St. Bartholomew Church

February 19, 2012

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Our Lenten Retreat begins this Wednesday when we receive the sign of ashes proclaiming that we are willing to turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel. Every year we try again to deepen our relationship with Jesus Christ. As Jesus entered into the desert to fast and pray so we enter into the desert of our daily lives to be with Christ. Our Penitential Acts of Prayer, Fasting and Charity, are meant to open us op to the redeeming power of God's merciful love through the suffering, death and resurrection of Our Lord.

Lent is a 40-day retreat preparing us to renew our Baptismal vows at Easter. With this in mind it might be helpful to attend mass more frequently on the weekdays of Lent or come to celebrate the Stations of the Cross on the Friday evenings of Lent. Lent is a good time to pick up a spiritual book, there are hundreds of titles to choose from, especially the classics of our Catholic Tradition.

Good News, I adopted a lab named Sage this past week. She was my Valentine's Day gift!

In Christ,

Fr. Thomas

February 12, 2012

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

This past week our Catholic community has been involved in a long running debate on religious freedome and the right of conscience. The US Department of Health and Human Services announced that almost all employers, including Catholic employers, will be forced to offer their employees health coverage that includes sterilization, abortion-inducing drugs, and contraception. Almost all health insurers will be forced to include those services in their health policies. And almost all individuals will be forced to buy that coverage as part of their policies.

As a result, unless the rule is overtuned, we Catholics will be compelled to violate our consciences or to drop health coverage for our employees. The ruling asks the Church to abandon Catholic principles and beliefs and furthermore it undermines the First Amendment, especially the conscience clause which guarantees religious freedom.

Last week i included Bishop Bootkoski's letter in the bulletin and urged our community to respond to this attack upon our liberty. This week I have added all the names and addresses of our State and Federal Representatives. I urge everyone after prayerful reflection to contact Congress and state their opposition.

Let us continue to pray for one another.

In Christ,

Fr. Thomas

February 5, 2012

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

This past week our parishioner, Roger Daley, retired from the Superior Court in New Brunswick. I thought I would include the testimonial letter that I presented to him at his reception.

Dear Roger,

As a pastor, and representing the parish family of Saint Bartholomew in East Brunswick, I wish to extend my congratulations on the occasion of your retirement after 15 years with the Middlesex County Judiciary.

I know you to be a man of deep faith, dedicated to the service of God. As a judge, you have tempered justice with mercy and have shown compassion to the most vulnerable members of our society. You are held in high esteem and have earned the admiration of all who know you.

May the Lord reward you for your ministry and bless you with health and happiness in the years ahead.

In Christ,

Fr. Thomas

P.S. Congratulations are also sent to Monsignor Kerrigan, pastor of Sacred Heart Church, New Brunswick.

January 29, 2012

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The Gospel of Mark will be proclaimed throughout this year at our Sunday liturgies. The evangelist Mark was a disciple of Simon Peter and was a member of the earliest Christian Community at Rome. This community endured tremendous persecution and when the Emperor Nero burnt the city of Rome, the Christians were blamed for the destruction. St. Peter and other community members suffered martyrdom for their faith in Christ.

Mark begins his Gospel with the Baptism of Jesus at the Jordan and finishes with the death of Jesus on the Cross. One can easily read the entire text in one sitting. The words immediately and suddenly appear often in the stories to underline the urgency of the Gospel message to repent and believe in the Good News. It is important to pay attention to the questions - the questions that Jesus asks and provokes in the people He encounters. In this week's Gospel the demons confront Jesus with the question, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?" "Have you come to destroy us?" The demons recognize that Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah) and ye, He has come to destroy them. What has Jesus to do with us? With me? An excellent question to deepen our awareness of what it means to be a disciple of the Lord.

As you may have noticed there is a form in the bulletin to memorialize our new hymnals. The new Worship Hymnals have arrived and we will begin using them in Lent. The hymnals contain an excellent selection of hymns as well as the readings for Sundays and Feasts of the year and the Order of the Mass. This Monday, January 30, we begin our Lenten Novena at 7pm. Can Spring and Easter be far behind?

