And while September seems like a thousand years ago, it is never too late to say “Thank you” to you all for everything that you do! May the Lord bless you for your goodness now and always.

Sincerely Yours in Christ,
Fr. Rob Sinatra

Batman's Column

Sun, 09 Jan 2022 17:24:51 GMT

It iz me, Batman, da rectory doggo! 4 Christmas my Grandmom and Granddad gaved me da bestest gift: A New Jacket! Da best part about it iz dat it protectz me from da rain and da snow becauz I do notz lik being wet (except 4 da swimming pool. I iz weird. I admitz it). Now I can go on walkiez in da snow ALL DA TIME! U know who didn’t mind getting wet? Jesus! And we celebratez His Baptism today! Da reason dis iz a big deal iz not only iz it da end of the Christmas season, but it remidz us about da importanz of wut Baptism doez: John had a baptism o repentance. Jesus has a baptism of fire and da Holy Spirit! John’s baptism helped peoplez change dere livz and dat wuz good. Jesus’ baptism can sav us from the effects o sin and death and dat iz really someting! All from getting wet and being washed clean! So how haz we lived out our baptism? How hav we shown da gift o faith dat we received from da Holy Spirit on dat day? Du u tink da I can wear down Daddo 4 a 3rd walkie every day? May we be blessed by da waterz o Baptism and liv out our lif o faith 2 da fullest!

God Bless (and more snow pleaz)!

Batman, da rectory doggo

Exiit qui seminar: "The sower goes out to sow"

Sun, 09 Jan 2022 17:23:09 GMT

This Sunday is the final celebration of the Christmas season – the Baptism of the Lord. At face value, Jesus’ baptism seems unnecessary. If we, as a Church, believe that Christ is like us in all things but sin, then why would He need to participate in John’s baptism, a baptism of repentance, at all? Jesus does this for two reasons. The first is to give us an example of what He asks of us – that God would never ask anything of us that He first wouldn’t do Himself. The second is to “baptize” Baptism. Remember John the Baptist’s baptism was symbolic. He takes the Jewish practice of ritual purification and uses it as a reminder for the need for conversion. To be baptized by John was to acknowledge change of one’s behavior, to turn away from sin and live out a life faith. By His own baptism, Jesus takes the water of the Jordan and the even the water that would and will be used for every baptism for the rest of time and infuses it with the Holy Spirit and the fire of divine love. So now, not only is there an external transformation of our lives for the better, but more importantly a radical transformation of our souls. The mark of Original Sin is removed. We are given the gift of faith and we become a part of the Church. In an age and time in which baptism has turned more into a rite of passage or an honorific for godparents, Christ and His Church is challenging us and filling us with His grace so that we can change not only our actions, but that our lives can be save through God’s plan of salvation. As Padre Pio writes, “Let us be especially grateful to God for the gift of faith, a gift which is mainly instilled in us with Baptism … We must remember that faith is the greatest gift that God has made to man on this earth, because from earthly man he becomes a citizen of Heaven.”

Sincerely Yours in Christ,

Fr. Rob Sinatra

Batman's Column

Sat, 01 Jan 2022 20:21:45 GMT

My Deer Parishionerz o St. Padre Pio Parish,

It iz me, Batman, da rectory doggo! Happy New Yearz!!! How do u likz my close up??? I tink it makez my schnoz look 2 big, but u know wut dey say, "If u gotz it, flauntz it!" It iz absolutely da same ting as we celebrate the feast o da Epiph... Epiph... o da Tree Kingz! Just as da Magi gave-ed da Baby Jesus gold, frankincense and myrrh, God givz us giftz 2! And we iz called 2 use doz giftz all o da time and every single day!!! We can't b shy about it edder. CAn u imagine gettin a gift 4 Christmas and NOT unwrapping it?!? God tinkz in da same way. We haz 2 use everyting we hav 4 His glory and 4 da plan o salvation. SO BREAK OUT DOZ SCHNOZOZ AND DO SOMETING 4 GOD 2DAY!!!!

God Bless (and I tink I need a new photographer)!

Batman, da rectory doggo

Exiit qui seminat

Sat, 01 Jan 2022 20:19:15 GMT

Priest - Prophet - King

While the majority of the world celebrates the Epiphany on the 6th of January (and is a Holy Day of Obligation), the liturgical reform of the Roman Calendar (the calendar that assigns solemnities like Christmas and Easter, feast days, memorials of the saints, etc.) in 1970 allowed some countries, like the United States to celebrate this solemnity on the 2nd Sunday after Christmas. Some of the gifts of the Magi might seem foreign or even strange to us: gold, frankincense and myrrh. These three gifts were chock full of meaning and they still are today. The offerings of the 3 Kings point to our Lord's role as priest, prophet and king. Our connection to Jesus in this way is forged on the day of our baptism. As we are anointed with the Sacred Chrism, the holy oil that is mixed with incense by the way, we are adopted into those same three roles as our Savior. The million-dollar question becomes 'how are we called to participate as priest, prophet and king'? As members of the Church, we participate in the role of priest, prophet and king by teaching, governing and sanctifying. As we celebrate the Epiphany, we are reminded to live out our baptism to the fullest. We are called to learn the most about our faith as we can and to share the gift of that faith with others. In a secular culture that asks us to place our trust in merely human leadership, we are called to lead ourselves and others to our one true King. It goes hand and hand with our sanctification, our participation in the sacraments, our attending Mass every Sunday, our prayer and devotional life. This is our epiphany - how we share the Church with a world that desperately needs to know her and the Newborn King. So my dear brothers and sisters, while there is only one more Sunday left in the Christmas season, let us continue to be amazed by what was and still is revealed to us by the birth of the Savior and embrace how we live out that role in our lives!

Batman's Column

Sun, 12 Dec 2021 00:40:37 GMT

My Deer Parishionerz o St. Padre Pio Parish,

It iz me, Batman da rectory doggo! I knowz dat dere r many udder doggoz out dere dat lookz like me. When humanz see dem, dey getz excited and will run up and say, “R u Batman da rectory doggo?!?” Doz doggoz bark back 2 dem and say, “No. I iz not Batman da rectory doggo. I iz not dat cute.” In today’s Gospel, John da Baptist gave peoplez really good advice. Den dey wondered if he wuz da Christ. But John da Baptist told dem dat while he baptized-ed dem wit water (which I likz 2 drink), Jesus iz coming 2 baptize wit da Holy Spirit and fire! Even dough he wuz helpful, it wuz John’s job not 2 point 2 himself, but 2 Jesus. Datz our job 2! We r called 2 helpz udderz but we hav 2 point 2 Jesus. In doing so we proclaimz da Good Newz. Dis iz super duper important as we get closer and closer 2 Christmas and da birth o Jesus. So wut has we done 2 help udderz? And how hav we used dat charity and luv 2 point 2 Jesus? Cauz it’s totally OK 2 look like our Lord.

Exit qui seminat - The 3rd Sunday of Advent

Sun, 12 Dec 2021 00:28:48 GMT

We’ve finally reached a huge turning point in our Advent journey: the 3rd Sunday of Advent, or Gaudete Sunday (an imperative, an exclamation in Latin meaning “Rejoice”). After focusing on when Christ will come again in glory for the last two weeks, the Church is now focused on our proximate preparation for Christmas Day and the birth of our Savior. That’s why the liturgical color for this Sunday is rose, a representation of joy. When Advent was a penitential season like Lent, the 3rd Sunday was also known as “Refreshment Sunday” and represented “a break in the action” of our spiritual sacrifice. Even though the celebration of Advent has slightly changed, we still have an opportunity to pause and not only take stock and inventory of our spiritual journey but also renew our joy in the realization that the Birth of Christ is just around the corner.

Sincerely Yours in Christ,

Fr. Rob Sinatra

Batman's Column

Sun, 05 Dec 2021 03:16:22 GMT

My Deer Parishionerz o St. Padre Pio Parish,

It iz me, Batman, da rectory doggo AND TODAY IZ MY BIRFDAY!!! Can u believez dat I iz 4 YEARS OLD and dat I haz been wit my daddo 4 almost 3 yearz?!? I cannotz! It blowz my mind! Do u know wut else blowz my mind? Da great tingz dat God has done 4 us! Our only response 2 Him iz JOY! Just as da Lord made da lofty mountainz low and fillz in da depthz, God rememberz us in all tingz - in da midst o da good and da bad. Da biggest sign o wut da Lord haz done iz Him entering into da world 2 save us from our sinz. Just like John da Baptist we must cry out dat Jesus came in human history, iz here in our midst and will come again in glory. We haz 2 prepare 4 da way o da Lord and get ready 2 see da salvation o God. R our heartz filled wit joy? R we ready 4 God? If not, dere iz still plenty o Advent left so we can be watchful and waiting! Let us learn 2 luv God more and more each day, and b reflectionz o dat luv when we interact wit one another. A good way 2 show dat luv iz 2 let a furry friend into ur heart and home. Maybe u can giv a doggo o even a cat a second chance 2 know da luv dat a person can giv? Dat would b da best-est birfday gift a doggo could get! So giv tankz 4 everting God haz done! Open up our heartz 4 da Lord 2 dwell and let our livez b blown by His goodness 2 us! Come Lord Jesus!

God Bless!

Batman, da rectory doggo

Exiit qui seminat

Sun, 05 Dec 2021 03:04:01 GMT

In our first reading this Sunday from the Book of the Prophet Baruch, the prophet tells the people of Jerusalem to take off their robes of mourning and misery and to put on the splendor of the glory of God. Our responsorial psalm reminds us that we are filled with joy. However, it is sometimes hard for us to embrace the joy and glory of the Lord, especially this time of year. We are reminded of our loved ones, our families and friends who have died. For so many of us, our lives are not easy and our crosses are heavy. We have so many things that burden us down and preoccupy our thoughts. But it is for all of these things that Christ came into the world and will come again in glory! While we may struggle to feel the warmth of God's love and joy doesn't mean that He is not present in our lives and accompanying us on our way. St. Pio of Pietrelcina wrote that the only thing that is necessary for our hearts in times of preoccupation and anxiety is to lift up our spirits to the Lord and love Him. While it might be hard, let us continue to strive to feel the joy and glory of God, even if we have to "fake it until we make it". Let us endeavor to share that joy with others even if we have difficulty feeling it ourselves. Sometimes knowing it is present is enough. Let us ask our Lord in a particular way to increase that joy and glory in our battered and broken hearts this Advent so we can truly give thanks for the gift of the birth of the Savior.

Batman's Column

Mon, 29 Nov 2021 15:31:49 GMT

It iz me, Batman, da rectory doggo! I wuz watching some guy on television dressed lik dis who said dat we wuz all Caeserz. I do not lik salad. If we iz all Caeserz it would not b a good ting!!! I do not tink dat saladz even eat snackoz! What would happen 2 all o dem?!? I also heard dat dere wuz a guy named Caesar 2. Maybe he liked saladz? ANYWAY, God iz telling us dis First Sunday o Advent dat we don't need 2 b Caeser (da salad o de udder guy). We need 2 b children o God and listen 2 Him. Da Lord haz made a promise 2 us and put a plan into place 4 us 2 luv Him and everyone so dat our heartz can be strengthened when Jesus comez again. R we prepared 4 God? R we vigi... vigi... ready and waiting 4 God? Do we listen 2 Him and hav Him lift up our heartz? Dat iz what Advent iz all about! So eat ur greenz (if u hav 2) and make sure Jesus is da real King o ur heartz. B ready cauz God could b here at any moment! Come Lord Jesus!

God Bless (and pass da snackoz)!

Batman, da rectory doggo

Exiit qui seminat - Advent

Mon, 29 Nov 2021 15:18:33 GMT

As we've discussed over the years, Advent has two parts to the season. While the more popular aspect of Advent is preparing for the Birth of Christ (Weeks 3-4), the real "meat" of the season happens in the first two weeks when we prepare for the Second Coming of Christ. The problem is that for so many of us Jesus' coming in glory at the end of time seems so distant and so remote - something that won't happen in our lifetimes or something that is meant for the generations to come. We have so many necessary earthly concerns that distract us and as a people of faith, we are often lured into complacency by convincing ourselves that we think about heaven tomorrow. But what God is asking us is to think about heaven today. The challenge of this Advent is to make the Second Coming not something that will happen in the future, but rather something that we are preparing for in the present. Now this does not mean that we have to transform ourselves into a spiritual version of "doomsday preppers", but it couldn't hurt to adopt the attitude from Luke's Gospel: "Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.” Another helpful approach is to start each day by simply asking the Lord what He has in store for us. By asking what God has planned for our day we are recognizing both that the Lord is in charge of our lives and that we are willing and engaged participants in that plan. We recognize what the Lord longs for each of us - to be with Him forever in heaven. So let us be serious about the Second Coming by being serious about serving the Lord today.

Sincerely Yours in Christ,

Fr. Rob Sinatra

Batman's Column

Sun, 21 Nov 2021 03:13:30 GMT

My Deer Parishionerz o St. Padre Pio Parish,

It iz me, Batman, da rectory doggo. My daddo keepz tellin' me dat it iz da end o da year, but I iz confused-ed! Wut happened 2 Christmas?!? Where r da funny glassez dat say 2022?!? WUT HAPPENED 2 MY STOCKING WIT ALL O DA DELICIOUS SNACKOS?!? I demand an investigation!!! Um, Buddy. Yes, daddo? It's the end of the LITURGICAL year, not the end of 2021 (although that can't come soon enough either). OOOOHHHHH! So dis iz da end o da LITURGICAL year and just lik we haz a party on New Year's Eve we celebrate de end o da Church year? That's right. So do we getz 2 wear funny hatz and glassez? Only if you want to. Okay. So how do we celebratez it? By celebrating Jesus as our king. Becauz every ting, every part o our livz belongz 2 God? You got it! But wut happened 2 my stocking? Don't worry! You'll still get one. Yay! Will dere b snackoz? Just end the column, Buddy. OK! So happy end o da year! Don't forget dat God is da KING O EVERYTING! And please send snackoz 2 .... BUDDY! Oh alright!

God Bless!

Batman, da rectory doggo

Exiit qui seminat

Sun, 21 Nov 2021 03:09:30 GMT

If you remember from last year's article, the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe was established in response to what was known as "the Roman Question", namely, what role should the Holy Father and the Church have in the temporal affairs of the world. As the name of this highest of feast days suggests, there is no aspect of our lives and our world that our God and our faith don't belong. This celebration on the last Sunday of Ordinary Time takes on new importance in a world that is not just increasingly secular, but also anti-religious. We can see numerous examples of how prominent people in society point towards the impact of human agency over that of God. It's akin to celebrating the fact that we have fire without recognizing the roles of oxygen, fuel and heat to make the fire happen. In metaphysics or ontology (both of which are the study of being and of existence), we are reminded that it is God alone who is the first and primary cause of all things. The Lord is what Aristotle called "the Unmoved Mover", the reason why all things are. We, as His creation, are secondary causes. Since we cannot live or move or have being without God, He is necessarily the source of our ability to act. We can't do anything without Him. In turn, while the Lord is never the author of anything that is evil, He does respect the freedom of our will and permits our agency, our ability to act, to be used for sinful things. In spite of our disobedience, God's will for us is to only do things that are good and to live out lives of holiness. It is our role, as subjects of the Eternal High Priest, our King and Lord, to recognize His power and purpose in our lives and to surrender our wills to His. As Padre Pio writes, “In all the events of life, you must recognize the Divine Will. Adore and bless it, especially in the things that are hardest for you.” Let it be our prayer that we always allow the Lord to be the King of our hearts and our lives. Viva, Cristo Rey! Long live Christ the King!

