Today, we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family, within the Octave of Christmas.

From Jesus’ adulthood, we can glimpse the prayer life He learned from His parents. He prayed the morning offering of pious Jews (Mk 12:29- 30). He prayed spontaneously. He took time to pray alone. And, He also prayed with His friends. Jesus fasted and marked the holy days. Many of these habits were probably acquired from His family life in Nazareth.

We know that work was important to Jesus’ family. In adulthood, He was called not just “Joseph’s son” but “the carpenter’s son.” Joseph was skilled in a trade that was highly regarded, and he trained Jesus in the same craft.

We can conclude from Jesus’ preaching that Mary was industrious and frugal. It was likely, from her example, that Jesus drew many of His favorite stories: a woman finding just the right cloth to patch a piece of clothing, a woman setting aside leaven for tomorrow’s baking, a widow searching her house for a lost coin. Hard work, struggling to pay the bills, taking long road trips, praying simple devotions — all of this, we learn from the Gospels.

We look to the family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph for inspiration and encouragement. They were a model family in which both parents worked hard, helped, understood and accepted each other, and took good care of their Child so that He might grow up not only in human knowledge but also as a Child of God. The Rite of Baptism and The Catechism of the Catholic Church give the following advice to parents: “Parents have the first responsibility for the education of their children. They bear witness to this responsibility by creating a home where tenderness, forgiveness, respect, fidelity, and service are the rule.” The Feast of the Holy Family reminds us that, as the basic unit of the universal Church, each of us and our families are called to holiness. In fact, Jesus Christ has instituted two Sacraments in His Church to help society become Holy: the Sacrament of Holy Orders and the Sacrament of Marriage.

Through the Sacrament of Holy Orders (or The Priesthood), Jesus sanctifies the priest as well as his parish. Similarly, by the Sacrament of Marriage, Jesus sanctifies not only the spouses but also the entire family. The husband and wife attain holiness when they discharge their duties faithfully, trusting in God and drawing on the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. Families become holy when Christ Jesus is present within them. Jesus becomes truly present in the parish church through the Sacrifice of the Holy Mass. Similarly, Jesus becomestruly present in a family when all the members live in the Christian spirit of sacrifice.

The homeless man or woman in the streets of our cities, fighting the cold and the snow, is part of our family. The drug addict, living in fear and loneliness, is a member of our family. The sick person, dying, alone, dirty and maybe even obnoxious, is a member of our family. The person sitting in the prison cell for whatever reason is also a child of God and, as such, is a member of our family. “What so ever you did for the least of my brethren … you did for me.” (Mt 25:40)

Some families are strong in virtue, some struggle with basic communications. Some are faithful day in and day out, some are broken and deeply wounded. No matter the case, know that God wants to enter more deeply into our family life just as it is … right now. Let us invite the Triune God to make our families a Holy Family.

Many years ago, in Tuckahoe, three men were pouring a mixture of water, sand, lime and other ingredients into a trough. A passer-by asked them what they were doing. The first said, "I am making mortar." The second said: "I am laying bricks." But the third said, "I am building a Cathedral." They were doing similar things, but each looked at it differently -- what a difference that made!

Today, we celebrate Stewardship Sunday. What is “stewardship”? There are many principles of secular stewardship: environmental, products, land, stockpiles (weapons), etc., just to name a few. Stewardship is also a theological belief that we humans are responsible for the world and should take care of and look after it.

Believers in stewardship are usually people who believe that one God created the universe and all that is within it. They also believe that we must take care of not only ourselves but each other: We are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers.

This is similar to the way people relate to stewardship of their parish. They may give of their time, talents and/or treasures, but one person may say, "Oh! All they do is ask for money." The second person replies, "Well, you have to pay the bills and help those who are in need." The third person says, "I am building the Body of Christ." The three are providing stewardship — but what a difference in their approaches and attitudes!

