Category: From the Pastor’s Desk (Page 41 of 68)

Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, and the LORD gave attention and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him … ‘They will be Mine,’ says the LORD of hosts. (Malachi 3:16–18)

Praying for the dead is an ancient practice. The Jewish community was doing it two centuries before Christ, as evidenced in the Second Book of Maccabees.  Inscriptions in the catacombs of the first five centuries – not to mention ancient funerary liturgies of the Church – attest that early Christians fervently followed this practice. Those who have gone before us need our prayers.  And someday we will likely need prayers ourselves.

Our belief in the communion of saints is an acknowledgment that death doesn’t break the bonds of our relationship with God or one another. The holy ones are praying for us, and we are praying for those still working out the details of their journey toward total union with God.  Because God is love, anything unloving must be left behind for that union to take place.  In the “economy of salvation,” the currency we use to assist our friends is prayer.

Throughout the month of November, a “Book of Remembrance” will be available in the church.  There, the names of our deceased loved ones may be inscribed and our prayers on their behalf, we implore, might be received by Almighty God in a special way during celebrations of Holy Mass.

With prayerful best wishes,

Fr. John Mahoney

Jesus asks us to reorient our priorities.  In embracing what the world sometimes values little, we find what has the greatest value.

In the early 1960s, former naval officer and theology professor, Jean Vanier, decided to do something personally about the conditions he saw in institutions for the developmentally disabled. He made a home with two men who had disabilities. Naming their house “L’Arche,” after Noah’s Ark, he and the others lived as a family, sharing daily tasks and relaxing together.  Since then, L’Arche communities have spread throughout the world.  They ask people of different abilities and disabilities to live in community with one another.  “Daybreak”, the L’Arche community in Toronto, attracted the priest and writer Fr. Henri Nouwen. Recovering from depression, Nouwen became Daybreak’s pastor and began helping Adam Arnett, a man with a severe disability.  Nouwen called Adam his friend, teacher, and guide.  Whenever he traveled or lectured, Fr. Nouwen invited a person with a disability to accompany him as a cofacilitator.

In honor of these visionaries, and in observance of October’s National Disability Employment Month, the St. Joseph’s Parish Outreach Committee, on behalf the parish community, has donated $500 to New England Disabled Sports at Loon Mountain.  There, boundaries are broken and nearly 600 athletes living with disabilities are able to enjoy adaptive sports.  It’s always a pleasure to see these athletes and their families at St. Joseph’s when they’re in town! 

“Laudato si’, mi’ Signore”—“Praise be to you, my Lord.” 

In the words of this beautiful canticle, Saint Francis of Assisi reminds us that our common home, God’s vineyard, is like a sister with whom we share our life and a beautiful mother who opens her arms to embrace us.

Whether you are visiting St. Joseph’s Parish or live in the area all year long, you cannot help but to admire the beauty of God’s creation – especially this time of year when He paints the local vineyard with brilliant color to remind us of the depth of His Universal Love for us.

In your bulletin today – and at the entrances to the church – you will find postcards of our beautiful little church nestled in the fall foliage.  Please take some home to post on your refrigerator, prop up on your desk, use as a bookmark, or send to a friend.  Thank you for joining us this weekend in the Lord’s vineyard!

Let us labor to protect the environment always – His vineyard and our common home. 

With prayerful best wishes,

Fr. John Mahoney

The Lord God formed out of the ground various wild animals and various birds of the air.

Following the 10:00 A.M. Mass on Sunday, October 3, we will gather in the church parking lot for the annual blessing of pets to commemorate the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, which is Monday, October 4. Last year, among the many humans in attendance, we were joined by cats, dogs, a beautiful horse who enjoyed snacking on Table Talk pies, and a cute little pig named “Oliver” who oinked a few times when splashed with holy water! Of course, the birds were chirping from their roosts in the nearby trees. St. Francis would have been proud!

Psalm 147:9 tells us that God is concerned for all His creation, including the animals He created. We can take from Scripture that if God takes care of animals, then so should we. Many parents introduce a pet into their home to teach their children responsibility and other positive qualities, such as unconditional love, forgiveness, and steady companionship. That’s why pets are taken to hospitals and nursing homes to interact with people in need. They help reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.

We can learn an incredible deal from animals.

Good St. Francis, patron of animals, you loved all of God’s creatures. To you they were your brothers and sisters. Help us to follow your example of treating every living thing with kindness. Watch over our pets. Keep them – and their human companions – safe, healthy, and always in God’s loving care.

With prayerful best wishes,

Fr. John Mahoney

If you have a medically-diagnosed gluten intolerance and would like to receive Holy Communion with a low gluten host, please notify a greeter or sacristan at least ten minutes prior to the start of Mass to place your request.  Low gluten hosts are not consecrated prior to the specific Mass for which they are requested.  Please approach the Communion station of the priest-celebrant for the reception of Holy Communion by the low gluten host that you have requested.