Lights, Camera, Action

Friday, August 21, 2010 we received a visit from the producers of One Square Mile, a documentary which has been covering various cities and small town through out the United States and Hawaii. The producers were interested in our mission of being inclusive to the residents of Wilton Manors, which now it seems is openly split between same gender and opposite gender residents.

During the interview and filming , Father Larry and myself both shared that we had gone to Boston to get married after having been together almost 39 years. You see we believe in married priests. Both of us can share our experience, hope and strength in a committed loving relationship and all that couples have to work through to keep that love on the front burner.

For a long time we kinda kept our marriage quiet although other married priests used the experience to help struggling couples deal with their relationships. Of course now, we will be openly sharing ,that is maybe, if they choose to use our interview, as a part of the fabric that makes up Wilton Manors. And then again I dont know who reads this blog, but its now out there .

So the next time someone says what do you priests know about marriage and its ups and downs,
we will indeed have the makings of a a good discussion. I will keep you informed when the documentary is up and running,

God loves you and so do I. Father John Joseph Reid

newdivinemercy.org.

Our Website. newdivinemercy.org

When we first had the thought of putting together a website devoted to Divine Mercy, we never expected how far reaching it would become. People from not only all over the United States and Canada but all over Europe and Asia visit this site and leave their prayer requests. In addition they can read a daily prayer, listen to a daily bible reading, pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet. and of course the popular Light a Candle.

We would like to encourage you to tell your friends about this website and encourage them to use its many features. They can also email us if they have any particular questions . So this blessed Chapel of Divine Mercy in Wilton Manors is reaching out all over the world. Another miracle in Wilton Manors.

Small and Large

Our chapel here in Wilton Manors can be considered, in many eyes, small. But I would like to tell you of some of the miracles that have been happening to those who come to our Chapel. Four weeks ago Michael C. came to Mass for the first time (after having moved from California) and upon leaving said that he would no longer be smoking. He had tried before to stop but he had a feeling that this time it would work. The following Sunday he returned to the chapel and announced that he had not had a cigarette since his last visit to the chapel. And as of now he has been nicotine free. Miracle? Some People might call it one, especially those who have been trying to get off cigarettes for a long time.

And today, in this some times bleak looking economic world , Michael C. told us that he had landed a subsantial business account with a large national candy company. You see Michael came here too, never expecting to start a new business but rather to work for one that is still struggling to get off the ground. We all prayed yesterday at Mass for Michael C. and within the next few weeks Father Larry and myself will be offer a blessing at the official opening of the business.

Our chapel might be small but our outreach is indeed large. Our websitge is viewed all over the world and people come to the site and place their prayers in the "light a candle" section. I never hear back the results of their petitions but I am going to put a reminder in the website asking them to let us know the outcome of their prayers. My gut tells me there are little miracles happening as a result of the website.

Till the next time. May God watch over you and keep you and yours well.

Father John Joseph

Get Going Father

This evening I received an Email from a Pete who lives in Pensacola, Florida. He reminded me that there hasnt been an entry into the blog column since last April, that he comes to the site to get up to date information and that the Website has had the same old stuff on it for a while. Thank you Pete. I am gong to get together with my web advisor and bring the web site into the here and now and also will be doing more blogging about life here with the New Divine Mercy Community. Pete, next time you get down this way lets have dinner (on me)

SERENITY

Its 10:00 am on a Thursday morning in a local Gay and Lesbian Center as 60 Gay Men and Women hold hands, at the closing of an anonymous 12 step meeting, and together recite the Serenity Prayer: God grant me tne serenity to accept the things I can not change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.

Earlier during the meeting my mind wandered, as I looked around the room and thought of the many miracles that I saw in front of me . Those who, through the grace of a loving God, were living sober a day at a time and reaching out to help otheers. Yet, these very same men and women were also being condemned by another God...a God claimed by those who read their interpreation of a bible which condemened the Gay Men and Women as abominations. I said I want the God in AA, a loving kind God who accepted all as his children and gave them his grace and strength. I see God's love in action.

On my own I can not change the rantings of some evangelicals, but ask for the courage to speak up as needed and pray for the wisdom the know the difference. I am grateful today.

