Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

10-23-2022From Fr. Antony's DeskFr. Antony Arockiadoss

Dear Family!

I thank all of you for your prayers and support in welcoming our beloved Bishop during my installation as your pastor. I fondly remember all our former pastors Fr. James McKee, Fr. John Smith, Fr. Cornelius O’Reilly, Fr. Robert Burke, Msgr. Patrick Connolly, Msgr. Edward Egan, Msgr. William Gilfillan, Msgr. William Lannary, Msgr. Joseph Kozak, Msgr. Joseph Sheehan, Msgr. Michael Corona and Fr. John Barbella.

I also pray for all the parochial vicars served at our parish starting from Fr. Michael Connolly in 1880 to Fr. Gilbert Starcher at present. I am grateful to God for such an honor to serve you as Pastor here and I thank our Bishop for this opportunity and guidance.

We are drawing near to the end of the Cycle C (Gospel of Luke). The theme continues to focus on prayer. The 1st reading opens our minds and hearts to the reality that ‘the humble man’s prayer pierces the clouds’ is fulfilled in the tax-collector in the Gospel. I was drawn to the conclusion that Jesus makes here - ‘the latter went home justified’.

We look for justification only from God. We need to make the journey to the presence of God in order to experience the justification. Once we are in the presence of God, we open our hearts to receive the justification from God. Therefore our prayers are aimed at being justified with God and more over bringing that treasure of justification home to our family, to our loved ones.

This brings us to the question as to what justification means. First and foremost justification is our total restoration into a life of union with God. (This doctrine is detailed in Saint Paul’s letter to Romans). Though the readings talk about humility in prayer, we need to keep in mind that justification is accessed by our believing in Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

Saint Paul in the second reading takes on humility in his ministry as a servant of God. He says, ‘My life is a libation’ - poured out for people. Being filled with the Holy Spirit each day is one way to attain the humility we desire. God desires us and requires us to be holy just as He requires us to be humble even though we are not perfect. Do we go home ‘justified’?

Joining St. Paul in his humility to serve God and people, this year’s Mission Sunday message by Pope Francis invites us to the same call. “Reflecting on this year’s theme: ‘You shall be My witnesses’ (Acts 1:8), Pope Francis emphasizes the call to every Christian to bear witness to Christ, to participate in a mission of universal evangelization, and to see strength and guidance from the Holy Spirit.” (Bishop Checchio)

As you may have noticed we have been organizing the already existing ministries into committees and appointing new leaders for them, I introduce the last Committee: Administration. I will head this committee myself. This committee includes the Finance Council, Pastoral Council, Core Community, School, Fundraising ministry, Hispanic Core Team, Background Coordination. I request you to pray for all our efforts in restructuring and organizing ministries especially after Covid challenges. Your participation and efforts are key to the growth of our parish.

Fr. Antony