December 1, 2024
ADVENT
The Meaning of the Season—Part I of III (Condensed)
Advent is the beginning of the liturgical year and it draws us closer to Jesus by accompanying our Blessed Mother during this period of waiting. It involves a childlike devotion to let go of all the distractions of the upcoming holidays and focus on the expectation of the birth of Christ and his second coming. Of course, it is challenging to keep our eyes fixed on Advent with all the sounds and smells of Christmas that have invaded the world along with the lingering aroma of Thanksgiving.
And yet it can be done. This is a time to recommit to Jesus’ way of life, rooted in love for God and each other. The Scripture readings of Advent encourage us to persevere and remain vigilant for the imminent arrival of the Messiah. The readings guide us in a meaningful way to reflect deeply on the mystery of Christ and the history of salvation.
As we await the Parousia and the promise of eternal life, we light candles on the Advent wreath each week, signifying that Jesus is the Light who conquers the darkness. We prepare ourselves to receive Christ the Light, while at the same time having faith that he is already with us. John the Baptist preached to all that Jesus was with us, to turn our lives toward God, and “repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand! (MT 3:2). The prophet Isaiah talked about the promise of Salvation, and that there would be someone, a voice crying out in the wilderness, “Prepare the way of the Lord!” (Is 40:3). Their message of hope amid a world of injustice and division is the same for our world today.
Advent is a time of deep reflection and conversion, a time to meditate on the enduring love God has for his people. This period of waiting offers an opportunity to focus on our personal relationship with Christ and cling ever so closely to him. The prophets encourage us to be present to the Lord so that we may recognize him in all things. Let us not be distracted by the sounds and smells of the holiday season or by trivial matters, but in hope let us faithfully accompany our blessed Mother as we await the coming of the Lord.
November 24, 2024
Dear Parishioners and Friends:
A wise woman once told me the most important piece(s) of paper hanging on my wall are not your diplomas/degrees. She continued, the most important piece of paper is your stationery. Always send a Thank You note was a directive NOT an option. She would remind me…A thank you note will carry me farther in my life than a degree or degrees will (mostly written in Latin).
Thanksgiving is upon us. It is a holiday with strong religious roots. The very word Eucharist means “thanksgiving.” There is no more fitting way to celebrate this feast than in prayer at the table of the Lord. I encourage all of you to attend the Parish Family Thanksgiving Mass on Thanksgiving Day at 9 a.m. Here we will gather to ask the Lord’s blessings in our lives and for 130 years since the founding of The Magdalene. It is my prayer that God will defend us and protect us as we gather each week to sing praises to His name.
I will gather around the altar giving thanks for the People of the Parish including individuals, couples, families, parish groups and committees, benefactors, volunteers and staff members.
On this day, we will gather together with family and friends to ask the Lord’s blessing and enjoy a sumptuous banquet of traditional and non-traditional foods. Either the elder would lead the grace or the youngest. In some families each guest takes turns around the table reciting one thing he/she is thankful for.
We also give thanks for those agencies and community volunteers who will open their doors and serve Thanksgiving dinners to their clients and guests. They are God’s angels.
Please accept this column as a note of thanks. Happy Thanksgiving!
The rectory will be closed on Friday, November 29.
Fr. Tim
A FAMILY DINNER BLESSING
God, we thank thee for the joyful hearts around this table. We thank you for the blessing of abundant food and for the time to enjoy each other’s company. We are grateful for the hands that have prepared this feast and ask your hand and pause to give praise to your name and thank you for the ways you have shown your love to us throughout this past year.
November 10, 2024
Dear Parishioners and Friends:
During the “Month of the Dead,” I wish to share a brief explanation of the symbols used at funerals. Symbols in the Catholic Funeral Liturgy convey messages of belief, and the funeral liturgy is no exception to this. The symbols in the funeral Mass are very similar to the symbols we use at baptism. Why? It is through baptism that we first participate in the Paschal Mystery of Christ – through Baptism we grow in Christian hope that we will be saved by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, which gives us grace throughout our lives. Below are some of the symbols and ritual actions unique to the funeral liturgy:
Greeting of the Body at the Entrance of the Church: When a baby is presented for baptism, or when an adult begins their initial preparation for their own baptism, the minister greets them (and their parents) at the entrance to the church and welcomes them. Likewise, at a funeral, the minister greets the body at the entrance of the church one final time.
