Dear Parishioners of Our Beloved St. Paul:

Praised be Jesus Christ and His Most Holy Mother Mary! On this the Fourth Sunday in Lent I would like to begin a series on the seven deadly sins or the seven capital sins.  They are called thus because all of the other sins are derived from them.

The Third Mass Preface of Lent expresses to God Our Lord the spirit we are to have as we “climb the holy mountain” towards Easter:

You ask us to express our thanks by self-denial.

We are to master our sinfulness and conquer our pride.

We are to show to those in need your goodness to our selves.

The very real presence of the Devil and the seven deadly sins (pride, envy, anger, sloth, avarice, gluttony, and lust) active in our world, are something to examine especially at this time of year. We should seek to eradicate them from our lives and let the goodness of Almighty God shine forth. I hope to present all seven over the next few weeks; and likely into the Easter Season. I have taken great encouragement for this exposition from Fr. Robert Barron’s CD “Seven Deadly Sins / Seven Lively Virtues.”  If any of this echoes his presentation, I give him the credit!

Pride is the root of all sin which paves the road for all the others. It is the sin of Adam and Eve; the Original Sin. As we heard in the reading from Genesis on the First Sunday of Lent, at the prompting of the serpent, our first parents bought into the lie that they could be something greater than they were. They were lured into believing that they could be like God; even possibly being “competition” for Him. It was and always is a disordered desire to excel; a self-centered desire and not one of wanting to share in God’s power to be only good and do only good, but to have selfish advantage or power and control over others, which is evil.

Psychology tells us that whether one feels either inferior or superior to others, both are inferiority complexes. The former makes itself obvious, while in the latter, arrogance masks deep-down fears of inadequacy. To look at ourselves as somehow superior to others can be a very real temptation. When we are prideful, we want to be the center of our own destiny, rather than let God be the One who is Lord of all things, and seeing all others in His light.

“When man isolates self from God and the rest of humanity and makes self absolute or central, either ignoring all others or using them solely towards the achievement of his own private ends, he has the vice of pride.   At the root of all such sins there is an exaggerated love and concern for self that clouds one’s knowledge and appreciation of the true self and the corresponding worth of others.” (Catholic Encyclopedia)

To one degree or another, this sin exists in all of us; and typically in very subtle ways. Some examples of pride can even parade themselves as virtues. i.e.: when one is given a (well deserved) compliment, and in response puts him/herself down (false humility), rather than graciously say, “Thank-you,” while explicitly or implicitly giving God the credit and glory for the gifts required to achieve whatever was accomplished. 

“Scrupulous” individuals suffer from a variety of pride that does not allow God to be all merciful: in essence saying, “God is not powerful enough to forgive me or cover for my inadequacies and failings.” The scrupulous says his unworthiness is larger than God. No matter how we think or feel, God is much greater than even the worst sin we can commit.

“Presumptuous” individuals exhibit the opposite attitude: acting as if that no matter what I do, God is going to forgive me. That everything I do (no matter how intrinsically evil) is justifiable and OK. The presumptuous person, in essence, “tells” God how to be God; can flaunt the laws of God and the Church, and legitimate authority. This is often manifested in what can be called the “…but I’m a good person…” syndrome; “God has to forgive me because I am wonderful.” An egotistical attitude like that can be detrimental to one’s eternal salvation.

Some other everyday examples of the sin of pride: self-absorption and vanity; easily taking offense; reaction to criticism and over-sensitivity; the craving for attention, adulation, and praise; having to have it “my way’; not taking legitimate praise (for the gifts that come from God working in you); not admitting mistakes; always talking about yourself/your children/grandchildren/your interests… and not really listening to others; being judgmental… the list goes on. We each have our particular “brands” of pride.

Yet, we have the capability to become something greater than we are only through the humble, obedient love of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Mary said to the angel, “Let it be done unto me according to thy Word.” May our attitude be the same through her prayers, so that we too may make God #1 and share His Life in heaven.

Confirmation: On Tuesday March 25th our second group of confirmation students made their retreat at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington.  I was so impressed with the spiritual formation our confirmation students have received.  They were able to participate in Holy Mass and the sacrament of confession was available for them.  Thank you to Brother Joseph Bellizzi, S.M., Mrs. Shannon and all the teachers and aides.  Thank you to Mr. Anthony Bellizzi (the brother of Brother Joe) who was our presenter during the retreats.  Bishop Andrzej Zglejszewski will administer the Sacrament of Confirmation to our students on May 10th.  A group of adults will be confirmed in our parish on Pentecost Sunday June 8th.

