Category: Fr. Abraham’s Weekly Column

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Posted on by Nathalie Godet

 

Dear Friends,

September 8 is a very important day in the Marian calendar and for Marian devotion. It is the birthday of our Blessed Mother Mary. This feast day is celebrated exactly nine months after the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception on December 8. However, this year, September 8 falls on a Sunday and so Mary’s birthday is not even mentioned in the Ordo, the liturgical calendar of the Church. Even though September 8 is not a Holy Day of Obligation, many Marian devotees may be confused or even upset about this glaring omission. How is this possible? Is this not an affront or disrespect to Mary? Not at all. Why not? The reason is simple: Sunday is the Day of the Lord and it will have precedence over the feast of any other saint, even that of Mary. There can be exceptions, for instance, when the feast of the patron saint of a parish is to be celebrated on a Sunday.

In this context, it is good for us to know of a beautiful Apostolic Exhortation that Pope Saint Paul VI wrote in 1974 titled Marialis Cultus, (The Cult of Mary). It is a short but excellent writing on Mary. In the face of excessive pious practices and non-Biblical devotion to Mary, the Pope wanted us have a true Marian spirituality and appreciate the right place of Mary in the life of the Church. The Marian devotions should not be an end in themselves, but should clearly lead us to the mystery of Christ. Hence when a Mass is celebrated to honor Mary, the key point is that Mary is present always to glorify and to magnify the Lord. Mary never seeks her honor and glory but to glorify Jesus. Our Lady proclaimed so eloquently in her Canticle of praise—the Magnificat—these words: “My soul does magnify the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior….” (Lk 1:46-47)

Paul VI insisted that a true Marian devotion should include at least three indispensable elements: Christocentric, Biblical, and Ecclesial. The document called for the need to correct some doctrinal deviations, in some popular presentations of Mary, in the light of the Scriptures and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This was very important to Catholic Church’s sensitivity to the perception of different Christian denominations who base themselves only on the Bible for their beliefs and practices, including their understanding of Mary’s role. Marialis Cultus no.32 reveals the concern for the restoration of Christian unity in the ecumenical environment, with the document identifying some common understandings of the mystery of Mary with the Orthodox Christians, the Anglicans and the Reformed Churches.

Today’s gospel has Jesus healing a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment. Jesus takes the man aside from the crowd. Being away from the bustling noise of the crowd is very significant. Blaring voices can hinder us from hearing the voice of God. We can truly listen to God only when we create a space for silent listening. That is what Mary did as Luke testifies: And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart – Luke 2:19. He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and His mother kept all these things in her heart – Luke 2:51. Happy Birthday to our Blessed Mother Mary!

Your brother in Christ,

Fr. Abraham Orapankal

 

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Posted on by Nathalie Godet

 

Dear Friends,

I hear so many say, “I can’t believe summer is over!” When we keep ourselves very busy, I think it is only natural that we don’t realize the passing of time. So here we are stepping into September. That means our school and campus will be more alive as we happily welcome back our students, parents, teachers and administrators for the new school year. The summer vacation was the ideal time to do all the maintenance work for the school building – cleaning, waxing, painting etc. The classrooms, bathrooms, hallways and cafeteria – in fact the whole school building looks very inviting – thanks to the hard work of Julio Montero and team, and Mary Pat Burke-Grospin, our Business Administrator, who oversaw it.

Parents, students and teachers must have been going through what experts call “back to school stressors” – making them feel nervous, worried, anxious about changing the easy summer routine and adjust to the schedule of going back to school. But, it is important for us to realize that returning to St. Matthias School should be producing, not stress and anxiety, but hope and comfort. What makes us different from public schools, charter schools, and other private schools is that we teach the beauty and truth of the Catholic faith. We provide for the spiritual, intellectual, physical and emotional needs of our students and so parents are at ease to leave their children with us. Thank you parents for making sacrifices to send your children to St. Matthias. Thank you to Mrs. Mary Lynch, our Principal, and our staff and faculty for caring for the holistic formation of each and every student entrusted to our care. It was so edifying for me to see teachers spending many days to prepare their classrooms, making them as attractive and welcoming as possible. Our students will certainly feel very welcomed and loved.

