Reflecting on Abraham’s faith (Luke 12:13-21), I talked about being generous and helping the Philippine mission of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary at the 4 p.m. Vigil Mass on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025, and at the 7:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Masses at Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the 11:30 a.m. Mass at St. Lawrence Martyr in New Bedford, Massachusetts, on Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025. Both churches belong to the Whaling City Catholic Community.

The recording is from the xx a.m. Mass.

Text of the homily

         Today, the Letter to the Hebrews describes Abraham’s act of faith, “He went out, not knowing where he was to go.”

         I know that feeling all too well.

         Twenty-three years ago, fresh out of college, I interned for the summer here in New Bedford at the newspaper, The Standard-Times. Living by myself for the first time and learning the newspaper trade, many times I felt alone and overwhelmed.

         I had barely enough faith to attend Sunday Mass at Our Lady of the Assumption, south of here, across the street from my apartment. But that tiny faith grounded and connected me to my parents and previous generations who traveled to unfamiliar places. I was not alone in this struggle.

         The second reading begins with these words, “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance.”

         Likewise, today God called men of faith from their homeland to join my religious congregation, the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, in the Philippines. These seminarians come from around the world: the Philippines, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Nigeria, but their weak education background means that they need more time and more instruction so they can take philosophy and theology classes in English necessary for the priesthood. In the United States, it costs $68,000 a year to take care and train 1 seminarian. In the Philippines, it costs only $8,000 so your generosity today will have a big impact.

         My mother can attest to that fact. During a visit to her family in the Philippines about 25 years ago, her great nephew was crying because he wanted to enter the minor seminary and become a priest. But his parents cannot afford the tuition. Because of the exchange rate, my mother realized that she could easily afford it. Thus, for her great nephew, she paid the seminary tuition for four years.

         Today, with the permission of the Diocesan Office of the Propagation of the Faith, I ask you to have the generosity of my mom to help my fellow Oblates of the Virgin Mary in the Philippines.

         There, we continue to share the merciful love of Jesus. Our retreat house in Cebu offers the cheapest rates for a retreat in Philippines and even provides discounts for those who can’t pay because everyone should have the opportunity to meet Jesus in prayer. Please help us provide that opportunity.

         Just as our founder, Fr. Lanteri, aided the poor, we Oblates do the same. At our seminary in Antipolo, Fr. Greg Short spends every afternoon teaching English and catechism to the neighborhood children whose parents can’t afford tuition for school. Furthermore, our food program feeds 160 families in the area. Please help us provide hope to those children and families.

         Lastly, pray for us. God provides help for all who turn to him. Through your prayers, God will take care of our needs in the Philippines. Be assured of my prayers for this parish. Because of our faith and generosity, we love and empower others. Thus, we receive eternal life and divine love, the inexhaustible treasure in heaven, which Jesus described in today’s Gospel.  

         Thank you.