Pastors Corner

Fr. Michael Olivere

Dear Friends,

Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has proclaimed this year (from December 8, 2020 to December 8, 2021) as the Year of Saint Joseph, marking the 150^th anniversary of the proclamation of Saint Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church.

Saint Joseph has always held a unique role in the life of the Church. Besides his important role as Patron of the Universal Church, he is also invoked as Patron of fathers, Patron of workers, Patron of a happy death, and Patron of many countries and peoples throughout the world. His invocation is sought by many, in many different circumstances.

Pope Francis, in his Apostolic Letter, Patris Corde, for the Year of Saint Joseph, highlights the unique role of Saint Joseph in the life of the Church:

The Son of the Almighty came into our world in a state of great vulnerability. He needed to be defended, protected, cared for and raised by Joseph. God trusted Joseph, as did Mary, who found in him someone who would not only save her life, but would always provide for her and her child. In this sense, Saint Joseph could not be other than the Guardian of the Church, for the Church is the continuation of the Body of Christ in history, even as Mary’s motherhood is reflected in the motherhood of the Church. In his continued protection of the Church, Joseph continues to protect the child and his mother, and we too, by our love for the Church, continue to love the child and his mother (Patris Corde, n. 5).

Above all, the Year of Saint Joseph invites all the members of the Church to recognize the unique role of Saint Joseph as the Patron and Protector of the Universal Church. The Holy Father’s Apostolic Letter further invites the members of the Church “to increase our love for this great saint, to encourage us to implore his intercession and to imitate his virtues and his zeal (cf. Patris Corde).

There will be several ways in which we shall be observing this special year here at Saint Timothy’s. As we move into the season of Lent, I shall keep you updated.

This weekend, the Archdiocese officially kicks-off the 2021 CATHOLIC CHARITIES APPEAL, the theme of which is Giving Hope to All. The Catholic Charities Appeal reaches out to those among us with special needs, and the fact that the Archdiocese is the single largest provider of social services in the Delaware Valley is a testament to its far-reaching effects.

I am very happy to inform you that, in the 2020 Catholic Charities Appeal, we, as a parish, exceeded our goal of $21,864 by raising a total of $24,520! This is certainly an amazing achievement, but is, in every way, a reflection of the great sense of generosity and sacrifice for which the good people of Saint Timothy’s are well known. 

I now ask you to please prayerfully consider making a sacrificial gift to this year’s Appeal, for this very important campaign of the Archdiocese, which directly helps our ministries to those who are most poor and vulnerable. Every gift counts, and it is my hope that every family and wage earner will make a significant contribution to this year’s campaign, as their means allow. Our parish goal of $21,864 can be met, and even exceeded, if everyone does his or her fair share (we have certainly proven that with last year’s results).

I remind you that Catholic Charities is no longer a second collection in church, like so many other special collections we take throughout the year. It is now a direct mail campaign that basically lasts for a whole year. You should have received a mailing from the Archdiocesan Catholic Charities office, containing a campaign brochure and a gift/pledge card, along with an envelope within which you would be able to send your gift or pledge. The Archdiocese prefers you to use this direct-mail method to make your Catholic Charities gift. In light of this preference, I would ask you not to place your Catholic Charities contribution in the collection basket in church. Thank you for your cooperation and your understanding.

This weekend we welcome the Little Sisters of the Poor, who are visiting us to make their annual appeal. I remind you of the great work the Little Sisters do in serving the elderly at Holy Family Home in West Philadelphia. The sisters perform their great ministry worldwide, without any financial assistance from the government. They depend solely on the providence of God and the generosity of good people like ourselves. I ask you, as always, to be attentive to the sisters’ message and to be as generous as you possibly can.

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