07/19/26 Guardian Angel

This Sunday’s gospel speaks about something we don’t like. A parable regarding the end of the ages, where the angels will “collect the weeds and tie them in bundles for burning; but gather the wheat into my barn."

We don’t like talking about hell because we think it’s a future punishment from God, when in fact it is more an invitation for today for purification. 

We like antibiotics and chemotherapy to be successful and purify us.

In our school, we are going through the purification of throwing away old junk and getting new supplies for the coming year.

If we want to remodel our home, we have to begin with the demo. Exercise purifies our body by burning fat and building muscle.

We can all agree that all these kinds of purifications are sound and positive. How much more what really matters, that which is more important than your home and your body?

You are good because of the value of your soul.  You are a child of our heavenly Father. But the bad guy has sown some evil seeds in us called concupiscence. 

The pain and crosses that you have, are meticulously allowed by God to purify you. Thanks to that pain, you are part of the wheat that becomes the bread, fruit of the earth and work of human hands and it will become for us this Sunday the Bread of Life.

The angels have the mission to separate the weed from the wheat. Your guardian angel is pushing you to be purified now and not later “so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire, may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 

Maybe this past week you sided more with the weed than with the wheat. Hopefully this week we won’t fight our guardian angel that much.

07/12/26 Seed is Sown

Once the seed is sown, the farmer goes home. Then the soil, nutrients, water, oxygen, sun, and so on do all the work to make the plant grow. To be a Christian is simpler than simple. It is a gift. Once you get the seed sown on Sunday, God will move the whole universe to make it grow. 

Last week we celebrated the seed of the Declaration of Independence. Pretty tiny seed but pretty amazing tree we got right now.

Jesus speaks about sowing because he wanted to be relevant to his audience, but all this talk about farming sounds so foreign to us. We get our food, not from the soil, but from the supermarket. We idolize organic food, but our lifestyle is “processed”. 

Our life is like the grass that:

In the morning it springs up and flowers: by evening it withers and fades (Psalm 90).

Remember that at the end of the day, (of our life) we are just seeds waiting to be sown. As Jesus said and did, “unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” For the menu today, we have the fruit of the resurrection, both in the Word of God and the Eucharist.

God does almost everything (nourishing, and growing to seed) we do almost nothing, (letting him plant it in us) but if we don’t do our almost nothing, God cannot do his almost everything. 

May Mary, the good soil who received the seed of God through her spouse, the Holy Spirit, intercede for us now and at the hour when we will be planted.

Father Maloney used to say that one of the amazing things about coming to mass is that at least for one hour a week you are 100% sure that you are where God wants you to be. The reason why you are here at Church right at this second is that God wants to sow in your heart a word that you will need for this coming week. You'd better leave with that seed, if not, you might have wasted your time. Let us pray… “Lord plant your word in our hearts.” 

07/05/26 Happy Independence Day

Happy Independence Day! This weekend our country is celebrating its 250th anniversary since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The birthplace of the G.O.A.T. country is our city of Philadelphia. This Sunday, The Catholic Church of Philadelphia will be celebrating with the conclusion of the Procession of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage (it began in Saint Augustine, Florida, where the first Eucharist in our nation was celebrated).

Departing from the cathedral, the procession will end at the Shrine of our Saint John Newman, fourth bishop of Philadelphia and founder of our parish! He was the first bishop to celebrate confirmation in Saint Aloysius in Pottstown. (A canonized saint came to our parish! )

The beginnings of our country were far from perfect. Even though we’re not there yet, we have made a lot of progress, for instance, thank God we are allowed to live out our Catholic faith and follow our meek and humble King. 

All these hallmarks of our church, our city, and our country give me a lot to remember and meditate on what God has done for us and what He can do despite of us.

What a way to start this new chapter! Great events to write about on my first pastor corner (or parochial administrator corner?) Spoiler alert! I’m not as good or as funny as fr. Wilson at writing, but after 250 years I hope that I will improve somewhat. Although perfection will never be fully realized here on earth we can aim high, shoot for the stars, see that star-spangled banner wave, and strive to leave our country and parish better than we found it.

Pray for me. I’ll be praying for you at the National Eucharist procession in Philly, and every day of my ministry with you. Hold tight. Hang in there. May this ride be holy and fun. May God bless you and yours. May God bless Pottstown. And may God bless the United States of America. Here we go…

Peace

Father Wesly

06/28/26 Final Commendation

I find myself thinking of the words of Final Commendation at a funeral. I guess in some ways a priest leaving one parish for another is something like a funeral. Some cry out in anguish, “Good God!” while others might quietly say, “Thank God!” (That’s a joke…at least I hope! Did I just hear Fr. Wesly laugh?) At any rate, there is a sort of dying that takes place. The words of Final Commendation start out this way: “Trusting in God, we have prayed together for so and so, and now we come to the last farewell. There is sadness in parting, but we take comfort in the hope that one day we shall see so and so again and enjoy his/her friendship…” I was thinking of changing the wording slightly in light of the occasion. “Trusting in God, you and I have prayed together – and now on this weekend, we come to the last farewell. There is sadness in parting, but we take comfort in the hope that one day we shall see each other again and enjoy our friendship anew. Although we will disperse with a certain sorrow, the Mercy and Love of God will gather

us together again in the Joy of His Kingdom. Therefore let us console one another in the Faith of Jesus Christ.” It is all about Faith in Jesus Christ! It is all about your Faith and mine! In my five years at Saint Gabriel and two years at Saint Aloysius, it is this Faith of ours that stands out! In the midst of all that has taken place over these last couple of years, it is the Faith that remains and keeps us together always as One! I really could write a fascinating book – one that could be turned into a very popular TV “dramedy.”

