​Dearly Beloved,
 
"My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me" (Jn 10:27). Hearing and doing God's will as revealed to us in His Word was the central message of last week's daily masses liturgy of the word. Hearing carefully and acting on God's words is fundamental to our Christian faith. We ought to strive always to know the Father's will for us, be humbly docile to it, and, relying on his grace, observe his directives. It is one thing to know what the plan of God for us is, and it is another thing to assent to His will. 
 
Do we always obey the Father's will? Do we say "yes" to God and take actions that convey our agreement to his instructions? Acting on our profession of faith is the test all of us must endeavor to pass. God's will must be followed on earth as it is in heaven by angels and saints. Hearing the voice of Jesus and following him is shown when we carry out fraternal acts of charity in church and community. That is what I call "yes" in action.
 
So often, our "yes'" to God's commandments and instructions on how to live our lives are demonstrated in what we do in and for our parish family. In this regard, I want to highlight some of the ways we, as a parish, have complied with the Father's will. On a positive and happy note, I have seen many of us in this parish act positively on our yes to God within the body of Christ. That does not mean we should be satisfied and rest on our oars. Instead, we must thank God for giving us the grace to respond to his summons. Also, we must strive to improve on them. 
 
Talking about being thankful to God, I am thankful to God and you all for celebrating my twenty-third ordination to the Priesthood of Christ with me last week. Many of you not only joined in the celebration of mass but attended the first of the three-part series talk on the Holy Mass after mass last Saturday. I invite you to attend the third part on October 7, the feast of our Lady of the Rosary. I will summarize parts one and two so those who have missed them can understand my presentation. We will have food and fellowship.
 
October 4 is the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the saint and day we associate with the love of nature and animals. I will not be in town to celebrate the feast day because I will be joining other priests of our diocese for our annual workshop in Maryland. However, so as not to miss that feast day's special blessings, I will bless pets at 2 p.m. today, October 1, in the parking lot of the Historic Church. Bring your pets for blessing through the intercession of St. Francis of Assisi.
 
On Sunday, October 8, we, as a parish, will act on our faith and "yes" to this family of love by coming together for our yearly picnic. This festive form of fellowship is integral to saying yes to God and this family of faith. We must celebrate coming together to eat, drink, play, and build faith and friendship. We need more people to sign up to attend and volunteer to help make it a successful day. 
 
Prayer request: First, I ask for your prayers for Nigeria, my home country, on our 63rd independence day- Nigerians will significantly benefit from your prayers. Second, please pray for the Synod in Rome from Oct. 4-28. The synod, listening to the Holy Spirit, is intended to advise Pope Francis on how to serve the Church of our time on her journey to heaven. We need sincere and solid prayers for the attendees to listen for and follow the voice of Jesus. Third, pray for us priests of the Diocese of Harrisburg to have a fruitful workshop and spiritually renewing time together.
 
In His Joy,
 
Fr. Alayode Bernard, OP
 

​Beloved in Christ,
 
"Every day will I bless you, and I will praise your name forever and ever" (Ps. 145: 2). These Psalmist's words of praise from our responsorial psalm took ownership of my mind, thoughts, and attitude from the moment I read all the readings for this Sunday's liturgy of the word in preparation for my homily. While the parable of the Lord's Vineyard from the Gospel for this Sunday's mass from Matthew is outstanding and demands reflective attention, the ultimate disposition of my spirit is to let the words of praise and thanksgiving flow from my lips. Why so, you may inquire? For several reasons. Let me mention a few.
 
The parable of the Lord's Vineyard highlights the contention between workers who put in a full day of labor in sweat and drudgery and those hired at the eleventh hour and worked only for an hour.  The vineyard owner paid the same wage, a denarius, to all the workers irrespective of the hours they put into the work. The owner's action, a human sense of moral justice, is considered unfair. Is God unfair? Absolutely no! God is just. He paid each one what they agreed to receive when hired: "Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage?". The grumbling workers do so because of envy, jealousy, and selfishness. The envious workers failed to see, and this is the parable's point, that God's generosity is not a calculated giving and is not merited. God lavishes his grace as he deems fit. Who are we to question or query God on how he dispenses his graces? "What if I wish to give this last one the same as you?
Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money?" All our good deeds result from God's grace, not human power or capacity.
 
In light of the central message about grace that we retrieve from this Sunday's Gospel, I always praise and bless the name of the Lord for the gift of my priestly vocation. It is twenty-three years (and still counting) since my ordination on September 23, 2000. Whatever good that has come from my priesthood is not a result of my goodness or merit; it is God's grace at work. I never wanted to be a priest, but the Lord seduced me, and I let myself be seduced (Jer. 20: 7). 
 
What a roller coaster it has been, a journey of ups and downs, with its ebb and flow, yet a progressive one. For the last nine days or thereabout, I  have been meditating on the words of St. Pius of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio) that help to put my share in Christ's priesthood and my entire Christian life in a proper perspective: "My past, O Lord, to Your mercy; my present, to Your love; my future to Your providence." I am a happy priest; I am filled with joy for the graciousness of God in choosing me from his people. I ask for your continuous prayers and support. "Every day will I bless you, and I will praise your name forever and ever."
 
