Dear Parishioners,

The world we occupy today puts a high premium on being first and foremost in every aspect of one’s life but, while we should strive to be the best we can in all walks of life, we must be careful not to ride rough shod over everyone around us.

Jesus gives us the formula for tempering this rush to prominence later on in the Gospel when He reminds us to humble ourselves regarding our approach to living life. He even goes so far as to say, “For every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” Reminding us that we are all equal in the eyes of God and that humility is one of the greatest virtues.

The entire concept is a “hard sell” in our world today, but now more necessary than ever. The pressure put on our young people in particular can be devastating when it consumes people with the obsession to be number one. Rather, we should all recognize the inherent value of the great commandment, “Love thy neighbor as thyself” and humble ourselves whenever possible through acts of faith, hope and charity. This will almost certainly make us exalted in the sight of God, which in the end is all that matters.

In Remembrance of Deacon Joe Crowley

It is with great sadness that I write this letter at the loss of Deacon Joe Crowley who passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, August 8 surrounded by his family. Joe was a devoted, husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.

The ministry of service through ordination is most profoundly revealed through the call to be an Ordained Deacon. Deacon Joe was ordained as a Permanent Deacon in the Diocese of Paterson in 1999. He served as Deacon in Our Lady of Consolation parish for many years and then with Annunciation Parish up until his passing. As a Permanent Deacon, he was a true Steward of the Lord and an example to others. He not only proclaimed the Gospel, but he lived the Gospel message and brought it to others through how he lived his own life with his wife, Joan, who was always by his side. Both he and Joan shared so much of their faith together. Joe was truly a servant of the Church he loved and a man of great faith.

Deacon Joe and Joan were members of Our Lady of Consolation for many years. Joe attended Mass daily and his help as Deacon was invaluable to me as Pastor. He assisted me at funerals and did many of our Baptisms. His homilies were always thoughtful and very well received as well as an insightful commentary on scripture as it related to the hearts and minds of us all. Joe’s role as Deacon expanded into the community as well and he reached out into roles at the diocesan level as his time permitted. He was involved with Hospice and worked to a great extent with developmentally disabled individuals.

Joe has excelled in all the roles he has lived and through his relationships he has served our Lord with a dignity and a true love of his faith. Deacon Joe Crowley touched the lives of many and he will be sincerely missed by those who knew and loved him. May you rest in peace great and faithful servant and may God provide comfort to Joan and the family in this most difficult loss. God Bless you, Deacon Joe, from all us… Fr. Michael and the people of Our Lady of Consolation Parish

The Gospel this weekend reminds us to consider the age old wisdom, “You can’t take it with you”. Every one of us has known someone in our lifetime that seemed to have everything they wanted only to die lonely and unhappy. God has given us everything we need to live a good life, and yet, for many people. we know what God gives is never enough.

I believe that somewhere, or somehow, early in life children should be taught the difference between needs and wants and that the difference should be reinforced by parents at every stage of a child’s development. It is no surprise that business and industry expend great resources to find out what our individual WANTS are and then pander to those wants everyday of our lives.

The internet has intensified this experience a thousand fold and by the mere click of a mouse those wants can be satisfied at any time of the day or night, anywhere in the world, whether for good or bad. Navigating such a world is increasingly difficult for so many people. The words of Jesus in the Gospel are as timely today as when He first spoke them. Perhaps the wealthy man in the Gospel was a hoarder long before anyone knew what it was.

The lesson is very clear…thank God each day for love in our lives, joy in our hearts, peaceful days and the courage to live a forgiving life and be a witness to this Gospel…