November 15th, 2025
Dear Parishioners,
In preparation for Thanksgiving Day 2025, let us think of this holiday in the following three ways:
Historically: The origins of our Thanksgiving holiday can be traced back to long before the “first Thanksgiving”. Early cultures such as the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans had periodic feasts and festivals which paid tribute to their god after a bountiful harvest.
Spiritually: The Jewish holiday of Sukkot, commonly known as the “Feast of Gathering” or “Feast of Tabernacles” is a week-long celebration in late September/early October. It marks the end of harvest time and serves to remind the Jewish people of the Israelites’ Exodus from Egypt and their reliance on God for their journey, and to give thanks to the Lord for His goodness. The Native Americans also celebrated harvest time, and both the Separatist and Puritan settlers brought rations of fasting in times of tribulation or penitence and feasting in times of abundance to give thanks to God. Thanksgiving Day is celebrated in US Catholic churches, with its own selection of readings and propers. Many towns hold ecumenical services and other interfaith gatherings where differences in belief systems are put aside, and we celebrate our commonalities. For Catholics, “Eucharist” means Thanksgiving.
Personally: During this season of thanks, I sit at my desk counting my blessings of which you are one. I am most appreciative of the support that you have provided when called upon no matter how it arrives or when it arrives. The volunteerism spirit is alive here at the COTM, as well as the most recent extraordinary donations/memorials:
Wi-Fi: Anonymous
Landscaping/Plantings: The Gualtiere Family
The Funeral Set: The Malone, Mercadante, and Cleary Families
The Livestream: Anonymous
New Missalette Covers: The Malone Family
Next Thursday we will gather with Family and Friends to enjoy each other’s company and an abundance of food and drink. We’ll laugh, recall memories, perhaps shed a tear at an empty seats and despite all that has happened from last Thanksgiving to this Thanksgiving, we give THANKS!
Fr. Tim
November 8th, 2025
Dear Parishioners,
Today we celebrate the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome. As the cathedral church of the diocese of Rome, St. John Lateran is the mother church for all Catholics and the cathedral church of the Bishop of Rome. The Pope’s role is to preserve the unity of the Christian faithful. St. John Lateran is, in a sense, the parish church of all Catholics.
When a church is erected as a building destined solely and permanently for assembling the people of God and for carrying out sacred functions, it is fitting that it be dedicated to God with a solemn rite, in accordance with the ancient custom of the Church.
Yes, today’s feast focuses on a church building. We are reminded that the People of God are the Church, the living stones. As much as we value sacred spaces, we would do well to pause and evaluate our relationship to church buildings.
Let us reflect on the following paragraphs as we celebrate this Feast:
“[God dwells] in this house of prayer in order to perfect us as the temple of the Holy Spirit.” (Preface for the Feast of the Dedication of St. John Lateran)
Three inspirational Psalms
Psalm 84:1-4 “How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty!”
A beautiful psalm celebrating the joy of being in God’s house.
Psalm 122:1 “I rejoiced with those who said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.”
A psalm of joy and anticipation for worship in God’s House.
Psalm 127:1 “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.”
A reminder that God is the foundation of all we do.
“…We must always remember that our faith is not dependent on real estate. Rather, does it stand founded on the faith of ordinary folk like us? I would like to call that a “Cathedral of the Caring.” One built to honor Jesus as a loving Savior. We can proudly celebrate the dedication of the St. John Lateran Basilica not just as revered real estate, but as a visible symbol of something more profound, and with beauty everlasting. One with prime location in the City of God.” Fr. Leonard Peterson
“What was done here, as these walls were rising, is reproduced when we bring together those who believe in Christ. For, by believing they are hewn out, as it were, from mountains and forests, like stones and timber; but by catechizing, baptism and instruction they are, as it were, shaped, squared and planed by the hands of the workers and artisans. Nevertheless, they do not make a house for the Lord until they are fitted together through love”. (Saint Augustine, Sermon 36)
Peace,
Fr. Tim
November 1st, 2025
Dear Parishioners,
All Souls’ Day is unique on the liturgical calendar. Neither a solemnity nor a feast, this commemoration outranks other feasts and even takes the place of a Sunday in Ordinary Time as is the case this year. Prayers for the dead reaches deep into our human history, and it has been our custom from the earliest days of the church. The belief that our prayers can be of assistance to the dead is a treasured tenet of our Catholic faith. We profess it every time we recite the Nicene creed: “I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.”
