OF PROPHETS AND BULLFROGS

Pastor's Column

 Medford

20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

August 18, 2019

Jeremiah was a bulldog! Perhaps, but Jeremiah was also one of the Great Prophets of Israel.  In our First Reading, he calls the fallen people of Israel to repentance and unity. His words fell on “deaf ears”, and he was exiled.  Later a court official rescued him.  He recognized Jeremiah to be without fault, and 800 years later, we have his wisdom teaching.  Through mercy, he was saved! 

Jesus calls us to mercy through salvation and unity.  

Here are some critical dates in salvation history:

2000 B.C.        Abraham and Sarah begin their pilgrimage of faith- Judaism

1500 B.C.        Moses rescued the Jews from Pharaoh- EXODUS

1000 B.C.        The Great United Kingdom of David- The “Zenith” of Judaism

500  B.C.         The Babylonian Exile- The Temple is destroyed, the low point of Judaism

                        The Jewish people are scattered, and their nation-state destroyed. 

0     A.D.         The birth of the Savior, Jesus Christ, The Son of God

Notice a pattern there?  Every 500 years, there seems to be a massive event, none more magnificent than the birth of the Messiah.  We are now 2000 years since his birth.  Has this pattern continued? 

0       A.D.       Jesus’ birth

500   A.D.       The reforms of Saint Benedict and Monasticism

1000 A.D.       The Great Schism, the Church splits into two (Roman Catholicism and Orthodoxy)

1500 A.D.       The Reformation and The Council of Trent

2000 A.D.       The Second Vatican Council

All of these 500-year epics have something in common:  either disunity or unity.

At the Last Supper, Jesus calles us to unity.  Why was this all necessary, His crucifixion, death and resurrection?  For UNITY!

Jesus explains his goal of unity in the Gospel of John, Chapter 17, verse 21 (Jn 17:21)

That they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us,^[a] so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

When we are united, things are peaceful, calm, and filled with goodness.  I suggest that this is the lesson here, that we all may be as one.

Jesus expresses God, the Father's mercy.  Pope Benedict said that Jesus is the Face of God's Mercy. Pope Francis said the Gospels are the expression of Jesus’ Mercy.

Thank goodness for His Mercy, otherwise, how could we get to Heaven?  Certainly not merely by our own merits.  Instead, because Jesus saves us through his sacrifice on the cross. Praise be to Him, now and forever Amen!

FOR ALL THE SAINTS!

Pastor's Column

SS Medford

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time

August 11, 2019

This past Tuesday, we celebrated the Feast of the Transfiguration. Next Thursday, we celebrate the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a holy day of obligation.

These two great feasts of Jesus and Mary help us to unpack the "mystery of faith." Every time we attend Mass, we hear those words sung or spoken. Faith is a mystery, a consent to something beyond our total comprehension. God is greater than us, much greater. It rests then that He must be beyond our understanding. Saint Anselm gives us this: The study of God (our faith, theology) is faith seeking understanding.

In the Transfiguration, Jesus shows himself in his glorified body. He does so to just a select few of his followers, and he appears speaking with Moses and Elijah. These are two of the super Prophets of Israel.

We may wonder why he chooses just a few to reveal his glorified body? There on Mount Tabor are only Peter, James, and John. The three would be key players in the early days of Christianity: Peter, our first Pope, James, the first Bishop of Jerusalem and John as Evangelist, Prophet and the one who Jesus entrusted the care of his Mother to. 

Speaking of Mary, her Assumption was declared on Saints Day in 1950 by Pope Pius XII. The question of Mary being assumed into Heaven was a profound spiritual question that was debated about for years among theologians around the world. Finally, in the late 1940s, Pope Pius asked that the Bishops of the world gather these opinions and send them to the Vatican so he could pray and, with God's guidance, decide if this Dogma should be declared.

He did and what the Dogma of the Assumption means is that Mary was lifted body and soul directly into Heaven at the end of her earthly days. Jesus loves his Mother so much that he lifts her instantly into Heaven when she finishes her earthly pilgrimage. What a most fitting tribute to His earthly Mother that helps us understand His mercy, compassion, and love for creation.

Our Feasts on the Catholic Calendar are meant to inspire us to holiness as we examine the mystical events and persons that dot creation history and our tradition. They help us take a supernatural outlook so that we may focus what awaits those who are the just and the good. It is never too late to start; God's efficacious mercy is ever-flowing. Let us contemplate the transcendent truths of our faith so that we may live every moment as supernatural people.

Of Sheep and G.O.A.T.

SS Medford, Pastor's Column, 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time (C).

