Hello, my name is Father Joseph Jenkins and I am the pastor of Holy Family Church, Mitchellville, MD in the Archdiocese of Washington, DC.
This is a PERSONAL Blog that is in no way directly associated with my parish or the Archdiocese.
I have filled the Blog with things that interest me and maybe some of it will intrigue you as well. Links below will give you more information about me and my ministry.
Other pages are listed above the template picture of me with a few of my nieces and nephews: INSTRUCTIONS (catechetics, apologetics, etc.) and SCARY STORIES.
I can be reached at:
This page has the following sub pages.
Hi Father,
I ran across your page and the photo with the kids! and the blog about embryo adoption when I searched google for prayer for embryo adoption… We need your prayers!!
Please pray for our embryo adoption agency! Embryos Alive.
We are the second oldest in the US and you can learn more about us on our website… and listen to a newscast that we were on as well as Facing Life Head on which was featured recently…
If you are interested in emailing me,
I have an article from the pope that was in the Cincinnati Enquirer where he does say he is for Embryo Adoption although not for IVF! which I would be happy to share with you!
Thanks again for praying for us and the embryos and the donors and adoptors!! There are also many that are abandoned at clinics and the clinics cannot locate the parents!!
Thank you!
bonnie
Dear Fr. Joe;
I am Bai Macfarlanes dad. Remember her and Bud? Just between you and me…
PERSONAL MATERIAL OMITTED
Is there a mechanism for contacting people who have posted on you site? I have just now become aware of some of the thoughts on their marriage posted on your site 15 months ago and can hardly stand what I have read.
Sometime you may want to express your thoughts on Ephesians 5 – - – I am confident you do not share Bud’s.
Respectfully,
John TePas
I realize that this is a persoanl Blog, but I think that you, and no preist, should be pictured without his Roman collar. If you just got done playing basketball, I can understand, but otherwise, that collar is the best face forwad of the preisthood (as the nun’s ahbit once was).
Fr,
Were you at St Ann’s in Washington DC? You look just like a priest that was there when I used to serve mass there. The time would have been around…..92-97 maybe? I cant quite remember the years. Msgr Awalt was the pastor at the time.
-Luke
Father Joe,
I’m trying to find someone to teach me the correct way to celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass according to the 1962 rite. So far I have been hitting a brick wall. I am presently living in Mesa, Colorado & the caregiver for my 84 year old Mother. I am from the diocese of Albany, NY. Your help would be most appreciated.
Sincerly in Christ,
Father William Mary
FATHER JOE: I am afraid I do not know much about the resources where you live. One of my questions would be how much Latin you have. You want to make sure you know what you are saying. I see materials regularly advertised in THE WANDERER newspaper to help priests in this regard, particularly to pronounce the words correctly. I suppose watching videos would help because of the rubrics. Is there no older priest who could teach you in private? That would be the best way. You could learn at your own pace. The Fraternity of St. Peter in Lincoln, Nebraska have offered special weekly worshops to help priests learn the old Mass. But that would be impossible for you given your ailing father. There is an online tutorial at:
http://www.sanctamissa.org/en/serving/
Father Joe,
I ran across your blog and I really liked it, so I bookmarked it and will check on it from time to time. You seem like a very cool priest. My wife (30) and I (34) are in the Church here in Miami, Florida. I am from Massachusetts and she is from Peru, so you can imagine we really need Jesus in the middle to mediate some of our differences… Anyway, thanks for starting your cool blog and for being there for all us lay Catholics who always need guidance from a good priest.
All the best,
Jeff Botelho
Hi Father – Even though I’ll (hopefully) see you at Mass Tuesday, I wanted to mention this now or I’ll forget it.
I’m not sure I’d list “American Catholic” as a Catholic website; I looked at it’s review at catholicculture.org, and it does seem more than a little “liberal-dissident” in some of it’s articles. We can talk about it Tuesday, if both or either of us remember to bring it up.
I hope you had a good time at the convention.
+peace, bob
Hi Fr. Joe,
I just found your blog and will be coming back in the future. I am a parishioner at St. Raphael’s in Rockville and I am currently half-way in the permanent deaconate program at the ADW. Please pray for me and my classmates!
In Christ & Mary,
Jose Carbonell
Hi Fr. Joe,
I came across your website by chance and I love and support what you do.
