About « Father Joe

About

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:

frjoe2000@yahoo.com

This page has the following sub pages.

25 Comments »

25 Responses

on June 26, 2007 at 9:29 pm Bonnie Bernard M.Ed.

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
on October 26, 2007 at 5:04 pm John TePas

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

FATHER JOE: I have left links where they were available. Feel free to post anything here, even in a special post. Just let me know. I did not feel at liberty to publish this entire comment. I shut down the comment feature on some posts when the messages became mean and ugly. Some of them were deleted. I tried to respond to the rest. My interpretation of Ephesians 5 does not rule out dialogue and true partnership in marriage. We have to listen both to the head and to the heart of a home. I think it is already evident, John, that my sympathy is with Bai. Peace!
on January 10, 2008 at 1:03 am flyguy

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).

FATHER JOE: Actually I am wearing the plastic collar, but the top button is not done and it is off to the side. Lately I have had trouble with my one of my nephews taking it and trying to eat the thing. When my sister-in-law (my brother Paul’s wife, Tina) took the photo I was not aware that the collar was unbuttoned and not visible. I do not have many pictures, but hope to have a better one in the future. In any case, I generally agree with you.
on January 30, 2008 at 4:34 pm LM

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: Hi, yes I was at St. Ann’s from 1985 to 1993. Luke? Hum, what’s your last name? Who are you? You can email me at frjoe2000@yahoo.com. I preached last year at Our Lady of Mercy in Potomac, MD for Msgr. Awalt’s 60th year as a priest! I went back not too long ago for a funeral of an old friend at St. Ann’s. St. Ann’s was my first assignment. Were you a young server when I was there? I knew many of the boys well and worked a lot in the school. They were great kids. I am currently at Holy Family in Mitchellville, MD. I left St. Ann’s 15 years ago, so you must be a grown man and then some now. I hope all has gone well for you. Peace!
on August 28, 2008 at 7:11 pm Father William Mary

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/
on September 10, 2008 at 5:13 pm Jeff

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
on October 12, 2008 at 3:39 pm Bob Bailey

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
on December 4, 2008 at 7:13 pm Mr Flapatap

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

FATHER JOE: Many prayers! God bless!
on December 18, 2008 at 2:34 am Alex Chung

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

FATHER JOE: The snow ends after Christmas. It is a little holiday effect.
on December 18, 2008 at 1:20 pm Lady Godless

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.
on December 18, 2008 at 5:17 pm Dan

Actually, I rather like the snow effect, and I think that a “lighting and brimstone” effect should be tried from time to time…..
on December 21, 2008 at 4:01 pm Brett M.

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
on December 31, 2008 at 10:44 am john r

FATHER JOE: Please, do not post non-topical material to the post. If you have questions or concerns, go to the GOOGLE site instead.

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.

FATHER JOE: The basis for the Magisterium is the authority Christ gave the Apostles and which in turn they passed down to their successors, the Bishops.

the concept is, that there are new laws that we are to be led by under the new covenant.

FATHER JOE: God is not capricious, especially about things regarding human nature.

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.

FATHER JOE: The Holy Spirit is the source for the charism of truth that is given the Magisterium of the Church. The Spirit of God is invoked by the shepherds of the Church, by the Pope and by Church Councils.

jesus directs us to live by the three commandments of love. and the 2nd is the summation of all the law.

FATHER JOE: Jesus gives us two commandments, not three. However, his two summarize the Decalogue and give us the spirit of the law; it does not replace the Ten Commandments. The love of God and the love of neighbor amplifies the Decalogue.

so that now, the law is for making us conscious of loving our neighbor as ourselves.

FATHER: Yes, but primacy belongs to divine love. Nothing should be done to displease God.

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.

FATHER JOE: Not only are homosexual acts declared by name as damning by St. Paul and the Old Testament; they are a violation of true love. Homosexual acts are unnatural and perverted. They are acts of violence which do harm to the body and soul. They have more to do with lust than love.

the questionis then……….. what is the essence of homosexuality that would make it come against the 2nd commmndment.

FATHER JOE: Since homosexual acts constitute mortal sins, they cannot be true loving acts. How can you love someone when the act you perform with him or her will cost that person the gift of eternal life? You cannot, it is a false love. It also violates God’s will and so violates the first commandment of Christ, too.

the answer is, it doesnt, and therefore is not a sin.

FATHER JOE: Wrong, it does and is seriously sinful.

nor according to the original text, has scripture ever been declared it a sin.

FATHER JOE: You are delusional again.

“You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination…. If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them” (Lev. 18:22, 20:13).

“Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;…who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them” (Rom. 1:24-28, 32).

“Do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals . . . shall inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:9, 10).

“Do not be deceived.” Those who twist and distort Scripture to their own liking will come up with all kinds of arguments why they are right, but the Word of God stands true. “Do not be deceived . . . homosexuals . . . shall not inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:9, 10).
on January 2, 2009 at 9:07 am Laura

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

FATHER JOE: A Dominican priest takes one of my Sunday Masses each weekend. The only way to know which would be to call. Information about the parish (including bulletin) is on the webpage:

http://holyfamilywoodmore.com/
on February 24, 2009 at 1:25 pm Sharon Babineau

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
on March 28, 2009 at 9:47 pm Lady Godless

@ 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.
on March 29, 2009 at 12:27 am Michael

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
on March 29, 2009 at 5:11 pm Janine

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
on April 9, 2009 at 12:36 pm 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
on April 14, 2009 at 3:08 pm Patsy

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!!!! :)
on April 21, 2009 at 8:01 pm Janine

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
on June 3, 2009 at 1:00 pm Bronx Bill

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.

FATHER JOE: You are very kind, thank you.
on June 7, 2009 at 6:07 am jeff

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: Why so angry? If you went to Catholic school, then you must remember that our hope in life after death rests heavily upon the resurrection and the promises of Christ.
on September 3, 2009 at 12:44 pm Christina

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.

FATHER JOE: I do not think the books are great literature, Christian or otherwise. However, I would never discourage people from genuinely loving Mary and believing in the truths of faith.

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.

FATHER JOE: I am glad for you, but if religion had a part to play, it was because of the redemptive power of Christ and the intercessory role of Mary… not because of Macfarlane.

I am now a renewed Catholic, pray rosaries daily, and have been free of drugs and alcohol for quite some time.

FATHER JOE: Praise Jesus!

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.

FATHER JOE: God can work through both saints and sinners, the wise and fools. I count myself among God’s poorest instruments and yet God has used even me to help his people.

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.

FATHER JOE: If it works for you– great, but we have the Scriptures and far greater religious classics that I would promote first for spiritual reading. People were also moved by Girzone’s JOSHUA books, and they contained both heresy and rebuke against the Church. Macfarlane was the master of self-promotion. Long before the personal problems he suffered came to the fore, I could not get excited about 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

FATHER JOE: I have slightly edited your comment by removing your last name. I am glad that God has brought healing to your life. God bless!
on September 4, 2009 at 10:11 pm Christina Summers

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