Wednesday, March 5, 2025

Friar Timothy Patrick Dore, OFM Conv. -- About Me and My Blog . . .

Friar Timothy Patrick Dore, OFM Conv. (Baltimore, Maryland, United States).

On September 3, 1962, I was born at Mercy Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland; I’m the second of seven children: I have an older brother and four younger sisters; they each married terrific spouses and now have families of their own; one sibling, a younger brother who my mother named Joseph, died at birth.  In all, I have fourteen wonderful nieces and nephews, as well as a grand-niece and a grand-nephew, both of whom are absolutely beautiful.  My mom, +Carolyn Marie Winterling (d. 09-13-18), was born and raised in Locust Point, South Baltimore, and was of pure German descent; during her professional life she was a Registered Nurse; my father, +Eugene Anthony “Gene” Dore (d. 07-21-24), was born and raised in Irvington, West Baltimore, and was of Irish/Swedish descent; he spent much of his professional career as a salesman within the heavy construction industry. My immediate and extended family members have always been very dear to me!

I spent my earliest school days as a student in both public and parochial schools: first at Beechfield Elementary, P.S.#246, Irvington (grades K-2), then at St. Joseph's Monastery, Irvington, (grades 3-5) and finally at the Catholic Community School of South Baltimore, (grades 6-8). For high school I attended Baltimore's great Calvert Hall College (a Christian Brothers' school locally known as “the Hall).  

As a child, my family and I were always very active in our parishes (both at St. Joseph's Monastery, in West Baltimore where I lived until the age of eleven, and in later years at Our Lady of Good Counsel, South Baltimore).  I was a member of the boy scouts, an altar server, choir member, youth groups, church cleaner and part time youth parish office receptionist.  As a child, my Catholic faith and my parish identity were always very important aspects of my personal and family experiences!  

After graduating from Mount Saint Mary's College (now “University”), Emmitsburg, Maryland in May of 1984, I entered religious life in August of that year as a novice with Conventual Franciscan Friars (OFM Conv.). I completed my Theological studies at the Washington Theological Union in Silver Spring, Maryland in May of 1992. After a six month period as a transitional deacon, on October 17, 1992 I was ordained to the priesthood at St. Casimir Church, in my home-town of Baltimore, Maryland, by Baltimore's then Auxiliary Bishop +William C. Newman.

For seventeen years of my priesthood (in two non-consecutive terms between ‘92 and ‘14), I was assigned to Most Holy Trinity--St. Mary in Brooklyn, New York. Both my Franciscan and my priestly identities were greatly “formed” during my years in Brooklyn!

In addition to 
Brooklyn, I served as a parochial-vicar at St. Philip Benizi, Jonesboro, Georgia, and at St. Stanislaus Basilica, Chicopee, Massachusetts. In August of ‘14, I began a year-long assignment at Pastor at Assumption Church in Syracuse, New York. Years earlier in ministry, I also spent time teaching young people in schools at St. Francis High School in Athol Springs, New York (‘87-‘88), at St. Francis Primary School, San Jose, Costa Rica (‘98-‘01), and at Archbishop Curley High School in Baltimore, Maryland (‘01-‘03). Later, and in the Archdiocese of Baltimore (‘15-‘18), I was Pastor of two wonderful Parishes of St. Ann and St. Wenceslaus, in Baltimore City, Maryland.  Then I was Pastor of St. Michael the Archangel, Annunciation, and St. Clement Mary Hofbauer, a three parish “Pastorate” in Baltimore County, Maryland (‘18-‘22). 

I’ve always had an “itch” to be a missionary friar.  Although I have never really pursued such a calling, I did have several opportunities in my life to travel and to live abroad in countries where people live in poverty and in great need.  While still a seminarian in 1991, I did a “missionary internship” for three months in Ghana, West Africa where I lived and worked with our friars who ministered to people with leprosy.  Later, after my ordination to the priesthood, I spent three months in Honduras, Central America, where I studied Spanish and further discerned a “missionary calling.”  I’ve returned to Honduras for shorter visits at least ten times over the years, and I still wonder if someday I should return there for a longer commitment.  In 1998, I began a two-and-a-half year assignment in Costa Rica where I taught English to children in our friars’ St. Francis Primary School in San Jose and also to adults in an evening language institute there called the Instituto Interamericano de Idiomas (Intensa).  My experience in Costa Rica was wonderful!