All of you would be in it! I could talk about my own constant running around and driving around between nine different campuses not knowing how I “get it all done.” Yes, nine campuses! They were St. Gabe’s, St. Al’s, St. Al’s Parish School, PJP High School, Holy Trinity Church, plus three cemeteries, and St. Al’s rectory (it’s across Beech Street…technically off parish grounds!). There would certainly be stories about Fr. Wesly from his chiroptophobia (look that one up!) and exit down the fire escape to the pastor co-signing for “his son’s” first new car. Stories of painted churches and new sound systems would be included. There would be stories of vocations, vocations, and more vocations! I am oh so proud of our three Diocesan seminarians, two Neo- Catechumenate seminarians, and (soon, I hope, as of this writing) a permanent diaconate candidate. There would be the wonderful stories of many teenagers and young adults

becoming Catholic or completing their Sacraments. There would be stories of our faithful altar servers and the sometimes Sunday entertainment that they provide when something goes awry. There would be stories of homeless friends hanging around, principals provoking, business managers quietly (on rare occasions) being business managers, and believe it or not, nihilistic penguins! Ask this year’s Eight Grade

graduates about that! The story is that of a family…it’s the Family that you and I have become. It’s the Family that you and I will remain, even as I depart St. Gabe’s and St. Al’s. Therein lies our Hope and therein lies Our Faith! Thank you for these wonderful years together! I look forward to our meeting again now, in the future, and always in the Joy of God’s Kingdom!

Peace!

Fr. Wilson

05/24/26 Pentecost Sunday

He had been profoundly changed. Actually, the word, profound, doesn’t even begin to capture the change that had taken place. The immature seventeen year-old that had forged his own mother’s signature in order to be “cool” and impress girls by enlisting, found himself very lucky to even return home. Many companions of his did not. He was forever changed. War tends to do that.

My father enlisted in the army. Boot camp for him was sort of like a camping trip with the “guys” - so he told me. You hang in there and you get through it together. You nickname the drill sergeant and put up with his antics. Upon completion you celebrate your accomplishment with your new band of friends. You call mom to apologize for the forgery while reporting your success. Then, you go out with your buddies to meet girls. You are a soldier in the Army now, son. Bullets flying overhead on the battlefield changes everything. Now it’s for real. It’s scary. It’s confused. Survival skills kick in and everything that you learned “camping with the guys” is put to the test. A rapid maturation takes place. My father was one of the lucky ones that made it out of a battle known as that of the Chosen Reservoir in Korea. It turned into a massacre for American troops surrounded by the enemy with backs to the sea. But God had something else in mind for one particular soldier. That’s what the priest homilist said at my first Mass as a priest. Indeed. My father didn’t talk much about the war and he, in particular, rarely gave insight about the horrid parts. Yet, he still encouraged me to consider military life. It was, at the time, now a “peace time” military. I did, I suppose, “enlist” but in a different sort of military with a different sort of “boot camp.” But there are still battles fought to be sure. This weekend is Pentecost Weekend and Memorial Day Weekend. Together we pray for a great and renewed outpouring of the Holy Spirit and we honor all of our service men and women - especially those that never returned home from the battlefield. I suppose that in some ways our celebrations are the same.

It is a matter of preparing for battle and then using those skills in combat - and that battle at times can be frightening. Through it all a great change takes place. One speaks of courage, honor, and heroes and it is realized that peace - Peace - is the ultimate goal.

Thank you to all of our veterans and congratulations to those completing their “basic training” this weekend as they are Confirmed at the Cathedral (Deklan, Kayla, Phillippe, Dan, Melissa, and Jose). Together all of us this weekend go forth as Soldiers for Christ and we continue to pray for an abiding peace in our world - but even more so an abiding Peace in our hearts!

Peace!

Fr. Wilson

05/17/26 Seventh Sunday of Easter

It felt a little strange at first…my lying down on the cathedral floor in front of everyone. If I recall, the only thought in my head was “gosh, what am I doing?” It then seemed for me to be perhaps just a brief moment of rest in an otherwise very grace-filled, exhilarating, yet very exhausting day. Prostration, lying face-down before the altar, is a part of the Rite of Ordination. Last weekend, three men were ordained as Permanent Deacons for the Archdiocese and this weekend has seen eight men ordained as Priests – the largest number in twenty-three years. All experienced that moment of prostration. It is meant to symbolize and concretize the surrendering of one’s life. It is the position of a slave or servant before His Master. The Act of Prostration has become more meaningful for me well beyond the actual day of my priestly ordination. That

initial Act of Prostration has continued. It is the Good Friday prostration, done in complete silence that really stands out for me today. There is no singing, no chanting, and no invocation of the saints. There is only a deafening silence as one lies on the floor of the church in front of everyone once again. The meaning is still the same: surrender. It is in imitation of Jesus, Himself, Who surrendered to the Cross – and the mob of mankind that threw Him upon it. Of course, the story didn’t end there, nor does the story of ordination end with the Act of Prostration. Jesus would rise and everything – EVERYTHING – would forever change. The whole world and Life Itself would be transformed. It was not the Act of Prostration that stood out for me on my day of ordination. It was the Act of Rising afterwards. A change had been reflected. Quite the miracle had taken place. I went down upon that cathedral floor of surrender as a person already ordained a deacon, but now I arose as Priest. As much as I continue to carry that Act of Surrender in Prostration around with me as Priest, even more so I carry with me that Act of Rising Anew as Priest each and every day especially in the Masses I celebrate. Pray for all those ordained in these last days. Pray for priests and deacons. Pray that in surrendering anew each and every day that they might even more so arise each and every day experiencing a whole New Life transformed with and in Our Risen Lord!

