Monsignor Reports
Monsignor's Reports
Monsignor Gentili frequently suggests interesting articles from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Archbishop Chaput, Pope Frances and more. To be an informed Catholic it’s important to be aware of the key Catholic issues that are happening in our community and world.
Monsignor has also written articles on various issues that affect our parish community.
Current News
2024 Catholic Charities Appeal Raises Over $8 Million
The 2024 Catholic Charities Appeal (CCA) raised more than $8 million last year. CCA is the single largest annual fundraising initiative benefiting hundreds of thousands of people throughout the five-county metropolitan area through dozens of charitable service organizations and ministries.
The 2024 Appeal raised $8,795,846 from 37,111 gifts, supporting and sustaining over 100 vital charitable ministries and programs that serve one in five people across our region. These ministries provide real hope to individuals and families in need, reflecting God’s love through compassionate service to others.
A full copy of the 2024 annual report for the Catholic Charities Appeal can be found by clicking below.
Current News
Pastoral Message -
of Archbishop Pérez Regarding Matters of Immigration
Creator: Corey Perrine | Credit: AP
Recent news reports detailing the arrest of immigrants throughout the country, including the Philadelphia region, have produced a great deal of fear and unleashed a broad range of other emotions. These events have impacted the migrant community in deeply troubling ways. I am witnessing your sorrow with great sadness and concern as are people of goodwill from all walks of life.
As the son of immigrants, I have found recent events particularly heartbreaking. Today, I write to express my prayerful solidarity, and that of our local Church, with you. You are not alone. The Church is a community of faith, and the divine person of Christ, who was forced to flee his homeland as a child, holds you in his compassionate arms.
As Catholics, we believe our eternal homeland is heaven, and that as citizens of earth, the dignity of every person means everyone should have a safe place to live, with the opportunity to work for a just wage. Many of you came to the United States seeking new opportunities far away from oppressive regimes and endured difficult and dangerous circumstances to start life anew here. Your presence and your contributions to society through hard work and upright living are a blessing to our country and to our Church. No one should be forced to live in fear of unjust persecution.
I encourage you to remain close with the members of your parish communities and the priests who provide you with pastoral care.
We recognize that our country is rightly safeguarded by law enforcement officials. They uphold the common good by protecting all of us from human trafficking, the exploitation of children, and any other criminal offense against human dignity. At the same time, we strongly advocate for immigration policies that guarantee the protection of life, liberty, and property of all those who call the United States of America home, natural born citizens and those working toward citizenship alike.
While there is no instant solution to the challenges pervading immigration policy, I urge everyone in parish communities to unite through prayer and social unity with the immigrant faithful under the leadership of parish pastors.
The Blessed Mother and Saint Joseph cared for the child Jesus in the mystery of the flight into Egypt and their intercession is with us today. I pray with you and for you that you experience the protection of God.
May our Lord bless our country with peace and inspire comprehensive immigration reform that respects the law and provides meaningful opportunities for all those who wish to call the United States of America their home.
Most Reverend Nelson J. Pérez, D.D.
Archbishop of Philadelphia
Current News
Letter from - Archbishop Pérez
Thanks Faithful for Joining Listening Sessions, Shares Next Steps
Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez has issued a letter thanking the thousands of Catholics across the five-county Archdiocese of Philadelphia who participated in a months-long series of listening sessions that concluded this spring. The conversations, held in response to his January pastoral letter, aimed to help shape a long-term vision for the Church of Philadelphia’s future.
In his June 25 letter, Archbishop Pérez described the listening sessions as moments of grace where “the Holy Spirit was working through you.” More than 4,500 faithful shared hopes and concerns about parish life, evangelization, and the challenges facing the local Church. While acknowledging experiences of hurt and disconnection, the archbishop emphasized the spirit of “vibrant hope” that emerged through the conversations.
Among the most frequently raised themes were the urgency of evangelizing the 83% of baptized Catholics who are not active in their faith, the need for transparency and sustainable funding for upcoming reforms, and the desire for greater collaboration across parish communities. The sessions also affirmed the importance of supporting existing ministries and essential leadership, particularly of lay and consecrated women in the life of the Church.