In Christ,

Fr. Thomas

January 22, 2012

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

This past week we celebrated the Sacrament of Reconciliation with our First Communicants. The children were so excited to receive this beautiful sacrament of God's love for them. In the sacrament the children expressed their sorrow for their sins and experienced the mercy flowing from the Cross and Resurrection of Our Savior Lord Jesus Christ. We are so blessed to have so many wonderful families here at Saint Bartholomew.

With this in mind I want to take this opportunity to express my gratitude for our excellent Religous Education program, especially our sacramental program which involves our school and religious education students. Thanks to Barbara Fitzgerald, Linda Carulli, and all our catechists and teachers for their dedicated service to our parish community.

This Monday, January 23, I willl celebrate a 6:30am Mass for all of those who are traveling to Washington DC for the Right to Life March. Please continue to pray for our nation that all human life may be protected from conception until natural death.

In Christ,

Fr. Thomas

January 15, 2012

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The middle of January has me wondering where winter has gone. Unlike last year we have edexperience a rather warm and dry December and January. Nonetheless the new year brings with it a return to normal life and the demands od discipleship. Today's Gospel reading from St. John finds us once again with John the Baptist who proclaims Jesus as the Lamb of God, the one who will take away the sins of the world. The call of the first disciples to "Come and see" reminds us of our own call to follow the Lord Jesus by centering our life on His call to holiness and service to our community.

This week we will welcome our First Communicants to their first celebration of the sacrament of reconciliation. Through their celebration of the sacrament they will receive absolution for their sins and experiencee the mercy flowing from the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Please keep these young girls and boys in your prayers as they continue their journey to the First Communion this spring. With the celebration of the Epiphany and the Baptism of the Lord the Christmas season closes and Ordinary time begins. However, the Manger in the church remains until the Presentation of the Lord on February 2nd.

On this day candles are blessed and the community gathers to remember the Holy Family as the Holy Child was presented at the Temple in Jerusalem. Our tradition at St. Bartholomew is to gather with our First Communicants and to go in procession to the manger where each child will receive the Miraculous Medal of Our Lady and her scapular. This year we will gather on the evening of the feast, February 1 at 7pm for the procession with the candles and the prayers and blessings. All of our community is invited to attend to celebrate the Feast and to support our children on their journey to First Communion. How blessed we are to welcome all of these young children into the joy of the Christian life.

In Christ,

Fr. Thomas

January 8, 2012

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Please allow me to extend my gratitude to all those who made the Christmas Liturgies so beautiful and joyful. Christmas at St. Bartholomew is always such a beautiful celebration of God's love for us made manifest in Our Savior Jesus Christ.

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany, the coming of the Magi to worship the Christ Child. The Magi bring gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to reveal Christ as King, Christ as Judge, and Christ as Victor over death. According to tradition, Catholic homes were blessed on this day in the name of the Magi - Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar. Their insignia (written in chalk) is placed above the front door of the home: 20+C+M+B+12.

Like the Magi, may we too find Christ at the end of our journey.

Praise the Lord, all you nations,
Christ manifested in the flesh,
Christ justified in the Spirit.
Praise the Lord, all you nations.
Christ contemplated by the angels,
Christ proclaimed by the pagans.
Praise the Lord, all you nations.
Christ who is believed in the world,
Christ exalted in glory.
Praise the Lord, all you nations.

In Christ,

Fr. Thomas

January 1, 2012

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The New Year 2012 brings with it so many hopes and promises for a better future for all humanity. Pope Benedict XVI, in his Christmas message, asked Christ to manifest His Power to bring healing and peace to our broken world. The reality of sin and evil surrounds us but our hope is centered on Jesus Christ our Redeemer and Lord. Today's feast in honor of Mary, Mother of God, entrusts the people of the world into the loving embrace of Jesus and Mary. Only through a deeper encounter with God will the world find lasting peace and security. A poem for Christmas and the New Year:

There fared a mother driven forth
Out of an inn to roam;
In the place where she was homeless
All men are at home.
The crazy stable close at hand,
With shaking timber and shifting sand,
Grew a stronger thing to abide and stand
Than the square stones of Rome.

For men are homesick in their homes,
And strangers under the sun,
And they lay their heads in a foreign land
Whenever the day is done ....