St. Paul Preschool: As everyone is aware our parish is blessed to have a Preschool.  Children 30 months and older attend our wonderful Pre-School.  What a consolation that several generations of parishioners have been educated in our Pre-School and it is nice to see parents who are alumni of the Preschool putting their own children into the Preschool. I would encourage all the parents in our parish to visit the Preschool and see the fine programs offered there.  From such a tender age the children are raised in the faith and I have been so moved to visit the classrooms and to hear the children saying all their prayers so well.  Thank you Mrs. Crimarco, Mrs. Oliva, and all the teachers and assistants.  Our parish Pre-School is a little family that reflects the parish in a wonderful way.

First Friday and First Saturday: Friday of this week is the First Friday of the month.  There will be adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament in the Chapel beginning at 12 noon and continuing until 7.00pm. (Please note the time change from the usual 8.00pm).  The Stations of the Cross followed by Benediction will be prayed on Friday and all the Fridays of Lent at 7.30pm.  Saturday of this week is the First Saturday.  Holy Mass will be celebrated at 9.00am in the chapel followed by the Anointing of the Sick and the Holy Rosary in honor of Our Lady of Fatima.

Lenten Holy Hour:  On each of the remaining Wednesdays of Lent there will be Holy Hour in the Chapel from 7.30pm until 8.30pm.  During the Holy Hour mediation will be given.

Crucifix: St. Paul’s is in need of a Crucifix that will be solemnly carried in procession on Good Friday.  It is this Cross that all the faithful will venerate on that Day of Grace. Behold the Wood of the Cross on which hung the Savior of the World…Come let us Worship. If any parishioner would like to give the Cross as an offering to the Church in memory of a loved one please speak with me.  The Cross will be kept in the Chapel during the remainder of the year. May God bless and reward all of you.

Nos cum prole pia,
Benedicat Virgo Maria!
In Jesus and Mary,

Monsignor James F. Pereda

Dear Parishioners of Our Beloved St. Paul:
Praised be Jesus Christ and Mary His Most Holy Mother! One of the most beautiful Churches in the United States is the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle on Rhode Island Avenue in Washington, D.C. It is the Cathedral Church of the Archdiocese of Washington (not to be confused with the National Shrine of the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception).
St. Matthew’s is quite near to the White House and there is a large congregation for weekday Mass because of all the offices in the vicinity.
From January 1961 until early November 1963 a very distinguished looking young man would often attend Holy Mass there on Sundays at 9.00am. He would usually arrive a few minutes late and would be accompanied by two other men and his young daughter. They would slip into a pew at the rear of the Church. The gentleman’s wife would remain at home with their young son. When the Mass was over, the man would always say to his little daughter, come on, let’s go and light a candle for Uncle Joe. And father and daughter would make their way over to the altar of the Sacred Heart and there light a candle and remain for some moments in quiet prayer. They would both leave very comforted realizing that the gentle living flame would continue their prayer after they had left the Church. Uncle Joe had been the man’s brother and a Navy pilot who had been killed on a mission in the Second World War.
The gentleman and his daughter would light their last candle at St. Matthew’s on November 17, 1963. Daddy would be going on a trip related to his work later that week. Although he would not light a candle there ever again his casket would be brought to that very same Church on November 25, 1963, for his Funeral Mass. His mortal remains would lie in that Church during the Funeral Mass and then would be brought to Arlington National Cemetery where, like all the faithful, they await the hope of the resurrection.
I am sure you realize by now that the gentleman to whom I am referring was the thirty third President of the United States, John F. Kennedy. The little girl who loved to light the candle with her father is, of course, Caroline B. Kennedy who now serves as the American Ambassador to Japan. “Uncle Joe” was Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. the older brother of the president.
I write of this charming incident to illustrate how the lighting of a candle seems to bring comfort and consolation to the believer and glory and honor to God. The lighting of candles is as old as Christianity itself and has often sustained the faithful in hardship and difficulty. It sustained President Kennedy through many hardships
Very often as I have walked the grounds of the parish I see how the faithful love to visit our chapel. The chapel is open Monday through Friday from 7.30am until 4.00pm. Of course it also open later on First Fridays and is also open on First Saturday. Many have entered the chapel and have asked to light a candle. I prayed that somehow God would allow for this to happen.

I am so happy that now we have candles for the faithful to light in the chapel. They are real candles, living flames, and a sign of faith, hope and love. It is my fond hope that many of our parishioners will avail themselves of this opportunity and visit the Blessed Sacrament and there light a candle. If these candles prove to be used by our dear parishioners, I’d like to replace the electric candles in the Church with a living and true light of the real candles.