To move the vision forward, pilot “Missionary Hubs”—regional centers staffed to accompany and evangelize through parishes and ministries—will launch this year, with Parish Life Directors appointed in the months ahead. Archbishop Pérez noted that further updates will be shared in January, marking the anniversary of his original pastoral letter.
Current News
Artistic works in our lady of guadalupe church:
Update and memorial opportunities - Written by Monsignor Gentili
As we celebrate 25 years of our founding as a parish, as well as 14 years in our beautiful church, it gives me pause to reflect on the many blessings we have experienced on our journey as a faith community. I think it is a part of God’s wonderful design that we celebrate this milestone in the context of the Universal Church’s celebration of the Jubilee Year of Hope, as instituted by our late Holy Father, Pope Francis. We are so grateful to God for those countless blessings bestowed upon us, as together we have built His Church, right here in Buckingham. I use the term “built”, in both spiritual and physical senses. What a journey it has been for all of us, no matter when you joined in on this wonderful ride, with all its challenges. We continue to take seriously our mission as expressed in our vision statement to be “a vibrant welcoming parish family, dedicated to growing disciples and making Church matter.”
In Hebrews 11:1 we are reminded that “Faith is the confident assurance concerning what we hope for, and conviction about things we do not see.” We are a visible sign of hope in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, alive and well through our tangible living out of worship and service, and as evidenced in the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy which we take so seriously. We also remember and take seriously those words of Jesus in the Parable of the Last Judgement, “as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it for me,” and then later, “as often as you neglected to do it to one of these least ones, you neglected to do it to me.”
Corporal Works of Mercy: feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, shelter the homeless, comfort the sick, visit the imprisoned, give alms to the poor, bury the dead.
Spiritual Works of Mercy: counsel the doubtful, instruct the ignorant, admonish sinners, comfort the sorrowful, forgive offenses, bear wrongs patiently, pray for the living and the dead.
As many of you may already know, from its inception, Our Lady of Guadalupe Church was not a completed work from the original architectural drawings but rather had many added and unfinished aspects incorporated to the development of those basic, original plans. Some of the added features to our church were: the arches in the front, the bell tower, and the choir loft.
Some of the redesigned features included: the layout and design of both the Church and Chapel, the Baptistry and the Shrine, and the Saint Francis Courtyard. The unfinished concepts included the various stained-glass windows, potential places for statues, both inside and outside the Church; as well as the development of the acreage at the lower end of our property, which included an educational center, sports fields and a rectory.
At present, the development of the lower acreage is on hold. The building of a rectory has been replaced by our purchase of our present rectory on Ash Mill Road, which continues to serve our needs. While we have completed some of our stained-glass windows, there are still six more major opportunities as well as some smaller projects.
It is important to note that all the added features were financially supported by the sacrifices of gracious parishioners. We have raised money over the years of my tenure through our regular collections and some eight specified campaigns! It has been exciting to watch over the years to see our needs grow and adjust, as well as to see the development of the master schedule for the entire property as well as the artistic works. It has been humbling for me as pastor to see the generous and sacrificial responses by so many parishioners who have helped to make this vision a reality.
At the dedication of the Church in June of 2011, I used a quote from a Robert Frost poem, “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.” The quote is this, “The woods are lovely, dark and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep.” I think this quote beautifully captures this moment in time once again and accurately describes my continued interest in working toward the ever-expanding completion of our Church, at least physically. More importantly, my dreams regarding evangelization and growing the parish continue to expand and be full of hope.
All of these artistic memorial opportunities provide you the opportunity to memorialize your loved ones or honor your special intention. All memorials are recognized in the Memorial Book of Sacred Art and Religious Items that is kept in the Church Narthex and all major donations have a plaque on the Our Lady of Guadalupe Roman Catholic Church Memorial Legacy Donors Board in the Narthex or near the actual item in the Church, Chapel, Narthex or Courtyard.
Each of the projects can be considered as a whole or in part regarding their completion and how you donate toward them. If you are interested in helping financially toward the completion of these projects, please contact me at your convenience. I will happily explain in further detail my vision and plans. It is important to understand that these projects and artwork, will need to be completely self-funded, and not impact on our already vibrant and dynamic operating budget.