Fr. Rob Sinatra

Batman's Column

Sun, 14 Nov 2021 02:47:32 GMT

My Deer Parishionerz o St. Padre Pio Parish,

It iz me, Batman, da rectory doggo. Dere r not many tings dat scarez me, except 4 thunder ... and gunshots ... and loud noisez ... and takin' a shower. Udder dan doez tings, I iz a brave doggo. But I gotz 2 tell u, I iz a little concerned-ed about da readings 2day. Da letter 2 da Hebrews writez dat Jesus iz waiting 2 use His enemiez as a footrest. Mark's Gospel tellz us dat da Lord iz coming in da clouds wit great power and glory. Dis iz not da Jesus dat we r used 2 seeing, BUT it iz still da same Lord. Sometimes da world haz a tendency o "sanitizing" da Savior, fitting Him in a nice little box dat makez dem feelz comfortable. However, God iz all-powerful and He iz NOT afraid 2 use it! Sin and death r pretty terrible tings and da Lord holdz nothin' back in order 2 end dere reign. Dere iz nothin' more powerful dan Jesus' passion, death and resurrection and when He comes in glory ... LOOK OUT! As His children, it makez perfect sense 4 us 2 b on da right side o tings. 2 do dat, we r called 2 liv out livez o justice and wisdom. We must realize dat only God can take away r sins and 2 b ready 4 when Jesus comez at da end of time. If we r ready and liv out a life o faith and remain in God's love den dere iz nothin' 2 be worried about. May we b ready and waiting 4 our Lord!

God Bless and pass da doggy relaxerz!

Batman, da rectory doggo

Exiit qui seminat - Death, judgement, heaven & hell

Sun, 14 Nov 2021 02:40:53 GMT

It is truly amazing to think that we, as a Church, have only two weeks left of our liturgical year. The Solemnity of Christ the King is next weekend and the beginning of Advent is right around the corner. While the secular world is already focused prematurely on Christmas (only 41 shopping days until Christmas btw), the Church herself is focused on something entirely different - the eschaton (εσχάτων) or the end of the world. Coming from the Greek word that means "last", the Church focuses on 4 distinct themes: death, judgement, heaven and hell. These themes are the focus of the readings at Mass this Sunday, as well as all of the readings next week. Also, these "four last things" get rolled over into the first two weeks of Advent as we contemplate the second coming of Christ. While it might seem strange to the rest of the world, do we take the time to prayerfully reflect on such things? We don't often think about our own encounter with death and while we long to be with our Lord in heaven, it is hard to imagine that someday we will actually be there. Padre Pio writes that "He who attaches himself to earth remains attached to it. It is by violence that we must leave it. It is better to detach oneself a little at a time, rather than all at once. Let us always think of Heaven." As we prepare for the end of another liturgical year, let us always strive to remain in the Lord's grace, be mindful of our heavenly home and long for when Christ comes again in glory.

Batman's Column

Mon, 08 Nov 2021 17:12:11 GMT

It iz me, Batman, da rectory doggo! I iz really tirsty and hungry all o da timez. While I knowz dat dere will b anudder meal in my future, I alwayz act likz I will never, ever, ever get anudder ting 2 eat o drink, ever again (A dramatic effect dat haz served me well ��). I do not knowz wat it iz lik 2 b truly hungry o 2 b faced wit wut could b my last meal. Imagine da faith o da widow from da 1st Book of Kings who gave her last meal, her last morsel o bread 2 Elijiah. God rewarded her 4 her faith and trust so dat her jars o flour and oil would not run dry until da drought ended. We c the exact opposite in da scribes in Mark's Gospel who use dere position 4 promin, promina, ... 2 b honored and get stuff instead o building up dere faith. Dey r put 2 shame by da widow who placed-ed her last 2 coins as an offering 2 God. Now DAT iz faith! Do we haz dat kind o trust in God? Do we haz da type o faith 2 giv God our last bit o everyting, knowing dat He will not abandon us? We should hav no doubtz about it becausz da Lord feedz and nourishez us everytime we come 2 Mass. So have faith! Have trust! Have an extra snacko 4 a starving doggo? (See wut I did dere?)

God Bless!
Batman, da rectory doggo

Exiit qui seminat - Prayers For Souls in Purgatory

Mon, 08 Nov 2021 17:07:47 GMT

Every November the Church focuses on our obligation to pray for the faithful departed, a spiritual work of mercy. Not only do we call to mind our family members and friends who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith, but we also remember those 'holy souls' that have no one to pray for them. St. Pio of Pietrelcina would often talk about how souls in Purgatory would come before him in prayer to ask for his intercession. Padre Pio stated that “more souls of the dead than of the living climb this mountain to attend my Masses and to seek my prayers.” On her deathbed, St. Monica, mother of St. Augustine, asked her son to remember her at Mass after her death. In his final moments, Padre Pio asked for the prayers of his brother friars for the state of his soul. Every time we pray, every time we come to Mass, we can and should offer our prayers for the Holy Souls in Purgatory and for all the dead along with our needs and the needs of our loved ones. St. Gertrude, a saint and mystic from the 13th century, wrote a prayer specifically for freeing souls from Purgatory into heaven: "Eternal Father, I offer You the most precious blood

of thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal Church, for those in my own home, and in my family. Amen.” Let us remember this prayer not only in this month dedicated to the Faithful Departed, but always. And may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

The Mystery of the Rosary

Sat, 30 Oct 2021 17:38:16 GMT

The Mysteries of the Rosary

Have you ever wanted to explore the life of Jesus and Mary in a deeper way?

Each decade highlights a sacred episode.

Joyful Mysteries : through the Annunciation (1) and Visitation (2), we get a glimpse at Mary’s joyful yes to God. She gives birth to Jesus in the Nativity (3). Mary and Joseph present their son at the temple (4) and bring him there again when he is a teenager (5)

Luminous Mysteries : Jesus is baptized in the Jordan River (1) before Mary gives him a nudge to his first miracle at Cana (2). Jesus proclaims the Gospel (3), is transfigured on Mount Tabor (4), and institutes the Eucharist (5).

The light is shining.

Sorrowful Mysteries : Jesus prays in agony in Gethsemane (1), knowing his hour of suffering has come. After his betrayal and arrest, Jesus is scourged (2) and crowned with thorns (3). He carries his cross (4), and Mary stands at the foot of the cross as he is crucified (5).

Glorious Mysteries : Christ is risen in glory (1)! After appearing to those he loves, he ascends into heaven (2). Jesus’ followers receive the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (3). Mary, unaffected by original sin, is assumed body and soul into heaven (4), where she is crowned queen, humble mother of Christ the King (5).

Batman's Column

Sat, 30 Oct 2021 17:20:02 GMT

My Deer Parishionerz o St. Padre Pio Parish, It iz me, Batman, da rectory doggo! Dis Sunday iz one o my daddo'z FAVORITE holidaze - Halloween. Da reason he likz it SO MUC iz da fact dat my daddo can dress up lik a superhero and not get stopped-ed by da police. I likz it SO MUCH becauz u can go from door 2 door and peoplez giv u SNACKOZ 4 FREE! It hadz 2 b created by a doggo becauz all u haz 2 do iz wear a costume and say, "Trick o Treat" (emphasis on da TREAT)! Az we listen 2 Mark's Gospel, Jesus tellz us dat we need to "love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength" and also 2 "love your neighbor as yourself." Deez r da greatest commandments and r tangible wayz dat we show dat we r Jesus' followerz. We can't wear masks and pretend 2 b someting dat we r not. We hast 2 b all in when it comez 2 following God. By giving da Lord everyting dat we haz den and liv in His grace den we get da "treatz" o heaven and datz no trick! So we tak off our maskz and showz da world who and what we really r. So enjoyz Halloween, but remember dat we don't need a costume 2 follow God. God Bless (and know dat a doggo iz a great last minute costume idea)! Batman, da rectory doggo

Batman's Column

Sat, 23 Oct 2021 23:58:05 GMT

My Deer Parishionerz o St. Padre Pio Parish,

It iz me, Batman, da rectory doggo! All my friends, (I HAS LOTS OF DEM) who visit me in da rectory, nose dat I like snackos. I ask for dem a lot! My daddo tells me that I haz to stop begging, because he is tired of listening to me.

I heard today’s Gospel is all about a blind man named Bartimeus who was sitting on the side of a road begging (like me) and waiting for Jesus because he believed that Jesus would cure his blindness.
The peoples told Bartimeus, BE QUIET , but he would not listen, he kept calling out to Jesus and guess what?, Jesus heard-ed him and told the peoples to let Bartimeus come forward.

Then Jesus did somting amazing, he healed-ed Bartimeus eyes and he could see again! Jesus told-ed Bartimeus that his faith had made him whole.
So I put 2 and 2 together, (I’m good at math also) and I realized that every time I beg for a snacko, no matter how many times daddo tells me to stop, he always gives me one.

So, just as I depend on my daddo for what I need, and I need snackos, hoomans depend on God who always sees dem and will always give dem what they need to satisfy dem and make dem whole.

Sooooo, Daddo, pass the snackos! Batman, da rectory doggo

Batman's Column

Sat, 09 Oct 2021 18:01:46 GMT

My Deer Parishionerz o St. Padre Pio Parish,

It iz me, Batman, da rectory doggo! Last Sunday, my daddo had somting very important to do in the afternoon. All of a sudden, animals were in my yard, and I had not invited-ed them. HOW RUDE! What gives daddo?

Daddo told me that they were here for a special blessing, in honor of someone called St. Francis of Assisi. Daddo said St. Francis was the patron saint of animals. He loveded all animals, even da catz and da foxos.

He would preach to them and they would listen very closely because he had wonderful stories to tell about Jesus and how it was important to love one another and to take care of the enviren, envyir, the planet. He also spread the message of the gospels all over the world about taking care of the poor and sick.

Daddo showed me a picture and guess what?, St. Francis is holding a birdo! He would call the birdos his sisters and preach to them. Since St. Francis helped the poor and the sick peoples I will overlook the birdo ting.

Let us pray to St. Francis to help all who are poor, and sick and lonely, and if you see a man walking around holding a birdo, send him to me.

I tink it’s time he had his picture taken with a doggo, I am ready.!

Batman, da rectory doggo

Batman's Column

Sun, 26 Sep 2021 17:51:19 GMT

My Deer Parishionerz o St. Padre Pio Parish,

It iz me, Batman, da rectory doggo and dis weekend we haz TOO Gospelz! One iz 4 da 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time and de udder iz 4 da Padre Pio Festival! I don't knowz which one 2 choose!!! I iz confused-ed! Mark's Gospel talkz about big stones and cutting off handz and feetz and stuff. Matthew's Gospel talkz about revealing secretz 2 little kidz and we knowz dat kiddoz haz problemz wit keeping secretz. WAT IZ A DOGGO 2 DO?!? “Buddy, what's the matter?” Daddo, I can'tz figure out da Gospelz! “Just relax and we'll work it out.” OK. “In Mark's Gospel, Jesus uses analogy to talk about how bad sin is. For example, it would be like saying, It would be better to never have a snacko ever again than it would be to sin.” DAT WOULD BE TERRIBLE! But sin iz pretty bad 2. I getz it. “In Matthew's Gospel, Jesus talks about how the Father's plan is offered to all, not just to some and how we have to approach him with childlike hearts so that we can rest in His love.” Dat makez a lot o sense. So 2 mash dem together: Jesus comez 2 tell us dat the Father's plan iz 2 save us from sin and give us His rest. In order 2 do dat we haz 2 b open as His children. “That's right!” OK! I feelz much better. Tank u Daddo! “You're quite welcome buddy!” ... And Daddo? “Yes, bud?” Can I haz a porchetta sandwich? “We'll see.”

Haz a great festival everybody!!!

Batman, da rectory doggo

Exiit qui seminat - Let's Get To Work

Sun, 26 Sep 2021 17:39:38 GMT

In October 1958, in response to civil unrest and violence in Eastern Europe, Pope Pius XII wrote a papal letter, an encyclical, to the universal Church asking for prayers for peace and an end to violence. Entitled Luctuosissimi eventus ("most sorrowful events"), Pope Pius XII wrote, "And so, aware of Our Apostolic duties, We cannot but fervently appeal to all of you, Venerable Brethren, and to the flocks entrusted to each of you, that, animated by brotherly love, you raise suppliant prayers with Us to God, in Whose hands lie the destinies of peoples as well as the power and very lives of their rulers. Let us pray that an end may be put to this carnage and that a genuine peace founded on justice, charity, and rightful freedom may some day dawn again." This plea did not go unheeded by our patron, St. Pio of Pietrelcina, who urged the people of San Giovanni Rotundo and his spiritual children to pray: "Let's get to work. Let's roll up our sleeves. Let's be the first to respond to the Pope's appeal." And thus Padre Pio's famous prayer groups were born, of which there are over two thousand official groups in existence today, dedicated to prayer and for peace to our world. We find ourselves in similar times: a world that is filled with unrest and violence that longs for peace. And so our response has to be the same as the urging of a patron saint, "Let's get to work. Let's roll up our sleeves. Let's pray!" We turn to our Lord, to our Blessed Mother with faith and trust. As we celebrate the feast day of St. Pio of Pietrelcina, we are called to embrace more and more the motto of "Pray, Hope and Don't Worry" and strive towards a radical dependence upon our God. That's why we have spent the whole week leading up to today in prayer. That's why the true start of the festival is not when Mass at 11 AM ends, but when it begins! We cannot forget that Mass, our highest form of prayer is the foundation, not just of our Sunday, but of our lives. As Padre Pio knew so well, the Lord is our hope and our salvation. So enjoy the day! Eat well! Enjoy the music! Enjoy each other's company! But first and foremost, pray well for ourselves and for our world so that we can be filled with God's hope and peace. As St. Pio wrote, “May Jesus always be the pilot of the little boat of your spirit. May Mary be the star which lights the path for you and shows you the surest way to reach the Heavenly Father." God bless and have a wonderful festival!

Sincerely Yours in Christ,

Fr. Rob Sinatra

Exiit qui seminat: St Pio of Pietrelcina

Sat, 18 Sep 2021 16:13:49 GMT

There's been a flurry of activity and preparation over the past few weeks as the parish gets ready for our annual Padre Pio Festival. I would like to thank Dave Saglimbeni, the parish staff, and all of the volunteers and benefactors who have worked so hard to make the festival happen. But September 26th is about more than BBQ chicken and porchetta sandwiches (although VERY important). It's about continuing to foster devotion to St. Pio of Pietrelcina and honor the life of this great saint of God. That's what Festival Week is all about. In the throes of a pandemic that seems like it will not end, we prepare ourselves spiritually as we embrace this year's theme of "Pray, hope and don't worry". For so many of us it has been a tough and long road from March 2019 and it behooves us to mirror the faith and the trust of Padre Pio. As the example of his life shows us, Francesco Forgione was no stranger to hardship in his life, but it never stopped his pursuit of holiness and following God's plan. In the rigors of our lives, we take the time to pray together, strengthening our faith and hope, until our festival culminates with Holy Mass in the 26th. Hust as I asked you to fill out your order forms for food, I even more highly encourage you to come out this week and pray with us and to learn more about the life of our patron saint. I look forward to seeing you this coming week and at the festival! St Pio of Pietrelcina ora pro nobis!

