1 /5 Lori Iucci: On May 11, 2024 I attended my 8 year olds First Communion at St Thomas church in Staten Island. In attendance with me was my wife, both sets of grandparents and my 10 year old son. The ceremony commenced with my 8 year old son and his peers walking down the aisle with their white suits and dresses. Anyone who has attended a first communion, especially as a parent or grandparent can attest to how beautiful and emotional this moment is. The rest of the ceremony went well, from watching the kids dictate the readings on the alter to when they brought up the gifts. It was perfect, what can go wrong? Shortly after, right before the Eucharistic offering Father Eric Rapaglia walked to the podium, grabbed the microphone and proceeded to shame the entire church. He went on an arrogant and inappropriate rant stating that if you choose to receive the Holy Eucharist but haven’t been to mass regularly it will damage your soul and you will become sick. He followed by saying if you’re sick already you will become sicker. I thought I was hearing things but judging on the murmurs all across the church I knew I heard correctly. I went to catholic school my entire childhood. I was an alter boy. I have NEVER heard this before. We all understand as Catholics that if we don’t attend mass regularly we shouldn’t receive the Holy Eucharist, but to use scare tactics like this is unacceptable. In the last 30 years the catholic religion has declined by 40 percent. Maybe this priest should acknowledge that fact and be more compassionate and less insensitive.
Needless to say, as long as this priest is associated with this parish my family and I won’t be.
