St. Bartholomew Church

May 19, 2013

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The Feast of Pentecost is sometimes called the birthday of the Church because on this day the Apostles and Disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit and went forth to proclaim the Gospel. Today it is my privilege to confirm two of our parishioners with the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Cecilia Palm and Eileen Kerekes will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation at the 10 am Mass. Confirmation completes their initiation into the Catholic Faith. Congratulations!

Last week our sister parish of Our Lady of Lourdes, in Milltown, announced the closing of their Catholic School at the end of this current school year. I have spoken with Sr. Elizabeth, the school principal, and with her permission have invited all of their students to enroll in our school. It is my hope that we will work together to build a flourishing Catholic School that will reflect the best of both of our communities. We will be accepting registrations throughout the spring and summer. The school office can be reached at 732-254-7105.

During the month of May let us continue to pray the rosary for peace in the world and for the intentions of our Holy Father, Pope Francis. Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us.

In Christ,

Fr. Thomas

April 28. 2013

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

As Roman Catholics we are currently celebrating the Fifth Sunday of Easter while our Orthodox brothers and sisters are still in their Lenten Season. Easter, for Western Christians falls on the first Sunday of the full moon after the vernal equinox, March 21st; therefore, it is a moveable feast. Easter, because it is a lunar feast, may fall on the Gregorian Calendar from late March to late April. Saint Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church on Riva Avenue has asked permission to use our Church on May 4th for their Easter Vigil, since they follow the Julian Calendar. Their Vigil will begin at 6:30pm after our 5pm Mass. Bishop Bootkoski has granted permission for the Coptic Community to use our church for their liturgy. The Coptic Church traces its origins back to the Apostle Mark who came to Alexandria in Egypt to proclaim the Gospel. Therefore, the Coptic church is one of the most ancient Christian communities. Currently, the Coptic community is undergoing persecution in Egypt. Let us pray for our brothers and sisters and for an end to the violence. May the Joy and Glory of the Risen Christ bring unity and peace to all humanity. Alleluia!

Thursday, Acension Thursday, marks the 40th day of Easter and is a Holy Day of Obligation. Masses will be on Wednesday evening at 7pm and on Thursday 8:30am, 12pm, and 7pm. Please make every effort to attend Mass.

In Christ,

Fr. Thomas

April 21, 2013

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I have just returned from my annual retreat, renewed in spirit, and deeply grateful for the gift of our parish community. The joy of the Easter Season continues as we celebrate First Communions with our second graders.

We have three celebrations of First Communion: April 20th, 27th, and May 4th at 10am in the Church. All parishioners are invited to attend. Please continue to pray that our children will deepen their love for Christ in the Eucharist. These are indeed joyful days for all our first communicants and their families.

After consultation with the Diocese and Barbara Fitzgerald, I have decided to schedule our celebration of Confirmation on Saturday, October 12th and Saturday, October 19th, 2013. Both liturgies will be celebrated in the Church at 10am.

Let us continue to pray for one another.

In Christ,

Fr. Thomas

April 14, 2013

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The Easter Season is an excellent time to ask yourself, "Where have I experienced the Resurrection in my own life?" The promise of Spring, the reawakening of nature, the renewal of our families, of our community all of these are intimations of the Risen Life that Christ has won for us.

In a world torn by violence and suffering, Christ appears to bring us joy! We have received a great commission from the Lord to go out to all the world and preach the Gospel. In our time to preach a Gospel of Life; protection for all human life; protection of the innocent unborn and the children in our classrooms and nurseries; protection for the immigrant, the homeless, and those who are imprisoned. It is time to stand up for the poor and the voiceless and to stop the violence, to preach a Gospel of Life against the Culture of Death.

The Body of the Risen Christ bears the marks of the Five Wounds and the crucifixion, for Christ was wounded for love of us. Let us love one another as Christ has loved us.

In Christ,

Fr. Thomas

April 7, 2013

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The Second Sunday of Easter invites us to contemplate the glory of the Risen Christ. With the disciples in the Upper Room, we, too, are often afraid or hesitant to proclaim our faith in Christ. In the risen Christ, wounded and glorified, we see all our hopes realized. In him all the wonds of our hearts, minds, and bodies are transformed into his holiness. The sorrow and pain of our lives are made the source of our sanctification and joy.