Sincerely Yours in Christ,

F. Rob Sinatra

Batman's Column

Sun, 12 Sep 2021 00:57:41 GMT

My Deer Parishionerz o St. Padre Pio Parish,

It iz me, Batman, da rectory doggo! A coppa o weekz ago, I got 2 spendz time wit my grandmom and granddad (my daddo's parentz). I tought dat I wuz very well behaved, but my grandmom told my daddo dat I haz him trained very well. When I bark 2 go outside, my daddo doez it. When I 'AHEM' "ask" 4 food, my daddo givz it 2 me. Truth b told, my daddo iz really at my 'beck and call' (whatever dat meanz). Just like I callz 4 my daddo and da rectory staff and anybody who will giv me someting 2 eat, Jesus callz out 2 hiz disciples and da Apostles 2 follow Him and b a part o His Church. Dis iz a call 2 all o us. We 2 r His disciples and called 2 b an important part o da flock. And while we r not slaves o da Lord, we r called 2 b at His 'beck and call' (whatever dat meanz) and b open 2 His will 4 our livez. we r called 2 use our giftz and talentz, our liuvez and prayer 2 serve God and 2 continue da work o da Church! So, what doez dat mean 4 u? How r u called 2 serve? Maybe it iz doing someting at Mass? Maybe it iz helping out wit religious education o being a part o a prayer group? Maybe it iz dropping off snackoz at da rectory 4 a doggo who iz wasting away into nothingness? Whatever it iz, we cannot avoid o ignore da Lord's call (especially if u hav big floppy earz lik me)! Let us ask da Lord 2 giv us da grace 2 listen 2 Him calling our name and 2 serve and follow Him alwayz!

God Bless (and do u hav a snacko?)!

Batman, da rectory doggo

Exit qui seminat: Happy Birthday!

Sun, 12 Sep 2021 00:52:14 GMT

Believe it or not, the Catholic Church focuses a lot on birthdays! In fact, many of the memorials, feasts and solemnities revolving around saints are placed on their date of death - or more importantly their "birthday" into

heaven (like our own patron saint, St. Pio of Pietrelcina who entered into eternal life on Monday, September 23, 1968). But the Church also celebrates special birthdays in a traditional sense as well. First and foremost we celebrate Christmas (December 25th). But along with the birth of our Lord we recognize the Birth of John the Baptist (June 24 - 6 months before Jesus' birth) and of course, the Birth of Mary which we celebrated on September 8th. The Church focuses on these birthdays because of the holiness of the lives of Jesus, Mary and John the Baptist: Jesus of course as the Son of God, Mary by being conceived without sin (the Immaculate Conception) and chosen to give birth to the Christ, and John the Baptist, who is considered to have his sins forgiven within his mother's (Elizabeth) womb when he leapt for joy at the arrival of his cousin, the Messiah. All three birthdays point toward the Incarnation (the coming of Christ as man, from the Latin in carnatus est "having become flesh"), the beginning of the fulfilment of the Lord's plan of salvation along with the other "Christmas" feast day, the Annunciation (March 25 - 9 months before Jesus' birth). In fact, if you do the math, September 8th is exactly nine months from (December 8) the Church's celebration of the Immaculate Conception, when Mary was conceived in her mother's womb. While our celebration of Christmas is a little more than 3 months away, the Birth of Mary is meant to help us recall everything that the Lord put into place throughout salvation history for our sake and these milestones of faith are meant to inspire us as we live out the Lord's plan. As we say, "Happy Birthday" to the mother of our Savior, let us continue to give thanks for the gift of her son and prepare our hearts for the beginning of Advent which will be here before we know it.

Sincerely Yours in Christ,

Fr. Rob Sinatra

Batman's Column

Sat, 04 Sep 2021 18:42:09 GMT

My Deer Parishionerz o St. Padre Pio Parish,

It iz me, Batman, da rectory doggo! I, as a doggo, haz earz: Big, floppy, fluffy and softo earz. I tink dat dey may b my bestest quality. But I tink dat my daddo and da rectory staff believe dat my earz don't work. Dey tell me dat dey call my name over and over and over and over and over and over again and dat I do notz repsond. I haz no idea wat dey iz talkin about. Whenever someone haz a snacko o wantz 2 tak me 4 a walkie o givz me food, I hearz PERFECTLY fine. Dis iz not a case in 2days Gospel wit da deaf man wit a speech impediment. He couldn't hearz anyting at all! Imagine not being able 2 hear someone speak ur name, o tell u dat u wuz a good boy or girl o 2 hear dat it wuz time 2 eat! Wat if u couldn't hear da Word of God?!? Dat wood b really bad!!! Tankfully Jesus comez into da deaf man's life and touchez not only hiz ears and mouth, but also da man's heart. Wit da word “ Ephphatha!”— Be opened!” — our Lord not only curez da deaf man, but opens his heart 2 receive da Living Word. What a gift!!! Even dough we may hear and speak witout any problemz, sometimez hav closed earz, mouthz and heartz. We could b affected by a tremendous hurt in our livez o could b "deaf" becauz o sin. Even in a midst o our "deafness" not only doez da Lord seek us out, but He touchez our heartz and through His mercy commands them 2 b opened. All we need 2 b iz open 2 Christ's presence in our livez and b willing 2 let Him. God Bless (and don't forget 2 get ur earz checked, even if dey r not as fluffy as mine)!

Batman, da rectory doggo

Exiit qui seminat: Rite of Baptism

Sat, 04 Sep 2021 18:37:46 GMT

In the modern Rite of Baptism, there are many signs and symbols that are visible to faithful: the water, the holy oils, the baptismal garment and candle. However, there is one symbol and prayer that is so subtle that it

often goes unnoticed to everyone except the parents and godparents: The "Ephphatha" - the same command that Jesus gives in today's Gospel. The priest or deacon uses his thumb to touch the newly baptized ears and mouth saying, "May the Lord Jesus, who made the deaf to hear and the mute to speak, grant that you may soon receive his word with your ears and profess the faith with your lips, to the glory and praise of God the Father." The laying on of hands and the use of saliva were not foreign concepts to the Jews of Jesus' day. They were symbols of physical healing. However, Christ "baptizes" them (pardon the pun) and transforms those signs to much more than the healing of the body. Our Lord uses them for the healing of the soul. "In the miracle of the deaf and dumb man we can see a symbol of the way God acts on souls: for us to believe, God must first open our heart so we can listen to his word. Then, like the Apostles, we too can proclaim the magnalia Dei, the mighty

works of God (cf. Acts 2:11)" (The Navarre Bible: St. Mark pg. 119). That's what Baptism does. Through water and the Holy Spirit, God removes the stain of Original Sin, gives us the gift of faith and makes us members of His Body, the Church. Our response is to not only give thanks for what the Lord has done, but, more importantly, to profess and proclaim our faith and the glory of God. So as we celebrate Mass together this Sunday, let us be reminded of our own baptism and ask the Lord to give us the strength to proclaim our faith always!

Sincerely Yours in Christ,

Fr. Rob Sinatra

Batman's Column

Sun, 29 Aug 2021 02:06:41 GMT

I IZ BACK FROM VACATION!!!

My Deer Parishionerz o St. Padre Pio Parish,

It iz me, Batman, da rectory doggo! I IZ BACK FROM VACATION!!! I hadz a great time wit my Unca Dave while Daddo wuz away. Remember wat dey say, "What happens at Unca Dave's, stayz at Unca Dave's!" Also, I would lik 2 bark, "Good Bye!" 2 Fr. Mathias. He iz very nice and gav me snackoz every day. I wishez him well at his new parish in Virginia! Now back 2 buziness!!! In 2day's Gospel, da Phariseez were very upset dat Jesus' disciples ate wit unclean handz. 2 b honest, cleanliness iz not a big ting wit doggoz. I eat tings off da floor all da time and nothin' sayz a good time like playing in a puddle o mud! Jesus wuz not worried dat da handz o people were clean. He wantz all da peoplez 2 hav a clean heart! U could tak a shower EVERY DAY and not b a nice o kind person. While

I'm sure dat our Lord wantz us 2 bathe properly, He wantz us 2 follow His commandmentz wit luv. In following da commandmentz, we learn 2 love and respect both God and one another. It iz when we forget dat iz when we get in trouble. Commandmentz help us remember our responsibilitiez 2 one another and how we r 2 luv one another - tingz dat we desperately need in 2day's world. So wash ur handz, but don't forget 2 clean ur heart!

God Bless (It iz SO good 2 be back)!

Batman, da rectory doggo

Exiit qui seminat - The Law

Sun, 29 Aug 2021 01:57:10 GMT

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Was Mary Taken Bodily Into Heaven?

Sat, 21 Aug 2021 17:47:23 GMT

The Second Book of Kings tells how the prophet Elijah was taken up bodily into heaven (Kings 2: 1-12). Scripture notes, in fact, several unusual departures from this world to the next after a life lived close to God. Not only Elijah, but also Enoch and those who came out of the tombs at Christ’s death were all received bodily into heaven

before the final, universal resurrection of the dead that is to come.

(Gn 5: 5-24; Heb 11: 5; Mt 27: 50-53)

Mary’s bodily assumption, as it’s called, into the glory of heaven was a singular privilege, reserved for the mother of our Lord, far beyond what these others experienced. Nevertheless, in the biblical record of these earlier events we see that there’s nothing “unbiblical” about the claim that God has chosen to take a holy person to Himself in a special way.

Is Mary’s assumption described in the Bible? No, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. The death of St. Joseph isn’t described in Scripture, either, though it’s certain that this important event took place within the years chronicled by the gospels. In fact, many events even from the life of

our Lord Himself were not recorded in Scripture.

(Jn 21: 25)

The assumption of Mary is only one of many significant events in the life of the early Church that have been remembered and witnessed to by ancient Tradition.

According to an ancient account of the life of St. Theodosius, the feast of our Lady’s assumption was already being celebrated in Palestine in the 400’s. This indicates that by the fifth century the Assumption was already a well-established conviction of Christ’s followers in the land where He and His mother had lived. In 1950, after many centuries of Christian testimony to this reality, Pope Pius XII defined it as a dogma of the

Church.

The Assumption is consistent with Mary’s role as the Theotokos (“God-bearer”) and immaculate sinless one, who was granted a singular divine grace to bear God Himself in the body. If indeed she was free from sin, then it follows that she would not have to undergo the decay of death, which was the penalty for sin.

(Gn 3: 16-19)

If not for the fall of the human race, no one would have died. Mary is the exception, for very good reason, and the forerunner of the resurrection that all who belong to Christ will experience.

(1 Cor 15: 12-23)

Thoughts on the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Sat, 14 Aug 2021 19:11:40 GMT

We see in Mary’s journey from Nazareth to Ain-Karin, recounted in

today’s Gospel, a unique spiritual journey which, beginning with

her “yes” on the day of the Annunciation, is crowned by her Assumption

into heaven in body and soul. A journey to God, ever illumined and

sustained by faith.

The Second Vatican Council says that Mary “advanced in her pilgrimage of faith, and faithfully persevered in her union with her Son unto the Cross”. For this reason, she so pleased the King of the universe in her incomparable beauty that now, fully associated with Him in body and in soul, she is resplendent as the Queen standing at His right hand.

In today’s solemnity, the liturgy invites us all to contemplate Mary as

the “woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars” (Rev 12:1) In her shines forth

Christ’s victory over Satan, described in apocalyptic terms as the

“great red dragon”

This glorious and at the same time dramatic vision reminds the Church

in all the ages of her destiny of light in the kingdom of heaven, and of comfort in the trials she must bear during her earthly pilgrimage. As long as this world endures, history will always be the theatre of the clash between God and Satan, between good and evil, between grace and sin, between life and death.

Mary, glorified in her body, appears today as the star of hope for the Church and for humanity. Her sublime exaltation does not distance

her from her people or from the world’s problems, on the contrary, it enables her to watch effectively over human affairs with that attentive concern with which she obtained the first miracle from Jesus at the wedding in Cana.

Revelation says that the woman clothed with the sun “was with child and she cried out in her pangs of birth, in anguish for delivery”. This calls to

mind a text of the Apostle Paul which has fundamental importance

for the Christian theology of hope. “We know”, we read in his

Letter to the Romans, “that the whole creation has been groaning in travail together until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait for adoption as sons,

the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved”

(8:22-24)

As we celebrate her Assumption into heaven in body and soul, we pray

to Mary to help the men and women of our time to live in this world with faith and hope, seeking God’s kingdom in all things; may she help

believers to be open to the presence and action of the Holy Spirit, the Creator and Renewer Spirit, who can transform hearts; may she

enlighten our minds on the destiny that awaits us, the dignity of every person and the nobility of the human body.

Mary, taken up into heaven, show yourself to everyone as

Mother of hope! Show yourself to everyone as Queen

of the civilization of love!

EYES OF FAITH

Sat, 31 Jul 2021 19:44:05 GMT

Like so many of you, I was deeply moved by the wonderful Memorial Mass celebrated by Bishop Sullivan in memory of our beloved Fr. Alfred Onyutha. I was also touched by the beautiful homily preached by Fr. Al's brother priest and friend from Uganda, Fr. Alfred Mungujakisa (aka "Little Al"). In his homily, Father spoke not only of Fr. Al's journey as a priest, but also of his tremendous care for the poor and less fortunate. Fr. Al sent so much of his monthly salary back home to care for his diocese, his family and the poor. A makeshift will that we found in his room showed the depths of Father's generosity, outlining an impressive number of projects, sponsored by Fr. Al to his native home. A few weeks ago, a parishioner, moved by an account given by Fr. Al of the conditions back home gave him all that he had in his wallet - a donation of $20. The parishioner, embarrassed that $20 was all that he could give, apologized. Fr. Al reassured the parishioner that his gift of $20 could save lives.

Even our own patron saint had a strong desire to care for the needy, the sick and the suffering. From the time he arrived in San Giovanni Rotundo, Padre Pio worked to build a place where one could minister to both the spiritual and physical needs of the less fortunate. That hospital, the Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, or “Home for the Relief of the Suffering”, is still in existence today. What started as a 25 bed clinic is now a state of the art hospital administrated by the Holy See (the Vatican) with 1000 beds to care for the sick and suffering and provide ethical research for medical advancements in treatment. A small act by a poor friar that made a unbelievable impact. This zeal for souls and for the poor is evident in a prayer by Pope St. John Paul II written to St. Pio of Pietrelcina. John Paul II writes, " Obtain for us the eyes of faith that will help us recognize in the poor and suffering, the very face of Jesus."

We, too, are called to look at the world with the eyes of faith. Like Padre Pio, like Fr. Al, like so many people of faith, we are prompted by the Holy Spirit to recognize the needs of the sick and the poor in our community, our region, our nation and our world. What small act with tremendous impact is the Lord asking us to be a part of today? How are we called to serve those "least ones", our brothers and sisters in need? Let us pray we may be open to the inspiration that the Lord gives us to serve our brothers and sisters.