Keeping our St. Matthias School open, welcoming and going is the happy fruit of the united effort of all of us in this Catholic Community of St. Matthias. Thanks in a special way to all our parishioners and Tuition Angels who contribute so generously to promote Catholic education which is an integral part of the mission of our parish.

All this flurry of activity – be it for back to school, back to regular work after vacation, or continuing work with no vacation – is more meaningful when we realize that this is the Labor Day weekend and that it provides us a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the deeper meaning of our work. The Catholic Church proclaims the dignity, meaning and redemptive value of all human work which was transformed by Christ the carpenter-worker.

Hence in the midst of resting and celebrating this Labor Day weekend, let us take a few minutes to reflect on the deeper meaning of our labor, and how our faith shapes our understanding of the value of our jobs: “How is my job creating good in the little world I find myself in? In my family? In my work place? In my friendship circle? In my own heart?”

 

Happy Labor Day!

Your brother in Christ,

Fr. Abraham Orapankal

 

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

Posted on by Nathalie Godet

 

Dear Friends,

There are two matters of importance to share with you. The firsts is about the checks that are made out to St. Matthias. The Chase bank has introduced stricter security controls and so they have informed us that every check must be made payable to “Church of St. Matthias” which is the official name of our account with them. That means they will not honor checks written to St. Matthias Church, Community of St. Matthias, St. Matthias parish, etc. So I request you, if you are making any contribution by check to the parish, to write it to Church of St. Matthias.

The second matter is: today we have the commissioning of our new Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) at the 12 noon Mass. Each year, one third of the members retire after a three-year term of service. Thus Marilyn Wegg and Frank Rees are retiring this year. They have been very committed to the Pastoral Council with a sense of passion that was clearly evident in their regular attendance at the meetings, constant involvement in the events in the parish and in their own attention to the common good of the Parish Community. I wish to thank them very sincerely for their goodness and time of ministry as PPC members.

Together with the existing members who completed two years (Stephen Busono and William Isele) and one year (Sheila Tartaglia and Didi Molano), I am very happy to welcome Teresa Yannotta, Joe Percoco and Miles London to the new PPC team. Every potential member of the Council attended the “Discernment Retreat” to pray and discern the will of God in the matter of serving the People of God of St. Matthias through the ministry of the Parish Pastoral Council. The PPC assists the pastor on all matters concerning the pastoral life of the parish. The PPC members represent the parishioners, bringing to the Council the concerns and ideas of the community to be discussed and give recommendations to the pastor.

One of the initiatives that the PPC implemented this year was the suggestion box in the narthex to make it easy for the parishioners to communicate their comments and ideas for the good of the parish. The PPC informed our community through bulletin that if anyone wishes to get a response, the name should be given. Interestingly many comments are anonymous expressing an individual’s anger and discontent towards the clergy, to the music ministers, staff members or to something that he/she is unhappy with. I have been very open to suggestions and criticisms, willing to engage anyone who has a grievance. But when someone hides behind anonymity simply to vent their angry feelings in uncivilized words, there is no way to engage that person in an open and meaningful dialog. No matter what, I am happy to hear from our parishioners not only through the suggestion box, which will continue to be there, but also through other ways of communication, including meeting in person.

Today, as we commission the new PPC for 2024-2025, I wish them another year of ministry as a consultative body to the pastor. Let us pray for them and continue to offer them our support. Please congratulate and get to know them so that you can communicate to them the needs and concerns of the Parish.

