Weekend of January 22-23, 2022

Dear Friends,

In our gospel reading this weekend, Jesus boldly proclaims to those gathered with him at the synagogue in Nazareth the reality that the Spirit of the Lord is upon him; he scandalizes some of them by telling them that the prophecy of Isaiah, which he reads to them, is fulfilled in his very person.

            This bold proclamation of Jesus, which officially begins his public ministry and the mission he was sent to accomplish by the Father, is a reminder to us of the fact that the Spirit is with us, and that, filled with that same Spirit of God, we are called to do exactly what Jesus was sent to do: to proclaim the presence of the Kingdom of God to a world that so desperately needs the presence of that Kingdom. No matter what our vocation in life, we are called by virtue of our baptism in Christ to continue his mission of proclaiming the Kingdom.

            This particular gospel reading reminds me of our need in today’s Church and today’s world for more vocations to the priesthood and to the religious life. I would encourage you to continue praying for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life, so that more young men and women from our own Archdiocese of Philadelphia, and especially from Saint Timothy Parish, will respond generously to the call of God to follow him in these particular states of life. I also encourage you to make your intention as you pray daily that young people from our own parish will respond “Yes” to the Lord’s call. We have many fine young parishioners who would be exemplary priests and religious. I am convinced that God is calling them; our prayer must be that they have the courage and determination to answer that call with a resounding “Yes!”

            As I have mentioned in the past, prayer is vital, but so is a personal invitation to these young people. There are surely young men and women in your life --- whether they are family members, friends, neighbors, or those you may see in church week after week --- who you believe would be excellent priests or religious. Why not --- in the name of God and his Church --- invite them personally to consider committing their lives in just such a vocation. You may be the only person who ever recommends this to them. Your invitation could very well be a life-changing experience for these young people. I challenge each of you to be the instrument of God in inviting young people to respond positively to the call of God in their lives.

            This past week, the nation observed the annual March for Life in Washington, on Friday, January 21^st. January 22^nd is the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision by the Supreme Court, which effectively legalized abortion throughout pregnancy for any reason, or none at all. Our United States bishops have asked that we regularly spend time in prayer and penance, in recognition of the terrible scourge of abortion over these past 49 years, and to ask God to lift this scourge from our land. Let us take heed of this call from our bishops, and make this intention an important one in our life of prayer, especially as we celebrate the Eucharist.

            Next Sunday, January 30^th,  we will be officially beginning Catholic Schools Week 2022, with the 9:15 Mass. This special Mass will be an opportunity for all of us to gather as a parish family to celebrate the great gift of Catholic education, and to thank God for the blessing that Blessed Trinity School continues to be in the life of our parish community. We especially invite our school children and their families to celebrate this special liturgy with us.

            Know that you and those you love are daily remembered in my Mass and my prayers.

                                                                                    Love and prayers,
                                                                                    Father Olivere