Author: Fr. Joe Gibino

Bulletin

Reflecting on 45 Years as a Priest

| Fr. Joe Gibino

       Celebrating 45 years of priesthood is a profound milestone. Please allow me the opportunity to reflect on this honor. Reflecting on 45 years of Catholic priesthood means looking back at nearly five decades of being a bridge between God and God’s holy people. It has been a journey defined not by grand, sweeping triumphs, but by quiet, profound consistency: breaking bread, walking with the brokenhearted, and bearing witness to enduring grace.

     Four and a half decade ago on June 13, 1981, the feast of St. Anthony of Padua, at St. Mary’s Cathedral in San Francisco, California, I was sent into the vineyard of the Lord. Thinking back over all these years is an opportunity that invites both profound gratitude and quiet introspection. As I look back over the span of 45 years in the Catholic priesthood, I am struck less by the passage of time than by the mysterious, unchanging heartbeat of the vocation itself. Time is a curious thing in the life of a priest; days can be long and exhausting, but the years slip by in a blur of baptisms, weddings, funerals, and the quiet rhythm of the daily Mass. Continue reading “Reflecting on 45 Years as a Priest” →

Messages from the Pastor

Pastor’s Commentary – Solemnity of the Holy Family

| Fr. Joe Gibino

We here in the Diocese of Brooklyn begin the Jubilee of Hope by celebrating the Solemnity of the Holy Family. These are two significant celebrations in our faith, each carrying profound spiritual meaning and offering opportunities for reflection, renewal, and community.

The Solemnity of the Holy Family, celebrated on the Sunday after Christmas, honors Jesus, Mary, and Joseph as a model for all Christian families. This feast highlights the virtues of love, faith, and obedience that characterized the Holy Family’s life. It serves as a reminder of the importance of family in the Christian faith and encourages families to emulate the Holy Family’s example of mutual support, respect, and devotion to God.

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Messages from the Pastor

Pastor’s Commentary – A Jubilee of Hope

| Fr. Joe Gibino
Pope Francis has called for a Jubilee of Hope in 2025, a significant event for the Catholic Church that aims to inspire and renew faith among believers worldwide. This Jubilee, officially proclaimed through the papal bull “Spes Non Confudit” (“Hope Does Not Disappoint”), will begin with the opening of the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica on Christmas Eve 2024 and conclude on January 6, 2026. We here in the Diocese of Brooklyn will begin our celebrations on December 29, 2024 with a special Jubilee Mass celebrated by Bishop Brennan at 11 AM, a procession to St. Joseph’s Co-Cathedral, and a special Jubilee Mass in Spanish at 1:30 PM. The Jubilee of Hope is rooted in the tradition of Holy Years, which occur every 25 years, offering a time for spiritual renewal, pilgrimage, and the reception of special graces. Pope Francis has emphasized that this Jubilee is particularly focused on hope, a theme he believes is crucial in today’s world, which is often marked by despair and uncertainty. In his proclamation, Pope Francis highlighted the importance of hope as a transformative force. He urged Catholics to become “pilgrims of hope,” spreading this message through their actions and words. The Pope’s vision for the Jubilee includes not only spiritual renewal but also practical steps towards peace and reconciliation. He has called for a global ceasefire and encouraged governments to consider amnesty and reintegration programs for prisoners, reflecting the historical aspects of Jubilee years that included the forgiveness of debts and the freeing of prisoners. Continue reading “Pastor’s Commentary – A Jubilee of Hope” →
Bulletin

Pastor’s Commentary for the 3rd Sunday of Advent

| Fr. Joe Gibino

The third week of Advent is a special time in the Christian liturgical calendar, marked by a focus on joy. The traditional name for the third Sunday is Gaudete Sunday: Joyful Sunday. This we light the rose-colored candle on the Advent wreath, known as the “Shepherd’s Candle.” The Advent wreath consists of four candles arranged in a circle, with a fifth candle in the center. Each candle has its own meaning:

  1. First Candle (Hope): Also known as the “Prophet’s Candle,” symbolizes the hope and anticipation of the coming Messiah.
  2. Second Candle (Peace): Known as the “Bethlehem Candle,”  the peace that Christ brings to the world.
  3. Third Candle (Joy): The “Shepherd’s Candle,” which is rose or pink, symbolizes joy.
  4. Fourth Candle (Love): The “Angel’s Candle,” represents the love of God.
  5. Fifth Candle (Christ Candle): Often white, is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day to signify the birth of Jesus.
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Bulletin

2nd Sunday of Advent – Pastor’s Commentary

| Fr. Joe Gibino

In the Catholic tradition, the second week of Advent is a time of patient reflection and anticipation, marked by the lighting of the second purple candle on the Advent wreath, known as the Bethlehem Candle or the Peace Candle. This candle symbolizes peace and commemorates Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem, where Jesus was born.

The Advent wreath, with its four candles, is a central symbol of the Advent season. Each candle represents a different aspect of the spiritual preparation for the coming of Christ. The first candle, the Prophet’s Candle, symbolizes hope. The second candle, the Bethlehem Candle, focuses on peace. This candle reminds us of the peace that Jesus brings to the world, a peace that surpasses all understanding.

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Homilies

Homily – Thanksgiving Day

| Fr. Joe Gibino

Once again, it’s a great grace to be able to welcome everyone to Saint Charles this morning. Thank you for your prayer in your presence this morning. Quick question. Are there any middle children in the community this morning? Where are the middle children? Okay. A few there are a few milder. We suffer. Middle children are the forgotten child. We get the leftovers.

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