Father Hathaway’s Column — September 22, 2024
“WHOEVER RECEIVES ONE CHILD….”
In our Gospel reading for this Sunday (Mark 9:30-37), Jesus beautifully receives a little child, telling His followers: “Whoever receives one child such as this in My name, receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but the One who sent Me.”
The child embraced by Christ represents every child in the world and everyone who is needy, helpless, weak, vulnerable, poor or sick. Kindness shown to these “little ones” is kindness shown to Christ and the Father. What we gain in return is God Himself, who is present in a particular way to those who serve the “little children” of the earth – the unnoticed, the fragile, the innocent, the frightened and the marginalized.
SAINTLY WITNESSES FOR CHRIST
Monday, September 23, is the feast of Saint Pius of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio), a simple Capuchin priest who had a great following as a spiritual advisor, confessor and intercessor. Still, he said, “I only want to be a poor friar who prays.” Indeed, his life was devoted to the Eucharist and to prayer. He died on September 23, 1968. Twice in recent years, we have been honored to have relics of Padre Pio here for veneration at the Basilica. What a grace-filled experience for our parish. You can find a movie on his life at https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0211559/ (due to some violence that makes up part of his story, parental discretion may be required).
Friday, September 27, is the feast day of Saint Vincent de Paul (1581-1660), known for his compassion for the poor and abandoned. He inspired the founding of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SVdP), an international organization of lay Catholics dedicated to serving those in need. Find a movie on his life at https://watch.formed.org/videos/st-vincent-de-paul-catholic-saints. Our own Basilica of Saint Mary SVdP, serving others since 1868, will host their annual open house on October 16 where you can learn more about their work and how you can support them. Watch the bulletin for more details on the October 16 event or contact them any time at svdp@tmaryoldtown.org
CONGRATULATIONS TO 5 NEW MONSIGNORS
Five Arlington Diocese priests have been named by Pope Francis as Chaplains to His Holiness with the title “Monsignor.” Of particular note for our parish, the new Monsignors include Rev. Msgr. Dennis W. Kleinmann, parochial vicar here at Saint Mary from June 2000-June 2002, administrator at Saint Mary from June 2002-June 2004, and pastor of Saint Mary from June 2004-June 2015; and Rev. Msgr. William P. Saunders, parochial vicar here from 1984-1988. The other three new Arlington Monsignors are: Rev. Msgr. Robert C. Cilinski, Rev. Msgr. Robert J. Rippy and Rev. Msgr. Lee R. Roos. Ad multos annos!
Monsignors are priests who have rendered valuable service to the Church and have provided a special function in church governance. Pope Francis accepts recommendations from diocesan bishops for nominations for the title, with consideration given only to priests who are 65 years or older.
In congratulating the new Monsignors, Bishop Burbidge said, “Their pastoral service has been and remains a special gift to the Diocese of Arlington. Each has demonstrated the virtues of the priestly vocation, and their lives have inspired all who know them, especially their brother priests and those discerning a vocation to the priesthood. I ask all in the Diocese of Arlington to join me in congratulating our new Monsignors and to continue to pray for them and all our priests.”
Read more about the new Monsignors at https://bit.ly/3Zl3y59