A number of parishioners have commented on the large crowds that attended our Holy Week liturgies. Perhaps our new Holy Father, Pope Francis, has something to do with a renewal of the Catholic faithful. Certainly, these are early days but his humility and simplicity have won over many who had fallen away from the practice of the faith. Let us continue to pray for him in his ministry, may this be a new springtime for the Church.

Please allow me to express my gratitude to our parish staff and ministers and all who contributed to the beauty of Holy Week. A special word of thanks to our deacons and sacristans for preparing the liturgies. Thanks also to our excellent cantors and choirs, especially our music director, Nicholas Gatto. Many thanks to Joe Szabo and his elves for the beautiful appointments in the church. Truly it is Easter!

Let us take St. Thomas as our model and doubt no longer, but believe! Our motto, "My Lord and My God," announces the Easter faith of the Church.

In Christ,

Fr. Thomas

March 31, 2013

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Alleluia! Christ is Risen, Alleluia!

May the glory of Easter fill your hearts with the joy of the Risen Christ.

On behalf of the Parish Staff, I extend a Happy Easter to you and your family.

In Christ,

Fr. Thomas

March 24, 2013

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The election of our new Holy Father, Pope Francis, brings great joy to the Church as we begin this Holy Week 2013. What amazing times we are living through as global a Christian community. During the 1980s I worked in Washington DC on behalf of the Church in Central America, particularly the countries of El Salvador and Nicaragua. Reflecting on my experience as a witness to the vibrancy of the Church throughout Central and South America my mind has been filled with many images of a church and a people suffering from injustice, poverty, and violence. That Pope Francis comes from Argentina is surely a sign that God hears the cry of the poor and has given us a shepherd who understands Christ's love for the poor and down trodden of this world.

When I think of the countless Latin American martyrs: Archbishop Oscar Romero, the Jesuit Priests and Brothers, the Religious Sisters, Catechists and lay witnesses who gave their lives for the sake of the Gospel, I am reminded of the old maxim, "the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church." Please join me in praying for our Holy Father, may the Lord Jesus continue to bless His Church and strengthen her in holiness. May this Holy Week be for all of us a time of prayer, fasting, and renewal. "Christ our Passover has been sacrificed, Come, Christians, let us keep the feast."

In Christ,

Fr. Thomas

March 17, 2013

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

During this week all eyes have been centered on Rome as we awaith the election of a new Pope. As I write this weekly letter to you I am aware of the many challenges facing our Church today. The Catholic Community is experiencing a time of purification and cleansing that can be very painful for both the clergy and the laity. In today's Gospel Jesus is confronted by the scribes and Pharisees who want Him to condemn the adulterous woman. Jesus responds with mercy and forgiveness and reminds these men that we are all sinners in need of forgiveness by God.

Let us continue to pray, fast and give alms so that we can experience the mercy of God flowing from the Cross and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. May God bless and protect His Church.

In Christ,

Fr. Thomas

March 10, 2013

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

After the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI the time of "sede vacante" has come, the Chair of Peter stands empty until the election of the new Pope. The College of Cardinals will meet in conclave in the Sistine Chapel where they will follow the protocol to elect the successor of Saint Peter. During this time all Catholics are urged to pray to the Holy Spirit to guide the Cardinals in their deliberations. May God's Spirit continue to guide and protect the Church.

This week our Lenten Mission will begin. Our theme is centered around the three theological virtues of Faith, Hope, and Love. Each night we will reflect upon these virtues and their importance in our spiritual lives. Monday and Wednesday our Mission will begin with Mass and on Tuesday we will celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation and offer an opportunity for individual confession. Please make every effort to attend the Mission.

In Christ,

Fr. Thomas

March 3, 2013

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The Season of Lent invites us to pause and examine our vocation as disciples of the Lord Jesus. Our prayer, fasting, and charity deepen our encounter with Christ and help us to turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel. The lesson of the Fig Tree that Jesus admonishes in today's Gospel underlines the reality of our own spiritual journey. Conversion happens slowly over our lifetime. It is a continual search for God, for meaning, for love. Our growth in the spiritual life is organic; filled with false starts and broken promises, until gradually we bear fruit for the Kingdom of God.

I was reminded of this last Sunday when on bright winter's day I found the first shoots of new leaves on the fig tree in my garden. The Winter is passing and Spring will come with its promise of new life. The spiritual work that we do now will bear fruit for eternal life. Let us continue to pray for one another.