Peace!

Fr. Wilson

05-10-26 Sixth Sunday of Easter

I recently read about a 16 th century shipwreck that was explored off the coast of France. At over a mile and a half under the sea, it was reachable only with very special equipment that could endure the pressure while operating ever so gingerly. Hauled up to the surface ever so slowly were some jugs and plates along with a euphoria that such a treasure is even reachable today. I remember doing some deep dive exploring at the behest of my mother. Going into my mother’s handbag was in some ways like a deep dive into the deepest, darkness ocean depths. Oh, the treasures waiting to be discovered! I would never dare to dive in on my own; it was far too dangerous and scary for a young boy. Besides, I might get a spanking. No, it would only ever happen at my mother’s request. A delicate probing hand was needed. That handbag contained all kinds of treasures long unseen by the light of day. There were mints and hard candies to stave

off famine in a hungry boy. There were tissues for runny noses and cough drops for sore throats. In fact, that bag contained a whole triage darn near comparable to any M.A.S.H. unit. There were pens and papers along with various lotions, lipstick, and lip balm. It was the sewing pins and scissors that a young explorer had to be especially careful of. My mother’s handbag had it all. She was ever so well prepared. I suppose that’s just the nature of being a mom. Our Blessed Mother is the same. I bet that Mary too, had some kind of a bag that she carried so as to always be prepared. I can picture a young, hungering Jesus fishing out some olives or nuts when He and His mother were out and about somewhere. I imagine that there was even a cloth to wipe a little Savior’s runny nose. A mother’s handbag gives insight to the mystery of motherhood. Every mother takes care to provide for her children and anticipate their needs. This is even truer of the Blessed Mother. No, my mother’s handbag didn’t contain everything a young boy could ever possibly need or want at any given moment, but Mary’s does. It contains treasures unseen and unheard of. We need only ask her request to put our hands gently into her bag and then begin to explore as her own Son did many years ago. It is then that we discover that Jesus put more things into Mary’s bag than He took out. It is these treasures that await Mary’s children today. It’s Mother’s Day and it’s time to start exploring. What treasure will you find? Happy Mother’s Day!

Peace!

Fr. Wilson

04-26-26 Fourth Sunday of Easter

A belated Happy APD! This past Wednesday was Administrative Professionals Day. I thought that I’d used the acronym “APD” since that sounds very “officey.” As an aside, I received an email the other day from “downtown” making reference to “EOD.” I wondered who that was and why they should be copied on the email. I only realized later, towards the end of the day, that the sender of the email was requesting a response by the End Of the Day. Opps, sorry! Well, at least say please respond EOD. Anyway, I don’t know who came up with APD. Maybe Hallmark or some national florists association had the idea. APD used to be known as National Secretaries Day…but, “secretary” is soooo yesterday and passé. Administrative professional…well, sounds much more professional and deserving of a pay increase. Think of the many ways in which terms have changed. The trashmen of yesteryear are the sanitation workers of today and may certainly include women. By the way, I don’t ever recall any “trashwymn”…just sayin’. Cashiers and bank tellers today are also APs. I’m talking about the ones that are not automated scanning machines or ATMs. Even priests are affected by shifts in terminology. Assistant priests are now known as parochial vicars and all priests no longer exercise their ministry in a vicariate, but a deanery. Then, there are some former seminarians, like me, that began studies with a year of Pre-Theology, whereas those of today enter a

Propaedeutic Stage. Priest pastors are also affected. Although still called to “shepherd” the souls of a parish, the role of pastor today has developed into an all encompassing administrative position that I suspect would quite surprise the Curé of Ars. The Church is in some ways now beginning to recognize this as we explore new models of effective ministry. Hint: think “hubs” here in the Archdiocese. Jesus, Himself, changed terminology and explored “new models,” if you will. For instance, “seeing” the Risen Jesus, became something much richer, deeper, and more intense than mere physical sight - and such “seeing” effects belief. With Jesus, “models” certainly change as fishermen become apostles and “fish” to be caught live not in the sea, but on land. Perhaps, it could be said that Jesus is the Ultimate Administrative Professional busy transforming terms and models, but much more importantly transforming lives and life itself.

Happy belated APD to all my fellow APs!

Peace!

Fr. Wilson

04-05-26 Easter Sunday

Psalm 41
Prayer of a sick person…Restored, Renewed, Refreshed, and Risen!

Happy the man who considers the poor and the weak. *
The Lord will save him in the day of evil,
will guard him, give him life, make him happy in the land *
and will not give him up to the will of his foes.
The Lord will help him on his bed of pain, *
he will bring him back from sickness to health.

As for me, I said: “Lord, have mercy on me, *
heal my soul for I have sinned against you.”
My foes are speaking evil against me. *
“How long before he dies and his name be forgotten?”
They come to visit me and speak empty words, *
their hearts full of malice, they spread it abroad.