Your brother in Christ,

Fr. Abraham Orapankal

 

20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Posted on by Nathalie Godet

 

Dear Friends,

Have you ever been asked to bring up the gifts to the altar during Sunday Mass? Did you agree or disagree? I heard about an informal survey that asked: “Do you say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ when the usher asks you to bring up the gifts?” It seems the majority were nay-sayers! Some people feel embarrassed to bring up the gifts in front of the congregation, like this mother who told me that she was very upset when her husband readily said yes to the usher who asked “Would your family like to bring up the gifts?” She was a nervous wreck, worrying that she or the kids might spill the wine or drop the hosts. But nothing went wrong, and they were happy and the kids were excited from then on, to be chosen to bring up the gifts more often.

Inviting people to participate in the Offertory presentation is an ancient custom dating back to the early centuries of Christianity. In the 2nd Century, St. Justin Martyr wrote: “When our prayer is ended, bread and wine with water are brought forth, and the president offers prayers and thanksgivings, according to his ability.” In the 5th Century, St. Augustine, in reference to the offertory, spoke of the “admirable exchange” that takes place, where the faithful return their gifts they have been given back to God. The priest acting in “persona Christi” (in the person of Christ) receives from the faithful their contributions and sacrifices, offers them to God, who perfects them and transforms them into the Body and Blood of Christ.

Pope Benedict drew attention to the presentation of the Gifts when he said: “This humble and simple gesture is actually very significant: in the bread and wine that we bring to the altar, all creation is taken up by Christ the Redeemer to be transformed and presented to the Father. In this way, we also bring to the altar all the pain and suffering of the world, in the certainty that everything has value in God’s eyes. The authentic meaning of this gesture enables us to appreciate how God invites man to participate in bringing to fulfillment his handiwork, and in so doing, gives human labor its authentic meaning since, through the celebration of the Eucharist, it is united to the redemptive sacrifice of Christ”.

After receiving the gifts, the priest prays over them: “Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation. Through Your goodness we have this bread to offer, which earth has given and human hands have made. It will become for us the bread of life. Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation. Through Your goodness we have this wine to offer, fruit of the vine and work of human hands. It will become our spiritual drink.”

The Church invites us all to have the full, conscious and active participation in the Eucharist. Bringing up the gifts is just one expression of that. The family that is chosen to bring up the gifts represents the entire congregation. Thank you to our wonderful ushers who do an excellent ministry. It’s understandable to be a little nervous when you are asked to bring up the gifts. Don’t be afraid! Consider it as an honor. In presenting the gifts, you are carrying the very bread and wine that will be changed substantially (the theological term is ‘transubstantiation’) into the Body and Blood of Christ.

Your brother in Christ,

Fr. Abraham Orapankal

 

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Posted on by Nathalie Godet

 

Dear Friends,

Did you follow the National Eucharistic Congress that took place in Indianapolis last month, from July 17-21? It was an inspirational and awe-inspiring event that created a sensation among the 50,000 plus Catholics present there and so many others who heard about it from them and from the media coverage.

There were many key-note speakers, break out sessions, exhibits, conferences, Mass, adoration and many other activities. In the evening, at Lucas Oil Stadium—a massive indoor and very cool-looking stadium of exposed girders and pipes and catwalks, a brilliant theater set of a stadium—thousands of people knelt in the half dark in adoration of the Eucharist as a simple song played quietly in the background (“Set a fire down in my soul, I want more of you God. No place I’d rather be than here in your love…”).

All these were meant to create a sense of Eucharistic fellowship and a greater understanding and appreciation of the Eucharist – not only for those present in Indianapolis, but also for all Catholics. Here are two ways in which it can happen:

First is through the “Walk with One” Initiative. At the sending-forth Mass on July 21, Pope Francis’ special envoy to the congress, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, delivered a homily with warmth, joy and humor that made participants both laugh and feel inspired as he told them, “A Eucharistic people is a missionary and evangelizing people.” At the close of the congress, the Year of Mission was launched, during which the bishops are encouraging Catholics to take on the initiative of “walk with one” by accompanying and helping another person to better know Jesus. This “Walk with One” initiative of the Congress invites each Catholic to commit oneself to walking with one other person. Bishop Andrew Cozzens of Crookston, MN, board chairman of the National Eucharistic Congress, exhorted: “Commit yourself to becoming a Eucharistic missionary, someone who lives deeply a Eucharistic life, and having received that gift, allows themselves to be given as a gift.” You and I can do that by being a Eucharistic missionary to any one person we choose.