To an open house in the evening
Home shall all men come,
To an older place then Eden
And a taller town than Rome.
To the end of the way of the wandering star,
To the things that cannot be and that are,
To the place where God was homeless
And all men are at home.
(Christmas Poem, by G.K. Chesterton)

In Christ,

Fr. Thomas

December 25, 2011

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The joy of Christmas restores lost innocence, revives our faith, and brings healing to the broken hearted. May our celebration of Our Savior's birth be for each of us a time of renewal. May the telling of the story and the singing of carols lift the burdens from our hearts and bring us comfort and joy!

A Christmas poem:

Child of Bethlehem
house of break;
Man of Jerusalem
city of peace;
you have loved us
without limit or condition;
in our greatness and in our misery,
in our folly and in our virtue;
may your hand be always upon us
so that we too
may become bread and peace
for one another.
(John Hammond, OSB)

Merry Christmas!

In Christ,

Fr. Thomas

December 18, 2011

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The 4th Sunday of Advent belongs to Mary, the Virgin Mother of God, and good Saint Joseph. All throughout the world Catholics place candles in the windows of their homes to light the way for the Holy Family. Please place a candle (electric/battery) in a window of your house to remember Mary and Joseph and the gift of Christmas. May the Holy Family find a warm welcome in our homes and in our hearts at Christmas and throughout the New Year. "Jesus, Mary, and Joseph pray for us."

On a sad note, my dog Faith passed away this past Monday. Faith was greatly loved by our parish community, especially the children, and wll be greatly missed. Thank you for all of the love and affection you gave her throughout our years together.

Father Tom with Faith

In Christ,

Fr. Thomas

December 11, 2011

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

"Rejoice in the Lord always: again I say rejoice. Indeed, the Lord is near!" We arrive at the Third Sunday of Advent, "Gaudete (Rejoice) Sunday." Christmas is now two weeks away. The joy of Christ's coming banishes all darkness and sorrow, for Christ is our Joy. Have you prepared your hearts to receive Him at His coming? The most perfect preparation is to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation and receive Holy Communion on Christmas with a loving heart. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered every Saturday in Advent from 11am to 12 noon and again at 3:30pm-4:30pm. We will also celebrate the sacrament after the last Novena Mass on Monday, December 19th..

Bill Potkulski, from Classic Builders and Housewrights, has offered to repair the Church ceiling. The wallpaper that covers the ceiling was badly damaged by hurricane Irene and large pieces have been falling down since August. I have requested that Bill clean the parts of the ceiling that are damaged and paint the sections to match the existing wallpaper. I am hoping to have this project completed before Christmas.

In Christ,

Fr. Thomas

December 4, 2011

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

"The Lord be with you." "And with your spirit." This past Sunday we began the implementation of the Third Edition of the Roman Missal here at Saint Bartholomew. So far, so good. It was little awkward using the prayer cards for our responses but on the whole the community responded positively to the changes. Thank you for your patience. At this time I want to announce the three winners of the Parish 50/50 Raffle. They are:

First Prize: Aimee Jensen
Second Prize: Joseph Flanagan
Third Prize: Steve Astone

Please allow me to express my gratitude for all of those families who participated in the raffle. As always, I am grateful for your support of our community. A special thank you to Greg DiLalo for organizing the raffle and handling all the arrangements for the drawing on November 20th.

In Christ,

Fr. Thomas

November 27, 2011

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The Season of Advent reminds us that we are to "keep watch." The Church proclaims that the Lord is coming soon, so as faithful disciples we must be alert and watchful. Advent prepares us for the Second Coming of Christ at the end of time, while also looking back to the First Coming of Christ at Bethlehem. In the modern rush towards Christmas we fail to find the deeper, more hidden meaning of the season -- the world as we know it is passing away and soon we will be with God.

An Advent prayer:
"Loving Father, increase our longing and watchfulness for Jesus Christ your Son, may the light of the Advent candles illuminate the darkness of our December nights so that Christmas may find us wholeheartedly rejoicing in the gift of His presence. Amen."

Take time in this holy season for daily prayer, visits to Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, charity to our neighbors who are in need, and pray with the Church throughout the world, "Come, Lord Jesus."