My enemies whisper together against me. *
They all weigh up the evil which is on me:
“Some deadly thing has fastened upon him, *
he will not rise again from where he lies.”
Thus even my friend, in whom I trusted, *
who ate my bread, has turned against me.

But you, O Lord, have mercy on me. *
Let me rise once more and I will repay them.
By this I shall know that you are my friend, *
if my foes do not shout in triumph over me.
If you uphold me I shall be unharmed *
and set in your presence for evermore.

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel *
from age to age. Amen. Amen.

He is Risen, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Now together let us Rise with Him…Restored, Renewed, and Refreshed!

Happy Easter!

03-29-26 Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord

Born to be alive! And we were alive...full of life...full of energy...and ready for a night full of fun! Those were many a Friday night in early high school. The guys and I were not yet driving, but we were driven to get out in order to explore and engage our ever expanding world - a world which at that time, it might be said, was the whole USA. It would all begin with a trip on SEPTA’s “Y” bus. It was a forty minute or so journey that would end at Cottman and the Boulevard in Northeast Philly. From there it was a short walk to our destination. USA was an acronym for United Skates of America. Once in the door, we would don our roller skates and have at it. It was great fun. Often enough we would wind up meeting other kids from our school

or neighborhood. The music was played was the current pop of the day and in the course of the evening there were “group”skates, “speed” skates, and of course, “couple” skates. I took part in them all, though I have to admit that I was never the speediest skater during the speed skates. Born to Be Alive was a popular song at the time. It was sung by French artist, Patrick Hernandez, still going strong and turning 77 the day after Easter. It was his most popular song. It’s a simple yet catchy tune that speaks to life and kinda makes you want to dance - or skate. For me, the tune instantly brings back memory of those Friday nights at USA tearing around that rink located on the plot of land that had been the location of the famed Boulevard Pools (of which I have only a vague recollection). The guys and I were indeed born to be alive - and we knew it. It’s good to be alive, to be alive, to be alive! Time was on our side! And time is on our side again as we begin Holy Week. In fact, all time - eternity itself - is on our side! That’s what Holy Week is all about. In our Lord’s tremendous suffering in His Passion, what screams out at us ultimately is Life Itself as death undergoes its own demise and dies. For us, the Cross is not a symbol of death, but of life...True Life...Eternal Life. On Good Friday death dies and a whole New Life already begins! That’s our Faith! That’s our Hope! That’s our Joy of Easter already! So, as we now enter this most solemn week get ready to put on your skates! A song has already begun. It’s not a sad song at all, but one quite catchy and upbeat. It kinda makes one want to get out to explore and engage our Faith and our World as it reminds us this week that all of us are

Born to Be Alive!

Peace!

Fr. Wilson

03-22-26 Fifth Sunday of Lent

Just as the Ark, that contained the Law written by the very Finger of God and then given to Moses, has been lost to antiquity, so too, the Ring. The little known story of the Ring has scant details. It comes to us in the work of the Ancient Christian writer, Tertullian. Quintus Septimius Florens Tertullianus lived about 155-220 AD. A convert to Christianity, he is known as “the Father of Western Theology” because he is the first theologian to write in Latin. Among his writings is The Passion of the Holy Martyrs, Perpetua and Felicitas. These early martyrs died in the Roman amphitheatre in Carthage ravaged by wild beasts in front of a frenzied crowd inebriated by blood and violence. Among the other Christians martyred that day, was Saturus. He had already been twice thrown to the wild beasts, but suffered no harm and was withdrawn. It was the third time before a leopard that would see him “saved and washed” in his own blood. Following the fatal wound, Saturus was yet able to briefly converse with the attending guard. Pudens was a soldier and overseer who had begun to recognize a greater power at work in his prisoners. In his last moments, Saturus encouraged Pudens. “Farewell, and be mindful of my faith; and let not these things disturb, but confirm you.” At the same time he asked for a little ring from his finger, and returned it to him bathed in the blood of his wound. That ring, now known as Pudens’ Ring was a token of affection, encouragement, and hope. Could one not say that perhaps it was the first known relic of a saint? Pudens, like his Ring subsequently vanishes from our history, but I suspect that this soldier loyal to Rome, assumed new loyalties. I suspect that he went on to become a Soldier for Christ, inspired by the Martyrs that he oversaw. The Ring, itself, has gone the way of the Ark. The Ark, though lost, very much remains with a Law now not written upon mere stone tablets, but inscribed upon a Sacred Heart of Love. Pudens’ Ring is a token that each one of us can find and place on his finger. It isn’t a mere ring of silver or gold, but one of much greater value. Pudens’ Ring is one of Hope and Fortitude, that same Hope and Fortitude that enabled martyrs throughout salvation history to endure in order to be “saved and washed” – the same Hope and Fortitude that has its origin in the Cross of Calvary and the One Who died upon It. It is this that should inspire each of us to boldly continue our Lenten Journey as we look beyond the Cross to the New Life of Resurrection professing our loyalties anew and placing upon our finger, Pudens’ Ring!  

Peace!