I was away with other priests this past weekend.  Once a year, I am blessed to spend a week or ten days with other priests who are members of an international priestly fraternity.

We stayed at a conference center in Delray Beach, Florida named Roseaire.  There we could relax, pray together, enjoy good fraternity and excurse into areas unknown or unseen.

The street to which led to our “home” is called Brady Drive. One of the participants who accompanied me is from Boston.  He proudly proclaimed that the street should be renamed since it had the surname of Tom Brady (the Patriots 6 time champion quarterback).  Father Dave proposed G.O.A.T. Drive—the Greatest of all Time Drive!

Funny how we can idolize sporting woman and men.  This moniker has come up recently with the woman’s world cup team (who may be easier on the palate, that they are the greatest, with an unmatched record).  Unfortunately, they are paid less than the men, for some unjust reason.

I digress.  Mariano "Mo" Rivera, also considered a "GOAT," was inducted into the Hall of Fame for Major League Baseball.  His first words of acceptance were (approximately), "I first have to thank the Lord, my Lord, Jesus Christ who has bestowed on me so many blessings, most especially faith in salvation." WOW!

Mo is not the greatest of all time.  Jesus is! How humble. True? Yes for me and you and I hope in the most grounded virtuous way that this is what we are teaching our children and grandchildren.

Oddly enough, Jesus does not think much of goats.  He uses them as an analogy for the damned. The sheep are righteous, for they seek their shepherd to guide them.  Goats are more independent and will revert to wildings at the first possibility. They will follow the shepherd when the pastures are ripe.  Once times become delicate and green meadows fade away, they bolt away, never to be seen again.

Our Gospel today points out that we should focus on heaven and not earthly things.  Unity of Life is a term that means that we should do everything governed by our faith—our politeness, our willingness to forgive (last week's Gospel) and our striving to become perfectly pleasant.  We bring all of these things to our everyday: work, school, vacation, or whatever we do in this time of our life. In this way, we are sheep who follow the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ. Let us become saints, what else is there!

Morality and Social Media

Morality and Social Media

Pastor’s Column

SS Medford

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

July 28, 2019

This week I am away (see below). We spoke two weeks ago about the first of the four Cardinal Virtues, prudence. Today let us consider temperance before we delve into our scripture (the other two are fortitude and charity).    

Temperance is among the more essential virtues that we can teach our children. We, as God’s children must always be conscious of it to grow in virtue (goodness). A synonym for temperance is moderation. If we acquire the trait of “moderation” than we understand what it means to be temperate. We have probably heard the wisdom and prudence in the saying, “Everything in moderation.”

Imagine if teenagers practiced temperance well (some do I am sure). Parents would never have to ask them to put their smart devices “down.” In a family gathering, let say a family meal at home or with the extended family, a prudent decision would be to leave these devices in the car. The temperate decision would be that if taken with us then they are turned off. Clearly, the wisdom is evident: the greater good is for family and friends to devote their time together in conversation with much joy and laughter.

It is essential that parents are conscientious about when they give or allow access to their children to smart devices like phones or tablets. The longer you wait, the better. Cognitive science studies show that the earlier the child has unfettered access to mobile devices, then potentially there are some serious consequences. It will be more difficult it will be for them in the teenage years and beyond in leading a disciplined life of prayer, studies, and morality with these all consuming distractions.  Without these solid foundational elements in life, then social media as a grounding pillar collapses.

I don’t mean to pick un teenagers here, we were all teenagers once, eh? But we should know better and then apply that wisdom to new media. The landmark moment of “New Media” was 1994 in the widespread use of the simple cell phone and then the internet explosion. These interfaces are not evil in themselves, on the contrary, much good can come from prudent and temperate use of them.  Let us not use them to displace better priorities.

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In our Gospel, Jesus teaches us the Our Father prayer, the only prayer that he teaches us in all of the New Testament. It must be important. Whether we focus on “they will be done,” God’s providence or “forgive us our trespasses” or other excerpts this prayer has profound depth and meaning to our Christian Discipleship. 

Jesus often takes time to pray alone in solitude to God the Father, our Father, and Creator also. How are you doing with your personal prayer? Our faith is always, every day about turning over the best leaf possible. It is never too late to redouble our efforts in prayer, in fact, it is the dynamism that is inherent in individual prayer life. Remain in the battle, so said many of our Canonized saints. We see this is the witness of Saint Catherine of Sienna and Saint Josemaria Escriva’, two of my favorites. Do you have a favorite(s) saint?

Thy will be done….God is in charge. Forgive us our trespasses….I am a sinner, not perfect but always trying for the better!