In Christ,

Fr. Thomas

November 20, 2011

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The Solemnity of Christ the King is celebrated on the last Sunday in Ordinary Time. This year we not only mark the passing of the year of grace 2011, but also the passing of the current edition of the Roman Missal (Sacramentary). Next Sunday the Third Edition of the Roman Missal takes effect in all the English speaking countries of the world. Pope Benedict XVI received this new translation of the Roman Missal on April 28, 2010; he acknowledged the "great labor" expended in preparation and translation of the texts that proclaim the truth of our redemption in Christ, the Incarnate Word of God. Throush these renewed texts and the ritual actions that accompany them, Christ will be made present and active in the midst of His People.

Please come to our annual Thanksgiving Day Mass this Thursday at 9am. It is always a beautiful way of celebrating this most American of holidays. We give thanks to God for all the blessings of this great nation. May God bless and protect the United States of America.

In Christ,

Fr. Thomas

November 13, 2011

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The new Roman Missal will be implemented throughout the English speaking world on the First Sunday of Advent, November 27th. The prayers of the priest and the responses of the people have been changed to reflect a more faithful translation of the Latin Rith. The original Latin texts for the missal span the entire history of Christianity. Some are direct quotes from the Bible, such as the Lord's Prayer and all the greetings. Some prayers come from the third or fourth century, such as the preface dialogue. The translation will reflect a deeper understanding of our Catholic traidition and the ineffable mystery of the Eucharist.

We will need prayer, patience, and humility to implement these changes over time. "Rome was not built in a day," so I respectfully request your support as we begin this new chapter in the history of our Catholic Community.

In Christ,

Fr. Thomas

November 6, 2011

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Our 2011 Raffle will be drawn on Sunday, Nove 20th after the Noon Mass. this is our only major fundraiser and I urge everyone to consider buying a ticket. Last year three parishioners won the three prizes. In this difficult economic times I thank you for your continued support of our parish community.

Grand 50/50 raffle tickets are still available. We have sold 150 tickets out of the 500 available. Since this is our only fundraiser for the year, parish-wide participation is imperative.

In Christ,

Fr. Thomas

October 30, 2011

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

This week we celebrate the Feast of All Saints. We profess in the creed that we believe in the Communion of Saints. All of those men and women who have passed through the trials of this life and now share in the glory of Christ in His Kingdom. This feast reminds us to be men and women of prayer and charity and urges us to desire to lead lives of faith, hope, and love. Who are the saints in your own life? What men and women have influenced you in your life of faith?

On Wednesday we commemorate all the Faithful Departed - All Souls. As a community we remember all of our beloved dead and pray that they may share in Christ's victory over sin and death. There is a 7pm Mass of Remembrance in the Church where we will read the names of all our parish family who have died since last November. It is a very beautiful and comforting liturgy where we proclaim our faith in Christ's Resurrection.

In Christ,

Fr. Thomas

October 23, 2011

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Last Saturday, we gathered as a parish family to pray the rosary for our nation. During this time of political and economic crisis we turn to Our Lady for strength and for guidance. It was wonderful to see so many children and young people participating in this ancient devotion. October is the month of the Holy Rosary, throughout the month all of us should take time to honor Mary by praying the mysteries of the rosary. I want to thank Judge Roger Daley for promoting the "Rosary Rally" and for providing the rosaries for our children. As chaplain of Religious Education, Deacon John Broehl has been bringing the children to the church to pray the rosary. "The family that prays together, stays together." Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us.

Remember to come next Sunday, October 30th, to honor Joe Szabo. We will gather after the noon mass in the parish hall to thank Joe for his many years of dedicated service to Saint Bartholomew Parish.

In Christ,

Fr. Thomas

October 16, 2011

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Just received the new Roman Missal and have been preparing for its implementation on the First Sunday of Advent, November 27, 2011. With this in mind I have decided to establish a Liturgy Committee that will help facilitate a smooth transition for our community. The following are the members of the Committee:

Joe Sweeney - Parish Trustee
Doug Coffey - Lectors
Gladys Srocynski, Kevin O'Brien, Judi Nelson - Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist
Al Rodriguez - Ushers
Beverly Lindh - Greeters
Deacon Broehl - Altar Servers
Peter Kroeckel - Schedules

In Christ,

Fr. Thomas

October 9, 2011

We have been busy addressing the situation of the Church ceiling. Steve Philips, the contractor for the original renovation, met with Deacon Jack and I about repairing the wood veneer panels that were damaged by Hurrican Irene. The insurance adjustor for the Diocese came to evaluate the situation and will be giving us an estimate of the cost for the repair. Stay tuned for further developments.

