St. Matthew’s Gospel 21: 1-11 – Reflection by Msgr. Marino

PALM SUNDAY OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD

At the Procession with Palms the following is from St. Matthew’s Gospel 21: 1-11

The Entry into Jerusalem
When they drew near Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find an ass tethered, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them here to me. And if anyone should say anything to you, reply, ‘The master has need of them.’ Then he will send them at once.” This happened so that what had been spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled:

“Say to daughter Zion,
‘Behold, your king comes to you, meek and riding on an ass,
and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’”

The disciples went and did as Jesus had ordered them. They brought the ass and the colt and laid their cloaks over them, and He sat upon them. The very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and strewed them on the road. The crowds preceding him and those following kept crying out and saying:

“Hosanna to the Son of David;
blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord;
Hosanna in the highest.”

And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was shaken and asked, “Who is this?” And the crowds replied, “This is Jesus the prophet, from Nazareth in Galilee.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Click here to read reflection from Rev. Msgr. Joseph Marino and leave your comments.

Why The Founders Did It?

Fellow Recruiters,

In our day and age, there are many challenges to recruiting men and women to the retreat house for spiritual nourishment but perhaps the greatest challenge in recruiting today is the fear of being perceived as a religious fanatic. If we are honest with ourselves, many of us fear the consequences of talking about religion with our friends and family, out of fear that we will be seen as overzealous or judgmental. Continue to read and you will discover the solution to the problem. I have thought long and hard about this reality and it led me to go back to the beginning of the Malvern Retreat House and dig deep into how it started and what made the first recruiters, our founders, so successful? This led me to review our archives and take a close look at our founders: John Ferrick, John Sullivan, John Cabrey and Richard McSorley. These men started the laymen’s retreat league because they passionately and truly believed the best way to deal with the pressures of the world was to step into an extended period of silence with the trinity to receive the infinite gifts of wisdom, courage, right judgment and more. Read more

John 11:1- 45 – Reflection Msgr. Marino

FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT
The Holy Gospel According to Saint John 11:1- 45

Raising of Lazarus

Now a man was ill, Lazarus, from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. Mary was the one who had anointed the Lord with perfumed oil and dried His feet with her hair; it was her brother Lazarus who was ill. So the sisters sent word to him, saying, “Master, the one you love is ill.” When Jesus heard this He said, “This illness is not to end in death, but is for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”

Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when He heard that he was ill, He remained for two days in the place where he was. Then after this He said to His disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.” The disciples said to Him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just trying to stone you, and you want to go back there?” Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in a day? If one walks during the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if one walks at night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” He said this, and then told them, “Our friend Lazarus is asleep, but I am going to awaken him.” So the disciples said to Him, “Master, if he is asleep, he will be saved.” But Jesus was talking about his death, while they thought that He meant ordinary sleep. So then Jesus said to them clearly, “Lazarus has died. And I am glad for you that I was not there, that you may believe. Let us go to him.” So Thomas, called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go to die with him.”

When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, only about two miles away. And many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet Him; but Mary sat at home. Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. [But] even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise.” Martha said to Him, “I know he will rise, in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” She said to Him, “Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world.”

When she had said this, she went and called her sister Mary secretly, saying, “The teacher is here and is asking for you.” As soon as she heard this, she rose quickly and went to Him. For Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still where Martha had met him. So when the Jews who were with her in the house comforting her saw Mary get up quickly and go out, they followed her, presuming that she was going to the tomb to weep there. When Mary came to where Jesus was and saw Him, she fell at His feet and said to Him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” When Jesus saw her weeping and the Jews who had come with her weeping, He became perturbed and deeply troubled, and said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to Him, “Sir, come and see.” And Jesus wept. So the Jews said, “See how He loved him.” But some of them said, “Could not the one who opened the eyes of the blind man have done something so that this man would not have died?”

So Jesus, perturbed again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay across it. Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the dead man’s sister, said to Him, “Lord, by now there will be a stench; he has been dead for four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believe you will see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone. And Jesus raised his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you for hearing me. I know that you always hear me; but because of the crowd here I have said this, that they may believe that you sent me.” And when He had said this, he cried out in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, tied hand and foot with burial bands, and his face was wrapped in a cloth. So Jesus said to them, “Untie him and let him go.” Now many of the Jews who had come to Mary and seen what He had done began to believe in Him.

The Gospel of the Lord.

 

Click here to read reflection from Rev. Msgr. Joseph Marino and leave your comments.