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I want to express our sincere gratitude to the priests that are covering for me this weekend: Most notably, our Pastor of merit, Fr. Ed Kealey. Fr. Ed and I had lunch a few weeks back, and his fondness for us here at Saint Sylvester’s abounds. Also, to Father Roger Landry and Father Dave Atanasio. Father Roger works for Pope Francis at the United Nations (UN) in NYC, and Father Dave is our Chaplain at Saint John the Baptist Diocesan High School.

I am in the midst of a ten-day retreat/workshop with about two dozen priests from around the country that I have gotten to know from my membership in an international priestly fraternity. I have been involved with this group since 2014 and every summer we make a trip of this length together. Pray for us and be assured of my (our) prayers for you.

Hospitality and Charity

Hospitality and Charity

Pastor’s Column

SS Medford

16^thSunday in Ordinary Time

July 21, 2019

Johannes (Jan) Vermeer -
Christ in the House of Martha and Mary
  Google Art Project

This week we hear two exciting stories in scripture.  First, Abraham's encounter with three mysterious men and then Jesus relaxing with his friends Martha and Mary.  These stories highlight the need to be ready to meet the Lord in unexpected places. 

I have a friend who went on a “Midnight Run” {www.midnightrun.org}.  This ministry helps the homeless in and around NYC.  A group of midnight runners go out and bring food and supplies to those living on the streets.  It occurs at night.

He explained that this depth of charity and encounter brings many graces to the participants as they interact with people that they would not ordinarily encounter.  He also said he was sure that Christ was with them in a real way as they ministered that night-time.

Is that what happens to Abraham and Sarah in our first reading from Genesis?  The three mysterious men have been categorized as Angels by some theologians, and by the Holy Trinity by others.  Ultimately the result of the encounter is that Sarah becomes pregnant soon after that.  The fruits of simple hospitality offered and accepted by the strangers result in the gift of life.  Perhaps the wisdom of scripture here shows us not to make any assumptions or judgments about the strangers we may meet, each day.

In our Gospel, Jesus seemingly takes a break from the active minister and visits his friends Martha and Mary who are Lazarus' sisters.  Theologians teach that their house on the Mount of Olives was a place Jesus would frequent while in Jerusalem.

While Jesus is speaking with Mary, Martha is busying herself to provide some hospitality for their visitor. Jesus points out to Martha firmly that Mary is showing better Judgement by giving the "hospitality" of listening to him.  We must always give our full attention to our guests.  When we are patient, there will always be time for comfort later.  Jesus was crucified shortly after this visit. I  bet that the fraternal correction that Martha received from our Lord was quickly forgotten after His Passion.  She surely was blessed to have Jesus, God Incarnate, in her home relaxing and sharing.

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A heartfelt thank you to Chris Gueli and Anthony Szalkowski of New England Wood Works.  They provided the material and labor for our new portable confessional located in the Sacristy.  The Church teaches that the penitent and the confessor have a right to anonymity with a fixed grill between the penitent and the confessor and that confessions should be heard in a confessional (Canon 964.2).  This directive is now a reality here at Saint Sylvester’s in Medford.

A GOOD SAMARITAN- Plato, Prayer, and Caritas!

Pastor’s Column

SS Medford

15^thSunday in Ordinary Time

July 14, 2019

"Love the Lord with 'all you got' and your neighbor…"

This weekend we hear of one of the most famous parables (stories) that Jesus uses to teach us charity. No, not giving some of our hard-earned money away.  Rather, Caritas, the highest form of love.  Caritas is charity (love) from the depths of our hearts and built primarily on trust in God.

The Good Samaritanhelps the wounded man, despite the hardship that it cost him- delay, loss of wealth, and public disdain.  We must be bold to live the Gospel, and model ourselves after Christ:  Selflessness, inter-dependence and possessing an outward view for the common good.   We teach these values exceptionally well at our Catholic Schools. 

A friend of mine is a priest out in Wichita, Kansas.  Catholic education is free.  FREE! It came about because a priest in the early 1970s constructed a way in his parish to guarantee free Catholic education to all parishioners through tithing. Amazing!!!  To this day, all Catholic education is free, for thousands of students from pre-K through High School in the entire Diocese!

A miracle? Perhaps.  Better yet reasonable prudence half a century ago and the commitment and trust of the people.  Permit me to discuss these relevant truths or good habits over the next few weeks. Primarily we must understand prudence, for this is the first of the virtues.

