A Message from Father Nathan
My dearest people closest to my heart!
God bless you and your generous heart
June 13 – We celebrate the Memorial of St. Anthony of Padua
This week on the 13th, we will celebrate the Memorial of St. Anthony of Padua (1195-1231), born in Lisbon Portugal.
He is the patron saint of my village. I have such a great admiration for this saint. He became a canon regular and then a Franciscan, preaching the Gospel everywhere in Portugal and Italy. Both as a theologian and a popular preacher, he fought vigorously against heresy. His preaching was inspired by his love of God and of souls and had an extraordinary power of conviction; it was filled with the penetrating power of the Bible.
“Arca Testamenti”, meaning the living repository of the Holy Scriptures
Pope Gregory IX, who heard him preach, called his during his lifetime the: “Arca Testamenti”, meaning “the living repository of the Holy Scriptures”. Pope Pius XII, when he proclaimed him a Doctor of the Church, declared that he based all that he said on the texts of the Gospels, and could justly be called the Evangelical Doctor.
Life, death & Miracles
St. Anthony lived for a time in France, but chiefly in Italy, and died near Padua in 1231 at the age of 36, with the reputation of great sanctity. From the day of his death, innumerable miracles caused the faithful to invoke him as a wonderworker of untiring benevolence.
An Accidental Preacher
the “Hammer of Heretics”
He became a preacher by accident. When a scheduled preacher did not show up for an ordination ceremony at Forli, the Franciscan superior told Anthony to go into the pulpit. His eloquence stirred everyone, and he was assigned to preach throughout northern Italy. Because of his success in converting heretics, he was called the “Hammer of Heretics” and because of his learning, St. Francis appointed him a teacher of theology.
St. Anthony of Padua was such a forceful preacher that shops closed when he came to town, and people stayed all night in church to be present for his sermons. He became associated with Padua because he made this city his residence and the center of his great preaching mission. After a series of Lenten sermons in 1231, Anthony’s strength gave out and he went into seclusion at Camposanpiero but soon had to be carried back to Padua. He did not reach the city but was taken to the Poor Clare convent at Arcella where he died. He was thirty-six years old, and the whole city of Padua turned out in mourning for his passing.
Saint Anthony, pray for us, that we may also live to be faithful to the church and to you.
Amen
With lots of love and blessings,
Ever wanting to be faithful to your service,
— Fr. Sahayanathan Nathan
Set up Online Giving.
You can make a one-time donation or set up recurring gifts.
Join our Parish Family
Register in the parish, so that it’s easy to become a confirmation sponsor or Godparent.
Want to Lend a Helping Hand?
Find volunteer opportunities and share your talents.
Need a Helping Hand?
We are here to help. Request home visits, send a prayer request. For urgent needs call 954.943.3684
Past Messages from Father Nathan
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | October 27, 2024
3 Important Things. Special Healing Mass will be held on November 3. The celebration will include mass, the rosary, and the anointing of the sick. Welcome back seasonal parishioners and an update on Andrew Reid our choir director.
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | October 20, 2024
It’s election mode time. Everything we say and do will be perceived with a political outlook. But at the same time as the Church, we need to be the voice of Christ. Mother Teresa on the “Great Destroyer of Peace – Abortion. The passage below is the voice of Mother Teresa at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington D.C. on February 5, 1994. I believe her wisdom and concerns are so relevant today. Here you go.
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | October 13, 2024
Father Nathan is hosting his annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner on Sunday, October 20t at 5:00 p.m. in the parish hall.
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | October 06, 2024
On October 7, Catholics around the world honor the contemplative prayer of the Rosary by celebrating the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | September 29, 2024
On October 1, Catholics around the world honor the life of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus, or St. Thérèse of Lisieux on her feast day. St. Thérèse was born January 2, 1873 in Alençon, France to pious parents, both of whom are scheduled to be canonized in October 2016. Her mother died when she was four, leaving her father and elder sisters to raise her.
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | September 22, 2024
St. Vincent dePaul, (April 24, 1581 – September 27, 1660) was a French priest who dedicated his life to helping the poor and is considered one of the most important figures in history of charity. He was canonized by Pope Clement X in 1737 and declared the patron saint of all charitable works.