Heal Our Broken Hearts

Sat, 24 Jul 2021 18:49:57 GMT

Normally, Batman's Column is an unique and humorous way to look at the Sunday readings. However, after what occurred, it just doesn't seem quite right to have my furry buddy write his article as he normally would. Rest assured, Batman will be back next week with his take on the readings for the 18th Week in Ordinary Time. But it is still important to talk about the readings from this Sunday, especially since they show the continuity of God's plan of salvation. Elisha, successor to the great prophet Elijah, has the Lord work through him to have 20 barley loaves feed a hundred people, so much so that there was some left over. God not only feeds and nourishes His people in this reading from the 2nd Book of Kings, the Lord gives them more than what is required, an overabundance. That's what the Psalm speaks to when we proclaim, "The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs." That overabundance continues in John's Gospel, when we see our Lord feeding not just a hundred people but a great multitude - about 5 thousand men, not including the women and the children, with less food than was presented to Elisha. Jesus feeds them all in an even more spectacular display of His power and our Lord's desire to nourish us. All of these examples lead up to something even greater - God's gift of Himself, Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity in the Eucharist. This miracle occurs not just once, not just twice, but every single time we come to Mass. Unlike the barley loaves and the fish, the Eucharist gives us what we need for our lives here on earth, as well as strengthening us for our journey towards eternal life. And even though the homily may be uninspiring or the music bland or difficult to sing, the reader may stumble through Sacred Scripture and the poor altar servers look lost, we can never say that we're not being fed, as long as we have the Eucharist. So let the Lord feed us overabundantly and may our hearts be open to being fed. Let us take that nourishment with us as we love Christ and one another. Finally let us never take the Mass for granted and pray for more priests so that the People of God will never go hungry.

God bless you all!

Fr. Rob and Batman, da rectory doggo

Batman's Column

Sat, 17 Jul 2021 18:14:31 GMT

My Deer Parishionerz o St. Padre Pio Parish

It iz me, Batman, da rectory doggo! Did u know dat da average doggo sleepz about 11 hourz a day! Datz a lot o napz! I especially lik sleeping next 2 my daddo takin up as much room as possible in da bed. I don't tink he mindz 2 much [Actually, I mind a lot!]. Jesus in today's Gospel tellz da Apostles dat dey need 2 rest after spending time proclaiming da Gospel. But still, peoplez kept coming 2 Jesus and His heart was moved, so our Lord ministered 2 dem. Sometimez we r de Apostles who spend our livez spreading da Gospel. Sometimez we r da vast crowd who hunger and thirst 4 da Word o God. 4 both o us, we come 2 Mass and we come b4 our Lord 4 rest - 2 experience His peace. Mass and prayer in church is meant 2 b our refuge, a time 2 steal away from da world 4 just a little while and 2 open our heartz so dat God can speak 2 dem. It iz so important 2 treat dis time together as just that - rest. Oftentimes we r anxious and rush through Mass 2 get it out o da way so we can move on to da next ting. We become distracted and don't give God what iz due Him. So, sit back! Relax! B at peace! Let da Lord speak 2 us so dat we can go out and continue 2 feed da flock!

God Bless and iz it nap time already?!?

Batman, da rectory doggo

Exiit qui seminat - St. Kateri Tekakwitha

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Batman's Column

Sat, 12 Jun 2021 23:13:03 GMT

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My Deer Parishionerz o St. Padre Pio,

It iz me, Batman, da rectory doggo! I don't know wat iz goin' on dis spring, but I haz allergiez!!! I iz sneezing all o da timez. I go for walkiez? I sneezez. I go out on da back deck? I sneezez. I go outside 2 AHEM "do my business"? I sneezez! Dis iz getting out o paw (remember I haz no handz)! So WHY iz Jesus talking aboutz stuff dat I iz probably allergic 2?!? When I asked-ed my daddo, he said dat Jesus wuz using a parable, a story, 2 help people understand da will o God (although sometimez people didn't get da point). In dis particular parable, our Lord is reminding us dat dere iz a BIG difference between our time and God's time. We can be concerned about so many udder tings and even distracted by important stuff (like sleep) but God still iz in control o everyting and everyting lives and moves and haz its being thru God! Plus da Lord remindz us that even dough we may start small and da life o faith may seem tiny, dat God haz BIG plans 4 us and iz anudder opportunity 2 grow in holiness! So let us giv all o our worries and lives 2 God and wit da gift o faith, let us have da courage 2 dream big 4 Christ and His Church!

God Bless (and wat iz da dogg

Exiit qui seminat - The Heart of our Blessed Mother

Sat, 12 Jun 2021 23:08:37 GMT

This past Friday and Saturday the Church celebrated the back to back feasts of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (June 11) and the Immaculate Heart of Mary (June 12). The devotion to the Sacred heart, championed by St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153), focuses on the how the plan of salvation was fulfilled through Christ's human nature - his physical suffering for all of us. St. Bernard writes, “This gracious Captain desires that the face and eyes of His devoted soldier should be lifted up to those wounds, that his soul may stand erect and he may draw from the sight strength unshakable. For gazing on those wounds he shall not feel his own….The martyr stands fearless and in triumph…where then is the soul of the martyr? It is safe; it is on the rock; it is in the Heart of Jesus, whose wounds were opened to let it in.”

It is fitting that we also celebrate the Heart of our Blessed Mother. Not only does our Lord receive His humanity from her, but also too, Mary, as the first and greatest disciple mirrors what we all long for in our own hearts - to be in true communion with our Lord and our God. St. John Eudes, a priest in the 1600s writes of that union and communion: "The Heart of Jesus is of course distinct from that of Mary and surpasses it infinitely in excellence and holiness. Yet God has so closely united these two Hearts that there has never been and never will be a closer union. Thus the Sacred Heart of Jesus is the Heart of Mary. These two Hearts are but one Heart ... which was given to us by the Blessed Trinity and by our Blessed Mother, so that we, the children of Jesus and Mary, might have but one heart with our Heavenly Father and our holy Mother and that we might love and glorify God with the same Heart, a Heart worthy of the infinite grandeur of His Divine Majesty."

So the Sacred Heart of Jesus reminds us that Christ knows intimately the depths of our own suffering and by His own Passion on the Cross helps us to look past that suffering to see the victory that He has won for us, while the Immaculate Heart of Mary demonstrates for us that the true purpose and longing of the human heart is to be united with God. Let us continue to offer up our sufferings to God and pray that we can unite our crosses with His cross and may we strive each day to have our hearts filled in faith to beat in unison with hearts of Jesus and Mary. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us! Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us!

Sincerely Yours in Christ,

Fr. Rob Sinatra

Batman's Column

Sat, 05 Jun 2021 15:52:33 GMT

It iz me, Batman, da rectory doggo! My daddo went away 4 a couple o dayz and I missed-ed him (ESPECIALLY when I wuz in my Unca Dave's pool)! But when I got down in da dumpz I looked-ed at my daddo's piczture o FaceTimed him and den I felt OK (He did bring back some snackoz. It helped-ed tak away da sting o him leaving)! Dere are doze who would suggest dat we can say da same ting about Jesus - dat He iz gone away and far from us. BUT DAT IZ NUTHIN' BUT A BUNCH O HOOEY!!! Did Jesus ascend into heaven? Yes! Did He send us da Holy Spirit? Yes! But did He leave us? HECK NO!!! Dat iz why we celebrate da Body and Blood o Jesus, da solemnity o Corpus Christi (“I tink dat's French”). We r blessed as Catholics 2 hav da TRUE PRESENCE o Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament. Even dough Jesus' human body is in heaven wit da Fadder and da Holy Spirit, He iz actually MORE present now den when He wuz walking among us? How can dat be! Becauz we can receive Him and hav Jesus IN OUR BODIES! What a gift!!! So when we getz down in da dumpz, we can turn and look 2 our Lord and Savior 2 comfort us, nourish us and giv us His life!!! So happy feast day! Hav some snackoz! But most importantly giv tanks for da gift o da Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity o Jesus in da Most Blessed Sacrament!

God Bless!

Batman, da rectory doggo

Exiit qui seminar - Corpus Christi

Sat, 05 Jun 2021 15:50:07 GMT

As a part of his Sunday Angelus message on October 11, 2020, Pope Francis spoke about Blessed Carlo Acutis, a 15-year-old boy from Milan who was beatified the day before in Assisi, Italy "He did not ease into comfortable immobilism" the Holy Father said, "but understood the needs of his time, because he saw the face of Christ in the weakest. His witness indicates to today’s young people that true happiness is found by putting God in first place and serving Him in our brothers and sisters, especially the least." What causes a teenager to act with such vibrant love and an unbelievable love of neighbor? The Eucharist. Even though his parents weren't particularly religious, Carlo knew that the Lord was speaking to his heart to know, love and serve Him. Blessed Acutis wrote, "Jesus is my great friend and the Eucharist my highway to heaven." Carlo wanted everyone to love the Most Blessed Sacrament and experience the great joy of being in communion with Christ. From age 11, he started compiling a list of all of the Eucharistic miracles in the world and created a website to help others learn about the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of our Lord and Savior. That website is still up and running at http://www.miracolieucaristici.org/en/liste/list.html .

As we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body of Christ (Corpus Christi), we are called to remember that the Most Blessed Sacrament truly is Jesus Himself, not a symbol. It is a reality that, according to some experts, 70% of Catholics do not believe. As our world opens back up and as our celebration of Mass returns to normal, our job is just getting started. We, as a Church, have to not only proclaim the truth of the Eucharist, but we have to live it. People will come back to Church not through any special program or outreach, but those types of things allow others who may not love Christ as they should to enter into relationship with us. It is through our authenticity and our great love of our Lord and one another that we can lead others to Christ and to His Body and Blood. As this soon to be saint wrote, "The more Eucharist we receive, the more we will become like Jesus, so that on earth we will have a foretaste of heaven." Blessed Carlo Acutis, pray for us!

Sincerely Yours in Christ,

Fr. Rob Sinatra

Exiit qui seminar -Most Holy Trinity

Sun, 30 May 2021 04:21:25 GMT

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In 1922, St. Pio of Pietrelcina gave an explanation of the Most Holy Trinity to a young Italian girl whose faith was tested by her teachers who didn't believe in God. He said, "My daughter, when a housewife makes bread, what does she use? Three different ingredients; flour, yeast, and water. She kneads the dough, which has been mixed and formed into one single substance. She uses this dough to make three loaves of bread. Each loaf is of the same substance, yet separate from the other two. From this example, we can proceed to God, who is one Being, and at the same time, He is Three Persons, each one equal yet distinct from the other two. God the Father is neither the Son nor the Holy Spirit. The Son is neither the Father nor the Holy Spirit. God the Father begets the Son; the Son proceeds from the Father; and the Holy Spirit comes from the Father and the Son. They are three individual beings, equal and at the same time distinct. Nevertheless, they are one God only, because the Divine Nature is unique and identical." St. Patrick, in his famous Breastplate prayer, arises, "[t]hrough a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity, [t]hrough belief in the Threeness, [t]hrough confession of the Oneness of the Creator of creation."

While the nature of the Trinity still remains a mystery to us as a people of faith, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are ever present in our lives. Through them, through their strength and love, we, unworthy as we may be, participate in the acts of creation, salvation and sanctification every single day. Every prayer begins and ends with the declaration of our belief in the Trinity through the Sign of the Cross. Every opening prayer at Mass is addressed to the Father, through the Son who lives and reign with the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit - God forever and ever! In the business of our lives and in the roteness of our prayer, we can easily lose sight of what the Lord has done for us, what He is currently doing for our sake and will continue to do for us in the future.

Prayerfully reflect on how we have been a part of all the aspects of the Most Blessed Trinity. How have we shared in the role of creation? How has our sacrifice and our embrace of the cross led towards the salvation of our souls and of others? How has our faith life been inspired by the prompting of the Holy Spirit so that we can grow in holiness as we serve our Triune God and one another? Let our prayer echo the words of opening prayer for Mass this Sunday: "God, our Father, who by the sending into the world the Word of truth and the Spirit of sanctification made known to the human race your wondrous mystery, grant us, we pray, that in professing the true faith, we may acknowledge the Trinity of eternal glory and adore your Unity, powerful in majesty."

Sincerely Yours in Christ,

Fr. Rob Sinatra

Batman's Column

Sun, 30 May 2021 04:12:17 GMT

It iz me, Batman da rectory doggo! I wuz in da church da udder day (and I wuz on my best doggo behavior) and I saw 2 guyz and a birdo! I wanted-ed 2 bark at da birdo, but it would have been inappro... inappro... it would have beenz bad 2 do dat inside da church. I foundz out later dat it wuz da Most Holy Trinity, da Fadder and da Son and da Holy Spirit! It would haz been wrong o me 2 bark at demz becauz it iz DERE CHURCH afta all! As we celebrate dis special feast in Ordinary Time, we see dat da Trinity givz us life. God da Fadder created us and breathed-ed life in2 us. Jesus redeemz our life thru His cross and da Holy Spirit protectz our life by guiding da Church and helping us b holier! Even da readingz talk about da life-giving nature of God. In da first reading, Moses tellz da people to keep God's statutes and commandments so "that you and your children after you may prosper, and that you may have long life on the land which the LORD, your God, is giving you forever." St. Paul in his letter 2 da Romans tellz us dat we r heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. And what r we heirs of??? Heaven, da place we will live 4ever! Even in Matthew's Gospel, we see Jesus tell da disciples 2 baptize "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." As we all know, wit baptism, we hav life in Christ and in His Church. SO, if you see 2 guyz and a birdo in Church, do NOT bark at dem! And let us giv tanks 2 God 4 His gift of life!

God Bless and Happy Feast o da Trinity!

Exiit qui seminar - Congratulations Reverend Steven James Bertonazzi

Sun, 23 May 2021 05:46:54 GMT

As we celebrate the last feast of the Easter season, Pentecost, the birthday of the Church, we as a family of faith rejoice that one of our own, our brother Steven Bertonazzi, is ordained a priest of Jesus Christ. It seemed only yesterday (my first year as pastor) that Steven finally "took the plunge" and entered the seminary. Now, our local Church rejoices with two new priests, Fathers Bertonazzi and Santa Teresa. It is only fitting that this is happening during the weekend of Pentecost because the priesthood is integral to the sacramental life of the Church herself. It is through the priesthood that the grace of the sacraments flows out into our community and the whole world. As St. Jean Marie Vianney, patron saint of parish priests writes:

“Were we to fully realize what a priest is on earth, we would die: not of fright, but of love… Without the priest, the passion and death of our Lord would be of no avail. It is the priest who continues the work of redemption on earth… What use would be a house filled with gold, were there no one to open its door? The priest holds the key to the treasures of heaven: it is he who opens the door: he is t he steward of the good Lord; the administrator of his goods … Leave a parish for twenty years without a priest, and they will end by worshiping the beasts there … The priest is not a priest for himself, he is a priest for you.”

I am fully convinced that Fr. Steven Bertonazzi, our native son, will be that type of priest. Pray for him every day because we are a Church of poor sinners and the priesthood, in all of its strength through Christ, one true High Priest, is placed upon fragile instruments. And that, too, is the gift. For if the plan of salvation can be worked through the weakness of humanity, then truly nothing is impossible for God and the glory of His Church! As a parish community, let us pray that the indwelling of the Holy Spirit will remain forever with Reverend Steven James Bertonazzi and that his priestly service brings many souls to Christ! Congratulations and ad multos annos !