Second is through the witness of those 50, 000 who were at the Congress. They were fired up with power of the Holy Spirit to become Evangelizers of the mission of Jesus Christ. Some people described this event as a “mountaintop experience,” but it was not meant to be a spiritual high to be looked back upon with nostalgia and move on. Instead, the graces received at this great event are meant to go out, spiritually irrigating a parched land of the Catholic parishes of the United States.

We are very happy that two of our own parishioners – Bill Grippo and Emile Capuno – were there in person to attend this great event that was taking place in the US after 83 years! I requested them to share their reflections with us. So each Sunday, you will find portions of what they wrote in our bulletin. Kindly read it and let us all get a taste of what they experienced, and share in their enthusiasm.

Your brother in Christ,

Fr. Abraham Orapankal

 

18th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Posted on by Nathalie Godet

 

Dear Friends,

August is a month filled with many important saints, very diverse in life, and worthy of reflection and imitation. I wish to make a brief mention of four male and four female saints of August.

Today, August 4, is the feast of St. John Marie Vianney, the patron of parish priests. The significance and the beauty of this simple parish priest who spent 41 years serving the people of Ars, France, is not because he founded any religious order or left us an abundant collection of brilliant theological writings. It was his simple witness of being a faithful, zealous, and loving parish priest who helped countless souls through the healing ministry in the confessional.

August 8 is the feast of St. Dominic who was appalled at the spiritual horrors wrought by the Albigensian heresy which, among other things, taught that the physical world was evil – despite the fact that Jesus chose to live in it Himself. Dominic set out to counter this heresy with truth. His humility, fatherly kindness, patience and joyfulness under persecution impressed even his enemies.

On August 9 we honor Edith Stein (St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross) who is a great model for today’s young generation who seek the truth. A brilliant philosopher who stopped believing in God when she was 14, Edith Stein was so captivated by reading the autobiography of Teresa of Avila that she began a spiritual journey that led her from her Jewish family to her baptism.

August 10 is the feast of St. Lawrence, the patron of deacons. The esteem in which the Church holds Deacon Lawrence is seen in the fact that today’s celebration ranks as a feast. He was a Roman deacon under Pope Saint Sixtus II. Four days after this pope was put to death, Lawrence and four clerics suffered martyrdom. We wish happy feast to our own wonderful Deacons Ron Caimi, Russ Demkovitz and John Radvanski and thank them for their diaconate ministry to our parish community.

August 11 is the feast of St. Clare who was mentored by St. Francis of Assisi himself. The 41 years of Clare’s religious life are scenarios of sanctity: an indomitable resolve to lead the simple, literal gospel life; courageous resistance to the ever-present pressure to dilute the ideal; a passion for poverty and humility; an ardent life of prayer; and a generous concern for her sisters.

St. Rose of Lima is honored on August 23. This first canonized saint of the New World lived a simple life and yet had to suffer so much opposition. Her life, like that of St. Clare, can challenge our lifestyle of indulging in too much food and drink, using a million gadgets, filling our eyes and ears with useless needs on which to spend our money.

St. Monica is honored on August 27. If succumbed to her circumstances, she could have turned out to be a nagging wife, a bitter daughter-in-law, and a despairing parent, yet she did not give way to any of these temptations. She is a model of patient waiting and persevering prayer that finally led to the conversion of her hot-tempered husband and her brilliant but wayward son,

St. Augustine’s feast is on August 28. He is a sinner-turned-saint. Whether we acclaim him or condemn him, he challenges us to scrap escapisms and stand face-to-face with personal responsibility and dignity.