Scripture readings reflect those differences. Poor Job says that life is nothing but drudgery: “When I lie down at night, I toss and turn - and wonder when morning will come. But when I get up, I am tired and I ask how long until I can get back to bed!” (Job 7:4) For sure, some of us can identify with Job, but St. Paul takes a different approach. Few worked as hard as he did or went through as many trials. Yet, he says, "I do so willingly... I have been entrusted with a stewardship." (1 Corinthians 9:17)

St. Peter's mother-in-law was in bed, sick, when Peter brought unexpected guests. One of them, Jesus, went to her bedside, took her hand and she sat up. The fever subsided and she got out of bed, "and waited on (served) them all." Now, some think the grateful woman would have preferred to stay in bed, but, for people in ancient times, hospitality was very important. It was the glue that held their society together. For St. Peter's mother-in-law, hospitality was a sacred duty, her stewardship.

For us in the Parish of Immaculate Conception and Assumption of Our Lady, our stewardship has “spoken louder than words.” Our Parish is so grateful for the generosity that has been demonstrated in the many requests to “help thy neighbor.” St. Francis of Assisi once said, “Preach the Gospel always .. and, if necessary, use words.”

Be grateful that God has chosen us to be His messengers, angels, and stewards to each other and the world. And, remember, we are not simply mixing mortar, we are building a cathedral. We give our time, talent and treasure lovingly; we are building the Body of Christ. We have been entrusted with a Stewardship. Amen.

Today, we celebrate the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi and I am writing about his connection with the San Damiano Crucifix. The original crucifix hangs in the Basilica of Santa Chiara (St. Clare) in Assisi. There is no date of origin, but a similar crucifix by Alberto Sozio is in the Cathedral of Spoleto and is dated 1187.

Type of Crucifix

The crucifix is an icon portraying images of people who have a part in the meaning of the crucifixion. The tradition of such crucifixes began in the Eastern Church and was carried by the Serbian Monks to the Umbrian district of Italy. The purpose of an icon crucifix was to teach the meaning of the event depicted and thereby strengthen the faith of the people.

Christ Crucified

Jesus Christ is represented as both wounded and strong. His halo is typical of a glorified crucifix. He projects the life of divine nature in a body pierced by nails in the hands and feet and by the soldier's lance in the side. This representation contrasts with the regal Christ portrayed on the crucifix in earlier centuries and the suffering, dying Christ depicted generally throughout the church in the 14th century. It is said that those who are for Jesus are painted as large figures while those against Jesus are small. Above the head of Christ is the inscription in Latin: Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.

Major Witnesses

On the left side are Mary, Mother of Jesus, and St. John the Beloved, to whom Jesus gave His mother. On the right side are Mary Magdalene, Mary (Mother of James), and the centurion who, in Mark's Gospel, proclaims, "Truly, this is the Son of God." Both Mary and Mary Magdalene have their hands placed on their cheeks to reflect extreme grief and anguish. Also depicted are “Minor Witnesses,” angels, and several patron Saints at the base.

The Heavenly Welcome

On the top of the crucifix, we see Jesus ascending to His Father. Ten angels are shown with five of them extending their hands in a welcoming gesture to Jesus, who has His hand raised in the form of a greeting.

The Right Hand of God

At the very top of the crucifix is the right hand of the Father with two fingers extended. Jesus is being raised from the dead by the right hand of God. This can also be understood as the blessing of God the Father on all that Jesus has done.

The Bird and Animal

On the right side of the picture next to the left calf of Jesus, there is a small figure of a fowl. Some art historians have interpreted it to be a rooster, a symbol of Jesus' betrayer.

St. Francis heard Jesus’ words from the crucifix: “Francis, go and repair my church which you see… is falling into ruin.” The Saint took the words literally and repaired the little church of San Damiano and two others before getting the point that the challenge was not to be a construction worker but to do his reparations among the people of God. Thus began his preaching ministry on the road.

A special thank you to Fr. André Cirino, OFM, for his assistance.

To some, being Catholic means giving up chocolate for Lent. But those who explore our Catholic heritage discover thousands of years of meaning, insight, and life-giving resources: inspiring stories about people from Abraham to Mother Teresa, practical instruction by some of the most brilliant thinkers of all time, along with tried and true spiritual practices that make people grow in character and happiness.

The Catholic Church is all about preserving and enjoying the WHOLE, rich heritage of Christ. In fact, the word “Catholic” comes from the Greek word for “whole.” The problem is that some preserve outward practices of this heritage, like giving up something for Lent, but have lost the connection with the meaning and power of the practice.