Batman's Column

Sun, 23 May 2021 05:28:06 GMT

It iz me, Batman, da rectory doggo! 2day iz a REALLY special day - it iz da feast o Pentecost AND da FIRST MASS o my buddy, Steve Bertonazzi (I guess I should callz him FATHER STEVE)! He haz alwayz been nice 2 me and petted me and feed-ed me and gived me belly rubz. I really liked-ed when Steven wuz here during da beginnin' o da pan.., da pan..., when everybody wuz stuck inside dere housez. Just lik our friendz and family were stuck wit us (AHEM) I mean, when we got 2 spend all dat WONDERFUL time 2gether, so 2 doez da Holy Spirit spend all da time wit us, da Church! Tankfully we R stuck wit Him as He guidez and protectz da Church. Da same Holy Spirit dat descended upon da Apostles and da Blessed Virigin Mary az tonguez o fire also setz our heartz ablaze wit da fire o His Divine Luv. Wit dos heartz we r 2 spread da luv o God and da Gospel o our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. How hav we shown dat luv? How hav we proclaimed da Gospel 2 everyone we meet? Let us pray 2 God 4 not only da indwelling o da Spirit in our livz but also 4 our heartz 2 be on fire wit Divine Luv! Pass da marshmallows!

God Bless and Congratulations Fr. Steve!

Batman, da rectory doggo

Exiit qui seminat - Holy Days

Mon, 17 May 2021 18:16:56 GMT

For the second year in a row, Cardinal Tobin, the cardinal archbishop of Newark, in consultation with the other bishops in the State of New Jersey, has decided to move the feast of the Ascension from this past Thursday, May 13 to the weekend normally designated as the 7th Sunday of Easter. So this brings up a wonderful opportunity to not only talk about what Holy Days of Obligation are, why do we have the number we have and why some feasts are "moveable" and others are not.

The 1983 Code of Canon Law talks about sacred times in the life of the Church, special days of prayer and penance that celebrate important mysteries of faith throughout our liturgical calendar. For the universal Church (the whole Church throughout the whole world) there are 10 Holy Days of Obligation along with the 52 Sundays of the year: the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Epiphany, the Ascension, the Body and Blood of Christ, Holy Mary the Mother of God, her Immaculate Conception, her Assumption, Saint Joseph, Saint Peter and Saint Paul the Apostles, and All Saints. However, Rome can give permission to countries, for pastoral reasons, to move some of these feast days to a Sunday or suppress them.

In 1991, the American bishops petitioned the Holy See and received approval for 6 Holy Days of Obligation: January 1 (the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God), Thursday of the Sixth Week of Easter (the Ascension), August 15 (the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary), November 1 (All Saints), December 8 (the Immaculate Conception) and December 25 (Christmas).

In addition, whenever January 1, August 15, or November 1 falls on a Saturday or on a Monday, the obligation to attend Mass is abrogated (a canon law term that means "to do away with"). Feasts like the Epiphany and the Body and Blood of Christ were moved to Sundays. The feasts of St. Joseph (March 19) and Ss. Peter and Paul (June 29) are still celebrated on their actual days, but there is no obligation to attend Mass. In 1999 Rome gave permission for particular regions within the United States to determine if we can celebrate the Ascension on a Thursday or if it gets moved to a Sunday. Right now the only regions that celebrate the Ascension on a Thursday are New York, New England, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Nebraska. Even Hawaii has a different set of holy days - the feast of the Immaculate Conception and Christmas because they're a part of a different episcopal conference than the rest of the continental United States.

It can all seem a little confusing and you may question why we all can't celebrate in the same way, but considering how diverse the world is and how diverse the Church is, it is a gift of how we get a chance to celebrate in both different and the same ways. Also, as the Catholic Church here in America, we are called to be mindful of these holy days that not only help us better understand our faith, but also give us the opportunity to take a break from the ordinary and celebrate something (and someone) extraordinary!

Sincerely Yours in Christ, Fr. Rob Sinatra

Batman's Column

Sat, 08 May 2021 18:30:19 GMT

It iz me, Batman da rectory doggo! Az u may know, I iz trying very hard 2 get along wit catz. Look at my face! I iz concentrating REAL HARD! It iz a struggle and I haz never even met a catz b4. Not only does God call me 2 lik da catz, but I haz 2 luv dem 2! Az we hear in da first reading from da Acts o de Apostles, da Holy Spirit comez upon a group of Gentiles, even b4 dey were baptized. All o da Jewish convertz 2 Christianity were amazed dat a group o people who were not a part o da Chosen People o God could receive such a ting! Yet da Father luvs EACH AND EVERY ONE O US and callz us 2 luv Him through His Son and His Church. Dat iz why St. John writez dat we must luv one another because love iz o God! In fact if we don't hav luv witin us den we don't know God, because God iz luv! It iz dat luv dat sent da Son into da world 4 our sake and 2 sav us from our sins. Jesus bringz it home by reminding us dat 2 luv God meanz dat we are called 2 follow His commandments. In following da commandments we listen 2 da will o God. We don't do so out o fear o legalistically. We do so becauz God luvz us and we luv Him. So grab a catz o maybe a hooman dat u struggle 2 luv and pray 4 demz. Maybe u can do someting nice 4 dem (lik givz dem catnip)? Let us pray dat we can luv az God luvz everyday o our livez!

God Bless

Batman, da rectory doggo

Exiit qui seminar - God in Old Testament vs New Testament

Sat, 08 May 2021 18:22:50 GMT

In our first reading this Sunday we once again return to the Acts of the Apostles. This selection once again showcases the tension between Jews and Gentiles. We see it throughout the Old Testament of how God lifts up the Israelites above other nations according to His will. In the life of the early Church, we see both Peter and Paul bring the Gospel to both Jews and Gentiles hoping that all will come to accept Christ and His Gospel. Still, in the Old Testament there are examples of non-Jews who are righteous and follow the will of God. St. Peter successfully unites Jewish and Gentile Christians in the teaching "that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him." However, it was a question that was still actively debated in the life of the early Church.

Marcion, a Christian theologian born in 85 AD taught that the God portrayed in the Old Testament was incompatible to Christ and the Gospel and any association with the Hebrew Scriptures was contrary to the truth and a form of backsliding. For Marcion, the only true Apostle was Paul and his bible only contained Luke's Gospel and Paul's letters. Marcion was denounced by early Church Fathers like Origen and Tertullian and eventually excommunicated in 144 AD.

Even though the God of the Old Testament sometimes acts "different" from the God of the New Testament, we understand that the Lord was responding to the Israelites in the midst of the very different and often brutal cultures of the Ancient Near East in the midst of brutal times. The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob met the Israelites where they were and guided His people to where they need to be. The Lord has made them a people particularly His own. The Jews have been, are and always will be the Chosen People of God. They too await the coming of the Messiah. And everything that we believe and has been fulfilled in our midst has been born out and promised through the nation of Israel. The Gospel being brought to the Gentiles shows the fullness of what God planned to do from the beginning - to bring everything and everyone into His Church. That plan of salvation is what we celebrate, not just in the Easter season, but always.

In a world that often times creates the dichotomy of "us vs. them" the Lord and the Church is telling us that there is only "us". The whole Church can't survive and thrive unless we have everyone "on board" and faithful to His commandments. We pray in a special way that we can teach the faith to all and to evangelize in season and out of season!

Sincerely Yours in Christ,

Fr. Rob Sinatra

Batman's Column

Wed, 28 Apr 2021 17:37:10 GMT

Batman’s Column

My Deer Parishionerz o St. Padre Pio Parish

It iz me! Batman, da rectory doggo! Did u know dat I wuz adopted b4 I wuz taken home by my daddo??? It iz true! A very nice hooman took-ed me home, but I wuz a lit bit 2 much o a doggo 2 take care of. It wuz not dere fault. I wuz (and still iz) a handful every once in a while. But if dat nice person didn't bring me back 2 da wonderful people at Beacon Animal Rescue ( https://beaconanimalrescue.org/) I would have NEVER met my daddo and hav da amazing lif I haz now!!! In da readings we hear about da stone rejected by da builders dat haz become da cornerstone. If Jesus wasn't rejected by da world den we would NEVER hav da resurrection and access 2 da amazing lif dat we hav now!!! As St. Peter spoke in Acts o de Apostles, "He is the stone rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. There is no salvation through anyone else, nor is there any other name under heaven given to the human race by which we are to be saved." SO God wantz us 2 remember dat wat da world tinks iz important iz not wat we need 4 salvation. What we need iz Jesus, da stone rejected by the builders, da Son o God who givz us a lif much more awesome den anyting we could experience here on earth (EVEN WIT SNACKOS)!

And if u haz a place in ur heart and ur home 4 a furry friend, pleaz visit my friendz at Beacon (or your favorite shelter) and take home another type o "stone rejected by da builders"!

God Bless!

Batman, da rectory doggo

Exiit qui seminat - Called To Be Holy

Wed, 28 Apr 2021 17:27:06 GMT

Bishop Sullivan will be celebrating Mass and preaching this Sunday at Christ the Good Shepherd about the importance of vocations, and in particular a vocation to the diocesan priesthood. Vocation comes from the Latin vocare which means "to call". In a world that is filled with so many distractions and so much noise, the Lord still quietly calls out to His sons and daughters to follow Him - some as priests, others as religious, others still as married and single persons. In a special way, we are called to remember that the priesthood of Jesus Christ, lived out in the lives of His unworthy servants (priests ordained through Holy Orders), give us unfettered access to the life of faith and the sacraments, especially the Eucharist. That's why we're constantly praying for priests - because we need them!

At the same time, we are called to pray for ourselves and our own vocation. That vocation has two aspects to it. The first is a general vocation that is shared not just by the baptized, but every person on earth. All of us, regardless of our state in life and our relationship with God, are called to be holy. St. Thomas Aquinas stated that it is the desire of the human heart moves toward and longs for the good per se, a thing that is goodness itself or the greatest good. And of course, for us, that greatest good is God. Pope St. John Paul II called it our universal call to holiness. It is a holiness that the world desperately needed in the ever increasingly secular world that we find ourselves. Holiness is not just something that one does for one's own benefit. For even though we strive as individuals to get to heaven, we are also called to get to heaven as a group, as a Church.

Now HOW that holiness is manifested is unique to each of us. Regardless of what that vocation is or whether we are called to single or married life, or to a religious vocation or to the priesthood, the Lord gives us the grace and gifts to speak the Word of God using our own unique "accents". It's impossible for the word to be changed. It is immutable, unchanging and eternal. But God has a truly special and unique way that He longs to use us. He waits patiently for us to open up our hearts to Him so that He can dwell there. And while there is a particular need for good and holy priests in our diocese and elsewhere, there is also a particular need for good and holy religious, good and holy married couples, as well as good and holy single people. "Holiness is the greatest testimony of the dignity conferred on a disciple of Christ ... It is possible to say that this call to holiness is precisely the basic charge entrusted to all the sons and daughters of the Church by a Council which intended to bring a renewal of Christian life based on the gospel" ( Christifideles laici Pope St. John Paul II). Let us pray that we live out that basic charge entrusted to us and give witness to the world of what it truly means to be a disciple of Christ and a witness to the Gospel.

Sincerely Yours in Christ,

Fr. Rob Sinatra

Batman's Column

Mon, 19 Apr 2021 15:01:17 GMT

It iz me Batman, da rectory doggo! It iz no secret dat I likez a good snacko. And as all o my family and friendz will tell u, I iz not picky. Becauz de answer 2 da question, "What iz ur favorite snacko?" iz YES!!! I doez not care what kind. Iz it a snacko? Den it iz 4 me! But aren't we lucky dat God iz very particular wit da food dat He givez us? As we listen 2 Luke's Gospel, we hear da tail end (no pun intended) o da story o da road 2 Emmaus where Jesus makes Himself known 2 two o da disciplez in da breaking o da bread. It wuz thru da Eucharist, Jesus' body and blood dat not only capped off an encounter wit da Risen Lord, but led 2 another one wit da rest o da Apostles. In dat SECOND encounter, our Lord calms dere troubled heartz and givez dem His peace. Jesus showz dem dat He iz not a ghost o a figment o dere imagination, but truly alive and dat da Son o God was truly in dere midst. Our Lord opened de disciplez minds 2 understand the Scriptures and EVEN ASKED 4 A SNACKO!!! Finally, Jesus tellz dem dat dey r called 2 b witnesses o da Resurrection! It iz da same 4 us. God comfortz us and givez us His peace. He remidz us dat da Resurrection IZ real and iz meant 2 giv us life. And we 2 are called 2 b His witnesses. So how hav we shown da world dat we believe in da Resurrection and live it out in our heartz? R our heartz filled wit fear o r we open 2 da Lord's peace? And most importantly, hav we given God a snacko? And if we can't do dat, perhaps find a doggo o catz as a replacement (We wouldn't want Batma ... I mean God 2 go hungry). As we continue 2 celebrate da Resurrection o da Lord may God giv us da grace 2 overcome fear and proclaim dat Jesus Christ iz risen from da dead!

God Bless! Batman, da rectory doggo

Exiit qui seminar - The Wounds of Christ

Sun, 18 Apr 2021 14:51:05 GMT

Over the months of the pandemic, my mom and dad discovered Bishop Robert Barron from Word on Fire (my parents, not so secretly, like his homilies more than mine). They have watched his Masses online and continue to listen to his Sunday Sermons, which are really quite good. So as a part of my day off ritual, my parents and I will sit and watch Bishop Barron's Sunday Sermons on YouTube (you can very easily subscribe to the Word of Fire channel there). Even though it was from last Sunday (Divine Mercy), Bishop Barron spoke of several important aspects that are prominent in this week's Gospel for the 3rd Sunday of Easter. In particular, Bishop Barron talks about the wounds of Christ. It is amazing to realize that Jesus' glorified body - the one that shows victory over sin and death is a wounded one. The point of this reality of our faith is that the Resurrection shouldn't and can't blot out Good Friday. We can't truly have one without the other. Easter Sunday makes no sense without Good Friday and Good Friday has no meaning whatsoever without Easter Sunday. It is a reminder that our sin - everything that Christ brings to the cross, is still borne by our Lord and Savior. These wounds show the depths of His love for us and why the Paschal Mystery (His Passion, Death and Resurrection) has meaning for our lives. It was because of our sins that such a drastic sacrifice of love was necessary and that our Lord and our God would do it over and over again for our sake. Bishop Barron also talks about that in every encounter with the Resurrected Christ, the Lord constantly gives us His peace. Instead of berating us and the disciples for abandoning Him in His greatest hour, Jesus tells us that even o ur greatest sin, our placing Christ Himself on the cross to suffer and die, can be forgiven. We are thankfully reminded that there is no sin that we can imagine or commit that is greater than God's love. SO, just like my furry buddy reminded us in his column this week, we are called to be witnesses of the wounds of Christ that are symbols of His great love and that He willingly gives us His forgiveness and His peace. May we continue to celebrate this Easter season with the joy of the Resurrection in our hearts! Sincerely Yours in Christ, Fr. Rob Sinatra

Batman's Column

Sat, 10 Apr 2021 22:09:41 GMT

It iz me, Batman da rectory doggo! I heard dat dere wuz a huge bunny rabbit hangingz around last weekend. I did not seez him and TRUST ME, I wuz looking! Last Sunday, az we listened 2 da readings from Sacred Scripture, dere were lotz o people looking 4 da body o Jesus, but it wasn't dere either because He had risen from da dead. Dis Sunday, da disciples were hiding in da upper room. Dey were filled wit fear and scared-ed about what wuz going 2 happen next. Fortunately, dey didn't hafta look 4 Jesus because He came 2 dem! He came into dere midst and da Lord gave dem His mercy and His peace. We 2 hav been kinda stuck in our homes (stoopid coronavirus) and while it iz good 4 doggos (and even da catz) 2 spend lotz and lotz and lotz and lotz o time wit dere mommos and daddos and kiddos, it haz been ruff 4 lotz o humanz (and dat's OK). And just az Jesus came into da midst o His disicples, our Lord and our God comez 2 be wit us and giv us His mercy and peace. Filled wit da great power o God, filled wit His mercy and peace, we r called 2 give witness 2 Christ and 2 His resurrection! SO DON'T B AFRAID! REMEMBER DAT DIS IS EASTER AND GOD IS WIT US! AND IF U SEE DAT GIANT BUNNY GIV ME A CALL AT DA RECTORY SO I CAN SAY ... HELLO ... 2 HIM!