Most of my ministerial experiences have been as a parish priest.  Parish work has always been at the core of my priestly ministry, and over many years I feel I've been greatly blessed by the wonderful people of the parishes I've met along the way!  See a short reflection I wrote about the life of a parish priest here on my blog entitled This is the Life of a Parish Priest(https://www.frayteo.us/2014/04/this-is-life-of-parish-priest.html).

I think one of my most passionate desires within ministry has always been to enthusiastically serve and to work with Christian outreach efforts done for the poor, the marginalized, and to those who are different.”  I believe this desire is fundamentally rooted in my identity as one who hopes to live in accord with the teachings and example of the Lord Jesus, and as a Franciscan Friar, a follower of Il Poverello,St. Francis of Assisi.

Currently, I am stationed at the Shrine of St. Anthony, Ellicott City, Maryland, and there I am one of the friars in the community of the Friary of St. Joseph Cupertino. These days, I divide my time as a friar-chaplain at St. Joseph's Nursing Home, Catonsville, as well as at the Shrine of St. Anthony.

Thanks for visiting my blog. I hope the posts you find on it are both thought provoking and spiritually uplifting!   Peace, Timothy

Praised be Jesus Christ!
Now and Forever!  Amen!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Friar Timothy Patrick Dore, OFM Conv.

My Curriculum Vitae:

EDUCATION

12/99 - 12/00:  The Mesoamerica Spanish Language Program (at the Institute for Central American Studies-"ICAS"),
Intensive Spanish Program and Tutoring.  Guadalupe, San Jose, Costa Rica, Completed: December 2000.

Fall 1998:  Centro Lingüistico Latinoamericano, San Antonio de Belén, Heredia, Costa Rica, Certificate, Intensive Spanish Program. Completed: November 1998.

Summer 1992:  The Diocese of Brooklyn Language Institute, Intensive Spanish Program. Immaculate Conception Center, Douglaston, Queens, New York, Completed: August 1992. 

1988-1992: Washington Theological Union, Silver Spring, Maryland, Master of Divinity, Graduated: May 1992.

1985-1987:  Saint Hyacinth College and Seminary, Granby, Massachusetts, Pre-Theology Certificate in Philosophy, Completed: May 1987

1984-1985:  Saint Joseph Cupertino Friary, Ellicott City, Maryland, Novitiate Program, Completed: August 1985.

1980-1984:  Mount Saint Mary's College (now University), Emmitsburg, Maryland, Bachelor of Arts  (Majors: History and Theology), Graduated: May 1984.

1976-1980:  Calvert Hall College, Towson, Maryland, High School Diploma, Graduated: May 1980.

WORK & INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCES

06/22-Present:  Pastoral Associate, (chaplaincy at St. Joseph's Nursing Home, Catonsville, and pastoral ministry at the Shrine of St. Anthony, Folly Quarter), St. Joseph Cupertino Friary, Ellicott City, Maryland.

08/18-06/22:  Pastor, St. Michael the Archangel, Annunciation, & St. Clement Mary Hofbauer Churches, Baltimore County, Maryland.

08/15-08/18:  Pastor, St. Ann & St, Wenceslaus Churches, Baltimore City, Maryland.

08/14-08/15:  Pastor, Assumption Church, Syracuse, New York.

06/04-08/14:  Parochial Vicar, Most Holy Trinity Church, Brooklyn, New York.

06/03-06/04:  Parochial Vicar, St. Stanislaus Basilica, Chicopee, Massachusetts.

08/01-06/03:  Secondary School Teacher (Intro to Spanish I & Intro to Spanish II), Archbishop Curley High School, Baltimore, Maryland.

06/02-08/02:  Mission Volunteer, Helping Hands for Honduras, La Paz, Honduras, Central America. 

01/01-08/01:  Parochial Vicar, Saint Philip Benizi Catholic Church, Jonesboro, Georgia.

03/00-12/00:  English as a Second Language Teacher (Conversational–for adults), Instituto Interamericano de Idiomas (Intensa), San José, Costa Rica.

12/98-12/00:  Primary School Teacher (Middle School Religion, Second Grade English), Saint Francis Primary School, Moravia, San José, Costa Rica.

01/94-04/94:  Mission Internship, Conventual Franciscan Friars, Campamento, Honduras, Central America.