Monsignor Joseph P. Gentili
To that end, I wish to share with you my intent for just some of the next artistic projects which include: the completion of the Baptistry, the dome and the next steps with regard to the retablo, shrine area and choir loft.
◼ For the completion of the Baptistry, I envision four statues of the evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, placed in the niches. Those niches will be framed with Mercer tiles from Doylestown with four angels on the upper shelves and a Holy Spirit hovering over the baptismal font. All the statues will be in the same wood medium as the statues in the Church, that is from wood, and carved for us by artisans in Ortisei, Italy. In addition, appropriate painting of the walls with some woodwork will help set off its beauty.
◼ The concepts for the stained-glass windows at the Baptistry will depict the Baptism of the Lord from the Church-side view, and the Transfiguration of the Lord from the chapel-side view.
◼ For the retablo, on either side of the crucifixion scene, I envision two painted angels of the passion of Jesus Christ, similar to that of the early 16th century Renaissance painter Raphael, as depicted in his crucifixion scene. The bottom of the retablo with the eight blank wood sections are not yet realized, but some ideas are surfacing.
◼ The concept for the inside of the dome of the Church is a mural of a hovering dove, representing the Holy Spirit with a celestial background and the seven gifts painted around.
◼ For the shrine I envision framed paintings of Saint Juan Diego and his uncle, Saint Juan Bernadino. Additionally, a fresh coat of appropriate paint and some woodwork to set the Shrine area in context.
◼ For the choir loft I envision a finalized, fresh and appropriate coat of painting and some woodwork to set the loft off in an architecturally appropriate way using beams, similar to those in the chapel. The concept for the stained-glass window in the loft will depict symbols of the seven sacraments.
There are other possible projects for both inside and outside the Church, but in trying to realize all that needs to be done, I needed to focus on what is feasible and practical. It is also im-portant to remember that many of the projects have depended on parishioners and interest in sponsoring these artistic works and projects. I am reminded of the phrase, “Rome wasn’t built in a day!” However, there are some preliminary sketches for some of the works above. It is important to know that as these items are completed, there will be others in the future and even other possibilities to continue to enhance our liturgies and pro-mote devotional worship, both inside and outside.
I trust you will find this update helpful to your understanding of our present situation and place in the history of our parish.
Ad multos annos et Prosit!
Current News
Did you know that 1 in 5 people across the Greater Philadelphia area rely on the Catholic Charities Appeal for help and hope each year?
They are our neighbors, and they are our brothers and sisters in Christ. They are seeking comfort, support, and dignity in the face of challenges many of us cannot imagine. Your generosity touches their lives in profound ways because you embody Christ’s compassionate love and mercy by coming to their aid.
My recent pastoral letter, reflected on our shared call to renewal and to become Missionary Disciples. We are called to rebuild trust, extend Christ's love to those distant from the Church, and invite everyone into a deeper encounter with Him.
You are living out this mission through your support of the Catholic Charities Appeal—bringing hope to the vulnerable, comfort to the suffering, and light to those in darkness. Together, as Missionary Disciples, we can ensure that everyone in our community knows they have a home in the Church and that God loves them beyond measure.”
Most Reverend Nelson J. Pérez, D.D.
Archbishop of Philadelphia
Current News
The Announcement of Easter and Moveable Feasts - 2025
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
As we have rejoiced at the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, so by leave of God’s mercy we announce to you the joy of his Resurrection, who is our Savior.
On the 5th day of March will fall Ash Wednesday, and the beginning of the fast of the most sacred Lenten season.
On the 20th day of April you will celebrate with joy Easter Day, the Paschal feast of our Lord Jesus Christ.
On the 29th day of May will be the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ.
On the 8th day of June, the feast of the Pentecost.
On the 22nd day of June, the feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.
On the 30th day of November, the First Sunday of Advent of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom is honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
In Christ,
Rev. Monsignor Joseph P. Gentili
Current News
Safety and Security at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Parish
Updated October 2024 by Monsignor Joseph Gentili, S.T.D., M. Div.
