Padre’s Points to Ponder

Christmas Chaos Dear All Saints Parish Family, Are you experiencing any form of Christmas Chaos?  Things like family plans not coming together as you’d like, a sense of unpreparedness, loneliness, frustration that the year hasn’t gone like you thought it would, or even disappointment that your high hopes for Advent being more fruitful or meaningful … Continued

Rejoice, Y’all! Dear All Saints Parish Family, This third Sunday of the holy Advent season is called Gaudete Sunday, a title it gets from the entrance antiphon of today’s Mass: Gaudete in Domino semper: iterum dico, gaudete!  It’s the Latin (which is still the official language of the Church) of Philippians 4:4 which reads: “Rejoice, … Continued

I have some incredible news to share with you…but before we get there, a couple of end of year (or liturgical beginning of year) reminders: And now for the pièce de résistance. When the cellphone tower was constructed here on our property, an electronic bell system was included, giving the parish the ability to announce … Continued

Prepare the Way! Dear All Saints Parish Family, I sincerely pray all of you had a delightful celebration of Thanksgiving.  Now that the “holiday season” has officially begun, it behooves us to consider how the Lord, through His Bride, the Church, invites us to celebrate these next several weeks. First is to really consider the … Continued

Treating Jesus as a King Dear All Saints Parish Family, The last Sunday of the liturgical year is dedicated to Our Lord Jesus Christ under His title of King of the Universe.  All things are under His sovereign rule, not just in the Holy Land from where He rose, not just from Rome from where … Continued

A Tribute to Our Veterans On this Veterans Day, we pause to honor the courageous men and women who have served our nation with unwavering dedication and sacrifice. Their commitment to protecting our freedoms and defending our way of life is a testament to their bravery and honor. In Scripture, we find encouragement and inspiration … Continued

Jesus isn’t anxious…why are we? Imagine Jesus Christ, risen from the dead and ascended into the glory of Heaven, seated at the right hand of the Father, surrounded by angels and saints all celebrating the Wedding Feast of the Lamb…is he nervous or stressed out?  Not at all.  Can we say the same? We tend … Continued

For God’s Sake: Give Your Life Away The first week of November is loaded with tremendous celebrations…our parish feast day and holy day of obligation, All Saints Day, followed immediately by the Commemoration of All Souls.  Then flowing from the celebration of those in Heaven, then those being purified for Heaven, the US Conference of … Continued

Evil at Our Doorstep Dear All Saints Parish Family, Since early September and in fever pitch now, the American cultural vibe has been to push Halloween themes.  Some of this is wonderful and helps us mark the changing of seasons.  Some of it needs to be avoided at all costs.  Pumpkin Spice, harvest themes, sweater-weather, … Continued

Principles for Voting like a Catholic Come Holy Spirit… Dear All Saints Family, Election season is at its fever pitch, and it’s usually the most divisive “moment” of every four years.  Human lives are at stake, power dynamics are at play, and we’re led to believe that the election of the “other” will mark the … Continued

Festivities Are Coming It’s somehow October.  I have no idea how, but it’s here.  And that means that the floodgates are about to open on so many incredible celebrations! First, take a look at the saints on the calendar this month…there’s some heavy hitters!  This month has the feast days of St. Thérèse, the Guardian … Continued

Rise Against Hunger Mark your calendars for Saturday, December 14…All Saints is partnering with Rise Against Hunger to help end hunger! Rise Against Hunger is an organization on the front lines of the food shortage crisis in many parts of the world.  As their mission states, “Rise Against Hunger is a growing global movement to … Continued

Who You Gonna Call? Do you know that we have a Sacramental Emergency Line?  Fr. Tan and I take turns carrying a special cell phone for just this purpose.  Do you know how and when to use it?  I’m here to shine some light on this critical aspect of Sacramental Ministry at All Saints. First, … Continued

Deus Providebit! (God will provide!) Dear All Saints Family, Thank you so very much for the warm welcome last weekend! I am truly grateful for the opportunity to meet so many of you and learn a little about your backgrounds as well. It makes me so excited for everything that this upcoming year will offer. … Continued

Newness Abounds Dear All Saints Family, The Lord Jesus proclaims that He makes all things new (see Revelation 21:5), and He is working overtime here at our little slice of His Kingdom! Some great updates to share with you all: 1) Restore and Renew, 2) Blessed Carlo, 3) Our new Middle School Youth Minister, and … Continued

A Catholic Way to Celebrate Labor Day Growing up in New Jersey “back in the day,” Labor Day was always the last hurrah of summer break before school started again…a day thus marked with a certain amount of sadness, even as we were celebrating.  My family would go to the public pool one last time, … Continued

Dear All Saints Parish Family, After an amazing year serving here at All Saints it is with great sadness that I prepare to leave what has become my home. This past year has been an absolute gift from the Lord and I find myself marveling at all of the ways the Lord has shown his … Continued

Padre from Spain You may have noticed over the past week or so that this is a towering, Spanish-speaking priest with us here at All Saints. His name is Fr. Joaquín Hernandez from the Archdiocese of Madrid.  He is pastor of San Clemente de Roma in the southern part of the metropolis, a small parish … Continued

Sometimes Things Get Messy Though it was weeks ago, the National Eucharistic Congress is still bearing fruit… there’s a steady flame of fire in my heart, and I’m most grateful. A memory stirs that I think gives a beautiful spiritual insight beneficial to us all. So much of the Congress was impeccably planned and perfectly executed.  … Continued

Dear Friends in Christ, I really enjoy being able to share good news with you.  The Gospel, first and foremost, but also the good news of parish achievements and accomplishments.   During the month of June we announced an initiative to add sacred art in our church depicting the Saints.  After all, we are ALL SAINTS! … Continued