God Bless!

Batman, da rectory doggo

Exiit qui seminar - Divine Mercy Sunday

Sat, 10 Apr 2021 22:03:51 GMT

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Once again, I want to offer to each and every one of you a most blessed and happy Easter! Easter, of course, is one of those special feasts that the Church can't celebrate in just one day. In fact, for the past eight days, the Catholic Church has celebrated Easter, not just the Easter season, but Easter itself through the Octave of Easter. And it is extremely fitting that on the last day of our celebration of the Lord's Resurrection, on the last day of the octave, the Catholic Church focuses particularly on the mercy of Almighty God. Divine Mercy Sunday was instituted by Pope St. John Paul II on April 30, 2000 on the canonization of St. Faustina Kowalska, a Polish nun who received messages (called locutions) from Jesus asking the faithful to understand the unfathomable mercy that flows from His Sacred Heart. As part of the messages from our Lord, He asked that the first Sunday after Easter be specifically designated as a "Feast of Mercy" and that the whole world "will never find peace until it turns trustfully to divine mercy" (The Diary of St. Faustina page 132).

While it is certainly true that we have access to our Lord's mercy anytime that we go to confession and not just on Divine Mercy, St. John Paul II reminds us that the readings for Mass on this day seem "to indicate the path of mercy which, while re-establishing the relationship of each person with God, also creates new relations of fraternal solidarity among human beings. Christ has taught us that man not only receives and experiences the mercy of God, but is also called 'to practice mercy' towards others ..." (the homily of Pope St. John Paul II on the canonization of St. Faustina). This feast day speaks to us of the fact that while the Lord's mercy is ever present in our lives, we are still radically dependent upon His mercy and love and can receive it in a special way this Sunday. At all of the Masses this weekend the priests of the parish will be available to hear confessions for anyone who wishes to observe Divine Mercy Sunday and we may never be far away from the Lord's mercy and forgiveness.

Sincerely Yours in Christ,

Fr. Rob Sinatra

Batman's Column

Mon, 05 Apr 2021 02:29:01 GMT

I t iz me, Batman da rectory doggo! I haz a question 4 all of youz. WHAT iz up wit da symbol of Easter being a bunny rabbit?!? In my humble experience, bunniez r 4 chasing and dey do not bring snackoz. Da fact dat dere iz a GIANT bunny dat bringz snackoz in a basket 2 all da kiddoz and NOT 2 doggoz iz unfair and needz 2 b investigated immediately! But even dough dat bunniez hav an important role 2 play on Easter, we r reminded by all o da readingz at all o da Masses dat de MOST important ting iz da truth dat Jesus iz truly risen from da dead! Da Resurrection iz SO important dat it effectz everyting 4 EVER!!! We as a people o faith r given hope and new life by da symbol o da empty tomb, dat Christ, risen from da dead, dies no more. Da Resurrection iz a gift 2 us and even dough our livez can be touched b death, it iz as hollow as a white chocolate bunny (Real chocolate iz bad 4 doggoz as u well know. U r smart hoomans). So rejoice! Sing Alleluia! Chase a bunny! And let dis awesome season fill ur lives with God's hope and love!

God Bless and Happy Easter!

Batman, da rectory doggo

Exiit qui seminat - Alleluia

Mon, 05 Apr 2021 02:21:45 GMT

Resurrexit sicut dixit! Alleluia! He is risen as He said! Alleluia! This traditional acclamation of the Easter season reminds us that Lent is over and now is the time to rejoice! But the proclamation of the Lord is much more poignant this year, especially compared to last. Easter is the fulfillment of God's plan of salvation, of Christ's victory over sin and death. Because we weren't able to be together last Easter because of the pandemic, there seemed to be a surrealness surrounding the reality of the empty tomb as so many of us were forced to reflect upon isolated and alone. But in the midst of the personal and general loses that we've all experienced over the past year, the Resurrection and our ability to celebrate it together we get to experience an even greater sense of freedom and new life. This is what the Resurrection is all about. The ultimate sacrifice of our Lord and Savior transforms the whole of creation - the past, the present and the future. And while it seems like what we've gone through feels like it's been forever, it's actually "forever" that our Heavenly Father offers us through the saving action of the Son. All of this makes it more and more important to get our "Alleluias" in and to praise God for everything that He has done for us. Let us be thankful for the life that we live, even as we endured this time of suffering and trial. And most of all, we as Catholic Christians have to take seriously our role as a Resurrection people. For us, life on earth is just the journey and not the destination. As believers in the Resurrection Christ calls us to be symbols of hope and reflections of His love to all of our brothers and sisters. This also means that in the midst of the uncertainty, anxiety and doubt, we are reminded that sin and death no longer have any hold over us because our lives have been purchased by the Blood of the Lamb!

On behalf of Father Al, Deacon Rich and all of the staff and volunteers of St. Padre Pio Parish, I want to offer to you and your loved ones a most blessed and happy Easter Season!

Sincerely Yours in Christ,

Fr Robert Sinatra

Batman's Column

Sat, 27 Mar 2021 16:28:32 GMT

It iz me, Batman, da rectory doggo! If u haz a doggo urself, u knowz dat routinez r very important 2 us. I wakez up at a certain time. I needz 2 go out at a certain time first ting in da morning. I expect 2 go 4 a walk at a certain time. AND I needz 2 eat at a certain time which iz about once every minute (What can I say? I iz a creature o habit!). It iz dis certain time o year dat we celebrate Holy Week and da Passion, Death and Resurrection o Jesus. Dis is my THIRD time going thru all dis! What time iz it for u? Even if it iz ur 10th, 20th, 30th, 40th ( takes a drink), 50th, 60th, 70th or 80th time ( has a snack), God iz trying 2 remind us dat we r being brought back 2 da same moment over and over again! It iz da same act o luv dat we get a chance to experience over and over again! So even dough we may know how all dis goez, da Lord wantz us 2 experience His luv like it wuz da VERY FIRST TIME! Da iz what makes dis time o year so important and holy. So act like a doggo and forget dat we did all dis stuff before and b as excited and grateful 4 every ting God haz done 4 us!

Happy Holy Week (and it's been AT LEAST a minute since da last time I haz a snacko)!

Batman, da rectory doggo

Exiit qui seminar -Holy Week

Sat, 27 Mar 2021 16:22:30 GMT

It's hard to believe that Lent is coming to a close and that we, as a faith, are about to enter into the holiest time of the whole entire Church year. It was at this time, last year, that our whole world came to a screeching halt and through the shutdown, the realization of an uncertain future. But in the midst of it all, good times and bad, difficulties and successes, Christ was, is and will be in our midst, loving us and accompanying us on our journey of faith. This reality is made no more so present than as we begin Holy Week with Palm Sunday, or as it also known as, Passion Sunday. The word passion comes from the Latin root "pati" which means "to suffer" or "to endure". At the heart of this feast, we see the two seemingly contradictory reactions to our Lord and Savior. In the beginning of the liturgy, Jesus is welcomed in the city of Jerusalem as a king with the people crying out, " “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is to come! Hosanna in the highest!” Then in Mark's Gospel, we hear the crowds that welcomed him as king cry out "Crucify him" louder and louder. But we know that what Christ does for us is the ultimate act of love, that He is willing to offer up His life for our sake and to conquer sin and death forever. We are reminded that our Lord truly has compassion for us, that He is literally willing to suffer with us and endure even torture and death because of Jesus' great love for His creation - His people. We are consoled in the fact that the Paschal Mystery (Jesus' passion, death, resurrection and ascension) is not just a remembrance of a set of historical events from the past, but the celebration of that God's love is present with us always in good times and bad, through difficulties and successes. Holy Week is our clarion call that not only is the Lord's love for us tangible and real, but also active and alive. It helped carry us through the trials and tribulations of 2020 and will carry us through all things to come. So as we begin our Holy Week let us give thanks for everything that the Lord has done for us and recall that His presence is with us always! May His Kingdom Come!

Sincerely Yours in Christ

Fr. Rob Sinatra

Batman's Column

Sat, 20 Mar 2021 17:36:04 GMT

It iz me, Batman, da rectory doggo! Lik lotz o people, I haz special hoomanz in my life. I haz my daddo and my auntiez and uncaz at da rectory. I haz my special friendz who comez and vistz me and bringz me snackoz (u knowz who u r), and I haz anyone else who will giv me snackoz. I iz not picky when it comez 2 people. I lik dem all. Unless dey iz carry a box o drive a truck o mail van o tractor (but I will forgivez dem if dey hav snackoz). When it comes 2 us and our relationship wit God, we also haz a special bond. We haz Him and He luvz us! Dat iz a good deal. We call dat a covenant. As God sayz 2 us in our first reading, "I will place my law within them and write it upon their hearts; I will be their God, and they shall be my people." When we haz God's law written on our heartz, we haz 2 understand dat it iz a law o LUV! And even dough dere r timez dat we mess up and don't follow da Lord wit all our heartz, He remidz us dat He will forgiv our evil doing and forget our sin (we call dat Confession. U should try it sometime!). So as we get ready 4 Lent, let us tak da time 2 really focus on da fact dat we are God's children, dat we belong 2 Him and He luvs us. And knowing dat truth, liv it out as best we can!

God Bless, especially all da people who bring me snackoz (and even da catz)!

Batman, da rectory doggo

Exiit qui seminat - Sir, We Would Like To See Jesus

Sat, 20 Mar 2021 17:32:03 GMT

“Sir, we would like to see Jesus.” This was the question asked by the Jewish Greeks who came to Jerusalem for the Passover to Andrew. I think the important thing that we have to realize is that this request, “Sir, we would like to see Jesus”, is the longing of every human heart. All of us, each and every one of us, yearns to not only to know about God, but to truly know Him, to have a relationship with our Lord and Savior. However, we have all seen when others, including ourselves, have attempted to fill that longing with things that are not God. And these "other things" don't have to be sinful. They can be mundane and ordinary aspects of our lives. We can personally be accomplished and have achieved many of the milestones and goals of our lives. But just checking off "boxes" divorced from God leaves us unfulfilled. As St. Pio of Pietrelcina writes, "Let us therefore, love to quench our thirst at this fountain of living water and go forward all the time along the way of divine love. But let us also be convinced that our souls will never be satisfied here below. In fact it would be disastrous for us if, at a certain stage of our journey, we were to feel satisfied, for it would be a sign that we thought we had reached our goal, and in this we would be deceived." So in our desire and longing to see Jesus, let us constantly move towards the divine love of God as we strive not to be distracted by worldly pursuits. Let us also never be an obstacle in others' pursuit of the same thing, even if their ideas aren't quite where they need to be at the moment. We are called to be bridge builders just as much as we are called to be the guardians at the gate. As our Lenten journey comes to a close and as we prepare to celebrate our high, holy feast days, let us long to see Jesus along with the rest of our brothers and sisters.

Sincerely Yours in Christ

Fr. Rob Sinatra

Batman's Column

Fri, 12 Mar 2021 15:40:40 GMT

Feast Dayz o St. Patrick

Exiit qui seminat - St. Patrick & St. Joseph

Fri, 12 Mar 2021 15:33:58 GMT

This week we celebrate two very important saints - one in the life of the Church in America, St. Patrick, and one in the life of the universal Church, St. Joseph. While culturally, St. Patrick's Day has turned into a more ... secular holiday, his feast day in Ireland is truly a day of thanksgiving and prayer to the man who brought the Catholic faith to the Emerald Isle. In particular, the Catholic Church in the Northeastern United States owes a great deal of gratitude, not only to the countless faithful Irish immigrants who practiced their faith in the midst of persecution and bigotry, but to the myriads of priests from Ireland who met both the spiritual needs of their countrymen and served so many parishes, especially in the absence of homegrown clergy. Our diocese in particular has reaped the benefits of these faithful priests who left their home and their families to come to America in order that the flock could be fled. One of those priests baptized my twin brother and myself in my home parish in Merchantville! The theology of St. Patrick is both ancient and practical focusing on the Trinity, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit and how the three divine persons in one God blessed and protected all of creation. A true shepherd to his people, St. Patrick traveled Ireland preaching the faith and spreading the Gospel of his Lord and Savior.

The same can be said of St. Joseph. Although he never speaks a recorded word in Sacred Scripture, St. Joseph's whole life speaks volumes. The Solemnity of St. Joseph on March 19th is the highest level of feast day in the life of the Church (and a celebration that even gives us a brief respite from the disciplines of Lent!). St. Joseph is considered the universal protector of the Church herself. One of the few people in the whole Bible to be called "just", St. Joseph was entrusted with the two most precious things ever - our Lord and our Blessed Mother. In an even more special way, Pope Francis has called a year dedicated to St. Joseph. As the Holy Father writes in his Apostolic Letter Patris corde ("With a Father's heart"), "Thanks to his role in salvation history, Saint Joseph has always been venerated as a father by the Christian people. This is shown by the countless churches dedicated to him worldwide, the numerous religious Institutes, Confraternities and ecclesial groups inspired by his spirituality and bearing his name, and the many traditional expressions of piety in his honor. Innumerable holy men and women were passionately devoted to him. Among them was Teresa of Avila, who chose him as her advocate and intercessor, had frequent recourse to him and received whatever graces she asked of him. Encouraged by her own experience, Teresa persuaded others to cultivate devotion to Joseph."

In the midst of our Lenten journey, let us continue to cultivate our devotions to both St. Patrick and St. Joseph as we strive to grow in holiness. May Christ be with us and in us and Ite ad Ioseph (Go to St. Joseph)!

Sincerely Yours in Christ

Fr. Rob Sinatra

Batman's Column

Sun, 07 Mar 2021 03:00:20 GMT

Batman’s Column

My Deer Parishionerz o St. Padre Pio Parish,

It iz me, Batman, da rectory doggo! And I can't read! I iz a doggo and as smart as doggos can b, it iz not in our skill set! If I couldz read, I would read a lotz! I would read da bulletin (I dictate my column every week, including da spellingz) and most importantly da Bible! All I can doez now iz 2 listen 2 da Bible in a Year Podcast wit my daddo. And I would read lotz and lotz o signz (Do dis, don't do dat, can't u read da signz?)! But 4 God, signz r not important. Christ Himself iz da most important ting in da world and how much He luvz us thru His cruci... cruci... His dying on da cross. But God's luv iz not da mamby pamby kind. It iz powerful! We see da power o dat luv as Jesus drivez out da money changerz. It iz not easy 4 us 2 c God angry like dat (9 timez out o 10 when WE show anger it iz sinful). But He luvz His people SO MUCH dat He got upset when udderz tried 2 cheat dem and overcharge dem 4 tings necessary 4 worship in da temple. DEN He tellz all who would listen dat HE iz the new temple who will be destroyed and rebuilt 4 da sake o ALL DA PEOPLE! Do we luv God and His people wit da same fierceness o spirit da God luvs us? R we too focused on da signz o dis world da we fail 2 see what God wantz 4 us? Can u tell me how much dat box o snackoz iz becauz I took my daddo's credit card and wantz 2 place an order? May da fire o God's luv and His zeal alwayz burn brightly in our heartz dis Lenten season!