Having reflected on God's grace and his gift of priesthood to me, let me take a moment to express thanks to members of our parish who volunteered to serve on our Parish Pastoral Council. Our election results are out, and the top three of the five candidates are Patricia Becker, Eric Hershel, and Donald Heffner. I have also appointed Richard Lichty and Ann Marie Cancro into the PPC. Please thank these brothers and sisters for giving the parish their time and talents. In due time, I will install them before you all.
 
Conclusively, I want to bring to your awareness that this Sunday is World Day of Migrants and Refugees. Pope Francis asks that we observe it through our prayers and active support for them. Also, the Holy Father asked us to pray for the Synod on Synodality, which will be concluded in Rome in October: "Without prayer there will be no synod."
 
In His Joy,
 
Fr. Alayode Bernard, OP
 

​ 
Beloved in Christ,
 
"...you each forgive your brother from your heart" (Mt. 18:35). "Forgven." It is the name of the contemporary Gospel band that came out of our parish. The word is misspelled intentionally to convey a message. I have the band's t-shirt on as I write this message. They deployed poetic license in spelling the word the way they did, and in saying that, they omitted the I and replaced it with monstrance displaying Jesus in the Eucharist. The name and the concept behind the missing "I" partly inspired the following poem on forgiveness:
 
Forgiven, You Must Forgive from the Heart.
 
How can I be a forgiving Christian?
I, who have been betrayed by my beloved.
One who displays the wrath of Sharayar,
Ceases to lay claim to the name Christian.
 
Need to imitate the divine master,
For immensely the debt, he forgave you.
To be Christlike is to forgive like Him.
He let go of rage and uttered mercy.
 
Lamech's seventy-sevenfold vengeance,
Binds the soul perpetually in prison.
While Jesus' seventy times seven
Frees the heart tethered to echoes of hurt.
 
Forgiven repeatedly by the Lord,
Forgive from the heart just like Jesus did.
 
Without receiving forgiveness, which Christ gives generously to those who approach him in the Sacrament of reconciliation, we cannot approach Jesus worthily in Holy Communion. However, we must remember this: we must be Christ-like in forgiving others. To love is to forgive.
 
In His Joy,
 
Fr. Alayode Bernard, OP
 

​Beloved in Christ,
 
Let us talk about the church. The Gospel for this Sunday mass, Mt. 18: 15-20, speaks to how to address the problem of a recalcitrant member, remedy it, and gain back that member. We only pray that we listen to the voice of God that speaks through the church whenever we fall away from the truth. I want us to look further into the word ekklesias, the church. In the context of this reflection, the church is constituted by people who have been called by grace out of the world to form a people of the new covenant, members of Christ's kingdom. As members of God's family, the church, we must work towards unity of heart and purpose. In matters of faith, we cannot do our "private" things; we do what God commands us to do as one people. In like manner, when it comes to what the institution church has legislated, whether it has to do with doctrine or liturgy, we cannot do our own thing, but we must follow the directive of the voice of Christ speaking through his body, the Church. This is God's will.
 
We can see the importance of acting as one, with unity of purpose as the church in the life of prayer, both public and private. Jesus emphasizes "symphonein," a Greek word meaning "in accord" or "agreement," indicating a harmony of voices. For instance, when we come together as a church to participate in the mass, we should be one in mind and heart; we should give no room to discord on our intent and purpose. Other than praying with affirmation as we come together, we should also stress the importance of having a unified understanding of what we are doing and how we are doing it. What is the intention of the church for us on how to celebrate and participate in mass? Are we of one accord? Do we agree on the meaning of what we are doing at mass?
 
I would like to address some of these questions by offering three consecutive Saturday catechesis on productive participation in the Holy  Mass from September 23 through September 30 and October 7. The theme is Holy Mass: To Prepare, Receive, and Thank. I will celebrate twenty-three years of my priestly ordination on September 23, the memorial of St. Pio, priest of the Holy Eucharist. I would be grateful if you could come to celebrate with me by attending this series on the Eucharist, the source and summit of our Christian faith and the central function of my priesthood. 
 
Let us strive to listen to the voice of the church, the body of Christ, as we pray as a family of God. We need to pray as one and clearly understand God's will. We must come together to pray and not forsake the family gathering (see Heb. 10: 24-25). When we gather for mass, the Church calls us to pray as one and with one voice. Listen to Christ and the Church, and never miss mass!
 
In His Joy,
 
Fr. Alayode Bernard, OP
 

Beloved in Christ,
​
In my homily last Sunday, I exhorted and encouraged you to let the question Jesus asked his disciples echo in your mind all week: "Who do you say that I am?" (Mt 16:15). I stressed the importance of each person being able to answer that question from their own personal life experience. The extent to which we know "who" Jesus is will determine our readiness to follow him, especially as Christ and "him crucified" (1 Cor 2: 2). In careful attention to our readings for this Sunday's mass,  we will notice that our confession of who Jesus is, the Christ, the Son of the Living God, demands of us a commitment to the way of sacrifice, suffering, and the cross if we want to put our commitment into action.