These eight saints challenge us to practice patience and wait on God’s time.  Today, with Google searches, online shopping, text messages, tweets, and instant gratification, we have little patience for things that take time.  It seems that when we have become most like slaves, there is the greatest talk of “freedom.” Are we willing to accept the challenge from these saints?

Your brother in Christ,

 Fr. Abraham Orapankal

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Posted on by Nathalie Godet

 

A Message From Our Pastoral Staff

Dear Friends,

Today on National Parent’s Day we recognize the invaluable role parents or guardians play in our lives. From a Catholic perspective, we acknowledge the sacred duty of parents to nurture their children’s faith, moral development, and to encourage a life of service. Parenting is both a privilege and an awesome responsibility. This day encourages us to appreciate the sacrifices parents make and the love they pour into our lives.

I am privileged to minister to and with many teens whose faith and values have been formed by their parents.  These adults have modeled compassion which their children have embodied through their own words and deeds. This past week four St. Matthias teens attended a week of service and retreat in Trenton.  Each day they tirelessly served the residents, and homeless population in various capacities.  Stay tuned to hear about their experiences and invaluable contributions to the community.

Notice in today’s Gospel it’s the contributions of the young boy that Jesus transformed into a miracle which fed many. Just as Jesus ensured nothing was wasted, parents strive to make the most of their efforts, leaving lasting impressions on their children’s lives. We also need in our lives mentors like Andrew, who noticed the boy and invited him to share his meager offerings. This week take time to pause and notice the young people around you. Invite and encourage them to be the positive difference in someone’s life.  Regardless of our age and limitations, we all desire to be recognized, and to accompany others so we can  make a difference.

When we trust God with our poverty, God can multiply it for a greater purpose whenever we surrender what little we have or might feel we are. Although many parents face financial, emotional, and physical challenges, they still sacrificially provide and their effects multiply. Just as Jesus’ sacrifice revealed the depth of his love, and  his miracles revealed His divinity, parent’s selfless acts reveal their extraordinary capacity for unconditional divine love.  I pray that by receiving Jesus in the Eucharist that you become more  fully alive -through one small act of love at a time.

Prayers for a Blessed Summer!

Deacon John

 

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Posted on by Nathalie Godet

A Message From Our Pastoral Staff

HOW DO WE GET TO HEAVEN?

Wouldn’t it be great if we had a GPS to guide us to heaven?  Sorry, that doesn’t exist. However, we have heard God through the Bible and from Jesus how this is possible.  God gave us the 10 Commandments as a very basic start.

I am the LORD your God. You shall worship the Lord your God and Him only shall you serve.

You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.

Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day.

Honor your father and your mother.

You shall not kill.

You shall not commit adultery.

You shall not steal.

You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife.

You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods.”

The Ten Commandments are a description of the basic freedom from sin that is necessary to live as a Christian. Knowing this was not enough, God sent His only Son, Jesus, to give us ways to live.

To Love God and Love your neighbor.

To help us further, when He began His teaching, Jesus gave us, eight statements of correlating blessing, instruction, and promise, which have come to be known as the beatitudes.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be

satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean in heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs

is the kingdom of heaven.

During his life on earth, Jesus instituted the Seven Sacraments for us:

Baptism-–Holy Eucharist—Confirmation—Reconciliation–Healing of the Sick—Matrimony and Holy Orders.

Jesus, died on the cross for us, for the forgiveness of sin and to open the gates of heaven.

This is how we are able to get to heaven, to be with God who wants us to be happy with Him for all eternity.

Deacon Ron Caimi 

 

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Posted on by Nathalie Godet

 

A Message From a Member of Our Pastoral Staff

Dear Friends,

This year has been one of two major Milestones.