God Bless!

Batman, da rectory doggo

Exiit qui seminar - God's Law

Sun, 07 Mar 2021 02:53:37 GMT

I had the opportunity to take a couple of days of R and R this past week (and they were much needed and much appreciated). One night I decided to watch a classic movie that I'd been meaning to watch for a long time. Before the movie began, the film company posted a disclaimer/apology for depictions that could be considered offensive to others. That was coupled, of course, with the removal of some books of a popular children's author that were in the same light. These are only two examples of the constant editing of the past that we have experience in Western culture.

While it is important to send the right and proper message in this world, we should acknowledge that there is a danger of evaluating the past with future looking eyes. This, by no means, absolves those of past generations from their actions, even the most heinous ones, but rather, that we can't assume that others "should have known better" just because they don't see the world with the same modern lens that we do, because in truth, future generations may look upon us in the same way. The goal should be for us to live our lives as mirrors of Christ and not necessarily become mirrors of the culture. That's why the Catholic Church was founded upon and is grounded in the foundation of the natural and the divine law. God's law will never change and carries across all times and cultures. In following the Lord, there will always be the same moral calculus that will be applied regardless of situations and social morays. The same applies to what we call the natural law. For nature, in its truest sense, is a reflection of the work of the Divine Creator. The natural law relies heavily on the philosophical 'Identity Principle', namely a thing is what it is and can be nothing else - just as God intended to make it.

The divine and the natural law are on full display in our first reading from the Book of Exodus where we hear Moses receive the Decalogue, the 10 Commandments, from the Lord on Mt. Sinai. They are the perfect union of how we, as Children of God, are supposed to love our Lord and all of His creation. The 10 Commandments are the practical bedrock of our life of faith and can easily be seen as this important Christian-Judeo morality has been woven into our culture by Western society. No matter what becomes popular or in vogue or even the "new" morality of our times, God's law given to Moses, the Chosen People of Israel and to us will perdure and remain. It is the Lord's will and desire for us to champion and to proclaim His holy law in season and out of season. Let us pray to the Holy Spirit that He may guide and strengthen us always to uphold His law

Sincerely Yours in Christ

Fr. Rob Sinatra

Batman's Column

Sat, 27 Feb 2021 15:35:17 GMT

"A stinky doggo iz a happy doggo!"

It iz me, Batman, da rectory doggo! Dis week, I hadz 2 go 2 da groomers becauz I needed it. I played-ed in da snow. And den, I played-ed in da mud. And den, I played-ed in the snow again and den ... well u getz de idea! All dat playing had lefted-ed me less dan "pristine". As I alwayz sayz, "A stinky doggo iz a happy doggo!" So I haz NO point o reference 2 da Gospel dis Sunday when Jesus went up Mt. Tabor wit Peter, James and John. Our Lord turned-ed white! REALLY WHITE! Like somebody squeaky clean, which He iz becauz He iz da Son o God! Da Transfiguration showz dat our Lord iz super duper special and da One dat da law and prophetz all pointed towardz. But as unbelievable as that moment must have been, it couldn't last. Jesus had 2 come down da mountain so that He could getz His handz "dirty" by His saving action 4 da world. It wuz someting that coulded knot b completed on Mt. Tabor but only wit da wood o da cross. And by the shedding o His blood, Jesus makez us all clean! So let dis moment b a reminder 2 us o da tings dat r 2 come so dat we can truly celebrate in da best way possible Jesus' Passion, Death and Resurrection!

God Bless (and pass da doggie shampoo)! Batman, da rectory doggo

Exiit qui seminar - The Sacrifice

Sat, 27 Feb 2021 15:29:21 GMT

Exiit qui seminat

In today's first reading for the 2nd Sunday of Lent, we hear the Lord tell Abraham to offer his only Son, Isaac, as a holocaust. The whole story can be shocking to the listener because the only thing that Abraham and Sarah wanted, the only thing that mattered, was for them to have a son. Why would God ask for such a thing, after having gifting Abraham and Sarah with a child? Even though it's not a part of today's readings, Abraham had the faith in his heart to know that the Lord would not renege on that promise. In fact, when Isaac asks his father where the sacrifice was, we hear Abraham say, “God will provide the sheep for the burnt offering” (Gen 22:8). And that's exactly what the Father does. He Himself provides a ram to offer in Isaac's stead. As we well know, this will not be the only time the Lord will use a ram or lamb in order to save His people. Through the Passover of the Lord, it is through the blood of an unblemished male lamb that frees the Israelites from slavery to Egypt. Both of these events in Genesis and Exodus are precursors of what Christ does for, not just the Chosen People of Israel, but for all of us. For our sake, to conquer sin and death forever, the Father does not spare His Son, the Lamb of God who out of love willingly becomes the new and eternal sacrifice. Once again, God provides for the offering. So as we continue our Lenten journey, what is our response? Do we show gratitude for everything that the Lord has done for us or do we take it for granted? Are we willing to offer all that we hold dear to God like Abraham did, knowing in faith that He will continue to fulfill His promise? Or do we shy away, afraid of what God asks of us due to our weak faith? In the midst of our spiritual successes and failures, we turn to acts of prayer, fasting and almsgiving that we strive to listen to the Beloved Son of God who intercedes for our souls.

Sincerely yours in Christ Fr. Rob Sinatra

Batman's Column

Tue, 23 Feb 2021 16:47:56 GMT

It is me! Batman, da rectory doggo. I haz 2 say dat I am confused-ed. U hoomans r acting pretty weird. First, everybody comez 2 church on a Wednesday (and bark "Hello" 2 all of demz). Den dere iz someting called "sprinkling". And everybody keepz talking about Lent and givin up stuff and doing stuff. No eating da meatz and even NO SNACKOS!!! What givz?!? Fortunately all dis Lent stuff doez not apply to doggos o udder animalz, even da catz! But I can appreciate what all u guyz iz trying 2 do. Lent iz a special time 4 us 2 follow in da footsteps o Christ. It allowz us 2 realize how special da covenant dat God forged 4 our sake, greater dan da one He made wit Noah and all de udder covenants o da Old Testament. Jesus' suffering 4 sins and by da Paschal Mystery (His Passion, Death and Resurrection) conquers sin and death 4 all times and ages. We share in dis reality by our baptism and we take deez 40 days 2 fast and pray lik Jesus did and hopefuully not b bothered by da Devil (I don't lik dat guy. If I seez him I will pee on him and bited his leg). We prepare ourselvez so dat when Easter comez along, we will be better believerz and holier too! So 'Happy Lent' and if u have snackos in ur house dat might caused u temptation, pleaz send dem 2 da rectory care o Batman!
God Bless (And Keep Praying)!

Batman, da rectory doggo

Exiit qui seminar - LENT

Tue, 23 Feb 2021 16:38:30 GMT

Death and the Resurrection

Normally this article would be the perfect opportunity to talk about the season of Lent and perhaps a unique aspect of the liturgical season that would deserve further reflection, but I'm struggling. On Sunday evening, February the 14th, Rosa, the longtime cook at the rectory, went home to the Lord after a brief illness. As a priest, it is often easy to have a level of professional detachment when it comes to funerals and death, because it's your "job" to be Christ to a family who is grieving and in pain. It's another thing altogether when it is a member of your own "family" and to say that I (as well as the rest of the staff) am heartbroken is an understatement. I have been profoundly affected by her death and now have to learn how to be Christ to Rosa's family and friends, my staff and even myself as we grieve. In the midst of the jumble of mixed emotions, I keep coming back to what Lent means - not the season, but the word itself. The word Lent has its origins in Old English. Unlike other languages (including Latin) which describe this time simply as "forty days", Lent is translated as "Spring". And as I am confronted with the reality and the pain of death, my thoughts turn to Spring. Winter is vivid in its starkness. Light diminishes and at times the darkness seems like it will never end. The world appears to be devoid of life. But the world is not dead, but dormant. For just as Christ has conquered sin and death for us all in general, He has also done so for us individually and particularly. Death makes no sense to us as a people of faith without our eyes focused on the Resurrection. As we come face to face with death, we long for the glory of eternal life. That is what this holy season is about - we confront how sin and death have affected our lives and we strive to enter into conversion - to have our hearts, minds and souls focused on our Lord and the promise that He won for us through His Passion and the Cross. I will miss Rosa very much, but I have hope that she and all the faithful departed, are not truly dead but in the arms of our loving Lord and Savior. That is what Lent really means. As our Lord often writes straight with the crooked lines of our lives, He has shown us and all of creation that through Rosa's death, through the deaths of our loved ones, and through His death that our faith allows us to peer through the darkness of winter and hold on with both hands the brightness of the eternal Spring.

Sincerely yours in Christ

Fr. Robert Sinatra

Batman's Column

Thu, 11 Feb 2021 17:24:20 GMT

"I iz very sad...."

Exiit qui seminar - Ash Wednesday

Thu, 11 Feb 2021 17:19:14 GMT

Ash Wednesday, a little different this year.

As you may be aware, Ash Wednesday is going to look a little different this year. Instead of having the normal cross of ashes placed on our foreheads, we will have the ashes sprinkled on top of our heads instead. This "Day of Ashes" has its foundation in the life of the Church from the 8th century. Its practice comes from the multiple examples in the Old Testament of using ashes and sackcloth as symbols of repentance. One example in particular can be seen in the Book of Nehemiah, Chapter 9 Verse 1: "On the twenty-fourth day of this month, the Israelites gathered together while fasting and wearing sackcloth, their heads covered with dust." The Jewish people from the nation of Judah had just been restored to their native homeland by the Persians after being exiled by the Babylonians for 50 years. However, the Israelites struggled to rebuild their home.

Nehemiah, hearing of his people's plight, asks the Persian King for permission to return home in order to aid his people. The king agrees and names Nehemiah as governor in charge of restoring the Temple of the Lord and the nation of Judah. Through the work of Ezra the scribe, a book of the law of God, long thought missing, is found and read before the people. As a part of the law, there was to be a public confession of sin by the people. Nehemiah 9:1 describes the preparation of the Israelites to do just that. It mirrors our own preparation of the Lenten season as we, as a people of faith, try to restore our lives to mirror more like Christ’s. Through the practice of prayer, fasting and almsgiving (giving to the poor), we not only ask our Lord to be merciful to us, but give us His grace and the strength to "repent and believe in the Gospel".

As a part of my research, I couldn't find a clear answer to the origins of why English speaking countries have crosses on their foreheads while the rest of the world has ashes sprinkled on top of their heads. One theory that seems the most plausible is that by wearing that a visible cross made of ashes gives us a greater opportunity to give witness to the journey that we are about to embark on for the next 40 days. So even though HOW we receive ashes will be different, WHAT we do during Lent, as well as what it symbolizes remains the same. May the Lord bless us during these upcoming 40 days!

Sincerely yours in Christ

Fr. Rob Sinatra

New Paragraph

Batman's Column

Sat, 30 Jan 2021 16:15:33 GMT

When God Speaks

Exiit qui seminar - Why Catholics Don't Know The Bible As Well As Other Protestants

Sat, 30 Jan 2021 16:08:01 GMT

As I promised in my homily this past weekend, there is an important reason why Catholics don’t know the Bible as well as our Protestant brothers and sisters. And it has everything to do with the study of Sacred Scripture and Scripture scholarship.

During the 19 century, Biblical scholarship made a shift towards the use of modern-day techniques, called the Historical Critical Method. These scholars used a better understanding of ancient languages and better methods of translating, as well as other cultural and intellectual approaches to understanding the Bible. Around that time, scholars started applying the theory of rationalism to the discernment of texts from Sacred Scripture. Rationalism, a method that arose in the 17 century, posited that opinions and beliefs should be grounded solely in reason and what could actually be proven and not based off of religious belief or an emotional response. Scholars applying rationalism would look at the Bible with a critical eye on whether, according to reason, the events depicted within were real or even possible.

These “rationalists” concluded that Sacred Scripture and the unfolding of God’s plan of salvation was an impossibility and caused many of these scholars to abandon their faith entirely (a very unreasonable act all in the name of reason). Called the “Rationalist Crisis”, the Church, in order to preserve the faith of believers, shut down Catholic scripture scholarship and purposefully dissuaded Catholics from studying the Bible, fearing that in their own pursuit of personal interpretation of the sacred texts they would end up abandoning the faith. From that point on the Church would put forth the “official” interpretation of the books of the Bible and the messages that are contained within them.

But that didn’t mean that the Catholic Church got out of the study of the Bible using the methods of the Church Fathers and modern-day exegesis. The Church created the Pontifical Biblical Commission in 1901 to protect and defend the integrity of the Catholic Faith in Biblical matters, to further the progress of exposition of the Sacred Books, taking account of all recent discoveries, to decide controversies on grave questions which might arise among Catholic scholars, to give answers to Catholics throughout the world who may consult the Commission, to see that the Vatican Library was properly furnished with codices and necessary books, and to publish studies on Scripture as occasion might demand.

While the work of the Commission has changed greatly in the past 120 years, it was the start of the Church getting back in the game of serious Scripture scholarship and helping Catholics to better know the “Word of God in the words of man.” And now there are a lot of Catholic commentaries and study Bibles to help the faithful navigate the development of the Bible. We’ll have a list of some of my favorites in next week’s bulletin!

Sincerely yours in Christ (and read your Bible!),

Fr. Rob Sinatra

Exiit qui seminar - March For Life 2021

Sat, 23 Jan 2021 20:10:06 GMT

The Virtual March For Life

Exiit qui seminat - Pope Frances Changes Rules

Sat, 16 Jan 2021 15:37:15 GMT

You may have heard recently that Pope Francis made some changes to the rules of the Catholic Church to allow women to be admitted to the minor ministries of lector and acolyte. So what does that actually mean, especially in the light of the fact that women regularly read at Mass or distribute the Blessed Sacrament as an Extraordinary Minister of Communion (also known as an Extraordinary Eucharistic Minister)? If we look at the history of the Church, there were specific roles in the Church that assisted the priest in liturgical celebrations: porter, exorcist, lector, and acolyte. The porter took care of opening and closing the door (a monumental task in larger churches). Exorcists had nothing to do with Linda Blair and pea soup. Rather exorcists prayed with and prepared adults and children in order to get them ready for the Sacrament of Baptism. In fact there is still a prayer of exorcism (a prayer of protection for a child and his or her family) that is a part of the current ritual for the celebration of Baptism. The lector would read from Sacred Scripture at Mass and the acolyte was originally designated to light the candles at the altar (also a monumental task before the advent of electricity) and would accompany a priest with a candle so that he would be able to read from the various liturgical books. Since they were so closely associated to the Mass, these roles became stepping stones for men on the journey to the priesthood. As times, technology and practices changed, these "minor orders" became mostly symbolic and in 1972 Pope St. Paul VI did away with the minor orders and left only as special ministries the role of lector as minster of the Word and acolyte, as a minister of the altar. Both of these special ministries were still connected closely to the priesthood.