Let me rephrase the question from last Sunday: who is Jesus to you? He is the Christ, the Crucified Christ. The Jesus Christ we choose to follow is Christ crucified. He was born to save us by way of the cross. Sacred suffering is what Jesus shows and invites us to embrace as his disciples. Prophet Jeremiah's life prefigures this path of suffering for the Lord's name when he cried to God concerning his difficulty on account of doing his will: "The word of the Lord has brought me derision and reproach all the day," he says (Jer. 20: 7-9). Nevertheless, in the words of the responsorial Psalm 63, the prophet's soul must continue to thirst for the Lord, his God. In our thirst and hunger for Christ, we must continuously conduct our lives in conformity with the Cross, always willing to offer our bodies as "a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God" (Rom 12: 1-2).

I would like us to make a connection this week between Christ, the Cross, and our conduct as Christians. We must endeavor to know who Christ is to us. Our call to follow Christ crucified, our response of faith, and our behavior of non-conformity with the world of self-absorbed pleasures have an end, a reward. We hope for heaven. Let us never forget heavenly rest as we deny ourselves, take up our daily crosses, and follow Christ crucified (Mt. 16:25); it is in giving our lives to Christ by way of sacrifice that we find our lives, for he promises us that "whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." Let us, therefore, conduct our lives according to the example of Christ crucified. In what ways are you, along with Christ, willing this week and in the weeks ahead to offer yourself as a living sacrifice and non-conforming to this world? Think and pray about that question.

As we reflect and pray, I invite you to join the ongoing rosary novena in our parish. I encourage daily praying of the rosary to be offered as a birthday present to our Blessed Mother Mary on her birthday on Friday, September 8. I suggest you ask the Virgin Mary for your personal needs, especially the grace always, to do whatever Jesus asks of you, like denying yourself, taking up your cross, and following him.

One of the ways we offer spiritual sacrifices is through human labor.  As we celebrate Labor Day this Monday, let us pray to God to sanctify our human labor. Let us ask God to provide work for people without employment and strengthen those who work with graces to unite their labor with the sacrifice of Christ. Come to Christ In Eucharistic Adoration, all you who labor and are burdened, and He will give you rest (Mt. 11: 28).

Happy Labor Day!

In His Joy,

Fr. Alayode Bernard, OP
 

 Beloved in Christ,
  
Jesus asked his disciples a simple but fundamental question when they got into the region of Caesarea Philippi, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is? They offered answers from "outsiders": John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets. Next, Jesus posed the same question to the insiders, his close friends, "But who do you say that I am"? Addressing the question personally to them in Caesarea Philippi speaks volumes. Against the background of the temple dedicated to Caesar, the Roman emperor whom people generally considered Lord, a divine one, Jesus was asking a subversive question at that time. Jesus was inquiring from his followers whom they considered worthy or deserving of the title of the Lord and Savior- Jesus himself or another?
 
"You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God," Peter answered on behalf of others. Jesus is the Lord! He is the anointed one expected to lead all humankind from bondage to sin to freedom of sons and daughters of God. Jesus is not just one of the prophets. He is not an idea or a wise philosopher. Jesus is the anointed one, the expected Messiah. He, and only he, deserves worship and total human adherence. 
 
Peter came to the knowledge of who Jesus is because the Holy Spirit moved him. To come to the knowledge of who Jesus is leads to a life lived totally for him. All other things must flow from a relationship with Christ. Jesus is the one to whom we must ascribe ultimate worth, not any other person or thing. To whom do I ultimately direct my heart, mind, thought, energy, interest, time, talents, and emotions? Money, social media, sports, family, politics, or pets?  If I want to be a faithful Christian, Jesus must be the center of my life. Money, social media, sports, family, politics, and other life matters must flow from Jesus and be centered around Jesus. When we recognize Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the Living God, we must necessarily develop a living relationship with this living person and we will eventually prioritize him over other things.
 
Preaching the forty hours at St. Rose of Lima, York, this past week offered me yet another opportunity to engage with that question: Who do you say I am? Hours of meditation before the Eucharistic Lord led to a personal confession similar to Petrine's confession: Jesus Christ is my Lord! With you all, my beloved in Christ, we are the church called to profess Jesus as our Lord in deeds, words and worship. As members of one body of Christ, the mystical body of Christ, we are called and sent to proclaim Christ as the Lord to the people we meet. We must, however, daily, in prayers, continue to nourish and strengthen our relationship with Jesus if we want to endure and succeed in our call to make Christ known. May I suggest you attend our parish's "Sing to the Lord" contemporary praise and worship concert on Saturday, September 2, from 6 p.m.?  I invite all to worship Christ as our Lord.
 
