From the Desk of Father Nathan

St Gabriel Catholic Church | Pompano Beach
God Bless You All

A Message from Father Nathan

My dearest people closest to my heart!
God bless you and your generous heart.

Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ

The Last Sunday in Ordinary Time

We are coming to the end of this liturgical season. On the last Sunday of each liturgical year, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, or Christ the King.

This week is the 33rd week of the ordinary time. In a few days, we will celebrate Thanksgiving, and next, we will celebrate the Solemnity of the Christ the King and then we will be into the great Advent.

Pope Pius XI instituted this feast of Christ the King in 1925

Pope Pius XI instituted this feast of Christ the King in 1925 with his encyclical “Quas Primas” (“In the First”) to respond to growing secularism and atheism. He recognized that attempting to “thrust Jesus Christ and His holy law” out of public life would result in continuing discord among people and nations. The solemnity reminds us that while governments come and go, Christ reigns as King forever.

Why We Celebrate the Solemnity of Christ The King

Let us try to understand the reasons why the church has this feast. During the early twentieth century, in Mexico, Russia, and some parts of Europe, militantly secularistic regimes threatened not just the Catholic Church and its faithful but civilization itself. Pope Pius XI’s encyclical gave Catholics hope and—while governments around them crumbled—the assurance that Christ the King shall reign forever.

Jesus Christ “is very tough, and it is from Him that truth must be obediently received by all mankind.” (Quas Primas, 7)

Christ is the King Of OUR Lives

The Church calls us to acknowledge Christ’s kingship with our whole lives. He must reign in our minds, which should assent with perfect submission and firm belief to revealed truths and the doctrines of Christ.

Religious Freedom

Today, religious freedom for many people means they can believe whatever they want in private, but when they enter the public square or the marketplace, they may not speak about their faith.

However, the Church acknowledges the reign of Christ, both privately, and publicly. This solemnity encourages us to celebrate and live out our faith in public.

“Thus by sermons preached at meetings and in churches, by public adoration of the Blessed Sacrament exposed by the solemn processions, men unite in paying homage to Christ, whom God has given them for their King.” (Quas Primas, 26)

We Need to Publically Live Our Christian Faith

For Christians, when our faith is repeatly marginalized in public life, we can fall into the habit of compartmentalizing our lives. We love Jesus in our private lives, but we shrink from acknowledging the kingship of Christ in our social life.

When we celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King, we declare to the world and remind ourselves that Jesus is the Lord of the Church and the entire universe.

With lots of love and blessings.

Ever wanting to be faithful to your service,

— Fr. Sahayanathan Nathan

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Past Messages from Father Nathan

From The Desk Of Father Nathan | August 7, 2022

From The Desk Of Father Nathan | August 7, 2022

August 15th is an important and memorable day for all Catholics. It is the Feast celebrating the Assumption of our Blessed Mother. Learn More about the the theology and the catechism of the Assumption of our Blessed Mother

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From The Desk Of Father Nathan | July 31, 2022

From The Desk Of Father Nathan | July 31, 2022

St. John Vianney feast day is celebrated annually on August 4th St. John Marie Vianney was a priest who Pope Pius X proposed as a model and patron saint of all the priests because of his extraordinary devotion and life. A life which he committed to the church ministry. St. John Marie Vianney was born on May 8, 1786 …

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From The Desk Of Father Nathan | July 24, 2022

From The Desk Of Father Nathan | July 24, 2022

Mass is God’s Food for Our Soul, come and partake. I am glad and delighted to witness many coming back to the church in person, which is great! I am looking forward to witnessing all our people back at the church. I thought maybe it would be good to do a little catechism as my thankfulness.

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From The Desk Of Father Nathan | July 17, 2022

From The Desk Of Father Nathan | July 17, 2022

A second collection for the Parish Projects will be the last weekend of July. Some of you were proposing to me to have a second collection for the Parish Project that we are undertaking. There are very many of you already supporting it. I thank each one of you for your love and support. No matter how big or small…

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From The Desk Of Father Nathan | July 10, 2022

From The Desk Of Father Nathan | July 10, 2022

Thank You for Your Continued Support of our church. I really want to thank each and everyone for your financial support. God bless you all! Thank you also to all those who are praying toward the completion of this project. Please continue to do so. I do understand that it’s a most trying of times now…

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