So I would encourage all of you to visit the chapel and there light a candle for “Uncle Joe,” or for whatever is the intention of your heart and soul. Light candles for your loved ones, living and deceased. Parents, light candles for your children, and children light candles for your parents.

St. Joseph: A very kind and generous parishioner has donated a beautiful statue of St. Joseph for our chapel. The statue was hand carved in Italy and is of exceptional beauty and quality. St. Joseph is depicted accurately, as a young man. The statue was blessed on St. Joseph’s Day and is now in its permanent home where he will sanctify the parishioners of St. Paul’s for many generations. The donor, who wishes to remain anonymous, has given the statue in loving memory of Monsignor Mario C. Costa. Because we now have this beautiful statue we will add to our after Mass Novenas. Beginning on Wednesday of this week (March 26th) we will pray weekly the Novena in honor of St. Joseph after the 8.00am Mass. Wednesday is the day traditionally devoted to St. Joseph.

Lent: I was so pleased with the turnout for our first parish Lenten Soup Supper on Friday March 14th. Many of our parishioners came to this simple Lenten meal and then proceeded to the Church to pray the Way of the Cross. The supper was prepared and served by our squires who assist the parish and me in so many endeavors. May God bless and reward them.
Please remember that on each Friday of Lent we pray the Way of the Cross at 7.30 in the evening in the Church. On each of the Wednesdays of Lent there is a Holy Hour of Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament from 7.30 ending with Benediction at 8.30. During the Holy Hour I will try to offer a brief meditation.

CMA: I am pleased that as of today our good parishioners have pledged 94.97% of our parish goal to the Catholic Ministries Appeal. This will be of great assistance to the parish and may God bless and reward you. I am so grateful that during my first year as pastor the CMA has been so successful.
Bishop Andrzej: On Tuesday of this week we will celebrate the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (it is exactly nine months before Christmas). On that day the angel Gabriel came to Mary and asked her to become the Mother of Our Great God and Savior Jesus Christ. An old legend tells us that even the birds of spring stop building their nests in honor of the great mystery of the Word becoming Flesh. It is believed that God created the world on March 25th and the first Good Friday, the day of Our Lord’s death was March 25th. On that wonderful Solemnity Bishop Andrzej will be consecrated a Bishop at St. Agnes Cathedral. Bishop Andrzej has been a dear friend to St. Paul’s and we will all be praying for him. Bishop Andrzej will come to St. Paul’s to give Confirmation to our dear students on May 17th and at that time he will also bless the outdoor shrine of St. Paul which a generous parishioner has donated to the parish. Bishop Andrzej will also be the Regional Vicar for the Western Vicariate of which St. Paul’s is part. Thus Bishop Andrzej will be our Vicar and we wish him many years in health and happiness.

May we all keep a Blessed Lent so that with confidence and assurance we may look upon Our Lord’s glorious face at Easter.

Nos cum prole pia,
Benedicat Virgo Maria!
In Jesus and Mary,
Monsignor James F. Pereda

Dear Parishioners of Our Beloved St. Paul:
Praised be Jesus Christ and Mary His Most Holy Mother! As deadlines dictate I find myself writing this letter to you on Tuesday evening, March 11th. Like so many of you, I have been so encouraged by our Lenten Retreat, conducted by Father Thomas Cardone. How pleased must Our Lord have been to see so very many coming out on these weekday evenings to spend time before the Blessed Sacrament and to speak with Our Lord in prayer. We at St. Paul’s have been blessed to have welcomed this very holy and Christ like priest into our midst. We will all be very grateful to Father Cardone for being with us.
I would encourage you to be faithful to your Lenten practices and to profit by our parish Lenten activities, namely the Stations of the Cross each Friday evening at 7.30pm and (beginning on March 26th) our Wednesday evening Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament in the Chapel.
For our meditation of today I would like to depart from our Lenten meditations and consider two saints whose feast will occur this week St. Joseph and St. Patrick.
The Solemnity of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary is kept on the 19th of March. Although it occurs in Lent the priest puts away the somber violet of this season and wears the joyful white vesture. The Gloria, absent since Ash Wednesday, is prayed at the Mass.
As we all know St. Joseph was chosen from all eternity to be the guardian of the Redeemer. Although he was not physically the father of Our Lord Jesus Christ, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, in every other way he was a father to Our Lord. As he was the protector of the Holy Family on earth, so is he the patron of the Universal Church. We should pray to St. Joseph each day to help us in every need both in the spiritual order and the material order.
Very often we may see paintings and images of St. Joseph which depict him as elderly. This depiction, while well intentioned, is very far from accurate. At the time of Our Lord’s birth St. Joseph would have been about 19 years old, in the full vigor of manhood and strength. After all, God Our Lord would never have entrusted His Divine Son to the care of one who would not have been physically capable of fulfilling his mission as Guardian of the Redeemer. We understand why pious artists would have depicted St. Joseph as elderly – it would have been to emphasize the perpetual virginity of Our Blessed Mother. But we must always remember that Holy Purity is not a virtue not only for the elderly, but for the young also. Holy Purity in fact leads to one always being young of heart and filled with physical strength and strength of will. I will go unto the altar of God; the God who gives joy to my youth!
St. Joseph was not physically the father of Our Lord Jesus Christ, but in every way, other than the physical, he was a father to Our Lord. The way Our Lord held the hammer, the way he planed the wood, the way he finished off a cabinet – these all reflected the influence of St. Joseph. I once remember asking a contractor why he hammered the crown molding in a certain way that I had never seen before. He did not give me a lengthy or complicated answer. He simply said, because that is the way my master taught me. And Our Lord would have done his work as his master and guardian, St. Joseph, taught Him.

