Blog Archives

We Are All God’s Building

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


Today’s Word:

“You are God’s building. …The temple of God, which you are, is holy” (1 Corinthians 3:9, 17)

On This Date…

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The Lateran Basilica

On November 9, 324 AD Pope Saint Sylvester dedicated the Lateran Basilica in Rome; it remains to today as the pope’s cathedral church, and was his residence until 1309. It was a gift to the Church from Emperor Constantine  just before Christianity became a legal religion in 313 AD.

On November 8, 1959, a Sunday, Bishop Michael Hyle of Wilmington dedicated Saint Norbert Hall, which contains the Archmere Oratory, dedicated in 2014.

On November 9, 1989 the Berlin Wall fell, ending the Cold War, and leading to the reunification of East and West Germany. Today, Germans are gathering at the Brandenburg Gate for a performance of Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy.”

At Mass today we heard these words of Saint Paul: “You are God’s building. … The temple of God, which you are, is holy”. That is reason for us to be people of joy and hope.

– Father McLaughlin

The Solemnity of All Saints

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


Today’s Word:

“We are God’s children now” (1 John 3:2)

On This Date…

On November 1, 1893, Abbot Bernard Pennings, O.Praem., the founder of Archmere Academy, left Holland by boat for America with two fellow missionaries. It was stormy at sea, but Abbot Pennings wrote that day, “We are not afraid; after all, this morning we entrusted ourselves to all the Saints.” They had celebrated Mass at 4:30 AM for the Feast of All Saints.

On November 1, 1946, Karol Josef Wojtyla was ordained a priest in Poland. He celebrated his First Mass on November 2nd, All Souls Day, commenting that his First Mass was actually three masses. Today we honor Saint John Paul II, elected pope on October 16,1978 and canonized on April 27, 2014.

On November 1, 1983, Bishop Thomas Mardaga of Wilmington dedicated the Library and the Performing Arts Center, celebrating the first Mass in our theatre, where we continue to celebrate our monthly school Masses.

At Mass today we heard Saint John say, “We are God’s children now”. Such good news enables missionaries to leave home to serve in foreign lands, seminarians to say “yes” to the call to priesthood, school to be opened and dedicated, and all of us to “entrust ourselves to all the Saints.”

– Father McLaughlinAll-Saints

Open the Doors to Christ

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

Today’s Word:

“In sending us Jesus, the Eternal Son made man, God has drawn near to each of us. In Christ He has become our traveling companion.”(Pope John Paul II)

On This Date…

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Saint Peter’s Square

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

When Pope John Paul II died on April 2, 2005, the thousands of mourners gathered in Saint Peter’s Square began to cry out, “Santo Subito” (“sainthood immediately”). Pope Francis canonized Pope John Paul II on April 27, 2014 and today is his feast day.

This morning Mr. Gabriel shared these words of St. John Paul II with the Auk Ministry Team: “In sending us Jesus, the Eternal Son made man, God has drawn near to each of us. In Christ He has become our traveling companion.” So, unafraid, let us “Open the doors to Christ.”

– Father McLaughlin