Prudence is one of the four Cardinal Virtuesor habits of the good life that were developed about two and a half millennia ago through the Academy in Athens.  Imagine, 2500 years ago and 500 years before Jesus Christ.  They were given to us primarily through the work of Plato the great Greek Philosopher in his book Republic:

Prudence

Temperance

Justice

Fortitude

Cardinal means "hinge," literally everything hinges upon our application of these ethical truths.  Prudence simply says, "think before you act," or watch where you are walking (Proverbs 20:7)

Simple right!  Yet it can be so complicated if we allow it.  We must be prudent to build upon the virtues. When we grow upon the virtues or good habits for good life, then we become good.  Once we are good, then we can become holy.  Holiness leads to sainthood.  Together let us become Saints on earth and in Heaven!!!

Yours in Christ,

Father Suglia

N.B.  We have our own Catholic Regional School in Patchogue, Holy Angels.  My initial goal is twofold: to spend at least 2.5 full days there every month and to find a way to send any interested students (families) in enrolling despite any financial hardship.

INDEPENDENCE AND UNITY

INDEPENDENCE AND UNITY

Pastor’s Column

SS Medford

14^thSunday in Ordinary Time

July 7, 2019

Happy Fourth!!!

How did we get here so quickly?  If you are like me, tempest fugittime flies!  I feel like I was just scraping the ice off my car windows!

The 4^thof July is one of the preeminent and great American Holidays and holy days.  Sure, Independence Day is a holiday, but a holy day? Perhaps we could examine the controversy.  You know the one, where many became upset at the perceived lack of reverence for Christian faith at critical times during the year.  We lamented the "Happy Holidays" greeting in place of Happy Easter, for instance.  I must admit, I was one of them.

Let’s look at the etymology of the word, it’s origin:  

“The word holiday comes from the Old English word hāligdæg 

(hālig "holy" + dæg "day"). The wordoriginally referred only to special 

religious days. In modern use, it means any particular day 

of rest or relaxation, as opposed to normal days away from work or school”  (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holiday).

Hence holiday = holy day

            Happy Holidays = Happy Holy Days

I know, it may not be that simple.  But could it be?  It is possible that every day can be unique or blessed?  Especially when we have extra time to spend on recreation with our beloved?  Something to ponder…I hope you had a restful weekend and perhaps some good fun with family, friends….whomever.

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Today’s Second Reading from Galatians:  “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” -  Saint Paul

Could I ask if you would pray for all of our service women and men, those in the armed forces and civil service- firefighters, police officers—all uniformed personnel.  Please call us or email to let us know who should be included in our bulletin every week.  

We all should celebrate our independence, but as the saying goes, freedom is not always free.  When you think of them or see them, let us try and say a quick Hail Mary or Our Father. This will help us too, in that we can become people of regular prayer.  

The Church has a fancy name for this kind of prayer- Aspirations.  For example, "Dear Lord, protect our uniformed personnel and protect especially those whom they serve.  May justice always prevail and may all who encounter those who serve to be treated with dignity, respect, and love."  Or more simply, “help those whose job is to help others”.

Many have paid the ultimate price for our freedom, going back almost 275 years now.  And many others keep up safe here at home.  We should not ignore that there is also a genuine danger to uniformed personnel as well.  We must never take for granted their service to us and therefore give them our support.

Finally, recently, I have become good friends with a young man who has just begun service in the United States Marine Corps.  He is a parishioner at my last assignment.

I met him at Church one day, and I invited him to come to Mass before boot camp for a special blessing and send off.  He came and continues to come.  His name is PFC Vincent Guidone, and he is in the picture above.

            One of the things we should do is help all of our service men and woman when they return home.  If any of you would like to meet me, a fellow veteran, please call to schedule an appointment.  I think the Holy Spirit can do wonders as we make difficult transitions or are dealing with crises in our lives.  Please call us or email to let us know who should be included in our bulletin every week. 

Finally, let us pray for unity in our great nation.  Our country was founded and prospered when our government has forged Great Compromises.  We need to find a way to be welcoming yet also safe and secure.  Let us pray for all refugees, those who regardless of the situation, find themselves separated from loved ones.  Let us find a way to become genuinely a united country!  Hope springs eternal!

Lord, may we never boast, as Saint Paul teaches us, except in the cross of Christ. May we bear our crosses willingly, knowing they draw us nearer to you.  May we always seek justice and never lose sight that absolute truth and justice resides solely in your kingdom.  Through the intercession of Saint Sylvester, we make our prayer, guided by the Blessed Virgin Mary to Christ, Our Lord, Amen.