Paschal Candle – The Paschal Candle, which is lit for every baptism and during the Easter Season, when the Church especially celebrates the Resurrection, is lit at every funeral – as a reminder of the victory over death that the Christ won for us through his Resurrection The lit Paschal Candle here stands as a symbol of the light received at Baptism.
Holy Water – The casket or urn is sprinkled with holy water at the beginning of the funeral liturgy, which recalls the waters of Baptism.
Funeral Pall – The white cloth used to cover the casket of the deceased during the Funeral Liturgy. It is a reminder of the baptismal garment given at baptism and may be placed over the casket by family members, friends, the priest, or staff from the funeral home. A funeral pall is not used to cover an urn when there are cremated remains.
Cross/Bible – At the beginning of the Funeral Liturgy, after the casket has been placed in front of the church, a cross and/or Bible may be placed on top of the casket and remain there for the rest of the funeral liturgy. These are symbols of Christian life: the cross serves as a reminder that the Christian is marked by the cross by baptism and through Jesus’ suffering on the cross is brought to the victory of his resurrection while the Bible is a sign that Christians live by the word of God and that fidelity to that word leads to eternal life. The placing of the cross or Bible are optional.
The guidelines governing the funeral ritual states that only Christian symbols may rest on or be placed near the coffin during the funeral liturgy. Any other symbols, for example, national flags, or flags or insignia of various associations are not be used during the funeral Mass (in the case of a veteran, for example, the casket is draped with the American flag before and after the liturgy, with the flag being removed when the casket is being brought into the church and the flag being draped over the casket as it is being brought out of the church.)
Incense – At the end of Mass, during the Song of Farewell, the casket or urn is incensed. Incense is used during the funeral rites as a sign of honor to the body of the deceased, Incense is also used as a sign of the community’s prayers rising to heaven.
Funerals are always celebrated in the context of the liturgical season in which they fall (Christmas & Lent). May the symbols used at the funeral liturgy recall the life of baptism, the ways the deceased has lived out his or her life rooted in faith, and the hope which baptism brings: eternal life.
Fr. Tim
November 3, 2024
Our Dear Parishioners & Friends:
Holy Father Pope Francis has written, “Everything, including political life, belongs to Jesus Christ, and so participation in political life belongs to the mission of the Church (apostolic exhortation Evangeli Gaudium), 181, November 24, 2013). The Pope is not directing the Church and its pastors to tell Catholics “how” to vote but, rather, he is identifying and placing the responsibility to participate in political life into the arena of the church’s mission.
The Church is called to proclaim the Gospel and to educate Catholics about the truth of its social and moral teachings, especially as they impact the common good. In this way, the church’s mission includes helping Catholics form their consciences in light of their faith so that they might give witness to the gospel.
In 2007, the USCCB issued its first teaching document on Catholics engaging in political life entitled, “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizens” (FCFC), updated every four years, usually before a presidential election. The USCCB document is intended as a guide for American Catholics on political responsibility, and how to participate in public life in a way that is consistent with the mission of Jesus Christ and the Church. It applies Catholic social and moral principles such as:
1. Issues that directly affect human life. Every human life is sacred.
2. Religious Liberty. The United States Constitution protects religious liberty in its First Amendment.
3. Traditional marriage and family life. Traditional marriage and family life must be protected and preserved.
4. The disparity between rich and poor. In the US, the federal budget has moral implications.
5. Immigration reform. Must require a humane solution.
6. Racism and inequality. The Declaration of Independence affirms that “all men are created equal”.
7. Violence, hatred, and crime. Society has a duty to protect and defend its members against violence, hatred, and crime.
8. Protection of the Environment. Progress in protecting the environment lies in our hands but especially in the hands of those who govern us.