I did note some “snow flakes” falling on the screen. At first, I thought I was having a major “floater,” which scared the life out of me because I had a retina surgery several years ago to prevent retinal detachment, and the doctor told me to look out for signs like floaters.
Even now that I know it’s just an “effect,” it personally makes me feel exceedingly uncomfortable reading your site, which I would dearly like to read more of.
Alex Chung
Alex Chung, if you turn off javascript in your browser, you won’t see the snow, and you’ll still be able to read the site.
Actually, I rather like the snow effect, and I think that a “lighting and brimstone” effect should be tried from time to time…..
Hey Fr. Joe, I just found your site the other day and I have enjoyed reading your blogs and stories. I’m a Parishioner at St. Michael’s here in San Diego, Ca.
Brett
my understanding is that in the pope’s recent message, he is merely reiterating what has already been concluded by the magisterium, that homosexuality is a sin.
the whole concept of having a magisterium is grounded in the old covenent and comes against the spirit of the new.
the concept is, that there are new laws that we are to be led by under the new covenant.
that is not true. in romans paul says that the “sons of god are led by the spirit of god.” that under the new covenent we are to be led by and serve of the spirit.
jesus directs us to live by the three commandments of love. and the 2nd is the summation of all the law.
so that now, the law is for making us conscious of loving our neighbor as ourselves.
that means that under the new covenent in order for homosexuality, or anything else, to be a sin, it must come against the 2nd commandment.
the questionis then……….. what is the essence of homosexuality that would make it come against the 2nd commmndment.
the answer is, it doesnt, and therefore is not a sin.
nor according to the original text, has scripture ever been declared it a sin.
Hi Fr. Joe — I love your blog. Thank you for being such an example of priestly goodness and wisdom! We live in the ADW and would love to come to Mass at Holy Family in the New Year. Do you say every Mass on the weekend or do you have an associate? Basilcally — what is the best way to find out if you’ll be celebrating Mass on any given weekend?
God bless you and Happy New Year!
–Laura
Hello, Father Joe!
I was browsing a list of Catholic blogs and came across “Father Joe, Maryland,” and thought…I wonder if that’s my old friend Father Jenkins??
I’m bookmarking your site, and I hope to visit it often! Hope you are doing well!
p.s. I looked for you on Facebook. Do you have an account?
Peace,
Sharon Babineau
@ your last comment in the EWTN scandals thread…
I’m sorry you get harassed at your own blog. People can be jerks sometimes.
Remember, more stress always results in a need for more sleep, because only sleep can restore nerves:
Sleep that knits up the ravell’d sleeve of care,
The death of each day’s life, sore labour’s bath,
Balm of hurt minds, great nature’s second course,
Chief nourisher of life’s feast.
(from Macbeth)
When I’m stressed out and need to escape, I recite that passage then go to bed. It helps.
I hope you’re feeling better soon, Father Joe.
Madalen,
You’re right. I wouldn’t let anyone cause me grief on my own blog. The answer is simple. IGNORE IT. IT’S THE DEVIL.
Fr. Joe, don’t EVER GIVE UP THIS BLOG, NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO.
better days are ahead for you too.
Michael
Fr Joe
I am so sorry to hear of your troubles, both healthwise and from the insensitivity and rudeness of others.
Know that I will keep you in my prayers, you are a wise and wonderful apostle of our Lord.
I too hope you will keep up your blog – I check it almost daily and have gained great wisdom from it.
God bless
Janine
Fr. Joe
I just returned from the Chrism Mass at our diocese. It was beautiful to see the priests renew their promises to our Lord in their ministry and also to watch all those holy hands raised together during part of the consecration.
In his homily, the Bishop thanked the priests for their committment, obedience and sacrifice and gave them a round of applause, to which the entire assembly joined in and gave a standing ovation that lasted well over one minute.
He also asked the current seminarians on this “priest day” to all come forward which was followed by another round of applause. The Bishop shared the good news that enrollments have doubled for seminary applicants in our diocese.
Just thought you should know your calling is a special one and that we, God’s people of the Catholic faith, could not live without you and your brother priests.
I hope you are feeling better. May God bless you today, this Easter and always.