In His Joy,
 
Fr. Alayode Bernard, OP
 

​Beloved in Christ,

I am writing with a heart full of gratitude and joy to express my profound appreciation for the love, prayers, and thoughtful gifts you showered me on my 55th birthday on August 12. Your generosity and kindness touched my heart in ways words can hardly describe.

Your prayers and mass on my behalf warmed my soul and reminded me of the strong bonds that tie us together as a spiritual family. Your words of encouragement and support, especially at my "double nickel" birthday party in the parish social hall, mean more to me than I can express. I am truly humbled by how you rallied around me during this special time in my life.

The gifts you gave me are not just material items but a reflection of your thoughtfulness and care. Each one will hold a special place in my heart as a reminder of the love surrounding me within our church community.

As I reflect on the past 55 years of my life, I am grateful to have shared some of those years alongside all of you. Your unwavering faith, genuine friendships, and compassionate hearts have enriched my life.

Once again, thank you for your prayers, kind gestures, warm wishes, and the love you have shown me in the almost five years I have spent with you, first as parish administrator and then as pastor. May our bond grow stronger as we journey together in faith and fellowship. E seun-thank you. May St. Bernard of Clairvaux intercede on behalf of all of you.

With heartfelt appreciation and joy,

Fr. Alayode Bernard, OP
 

​Beloved in Christ,

"Lord, save me!" Peter cried out as he became frightened and began to sink as he walked on the troubled sea (Mt 14: 30). Jesus walked on troubled water, stirred by the wind. The wind was blowing against the boat the apostles were riding. The disciples of Christ were filled with fear because they could not contend with the fearsome power of the wild wind rocking their craft to the point of capsizing. The wind against the boat symbolizes the trials and tribulations dealt upon the Church, on Christians, and the need to direct our cries for help to Jesus, who is always quietly present in our midst.

God never fails to help his friends when they call upon him. In the first reading from 1 King 19, Elijah fled for his life from a raging and vengeful Jezebel to the cave of Mt Horeb to draw strength from God, who made himself present to him in "a tiny whispering sound." God is always present with his troubled and endangered children, sometimes in simple and gentle ways. In their fright due to the threatening winds, Jesus reveals himself to his disciples and reaches out to save them. He responds to their cry for help because he is true to his identity as Iesus Hominum Salvator, a Latin abbreviation we find on our sacred lines, vestments and vessels, meaning "Jesus, Savior of Humankind."

What are the winds blowing against our Church and us at the moment? There are several forms of treacherous winds blowing against our progress to heaven, enemies of the faith: from lack of belief in the real presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist to the corruption of will and morals due to the secularism and materialism sweeping across the world like a raging wildfire. The tsunami of stress, worries, and anxiety threatening to capsize our spiritual boats can be arrested and tamed when we look up to Jesus, who is always present and reaching out to save us. If we turn to Jesus in faith and confess him humbly and honestly as "the Son of God," he will step into our boat and calm down the wind of life-endangering problems. Jesus, our savior, is bigger and greater than all the winds of evil that scare and trouble us. And his promise to come to our rescue is ever dependable because he is the Son of God.

Last Monday, we had a heavy storm just before our parish's Monthly Eucharistic Adoration. It was so intense and terrifying enough to blow away my umbrella as I approached my car from the rectory. But the storm failed to deter from going forth. I was more concerned at this point about those planning to attend; I was concerned for their safety if they chose to attend Adoration despite the inclement weather. We had a decent number of adorers who braved the storm to be present to Jesus, who made himself present to us in the Blessed Sacrament. We turned to Jesus in prayers for all our parishioners. All who could not attend because of the heavy storm were represented by those in attendance, and all received a benediction from Jesus, who is always present to those who call on him. Jesus always comes to save all who cry to him for help. Sometimes, He may delay, but he never disappoints those who anchor themselves unto him in faith.

Are you in the midst of any trial at the moment? Jesus is here to the rescue. Recognize him as the Son of God, a friend and lover of your soul. In faith, look up to him. Pray constantly without wavering in faith. One of the most efficient ways of coming into the presence of Jesus is a turn to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Pray the Rosary of Our Blessed Mother Mary assumed into heaven. She always appeals to her Son and Savior, Jesus Christ, on behalf of all her sons and daughters who seek her intercession.

Do not forget to attend the Mass of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Monday evening and Tuesday. Please plan to participate in the mass of the Assumption, not because it is a day of obligation but because you love the Blessed Mother, and our Lord Jesus would be honored when you honor his mother. She is our best intercessor before Jesus- To Jesus through Mary.

O Mary, Assumed into Heaven, pray for us who have recourse to thee. Amen.

In His Joy,
Fr. Alayode Bernard, OP
 

 Beloved in Christ,

Jesus led three apostles up on a high mountain, "And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light." (Mt 17: 1-2). The transfiguration of the Lord points to his glory just before he enters into his passion. In celebrating this feast, we acknowledge and celebrate the revelation of Christ's divine and majestic glory, an experience of the prefiguration of the splendor of heaven. Peter, James, and his brother, John, were given the grace to experience this on the mount of transfiguration as the passion of Christ approached. The feast was inserted into the general liturgical calendar in 1457 by Pope Callistus III to celebrate the defeat, announced in Rome on 6 August, of Turks at Belgrade. Notably, this feast occurs forty days before the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, 14 September (see Ordo 2023, p.199).