Reflection: We know not the hour when God will call us home, yet our whole lives are lived wanting to discover what home with God looks like. Today’s readings call us to be conscious of our relationship with God as Father and Jesus as Divine Son. How would you express this to another, especially a child? Imagine you were in your last days wondering if you were going to heaven or fearful of what you have read of hell. How could you both calm yourself and convince another that you know and love God so fully, that you will be remembered fully in God’s kingdom? Know the answer and live this answer in all you do. (2014 Sourcebook)
All Souls Novena: Did you know that praying for the dead has been a pious practice since long before the Catholic Church began? During November, the Church prays especially for the souls of those who have gone before us in faith. We remember our family members, friends, coworkers, and benefactors. On Sunday, November 2nd, we will begin a Novena of Masses of Remembrance -nine masses for your intentions, lifting up their names in prayer. Envelopes to list your beloved dead are in your monthly packets or on the credenza in the back of the church. You may mail envelopes to us, place them in the collection basket, or drop them off in the rectory. Envelopes will be placed on the altar.
The 2026 Mass Intention Book is open. One Catholic way to pray for a loved one, living or deceased is to have a Mass offered for him or her at The Magdalene. Please use the 2026 Mass Intention Form, which can be found at the back of the church or online.
At the Baptismal Font is a list of those souls who were buried out of The Magdalene parish from November 2, 2024 – November 2, 2025.
October 25th, 2025
Dear Parishioners:
I am happy to announce two memorials are now available.
When we celebrate special occasions and rites of passage, we aim for the very best for our family and friends. Likewise, here at the COTM, we aim for the very best when it comes to our liturgical celebrations. With your support, we are able to decorate our church for all the liturgical celebrations. During the Christmas Season, Holy Week, and the Easter Season, we “pull out all the stops.”
Two years ago, we created a welcoming and open space by shortening the front kneeler and the first two pews on both left and right sides of the aisle. Overall, it was well received. This environmental change serves multi usages, especially for weddings, wheelchairs, walkers, and funerals. When it comes for the reception of Holy Communion, parishioners have more space to receive Our Lord. When funerals occur, there is enough space for Communicants while allowing the casket to remain in place.
Currently, we do not have a complete funeral set which consists of a pall (a white sheet that covers the casket to remind us of our baptismal garb) and chasuble (the outer vestment) that the celebrant wears. It would be nice if we had a matching set to enhance the liturgical environment in our beautiful church at every Funeral Mass offered. With this new set, the pall will be full-length, covering the Church Truck, a stand with wheels that is placed under a casket to assist the funeral director and pallbearers when moving the casket to and from the church. The celebrant’s chasuble will match the pall.
As you know, our small country church receives many compliments. The beautiful stain glass windows and the marble altar, depicting the Last Supper are beyond breath-taking notwithstanding the wood. Every bride and groom and the children receiving their Holy Communion and Confirmation are dressed in their very best. How splendid it would be to have each casket that enters the COTM well ‘dressed’! Below is a picture for your consideration.
The cost is as follows:
$2,750 for the full set:
($1,250 for the pall)
($1,250 for the chasuble)
($250.00 for the chalise veil)
One, two, or three families can memorialize a loved one(s). The name or names will be embroidered on both items. If you are interested, please contact Fr. Tim. First come, first serve!
October 18th, 2025
Dear Parishioners:
The art of communication continues to evolve from smoke signals, Pony-express, telegrams, and a variety of postal delivery systems to cyberspace. Centuries ago, news did not spread as quickly as it does today. When it did arrive, it was either too old or too late. Centuries later, sophisticated technology allows news to reach us within minutes, whether good or bad. We tweet, text, Teams, Zoom, fax, and email. We also use websites, cell phones, iPads, Instagram, Facebook, and Livestream. Most of these became popular and necessary during the COVID-19 pandemic.
At the beginning of my priesthood, parishes would receive monthly general news called the “Monthly Packet”. Years later, we use Flock Notes and Good Newsroom (this replaced CNY). However, some prefer to listen to the Evening News or read it in the NY Times, The Daily News, or The Post.
The COTM uses a variety of modes of communication as indicated in the above paragraphs. The parish bulletin continues to be standard. Articles must be submitted 2 weeks prior. Two additional modes are: Livestream and Facebook.
Yes, we have many modes to ‘reach out and touch someone’ at any time. When is it the ‘right’ time, regardless of the many modes? Whatever happened to the 9 – 5 standard business hours? Perhaps we should return to this timeslot, which will allow us to spend more quality time with our loved ones. Yes, some things can wait for a response in the morning. Years ago, while having family meals, if the phone rang, mom or dad would just pick up the receiver and place it back down on the cradle. Go out to a restaurant now, and couples and families are texting either each other or their friends.