Fr. Wilson

03-08-26 Third Sunday of Lent

Someone recently asked about the Happiness of Heaven. How could I be eternally happy in Heaven, if I became aware that a dear loved one didn’t make the cut so to speak? I had to think about that for a bit. First of all, let’s make every effort to get there ourselves. Our own goal and desire in this limited life on earth should be Eternal Life with God in Heaven! The next goal should be to bring others along for the ride for a packed eternal stadium with standing room only! In fact, strive for a stadium luxury box! With this in mind - still could my Heavenly Happiness be compromised? The answer is absolutely not. God promises Eternal Happiness in Heaven and He does not renege on His Promises. Perhaps the question hinges upon our

understanding of happiness. There is happiness and there is Happiness (Blessedness). There is earthly happiness and Eternal Happiness. Also, consider that we have a very limited understanding in this life of that which is eternal. Earthly happiness can be achieved by earthly things such as health, hearth, and home (family/friends). A nice pepperoni and cheese pizza accompanied by a lovely red vintage might just make for the culmination of a happy day! Whereas the Locus of the Happiness of Heaven is God Himself. God is All in All. Nothing else is needed; nothing else could be needed. For now it is our understanding that is lacking…yeah, but what about a nice heavenly pepperoni pizza? The Apostles themselves didn’t understand when Jesus spoke about His suffering, death, and Resurrection as He literally stood before them. They would need a Pentecost for that - and so do we. I would suggest that happiness in this life and the next is ultimately a choice. I can still be happy even if a cholesterol concerned doctor told me to forgo the pizza and eat more salad. Of course, then there’s tomato pie! Ummm! Yummy! The Happiness of Heaven is also a choice. We can choose God or choose not God. We can choose Love or we can choose against It. We can choose Mercy and Forgiveness or revenge and payback. We can choose a Life of Faith or we can choose unbelief. We can choose Life or we can choose Death. We human beings are inherently hardwired towards life, yet a Most Loving Creator allows us to choose. This is because Love cannot be forced. It must be accepted. It must be chosen. Our Hope in this earthly life is that hell is a very sparsely populated place. To the extent that anyone is there, save old Lucifer himself, perhaps has something to do with our own earthly struggles and lack of Faith. This Lent, be renewed in Faith! Choose Life and Love. ! Pray for loved ones that have already passed through the doorway of death and invite family and friends here and now to engage anew in the fantastic Journey of Faith with the Goal being a Luxury Heavenly Skybox where God Himself will stop by to sign autographs and the pepperoni pizza served is simply out of this world!

Peace!

Fr. Wilson

03-01-26 Second Sunday of Lent

If imitation is the best form of flattery, then what saith one in regards to a meme made? I thought that it was rather funny. I believe that one quality of life that is good to hold is being able to laugh at oneself. No one is perfect and we all make mistakes, save the Lord Himself – though, I’m pretty certain that for humanity’s sake, Jesus could certainly laugh at Himself. Maybe it was more of a laugh at humanity…weak human beings that we are. I mean, come on! He could have chosen anyone, but just look at the twelve that He chose! That’s a laugh for sure! A priest that I looked up to in high school used to say with a smirk, “boys don’t take life too seriously; you’re not going to get out of it alive anyway.” Well, Jesus certainly changes the

meaning of this little aphorism doesn’t He? Oh, take life seriously, but take your humor seriously too! Consider that in the Passion of Our Lord, in the end, it was the devil that was mocked and made fun of as death was defeated and a New Life Eternal arose. Someone has probably made a meme showing just that. I thought that the meme that I saw was made with yours truly in mind. They say that all of us, even those that don’t have a sibling that is an identical twin, have a look-a-like that is somewhere roaming the planet earth. But can that look- a-like be a different species? I discovered that my “twin” is a giraffe – a giraffe new to the world. He isn’t just a made up meme. The little guy was born in Toledo, Ohio on January 17 th at the zoo there. And his name – are you ready for this – is “Eugene.” His picture, it would seem, has gone virtual because of his unique trait. You see, Eugene has just a little tuff of hair on his head. People are saying that this just makes him so darn cute! I couldn’t agree more! All little Eugene would need next is a little Roman collar! I’ll leave that meme up to you! In the meantime, take life seriously, but take your humor seriously too! Be a hardcore Catholic during Lent and beyond, but don’t be too hard on yourself or others! Our Loving God has a most wonderful sense of humor, as He desires to shower us with His Mercy again and again – weak and funny human beings that we are. Be able to laugh along the Journey of Lent and of Life together with me and my “twin,” Eugene, the giraffe!

Peace!

Fr. Wilson

02-22-26 First Sunday of Lent

The name is Bond, James Bond. I wanted to be James Bond when I was a kid. I had fun playing “secret agent” and getting the bad guys. When I was young, Easter was tied to getting a new outfit and then wearing my new shirt, tie, and pants to Easter Mass. One Easter was very special indeed. My new outfit was an overcoat. It was a beige color raincoat with lots of buttons and pockets...and even hidden pockets! It was an overcoat apt for someone just starting out in the espionage business – little Bond boy that I was. James Bond is cool. Agent 007 is cool. Just ask Fr. Wesly. The two of us have together watched more than one Bond movie. Netflix now has them all. Mr. Bond, in the end, not only gets all the bad guys, he gets all the stunningly beautiful ladies as well! As a kid, I was more interested in the all the car chases and Q’s specialized spy gadgets. All the rather racy adult innuendos that were in the films were over my head. The one Lady that really stands out in my mind is Moneypenny. This secretary really seemed to love James in the truest sense – and I believe he truly loved her as well. Being in Her Majesty’s Secret Service authorized Mr. Bond with a “license to kill.” Although, as he himself states, that license is used only against those who themselves are killers. No, James – himself – is quite the gentlemen otherwise enjoying good conversation and a good meal with a martini shaken and not stirred. Although I would usually prefer a Manhattan over a martini, in some ways I suppose that I have now followed in Mr. Bond’s footsteps. I’m not in service to Her Majesty, the Queen of England, but I am in service to His Majesty, the King of the Universe. My “license to kill” is usually exercised in the hidden innards of the confessional where the ravages of sin are laid to rest. All of us this Lent, in fact, are called to exercise our talents in service to the King, whether our forte is that of Q with his technical prowess or Moneypenny with her charm, true love, and exceptional organizational skills. This Lent, all of us again are called to use our talents together to get the bad guy villain that we know as the Evil One. The story’s dramatic ending with all of its heart racing action will so soon be upon us. Don’t miss the film! Don’t miss the action! Don’t miss the opportunity before the credits roll this Lent to be cool – as cool as James Bond, 007 – and to serve His Majesty, the King!