John 9:1-41 – A Reflection from Msgr. Marino

The Holy Gospel According to Saint John 9:1-41
FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT

Man Born Blind

As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither he nor his parents sinned; it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him. We have to do the works of the one who sent me while it is day. Night is coming when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva, and smeared the clay on his eyes, and said to him, “Go wash in the Pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed, and came back able to see.

His neighbors, and those who had seen him earlier as a beggar, said, “Isn’t this the one who used to sit and beg?” Some said, “It is,” but others said, “No, he just looks like him.” He said, “I am.” So they said to him, “[So] how were your eyes opened?” He replied, “The man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and told me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ So I went there and washed and was able to see.” And they said to him, “Where is he?” He said, “I don’t know.”

They brought the one who was once blind to the Pharisees. Now Jesus had made clay and opened his eyes on a Sabbath. So then the Pharisees also asked him how he was able to see. He said to them, “He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and now I can see.” So some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, because he does not keep the Sabbath.” [But] others said, “How can a sinful man do such signs?” And there was a division among them. So they said to the blind man again, “What do you have to say about him, since he opened your eyes?” He said, “He is a prophet.”

Now the Jews did not believe that he had been blind and gained his sight until they summoned the parents of the one who had gained his sight. They asked them, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How does he now see?” His parents answered and said, “We know that this is our son and that he was born blind. We do not know how he sees now, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him, he is of age; he can speak for himself.” His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone acknowledged him as the Messiah, he would be expelled from the synagogue. For this reason his parents said, “He is of age; question him.”

So a second time they called the man who had been blind and said to him, “Give God the praise! We know that this man is a sinner.” He replied, “If he is a sinner, I do not know. One thing I do know is that I was blind and now I see.” So they said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” He answered them, “I told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples, too?” They ridiculed him and said, “You are that man’s disciple; we are disciples of Moses! We know that God spoke to Moses, but we do not know where this one is from.” The man answered and said to them, “This is what is so amazing, that you do not know where he is from, yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if one is devout and does his will, he listens to him. It is unheard of that anyone ever opened the eyes of a person born blind. If this man were not from God, he would not be able to do anything.” They answered and said to him, “You were born totally in sin, and are you trying to teach us?” Then they threw him out.

When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, he found him and said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” He answered and said, “Who is he, sir that I may believe in him?” Jesus said to him, “You have seen him and the one speaking with you is he.” He said, “I do believe, Lord,” and he worshiped him. Then Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment, so that those who do not see might see, and those who do see might become blind.”

Some of the Pharisees who were with him heard this and said to him, “Surely we are not also blind, are we?” Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you are saying, ‘We see,’ so your sin remains.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Click here to read reflection from Rev. Msgr. Joseph Marino and leave your comments.

Guest Speaker Gary Zimak for SixThree 2014

We are happy to announce that we have booked a very special dynamic and inspiring guest speaker for our 2014 Six Three Group retreat! Gary Zimak is an Catholic Evangelist, Author, Radio Host and popular Catholic speaker. Gary is a regular guest on EWTN and hosts his own show Following The Truth on BlogTalkRadio Monday – Friday at 8PM Eastern.

We are excited to have Gary on retreat with us this year and look forward to him supplementing our spiritual retreat with his unique perspective and insights.

Register today to see Gary on our Annual Six Three Retreat June 13 through 15, 2014

Here is a little more about Gary

If you would like to learn more about Gary Zimak, please read “his story” below or visit his website to find out everything Gary is working on. www.followingthetruth.com

Gary’s Story
In 2008, Gary Zimak was working as a project analyst when he felt the call to form Following The Truth, an apostolate dedicated to teaching the truths of the Catholic Faith. Initially performing his work for the Lord on a part time basis, Gary had a life changing experience in 2011 when he consecrated his life to Jesus through Mary. A few months later, he became a FULL TIME Catholic lay evangelist!

Using a combination of radio, writing, social media and live talks, Gary puts his communications skills to work for the Lord and His Church. The author of the best-selling book “A Worrier’s Guide To The Bible”, Gary is well known as an authority on the art of combating anxiety by establishing a deeper relationship with Christ. His second book “Listen To Your Blessed Mother” focuses on Mary’s words in Sacred Scripture and is receiving a great deal of attention. Gary hosts a daily radio show on BlogTalkRadio and is a regular guest on Catholic Answers Live, EWTN’s The Son Rise Morning Show and Catholic Connection with Teresa Tomeo and Relevant Radio’s Morning Air. Additionally, he is a frequent guest on numerous other Catholic radio shows. Gary is a member of Catholics United for the Faith, the Knights of Columbus and The Catholic Radio Association and resides in New Jersey (just over the bridge from Philly) with his wife Eileen and twin daughters, Mary and Elizabeth. He is an instructor for RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) at Sacred Heart Parish in Riverton, NJ, a member of the leadership team for the men’s group That Man Is You! at Corpus Christi Parish in Willingboro, NJ and the chaplain for the Catholic Business Network of South Jersey.