Janine
Father Joe,
Easter blessings on you, having only today stumbled upon this great blog!! Know that I have a special love and concern for all our dear priests, especially having the best of warmest and loving memories of my dear departed uncle, Fr. John, a priest of the Cleveland diocese for nearly 50 years. It was he who baptised me 54 years ago this month, and who taught me so much and forged a solid, firm love of God and my staunch Catholic faith! On behalf of so many, I wish to publicly laud you – and ALL of our beloved priests!! – for your entire and selfless devotion to God’s people and in bringing us the Bread of Life, the Mercy of God, the final commendation of Our Church, the blessings of God in our marriages, and the infusion of His Spirit in our souls and eternal prayers and suffrages that accompany us from the grave thru Purgatory and into Eternity!
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO IN HIS NAME!!!! :)
Fr. Joe
I wanted to share this link, if you’ve not already seen it – I hope you are able to access it Excellent letter from a Catholic to President Obama.
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=95463
Fr. Joe,
I too, had the good fortune to stumble across your blog. Reading your articles I found myself marveling at the clarity with which you outline issues and the various facets that you include in your reflections.
I am grateful as well that you take the time to respond point by point to various comments. This blog is now on my “favorites” list and I look forward to reading your take on various topics and issues.
Hey, Father Joe. You don’t know anymore than the rest of us because you have not been on the other side, have you? So I have a great big salad you can toss. I grew up in a catholic school all twelve years. [Expletive deleted] you. God bless.
Father Joe,
I have recently read Conceived Without Sin, and Pierced By A Sword by Bud Macfarlane. I read a blog you previously posted on this website, tearing down the way in which Macfarlane portrayed conversions to the faith, as well as truth and love for Mary.
I was very hurt when I read what you had to say. I am 21 years old, and after struggling with alcoholism and drug addiction for the past 5 years, my life has been transformed.
I am now a renewed Catholic, pray rosaries daily, and have been free of drugs and alcohol for quite some time.
While you think that Macfarlane’s approach to promoting The Holy Trinity, Mary, The Marian Apparitions, and the saving grace of God is foolish and misleading, I am a witness of the Grace I have been given by his inspirational books.
Yes, Macfarlane is human, and yes, he falls short as all of us do sometimes. But I can’t imagine how many people may have finally seen the Light after falling in love with his books.
Nobody who hears the Truth will worship Macfarlane falsely for his publications. I am grateful that I was moved to read his books, and that I have felt God’s healing power through my reconnection with the Catholic faith.
Chrissy, Akron, OH
Great. I would appreciate it if you could recommend some other good Catholic books. I have also been reading Thunder of Justice. I am wanting to purchase some more books, but not sure what’s worth my time and what’s not.
Thanks for your feedback also. I guess we are going to have to agree to disagree on Bud Macfarlane.
Chrissy, Akron, OH
Father Joe,
Interesting blog you have here. I was looking up Catholics and Sex via Google and found your blog.
Anyway-which one are you-in the photo?
Carolina
PS-Excuse the juxtaposition of subject matter.
Dear Fr. Joe,
You have such an interesting and very “time consuming” blog here :) I’m new in the Word Press Blogosphere, though I blog on Xanga and Blogger among others. Hope to follow your trends. Happy New Year from Ghana, West Africa.
Fr.Joseph, I just found your site and am pleasantly surprised at your honesty and frankness, good to see someone with a solid backbone.
Gleaned quite a lot of interesting info from your site,well done.
Pax et bonum!
Dear Fr. Joe, I too have just found your blog and am also pleasantly surprised at your honesty, frankness and benevolence. I struggle with understanding why with all of the offenses of my parish pastor that he is allowed to continue to speak heresies about various subjects including his promotion of same sex marriage and general information contrary to what the Catholic Church teaches. The Archbishop has been made aware of much of the scandals of this priest by many parishioners. I know God permits evil at times for a greater good, and I see some good occuring. I also see some “recruited” sheep walking away with false information because of what this priest teaches. Many of us know that He voted for Pres. Obama even though Obama is a radical promoter of intrinsic evils. I was once told that he was receiving counseling from the vicor of priests of our achdiocese by the Archbishop by letter. I was also told recently that the Archbishop is tending to this matter that we need to be patient. I am very concerned and am trying to understand why he’s allowed to continue to wreak havoc in our parish. Many of us are aware of what he does. Many families have left. He is very charismatic, so new families join as families leave. He calls us “my dear friends”, yet he has his “favorites” of the parish and is not available much of the time when he is needed as our priest. His behavior was shocking on our pilgrimage to WYD in Australia–in and out of bars, drunken state, denying saying things like “Prayer is highly overrated,” etc.