06/92-09/98:  Parochial Vicar, Most Holy Trinity Church, Brooklyn, New York.

06/91-08/91:  Mission Internship, Franciscan Community Services, Ankaful Leprosy Camp and the Ahotokurom Village, Ghana, West Africa.

09/90-05/91:  Supervised Ministry in Pro-Life Advocacy, Human Life International (H.L.I.), Gaithersburg, Maryland.

09/88-05/92:  Supervised Ministry in a Parish Setting, Saint Mark Church, Catonsville, Maryland.

09/87-05/88:  Secondary School Teacher, (Freshman Social Studies, Sophomore Religion), Saint Francis High School, Athol Springs, New York

 

end


Wednesday, February 26, 2025

+ Elizabeth Ann Murphy

 

+ Elizabeth Ann Murphy (d. 02/26/25)

+Liz and I were fellow victims of sexual abuse perpetrated by our Catholic middle school teacher John Merzbacher (we and unfortunately among many other classmates).

And just a stone’s throw away from Merzbacher’s classroom, beginning when I was 13 years old, I was put through unimaginable emotional, physical and sexual abuse at the hands of clergymen in the Our Lady of Good Counsel Church rectory.

The scars are deep and the lingering trauma lasts forever.

I don’t know, but I wonder if it’s possible for some within our church to have a sense of how much such experiences of abuse have lifelong impacts on the emotional health of such survivors.

One such impact is a never-ending and lingering distrust of men who hold “positions of power” within the hierarchical structure of the church . . .

Maybe these are subjects about which church leaders and bureaucrats, try as they may, but because of their obstinacy can’t ever really properly address? Maybe they aren’t able to have concern for things for which they’d rather just turn blind eyes, or perhaps about which they can never truly comprehend? I don’t know . . . , but these questions will forever perplex me!

- - - - - - -

Liz was my friend: I knew her heart well, I knew she had great faith, and that she placed that faith in God, and not in men.

+Elizabeth: Rest in peace good and faithful servant!!

Liz’s funeral and the celebration of her life will take place at St. Francis Xavier Church, 13717 Cuba Road, Hunt Valley, MD, Saturday, March 8th at 1:00 p.m.

I will be there.

See Liz’s very poignant and heartbreaking obituary (with many references to her struggle with and within the Roman Catholic Church, and her own experience of abuse, recovery and hope) at the following link:

+Liz’s obituary:  https://www.peacefulalternatives.com/obituary/elizabeth-murphy

 
The article referenced in the attached photo: https://catholicreview.org/believe-us-survivors-express-anger-hope-following-release-of-attorney-generals-report/ 

+Elizabeth Ann Murphy

 


 REST IN PEACE:

This post is one of many tribute pages found on my blog created to honor significant family members, friends, and loved ones who have passed from this life to the next . . .

+ Elizabeth Ann "Liz" Murphy (middle school friend and survivor!)

Date/place of birth: March 10, 1961, Baltimore, Maryland

Date/place of death: February 26, 2025, Baltimore, Maryland


 

**See Liz's obituary at the following link: https://www.peacefulalternatives.com/obituary/elizabeth-murphy
 
– Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.



 

Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Those Drug Addicts You're Judging

 

 

Those Drug Addicts You're Judging

This morning this image popped up on my social media feed . . .

I couldn’t agree more . . .

Unfortunately, I can now count the names of several people I’ve known who’ve met early deaths because of their enslavement to these types of substance dependencies. 😢

Without exception, I had the privilege of looking into the hearts of each one of them, and I can attest that they all were truly good people . . .

Others have survived . . .  

For those who still struggle, and who usually live with the despair of hopelessness, I pray everyday . . .

For those who have survived and have found recovery in their lives, I praise God, and I pray they may continue with courage and strength to face one day at a time, always with victory and never-ending perseverance . . .

I had to share this . . . 🙏 

 Friar Timothy

Sunday, February 9, 2025

The Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time--Year C

  


The Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time--Year C, February 9, 2025

If you are interested this is my prerecorded homily for February 9, 2025, the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time—Year C.

“Lord I know you are calling me to something greater at this time!”