As American Catholics, we look to the church and its official teachers for clear, careful, and consistent presentation and application of principles that undergird, support, and protect our Catholic social and moral teachings so that the common good, truth, justice, and peace are enhanced, preserved and advanced in American society.
Candidates for political office of every stripe end their campaign speeches with some form of the expression, “God bless you and/ God bless the United States of America.” With a few days to go before Election Day, let us pray for our country which was founded upon Judeo-Christian principles. I conclude by saying, not only go out and vote but, “In God we trust.”
Fr. Tim
October 27, 2024
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
This week will feature two parades of sorts. On Halloween, we will see a parade of children dressed in costumes going from door to door. On All Saints Day, we will sing of a parade of saints who “go marching in.” On Election Day we will see Americans going to their polling places to elect the 47th “Commander in Chief”. The 2024 election will have lasting effects on issues important to Americans. More than 8 in 10 members of Congress claim faith in Jesus. But like all of us, they’re susceptible to losing sight of what’s most important to God. Pray that they would seek God first as they seek to serve our country.
Voting is essential in a democracy like ours. Regardless of which candidate or political party we support or endorse, the right to vote lies at the heart of our democracy. The free exercise of something so important should —by its very nature— be preceded by very careful thought and scrutiny. That goes for every citizen, whether they are believers in God or not.
Without getting into politics or promoting any candidates, each voter must vote according to his or her conscience. Unlike other religious denominations, the Catholic Church does not ask parishioners to vote for specific candidates but rather to weigh the pros and cons of the candidates and decide who will do the best job for the good of all people.
Regarding Propositions, the Catholic Church can be more direct in advising people. For example, in NY State, on this Election Day, there will be Proposal 1 on the ballot. Voters can vote Yes or No to the so-called, “Equal Rights Amendment.” Catholic Voters are advised to read the letter from the Bishops of NY State (included in this bulletin) regarding the dangers of the proposal from an ethical and moral point of view. The Bishops are not taking political sides but rather considering the proposal from a religious and moral perspective. Our human actions often have moral consequences and the issues regarding human life and minors touched upon in the proposal can present dangers to humans, born and unborn. This is very serious.
How can we be more Christ like — in word and deed — during the 2024 U.S. election? We know a few things for sure: We’re called to love others (John 15:12). We’re called to pray for our leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-2). And we’re called to live in unity (Ephesians 4:3).
Prayer for the Election Year of a President
God of mercy, our nation is in a time of great transition.
With all of the injustice and fear in our world today,
we ask you to inspire us and guide us as we participate in the
upcoming presidential elections.
We seek a government that upholds and protects human rights
and justice for all its citizens,
regardless of race, class, gender, or religion.
Move and inspire us by your presence among us in the most
vulnerable in our society.
For their tears are your tears, their pain is your pain, their
suffering is your suffering.
In gratitude for the right to vote, we pray.
Fr. Tim
October 20, 2024
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
In our sacristy, there are many liturgical items needed for the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Items include vestments, sacred vessels, altar clothes linens, candles, liturgical items, and hardware supplies. In addition to these are liturgical books, including the Book of Blessings. We bless liturgical items, meetings, couples on their anniversary and birthdays, cars, homes, athletic gear, meetings etc. Yes, we bless almost everything including our pets.
On the Memorial of St. Francis of Assisi, Friday, October 4, we blessed 18 dogs, 1 cat, and 5 rabbits with the following prayer:
O God, you have done all things wisely; in your goodness, you have made us in your image and given us care over other living things. Reach out with your right hand and grant that these animals may serve our needs and that your bounty in the resources of this life may move us to seek more confidently the goal of eternal life. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Fr. Tim
October 13, 2024
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
The month of October is filled with many religious and civic holidays (as published in our bulletins). The Season of Fall is upon us. The days continue to shorten. The darkness is longer, and the daylight is shorter. The foliage begins to change color. The warm air yields to a crisp chill. The crops are harvested, and the bounty is distributed. When coming to and from the parish remember the many Halloween events that happen along Broadway during October. Traffic can be surprisingly dense these days, making us tardy for Mass or not attending at all.