One of my New Year’s Resolutions was to discipline myself more by practicing the 9 – 5 phone timeslots. As with most NYR, we break them within a week or so. Here at the rectory, we have our regular office hours from M – F, 9 am to 3 pm. We also have evening appointments. Saturday and Sunday are for the administration of the Sacraments and preparation for the Sabbath. Sacramental Emergencies are 24/7/365. Yes, there are always exceptions to the rule.
Now, a brief update on Livestream. First, I wish to thank you for your patience. Second, since May, we have been experiencing many interruptions. We had an IT Person who volunteered his services and worked with our livestream company. Unfortunately, scheduling both parties became problematic. So, I had to hire an IT Consultant. The Consultant and our livestream company are communicating and working in tandem to resolve our issues. This may come at a cost, but we have no other alternative. I will be sharing their recommendations with the Finance Committee, and together we will make the best decision. Until then, please pray to St. Gabriel, the patron saint of communication, as he is known for being God’s chief heavenly messenger.
Fr. Tim
P.S. If there are any changes to mailing address or email address, please let us know. Please sign up for Flock Notes and Facebook.
October 11th, 2025
Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples’ Day? Simply put…
Columbus Day is a national holiday in many countries of the Americas and elsewhere, and a federal holiday in the United States since 1937. In recent years, Columbus Day has come under criticism for its purported celebration of Christopher Columbus’ colonialism. Columbus Day officially celebrates the anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ 1492 voyage.
A Columbus Day Prayer
O Lord, we humbly pray
that You will empower us to use our vision and our ability
to explore new frontiers in ways that are pleasing
to You and are empowering to all people.
On Columbus Day, we pray that we will
use our talents and strengths for Your glory.
Make us willing to challenge false notions
about our world just as Columbus challenged
the false notion of his day that the world was flat.
Give us the courage to venture forth into the unknown.
Help us believe that You will guide us,
provide for us, protect us and be with us
on our journeys of life. Amen.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebrates the Indigenous People of North America. It is recognized in some states honoring the histories, cultures, and perspectives of Indigenous Peoples. Although it is not a federal holiday, it is celebrated yearly on the second Monday of October—the same day as Columbus Day.
A National Indigenous Peoples’ Prayer
Creator God,
We look at your world and praise you for the diversity all around us.
Thank you for the gift of relationships; our connection with people and the land.
Help us, Lord, to see differences and diversity as strengths.
Help us to listen and understand; to meet one another with wonder and anticipation.
Help us to love as you love, without expectation.
Reveal to us your way of reconciliation and guide us into right relationships with all living things.
Lead us to understand how Indigenous peoples have been and continue to be profoundly harmed by settler people and institutions.
Lead us to repent when we, as settlers, deny Indigenous peoples respect, dignity and fullness of life.
Help us to listen compassionately, to speak humbly, and to act justly.
Help us to seek the peace, justice, and reconciliation you desire among all your children.
Thank you for your mercy and grace.
Amen.
(Prayer by Dianne Climenhage)
Fr. Tim
October 4th, 2025
Dear Parishioners,
Two weeks ago, on September 7, Pope Leo canonized Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Michelangelo Frassati in St. Peter’s Square, both young men who lived and witnessed to their Catholic Christian faith in recent years. St. Carlo was mentioned in the September 13 bulletin. Today, I wish to highlight St. Pier Giorgio Frassati. St. Pier Giorgio Frassati was born on April 6, 1901, in Turin, Italy to Alfredo Frassati and Adelaide Ametis.
He was a young Italian man, known for his fervent Catholic faith, dedication to social justice, and love for mountain climbing, who is celebrated for his enthusiastic witness to holiness and service to others. Frassati was a devout Catholic, passionate about the Eucharist and service to the poor. He was involved with the St. Vincent de Paul Society and the Dominican Third Order, dedicating himself to social and charitable endeavors.
Frassati embraced the “Beatitudes” and strived for holiness in his ordinary life, serving as a role model for young people in their own journey of faith.
He was a patron for World Youth Day, a Third Order Dominican, and a proponent of social reform who committed his life to caring for the poor and sick, even as he enjoyed the joys of youth and sports. His motto, “Verso l’alto” (“to the heights”), encapsulates his aspiration for spiritual growth and living a virtuous life. His final climb included writing his famous motto, “Verso l’alto”. Pier Giorgio died on July 4, 1925, and was buried in Cattedrale di San Giovanni Battista in Turin, Italy.
How blessed are we to have two young saints that our children could look up to and to turn to in prayer!
Prayer for the Courage to be Great
Heavenly Father,
Give me the courage to strive for the highest goals,
to flee every temptation to be mediocre.