Peace!

Fr. Wilson

02-15-26 Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

I find it kind of amusing that it’s a matter of a penguin video. The bigger questions of life could simply be engaged in and of themselves. But hey, whatever works for the Tik-Tok/Video Shorts generation of today. If it takes a penguin video to prompt such discussion, then that’s fine with me. If you haven’t seen it, it’s worth a look. The title of the video is the “Nihilistic Penguin.” It’s less than three minutes. It’s not a new video, but a video newly received and now known as a meme. In it, a little penguin wanders off from the rest heading in the opposite direction - off towards the mountains and away from the open sea. The narrator, Werner Herzog, wonders why. Is the penguin insane? I’m not sure that insanity is a possibility for a penguin, nor is the ecologist animal expert in the video. All that’s known is that he is going off by himself for some unknown reason and that he is undeterred in his journey as he begins waddling away...to a certain death, so says the narrator. The short clip has gone viral on the internet after someone supposedly had a life changing moment after viewing it. Hmmm. Yeah, watching a penguin video changed my life. Okay...I’ll 6-7 that. I’ve brought the whole matter up with my friends in our Eighth Grade, not because I’m particularly interested in penguins, though they are kinda cute, but because I am very interested in life’s “bigger questions” and I want them to be interested too - as we all should be. So, I asked them to watch, ponder, and question. Why would a penguin go off in a different direction all by itself? Is the little guy’s death a certainty? And penguins aside, what about you? What direction are you headed in? I’m interested in our soon-to-be-high-schooler’s thoughts, and I’m interested in yours as well. In what direction are you headed? It’s interesting to note that Jesus, Himself, caused quite the stir by going off in a different direction. The Pharisees and Scribes were none too happy. Jesus would make His Way undeterred to the heights of Jerusalem and a certain death that would result in a whole new Life. Nihilism vanquished one might say. As we now prepare to enter the Season of Lent, the season of “bigger” questions, consider a meme penguin’s different direction and determination, but much more importantly in this most sacred season, consider your own!

Peace!

Fr. Wilson

02-08-26 Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

My name’s not “Howard!” No matter! Happy Valentine’s Day, “Howard!” It was not a term of endearment, nor was it meant to be. My mother just didn’t seem to understand. I had other priorities. I was an explorer and there was a whole world to explore. There were trees to climb; creeks to be crossed; beehives to disturb; rocks to be uncovered, and a whole assortment of animals, both wild and domestic, to be engaged. Young explorers with such priorities simply don’t have time for mundane things like bathing or showering, teeth brushing or fingernail trimming; thus, the moniker, “Howard,” as in, “Howard Hughes.” Howard Hughes, of course, was a billionaire-businessman who became a recluse and an obsessive-compulsive mysophobic (having a fear of germs) later in his life. A grainy, black and white photograph appeared one time in the supermarket tabloid papers. The “leaked” photograph purportedly showed a disheveled, unkempt, long haired, and bearded Mr. Hughes with very long fingernails. The photo was not very becoming to say the least, nor was the moniker. My name’s not “Howard,” I would say in protest. My mother, while holding a pair of nail clippers and a bar of soap, would then say, then stop acting like him! Slowly and reluctantly, the young explorer yielded to the matriarchal demands. No adventurer need stink and no explorer need be unkempt. Besides, as I would find out a little later, it’s not appealing to the fairer members of an explorer’s company. This would come to present a whole new host of issues, such as using up ALL the hot water for a shower far too lengthy. In the meantime, the young explorer did, indeed, learn a great lesson. Yes, cleanliness is next to godliness as we care for our God-given selves and begin to explore the whole wide world which, out of love, God gave to us. What a Valentine’s Day gift! Happy Valentine’s Day, indeed, “Howard!” XOXOXO!!!

Peace!