When I think of transfiguration, my mind wanders to the Eucharistic term, transubstantiation. I yield to this positive deviation by placing it side by side by comparing transfiguration with transubstantiation. The glossary to the Catechism of the Catholic Church defines transfiguration as "The mysterious event in which Jesus, seen speaking with Moses and Elijah on the mountain, was transformed in appearance-in the sight of Peter, James, and John- as a moment of disclosure of his divine glory" and transubstantiation as "The scholastic term used to designate the unique change of the Eucharistic bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ. 'Transubstantiation indicates that through the consecration of the bread and wine there occurs the change of the entire substance of the bread into the substance of the Body of Christ, and of the entire substance of the wine into the Blood of Christ-even though the appearances or 'species' of bread and wine remains." In the former, change occurs in the appearance (Jesus himself was substantially present in his incarnation), while in the latter, change occurs in the substance of bread and wine.

The core word here is trans; the Latin prefix means moving or carrying across, over, or beyond. Think of the words- transplant, transmission, or transfer. Through grace, something vital goes across from one state to another. This divine act of moving beyond a humanly perceived reality to another is to strengthen our faith. In both cases, the effected change points to the destiny of Christians- a foretaste of heaven in this valley of tears. We receive, even now, through grace, the privilege of participation in the glory of heaven, the promise of salvation.

At our parish monthly Eucharistic Adoration on Monday and post-mass silent adoration on Thursday, we will experience the presence of the divine splendor of Christ, similar to the incredible experience of Peter, James and John in the presence of the transfigured Christ on the holy mountain. Let us meet Christ face to face to converse with Him, and let us adore His divine presence in the transubstantiated bread, the Blessed Sacrament.

The feast of St. Dominic, the founder of the Order of Preachers, is on the 8th of August. It is a special day for Dominican friars to celebrate our brotherhood. To this effect, I will host my Dominican brothers in our parish. We shall have mass together and eat lunch afterward. Please, pray for us and pray with us.

In His Joy,

Fr. Bernard, OP
 

​Beloved in Christ,

For the third Sunday in a row, we reflect on the parables of Christ. Parables are ways Jesus points us to the unknown through the known. We are to draw lessons about the mysteries of faith through stories we can relate to. We have three parables from today's Gospel according to Matthew, chapter 13. Christ reveals the mystery of the kingdom of heaven or God to us as part of the cost of discipleship. If we want to follow Christ and embrace His kingdom, we must be ready to pay the cost.

Let us dwell briefly on one of the first of the three parables in our pericope today. "The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys the field" (Mt 14 44). Treasures are hidden in fields in ancient times. Anyone working in the field can accidentally find treasures. In this story of comparison, we can argue that Jesus is saying to us that the reign or dominion of God can be found or traced in our daily tasks. Whatever human venture we engage in, we can find an opportunity to accomplish God's will. From being a businessman to being a sports person, from being a parent to being a law enforcement agent, God's will and reign can and should be cultivated in whatever is our calling or vocation.

Are we willing to pay the price of discipleship? In other words, are we willing to allow God's kingdom to have a hold in our life? If so, we must be willing to sell all that we have and obtain God's dominion in our life. We must be willing to make sacrifices of certain pleasures to obtain the highest treasure, God's will. Also, we must be willing to make these sacrifices in the spirit of pure joy and trust. God loves a cheerful giver. 
 
What are we willing to give up for us to attain the joy of the kingdom? What are we willing to put into making God's will be done in our lives? Prayerfully think of the opportunities we have in our daily routine to bear witness to God's will and ask for the grace to give up anything to accomplish that will. What we may be called to "sell" to "buy the field" of God's treasure could cost a lot, but it is worth it. With joy, let us give today to acquire the reign of God in our lives.

On a different note: do you know that the month of August is traditionally dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary? What are your plans in August to deepen your love for the Mother of Christ, our Saviour? August is not only a month of the plethora of feasts (for example, the Assumption); it is the month of my feast day and birth. I always look forward to August with JOY!

In His Joy,

Fr. Bernard, OP
 

​Beloved in Christ,

Instead of my usual homily on Sunday mass readings, I would like to dwell on the summer of fun with family and friends this Sunday ( I get a chance to not probe into parables this week. Phew!). As we approach mid-summer, we should take stock of how much time we have devoted to family and fun. Is fun time with family and friends not the focus of the summer holidays? When I think of the summer season, I think of extended daytime and shorter nights. This weather condition indicates nature's agreement with our human tendencies for dreams and desires for a longer time for fun and festivities. In thinking about the summer season, I recall William Shakespeare's comedy title, A Midsummer Night's Dream. The play's title references the fantasy, festivity and dreams associated with the eve of the summer solstice- June 23. However, my shout-out to the Shakespearean title has more to do with its syntax and order of words than the focus of the play (the play focuses on themes of love, appearance and reality, and order and disorder in nature-important stuff. Perhaps you can add the play to the list of your summer readings). We are approaching the middle of summer and should plan a fun and relaxing time with family and friends.