God Sends Them

This morning I was favoring a back problem and taking it easy around the house. The dogs start barking and I go to the door and find an older woman standing there, asking if I was a priest ( dressed in my irish rugby shirt, shorts and no shoes..why couldnt you tell?) but saying to her yes, I was. She asked if she could pray in our small chapel. I said certainly, got the key and she and her daughter came in and prayed before the Blessed Sacrament which we keep exposed in front of the painting of Divine Mercy.

She shared with me that she and her daughter were keeping a promise they made to Divine Mercy for prayers being answered and they were making a novena by visiting 21 churches. The Mother then asked if I would bless her other family and four others got put of the car and came into the Chapel, we now have six, two other adults and two young girls.
They all made a general confession and I gave them Holy Communion and we prayed together.

I found out that they were from Canada, of Fillipino descent and very spiritual. Their appearance at 10:30 this morning brought to mind that I am a priest and God sends people from all over to our chapel and they bring blessings to us by their presence. I do not expect to see them ever again, I gave holy cards and my business card as they continued on their way.

Sometimes I wonder what I am doing and who am I really touching. Today was an example that God wants me to be there for whomever he sends. Those who live under the bridges, those who are struggling with mental problems and those pilgrims, like today, who come into our lives along their journey.

Tonight during Mass devoted to Divine Mercy and exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, I will pray for all of us in need and thank God for this experience today.

Father John Joseph

Home Sweet Home

There is something comforting in "Coming Back Home". We hear this many times when people join us for our liturgies, after having been away from "church" for a long time. We have seen tears after those who have received communion.

And so too, we feel right about coming back to our Shrine Chapel, looking around at the altar, the stained glass windows, the Large Painting of Divine Mercy and other Sacred Pictures. And coming back does not mean being stuck in the past, but regrouping and strenghtening; being open again to the voice of the Holy Spirit to guide us further along our spiritual journey. As we pray in the Shrine Chapel, whether at Mass, during Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament or the Divine Mercy Novena, we are sending out to the world healing spiritual energy.

The motto of our Church is "Jesus I trust in You". It is now the right time to really practice what we preach. No longer will we be advertising through fliers, ads in newspapers, etc. Rather we will reach out personally through attraction rather promotion. Jesus will be in charge, we will depend solely on Him for his guidance as to where we, as a community are to serve him.

I can tell you that since we have returned back to the Shrine Chapel, Jesus has been sending mostly those who are unemployed, one living under a bridge and one who recently found a room, with the financial help of the Missionaries. Right now, we do not push the river, we go with the flow.....Jesus is guiding us.

Letting Go and Letting God.....Lesson to constantly learn.

Peace and Love to you all. Father John Joseph and Father Larry and our other brothers and sisters send their love.

CHRISTMAS MORNING GIFTS

Its 9:30 A.M., Both Father Larry and I got back into the house a little after 2 A.M. We had to clear up the rented space where we had our Midnite Mass, in a large auditorium that seated 400. We had spent weeks before running ads, placing announcements in store windows, putting flyers on cars, going to large events and passing them out and talking to people along the way. Between ads and renting of the space it cost us nearly 1,000.00; maybe more I havent kept count. We were not permitted to advertise on a billboard of the church so it had to be by press and out on the street.

Well midnight came, the space looked beautiful, the music was grand, a friend Doug Blevins' singng voice added that special touch. I looked around amongst the 400 seats and saw 8 people. My heart sank and I must admit for the first part of the Mass, I was nervous and didnt feel right in the space. I just couldnt concentrate, But we very grateful for those 8 who did attend.

It also says that God does not want us in that space. We spent over 2000 initially when we had our first Mass in their chapel People did not want to come at 1:30 in the afternoon, the only time we were permited to be there. We pushed and tried even asking if maybe we could move it up to around 12.00. We learned the hard way but both of us, in our late 70's are still open to learning. I am hearing that God wants us back in a appropriate Catholic oriented space. We have a wonderful chapel that people, if they seek out, will find us

We return to being Fathers of Divine Mercy and not church builders. We will be there for the spiritual needs of the community. People will see us on the street dressed in clerical clothes, celebrate Sunday morning Mass at 10, a Serenity Mass on Monday evening and a Divine Mercy Healing Mass with benediction of the Blessed Sacrament on Wednesday. We wont have to make other spaces look like a church and then have to strip them down again. What a relief.

If others some time ask us to serve their community in the space that they create and maintain, we will do that. In the meantime, no more money spent on ads or rented space that does not have our name on it. If God so ordains, people will seek us.