St. Joseph has always been the intercessor and protector of Christians. Pope Pius IX proclaimed him the Protector of the Universal Church. Blessed Pope John XXIII placed his name in the Roman Canon and the present Holy Father, Pope Francis, placed his name in all the Eucharistic prayers of the Church. The Little Sitters of the Poor, with whom I lived for 13 years, had such confidence in St. Joseph that they would simply write on a piece of paper what it was they needed to care for their dear old people, and place the note under the statue of St. Joseph, and he would always grant their prayer, whether it was a spiritual need or a material need. Whenever storms approached, they placed the statue of St. Joseph in the window looking out. We now follow that custom at the rectory and I would recommend that practice to all of you.

To many of the saints God has given the grace to assist us in various ways. But St. Joseph assists and protects us in every way. In my 33 years as a priest he has helped me in innumerable ways, particularly at the time of his feast day, March 19th. Each Wednesday is dedicated to St. Joseph and the entire month of March is dedicated to him

St. Joseph’s Day at St. Paul this year will be very special. At the 8.00am Mass our new statue of St. Joseph will be blessed in the Chapel and placed in its permanent home on the left pedestal in the chapel. This new statue is of exquisite beauty and was hand carved in Italy. It has been given by a very generous parishioner who wishes to remain anonymous but who has given the statue in loving memory of Monsignor Mario C. Costa. May St. Joseph ever be the protector of St. Paul.
As everyone is well aware on Monday we will celebrate the Feast of St. Patrick a saint very dear to us. I have always had a special veneration for St. Patrick and have visited many places associated with his life both in France and in Ireland.

Many think of St. Patrick as a mythic figure, but he was a true and living person. St. Patrick was born and raised in a Christian family on the west coast of Britain in what is today Wales. He was a citizen of the Roman Empire and his first language was Latin. At a young age he was captured in a raid upon his beloved British coast and taken to Ireland. At the time Ireland was not a part of the Roman Empire and had not embraced the faith. St. Patrick was treated in a cruel manner by those who had captured him. However, this did not fill him with bitterness and hatred but brought him closer to God. He learned the language of the people, and vowed to God that he would work for the conversion of the Irish peoples if ever he had the opportunity to do so. He understood that much of their cruelty was borne of the fact that they had not come under the Mercy of God and of His Beloved Son.
Patrick eventually escaped from Ireland and made his way to the island of Lerins off the coast of Marseilles. There he remained for two years praying and studying at a Cicerstian Abbey. He was ordained a Bishop there. I have visited that abbey which is still in existence and there is a beautiful memorial plaque to St. Patrick on the island declaring, From hence did Blessed Patrick depart to convert the Irish People.

After returning to Ireland, Patrick did great penances on an island at Lough Derg. I myself have visited the island. The custom even to this day is to remain there for three days doing penance. The pilgrims are barefoot and fasting for three days. The first night is spent in vigil but one is permitted to sleep during the second night.
Finally. St. Patrick, seeing his wonderful work of bringing the grace of the redemption to the people of Ireland fell asleep in the Lord in 461 in Downpatrick in what is now Northern Ireland. I have prayed at his tomb which is on the grounds of the Protestant Cathedral. Dear St. Patrick, pray for us and give to us the grace never to become bitter in the hardships of life, but rather ever to rejoice in the gift of the redemption.

Nos cum prole pia,
Benedicat Virgo Maria!
In Jesus and Mary,
Monsignor James F. Pereda