Next Saturday, Oct 15th, we will hold a "Rosary Rally" on the front lawn of the church beginning at noon. Please gather by the flag poles and bring a rosary and a friend. Judge Roger Daley has provided us with a number of rosaries which I will bless and distribute. October is the month of the Holy Rosary and we are praying through the intercession of Our Lady for our nation. Please plan on attending. We will begin promptly at noon and the rosary prayer should take about half an hour.

Save the date - Sunday Oct 30th, to come to the Noon Mass and reception honoring Joe Szabo. We want to recognize Joe for his dedicated service to the parish family of St. Bartholomew over the past 20 years.

In Christ,

Fr. Thomas

October 2, 2011

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Please see page six of the bulletin for Parish Assessments and Debt Reduction over the past ten months. Through your generosity and the scaling back of expenses at the parish we habe begun to pay down our financial commitment to the Diocese. Most Catholics are not aware that every parish is assessed a certain percentage of the Sunday collection. For the new year 2011-2012, the amount is $166,900.00

Yesterday, Msgr Benwell celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation for 66 of our 9th graders. Next Saturday Msgr will confirm the rest of the class. Please continue to keep our confirmation candidates in your prayers.

In Christ,

Fr. Thomas

September 25, 2011

Autumn is my favorite season, the scent of burning leaves, the colors of the trees, and first frost speak to me of the passing of time and the coming of winter. This past week the Religious Education classes began and we had "Back to School Night" for the school parents. Next Sunday, October 2, we will have the blessing of Animals after the Noon Mass in honor os Saint Francis of Assisi. We will gather in the Bride's Garden off the narthex to bless our beloved pets. After the blessing please join us for "Oktoberfest" on the parish grounds. All are welcome.

This Monday and Tuesday the 2012 Mass Book will be opened. Please read the information in the bulletin for details. New for 2012 we are establishing a Saint Bartholomew Memorial Society. You may enroll your loved one in a monthly novena of masses dedicated to the Mother of God. These masses will be offered on the first Saturdy of the month. The names of the enrolled members of the Society will be published the Sunday before the Mass. A donation for the enrollment (12 masses) is $75. A card will be available upon request.

In Christ,

Fr. Thomas

September 18, 2011

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Last Friday, we gathered with our school community to dedicate a memorial to the victims of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. The memorial was a gift of the 8th grade graduation class. Mayor David Stahl, along with representatives of the East Brunswick Police Department joined our community to mark the 10th anniversary with prayer and renewed dedication to the values of our great nation.

As we begin a new year together we are so blessed to be welcoming back our school children, our faculty and staff. The Home School Association is hosting a breakfast this Sunday after the masses. Please come and bring your families for wonderful food and fellowship.

This Sunday is Catechetical Sunday; we will have a blessing of all our catechists at the 10am Mass. I have ordered copies of the "Youcat," the new catechism for the Confirmation program and Youth Ministry. The Youth Group will hold their kick-off barbecue today at 3pm at the Knights of Columbus Hall.

May God bless all of our catechists, teachers, and ministers for their service to our children and young adults.

In Christ,

Fr. Thomas

September 11, 2011

This Sunday we pause to remember the terrible events of September 11, 2011. The photograph of the Cross discovered amid the ruins of the World Trade Center on that day reveals for Christians the power of Christ's love in the midst of suffering and death. The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is celebrated each year on September 14th; perhaps in the years since 9/11 we are called as Catholics to reflect more deeply on the mystery of the Cross in our own life and the life of our nation. "Behold the wood of the Cross, on which hung the Savior of the World: Come let us worship." Today's liturgy is marked by a profound sense of mourning and reverence for all of those who died at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and the field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condem.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them."

In Christ,

Fr. Thomas

September 4, 2011

Neither an earthquake, or a hurricane, could stay your pastor from his appointed rounds ... Arrived back from World Youth Day on Tuesday, August 23rd minutes before the 5.8 earthquake hit the metro area. We were all standing on line in the Arrivals Hall in Newark Airport when suddenly the whole place began to shake.