Some of us have already done that. I have heard from some families who have gone on cruises, beaches, and resorts. I have heard pleasant feedback on how these summer vacations have helped to ease tensions and recharge energy and love in families. Is that not what we dream and desire? We want opportunities to escape from our routine to relax and enjoy nature with those we love. If we can afford to go to the many beautiful places in and outside the country to wind down, we should do so. Summer is nature's gift to us to fulfill dreams and create joy with the people we love.

I saw that summer dream turned into reality in our parish. I was a partial "participant" in our parish Vacation Bible School from Sunday to Thursday last week. What an adventure with our lovely kids and their families! The theme of wilderness adventure provided an opportunity to learn about the church's sacraments. We had games, quizzes, skits, songs and food in abundance. It was not just about learning; it was about building family, parish family. This is part of our goal in summer, an environment for fulfilling dreams of a family's bond of love, joy, unity and peace. I want everyone who worked hard to make our VBS this year another resounding success- Georgann Azzalina and her team- to know I am filled with gratitude (one of the virtues taught during the period) for their sacrifices. May Jesus bless you and all your loved ones.

What am I doing for summer this year? Some of you have asked me. As many non-American-born priests do in summer, I cannot visit my home country Nigeria this year. Instead of an ideal four-week vacation to Nigeria, I spread my vacation weeks through the summer months of June, July and August. I am thankful to the priests who will fill in for me when I am away. It is tough to get priests coverage in the summer months. I plan during my vacation to drive to visit some family members and friends in the Carolinas, New York, and New Jersey. The anticipated highlights of my summer time are the events planned for August 8 and 12. I plan to host and celebrate the feast of St. Dominic on August 8 with my Dominican brothers in various apostolates across Catholic dioceses in America. On August 12, I will celebrate my double nickel birthday at a family reunion. You are a part of my family, and I invite you to share in my joy.

I wish you all a joyful and safe summer travels. We must never relegate God and worship to the background in all our summer fun. Please, prioritize attending mass, especially on Sundays of your vacations outside our parish. Find a mass near you at masstimes.org. Remember to bring me parish bulletins-I am a bulletin collector!

Love you all,             Fr. Bernard, OP
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

​ 
Beloved in Christ,
 
The seed given to the one who sows is the "Divine Word" that comes forth from the mouth of God. It will achieve its purpose because it is fertile and fruitful (Is. 55:10-11). It will yield a fruitful harvest if it falls on good ground (Ps 65). Meanwhile, we groan as we await the attainment and fulfillment of this fruitful end (Rom 8: 18-23). Christ sows this seed- God's Word. Some fell on the path, some on rocky ground, some among thorns, and some on rich soil. The seed that fell on the rich soil achieved its purpose; it produced fruit "a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold" (Mt. 13: 1-9). What kind of soil are we? How receptive are we to the word of God? Are we the rich soil open and conducive to the word of God? Is the soil of our heart well cultivated for healthy growth of the Word seed Jesus sows in it?
 
As Jesus explains to his disciples, the parable of the sower is a metaphor or analogy for hearing the word of the kingdom. The seeds are of great value, yet the sower throws seeds carelessly into unproductive soil. Is this a reflection of God's abundance and generosity? He sows the seed in unproductive soil. He sows seed into the path (those who hear the word without understanding), rocky ground (those who heard the word with joy, but it lasts only for a short while because it has no root ) and among thorns ( those who hear the word but fail to bear fruits because of worldly anxiety and the lure of riches). God generously gives all his children the divine word of his kingdom, including those who will not put it to productive use. God will go to any length to save and bring us into his kingdom. He continues to sow the seed into productive and unproductive soils.
 
God's word will bear fruit because God says so. There will be those who refuse the word. There will be those who have yet to listen to and understand the word. There will be those who reject it. Nevertheless, there will also be those who work hard to understand and accept the word of the kingdom. We are the soil for the divine seed. What is the condition of our soil? Is our soil well prepared to receive and support the growth of the divine seed? Our responsibility is to prepare our soil to respond positively to the grace of the divine seed, the grace of God's word. In human form, we are to avoid letting our body and soul become empty and distracted; they are not to be allowed to become hardened or clogged by worldly concerns, they are not to be closed but be opened to the access of God's grace, we must be willing to practice detachment and embrace sacrifice for the word of grace to find a home in our soul. Our utmost goal must be to see that the grace we receive yields multiple fruits by corresponding to the grace God constantly dispenses on our souls. In other words, the degree to which we open up to God's grace will determine how fruitful we become.
 
Have we chosen to be the good soil that will receive God's grace and bear fruit? As St. John Chrysostom says, "The only thing that matters is that we should not be a beaten-down thoroughfare, or rocky ground, or thorns, but that we should be good soil." Let us do the one thing that truly matters: be the good soil. We get to make that choice.
 