Take, for example, the Sign of the Cross. For some, it is just a mechanical part of “logging on” and “logging off” of our time “connected” to God via prayer. For others, it seems no more than a goodluck charm to make superstitiously before stepping up to bat in a baseball game.

To learn what crossing yourself really means, we need to explore from where it comes. In baptism, a cross is traced on the foreheads of the to-bebaptized. The same happens in the Sacrament of Confirmation, when it is done with sacred oil called “chrism.” As the cross is traced, the name of the Triune God is pronounced: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

How far back in time does this practice go? Notice that, in the book of Revelation, those doomed to death have the mark of the beast on their foreheads while the 144,000 in white robes have been sealed with the name of God and the Lamb (Rev. 7:3-4, Rev. 11:1). Sounds a lot like the sign of the cross, doesn’t it?

In the early Church, the sign of the cross was seen as the brand or mark on the body of a Christian that indicated that he or she was now the property of a new Master and under the protection of that Master. The blood of the lamb on the doorposts of the Israelites protected them from the Angel of Death who “passed over” their homes. The sign of the cross on the Christian says “hands off!” to the power of darkness.

But this sign means even more than that we belong to the Triune God. It indicates HOW and WHY we’ve come to belong to God and are entitled to His protection. We stake our claim to heaven on what Jesus did for us on Calvary. Each time we make this sign, it is a renewal of our “decision for Christ,” our intimate relationship of love with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit which comes as a pure gift of God’s grace through faith, Baptism and Confirmation. This humble, simple prayer contains the very essence of the gospel: The Good News!

In the Name of The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit. (+)

We need to talk about becoming a saint with a lowercase "s”: one of the millions of unnamed and unknown persons who have found God in their lives and loved God with all their minds, souls and hearts. You may know some of them. Perhaps, there is one sitting next to you, but none of us can make ourselves a saint. It is God who reaches out to us, not we who first choose God.

It is very Catholic and delightful, it seems to me, the way we feel so at home with the Saints and we not only admire them and ask their intercession with God for spiritual favors but also send them requests for the daily things of life. St. Anthony of Padua is a good example. Some of us remember the little prayer/ rhyme to him: “St. Anthony, St. Anthony, look around; something’s lost that must be found.”

Let me present to you a Saint whose Feast Day happens to be today. His life and devotions continue to inspire us, particularly during this stressful time of a worldwide pandemic. His name is St. Peter Julian Eymard.

St. Peter Julian knew that the Eucharist was key to helping Catholics live out their Baptism and preached, by word and example, the Good News of Jesus Christ. He was beatified in 1925 and canonized in 1962, one day after Vatican II’s first session ended. St. Peter Julian truly deserves to be called an outstanding Apostle of the Eucharist. In fact, his mission in the Church consisted of promoting the centrality of the Eucharistic Mystery in the whole life of the Christian community. His life was centered on the Eucharist, and he himself became a monstrance: an instrument of showing the reality of the Presence of Jesus among us.

The French sculptor Auguste Rodin received counsel from St. Eymard when Rodin entered the Congregation as a lay brother in 1862, having given up art after the death of his sister. Rodin later produced a bust of St. Peter Julian Eymard (pictured).

As this worldwide pandemic of Coronavirus gets under better control, Adoration, Benediction and reception of the Eucharist is finally returning to our community. With the completion of The Divine Mercy Chapel in our Parish Center, devotions to the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction will be available on a more frequent basis. Thanks for your help, St. Peter Julian.

We, too, must also recognize our call to holiness. There are no class distinctions in the Church or in the Christian life, nor are there any obstacles that prevent one from striving and achieving a deep spiritual life. We need to look at the obstacles and see them for what they are: Opportunities! There are enough opportunities, suffering, challenges and, above all, enough Grace for all of us to be as passionate about God as the Saints are.

St. Peter Julian Eymard, pray for us.

We began the Lenten Season on Ash Wednesday. While many look forward to this time as an opportunity for spiritual growth and renewal, some of us see it as a liturgical season to dread. We may focus on, “What am I going to give up?” Who wouldn’t dread a liturgical season with such a narrow focus?