God has already blessed us with the best gift he can give us. Our own place to pray and worship, a place that looks and feels like a Catholic Chapel.

Our love, from our hearts, goes out to all. It is indeed a Happy Christmas. We have each other . Father Larry has taken in temporarily a man who does not have a home We will help him get settled in a place of his own. And thats what Christmas is about.
All is calm, all is bright.

GETTING READY TO GET READY

Can you imagine the Christmas Season will soon be upon us. Here it is December 11 and the Chrismas Season begins on December 25. Right now we are putting together our Christmas Eve Candlelit Midnight Mass program Flyers passing out, store placards being distributed, ads in two newpapers, soloist found, candles to be obtained, etc. etc. etc. We are getting ready to get ready, Going from Celebrating Mass in a chapel which seats 16 to a large auditorium is that seats over 300 is a big jump for us ( a big leap of faith). And, as we get closer and closer, the more excited I get, trusting that God knows what he is doing although sometimes I dont have a clue. Then there are times when I go Whoa, do you know what you have really bitten off here. Now that part can be scarey.

So we trudge along the path of happy destiny knowing that God did not carry us this far to drop us down. Come dance along with us on this path. Nol body leads and no body follows, God leads the band. Cha cha any one?

Newdivinemercy.org. referrals welcome

Christmas Midnight Mass

DIVINE MERCY CHAPEL
New Catholic Communities

Serving the Catholic Community of Wilton Manors for the past 11 years!

Come Home For Christmas!
We warmly invite you to worship with us as we celebrate the Birth of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
If you’ve been away from church for a while,
or if you’re looking for a church to call your spiritual home, we might just be what you’re looking for!
You are welcome here,
no matter what else you may have experienced,
no matter what else you might have thought possible.

The Celebration of
Christmas

Join us for a traditional, candlelit Midnight Mass on December 24th. We’ll begin at 11:45 p.m. with some carols, and then we’ll celebrate the Lord’s birth with a joyous Eucharist beginning at midnight. We so hope you will choose to be with us for this festive celebration!

We are gathering at 1550 NE 26th Street in Wilton Manors
(the Center for Spiritual Living).

If you’d like more information, contact us at 954-567-1930 or www.newcatholic.us


We are here for you.

LITTLE FISH IN A BIG POND

Jesus told his apostles "I will make you fishers of men". Father Larry and I have been servicing Wilton Manors for the past 11 years. By some standards we should have burned the mortgage on a large church, have church committees doing all kinds of work, asking for donations for new stained glass windows in the church and paying soloists to sing in our large choir, etc. etc. etc.

Yet here we are , 11 years later in a home based chapel in Wilton Manors, once again trying, this time , by renting space in a large church , with our congregation that runs between 15 and 5. It cost over 125 a week between rent and ads and Father Larry and I have been covering the expenses and our collections run between and 10.00 and 38.00. We have never been able to attract the heavy hitters in the Wilton Manors area to help us financially. We don't go to the right places, nor seen at the best parties or have the luxury of paid public relations/fund raisers.

It could be we have not devoted enough time for us to be visible to the average person on the street. We haven't been dressing as priests and thus physically hiding who we are. This we are going to change....Both Father Larry and I will be wearing clericals so that people will identify us as priests and I hope ultimately get to know us as Fathers of Divine Mercy in the New Catholic community movement.

We know we have tough hurdles to overcome. Many people are still very angry with the Roman Catholic church. The Roman Catholic church has taken ownership to the name catholic. So when we say we are catholic, all the anger and disappointment that they have experienced . over the years .is projected upon us and its not easy to break down the walls put up and the judgements they automatically put upon us. But we chip away. I

But, we love the liturgy of the Mass and the sacraments instituted by Jesus and passed on to us by the early apostles, the true message of love as taught to us by Jesus himself and the call we constantly hear to go out and help people know that they are indeed loved and deserving of being a
member of Christs family, a son or daughter. Mother Theresa didn't ask for any ones permission to go out and pick up the dying and those who had been rejected by society. She left the comfort of teaching wealthy Indian girls in a convent and chose the rejected on the streets There are so many people in the Wilton Manors - Fort Lauderdale area who have been kicked aside. And I am talking about rich , poor, straight , gay , black ,white and all colors in between .