One way to ensure we choose to be good soil is to begin the art of preparing our hearts for the seed at the early beginning of our lives. Our parish Vacation Bible School (VBS) starts this Sunday at 6 p.m. I ask for your support for our children's adventure into the wilderness of God's word. I am thankful to Georgann Azzalina, our religious education coordinator, and her team of volunteers for their labor in this vital ministry to our little ones.
 
Enjoy your summer vacation. Attend mass when out of town, and bring me bulletins from the churches you attended for mass.
 
In Christ,
Fr. Bernard, OP
 

​Beloved in Christ,
 
"Come to me all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give your rest" (Mt 11:29). He, our king and our God, invites us to come to him to help us face our trials and troubles. We need the support of our meek and just savior (Zec. 9:9) in our times of worries, fears, and anxiety. Whatever forms or shapes our burdens come in, we must trust that our Lord and King Jesus cares for us and should turn over those troubling conditions to him. St. Peter offered similar words of persuasion to take our worries to our compassionate Saviour when he wrote: "Cast all your worries upon him for he cares for you" (1 Pt 5:7; see Ps. 55: 23). 
 
What are the burdens we bear? Is it the heavy burden of sin, as St. Jerome said? Is it the burden of poor health? Is it the burden of doubt about God's love for us? Is it a burden of a complicated relationship? Is it a burden concerning children who have left the faith? Is it a burden of financial strain? There are many more of them you can add to the list. What do we do with these burdens,  the difficulties stressing and tearing us apart? We must act in faith, trusting Jesus' invitation, casting them upon Jesus who cares for our wellbeing. He will grant us rest, that is, shalom-peace. That is the promise he made. Peace means he will grant us calmness of heart, wholeness and wellness in our interior life so as not to be drowned by our difficulties. He does not promise they will be taken away; those burdens often remain. But he assures us that he will strengthen us and see us through those struggles if he does not remove them.
 
Jesus adds to his invitation, "Take my yoke upon you...for my yoke is easy and my burden light" (Mt. 11:29'30). Jesus' Gospel replaces the burden of the law presented by the Pharisees and Scribes. Jesus' yoke and burden are constituted in his teachings and the Sacraments he instituted. They are still demanding and do not necessarily get rid of life hardships. For instance, Jesus' message and wisdom assure us we shall still face difficulties in the world (Jn 16:33) and must be willing to carry our crosses daily and follow him (Lk 9: 23; Mt 10: 38) if we want to be worthy of him. 
 
So what do we do with the troubles life throws at us? What do we do with difficulties that accompany following Jesus and doing his will? We must constantly pray for faith. Without faith, we cannot do God's will nor please him. We must pray for a living faith and nourish that faith daily. We must believe that God loves and cares for us, no matter the hardship we face as Christians. This is hard, but we must strive to do this. We must imitate our Lord and be meek and humble to accept his will for us, including brutal truths about our existence and how to order our life based on his wisdom and Gospel.
 
One of the four invitations of the Year of Parish Revival from the USCCB National Eucharistic Mission is a call to Personal Encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist:  "This is a specific call for monthly 'Encounter Nights' that help parishioners encounter Jesus in the Eucharist personally." We are responding to this invitation through our parish's monthly Eucharistic Adoration. We had one this past Monday, the third of July. Did you have any exciting and inspiring experience you would like to share about how worshiping Jesus in Adoration helped you deal effectively with your burden? I'll like to hear from you. I know Jesus is a promise keeper. If you present your burden to him, he will keep his part of the bargain and give you rest.
 
In Christ,
Fr. Bernard, OP

​Beloved,
 
St. Paul instructs us today to die to sin and live "for God in Christ Jesus" (Rom 6: 11). Do we live for God? Is our entire life centered around and towards God? Some people think we have "deviated from God." That was the phrase used by Matt, a salesman from Cleveland, Ohio, whom I recently made the acquaintance of in an elevator and later at breakfast in Roanoke, Virginia. He initiated a conversation with me about our society and family and how we have disconnected from God. Matt concluded that we need to reconnect with God and nature to find our true selves. I agreed with Matt and added we need to worship God above all things as the Bible commands us: "You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve" (see Lk 4:8; Deuteronomy 6:4).
 
Three times in the passage from the Gospel according to Matthew this Sunday (Mt. 10: 37-39), Jesus reminds us of the importance of directing worship to God alone because only God is worthy of such. But who is worthy of Jesus? The only one worthy of Jesus is the one who prices him above even the most valuable relationships in our lives, even our family. Devotion to Jesus must be greater than our love for our family; God comes first- he is above all. We must ask ourselves a sincere question, do we always place God above all other essential things in our lives? Is Jesus worth more of our focus than the demands of family, friends, work, pleasure, social media, entertainment, food, drink, study, sports, money, clothing, etc.?
 