We were so grateful to be home in the United States that we forgot to be afraid. Needless to say everyone arrived home safely after our amazing adventures in Spain. The photo on the cover of the bulletin was taken by the statue of St. Teresa in her home city of Avila. Avila is a beautiful medieval city surrounded by massive stone walls. That morning I celebrated mass in the house where St. Teresa was born on the 28th day of March 1515. It was an overwhelming spiritual experiencee, as I have always had a strong devotion to Teresa. All of your prayers and intentions were remembered at that mass.

St. Teresa is best known for her reform of the Carmelite Order and for being one of the first women in history to become a famous author. Two books are essential reading for anyone interested in deepening their spiritual life; "The Interior Castle" and "The Story of My Life," Teresa's autobiography. Along with Cervantes' Don Quixote, she is the most celebrated author of the Spanish Golden Age.

Because of the arrival of Hurricane Irene the parish picnic has bee postponed ... perhaps will have an Octoberfest. Stay tuned.

August 28, 2011

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Happy Feast Day! The Feast of our patron St. Bartholomew reminds us that the church is founded on the faith of the apostles in the Risen Christ. Bartholomew (Nathanael) was born in Cana of Galilee and according to tradition was a guest at the wedding at Cana where Jesus performed his first miracle of changing the water into wine. St. Bartholomew was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus, and is usually identified with Nathanael, mentioned only in the gospel of John, he was brought to Jesus by the apostle Philip. After the Ascension of the Lord, he is said to have preached the Gospel in India where we was rewarded with the crown of martyrdom.

In the Gospel of John, Jesus calls Bartholomew "a man without guile." Bartholomew responds, "Rabbi you are the Son of God and the King of Israel."

Lord, sustain within us the faith which made St. Bartholomew ever loyal to Christ. Let your church be the sign of salvation for all the nations of the world. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen

In Christ,

Fr. Thomas

August 21, 2011

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Tomorrow, August 22nd, is the feast of the Queenship of Mary. Mary, Our Queen, is the patroness of the Diocese. The Diocese was established in 1981 by Pope John Paul II. This year we are celebrating our 30th anniversay with a pilgrimage to the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC. The pilgrimage will take place on Saturday, November 19th and the parish is sponsoring a bus for all our pilgrims. May I ask that every parish organization and society be represented at the Shrine at that day. Please email Barbara Bunag, our parish secretary, bbunag@stbartseb.com, to reserve a seat on the bus.

Next Sunday, August 28th, we celebrate the Feast of Saint Bartholomew. Msgr. Benwell will preside at the 12 noon mass and then we will gather in the Parish Hall for food, fun, and fellowship.
St. Bartholomew, pray for us.

In Christ,

Fr. Thomas

August 14, 2011

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary reminds us of our final destination- HEAVEN. We, too, shall pass from death to life in Christ. The body of Our Lady was not subject to corruption because of her unique relationship with Christ. As First disciple and Mother of Christ, Mary teaches us to open our hearts to the mystery of God's love at work in our lives. She conceived Christ first, by faith, and then she conceived Him in her womb. Mary leads all her children to Christ and we rejoice to call her Our Mother. I will be in Avila, Spain with the Youth Group this Sunday. Avila is the city of the great Saint Teresa and it also contains a shrine dedicated to Our Lady. Here is a poem-prayer to Mary:

Mother of Christ,
I do not come here to pray.
I have nothing to give, and I don't know
What to beg for.
I've come just to see you, mother,
And to cry for happiness, because I am
Your child and you are there.
Mother of Christ, pray for me.
(Paul Claudel)

In Christ,

Fr. Thomas

August 7, 2011

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

This week we begin our pilgrimage to Madrid, Spain for World Youth Day. Members of our Youth Group and Erin Jones, our Youth Minister, will journey with me to share in this powerful celebration of our Catholic Faith. Members of the Youth Group will be in the narthex after every mass this weekend to collect your intentions for the pilgrimage. We will offer all of your intentions at the Closing Mass with Pope Benedict on Sunday, August 21st.

In my absence Deacon Jack Kenny will be administrator of the Parish and Msgr. Benwell will be covering the Masses. Please keep us in your prayers.

In Christ,

Fr. Thomas

July 31, 2011

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The past few months have seen many changes in our parish staff. Helen gutter, the parish receptionist, retired in March after working here for over 20 years. This past week we celebrated the retirement of Mary Gatto, our parish secretary. Mary was hired by Msgr. Alliegro and was his secretary until his new assignment to St. Francis Cathedral. Mary was good enough to help me through my transition and has worked diligenty for both the parish and school communities. I would like to take this opportunity to wish Mary well on her retirement and to express my gratitude for her faithful service throughout the years.

