Stories to Make Heaven Rejoice

Twelfth grader Carina Fiorella

Ninth grader Angelica Feldman

As part of their reception into the Church, Mr. and Mrs. Tomko had their marriage convalidated. Their children were part of it too. More details below.

Dear Martin Saints community,

With great joy, some news, and two invitations:

Senior Carina Fiorella will be baptized, confirmed, and receive First Communion this Sunday at the 11am Mass at Our Mother of Consolation parish in Chestnut Hill. Her theology teacher (as well as her director in many plays), Ms. Laura Lindmeier, will be her godmother. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Normally, these sacraments of initiation happen at the Easter vigil. What's the rush? Because Carina will be joining our senior class pilgrimage to Rome during Holy Week. Thank you to the Archdiocese and the parish for making special arrangements to enable Carina to make this pilgrimage as a Catholic.

But, lest we neglect the Easter vigil, let's also shout from the rooftops that freshman Angelica Feldman will receive the same three sacraments at the Easter vigil at St. Titus, at 7pm on April 19. Her craftmanship teacher, Mrs. Holly Guertin, will be her godmother. Again, everyone is warmly invited.

Carina wins the prize for distance - it's hard to beat traveling to Rome - but Angelica wins the prize for localism. She is the first Martin Saints student from our new neighborhood in East Norriton; this year, she is the only student who walks to school.

And, while we're talking sacraments, just a couple of weeks ago, the Tomko family had an unforgettable Saturday. Ethan and Ezra were baptized. Then Ethan, Ezra, and Mr. and Mrs. Tomko were confirmed, and three received First Communion, while Mrs. Tomko (a self-professed "revert") received Communion for the first time as a fully initiated adult. A marriage convalidation and some confessions happened too. When all was said and done, in various combinations and sequences, the family experienced five sacraments in one day.

Friends, this is what it's all about. In Colossians 3:3, we read "for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ." Carina, Angelica, and the Tomkos have found themselves in Christ. They have found the pearl of great price.

In Gaudium et Spes, section 22, the Second Vatican Council taught that "only in the mystery of the Incarnate Word does the mystery of man take on light." Carina, Angelica, and the Tomkos have embraced the mystery. They will see the rest of their lives by a new light.

I am a convert myself. This year on Pentecost, I will be celebrating 20 years as a Catholic. It didn't solve all of my problems. But it changed everything. Suddenly, but then also slowly, it deepened everything. I learned to see creation differently; I discovered that it was enchanted with a loving, purposeful presence. The meaning and drama of history felt different; as a Catholic, I had been given a home and a people in the grand flow. Assenting to difficult teachings humbled and opened something in me that had been stuck. And I was no longer alone in my suffering or sins: I met a face, an invitation, a redeemer, with a Name, who rescues us with scripture and sacrament.

Carina, Angelica, and Tomko family - you are our dear sisters and brothers in Christ and in his Church, may God bless you and keep you. Count on the prayers of your Martin Saints brothers and sisters. Please pray for us too.

Your brother in Christ,
Deacon Christopher Roberts