The safety and security of our parishioners and guests on our parish campus are of an utmost priority to me as we gather to worship and other activities, not only on Sundays, but throughout the week. While not totally a new phenomenon in the practice of our faith throughout history, more recent incidents with regard to acts of violence at places of worship, have shaken all of us. It has raised an elevated level of concern and fear as it directly impacts us and our ability to gather to worship God without fear or threats of violence.
Following is an update on what has been going on behind the scenes at our parish. The Safety and Security Team was formed because of a recommendation from our Parish Pastoral Council. Here is some important information which I trust you will find helpful and ease some of your concerns.
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The dedicated Safety and Security Team is comprised of parish volunteers who have backgrounds in law enforcement and safety/security in various other fields and has been in place for more than four years.
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The team continues to review our already established standard operating procedures (SOP) and stay abreast of current guidelines.
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The team works closely with the Buckingham Township Police Department and other law enforcement agencies. The team also continue to assess the needs of our parish and make adjustments, given the parish resources.
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Our volunteer parish ushers continue to review, update, and prepare for the medical and other emergency situations that could arise. They are familiar with what needs to be in place to keep our Church safe.
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Extensive work has been completed on our parish campus to enhance security. This includes hardware and software updates to help us in this endeavor, including the installation of alarm and security camera systems.
If you have any questions or concerns, please direct them to a member of the Safety and Security Team. You may contact the parish office at 267-247-5374 or info@olguadalupe.org and the staff will connect you with a member of the team.
I am most grateful to all the members of the Security and Safety Team for their commitment and dedication to our parish and demonstrating the Our Lady of Guadalupe Difference. I will continue to update you as appropriate and needed.
The team consists of a number of parishioners who have consulted with us over the years to assure our parish safety. Click the link below to read the entire update and view our current Leadership Team.
Current News
Liturgical Updates
at Our Lady of Guadalupe
Announcement for Reinstituting Holy Communion under Both Species
In consultation with the Liturgy Committee and the Pastoral Council, I have decided to begin the process of reintroducing the distribution of Holy Communion under both species, that is the Sacred Host and Precious Blood, for weekday Masses and to the ministers at the Altar for Sunday Masses. You may recall this was our practice prior to the outbreak of COVID in 2020. This will be a precursor for the possibility of offering the option at all Masses on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation, with some exceptions as determined in advance by Msgr. Gentili in consultation with the clergy of the parish.
As you may already be aware, receiving Holy Communion under both forms is highly encouraged by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, which is a resource for the guidelines and regulations concerning the celebration of Mass. This practice allows for the congregation to have a more authentic experience of receiving Holy Communion as it was originally instituted by Christ at the Last Supper, as well as during the early history of the Church.
You may also be aware that receiving from the cup is an option and that the true and real presence of the entire risen body of Christ is present in each of the species as we were reminded this past summer during our Eucharist Homily Series in August. I assure you that all precautions will be taken regarding appropriate hygiene and the sharing of the chalice. You are also reminded that should you not be feeling well in any way, I recommend that you not receive from the cup.
Thank you for your attention to this announcement. The first part of this practice will commence on the first Sunday of Advent, 2024 with the possibility of expanding the practice to all parishioners at the Masses on the First Sunday of Lent, 2025.
Update on Prayer for Catholic Evangelization
Three years ago, as a part of our preparation for the National Eucharistic Congress held in Indianapolis, Indiana in July, we began the practice of praying St. John Paul II’s Prayer for Catholic Evangelization at the end of the Universal Prayer. This prayer was very helpful in making us aware of the importance each person’s personal role of assisting the Church in the task of evangelization, spreading the Gospel. The preparation for and the celebration of the Eucharistic Congress was and continues to be a success.
After consultation with the Liturgy Committee and the Pastoral Council I have decided to bring the practice of the public recitation of St. John Paull II’s Prayer for Catholic Evangelization to a close.
You are most welcome to continue the practice privately. We will conclude the practice on the weekend of September 28/29, 2024
Update on Prayer of Saint Michael after Mass and introduction of Hail Holy Queen
The USCCB encouraged all parishes throughout the United States to begin the practice of reciting the prayer of Saint Michael after the celebration of all Mass. Coincidently, we had already recited the prayer as a part of our local tradition after our weekday Masses. The bishops encouraged this optional practice in light of attacks on religious liberties and our Church in recent years.
