R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Shine like lights in the world
as you hold on to the word of life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Jesus told his disciples a parable,
“Can a blind person guide a blind person?
Will not both fall into a pit?
No disciple is superior to the teacher;
but when fully trained,
every disciple will be like his teacher.
Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye,
but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own?
How can you say to your brother,
‘Brother, let me remove that splinter in your eye,’
when you do not even notice the wooden beam in your own eye?
You hypocrite!  Remove the wooden beam from your eye first;
then you will see clearly
to remove the splinter in your brother’s eye.

“A good tree does not bear rotten fruit,
nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit.
For every tree is known by its own fruit.
For people do not pick figs from thornbushes,
nor do they gather grapes from brambles.
A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good,
but an evil person out of a store of evil produces evil;
for from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks.”

The “giardino,” or “the garden,” for the old-fashion Italian household, was very important and still goes on today. They continue to boast about the fruitfulness of the giardino and the abundance of the vegetables and fruits, grapes and figs, that come from the garden or the giardino.

So much so that when Our Lord says that our life itself is to bear much fruit. The man with the giardino in the back yard relates immediately to what our Lord teaches — no weeds that choke off life itself.

I think when our Lord says, “Judge that you may not be judged,” our Lord’s teaching includes that we must not make rash judgements about others.  And I think that rash judgments go on all the time among many.  A person forms a judgment without even knowing the facts, and off he or she goes. Even when it comes to the diocesan appeal, I heard someone say, “Oh I don’t give to the diocesan appeal because I do not like the way Catholic Charities in the USA helps immigrants.” That to me is an example of a rash, rush to judgement in a matter that may be also involve sickness, hungry, being naked, or even sexual and physical abuse.  A rush and rash judgement is like weeds; it chokes and brings forth fruit.

The truth is, based on the staff of Catholic Charities of our Diocese, as I have come to know them, what they do for the poor and the needy is always with the intent of lifting up the unemployed to help them find a job, the poor to break the cycle of generational poverty.

I have found the work of Catholic Charities genuinely filled with charity and hope and sense of Catholic mission to people of the Diocese of Youngstown.  As your pastor I have never in 35 years plus had an instance when Catholic Charities has turned their back on me when I reach out for persons.  In fact, I have had people come to me and say Catholic Charities has helped me in time of great need.  I am ok now and it is my turn to give back in gratitude.  The diocesan appeal in its success will give 60 percent of the gifts to the work of Catholic Charities. It is a fruitful garden.

The other 40% of the appeal goes to the mission of the Diocese that favors the entire diocese, such as Pre-Cana for couples planning for marriage, the academic grants for students in formation for the priesthood, as well as what we do in strengthening the bond of marriage and the family.

Concerning the commitment card in your pew, please take it home, and return it next Sunday in the offering or mail it in.  Be sure to mark it Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and Saint Anthony Parish. The card suggests at least two hundred dollars, more if you are able, or whatever level you can do.  The goal is $4 million, asking us as a parish to reach out in the amount of $75,000 or more.

Lent is about to begin.  Let the diocesan appeal be part of your sacrifice this Lent.  And pray and fast this lent more than you ever did before for an end to the senseless war on the Ukraine. Pray for the children, women and men of the people of the Ukraine as we begin this Lent.   

Monsignor Michael J. Cariglio, Jr., Pastor, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica and Saint Anthony Parish

When a sieve is shaken, the husks appear;
so do one’s faults when one speaks.
As the test of what the potter molds is in the furnace,
so in tribulation is the test of the just.
The fruit of a tree shows the care it has had;
so too does one’s speech disclose the bent of one’s mind.
Praise no one before he speaks,
for it is then that people are tested.

R (cf. 2a) Lord, it is good to give thanks to you.
It is good to give thanks to the LORD,
to sing praise to your name, Most High,
To proclaim your kindness at dawn
and your faithfulness throughout the night.
R Lord, it is good to give thanks to you.
The just one shall flourish like the palm tree,
like a cedar of Lebanon shall he grow.
They that are planted in the house of the LORD
shall flourish in the courts of our God.
R Lord, it is good to give thanks to you.
They shall bear fruit even in old age;
vigorous and sturdy shall they be,
Declaring how just is the LORD,
my rock, in whom there is no wrong.
R Lord, it is good to give thanks to you.

Brothers and sisters:
When this which is corruptible clothes itself with incorruptibility
and this which is mortal clothes itself with immortality,
then the word that is written shall come about:
Death is swallowed up in victory.
Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?
The sting of death is sin,
and the power of sin is the law.
But thanks be to God who gives us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters,
be firm, steadfast, always fully devoted to the work of the Lord,
knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

It has long been a Catholic understanding that when circumstances prevent one from receiving Holy Communion, it is possible to make an Act of Spiritual Communion, which is a source of grace. Spiritual Communion is an ardent desire to receive Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament and lovingly embrace him at a time or in circumstances when one cannot receive Him in sacramental Communion. The most common reason for making an Act of Spiritual Communion is when a person cannot attend Mass. Acts of Spiritual Communion increase our desire to receive sacramental Communion and help us avoid the sins that would make us unable to receive Holy Communion worthily.

Spiritual Communion Prayer

My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.

I love you above all things and I desire to receive you in my soul.

Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally,

Come at least spiritually into my heart.

I embrace you as if you were already there

And unite myself wholly to you.

Never permit me to be separated from you.

Amen.