Fr. Wilson

02-01-26 Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

It’s the dreaded DISCOMBOBULATOR! Heads feel like they’re going to explode! The radar is knocked out! One falls to the ground and loses one’s cookies – or worse! It is said that it was the “discombobulator” – a super-duper, top-secret, high-tech, twenty-first century, gee-whiz device – that was used recently in Venezuela. All were thrown into disarray and easily overcome. Is this truly a new super weapon? Well…maybe…or maybe not. Some know certain names political today, the mention of which, seemingly have the same effect! I remember hearing, some time ago, about something similar happening in Cuba. Embassy personnel became sick and nauseous. It was thought that it was the Chinese perhaps? And if not, then most definitely the Russians! It is still an unsolved mystery to this day. I wonder if it was a test and trial run of the most definitely disorienting discombobulator? The world may never know. One thing that we do know is that discombobulation has been around for a long time. It started in the very beginning when Adam and Eve became very confused over a little piece of fruit and it continues right up into our own day with some wild winter weather leaving about ten to twelve inches of discombobulation…with maybe even some more this weekend! Did you know that even Catholic Schools (which we celebrated this past cold and snowy week) can cause discombobulation? Trust me, I know! And it isn’t – as in my case – just math! Just what the heck is an “imaginary” number? I know that it is definitely not that number which is the cost to heat one’s home or rectory! But sometimes, in the midst of befuddlement and confusion…clarity and insight emerge. This is what Catholic Schools and our own Saint Aloysius Parish School fundamentally offer, because of Who they offer. Faith can be so confusing at first, but in time, a great clarity emerges. And that clarity has a Name! It is Jesus, Himself, Who is the Master Discombobulator! He is the super-duper, secret weapon of all centuries, including our own. His Words come at us like some high-energy, super-weapon laser beam. They can, for a time, blind us, confuse us, frustrate us, and even make us feel sick! Just how can folks that are poor in spirit, mourning, or meek ever possibly be blessed? And persecution doesn’t sound like such a nice thing to me! I’m confused, befuddled, and discombobulated! The Lord’s laser certainly struck the chief priests, scribes, and Pharisees, didn’t it? Talk about a disconcerting discombobulation! This divine discombobulation would lead to what we know as the Sacred Triduum – or Three Great Days. The Three Great Days of our Faith are the ultimate time of discombobulation. From suffering to death and from death to new life eternal in a Resurrection that can only be described as… you know…discombobulating! However, to those with Faith, a great clarity arises, while confusion, with all its accompanying anxieties and fears, is put to death for good! And it is then – and only then – that the tremendous and the most Sacred Mystery of the Great Discombobulator is finally and for all time, solved!

Peace!

Fr. Wilson

01-25-26 Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Get ready! As I write this, this is talk of impending snow. Social media is abuzz as are all the folks that use it. Forecasts at the moment vary greatly based on the computer models, but it seems that there will almost certainly be at least some snow this weekend. You’ll probably know for certain if you’re reading this in the printed bulletin Sunday morning. Comparisons are being made to the infamous “Blizzard of ’96.” “Blizzard of ’26”…again, we’ll see! I remember the ’96 storm. I was in the midst of my Spirituality Year at the seminary. By the way, terminology has recently changed. Seminarians now progress through the seminary in “stages” with various names such as “propaedeutic” or “vocational synthesis.” Hmmmm…interesting! Confusing, but interesting! We’ll have to ask our seminarians, Dennis and Ricky, about this when we next see them. Anyway, back in my day of old fashioned terminology, we had just finished Christmas break and seminarians were preparing to return. Then it happened. For me it was like the storm of the century. My little one-way street in Philly looked like someone had sent a picture postcard from Antarctica. No one would be going anywhere…for days. I guessed that I would have to call the seminary and let them know that I was quite literally snowed in. I never had to make that call. Everybody was snowed in – including the priests involved with the Spirituality Year Program. Instead, I received a phone call. It was decided that there would be a delay of one week before returning to the seminary. Hallelujah! As the extra week of Christmas break progressed, I came to realize something as did all the neighbors. The city had abandoned us! We were not going to see a snow plow for a loooonnng time! Plow drivers had greater priorities in clearing streets. It was then that neighbors banded together. Together we dug our street out. It’s truly amazing what can be accomplished when folks band together! One week later, I made my way to the seminary with a couple of classmates – I was the one with a car and a license. Driving into the seminary entrance, we were amazed at what we saw. It was like the scene from the Cecil B. DeMille’s Ten Commandments. There was a wall of snow on each side of the somewhat cleared driveway. I think that I even saw Moses holding out his staff…no wait…or was that a plow driver on break smoking a big stogie? The snow covered seminary grounds were quite beautiful and all the men exchanged various blizzard stories. It was a time of great camaraderie and fellowship. Camaraderie, fellowship, and that which can be accomplished when working together – I hope these are not forgotten on a potentially very snowy weekend and the start of Catholic Schools Week, because I believe that these are just some of the hallmarks of a Catholic school, whether that Catholic institution is the Seminary, Pope John Paul II High School, or our own dear Saint Aloysius Parish School. As you take a break from shoveling or simply enjoy the snow from your kitchen window, think of our seminarians and Catholic school students - and please say a prayer for them! Pray that they might truly come to know and experience camaraderie, fellowship, and that which can be accomplished when working together…hallmarks of a good Catholic education as we “get ready” for snow and the start of Catholic Schools Week!

Peace!

