Fr. Joe DISciacca

Pastor's Corner - for the Solemnity of All Souls, November 2, 2008

This week will be our national election. Be sure to vote! We thank all those who came to our sessions on Faithful Citizenship, learning more about forming one’s conscience in regard to voting is a must for all of us.

During this past week Fr. José and I attended the annual priest convocation for all the priests of the Archdiocese of Hartford. It was the first time in a long time that this was an overnight event. Usually, our annual gathering is a full day workshop. Because it was a gathering that all priests were required to attend, there was no Mass on Wednesday morning and we were asked to schedule no funerals for that day.

The topic of the Convocation was “Intentional Presbyterates”. This may seem odd to Catholics. Presbyterate is the name given by the Church to the assembly of diocesan priests. Both Fr. José and myself are diocesan priests. We belong to the diocese and not a religious order like the Franciscans or Dominicans.

Diocesan priests do not share the same type of fraternity that priests in religious orders do. We live rather independently. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but it does offer many challenges. The concept of an “Intentional Presbyterate” is that we priests work at understanding our ministry to the Church, have a richer understanding of how we priests live and share in the Priesthood of Jesus Christ and how we work together with our Bishop in proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ. This is great challenge especially in these days when there are fewer priests.

I ask you to pray for Fr. José and myself and all diocesan priests. May we be faithful in living and proclaiming the message of Jesus. May we serve the Church well as priests of Jesus Christ.

Pastor's Corner - for the Dedication of the Lateran Bascilica, November 2, 2008

The last two weekends have been out of the ordinary Sunday Eucharistic Liturgies. Last Sunday was All Souls Day (Commemoration of the Faithful Departed). Today, is the celebration of the Dedication of St. John Lateran Basilica.

For those of you who have been to Rome, you may have gone to St. John Lateran. It is the Mother Church of Christendom and the Pope’s Cathedral. It is a grand and beautiful church. We celebrate this feast throughout the world because of the position it holds.

The physical structure of St. John’s or any other church building is the external sign of the Church. The people who gather in the church building to worship and pray are also considered the Church. As Church we, the people, make up the Body of Christ. The assembly of people known as the Church is united with one another and with Christ as his Body present in the world.

St. Paul calls the people of the Church “living stones” that make up the Church, the Body of Christ. We are in the world bringing the message of Good News to all people.

Pastor's Corner - for the Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, November 16, 2008

The month of November is a month of transitions. The beauty of the fall season is beginning to fade. The days are much shorter and cooler with winds. The Church keeps in mind those who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith. People begin to think about Thanksgiving and the holiday season that it ushers in.

Theme of thanksgiving enters into much of our everyday lives. We are truly grateful for so much from the very gift of life to the profound gift of faith. This theme though needs to be acted upon often, even daily. Our response to life challenges us to see that there are many people in need. With the enduring habit of Christian charity, we reach out to them.

For over 30 years the United States Catholic Bishops have been running the Campaign for Human Development. This Campaign is a hand up not a hand out. People who live below the poverty line facing housing, education, health care and immigration issues are empowered for life. These are programs that teach and develop resources. Please read over the information in the bulletin and consider a contribution to this collection next weekend.