Praise God! 🙏

You can click on this link to view the homily on YouTube: 

https://youtu.be/CJ3xIJJjhLY?si=P7RfPKfBAiysNKC5 

 

TRANSCRIPT

3:00
Good morning
3:01
today we celebrate the fifth Sunday in
3:04
ordinary time year
3:06
C and as I was contemplating the
3:10
message of the Gospel today I couldn't
3:12
help but remember an event that happened
3:15
to me a few years ago I was sitting
3:18
in my office in the parish where I
3:22
worked and it was a long day really
3:26
long day we had meetings that day I had
3:28
Mass people came for various things at
3:32
the rectory door I had to meet with
3:34
the accountant and it was just I was
3:37
really tired and I usually left the
3:39
office at about
3:41
4:00 and so 4:00 was approaching and I
3:44
was really looking forward to getting
3:45
out of there and the phone
3:48
rang and I was asked to go to a nearby
3:54
hospital to anoint a
3:57
parishioner and to be very honest with
3:59
you
4:00
I was thinking oh gosh I really just
4:02
want to go put my feet up really
4:06
tired um you know I wish this phone call
4:09
wouldn't have come in this is the human
4:10
side of me um lamenting the fact that I
4:13
had to go to the hospital now after such
4:15
a long day when I was really looking
4:17
forward to getting out of the office
4:19
putting my feet up but of course I went
4:23
went to the hospital I got in my car and
4:25
I drove to the
4:27
hospital and I went went up to the
4:31
patients room where he and his wife were
4:34
sitting and he was going to be going
4:37
in for heart surgery the next morning
4:40
really early and he was really
4:43
distressed as was his wife and so I
4:46
spent some time visiting them I
4:50
anointed him with the sacrament of the
4:53
anointing of the sick and we talked for
4:55
a while and it was all
5:00
good and after spending maybe 45
5:04
minutes or so with them I went back got
5:06
in my car and I went home and by the
5:08
time I got home I was utterly exhausted
5:10
to be
5:11
honest I didn't regret going to the
5:14
hospital but it did catch me at a
5:17
very you know bad moment I'm sure that
5:20
you might relate to things like that in
5:23
your own life maybe you've been
5:25
really busy with something at work or
5:28
cleaning the house or
5:30
even on a trip or whatever and something
5:32
unexpected comes up kind of at the last
5:34
minute and kind of sets the plans off
5:37
course and maybe causes some kind of
5:40
inconvenience and and you might even
5:44
like me feel a little selfish about
5:47
not wanting to divert the plan that
5:51
that's how I felt that way in all
5:53
honesty I found out later that the
5:57
Manwent through the surgery and it
5:59
was very successful and about maybe 3
6:03
or 4 weeks later I got a thank you card
6:07
in the mail from the man and his wife it
6:11
was a beautiful card and I only found
6:15
out in reading that card that he had
6:18
actually been away from the church for a
6:20
while and because of that visit and
6:24
because of the success of his surgery
6:27
he and his wife had made a commit to
6:29
going back to church and to embracing
6:32
their faith a new I I kind of felt good
6:36
about that you know I did my job right
6:39
um at the same time I felt a little
6:41
guilty because I remembered thinking
6:44
that I didn't even want to go over there
6:46
that particular day did I want to put it
6:48
off until the next morning did I want to
6:50
ask another priest to do it did I want
6:52
to refer them to the
6:54
chaplain instead I went somewhat
6:59
grudgingly to be
7:01
honest but you know what God God seemed
7:04
to want me
7:05
there and I did what I was supposed to
7:08
do I did what I was called to do and you
7:11
know what because of that I think there
7:14
was a great
7:15
fruit perhaps the man made it through
7:19
his surgery in a state of Peace he and
7:22
his wife embraced their faith more
7:24
enthusiastically after that was all over
7:26
and I probably had a at least a small
7:28
part to do do with that at least that
7:30
was reflected in the thank you card that
7:32
I received from them by the way they
7:35
also gave a large donation to the
7:37
church after that also which was
7:40
impressive to
7:41
me but
7:44
anyway we might find ourselves in
7:47
similar
7:49
situations and from a faith
7:51
perspective sometimes we may have an
7:56
opportunity to respond to God's call
7:59
call in some way in our lives maybe
8:03
it is in a call to some kind of
8:07
service commitment to others in our
8:09
community maybe witnessing our faith
8:12
publicly in some
8:14
way perhaps we might find ourselves in a
8:18
conversation with somebody who's gone
8:20
astray from the faith and we fear
8:24
maybe preaching to them because we
8:26
don't know how to put things into words
8:29
and so we doubt maybe that
8:32
we'll be capable of being authentic
8:35
loving witnesses to the gospel with
8:38
certain
8:39
people maybe maybe we're called to
8:44
embrace some kind of ministry within the
8:45
church some people feel called to be
