Author: St. Charles Borromeo

Homilies, Messages from the Pastor

Fifth Sunday of Lent – Who I Am, Not What I Do

| St. Charles Borromeo

FORTIETH ANNIVERSARY

I would like to thank everyone in the parish for your kind thoughts and prayers for my 40th Anniversary Mass and remind you that you are invited to my 50th Anniversary street party in 2029. About 10 years ago for the year of the priest I was asked by The Tablet to write reflections on priestly ministry. You may find them here: “Priesthood is who I am not what I do”.

– Fr Bill

COMMUNION AND LIBERATION:
Communion and Liberation is an ecclesial movement in the Church that recognizes the importance of culture and especially beauty in developing our faith. Several members of St Charles attended their annual “Encounter” last February and were positively impressed. They also sponsor the “Way of the Cross” on Good Friday. It begins at St James Cathedral at 10 AM and ends at St Peter’s Church in Manhattan at 1:30 PM. Information below:

First Reading
Fifth Sunday of Lent
April 7, 2019
Isaiah 43:16-21

As we have seen, the Exodus from the call of Moses to the entry into the Promised Land has provided much of the imagery for the parts of the Old Testament that were originally written or edited after the return of some of the Jewish leaders from exile in Babylon to Jerusalem about 500 BC. It formed not only the vocabulary they used, but the mindset behind their writings. Sometimes this remains in the background, but today it is explicit and obvious – its meaning is subtle and surprising. Continue reading “Fifth Sunday of Lent – Who I Am, Not What I Do” →

Messages from the Pastor

Priesthood Is Who I Am, Not What I Do

| St. Charles Borromeo

By Father William G. Smith

This is a reprint of part of an ongoing series in The Tablet by priests of the diocese marking the Year for Priests [2009] and reflecting on what the priesthood has meant to them.

Thirty years ago, I was sent as a newly ordained priest to St. Saviour’s Church in Park Slope. I was given a list of homebound parishioners to visit each month with Holy Communion and as much comfort and support as I could muster. It was then, as now, one of the usual tasks of a priest and I did not give it any special thought. I hope I brought them some comfort. I know I brought little wisdom but I received from them the most basic lessons of priesthood.

Through the visitation of the sick, especially the dying, I had the privilege of meeting many wonderful people whose courage and faith were deeply inspiring but I will limit myself to one lady and two experiences.  We will call her Ruth.  She was in her 70s and had been diagnosed with terminal cancer.  She knew her time was limited and as palliative care was not as developed as now so she would often be racked with pain. I brought Communion to her every week and, as she was approaching the end, suggested that we celebrate Mass in her home with her family and friends.

This was my first experience with “Last Rites” in the strict sense of the term: Confession, anointing and Communion.  The entire Mass was moving and memorable but Communion was unforgettable.  When I placed the host on her tongue, she said, “I cannot wait to die.” My immediate reaction was, given the pain she was in, neither would I. In the next breath, she said, “So I can thank Jesus for everything He gave me.”  There was joy in her eyes.

Continue reading “Priesthood Is Who I Am, Not What I Do” →

Events, Podcast

Videocast: The Crucifixion Lecture Series – Part 3

| St. Charles Borromeo

Our series continued this week with a review of the many ways of interpreting the effects of the Cross. We asked the following questions:

How do you experience the Love of Jesus?

Do you think that Jesus atoned for your sins?

Have you seen the victory of Jesus in this world?

The talk, hymns and prayers may be found on our podcast, but the discussions are key and we urge you to attend the final session at Grace Church this Thursday at 7 PM.