Presentation Feast (2014-02-02)

[__01]  This Sunday is the Feast of the Presentation – the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple.

Being present – to be present … isn’t this one of the first things we learn in school? … one of the first things on which we are graded / evaluated / observed?

And, this “presence” or “absence” or attendance grade remains on our “report card” throughout our lives.

That is, you and I can be physically present sometimes… but not spiritually present.

Being present – physically and spiritually – we are able to love / forgive / speak / listen … and gather at table.  (?? Gather in classrooms wherever they are….??)

[__02]    This Sunday, we read about Jesus – the 1-month old child – being presented at the Jerusalem Temple. 

At this moment – 1 month … or to be exact 40 days since Christmas (his birth) – Jesus relies on Mary and Joseph to make him present.  

  

[__03]   The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord reminds us that Jesus is known, loved, recognized long before he can speak for himself…or show up to the Temple/school on time.

You and I also have intrinsic value in God’s eyes. This is true of every human life, every person regardless of your ability – or my abiltity to –

• earn
• produce
• work
• or show up on time…

Our value is measured – and given – by the love which God pours out to each of us.

[__04]    On December 20, 2013, we – at Our Lady of Lourdes – lost the physical presence in the death of our pastor, Monsignor Joseph Petrillo.

I myself served here at Lourdes from 2006 to 2009 as his assistant, parochial vicar.

Now, coming to Lourdes in a different capacity, to succeed him, I am grateful for your prayers and warm welcome.

I am also grateful for the dedicated and continuous presence of Father Edson Costa and for the administration of Monsignor Don Guenther from St. Joseph’s.

Father Costa and many of you here has helped the ministry and worship of Lourdes to continue.

This helped to make Jesus Christ present on Eagle Rock Avenue, Main Street …and in our homes.

[__05]   The Gospel Good News this Sunday is also that the child, Jesus, grows in wisdom and strength.

Monsignor Petrillo, in his years of ministry as both school high school principal and as pastor and priest… took great joy in children, in all of our children

He himself knew the importance of presentation …and of being present – both physically and spiritually.

[__06]   This Sunday – February 2, 2014 – also brings a kickoff and some special out-of-town visitors. There is also a big screen here…

This is the start of our Archbishop’s Annual Appeal.  Many of you have already received – or will soon receive – the brochure and official invitation about the appeal.

Presence is not only an individual grade on a report card or performance evaluation.

Presence is also a communal effort, an effort by our whole community to reach those – help those whom we could not do so on our own.

From the archbishop’s letter, we read that…

“The Archbishop’s Annual Appeal provides the poor with food, shelter and clothing; makes religious education, spiritual guidance and CYO athletics available for the young; insures the future leadership of the Church with seminarian education and training; and most importantly, brings Christ’s Good News to the people of the counties of Bergen, Hudson, Union and Essex …. ” … at schools, colleges, hospitals, jails/correctional facilities, and charitable ministries for the homeless, the hungry, individuals and families.

Our parish annual appeal goal is $29,800 …

If you have never made a gift to this annual appeal – or if you have not done so in several years – I ask you to consider joining us in this outreach.

The appeal helps us to make the Gospel known in place that we can only reach together… in our participation and presence.   [_fin_]