8:48
Eucharistic ministers or lectors or
8:51
catechists maybe ushers or money
8:55
counters or all kinds of things people
8:57
do in the church that support the
9:01
church and sometimes people feel like
9:04
you know maybe they should be doing more
9:05
and they feel like maybe they should
9:07
respond to that but then they have
9:09
doubts maybe I'm not capable maybe I'm
9:11
not a good reader maybe people will
9:13
think bad thoughts about me because I
9:16
know I'm not perfect or you know there's
9:17
all kinds of excuses right why we might
9:20
not Embrace some calling that we've
9:23
received and I think that the reason
9:26
I bring up these things is because I'm
9:28
reading into the mind of Simon Peter as
9:31
presented in the gospel today and you
9:34
know Jesus is there he's preaching to
9:36
the people he's obviously very popular
9:40
people are gathered around he gets
9:42
into Peter's boat kind of go out to
9:45
out off the shore a little bit so he's
9:47
not you know completely surrounded by
9:49
crowds I think that probably Peter and
9:53
Andrew James and John by this point they
9:56
knew who Jesus was I mean Capernaum the
9:58
town where this happened happened on the
10:00
shores of the Sea of Galilee called the
10:03
sea of Gennesaret in this particular
10:05
gospel same same place that they were
10:10
known to Jesus and and
10:12
likewise and they knew what he was about
10:15
they knew the message that he was
10:18
presenting and and yet they were
10:20
fishermen and they were working really
10:23
hard at their vocation that is to catch
10:26
fish to be businessmen to to help feed
10:30
people and here comes Jesus one day and
10:35
asks them ask Simon Peter in particular
10:38
if he can use his boat for a little
10:40
while to you know
10:42
to separate himself somewhat from the
10:45
people on the shoreline so that he could
10:47
preach to them I wonder what the message
10:51
was people were excited to hear whatever
10:54
it was that Jesus had to say and no
10:58
doubt as Simon Peter and Andrew James
11:01
and John were there listening to him
11:05
they were somehow
11:07
inspired but they wanted to go
11:10
home the gospel tells us that they had
11:12
been fishing all night and in fact they
11:14
had been fishing all night and had
11:15
caught nothing which is even worse here
11:18
they worked all that time and didn't
11:20
didn't even pay off so they were
11:22
probably a little
11:23
frustrated tired they wanted to go home
11:27
they wanted to maybe go home and get
11:29
some
11:30
rest maybe eat maybe see their
11:34
families that's what they were looking
11:36
forward to doing it been a long
11:38
night and here Jesus says to
11:42
them before you
11:45
go put out into deep water again put out
11:49
into deep water and lower your nets for
11:52
a
11:53
catch Jesus calls them literally at the
11:57
last minute the plans had already
12:00
been made to go home they were tired and
12:03
Jesus says put out into deep water lower
12:06
your nets for another
12:08
catch and Simon Peter says Master we
12:11
have worked hard all night and caught
12:13
nothing I read that like this well you
12:17
got to be kidding Lord we have been
12:19
working all night we didn't catch
12:21
anything and you want us to go out again
12:23
come on man this is
12:25
crazy that's kind of how I read response
12:28
to Simon Peter but the Lord called upon
12:31
him he trusted him and he did what he
12:35
was told he said Lord at your command
12:40
we'll go out and we'll lower the Nets
12:43
again and when they went the gospel
12:46
tells us they caught a great number of
12:52
fish so much so that they couldn't even
12:57
the Nets they had couldn't even hold the
13:00
fish it says here that their Nets were
13:03
tearing you know it was so heavy with
13:06
fish that they caught imagine not a
13:09
single fish all night and all of a
13:11
sudden they catch so many fish that
13:14
their nets are tearing and it tells us
13:17
that they they they filled both boats
13:20
with the catch they used both boats all
13:23
four of these men Simon Peter Andrew
13:26
James and John they all worked now
13:30
enthusiastically to bring this great
13:33
catch into the
13:35
boats Jesus
13:37
says it says here that Simon says he
13:42
says Lord after he Witnesses this Lord
13:46
depart from me for I am a sinful man
13:50
depart from me why did he say that
13:53
depart from me for I am a sinful man
13:55
because he knew that Jesus was calling
13:59
him to something greater than what he
14:04
had been doing that's
14:06
it he had been working as a
14:09
fisherman kind of run-of-the-mill daily
14:12
activities some some days they maybe
14:15
they caught fish others they didn't was
14:17
tired he wanted to go home he had other
14:20
things to
14:22
do Lord depart from me I'm a sinful man
14:26
let me interpret that he says really
14:28
saying
14:29
Jesus I know that you are calling me to
14:33
something greater at this moment but I
14:36
am not worthy of this I can't do it I