The Bishop's Office has informed me that the position of Sacristan is no longer a paid position. Sadly, I have complied with the directive, and have informed Joe Szabo of this decision and as of October 1st, Joe will no longer be a paid employee of this parish. While this will be a hardship for our community I must abide by the decision of the Diocese to reduce expenses and reduce our overall staff. Joe, too, has served the parish with great devotion and personal sacrifice. I thank Joe for his commitment to Saint Bartholomew and trust that the Lord will bless him for his goodness to our community.

As of August 1st, Barbara Bunag will assume the position of Parish Secretary. We welcome Barbara and look forward to working with her in the future.

In Christ,

Fr. Thomas

July 24, 2011

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The parables of the Kingdom from Matthew's Gospel are written to encourage Christians in their understanding of the faith. Last Sunday's Gospel of the Wheat and Weeds speaks of the reality of the Church as a Church of Sinners, who are all in need of God's mercy and forgiveness. This week we encounter the merchant who sells everything to purchase the pearl of great price. The Kingdom of God is a kingdom of justice, mercy, and love. It is entrusted to our care and we build the kingdom through our prayer and charity. It is the treasure hidden in the field of the world that will come in its fullness at the end of time.

The Church announces the Kingdom through daily prayer, worship, and ministry. As disciples of the Lord we carry on the ministry of Christ, bringing His light and healing to a broken world. Let us continue to pray for the renewal of our parish community.

In Christ,

Fr. Thomas

July 17, 2011

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

In less than one month the young people of the world will gather in Madrid, Spain for World Youth Day. Erin Jones, our Youth Minister, along with myself and 12 other pilgrims will make their way to Madrid on August 10th. Over one million young people will greet the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, and celebrate our love for Christ. The theme for this WYD is St. Paul's letter to the Colossians, Ch. 2:7, "Planted and rooted in Jesus Christ." World Youth Day was started by Pope John Paul II, twenty six years ago. Since then the youth of the world has gathered every three years to celebrate their Catholic Faith.

Since this is a pilgrimage of grace we are asking for your prayerful support. Our young men and women will bring your intentions to Spain and then they will be offered at the Mass with the Holy Father. We will collect your prayer intentions the weekend of August 6 and 7. Let us continue to pray for one another.

In Christ,

Fr. Thomas

July 3, 2011

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

As we prepare to celebrate the Fourth of July, let us give thanks for the ability to worship God in freedom and in peace. From the eearliest days of the American Republic Catholics have sacrificed for the good of the nation. At the end of the Revolutionary War a Mass of Thanksgiving was offered at Old St. Mary's Church in Philadelphia. General George Washington attended the liturgy alongside French soldiers who had fought for our freedom. The Marquis de Lafayette was honored at the Mass for his bravery and his service to our new nation. The flags of the United States and France were placed on the altar at the end of the mass. As Catholics we sometimes forget our long history of sacrifice and dedication to the principles enshrined in the Declaration and Constitution of the United States.

May God continue to bless and protect the United States of America.

Happy 4th of July!

In Christ,

Fr. Thomas

June 26, 2011

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The Feast of Corpus Christi (the Body and Blood of Christ) is celebrated on the second Sunday after Pentecost. The feast was established in the Middle Ages to call the faithful to a deeper awareness of the presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist. In today's reading from the Gospel of John, Jesus proclaims, "I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world." Blessed John Paul II reminds us that in commemorating the Feast of Corpus Christi, the Church "does not only celebrate the Eucharist but solemnly bears it in procession, publicly proclaiming that the sacrifice of Christ is for the salvation of the whole world."

After noon Mass today the Blessed Sacrament will be borne in procession to the prayer garden and then to the brides garden (off the narthex) and finally returned to the altar where Benediction will be celebrated. May our worship of Christ in the Eucharist strengthen the faith of all of the members of our community. May His blessing remain with us and make of us a holy people.