Enable me to aspire to greatness, as Pier Giorgio did,
and to open my heart with joy to Your call to holiness.
Free me from the fear of failure.
I want to be, Lord, firmly and forever united to You.
Grant me the graces I ask You through Pier Giorgio’s intercession,
by the merits of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
September 27th, 2025
Dear Parishioners:
The life of the parish is now in full swing with its activities, meetings, and events; some are new and some old. Due to a very successful Tag Sale last year, we are having second on Saturday, October 18 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Yes, it is the season for tag sales and estate sales as we see the myriads of flyers and stand-up signs throughout our neighborhoods. Some people enjoy them while others deplore them.
Barbara Mora and her Committee have been diligently working on this incredible fundraiser that has created great community spirit, and, at the same time, raised funds. Monies raised will be deposited into our “Disaster Relief” established by the Finance Committee to provide emergency financial aid when requested by the archdiocese and/or to support natural disasters in our country and world. Charities and recipients are closely vetted to ensure monies are reaching those affected. Last year, the COTM and a few generous donors helped us to raise $11,039.00
On September 22, 2025, we received a communication for the archdiocese to support GAZA. Luckly, we have the monies to send a check for $1000.00 allowing us to refrain from taking a second collection, place a collection box in the back of the church, or to make an appeal from the pulpit.
As in the past and now, I am asking every parishioner to assist in some way. Remember the adage: “Many hands make light work.” Perhaps your hands can sort, price, and sell items, bake, set-up and clean-up, or write a check, we greatly appreciate it. If you did not receive last weekend’s bulletin containing the two inserts, additional inserts and sign-up sheets are at the back of the church.
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” MT 6:19-21
You can drop off your ‘treasures’ at the rectory garage on the following dates and at the following times:
Mondays: September 29 & October 6 from 12 noon to 3:00 pm
Wednesdays: October 1 & 8 from 12 noon to 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Fridays: October 3 & 10 from 9 am to 12 noon.
Thanking you in advance because your past support in the endeavor has been stellar!
Fr. Tim
September 20th, 2025
Dear Parishioners:
Two special events are occurring this weekend here at the COTM. The first is Catechetical Sunday.
At the 9:00 a.m. Mass, our Catechists for 2025-2026 will be commissioned and a reception will be held in the rectory. We are doubly blessed to have a few retired teachers who have not retired from their love of teaching our children that Jesus loves them. For those who were not teachers, their years of dedication and experience here at the COTM are an asset, creating a very dynamic and dedicated faculty. ALL of them are faith-filled. If you know them by name or recognize their faces, please thank them for their ministry and for teaching our children. It is indeed a labor of love for they are not on the payroll and receive no benefits. Please welcome this year’s Catechists and keep them and our children in your prayers:
Dorothy Haase—Catechist of the Good Shepherd Level I
Toni O’Connor–Catechist of the Good Shepherd Levels I & II
Rosemarie McManus—Catechist of the Good Shepherd Level II
Maureen Ball—Grade 2 (First Reconciliation & Holy Communion)
Frances Hamilton—Grade 3
James Hornby & Barbara Zegarelli—Grade 4
Mary Morarity—Grade 5
Ryan Doherty–Grade 6
Callie Santana and Sophia Annunziato Grade 7
Sarah Haase—Grade 8 (Confirmation)
Fr. Tim Wiggins—Substitute
Dr. Edward Escobar, DRE
As we begin a new catechetical year, let us regularly remember in our prayers, those from our parish who are learning about their faith, preparing for the sacraments or charged with teaching the doctrine of the Catholic Church. This is a very important ministry that is vital to the mission of the Catholic Church.
The second event is the Annual Society of the Propagation of the Faith Appeal. We welcome to the COTM, Fr. David Schwinghamer, a Maryknoll Missionary with experience in Tanzania and South Sudan as our guest speaker. Fr. Schwinghamer will speak at the Weekend Masses and share with us the missionary work of the universal Church. Maryknoll’s task is to bring God’s Word to foreign lands. Maryknollers share the Gospel, not in word alone, but in practical and concrete actions – by feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, giving shelter to the homeless (Corporal Works of Mercy) and comforting the oppressed.
While at the parish, Fr. Schwinghamer will be happy to talk with any parishioner who is interested in doing overseas mission work as a Maryknoll Priest, Sister, Brother, or Lay Missionary. For more information, please visit www.maryknolls society.org
Envelopes are available in the pews for your financial support, and a Second Collection will be taken up. Please be as generous as your means permit.
Peace,
Fr. Tim
September 13th, 2025
Dear Parishioners:
With early bulletin deadlines and vacation, I should have been more prepared with the following announcement of St. Carlo Acutis.
