In our Gospel passage this week, we have a familiar scene where Jesus is presented with a large gathering of hungry followers. Putting aside His own personal grief at the death of His cousin John, He acts to fulfill the words of the prophets and because this was so important an episode, all of the gospel writers record this event. However, in Matthew’s account, we see an emphasis on the disciples’ role in the miracle that unfolds. (He) broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. Mt 14:19
As part of my diaconate formation, I did an internship at the Cathedral Kitchen, in Camden, NJ. On my first visit in late June 2011, with sweltering heat, 225 people came hungry. All ages, all races and all were fed; no questions asked. The meal that day was a hot entrée (a stew of sorts over Dutch noodles), water, milk and dessert. When the noodles ran out, the stew was served over fried potatoes, when the stew ran short, toward the end of the service, there were chicken fingers and fries. All got a take home bag with a sandwich, canned fruit, and snacks. There was extra milk and water. Chef Jonathan was like that disciple who just kept dishing it out as more came in and reclined. He was like a shepherd that day laughing with some of the sheep (most of them dirty and smelly as sheep tend to be); giving some extra to the sheep who brought their children, the littlest lambs. I was told that since it was toward the end of the month, many more people came that day, because they were running low on the public assistance that comes at the beginning of the month. Prior to COVID-19 when the Cathedral Kitchen could serve guests in the dining facility, guests were seated 12 to a table, then reduced to 6 to observe social distancing. As the pandemic and the imposed regulations evolved, so did the ability to serve the way I experienced the regular meal service. During the current pandemic, CK cannot serve guests in the dining room but is still serving 1600 meals a day to 8 halfway houses, while providing their regular guests with hot “to go” meals.T
It occurs to me, that there are many types of hunger, physical like in the readings this week, being just one of them:
I pray we are touched by the same Holy Spirit that was with His disciples while they passed out the loaves and fish to the hungry among them. So that we will be mindful that our spiritual baskets never run out as we feed those who hunger around us.
God Bless You!
Deacon Frank Campisi
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church
362 Ganttown Road
Turnersville, NJ 08012
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 1022, Turnersville, NJ 08012
Phone: 856-589-3366
Fax: 856-256-1964
Parish Office Hours
9:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Monday through Friday
Our Lady of Hope Regional School
420 Blackhorse Pike, Blackwood, NJ 08012
Phone 856-227-4442.
Email:
administration@olohschool.org
Principal: Elizabeth Martino
PARISH STAFF
Rev. Stephen J. Rapposelli
Pastor
Rev. Tomy Thomas
Parochial Vicar
Deacon Anthony Cioe
Pastoral Associate for Evangelical Outreach
Frank J. Campisi
Deacon
4:00 PM
Sunday:
8:30 AM, 10:00 AM, 11:30 AM
Monday - Saturday
9:00 AM
Livestreaming Mass
10:00 AM - Sunday
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