Adhering to the principle of the “2 S’s” (Simple and Substantial), Gary Zimak presents the authentic teaching of the Catholic Church in a way that can be understood by the ordinary “person in the pew”! Having been a Catholic who “went through the motions” for most of his life, Gary understands the importance of getting to know Jesus Christ and the teachings of His Church. He can assist you in achieving the peace that can only be found by having a personal relationship with the Lord!

Matthew 11: 2-11 – Reflection by Rector Msgr. Marino

A Reading from the Holy Gospel  According to Matthew 11: 2-11
Third Sunday of Advent 

Luke 21: 5-19 – Reflection by Rector Msgr. Marino

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO SAINT LUKE 21: 5-19

The End Times
While some people were speaking about how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings, he said, “All that you see here-the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.” Read more

Passing of Anthony Ricciardi

It is with a heavy heart that I inform you of the passing of Anthony Ricciardi, a former Six Three man and Man of Malvern

ANTHONY G., JR., on Nov. 11, 2013, formerly of S.W. Phila. Loving husband of Helen (nee Lafferty). Devoted father of Diane (Michael) Cavallo, Anthony (Kelli), James (Whitney), Michael (Jennifer). Brother of Carmel DeCesaris and the late John. Also survived by his grandchildren, DJ, Marissa, Mikey, Matthew, Kiki, AJ, Trey, Macy. Brother-in-law of Barbara Ricciardi, Ed, Agnes, Anthony and Jeanne Trotter, Peggy, and Jimmy Lafferty and the late Domenic DeCesaris, the late Joe and Maria Lafferty and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Relatives and friends are invited to his Viewing Friday, 6 to 8 P.M., and Funeral Saturday, 8:30 A.M., at D’ANJOLELL-STIGALE MEMORIAL HOME, 3260 Concord Road, Aston PA. Funeral Mass, 10 A.M., St. Joseph Church. Interment SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery.

Condolences can be made at www.danjolell.com

– See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/philly/obituary.aspx?n=anthony-g-ricciardi&pid=167994141#sthash.Siqbgemu.dpuf

Recruiting Tips

Dear Fellow Recruiters!

In order to be an active member in the New Evangelization you must know your culture.

When you encounter each individual prospect, be mindful of where they are at in their faith journey. This can be quite a challenge, but if you really pay attention, you can establish attunement with them and then extend an appropriate invite according to where they are at in their life.  Read more

2013 Communion Mass & Luncheon

Six-Three Men please join us at this year’s communion Mass and Luncheon. Our very own Joe O’Donnell is scheduled to be honored with the presentation of the St. Joseph the Worker Medal in recognition of his life-long committment and dedicated leadership to the advancement of the retreat apostolate at Malvern.

We invite you to join us for our Eucharistic Celebration and Luncheon with the Men and Women of Malvern.

 

Highlights:

 The Installation of our New Retreat Captains:

Armando Moral                   Ss. Peter & Paul Group

Denis Reilly                          PECO-Good Shepherd Group

Joseph Pagano                     Sons of Italy Group

Michael McCarthy               Most Blessed Sacrament Group

Dr. Stephen Humbert         Six-Three Group

Dr. Russell & Gina Montalbano               Our Lady of the Rosary Family Group

Robert E. Casper                  Our Lady Queen of Peace Group

Andrew Bryan Woratyla     L.J. Ferdinand – Hazleton Group

Marguerite D. DiLolle         Our Lady of Peace Group

Philip Nicolo                         Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Group

St. Joseph the Worker Medal Honorees:

We honor three recipients of our St. Joseph the Worker Medal for their spiritual guidance, professional accomplishments, and continued loyalty to Malvern Retreat House and the community:

Dr. Rosalie M. Mirenda
President of Neumann University

Joseph F. O’Donnell
Joseph F. O’Donnell, former Chairman of Malvern Retreat House and 76-consecutive-year retreatant with the Six-Three Group

Cost: $50 per person

Click here to view this list.

Click here to view this event’s flyer.

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