I celebrated my 75th Birthday and the 20th anniversary of my ordination to the Diaconate. 20 wonderful years of serving St Matthias. The turning of 75 also has a significance for the Diaconate. 75 Is the mandatory age for a Deacon to retire here in our Diocese. You either retire completely.. where you can do Baptisms etc. for only close relatives .. or if your Pastor approves you can continue as normal on a year-to-year basis. Father Abraham and I have agreed to continue on a year-to-year basis …and the Bishop has approved.

I want to talk about the call to serve The Lord. Before I was ordained there was a year of discernment and four years of studies before being ordained. I truly had to discern about my calling. Scripture has much to say about the different ways we may serve God. In Corinthians, we hear “Now there are a variety of gifts but the same Spirit. There are a variety of services but the same Lord. There are a variety of activities but it is the same God who empowers them to serve for the common good. In Peter 4: 10-11 we hear “As each had received a gift use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever serves as one who serves by the strength that God supplies… so that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.

The good news my brothers and sisters is that if we serve God by serving others then serving God can be done in almost every aspect of our lives. One of the ways we can serve the Lord is by being more involved with our St Matthias Church community. By sharing our gifts and talents with others enriches our lives. We have many ministries here at St Matthias that could surely use your gifts and talents. Each of us has a gift or talent that can be shared with others. Take some time during these summer months to sit with the Lord … to see where He may be calling you. Remember sometimes the call is a whisper. Also, know that I am available if you need any encouragement to join one of the ministries here at St. Matthias.

Yours in Christ,

Deacon Russ

 

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Posted on by Nathalie Godet

 

Dear Friends,

Happy July 4th to all! Our country was founded as one nation under God, in God we trust. John Quincy Adams, the 6th US president noted: “The highest glory of the American Revolution was this: It connected in one indissoluble bond the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity.” Sadly, today we don’t hear much about the spiritual foundation of our nation. It is not taught in many of our public schools anymore. As Christians, we need to be concerned about the efforts of militant secularists to take out any reference to God in American history and the erosion of Christian values in public life.  It is important for us all to remember that our Capitol abounds with Christian symbols and images.

Did you know:

  • Within the Capitol there are statues of Catholic priests and nuns, and medallions of Pope Innocent III and Pope Gregory IX.
  • On the first floor of the main Reading Room in the Library of Congress there is a statue of St. Paul.
  • In that Library there is a quote from the Book of Proverbs and a reference to God from Shakespeare.
  • There is a chapel in the U.S. Capitol. Prayer meetings for Senators and Congressmen are commonplace throughout.
  • Crucifixes abound in the Capitol.
  • On the front doors of the Capitol are pictures of Franciscans with rosaries.
  • There is a painting in the dome of the burial scene of Hernando De Soto depicting a Mass being celebrated; a priest is shown holding a crucifix during burial prayers.
  • In front of the Federal District Court, across from the National Gallery of Art, there is a depiction of pilgrims praying before a cross – a splendid recognition of religious liberty.
  • On the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and 7th St. N.W. is the Temperance Fountain with the inscription of Temperance, Charity, Hope and Faith. Nearby is a quote from St. Paul.
  • Near the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, engraved on the sidewalk, there is the 56 Signers of the Declaration of Independence Memorial with an inscription referencing “our firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence.”
  • There is a frieze on the Supreme Court Building that depicts Moses.
  • The entrance court to the Supreme Court, made of oak, have the Ten Commandments engraved on each lower portion of each door.
  • Inside the Supreme Court, right above where the Justices sit, there is a display of Moses and the Ten Commandments.

If you wish to read more about these symbols, see ‘One Nation Under God: Religious Symbols, Quotes, and Images in Our Nation’s Capitol,’ by Fr. Eugene F. Hemrick. While we look with gratitude to the past to the freedom and liberties fought and won by the first generation Americans, may this July 4th be an occasion for us to look in faith to the future, and commit it and our lives to God and His will. The ancient words of the Psalmist are still true: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” (Psalm 33:12).

Your brother in Christ,

Fr. Abraham Orapankal