14:41
can't I'm too
14:43
tired I don't have the
14:46
means I'm not
14:48
ready I'm
14:51
afraid etc
14:53
etc excuses excuses depart from me Lord
14:57
I'm a sinful man
14:59
we might say something like that oh no I
15:01
know I know I know they need me to do
15:03
this I know that I have to go there but
15:05
yeah really I can't I'm not capable we
15:08
tell ourselves
15:10
maybe that way we're perhaps like Simon
15:13
Peter in this
15:15
story and then it says here Jesus said
15:18
to Simon Simon do not be afraid do not
15:24
be afraid from now on you will be
15:26
catching men and women you will be more
15:29
than just a fisher of fish you will be
15:33
doing great things preaching the Good
15:37
News of the kingdom and bringing people
15:38
to a faith in a God who loves them more
15:41
than they can possibly imagine this is
15:43
your calling do not be
15:46
afraid Jesus says that to
15:49
us don't be afraid to respond to the
15:54
calling that I am giving you don't be
15:57
afraid I will give you all the strength
16:00
the guidance the power the
16:04
fortitude the grace you need to do what
16:07
I've called you to
16:09
do this is what he said to Simon Peter
16:12
and to Andrew James and John and I
16:15
believe he says that to us
16:17
too so we might get that call late in
16:20
the day we might be asked to embrace
16:25
some kind of
16:26
ministry we might feel called to do a
16:30
certain kind of work of Charity or
16:32
service to others we might in our prayer
16:37
sense that God wants us to do this or
16:40
that and we might doubt ourselves we
16:43
might say well I'm not really worthy I'm
16:46
a sinful person I really can't do what
16:50
the Lord wants me to do I don't have the
16:53
Power the
16:55
ability but if Jesus calls us like he
16:59
called them Jesus says to us like he
17:03
said to
17:04
them do not be
17:08
afraid do not be afraid I've got this he
17:13
says that's the
17:15
message and when we follow through with
17:19
the calling that we have received
17:21
whatever it is now of course we've got
17:23
to be careful in the discernment process
17:26
obviously talk to others about it
17:29
perhaps do some spiritual reading
17:31
seek guidance from a spiritual director
17:33
and Friends obviously there's a
17:35
discernment process we should go through
17:38
but but once we've decided to set on a
17:40
certain
17:41
path in Ministry in our faith lives in
17:45
service to other people then Jesus
17:48
promises us that we need not be afraid
17:52
because he will give us all the power we
17:55
need to do what he calls us to do
17:59
and like Peter and Andrew and James and
18:02
John and the other Apostles and many
18:04
others were called to be literally
18:07
Fishers of men and women that is people
18:10
who spread the gospel to other people
18:13
bring people to a knowledge of the Lord
18:15
Jesus to enable people to understand
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forgiveness and the love of the father
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this is what they were called to do and
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they did it we know from the rest of the
18:27
story that they did it exceptionally
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well they did what they were called to
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do even though they were initially
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somewhat skeptical of
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themselves today as we contemplate this
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gospel and our own calling to respond to
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needs when they arise and and to do so
18:49
without
18:50
fear let's remember that Jesus himself
18:53
models that for us when he Embraces the
18:57
cross
18:59
he said while he was
19:02
crucified my God my God why have you
19:04
abandoned me it's what he
19:07
said Jesus knew what it was like to feel
19:12
that
19:13
fear demonstrated that and yet he was
19:16
faithful to what he was called to
19:18
do and today because of that we have the
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opportunity as a people of Faith to
19:25
gather around the altar of this church
19:28
and to receive the very life of God as
19:32
we receive the body and blood of
19:35
Jesus the life of God given to
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us is food for the
19:42
journey and Jesus says to us as we
19:46
approach this altar to receive his very
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life do not be afraid I am with you and
19:53
I will give you all the strength you
19:55
need to do whatever it is I have called
19:58
you to do let's encourage one another
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with this great message of
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Faith praised be Jesus Christ now and
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forever amen 