In Christ,

Fr. Thomas

February 24, 2013

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I received confirmation this week from the Diocesan Board of Consulters to begin work on the HVAC system and school roofs. Currently there is $513,000 in our Capital Campaign Fund and we have collected over $700,000 towards our total goal of $1.7 million. The first phase of our renovations will begin in March with the HVAC system in the Church. Once school ends the roof on the main hall of the school will be replaced. We hope to have this first phase of our renovations completed by Labor Day.

If you would like to make a pledge towards our Capital Campaign, please fill out a pledge card and place it in the collection basket. Pledge cards are available in the Narthex. Any questions please contact Karen Gibbons at the Parish Center.

In Christ,

Fr. Thomas

February 17, 2013

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The Season of Lent is an invitation to deepen our commitment to Jesus Christ and to seek to live as a more faithful disciple. Through prayer, fasting, and works of mercy we will spend these days preparing ourselves to renew our baptismal vows on Easter. The whole of Lent is a call to conversion to rend our hearts and return to the mercy of our Loving God.

This afternoon we will gather in the church at 4pm for a Holy Hour prayer and adoration. This celebration is taken from the Orthodox service of "Forgiveness Sunday" in which we gather as a community beneath the shadow of the Cross to pray for one another. May these days of Lent strengthen our community in faith, hope, and love.

In Christ,

Fr. Thomas

February 10, 2013

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 up 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.

I would like to thank the Altar Rosary Society for their generous gift of the Christmas Altar Linens. Also, if you attended Adoration the new Monstrance that appeared on the Altar was donated in Loving Memory of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Shyne and the Tabor was donated in Loving Memory of Dolores June Anastasio.

In Christ,

Fr. Thomas

February 3, 2013

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

What is love? Is love a feeling, an emotion, a desire,? There
are so many different definitions and aspects of human love
that poets and writers have spent millions of words trying to
capture the essence of love. In the first letter of Saint Paul to
the Corinthians we find a beautiful hymn to love. Saint Paul
reminds us that for a Christian love is the greatest virtue and the
one that will never pass away. Because God has loved us so in
Jesus Christ; love is what holds the Church together and enables
us to love one another in Christ. This unconditional love
(agape) we celebrate in the Eucharist wherein we experience
here and now the sacrificial love of Christ and offer ourselves
through Him to the Father.

For a Christian true love is symbolized in the Cross of Christ.
“Greater love than this hath no man than to lay down his life for
another.” Christ shows us that true Love involves the giving of
oneself for the beloved. Christ laid down His Life for us, so
much does He love each of us. Perhaps this is a good time to
reflect on the movement of love in our own lives. Do I love
unconditionally or do I place conditions on my love? In what
ways do I practice a sacrificial love with my family and
friends? “So faith, hope, and love remain,..but the greatest of
these is love.”.

In Christ,

Fr. Thomas

January 20, 2013

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

According to the Gospel of John, Jesus performs his first miracle at the Wedding of Cana in Galilee. At the prompting of His Mother, Jesus changes the water into wine for the wedding couple and their guests. Our Lady's word to the wine steward, "Do whatever He tells you," become a true maxim for the spiritual life. In this New Year 2013 may each of us strive to put into practice the teachings of the Son of God. May we like Mary and the disciples grow in faith, hope, and love throughout the year ahead.

On Tuesday, January 22nd, we mark the 40th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion in the United States. The Church asks all Catholics to spend the day in prayer, penance, and reflection for the protection of the unborn. According to Genesis 1:27, "God created humanity in the Divine Image; male and female, God created them." Therefore all life is sacred from conception until natural death.

In Christ,

Fr. Thomas

January 13, 2013

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord closes out the Christmas Season. Jesus enters the Jordan River to be baptized by St. John and thus inaugurates His public ministry of preaching, healing, and teaching. Now we, too, begin our ministry in the name of Jesus Christ - throughout the year ahead we as members of His Body, the Church, will preach, teach, and minister in His Name.

May God continue to bless our ministries and raise up disciples after the heart of Jesus, the Good Shepherd.

In Christ,

Fr. Thomas

January 6, 2013

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 brings gifts of Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh to reveal Christ as King, Christ ad Judge, and Christ as Victor over death. Accoring 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+13.

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