May 21, 2025

Dear Parishioners,

Throughout their history, the Jewish people rightly saw themselves as the chosen people of God, the royal race and religion. It had been decreed as such by God, and their entire way of being in the world was in accordance with it. It is not surprising, therefore, that some of the early followers of Christ felt that Gentile believers needed to be circumcised in order to be saved. In short, they needed to become Jewish before being baptized into Christ. 

The Council of Jerusalem was a meeting the Apostles and other leaders within the Church held in order to discern the workings of the Holy Spirit with regard to this matter. The decision was that Gentiles did not have to follow the Jewish ceremonial laws, for the Holy Spirit had in truth and fact come upon the Gentiles without such things taking place. Therefore, it must not be necessary.

This was a new and all-important elimination of barriers – something our God loves to do! It is what Jesus spent most of his ministry doing, removing things that separated us from one another and from God. In God’s economy, the distinctions that dominate our personal relations are cast aside. Wealth, race, gender, prestige, skill, even religion, are subjugated to the great equalizer of God’s unifying love and unlimited grace. This does not mean that every religion is the same, but rather that every person is equally worthy of God’s love in God’s eyes.

In the Book of Revelation, we get a glimpse of the new Jerusalem, the eternal kingdom where this unifying love reigns. The greatest symbol of Judaism, the holy temple, has been replaced by the eternal Temple, Jesus Christ. The twelve gates, which represent the twelve tribes of Israel, are open not just to Jews by blood, but to all, by grace. 

In this way, God says, “Come to the table in my holy city, one and all!” Actually, God goes one step further, saying not just “Come” but “I want to come to you!” In John’s Gospel, Jesus declares that he and the Father will come to whomever keeps his word and make our dwelling with him. The phrase make our dwelling can also be translated as “put up a tent.” From this phrase we get the word “tabernacle.” Indeed, God wants a tabernacle within each of us, a safe place for God to dwell. This is the gift of the Holy Spirit, which knows no bounds.

Despite our human attempts to categorize and differentiate, the Holy Spirit moves at will, coming to all who are receptive to him. Every day let us express our gratitude for God’s boundless grace

God Love Ya,
Fr. Reilly

Saints Peter and Paul Parish
Welcomes Rev. Mr. Declan Cole

On Saturday, May 10, 2025 at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul during a Mass, Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez ordained 5 men as transitional deacons. After ordination, the men will serve full-time in archdiocesan parishes for six months while completing their formation at the seminary, in preparation for anticipated priestly ordination in May 2026.

We, as a parish family are blessed to receive one of these fine deacons, Rev. Mr. Declan Cole.

A native of Southampton and a member of Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, entered St. Charles Borromeo Seminary after graduating from Archbishop Wood High School. He attended the parish school from kindergarten through eighth grade. The son of Mary and Quentin Cole, Declan is the middle child of seven siblings.

In his role of deacon, he will have many ministerial duties here that will prepare him for priestly ministry.

I know you will welcome him and make him feel at home during his time with us. I also ask that you continue to pray for him and his classmates as they continue to heed the call to priesthood.