Over these next few weeks, we are all encouraged to reflect on the real purpose of Lent, the power such a season can be for us, and the real potential for a deeper commitment to our Catholic faith. A deeper understanding could give us a new attitude.

Baptism is one of Lent’s foundational focuses. At the Easter Vigil, “the Elect,” which were received by our Parish last Sunday, will be fully initiated as Catholics through the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist.

It is no coincidence that, on Easter Sunday, all the baptized renew our baptismal promises. Note that I said we are going to “renew” our baptismal promises and not merely “repeat” them.

“Repeating” simply recalls something that happened in the past; “renewing” is entirely different. Renewing our baptismal promises makes a distinction that there is still something foundational about Baptism in our lives.

Renewing our baptismal promises opens our hearts to God’s grace. Grace reveals God’s great love for us and God’s purpose for our life. This great divine love energizes our own love and leads us to a deeper commitment to live these promises more faithfully. Easter is a time in the liturgical year for us to remember that we are baptized once for a lifetime and not merely once in a lifetime. Lent is the time to prepare us to make that renewal faithfully.

Our world, our country, and our Church all need us to rediscover the beauty and power of Baptism and our Call to Holiness. Our baptism calls us to a life of holiness that reveals Jesus’ great and merciful love to all humanity and all creation. Our faith also commits us to restoring the human community and all creation to a life of justice, peace, and solidarity.

Lent is a season especially for the catechumens and candidates learning and transforming in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA); they are now officially designated as “The Elect.” Lent is their final time of spiritual preparation before entering into the full sacramental life at the Easter Vigil.

The Catholic faithful are called to walk with the Elect in their journey of spiritual cleansing and growth. Through the ancient penitential practices of prayer, fasting, and charitable works, we search our own hearts and souls for those areas of darkness still in need of God’s bountiful mercy and healing. As the RCIA states, “bring out then strengthen all that is upright, strong, and good.”

Today, we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. This feast returns us to the Christmas season, focusing on the person of the Lord. Jesus is seen as a child, presented to the priests according to the Law of Moses. The Law was in response to the final plague upon the Egyptians, the killing of the first born. It forced them to free the people of Israel. If you recall, the Angel of Death came into Egypt but passed over the children of Israel. Since the first born of the people of Israel were spared the plague, they were seen as belonging to the Lord.

In Jesus’ day, 40 days after birth was the traditional time to present the newborn child in the Temple. According to St Luke, this was a custom that Mary and Joseph observed. It would be an occasion for celebration. Every child is loved and celebrated, but the first child transforms the couple — husband and wife — into a family.

The child who is presented in the gospel is more than the joy of His parents; He is the joy of the world. This child is different from all the others. This child is the Lord.

What we celebrate today is an extraordinary meeting of God with God. The Temple, His dwelling place on Earth, is visited by the Holy One. Jesus’ first action is to come to the privileged place of encounter between God and Man. And of course, where does God meet man most wonderfully of all? In the very person of Jesus Christ — true God and true man.

Another interesting sidelight is that you have a meeting between the young and the old. The old have been faithful and persevered in their faith and are, late in life, rewarded. Their hope is fulfilled. In their old age, they meet the eternally youthful Son of God.

At a time when society justifies euthanasia and it is presumed that a person of advanced years is worthless unless they are fulfilling some useful function, it is heartening to see the old so valued in scripture. Human life is sacred; it is not what we do, but what we are, that gives us value.

This Feast is very old and was celebrated in the East as early as the 4th century. It came to be celebrated in Rome at the end of the 7th century and spread through the Western Church from there. The Church has used candles throughout its history to symbolize Christ, the Light of the World. As the candle burns and gives light, so it consumes itself — just as Christ gave His life as a sacrifice on the Cross for the salvation of all. Our task is to bring light to these dark corners, to proclaim Christ’s Gospel of justice, love and peace.

It is particularly relevant today that we preach the Gospel of Life. We live in a society where abortion is regarded as quite acceptable; where euthanasia is increasingly finding a place; where war is still seen as a valid solution to differences; where the lives of the poorest people of the world are not regarded as being of the same worth as our own. This is a society that needs Christ.