Who is worthy of Jesus? The one who lives for God in Christ Jesus. The one who gives him priority over all other beautiful things in life screaming for our attention. Giving Jesus the first place over other things manifests primarily in sacred and liturgical worship. "You shall worship the Lord your God." As Catholics, the worship of God takes the most solemn form in Eucharistic adoration. Jesus, as a sacrifice of praise, is offered to God at every mass as the primary form of worship. However, worshiping God in the Eucharist is not limited to mass on Sunday or during the week; it extends outside mass to Eucharistic adoration. The Catechism of the Catholic Church spelled this out clearly:  "The Catholic Church has always offered and still offers to the sacrament of the Eucharist the cult of adoration, not only during Mass, but also outside of it, reserving the consecrated hosts with the utmost care, exposing them to the solemn veneration of the faithful, and carrying them in procession" (1378).
 
We, the St. Peter family, "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation" (1 Pt 2:9), get another opportunity to offer solemn veneration to Jesus in the Eucharist this Monday, tomorrow, the third of July (as we get ready for the 247th fourth of July Independence celebration). As a priestly people, St. Peter, our patron saint, urges us to "announce the praises of him," who has granted us freedom and light. As we have done several times, let us prioritize the worship of Jesus over all other things by turning out in large numbers with our family and friends to our parish monthly Eucharistic Adoration tomorrow at 6 p.m. to offer praises to God, who has blessed and continues to bless us and our country.
 
Happy Fourth of July.
 
In Christ,
 
Fr. Bernard, OP
 

Beloved,
  
"Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul" (Mt 10: 28). In the first reading for this Sunday's mass, prophet Jeremiah faces opposition and hostility for preaching a God-authored message. He did not let the fear of his adversaries' attack cripple him but acknowledged that the Lord, "like a mighty champion," was with him and entrusted his cause to him (Jer. 20: 10-13). Do not be afraid echoes through the words and deeds of several saints we revere today. It is essential, therefore, to take God on his assuring words of protection, even when our existential condition is under threat and we appear to be drowning in the ocean of fear, "Fear no one," God says.
 
But what is it we are afraid of? What is the source of our fears? What realities give us nightmares? What thoughts deprive us of sleep at night? Whose voices and images evoke fear in us? As followers of Christ and His way, whether you are married, single or a priest, young or elderly, whatever your state, you probably have Frankenstein creatures chasing you in either direct or subtle forms. What are you going to do about your fears? Simple. It is easier said than done, but we must trust Jesus' command. Do not be afraid; choose not to submit to fear. Yes, as simple as that. Why so? Because Jesus says so. But can you take Jesus seriously? You should. We should because Jesus is our Good Shepherd. He guides and nourishes us. He gives us the grace to keep us fearless and bold to fight and overcome our fears. We should not be ruled by fear because we are worth much before God; we are His sons and daughters. "So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows," Jesus reminds us. There is nothing to fear because the one in us is greater than he in the world, so we should not be overcome with fear.
 
We should continue to live according to God's will even if we face opposition. Like Jeremiah, we should not be intimidated by forces raised against us because of our stand for Jesus and his Truth. Every follower of the Way should expect resistance and rejection, but we must not buckle to the weight of the intimidating task. We have nothing to fear because God the Mighty Hero is beside us. He is with us always in the Holy Eucharist. He is always present in the Blessed Sacrament in all tabernacles of the world. 
 
In his first homily as pope, given at St. Peter's Square on October 1978, John Paul II made Jesus' most repeated command in the Bible his own and stamped it forever on our mind when he said: "Do not be afraid to welcome Christ and to accept his power." We encounter the power and grace of God in the Sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist. We are sanctified when we receive him in faith and a state of grace. The sanctifying grace we received in baptism is renewed in frequent and worthy reception of his body and blood in Holy Communion. We draw strength to conquer our fears in an intimate encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist. Go to Jesus in the Eucharist.
 
Thank you for your warm reception of the mission appeal preacher for this Sunday, Fr. Paul Tung Nguyen. God will reward your generous giving. We participate in the global and catholic mission of spreading the Good News of Christ's Kingdom when we give generously to the cause of the mission in Vietnam.
 
We have a new bishop! Praise be God! Bishop Timothy Christian Senior was installed on Wednesday, June 21, as the Twelfth Bishop of the Diocese of Harrisburg. May God bless his ministry and time with us. We are grateful to God for giving us Bishop Emeritus Ronald W. Gainer, who guided and nurtured the diocese through the pandemic and bankruptcy in the last nine years. We are thankful for Bishop Gainer's stewardship and wish him a happy retirement and all the best in the years ahead. 
 
Also, this past week, I marked the fourth anniversary of my appointment as pastor of St. Peter Catholic Church. How time flies! It has been a life-changing experience in my twenty-three years of priesthood. You have done more for me, my beloved brothers and sisters, than I have done for you. I invite you to continue to walk patiently with me as I try to proclaim Jesus and his Kingdom among you. Together, we are destined for heaven. Thank you for your love for me despite my many flaws. May I continue to find Joy in serving you. Let's not be afraid as we take bold steps at St. Peter's.
 
In the Heart of Jesus,
 
Fr. Bernard, OP