From the Pastor – 5.26.13

It is just over two months since Jorge Mario Bergoglio became Pope Francis.  The level of interest and enthusiasm worldwide has been remarkable, even among non-Catholics and those alienated and estranged from the Church.  Obviously, it is too soon to predict exactly what his papacy will bring; but he has definitely shifted the “tone” toward greater humility and simplicity.  He also communicates in various ways a sort of “common man” touch.  More than once, his physical appearance and his personality have reminded me eerily of John XXIII, the pope who convened...

From the Pastor: 5.19.13

I wrote last week about two heroic women disciples of Jesus who have long shared and continue to share their leadership gifts with our fortunate faith community here at Old St. Joseph’s.  It is my honor and privilege this week to remember another woman disciple of great distinction; although I am sad that the occasion for this tribute is her passing from our midst. I suppose, were she anyone else, that we would not be so surprised; Cornelia Farrell was, after all, 94 years of age when she went home this week to the Lord whom she loved and served so long and so...

From the Pastor: 5.12.13

The New Testament evidence is undeniable – there were important disciples of Jesus who were women.  Luke even gives us some of their names, and confirms that they provided material support for Jesus and the apostles: he mentions “Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for [Jesus and the Twelve] out of their resources” (Luke 8:2-3).  In fact, when push came to shove, it was women who proved most steadfast in their discipleship – keeping faithful...

From the Pastor: 5.5.13 (archive edition...

Back when I was in “gradual” school – and believe me, in a doctoral program, it can feel VERY gradual! – I did a study of the preaching at a particular Sunday liturgy in a particular parish over a period of about six weeks.  The point of the research was to record and assess what “Good News” the regular congregants at this particular Mass would have actually heard during this brief “snapshot” period of time.  The results were a little unsettling, particularly since the parish was very popular – well liked  and well attended.  (Let me hasten to insist...

From the Pastor: 4.28.13

The founding vision sketched by Ignatius Loyola for the Society of Jesus was broad and open-ended, with a built-in presupposition that the particulars in each time and place would be specified through prayerful discernment.  The Jesuits were to “help souls” by whatever means might prove useful and fruitful.  They were to seek especially to be of service wherever the need might be greatest, particularly where others could not or would not go.  As a body, they were to serve the universal rather than the local Church – hence, the special relationship of obedience to...

From the Pastor: 4.21.13

Parishioner Beverly Swerling (Martin) recently gave me an advance copy of her latest novel, “Bristol House,” which was released on April 4.  First off, I was pleased to learn that we have a well-published novelist here at OSJ; while I have known Beverly and her husband, Bill Martin, for several years, I was unaware of Beverly’s literary career.  I’m also pleased to report that I thoroughly enjoyed the novel. The book is a bit hard to describe in brief – it is part detective story, part ghost story, part romance.  The protagonist, Annie Kendall, is a...

From the Pastor: 4.14.13

I write today so that you all can share my deep pride and gratitude for the tremendous success of the Parish Day of Service on Saturday, March 23.  Particular thanks go to the members, new and old, of our Social Justice Committee; and to the committee chair, Merridi Stokes, and the vice chair, Dan Salvatore, for their help in organizing. The day really began on Ash Wednesday with the erection of the “Lenten Cross” in the baptistry near the church entrance.  Similar to our annual Christmas Giving Tree, the Lenten Cross Project invited parishioners to “take a...

From the Pastor: 4.7.13

As we continue to celebrate new life in this Easter Season, I’d like to direct your attention to a couple of physical changes here at Old St. Joseph’s.  First, if you look in the rear corner of the church near the courtyard entrance, you can admire our handsome new brass plaque memorializing major donors to the restoration and installation of our historic E.M. Skinner pipe organ.  I think, with the installation of this plaque, we have finally “closed the books” on the organ project – except for enjoyment of its “joyful noise” which we hope will continue for...

From the Pastor: 3.31.13

Many years ago, as a young Jesuit scholastic (i.e., seminarian) at Fordham, I had the good fortune to meet up with some Jesuit peers interested in pursuing bi-ritual ordination.  As a result, I learned the Russian chants (but not the language!) for the Byzantine Catholic liturgy, and sang it once a week at the John XXIII Center (now the Center for Eastern Christian Studies at the University of Scranton).  On a few occasions, I was even fortunate enough to sing the Divine Liturgy with the Servant of God, Walter Ciszek, S.J., presiding. During my second year at Fordham, my...

From the Pastor: 3.24.13

Habemus papam!  On Wednesday, January 13, French Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran became the latest to use this centuries-old phrase as he introduced a new pope to the Church and the world.  As I write this (two days later), both Church and world are scrambling to get to know Pope Francis I, trying to figure out who the man is and what we can expect from his time in the chair of Peter…  By the time you read this, we will all surely know him better; but it seemed appropriate for me, as your pastor, to offer a few random impressions… Already we have witnessed some...