Yes, what a joyful celebration the Canonization of Carlo Acutis was last Sunday, September 7 with the Universal Church celebrating the canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis, the young Italian teenager who used his love of the Eucharist and his gifts with technology to share the Gospel with the world. Carlo, who died at the age of 15 in 2006, is often called the “Cyber Apostle of the Eucharist.” His life reminds us that holiness is possible at any age and that modern tools can be used to serve Christ and His Church. I invite all parishioners to come together for this joyful occasion as we honor the Church’s newest saint and ask for his intercession, especially for our young people and families. I encourage families in our parish to watch the Beatification of St. Carlo Acutis with your children. This is a ‘living’ catechizes on how a person is canonized.
Francesca Pollio Fenton, CNN Staff writes: Carlo Acutis was born May 3, 1991, in London to Andrea Acutis and Antonia Salzano, and raised in Milan, Italy. Carlo was diagnosed with leukemia as a teenager. From a young age, Carlo had a special love for God, the rosary, and the Eucharist. He managed to get himself to Mass and to convince others to receive Communion daily.” Salzano spoke to “EWTN News Nightly” in October 2023 about her son’s devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. She said: “He used to say, ‘There are queues in front of a concert, in front of a football match, but I don’t see these queues in front of a church.. So, for him the Eucharist was the center of his life.
Carlo’s witness of faith as a child led adults to convert and be baptized. Carlo wasn’t afraid to defend Church teaching, even in situations when his classmates disagreed with him. Many of Carlo’s high school classmates remember Carlo giving a passionate defense for the protection of life. Carlo was a faithful friend. He was known for standing up for kids at school who got bullied, especially kids with disabilities.
Carlo was fascinated with computer coding and taught himself some of the basic coding languages, including C and C++. Carlo loved playing video games. He had conversations with his gaming buddies about the importance of going to Mass and confession and limited his video game playing to no more than two hours per week. Carlo also liked Spider-Man and Pokémon.
Carlo died on Oct. 12, 2006, and was buried in Assisi.
“Not I, but God.” – St. Carlo Acutis
Fr. Tim
September 6th, 2025
Dear Parishioners:
Now that vacations are over and we resume regular school and work activities, please reflect on the following questions:
What is Mass? The Church defines Mass as “the source and summit of the Christian life.” This means the Eucharist is the foundation of Christian life, as it makes present the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and is central to the spiritual nourishment of believers. Around A.D. 150, Saint Justin described a celebration of the Eucharist that closely resembled today’s Catholic Mass. Within the Mass itself, there are two main divisions – the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
What is Our Sunday Obligation? The present Code of Canon Law reads: “On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are bound to participate in the Mass.” The expectation is that the person will attend a complete Mass. At no time, however, were we advised to regularly skip parts of the Mass, at the beginning or the end, because they were important and integral to the Sunday celebration of the Eucharist. A Catholic Catechism quotes the Canon and states, “Those who deliberately fail in this obligation commit a grave sin.”
Does watching Mass on TV/Livestream fulfill our Sunday Obligation? The predominant goal of Mass Livestream has been to help bring the Mass to those who would otherwise not have access. The sick and homebound parishioners were given a new way to be part of the community. During the pandemic, COVID brought about an extreme need to have the Masses livestreamed. In the age of technology and instant communication, email, voicemail, YouTube, and Livestream Masses are becoming popular and convenient. Livestream serves as a great benefit, especially for those who wish to be part of the community when sharing special ceremonies such as marriages and baptisms with families around the world.
Gathering together as a community of faith is important. Sacraments are community events where we encounter God and one another. When we gather together, we are most visibly the Church, the body of Christ. Livestream is a one-way medium. It allows us to watch without really being able to give responses. We need to take an active part in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. The downfall of Livestreaming Masses is that the participants cannot receive the Body and Blood of Christ, soul and divinity. We have to work better on correcting people’s misunderstanding about the importance of in-person worship.
Please do not read this as a rebuke to anyone because no one is to judge another unless all the surrounding circumstances are known. We do not want you to lose any connection with the parish. All Catholics have the identical Sunday obligation, whether they be people, popes, or priests. Some have work responsibilities that completely prevent Mass attendance on Sunday. Others have parental or family duties that force them to be late or leave early. All of these types of factors are essential to making a sound decision of conscience about the Mass obligation.
Every last one of our parishioners is important and are needed to make our Sunday Eucharistic assembly of believers, united in prayer, in Christ. Whenever possible, we want everyone for the whole Mass: all around, those who are comfortable in the back, and those who sit in particular pews at the right, left, or center of our beautiful country church.
Fr. Tim