In recent years, there have been recommendations from the various synods and meetings of different regions of the Church which posited that these roles just weren't roles for those who were studying to the priesthood but a part of the threefold role of Jesus Christ as priest, prophet and king that every person enters into on the day of their Baptism. It is this "universal priesthood" of all the baptized laity that gives women an opportunity to share in these minor ministries which other lay members of the faithful already participate. These lay ministries are “fundamentally distinct from the ordained ministry that is received through the Sacrament of Holy Orders" and doesn't pave the way for women's ordination (which Pope St. John Paul II definitively taught that the Church lacked the authority to allow).

So now, “[l]ay persons who possess the age and qualifications established by decree of the conference of bishops can be admitted on a stable basis through the prescribed liturgical rite to the ministries of lector and acolyte.” This means that after appropriate preparation and study, that both lay men and women can be appointed to these special lay ministries in assisting at Mass. While some may say that this is "earth shattering", all it really does reaffirm what we already practice as a local Church - that all the faithful are called to serve and actively participate in the liturgical life of the Catholic Church.

Sincerely yours in Christ, Fr. Rob Sinatra

Baptism Of The Lord

Sat, 09 Jan 2021 18:13:48 GMT

Today’s Feast marks the conclusion of the Christmas season & the beginning of Ordinary Time. It’s a feast of transition from Jesus’ hidden life to that of His public ministry. Jesus did not need to be baptized as He had no need of repentance.

By accepting the baptism of John, He affirms all that John has said & done & affirms his sacred role of preparing the way for Jesus & for a new era of grace.

The Baptism of Jesus acts as a bridge between the Old Testament prophets

(of which John was the last) & the New Testament era of grace & truth.

It has been said that when Jesus entered the waters of baptism, He was not baptized by the waters rather, His Baptism was one in which all the created waters of this world were, in a sense, “baptized” by Him. By entering into the waters, Jesus sanctified water & poured forth His grace making all water the future source of salvation.

The Baptism of Jesus was an epiphany. It was a moment of manifestation. As He emerged from the waters, “Heaven was opened & the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form as a dove. And a voice came from Heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with whom I am well pleased.” This manifestation of the sonship & divinity of Jesus took place in a physical, audible & visible form so that all present would know, without question, that Jesus was the Son of the Father.

As we prepare to begin Ordinary Time, reflect, today, upon these words of the Father at the Baptism of Jesus. Hear the Father speaking to You about the divinity of His Son. Turn your eyes to Jesus & prepare yourself to follow Him to heed every word He speaks. He was sent into this world to draw us to the Father, allow Him to fulfill that mission in your own life.

Lord, I believe that You are the Son of the Eternal Father and the Savior of the World. I believe that You have brought about a new era of grace and truth and that I am called to follow You wherever You lead. As we begin this liturgical season of Ordinary Time, may it be a time of extraordinary grace in which I daily heed Your voice.

Jesus, I trust in You.

THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

H oly Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life. The gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua), and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: “Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word.”

Christian initiation is accomplished by three sacraments together: Baptism which is the beginning of new life; Confirmation which is its strengthening; and the Eucharist which nourishes the disciple with Christ’s Body and Blood for his transformation in Christ.

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Mt 28: 19-20.

Baptism is birth into the new life in Christ. In accordance with the Lord’s will, it is necessary for salvation, as is the Church herself, which we enter by Baptism.

The essential rite of Baptism consists in immersing the candidate in water or pouring water over the head, while pronouncing the invocation of the Most Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

The fruit of Baptism, or baptismal grace, is a rich reality that includes forgiveness of original sin and all personal sins, birth into a new life by which man becomes an adoptive son of the Father, a member of Christ and a temple of the Holy Spirit. By this very fact the person baptized is incorporated into the Church, the Body of Christ, and made a sharer in the priesthood of Christ.

Baptism imprints on the soul an indelible spiritual sign, the character, which consecrates the baptized person for Christian worship. Because of the character of Baptism cannot be repeated

Those who die for the faith, those who are catechumens, all those who, without knowing of the Church, but acting under the inspiration of grace, seek God sincerely and strive to fulfill His will, can be saved even if they have not been baptized.

Since the earliest times, Baptism has been administered to children, for it is a grace and a gift of God that does not presuppose any human merit; children are baptized in the faith of the church. Entry into Christian life gives access to true freedom.

With respect to children who have died without Baptism, the liturgy of the Church invites us to trust in God’s mercy and to pray for their salvation.

In case of necessity, any person can baptize provided that he have the intention of doing that which the Church does and provided that he pours water on the candidate’s head while saying: “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

Exiit qui seminar - Feast of the epiphany

Sun, 03 Jan 2021 16:11:25 GMT

As we celebrate this weekend the feast of the Epiphany we recognize the gifts of the three Magi - gold, frankincense and myrrh. But do we really know what they mean? Each gift of the three kings focuses on a particular role of Jesus as the Messiah and the Son of God. The gold is given because our Lord is the King of

Heaven and Earth, King of all nations and Keystone of the Church. Frankincense is the recognition of Christ as the one, true High Priest. Unlike the priesthood of Aaron or of Levi, both of which had a temporal beginning and end, Christ's priesthood is reflected by Melchizedek from the Book of Genesis. A king and a

priest, whose origin is unknown, offered a sacrifice of bread and wine - a precursor of Jesus' offering of His own Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity in the Eucharist. Finally myrrh, a substance used in the preparation of a body for burial, prophesies the saving action of the Son of God for our sake. Through these three gifts, we

proclaim Christ as priest, prophet and king. It is these same things that we enter into as part of the Mystical Body of Christ on the day of our baptism. After we are baptized in the name of the Father and of the

Son and of the Holy Spirit, the crowns of our heads are anointed with Sacred Chrism. This oil connects us to the Lord's prophetic, kingly and priestly roles. As members of His Church, we are called to teach (prophet), to govern (king) and to sanctify (priest). These are not just recommendations for us. They are munera -

duties and mandates that we must follow as we follow in the footsteps of Christ. The clergy participate in these roles in a very specific way, especially priests who share in the one, true priesthood of Jesus Christ. But it is the obligation of all of the faithful to assist the Church in this mission. The Church relies so often on the

advice of ordinary men and women who have a great amount of expertise in a wide range of areas and issues to guide the People of God in right and holy ways. That's our mission too! The parish cannot survive without the help, support and generous spirit of all of her members. Whether they are our parish trustees,

members of the pastoral or finance council, whether they help count the collection or volunteer to stuff envelopes and bulletins, big or little, everyone is needed to make the parish not just survive, but thrive! And so I say thank you for everything that you do to make St. Padre Pio Parish the wonderful place that it is and I

encourage each and every one of you to share your gifts and talents to make the parish even better!

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Rob Sinatra

Exiit qui seminar

Sun, 27 Dec 2020 15:39:26 GMT

While the Christmas songs on the radio have greatly diminished and for many their Christmas trees have already been put away or discarded, the Catholic Church is still celebrating the feast of Christmas itself. The solemnity of Christmas, the highest level of feast day in the Church, lasts for 8 days, just like Easter. During this period we prayerfully reflect upon the impact of the Birth of Christ in our lives. On December the 26th, we celebrate St. Stephen, the first martyr of the early Christian Church. Today, we celebrate the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph and how we are called to echo their "Yes" to the will of God in our lives. Normally on the 27th we celebrate John the Evangelist, whose Gospel we listened to on Christmas Day - the Beloved Disciple that proclaims that Christ is the light that shines forth through the darkness of sin and death and that the darkness can never overcome the light! Monday is the feast of the Holy Innocents, the children who were killed as Herod the Tetrarch attempted to stop the birth of the Messiah. The Octave of Christmas ends on January 1 with our celebration of Mary, the Holy Mother of God. All these feast days help remind us of our mission as Catholic Christians, but our willingness to offer our lives over to God either with the entirety of hearts or even to the point where we are willing to shed our blood.

After the Octave of Christmas ends, the Christmas season continues with the Epiphany (the coming of the three Magi who bring gifts to show Jesus as the great high priest, His prophetic mission and His role as King of the Universe) and ends with the Baptism of the Lord on January 10 as Christ gives the great witness of being baptized so that we might do so too. So even though the secular world may think Christmas is over, we know that it is just beginning! May the Christ Child fill us with HIs joy and may we share that joy with one another!

God Bless!

Fr. Rob Sinatra

Daily Reflections - Day 6

Wed, 23 Dec 2020 15:48:38 GMT

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T he final O Antiphon for December 23rd. Emmanuel "God with us"

Daily Reflections - Day 5

Tue, 22 Dec 2020 23:12:14 GMT

D ecember 22 O King of the Nations

The O Antiphon for the 22nd of December: O King of the nations and keystone of the Church: come and save man, whom you formed from the dust!

Daily Reflections - Day 4

Mon, 21 Dec 2020 23:25:10 GMT

O Radiant Dawn

T he O Antiphon for the 21st of December - O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death.

Daily Reflections - Day 3

Sun, 20 Dec 2020 18:43:05 GMT

D ecember 20 - Key of David

T he O Antiphon for the 20th of December: O Key of David, opening the gates of God's eternal Kingdom: come and free the prisoners of darkness!

Portraits Of Faith

Sat, 19 Dec 2020 15:13:06 GMT

Christmas Edition

This week the guest is YOU!!! We’re going to talk about our Christmas faith traditions. Bring stories of going to church in Christmas Eve or when you put out the baby J esus in your nativity scene. See you tonight!!!

Fr. Robert Sinatra - Padre Pio Parish, Vineland, NJ

Daily Reflections - Day 2

Fri, 18 Dec 2020 15:48:43 GMT

December 18 - O Leader of the House of Israel

T he O Antiphon for December the 18th: O Leader of the House of Israel, giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai: come to rescue us with your mighty power!

Joining Fr. Robert Sinatra is Fr. C hristopher Mann of Christ Redeemer Parish in Atco, NJ.

The Inn and The Stable

Thu, 17 Dec 2020 15:57:17 GMT

A n Advent me ditation from

Venerable Fulton J. Sheen

Photo Credit: https://www.integratedcatholiclife.org/2018/02/daily-catholic-quote-from-venerable-fulton-j-sheen-49/

When human history shall have written its last word in the scrolls of time, the saddest line of all will be “There was no room in the inn.”

There was room in the inn for those who bore on their breasts the screaming eagles of Rome. There was room for the daughters of the rich merchants of the East, there was room for all clothed in fine purple and soft garments, there was room for everyone-except the foster-father and the mother of the One who was to bring redemption to the world.

And so, away from the inn and out to the stable they had to go, to a crude cave into which shepherds drove their flocks in storms. In that little haven, with manger beasts as companions, and at a central point between the three great civilizations of Memphis, Athens, and Rome, something happened-the only thing in the world that ever happened and mattered. That which happened was nothing less than Heaven being found on the earth as the cry of God cried out in the cry of a Child.

A startling paradox indeed. When God came to earth, there was no room in the inn, but there was room in the stable. What lesson is hidden behind the inn and the stable?

Anyone in the world would have expected to have found Divinity in an inn, but no one would have expected to have found it in a stable. Divinity, therefore is always where you least expect to find it.

The world would have searched for the Babe in some palace by the Tiber, or in some gilded house of Athens, or in some inn of a great city where gathered the rich, the mighty, and the powerful ones of earth.

But they would have been surprised to have discovered Him in a manger, laid on coarse straw and warmed by the breath of oxen, as if in atonement for the coldness of the hearts of men. No one would have expected that the One whose fingers could stop the turning of Arcturus would be smaller than the head of an ox, that He who could hurl the ball of fire into the heavens would one day be warmed by the breath of beasts, that He who could make a canopy of stars would be shielded from a stormy sky but the roof of a stable, or that He who made the earth as His future home would be homeless at home. No one would have expected to find Divinity in such a condition, but that is because Divinity is always where you least expect to find it.

Venerable Fulton J. Sheen

Stewardship - Generosity

Thu, 17 Dec 2020 15:42:11 GMT

Stewardship Generosity

Stewardship Generosity “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!” – LUKE 1:28

After Jesus, we look to Mary as an idea l Steward. Her entire life was lived in obedience to God’s call. Mary teaches us to live with joy for all we have been given. Just as the moon reflects the light of the sun, Mary reflects the light of Christ. Like Mary, we are called to reflect Christ’s light to the world through our gratitude and generosity.

Daily Reflections - Day 1

Thu, 17 Dec 2020 15:40:21 GMT

December 17 - O Wisdom of our God Most High, guiding creation with power and love come to teach us

T he first of seven daily reflections of these special days of the Catholic Church leading up to Christmas!

Joining Fr. Robert Sinatra is Fr. Christopher Mann of Christ Redeemer Parish in Atco, NJ.

STEWARDSHIP - "Stewards Rejoice Always"

Thu, 10 Dec 2020 15:47:33 GMT

“ Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” – 1 THESSALONIANS 5:16 – 18 This scripture reading sums up Stewardship. “Rejoice always” means place your trust in God; He will provide all that you need. “Pray constantly” means prayer should be a running conversation with God throughout the whole day, every day. “Give thanks in all circumstances” means even in bad situations, thank God. Suffering a little bit helps build empathy for others in similar situations and shows our dependence on God.

Exiit qui seminat - Rejoice In The Lord Always

Thu, 10 Dec 2020 15:26:14 GMT

Gaudete in Domino sempiternum; dico gaudete! "Rejoice in the Lord always; I say again rejoice!" These are the opening words of the Introit or the Entrance Antiphon used at the beginning of Mass for this Sunday, the 3rd Sunday of Advent. As we've seen and heard since the last Sunday in November, Advent is separated into two distinct parts. The first part (the 1st and 2nd Sunday) focus on the Second Coming of Christ. The second part (the 3rd and 4th Sunday) recall the birth of our Lord. This special Sunday, Gaudete Sunday, is seen as that turning point of our liturgical journey and shows the shift from when Christ will come in glory to our preparation for Christmas and our celebration of the Incarnation (Jesus taking on a human body, taken from the Latin incarntus est meaning "to become flesh"). The readings point to the great gift of the Word becoming Flesh and dwelling among us. The Messiah proclaims in the prophet of Isaiah that, "The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; he has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor, to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners, to announce a year of favor from the LORD and a day of vindication by our God" and we hear the underpinnings of Christ's birth by listening to the Prologue of John's Gospel, the deeply theologically rich beginning of the Gospel of John that announces that Christ is the light that overcomes the darkness of sin and death.

If we look at the Latin conjugation of the word gaudete, we will find that it is in the imperative tense, that it is a command. So we are commanded by the Lord to rejoice! In a world that is so preoccupied by so many different difficulties and concerns, anxieties and doubts, sinfulness and selfishness, we are commanded by God to not be distracted by such things and to focus on the one person that should be the center of our lives. How are we preparing for the celebration of the birth of the Christ Child? How have we made room in our hearts for the joy of the Lord to dwell? What must we do in order to overcome the issues of our world and realize that they pale in comparison to the love of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit? As we prepare for the celebration of Christmas, let us ask our Lord for the grace to live out our lives of faith and cry out with all of our voices, REJOICE

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Rob Sinatra

EASTER BLESSINGS

Thu, 29 Mar 2018 19:07:30 GMT

Care and Prayer for Body and Soul

robert.sinatra@camdendiocese.org (Rev. Robert Sinatra) — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 18:18:52 GMT

Care and Prayer for Body and Soul

robert.sinatra@camdendiocese.org (Rev. Robert Sinatra) — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 18:18:52 GMT

Care and Prayer for Body and Soul

robert.sinatra@camdendiocese.org (Rev. Robert Sinatra) — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 18:18:52 GMT