We pray that God uses us, in whatever way he wants, to reach those people
who feel unwanted, who use drugs, alcohol and other excesses, including more and more and more money, to cover up their hurt inside feelings. And like Mother Theresa, he wants out out amongst his people, not only those who are hungry and homeless but those who are also hungry for love, the love that lasts forever, the love of God.

I ramble today, on Thanksgiving Day But I think of the wonderful program of Alcoholic Anonymous, it was started by two men in Akron Ohio for those who had been ravaged by the disease of alcoholism Those two men, over 74 years ago, listening to their higher power, introduced the Program of Alcoholic Anonymous to the world. I guess my role models are Dr. Bob and Bill Wilson and my guide Mother Theresa. Also some of you too who have shown Father Larry and I the meaning of love. And we have so much more to learn.

Yes we are little fish in a big pond, but you know we are out there swimming. Jump in with us, the water is fine

Father John Joseph and Father Larry, Fathers of Divine Mercy
Newdivinemercy.org.

THANKSGIVING WHAT IT MEANS TO US

It means being grateful for love, love that has and is being given and love which we give. At the very top of the list of love received is the love that God gives us each day.

Many of us can recall, when in the darkest of our hours, God steps in and shows us the way out either through our actions or through the guidance of an angel that God sends to us. Some day I will talk about my alcoholism and God giving me these past 36 years of sobriety. And through my sobriety meeting my partner Larry.

Then there is God working through us in our every day life. Sometimes when I feel low and don't know what God wants of me in gathering people together to build a community church, I will get a burst of energy (not bad for a 77 year old ) and go on, reaching out to his people, and someone will come into my life, showing me its the right thing to do

And again, the love which I receive from people, those from the past and those in the present. My partner of so many years, my birth family, my adopted family here in Wilton Manors, and the ordinary people I run into every day, whose face slights up when they say hello, how are you. Those who come to church and sing the new hymns and don't know the words yet.
Those who so much want to help make the church grow.

Life here on earth has shown me so much love and I know that when I go home, back to God, there will be a love which I can not describe here.

I love you all........At Thanksgiving pray for Father Larry and I. We will pray for you at Mass, here in a little shrine, Thanksgiving morning.

Beautiful Mass today Feast of Christ the King. How lucky we are to be a part of New Catholic communities to welcome all. you want more information about who we are (we are wonderful) Newdivinemercy.org. We are looking for other opened minded priests to join up with us. Call 954-567-1930. Bishop John Joseph Reid.

Veteran's Day Thoughts

City of Wilton Manors did a fine job in creating a tribute to all veterans of all wars. I did the invocation, as a veteran of the Korean War.

As I looked around the room at those attending, I was struck with I know almost all the people here. The City Commissioners, the Police, the City Employees, the Veterans and the Residents of Wilton Manors. What clicked is that Wilton Manors is my home, I choose to live here, work as a Priest with the Chapel of Divine Mercy here and feel very comfortable here. I grew up in Boston, lived and worked there but honestly never felt comfortable and at ease there as I do here. Hats off to you Wilton Manors.

I also checked out that the largest group of veterans in attendance was a gay group of veterans, they also served for all of us. Many of them served under the fear they could have been kicked out, disgraced and not allowed to receive any veteran benefits. And hats off to them too. Strong people those men and women.

ITS ALL WORTH IT

On all Saints Day, November 1, 2009 Jeff Augustino was baptized, confirmed and received into the Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church at the Divine Mercy Chapel, Wilton Manors, Florida. Jeff's partner James was in attendance and Jeff's friend John, along with Father Larry acted as his Godparents. John also presented a Gold Cross to Jeff and we all gathered after Mass at the Fathers of Divine Mercy Residence here in Wilton Manors to celebrate. It was a wonderful and blessed day.

ITS ALL WORTH IT

YOU NEVER KNOW, DO YOU?

There are times, as you plug along, when you wonder to yourself, am I making a dent here. As a priest, I have seen so many people who I have grown to love and respect, show their enthusiasm for the church and then they just stop coming. And I find myself alone at the altar wondering : Lord is it something I said or did. And I am never really sure what makes a person show up, stay for a while and then leave, to not see or hear from them again. So its when incidents happen, such as this past week, that I am instilled again with zeal and joy in helping people gather , see God working in their lives and in others lives and coming together as a worshipping community.