The most important, long-lasting, and meaningful practice, despite all that is happening in our world and lives, is to instill a love for the Mass in your children is to love it yourself. If you sing the songs, pray the prayers, and listen to the readings, your children will notice and imitate you. The reason for our attendance at Mass? The Third Commandment says to make every Sunday holy. That means Sunday Mass is a minimum requirement. The more we do to make Sunday special, the better.
Our first Family Mass is being hosted by the Sixth Grade on Sunday, October 20 at 9:00 a.m. This is not a “kiddie Mass” with balloons. Rather it engages the whole family and helps us all, and in a special way the children, to experience the liturgy more enjoyably and engagingly. Religious Education students welcome the community, proclaim the Scripture readings, read the Prayer of the Faithful and the announcements, bring up the Offertory gifts, and assist in taking up the collections. And of course, we have our children as altar servers! Refreshments will be served immediately after in the Weaver Parish Hall. Bring the whole family, including grandparents, our greatest cheerleaders!
My apologies for the three-week absence from Livestream. (It had NOTHING to do with my article published in the September 22nd bulletin about returning to Mass). I am grateful to all those involved, especially Brian and Chris from Livestream for their invaluable information and support along with Jonathan Adair who assisted us. Our IT person and another gentleman FINALLY fixed the problem. Deo gratia!
On this Columbus Day Weekend, we conclude our series of “Mass on the Grass”. Join us for a cup of coffee and tea AFTER the 9:00 & 11:00 a.m. Masses. It was an overall success. If you have any ideas on how we can make further improvements/enhancements in 2025, please email them to me your ideas.
K.T.F
Fr. Tim
October 6, 2024
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
People asked me, “Father, how was your vacation?” My vacation was nice. At times, it was busy and at other times it was relaxing. When busy, it was due to postponed projects or returning for a funeral. Projects and funerals have deadlines. It amazes me that parishes are hit with many deadlines at the end of August and the beginning of September.
Deadlines are important dates and times when a project must be completed; a time or day by which something must be done; the latest times for finishing something; the last day, hour, or minute that something will be accepted.
There are deadlines for publishing bulletins, filing taxes, registering for voting, putting out the recyclables/trash, applying for college, filing registration and inspection stickers, rolling over CD’s, the Christmas catalogues There are also deadlines for filing paperwork for the archdiocese. This includes the Annual Trustees’ Meeting Minutes, the 2024-2025 Budget, the Annual Sacramental Report, the 2025 Cardinal’s Appeal Stewardship Report, and the 2024 Christmas Message which will be included in your next bi-monthly Offertory packets. Most of these are due at the end of this September. Meeting deadlines requires many strategies and great organizational skills, but the best strategies and skill-sets is prayer.
There was another critical deadline, hiring our newly appointed DRE, Edward Escobar Ed.D. This deadline was given top priority over all the above-mentioned deadlines. It was met during the first week of Religious Education Classes. A copy of Dr. Escobar’s Acceptance Letter has been inserted in this weekend’s bulletin. He joins us with great humility, enthusiasm, and experience. How blessed am I to have him as the DRE and a member of our staff! He is deeply in love with his faith. He is also passionate about our youth and how they are being formed in the Faith. These two qualities will strengthen and grow our Faith Formation program here at The Magdalene. Welcome aboard, Dr. Escobar! I have deadlines for my Christmas labels and of my Annual Christmas Letter. As we know, there is a good feeling, a sigh of great relief when we meet our deadlines, only to cross them off our “To-do List” and prepare for the next DEADLINE!
Meet My Deadline
Lord, as I pray to meet this crucial deadline
Help me to remember
That You were never in a hurry
And never lost Your inner peace
Even under pressure greater
Than I shall ever know.
I feel the strain of meeting this deadline
And crumble under frustration.
Only You can supply
The deepest needs of tired bodies
Jaded spirits and frayed nerves.
Give me Your calm
And refresh me in my weariness
Give me the grace to persevere.
Amen.
Fr. Tim