Fr. Wilson

01-18-26 Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

A friend shared with me one time that he experienced some problem physically when he was born. There were certainly and understandably some concerns on the part of his parents, but everything eventually turned out just fine. I was curious what the problem might have been. I had no idea, but he wasn’t willing to share and said it didn’t matter. I mean, what could it possibly have been? Was there was one of something where there should have been two or something was not descended and in proper position? I didn’t find out then and I still don’t know to this day, but I’ve come to realize that it really doesn’t matter. He is still a good friend and has been and continues to be a very, very good priest. This memory in conjunction with some scripture from daily Mass had me thinking about my own childhood issue. When I was a youngster my parents started to have some serious concerns. I wasn’t speaking. Other children my age were already blabbing away – but not me. Hearing wasn’t the issue. They knew that I heard sounds. It was simply my apparent inability to speak. They were prepared to take me to a specialist, such were there concerns. My paternal grandmother sought to allay their fears. Don’t worry, she said. He’s just a late bloomer. Enjoy the quiet; because once he starts speaking, he won’t stop! She knew something that they didn’t. Perhaps, a young boy whispered something into her ear as she held him tightly in her arms. I still remember how she used to absolutely smoother me with kisses every time I saw her. I can still feel her very light grandma whiskers upon my cheeks and I miss the special powder blue mug that was just and only for me to use when I was at her house. I so wish that I had that mug today, because it would be filled not with milk or juice, but so many happy memories. My grandmother was correct. Perhaps it was because I didn’t have siblings to compete with or perhaps it was because I was simply a shy little guy, but I didn’t have a speech impediment and once I did start speaking…well, you know. So, forgive me if the homily is a little long! Our Faith is very much like this. Jesus, as you know, cured any number with speech impediments. I suppose that when it comes to our Faith, all of us have a speech impediment of sorts at first. This was even true of the Twelve, but once they came to realize Who Jesus really was and What His Presence meant – they couldn’t keep quiet and shouted the Good News to the whole world! The same is true for us when we come to the same realization and allow Jesus to heal tongues cleaved to the roofs of our mouths. In the scripture readings I had read, it was a young Samuel that upon recognizing the Voice of the Lord, became “fully awake” from his slumber and would go on to become a great Prophet whose voice could not be silenced. In the Gospel reading that day, it was Simon’s cured-of-her-fever-mother-in-law that couldn’t be silenced in my opinion. Although she speaks not a word in the bible passage, the next thing we know in that passage, lots of people are showing up at the door of the house looking for Jesus and looking for a cure from all sort of ailments and illnesses first and foremost among them, I would suggest, that of speech impediment. Listen for the Voice of the Lord in your life and then allow the Lord to “loose” your tongue. Then you and I – all of us – will be “fully awake” and we simply won’t be able to stop blabbering about Our Lord and the very Good News indeed, that He brings!

Peace!

Fr. Wilson

11-09-25 Dedication of the Lateran Basilica - Father Wilson's Pastor's Corner

Well, how was your Eagles bye-weekend last week?  Are you ready now for some Monday Night Football against some cheese heads?  Although the Eagles had a bye last weekend, the parishes of Saint Aloysius and Saint Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother did not!  There was much happening last weekend.  I thought that it would be good to share some of the Good News about the Good News that we proclaim and profess.  Fr. Sean English, the somewhat recently named Vocation Director for the Archdiocese (taking on that position full-time in the middle of June), celebrated the 10:15am Mass at Saint Aloysius last weekend.  He wanted to come to Saint Aloysius, a parish that has two young men studying for diocesan priesthood at our own Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary in Ambler and another two studying for priesthood at the Neo-Catechumenate Seminary of Redemptoris Mater in Yeadon.  I caught up with him and welcomed him from the pulpit towards the end of the Mass that he was celebrating, because I was celebrating Mass and some Good News at Saint Gabriel.  Little Lincoln Jude was baptized within the 9:00am Mass there.  The Good News of his baptism fit right in with the Good News of the second reading for All Souls Day:  Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?  We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life (Romans 6:3-4).  My little friend was given a whole new and Eternal Life in Christ!  And not only that, but his baptism shows that the Church is alive and growing!  Talk about Good News! More growth and Good News continued as Deacon George baptized three children in the Gathering Center at Saint Al’s after the 11:30am Spanish Mass where Fr. Wesly dedicated and held high in a “Lion King maneuver” another newborn (La Presentación del Niño).  Following Fr. Sean’s Mass, there were visitors who remarked on how much they enjoyed attending Mass and an older gentleman that asked me how he can go about joining the parish.  Good News begets more Good News and it is something that people want to be a part of.  It might be likened to all the fans in the stadium singing Fly Eagles Fly after every touchdown, then watching and hoping for the next opportunity to sing.  After his Mass, Fr. Sean and I prepared to take a seat at a table in the Gathering Center with three young men that are open to that which God could be calling them.  Please keep them in your prayers!  Before I sat, a young father approached me to let me know that he was thinking about the permanent diaconate program.  More Good News!  The Good News continued as the Vocation Director remarked on how the Gathering Center is such a nice space and how wonderful it is for us to offer our weekly hospitality as he sat there with his cup of coffee and delicious morning sweets.  The Good News didn’t stop there as he questioned me about the group of young adults that came in gripping their mochas, lattes, and Americanos while sitting at another table across the way.  That’s our Young Adult Group, I remarked as I went over and greeted them.  There was Good News also in the Children’s Liturgy that has begun once again.  This is when the youngest of our parishioners have their own opportunity to “break open” the Good News at their level during Sunday Liturgy returning to rejoin their parents at the Offertory of Mass.  Finally, there was the Good News of Fr. Sean telling me that he has a nephew in our school.  How wonderful, I said.  I didn’t know!   Oh but, Father Sean confessed, my nephew told me that he doesn’t want to be a priest!  Well, there’s still plenty of time for God to work on that!  It’s all a part of the Good News that we profess and proclaim here at Saint Aloysius and Saint Gabriel.  It is all a part of the Good News with which we are very blessed indeed!  Continue to pray for Good News!  Continue to pray for vocations as we welcome one of our own seminarians home this weekend for the Seminary Appeal – and let’s hope for some really Good News late Monday evening that will find us all singing Fly Eagles Fly!

Peace!  Fr. Wilson