Michael (no last name please) grew up Catholic in the mid west and for a long time has not been attending church. We met Michael here in Wilton Manors as he had been working tireless in helping a friend of his get a business venture up and running. It has been indeed a very difficult time
for both of them. Father Larry and myself offered our prayers and blessings. It had been over two months when we ran into Michael at a Coffee Shop, told him of our move to a new location for Sunday Mass and invited him to come. Low and behold he showed up the next day, and with tears in his eyes, he said after Mass that he had been missing it so much.

Two days later Michael came to the rectory for coffee and he confessed his past and received absolution in confession. The change in Michael is like night and day and there is now a radiance about him that not only Father Larry and I see but so do others.

And then there is Jeff, a man who was led to us from the internet and began attending Mass and after his fourth Sunday he asked if he could be baptized and receive confirmation. He never received these sacraments while growing up. He expresses gratitude and joy and he will be baptized and receive confirmation on Sunday, All Saints Day, November 1, 2009. We will all come back , after Mass ,to the Rectory and have a celebration, cake, food and drinks. Father Larry and Deacon Gregory will perform the Baptism and Father John Joseph (Bishop) will officiate at Jeff's confirmation.

To be part of Jeff and Michael's lives and to see the New Catholic Community of Divine Mercy grow, gives me a good feeling and as I write this, I thank God for for the blessings that he has bestowed upon me, Father Larry and Deacon Gregory. More will be revealed.

PUBLICITY ETC.

Its amazing the numbers of people who have seen our ads in the Pelican and the Blade as well as the pictures and articles in both newspapers and tell us about it. Each time I hear that , I in turn use this as an opportunity invite them to come and worship with us.

We never know. by keeping our name out there, whether in print, by our website or talking to people , what effect it has. We just keep letting people know that our Chapel is a place of love and in God's time, He will lead people to the Chapel door.
\
Of course, you know we are going to have fun at Wicked Manors, Halloween night on Wilton Drive. As I mentioned before, we have been offered space for a table and we are taking the producers up on their generous offer. Now Father Larry, Deacon Gregory and myself will be wearing our usual clerical garb. I hope they dont confuse us with some kind of costume because on Halloween you see lots of Firemen, Nuns with mustaches and oh so pretty (and some not so pretty) "ladies". Heres a good example of us getting out where the people are .... Letting them get to see us and also know us.

Somewhere, and my very dear friend Celeste knows this, there is an old nuns habit, hanging in the back of some closet. Think the Fathers will pass on this though. If you want to borrow it and you wont disrespect it, then you are welcomed to borrow.

Last Sunday I got inspired, guess by the Holy Spirit, to adjust certain prayers in the Mass. For instance just before Communion we asked God's Mercy, Penitential rite, shared The Kiss of Peace right after and then gave Glory to God. We then moved onto to the Liturgy of the Eucharist. At the beginning of the Mass we received the Blessing by the Priest, shared our profession of faith (who we are) prayed our general Intercessions and then were ready for the Liturgy of the Word and Fathers homily. It seemed to flow easier and as we prayerfully moved along in the mood of sacred worshiping We will do that again this Sunday.

I love the beauty and the sanctity of the pre Vatican II Latin Mass, with the Gregorian chants. But I have come around to see also the liturgical music of today with its spirit filled energy. A mixture of the old and new
makes a good fit for the New Catholic Communities.

See you at Church Sunday, 1:30 PM

Father John Joseph

Last Sunday at Mass 11/5/2009

Well we were pleasant surprised to see 5 more people attend our liturgy Sunday. . Two couples from Wilton Manors...Ruth Ann and Skip and also a new resident couple Denise and Emilio. Denise and Emilio brought along their little white terrier "Murphy" and we gave "Murphy" a special blessing. Billy, a man who helped us . many years ago, to drum up attendance at another church, found his way to us also.

Patrick, who used ot have a restaurant in Spain, cooked up a fig and apple pie for us to have with coffee. It was gone in a few seconds.

We are praying for Jeff, he is going on two job interviews this week and we hope one of them is the job God wants him to have.

Deacon Greg is going to Michigan this weekend to attend a wedding and will be driving Diane, his wife, back with him. We will be happy to see both of them back with us

Halloween Wilton Manors florida

We have been offered free space for our information table on Wilton Drive during the Wicked Manors Festival, October 31 from 6 PM to Midnight. We can staff our table, interact with the many who will be attending the Festival and also have some fun ourselves gawking. Come join us at our table...we could use some help. Father John Joseph Reid, Newdivinemercy.org