Parting Words from Saint Catherine’s

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I’m sure we’ve all heard the phrase: “Keep calm and carry on.”

It dates back to 1939, when Europe was on the brink of war. The British posted these words around Central London, encouraging their citizens to keep calm when threatened by Nazi airstrikes.

But somewhere around the year 2000, those words were re-discovered, and they went viral. 

Now they’re printed on everything from t-shirts to coffee mugs and posters, reminding people to keep calm and carry on when an unexpected event happens.

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One of the most unexpected events in our century has been the outbreak of COVID. 

Entire towns have shut down, while people are encouraged to wear face masks, to stay socially distant and to dine outdoors in the cold. Many are even afraid to come to church.

Do you remember when COVID first reached the shores of America? 

We were totally unprepared. There was a flurry of panic buying, even a rush on toilet paper! The memes on that were hilarious. 

Although our circumstances were different from Central London in 1939, like the British, many Americans struggled to keep calm and carry on; we were too afraid of the unknown. 

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On a more personal level, our parish is experiencing another unlikely event – one that’s bittersweet in my heart – my recent appointment as pastor of Saint Pius in Old Tappan, along the New York / New Jersey border. 

Ever since I found out, that phrase, “Keep calm and carry on,” has been coming back to me. 

I know over these last 5 years of priesthood, and certainly these last two years at Saint Catherine’s, the Lord has been preparing me for leadership. 

Whether it’s been through the ALPHA program, offering the Catholicism series, teaching in the school, or celebrating the Sacraments, I’ve learned so much from all of you.

So many of you have strengthened my faith, shaped my heart, and affirmed the hard work I’ve put into my priestly ministry. I cannot thank you enough.

I’m also deeply humbled by Cardinal Tobin’s confidence in me, as I’ll become one of the youngest pastors in the Archdiocese.

But, as we’re reminded by world events and even today’s Gospel, we must always be prepared for the unknown. Expect the unexpected. 

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In today’s Gospel, Jesus gives us a parable describing his second coming – what we’d call the end of the world. 

He, the Bridegroom, comes at night, but only five of the ten virgins awaiting him are prepared. Five of them refilled their lamps with oil while five ran out.

Why didn’t the foolish five have any extra oil? Were they forgetful? Were they lazy? 

No. I think they took the others for granted. Perhaps they presumed they could scrounge some oil off of the others if they needed it.

But when the Bridegroom comes, the foolish ones are left outside in the dark; outside in the cold. They couldn’t borrow someone else’s oil because that oil represented their faith.

Faith cannot be borrowed. It must grow within each of us; we all responsible for our own relationship with God.

But I can say that so many of you have fortified my faith – as I hope I’ve done the same for you through preaching, listening, ministering, and breaking bread together.

If anything, my appointment to Saint Pius has reminded me never to take God – or his people – for granted. I leave you here today with a grateful heart, ready to love and serve the people of Saint Pius as much as I have loved you.

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That’s a lesson we’ve all learned during Covid – not to take anything for granted – our freedom; our friends; our faith; our time here on earth; or my time here at Saint Catherine’s, which now comes to an end.

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As we move into a future yet to be written, mine in Old Tappan and yours here at Saint Catherine’s, I hope we all, “keep calm and carry on.”

Our ability to find that peace in any circumstance rests in one thing – our faith in Jesus. As he says at the end of the Gospels, “Behold, I am with you always.”

Whether we’re living in Central London or Cedar Grove, in times of celebration or times of quarantine, Jesus is with us. 

And you will be with me, as I carry you in my heart. 

Thank you and God bless you.