Monthly Archives: October 2013

Foundations

Posted on by Fr. Joseph McLaughlin, O.Praem.

Today’s Word:

…having been built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone. (Ephesians 2:20)

On This Date…

On Sunday, October 28, 1973, Bishop Thomas Mardaga of Wilmington dedicated the Justin E. Diny Science Center at Archmere. Headmaster, Father Justin Diny, O.Praem., along with principal and math teacher Father Robert Sliben, O.Praem., assisted Bishop Mardaga with the dedication.

Father Justin Diny, O.Praem.

Father Justin Diny, O.Praem.

The new science building was named in honor of Father Diny who had taught chemistry, math, and Latin before becoming the school’s headmaster in 1946. Prior to 1973, biology, chemistry, and physics were taught in The Manor building.

At Mass today, we heard that we are “built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the capstone.” At Archmere, we are also built on the foundation of teachers and administrators like Father Diny and Father Sliben.

– Father McLaughlin

“Be Not Afraid”

Posted on by Fr. Joseph McLaughlin, O.Praem.

Today’s Word:

scripture_flame

Be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks. (Luke 12:36)
 
 

On This Date…

On October 22, 1978, Pope John Paul II was inaugurated as pope. In his homily during the Mass he said, “Be not afraid! Open the doors to Christ.” He had been elected to the papacy four days earlier.

Pope Benedict XVI beatified Pope John Paul II in Rome on May 1, 2011. At the beatification Pope Benedict said, “May the example of Blessed John Paul II inspire us …to become icons of divine mercy.”

On April 27, 2014, Divine Mercy Sunday, Blessed John Paul II will be canonized a saint. Today his feast day is celebrated in the Diocese of Rome and all the dioceses of Poland.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus said, “Be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks.” Unafraid, we open our doors to Christ.

– Father McLaughlin

Blessed James Kern, O.Praem. – “Hero of the Church”

Posted on by Fr. Joseph McLaughlin, O.Praem.

Today’s Word:

The strength of our faith …can be measured by the ability to communicate it to others, to spread and live it in charity, to witness to it before those we meet and those who share the path of life with us.

– from Pope Francis’ message on the 87th Annual World Mission Day

On This Date…

Blessed James Kern, O.Praem.

Blessed James Kern, O.Praem.

On October 20, 1924, Father James Kern, O.Praem. died during surgery in Austria at age 27. He was injured in combat during World War I at age 19 and was discharged from the army a year later. He joined the Norbertines and was ordained in 1922 at age 25.

He had surgery again on his war wound the following year. During his recuperation, he ministered to many sick people offering the words, “The believer knows that suffering is a difficult path but that it ends up in bright light and warmth which awaits us on the other side of the grave.”

Pope John Paul II beatified Father James in Vienna, Austria in 1998, encouraging us to follow this “hero of the Church.”

On October 20, 2013, the Church celebrates the 87th Annual World Mission Day.

world_mission_day_2013

In his message for the day Pope Francis said, “The strength of our faith …can be measured by the ability to communicate it to others, to spread and live it in charity, to witness to it before those we meet and those who share the path of life with us” – a path we share also with Blessed James Kern.

– Father McLaughlin