Tuesday, February 4, 2025

Rest in Peace Mrs. Shirley

 




Rest in Peace Mrs. Shirley

On the morning of January 28th, as I arrived at St Joseph's Nursing Home, I encountered an ambulance in front of the building—never a good sign!  Once inside I learned one of the residents had just been taken away by medics.  

Sometimes you don’t have the chance to say goodbye . . . 


Rest in peace ✡️ Mrs. Shirley Jean Rosenzweig (07/15/30 - 02/01/25), our most recently deceased resident.


On Tuesday, February 4th, in Beth Israel Cemetery, Woodbridge, New Jersey, ✡️ Mrs. Shirley was laid to rest by her family and friends.  


As a chaplain of St. Joe’s, where ✡️ Mrs. Rosenzweig resided, I had the joy and pleasure of meeting with her for a few moments nearly everyday. I loved our conversations and our frequent “interfaith” prayers together. She was one of the sweetest people I’ve ever met, and I will miss her terribly. Each Saturday I was sure to greet her with the words Shabbat Shalom, and that always brought a broad smile to her face. She always promised me her prayers, and that meant more to me than I can express with just a few words.  


Recently, during each of the eight days of Hanukkah (this year coinciding with Christmas between December 25th and January 2nd), ✡️ Mrs. Shirley allowed me to light the candles on the menorah she had in her nursing home room. 🕎  With the daily lighting of each candle we said special holiday prayers together!  She told me it was a great blessing for her to share her traditional Jewish rituals with me.  I felt quite honored that she allowed me to take a part in her beautiful faith customs!  I knew it meant a lot to her.  And each day when I greeted her with “Happy Hanukkah” she returned the joy by wishing me a “Merry Christmas!”  


You will be missed ✡️ Mrs. Shirley.  May God take you to himself.  Your good deeds go with you! 


Friar Timothy


See ✡️ Mrs. Shirley’s obituary at the following link:


https://www.schoemschapel.com/obituaries/Shirley-Jean-Rosenzweig?obId=35207089

Thursday, January 16, 2025

On the Day of Fr. Sam Lupico's Funeral/Saint Ann Church

On the Day of Fr. Sam Lupico's Funeral and a Stop in Front of St. Ann Church, Baltimore

Today after I left +Fr. Sam Lupico’s Funeral Mass at St. Matthew Church, Baltimore, I headed further into the city for some other commitments and, by chance and just coincidentally, I passed by the now “closedSt. Ann Church on Greenmount Avenue and 22nd Street.

For a few moments and very reflectively, I pulled over and stopped in front of Saint Ann (and while there snapped this photo of the church). +Fr. Sam was the Pastor of the parish from 1974 until 1982. I first met +Sam in 1983 when I first served at St. Ann as a diocesan seminarian (before my Franciscan days) under the mentorship of the then Pastor Fr. Joe Muth. Many years later, I followed Joe and +Sam (certainly nothing like the “giants” they were) as Pastor from 2015 until 2018.

While I served at St. Ann as Pastor, +Sam frequently called or texted me with encouraging words, lots of advice, and the promise of many prayers. During my time there, it was always a great pleasure and blessing to welcome +Sam (and Joe too) “home” to St. Ann for various occasions. I knew how much a great part of +Sam’s heart was there with that church family and with the diverse community of people in “East Baltimore Midway.” Without a doubt, he was a GREAT inspiration to me!

Today, as I sat in my car for those few moments in front of St. Ann, and for multiple reasons I don’t need to further explain, I felt a deep emptiness of heart, even great sadness . . .

Thank you +Sam for all you did for your parishioners, for me, for the people of Baltimore, for the forgotten, for the homeless, for the marginalized, for those who were misunderstood, for those struggling with addictions, for those left out in the cold, for the “lowly,” and for so many who otherwise were left behind without hope.

Rest in Peace Good and Faithful Servant–Your Good Works Go with You! 🙏

Praise God . . . 🙏

 

Friar Timothy