What do you think might be going on behind the scenes between this priest and the archbishop to correct his disobedience? At what point is a priest removed from parish leadership? Do I have any other recourse besides prayer and letter writing? He’s aware of my letters and scowls at me. I am torn between not writing any more letters, even though it’s been a year or so since I wrote to the Archbishop and continuing to prayfully write to report what he continues to do.
Any speculation and/or advice from you on this matter would be greatly appreciated.
In His Divine Service,
Pat
Fr Joe,
Great blog, thank you for your tireless ministry and dedication to the faithful. May God bless and shield you from the daggers thrown by some of the less charitable visitors. ‘The gates of hell will not prevail!!! Matthew 16:18
Pax
Roisin
Dear Father!
First, thanks for your service to Jesus Christ and our Church.
Second, I loved your fan page on Joe E. Brown. Clearly you are a Connoisseur of film comedy! There is a Joe E. Brown Park here in Toledo to remember this wonderful funny man.
I am grateful for the gift of laughter from God, and I thank you for helping spread the gift around.
Thank you again,
John Murray
Hello Father
Just found your blog here recently. My name also is Joe and I’m a seminarian with the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy in Philadelphia, Pa.
May God bless you in your work
I just came across this site.The variety of subjects discussed are most interesting.
Peace,
Fr. Chuck
Fr. Joe,
Thank you for your uncompromised answers to the many questions you have received. You are truly a light that shines in the darkness!
Fr. Chuck +
COMMENT and RESPONSE at BLOGGER PRIEST.
I wish more Catholic churches would have mass at say 2 to 3 pm on Sundays. This would help those of us who struggle with disabilities to attend Sunday mass. Thank you for your consideration.
Just came across your site in looking for Information on Father Luby! Is there any movement for calling him Blessed! I truly believe his blessing in 1986 ,while not curing my child kept her healthy. Reading your blogs I think you also are a holy man! God bless you and keep you and may He intercede in the crisis of faith being witnessed by ‘catholics ‘in government,and by our current president. God bless our country and keep her in His favor.
How does a priest leave the priesthood due to life-threatening ill health? What is the process? I am doing research for a book. Any help would be gratefully appreciated.
See RESPONSE at BLOGGER PRIEST.
Dear Father Joe,
Recently, I’ve been reading a lot on marriage, specifically the parts on conjugal love, and it all sound so wonderful and good. But honestly Father, I’ve been left feeling really confused about it all. Nobody seems to be able to agree on what’s right or wrong in the marriage bed. Some (priests included) seem to think that there are no rules, that whatever happens in the bedroom is all fine and dandy
Things have become so deluded Father, I just want to make sure I’m getting the right information. If you could please clear a few things up for me it would be really great.
#1) Is it okay for a married couple to use oral sex as a means of stimulation during intercourse as long as it doesn’t lead the male to ejaculation?
#2) Is it okay for the female to be brought to climax before and/or after intercourse?
#3) Is it okay for the male to enter his wife’s vagina from behind? I’ve personally always found this to be demeaning. I know that different sex positions are aloud, but this one seems to be more mechanical and
animal-listic, than unitive and marital.
#4) Is anal sex considered wrong no matter what? I do not agree with this act, but have been told that as long as its used as foreplay its fine.
#5) What is the Churches stance on sex toys?
#6) Is it okay for different nationalities to intermarry? Like a black man and a white woman? I personally think its fine as long as they both love each other and want to know, love, and serve God together, but I have heard otherwise.
#7) Is it okay for a married couple to touch themselves (breasts and genitals) for the stimulation of the other or as a way of showing the other how they would like to be touched, as long as it doesn’t lead to male ejaculation? If so, can the woman climax form this kind of stimulation?
Please Father, I know these questions are a little weird, but I would greatly appreciate both your and the Roman Catholic Churches teachings on these matters.
Thank you and God Bless.