Yours in Christ,

Father Suglia

What a gracious welcome I received last weekend from all of you whom I encountered, my first as your pastor!  Thank you, thank you, thank you.  I am truly blessed to be a member of the great parish community of Saint Sylvester in Medford!!!  I am the luckiest priest on all of Long Island to be able to say that I am your pastor! Thank you to Fran, Tracey, Lori and Mike, as well as all the volunteers who made the hospitality after the 5pm and 11am Masses possible. 

Last week I thanked Father Tom Coby for his welcome, hospitality and preparing me for what awaited me here (all good).  Additionally, I would like to say what a great staff we have! I was able to meet all of them, both individually and as a group during May and June as I prepared to come to assume the role of pastor for this great parish.  Thanks especially to Fran, Justin, Tracey, Joanne, Estelle, Mike, Theresa, Lori for your welcome and “coaching”.  

Finally, how lucky we are to have three great Deacons: Deacon Joe, Deacon Frank and Deacon George who happily have been showing me the “ropes”.  

DAS+

Underway!

Pastor’s Column

Parish of Saint Sylvester

Medford, New York

Sunday, June 30, 2019

13^thSunday of Ordinary Time

S.S…St. Sylvester….Here we go!

Dear friends in Christ,

The LORD said to Elijah:

"You shall anoint Elisha, son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah,

as a prophet to succeed you."

I grew up on Long Island, down in Southwestern Nassau County in a little community called The Five Towns.  We spent lots of warm Spring and Summer days down at  Atlantic Beach.  There you could see many ships and recreational boats navigating in the Atlantic Ocean with New York's Harbor on the Horizon.

It ”goes without saying” that Long Island has a large recreational fishing community (and commercial one at that, too). I have some "zealous" friends that fish quite a bit.  I am always grateful for some fresh Tuna, Striped Bass, or Fluke when my buddies bring it home.

For me as a kid it was fishing off the surf in Atlantic Beach, or into Reynolds Channel off the jetty.  Although I do not possess the resources nor time to commit to off-shore angling like my "buddies," I still get excited thinking about fishing from time to time.

First Striper, Off of Fire Island NY, 

On SPECIAL Ks

December 2018

This is what is so exciting about fishing, that unseen reality of what lives underneath the sea.  Perhaps also the adrenaline rush when you have a fish on the line and then the catching of something (so long as it is not a crab).   

The Church is like a ship.  This seaward image is meant to tempt our minds to recall Jesus on the Sea of Galilee, the former Carpenter now a holy passenger with the first disciples, yes fisherman!

Jesus says, “Follow Me, I will make you fishers…” in the Gospel.  What does this mean? May I propose a thought or two about His mission call?

The follow him part is easily absorbed by our minds, but not so easy at times to follow with our total being (our souls). However, if we attempt to distill the Gospel down to one thought, it could be this: MERCY (Pope Francis, The Joy of the Gospel).  

It has been said that regardless of what we do or do not do, God’s love for us can never change.  He created us, knitted us in our Mother’s wombs, and loves us into existence.  He seeks solely that we yearn to live with him forever in Heaven.  Complete selflessness. 

Secondly, Jesus gives us some pretty good guidance for living:

Treat others as you wish to be treated. 

Love them as I have loved you.

And then,

Turn the other cheek.

Again, some of these precepts are easy, others not so much.

But the becoming fisherman part should be pretty clear.  We are called to know him and love Him….and teach others to do the same.  We do as much through:

Random acts of kindness

Supporting charitable endeavors

Serving others, especially the poor and marginalized.

And many other ways and works of virtue.

Here we are, we begin again.  From our First Reading today, the Lord called Elijah to anoint Elisha as his successor.  Today I am called to succeed Father Tom Coby as your new Pastor.  I would never characterize myself as a "prophet." Preferably instead, as "Just a simple worker in the vineyard of the Lord" (Pope Benedict during his Election to the Pontificate, April 19,2005).

The Parish of Saint Sylvester is a ship in the fleet of the Holy Roman Catholic Church.  Let us begin this journey, one which the Lord God has given us. A voyage where we are asked to encounter Christ in each other, vectoring our lives through sacred work towards the eternal kingdom of Heaven.

We begin again.  "The S.S. Saint Sylvester" is underway.  Let us guide each other to become Saints!!!

Yours in Christ,

Father Suglia (soo-LEE-ya)

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Words cannot adequately express how happy I am to be your new Pastor!   In the coming days, weeks, months, and years ahead, I look forward to meeting all of you and together, forging a bond in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I have to say that I do not know much about Saint Sylvester's…..except that there is a strong legacy of pastors and priests who have served the community in Medford these last years.  A word of great gratitude to Father Tom Coby for his gracious hospitality to me upon my appointment and since in helping me to make the transition here.