After consultation with the members of the Liturgy Committee and the Parish Pastoral Council, I wish to inform you while we will continue this optional prayer as a part of our local tradition, we will substitute the Hail Holy Queen prayer in its place for the months traditionally know to be dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, namely October and May.
I trust you will find this innovation helpful in your spiritual lives as we conclude our Masses.
This adjustment will take place on October 1, 2024.
Current News
Monsignor Welcomes: TRANSITIONAL DEACON
Deacon Alfredo Tuesta, M.Div., Ph.D.
Deacon Alfredo was ordained a transitional deacon on April 6, 2024 for the Catholic Diocese of Arlington, and will be at Our Lady of Guadalupe for the 2024-2025 school year.
Praised be Jesus Christ, now and forever!
I am Deacon Alfredo, a transitional deacon of the Diocese of Arlington. In less than a year I will be ordained, God willing and with your prayers, as a priest of Jesus Christ.
I was born in Lima, Peru and moved to NJ with my immediate family when I was ten years old. I studied mechanical engineering at the University of Notre Dame and did my graduate studies at Purdue University focusing on laser diagnostics of plasma systems. After graduation, I was hired by the US Naval Research Laboratory in Washington DC and that is how I moved to Virginia in January of 2015.
I very much enjoyed research in science and engineering but after a few years of doing what I had sought to do for so long, I discovered that I was not fully satisfied. With the help of spiritual mentors and much prayer, I was able to discern God’s call in 2019 and became a seminarian. I look forward to a life of intimacy with his Sacred Heart and to serving His flock at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish.
Please keep me in prayer as I move forward in formation towards the priesthood.
May God bless you!
Current News
Survey:
New priests are young and involved in their community
The incoming class of seminarians who will be ordained in 2024 is young and involved in their community, an
annual survey released April 15 found.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops commissioned the Center for Applied Research (CARA) at Georgetown University for an annual survey. From January to March of this year, CARA surveyed almost 400 seminarians who are scheduled to be ordained to the priesthood in 2024.
Click the button below to read more.
Recommended Reading from Monsignor
Practical Ways to Cultivate Chastity in Body, Mind, and Heart
Lust is a brutal sin to combat. Once yielded to, it has a way of seizing hold of us and sinking in deep roots. At times, the struggle against it can seem overwhelming. There is good news, though: there are many practical steps we can take to say “No!” to this sin and “Yes!” to God.
Current News
HELP PREGNANT WOMEN!
Dear Parishioners,
Pro-abortion forces in the PA House of Representatives want to take essential funds away from pregnancy resource centers around the Commonwealth. I personally encourage you to participate in this important initiative to support the organizations that help mothers and fathers say “yes” to life.
Please click link below to Help Pregnant Women and send an immediate message to your state lawmakers to preserve funding for pregnancy resource centers.
In Christ
Rev. Monsignor Joseph P. Gentili
Current News
Making A Good Confession
- Monsignor William J. King
The sacrament of reconciliation is depicted in a stained-glass window at St. Aloysius Church in Great Neck, N.Y. (CNS photo/Gregory A. Shemitz)
A father watched his young son at work in the garden.
Instructed to remove the weeds, the son eagerly took up the challenge, taking garden clippers and lopping off the stems as close to ground level as he could maneuver. He assured his father that the weeds were gone, never to return, but the father knew better: without removing their roots the weeds would grow back.
Making a good confession of our sins is like weeding the garden of the soul. Most of us have the experience of assuring our heavenly Father that we have removed all the weeds, but unless we attack them at their roots, we’ll confess the same sins again and again.
It takes work to make a good confession. Focusing on behaviors and actions alone is like taking garden clippers to weeds: we may for a time cut off the parts we can see, but hidden within the soil of our behaviors the roots of sin are still growing. The real power of the Sacrament of Penance is unleashed when we expose the roots to God’s grace.
Monsignor's Articles
2022 - The Relics at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church
Catholic Philly: Across the Aisles Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish
2017 - Crossing the Finish Line, Monsignor Talk at All Masses
recommended reading
Lenten Video homilies
Here you will find recordings of Lenten Homilies beginning in 2018.
