St. Joseph the Worker Mission - North American Old Roman Catholic Church

28/01/2026

Contra naturam, non legislat

Contra naturam non legislat
(You can't legislate against nature)

We recognize the importance of the gift of celibacy; however, the truth is: it is NOT for everyone.

It is a special gift separate from the gift of the priesthood. The discipline of celibacy is not inherent to the priesthood, nor does it align with tradition and scripture. That is why celibacy was not present from the very start of the Church, but developed later and was institutionalized mainly to protect and preserve Church property.

Historically, celibacy in the Catholic Church emerged as an early tradition in the 4th century, but became a mandatory, enforced discipline in the Western Church only during the 12th-century reforms of Pope Gregory VII and the Lateran Councils. The Council of Elvira (c. 305) first mandated sexual continence, while the First (1123) and Second (1139) Lateran Councils formally made celibacy obligatory for priests.

Celibacy should be highly esteemed and encouraged—but it should not be compulsory. When it is forced, individuals may lose the freedom to make choices as their life situations change.

Celibacy has led many priests to commit mortal sin, leaving them unable to serve in a state of grace. Worse still, as stated in the messages of Our Lady of Fatima: "Many souls are now in hell because of the sins of the flesh"—and many priests have fallen into this situation.

Sadly, this discipline has also taken a heavy toll on priestly vocations. Data covering the four decades after the Second Vatican Council (1964–2004) estimates that 69,000 to nearly 100,000 Catholic priests left active ministry. This figure is now 20 years old and does not include those who have left in the intervening years.

So, does mandatory celibacy truly serve the Church well—or does it harm her instead?

21/12/2025

8TH SIMBANG GABI
GOSPEL: Luke 1:57-66

When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her. When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said in reply, “No. He will be called John.”

But they answered her, “There is no one among your relatives who has this name.” So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,” and all were amazed.

Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God. Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea. All who heard these things took them to heart, saying, “What, then, will this child be?” For surely the hand of the Lord was with him.

REFLECTION:
As we reach the 8th day of Simbang Gabi, the Gospel invites us to witness a moment of fulfilled promise, obedience, and renewed faith. Elizabeth gives birth to a son, and joy overflows—not only in her heart but in the whole community. This joy is born from recognizing that “the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her.”

At the heart of today’s Gospel is the naming of the child. The community expects tradition to prevail—naming the child after his father, Zechariah. But Elizabeth courageously speaks up: “No. He will be called John.” Her obedience is not based on custom, but on God’s will. In Scripture, naming is never random. John means “God is gracious.” His very name is a mission—a living proclamation that God has not forgotten His people.

Zechariah, once silenced because of doubt, now writes in faith: “John is his name.” With this act of obedience, his tongue is loosened. This teaches us something profound: faith opens what doubt closes. When we trust God—even when His plans challenge our expectations—our voice, our joy, and our purpose are restored.

For us celebrating Simbang Gabi, this Gospel is deeply meaningful. Like John, we are each called by name. God has a unique mission for every one of us—within our families, our communities, and our nation. The question asked at the end of the Gospel—“What, then, will this child be?”—is also a question for us: What kind of people are we becoming as we prepare for Christmas?

Simbang Gabi is not only about completing nine dawn Masses. It is about allowing God to shape us, just as He shaped John from the very beginning. Are we open to God’s surprising plans? Are we willing to obey even when it goes against comfort, habit, or popular opinion?

As Christmas draws near, may we learn from Elizabeth’s courage, Zechariah’s renewed faith, and John’s God-given identity. Let us rejoice, because the hand of the Lord is with us, and His mercy continues to unfold in our lives.

May this 8th day of Simbang Gabi renew our faith, deepen our obedience, and awaken us to the mission God has lovingly entrusted to each of us. 🙏✨

21/12/2025

7th Day of Simbang Gabi
GOSPEL: Luke 1:46-56

Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed.

“The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him. He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart. He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly. The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped Israel his servant, Remembering his mercy, According to his promise to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

Mary remained with [Elizabeth] about three months and then returned to her home.

REFLECTION:
“The God Who Lifts the Lowly”

In the Gospel today, we hear Mary’s song of praise—the Magnificat. This is not just a beautiful prayer; it is a powerful proclamation of who God is and how God acts in the world.

Mary begins by praising the Lord not for what she has done, but for what God has done. “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord.” True faith always turns our attention away from ourselves and toward God. Mary recognizes her own lowliness, yet she also trusts that God sees her, values her, and works through her. This reminds us that God does not choose the powerful or the famous, but the humble and the willing.

The Magnificat reveals a God who turns the world upside down. The proud are scattered, the mighty are brought low, and the lowly are lifted up. The hungry are filled, while those who cling only to riches are left empty. This is a message that challenges us. It asks us: Where do we stand? Are we among the humble who trust in God, or among the proud who rely only on themselves?

Mary’s song is also a song of hope. It assures us that God is faithful to His promises. In a world marked by injustice, inequality, and suffering, the Magnificat reminds us that God is never indifferent. He hears the cry of the poor, the hungry, and the forgotten. God’s mercy, Mary tells us, is “from age to age.”

Finally, Mary teaches us how to respond to God’s blessings—not with pride, but with gratitude, humility, and service. After singing her song of praise, she remains with Elizabeth, quietly serving. True praise of God is always lived out in love for others.

As we reflect on this Gospel, may we learn from Mary to trust God deeply, to stand with the lowly, and to allow our lives to become a song that proclaims the greatness of the Lord.

06/03/2025

Ash Wednesday Celebration

06/03/2025

Remember you are dust and to dust you will return

06/03/2025

Ash Wednesday Celebration

02/03/2025

8th Sunday in Ordinary Time. In today's Gospel (Lk.6:39-45), our LORD teaches us the importance of seeing rightly, not judgmentally. All too often, we see what is wrong with others, and forget that we, too, have our faults. May we be cleansed of our blind spots, and shortsightedness. "FROM THE FULLNESS OF THE HEART, THE MOUTH SPEAKS." How often do we fall into idle talk, and negative conversations? If we have nothing good to say about others, better to say nothing at all. It is such a noisy world, and a talkative world. Everybody wants to say something about everything and everyone. Perhaps, we should listen more. We learn more when we really listen with the heart. Talk less. Listen more. This coming Wednesday is ASH WEDNESDAY, the start of the Lenten Season. It is a time for PRAYER, FASTING, AND GOOD DEEDS. We all could begin our Lenten discipline with fasting from talking, and doing more praying and good deeds. GODmorning!

07/02/2025

My presbyteral ordination - a throwback

04/02/2025

Lord I am not worthy to receive you under my roof but only say a word that I am healed