Fear no one.

My dear friends in Christ,

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us to “fear no one.” Jesus was not speaking of the spontaneous reaction of fear in the face of perceived danger. It would be normal for us to be afraid if we are in danger or if we are faced with the unknown. Jesus was referring to the fear that controls a person’s deliberate response in the face of such danger. At times, we could avoid danger. At other times, perils need to be faced and endured for the sake of a greater good. Jesus was insisting that discipleship – and the hope of eternal life – would be dangerous, but that this danger was to be faced and borne courageously.

We all experience the fear of the unknown at some point in our lives. Almost one year ago, I was faced with the unknown as Bishop O’Connell asked me to come here to Corpus Christi Parish as your Administrator. Today as we approach my one year anniversary on July 1st, I am being formally installed as your 7th Pastor by Fr. Pfleger, the Episcopal Vicar for Burlington County. I remember my first words to the Bishop after he appointed me here to Willingboro. I said, “Where’s that!” I know where “that” is now and it’s been a wonderful first year serving you here at Corpus Christi. We, as a Parish, have much to be thankful for and much work to do as we move into the future. We will be looking at meeting some of our parish needs over the summer as I meet with our Finance and Parish Councils. Please pray for me and for our parish!

May God bless you all!

Fr. John