In Christ,

Fr. Thomas

June 19, 2011

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Pentecost Sunday at Saint Bartholomew's was splendid. Our newly ordained priest, Rev. Martin Espinoza, was here to celebrate the 10am Mass. I first met Fr. Martin during his first year at Rutgers University. At that time I was a Chaplain at the Catholic Center on Mine Street, and Martin was interested in becoming a medical doctor. Over the past 11 years I have watched as Fr. Martin's vocation to the priesthood has grown and flourished through his attendance at daily mass and devotion to daily prayer, especially the rosary.

This Thursday, June 23rd, Fr. Martin will celebrate our annual vocation mass in the prayer garden. We will host a small reception in the narthex after the mass. Please come and share in the joy as Fr. Martin begins his priestly ministry. Plan on bringing a lawn chair and a friend to celebrate this happy occasion.

In Christ,

Fr. Thomas

June 12, 2011

We come to the 50th day of Easter, the Solemnity of the Pentecost, the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Blessed Mother and the Apostles. This Sunday we welcome three members of our community to the Sacrament of Confirmation: Ashley Mary Pilate, Adriana Ramirez, and Anthony Velez.

In this Sacrament they are signed with the oil of Chrism, receive the Holy Spirit, and complete their initiation into the Catholic Faith. The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit are Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel (right judgment), Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety (reverence), and Fear of the Lord (wonder and awe).

St. Thomas Aquinas said the first four gifts - wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and counsel - direct the intellect; while the other three gifts - fortitude, piety, and fear of the Lord - direct the will toward God.

May the Gifts of the Holy Spirit inflame our hearts at Pentecost and help us to renew the Church today.

In Christ,

Fr. Thomas

June 5, 2011

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

In this time between Ascension and Pentecost Sunday the Church prays for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Just as the Spirit came upon the Apostles and Our Lady on that first Pentecost, so may the Spirit descend to strengthen and renew our commitment to live for Christ. Next Sunday at the noon mass we will gather to celebrate the many cultures and races that make up our parish community, truly we show forth the gifts of the Spirit that make us one family in Christ. After the mass, Fr. Abraham will gather all the participants from the Lenten longings series in the parish hall to continue the celebration.

On Friday, the St. Bartholomew School Community will gather to celebrate the graduation of the class of 2011. May God bless our students and grant them every success in their high school years. Let me take this opportunity to express my gratitude to Mr. John Donza, the faculty and staff, and our Home School Association for all their hard work and dedication to our parish school.

In Christ,

Fr. Thomas

May 29, 2011

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The Summer Season begins officially with the Memorial Day Weekend. Let us pause and remember all those valiant men and women who gave their lives in the cause of freedom. This year we commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War. At the end of the war President Lincoln established this holiday to commemorate all the war dead of the North and the South. Please continue to pray for the protection of our soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

This week we celebrate the 49th day of Easter - The Ascension of the Lord. It is a holy day of obligation and all Catholics are obliged to attend mass on that day. The novena to the Holy Spirit begins on Thursday and continues until Pentecost Sunday (June 12). Pray that the Spirit will enkindle in us the fire of God's love. Together may we continue to build up the community of faith here at St. Bartholomew.

Our book discussion on Jesus of Nazareth will continue on June 7th in the Msgr. Alliegro Room at 7pm. A number of parishioners have commented on the beauty of the room and have asked for Mickey Kidney's information. Mickey did all the work on the room and has the ability to take a project from design to completion. [Please view the bulletin for Mickey's information]

In Christ,

Fr. Thomas

May 15, 2011

This Easter Season has brought us so many blessings to our parish family. Our three celebrations of First Holy Communion were joyful celebrations for our children and their families. Last Sunday at the Children's Liturgy we honored the Blessed Mother with a procession and May Crowning. I want to thank Barbara Fitzgerald for planning and coordinating all these special masses and events.

On Saturday, May 21, a mass of the Anointing of the Sick will be celebrated for the parish at 5pm. Any members of our community who are in need of the sacrament, please plan on attending this liturgy. There will be a registration table in the narthex where you can sign in and then you will be escorted to your places in the congregation. Let us continue to pray for all those who are ill and suffering in mind, body, and spirit.

These beautiful May days have found me working in the garden being the Parish Center. There is no better therapy in the world than to plant vegetables, herbs, and flowers in God's green earth. God planted a garden in Eden ... Every time we are involved in caring for the earth we share in God's gift of creation.

Enjoy the Spring!

In Christ,

Fr. Thomas