Last weekend, when the Church celebrated Pentecost, I said how challenging I found it in my preparations to preach, since we had a total of 10 scripture passages to choose from for proclamation at Mass (including 8 for the Vigil Mass)! It reminded me how much the bible shares about the Holy Spirit explicitly and implicitly for our reflection which, among other things, can lead us to a deeper union with God through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. There was also the "Pentecost Sequence" that was sung by the congregation at the Masses of Pentecost which tells us even more about the Holy Spirit, including the fact that the Holy Spirit wants to be our friend, our guide, our helper and our comfort whenever we need comfort. The Holy Spirit is God's light that brightens our day whether we are praying, working, playing or resting. The Holy Spirit heals sins wounds (especially in and through the Sacrament of Reconciliation) and gives us the grace that enables us to do good in the name of Jesus Christ. We need the Holy Spirit's presence and power (especially in our times when there is so much division in society AND in the Church) to unite minds and hearts in ways that are good, holy and helpful to as many as possible. The gifts of the Spirit, Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety and Fear of the Lord lead us to incorporate God's Way and Will in our lives and blesses us and others whenever we use these gifts. Those who consciously ask for and call on the Holy Spirit will, according to St. Paul (Gal 5:16-25), experience in the fruits of the Spirit which are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Whenever people tell me they struggle to be patient in more situations than not, my first response will hopefully always be to encourage them to ask for more of the graces that flow from the Holy Spirit including humility and compassion that will make every encounter better than it would otherwise be.
I wonder how many people would answer yes if I asked them if they pray daily to the Holy Spirit for themselves and others. I hope, after reading some or all I have said in this pastor's column (and pondering it), you will be inclined to pray daily the "O Breathe On Me, Oh Breath Of God" that was in last week's bulletin and/or memorize and pray the entire prayer to the Holy Spirit or at least the first part which says "Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your love"!
I wonder how many people would answer yes if I asked them if they pray daily to the Holy Spirit for themselves and others. I hope, after reading some or all I have said in this pastor's column (and pondering it), you will be inclined to pray daily the "O Breathe On Me, Oh Breath Of God" that was in last week's bulletin and/or memorize and pray the entire prayer to the Holy Spirit or at least the first part which says "Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your love"!
Though I hesitate to speak for my fellow priests (and hopefully not "about them" unless it is something good), I believe "we" priests are usually not very good at saying "no" when requests are made of us. We are called to serve others in the name of Jesus Christ, and our first inclination is to say yes to people who are asking some-thing of us. Thankfully (most of the time) I don't regret saying yes and hopefully seeing through on whatever I say "yes" to doing, if asked.
When I reflect on our V.I.P. for the month of May, Marian LaVelle, one of the qualities that I most admire and give thanks to God for, is her willingness and tendency to say "yes" to what I and others ask of her and doing it with a smile on her face. It is a blessing to have people around who smile (or even laugh) easily, and who put a smile on others faces, like me whenever Marian says yes to my requests for help. She responded a number of years ago when asked to help Cathy Silk with office duties and was a very welcoming, helpful presence to me and those who came to the office with needs or just to have someone to talk to. She has been serving faithfully as an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion at Mass and has been known to do this ministry on more than one occasion on a weekend when needed. She serves as a sacristan who comes early to "set up" for Mass and stays after Mass to clean up and put up. She was one of those I could count on to help out in various ways during our weekly outdoor Masses during COVID. She has been a helpful presence and worker at many social activities in the lower hall when asked to do so. She currently serves on the liturgy committee and took over awhile back on the scheduling of gift-bearers for the weekend Masses and is now serving on the Sacred Heart Pastoral Council representing the liturgy commission. She is a valuable member of our 10:00 a.m. Sunday choir and has recently agreed (to the great pleasure of our organist/choir director, Kathleen Kinney) to become a cantor. She has recently trained to start bringing Holy Communion to our parishioners who are shut-in and cannot attend Mass.
In the bio she submitted to help me with this column (though I can honestly say I didn't really need it as I was already aware of the many things Marian has done and continues to do), she made a remark about her participation in our parish ministries and activities that you can see is so true. She said that since the time her husband Don died after a battle with cancer (5 years ago), she made a conscious choice to make this wonderful parish her main focus. Many (including me) have been blessed by it! God bless you, Marian!
When I reflect on our V.I.P. for the month of May, Marian LaVelle, one of the qualities that I most admire and give thanks to God for, is her willingness and tendency to say "yes" to what I and others ask of her and doing it with a smile on her face. It is a blessing to have people around who smile (or even laugh) easily, and who put a smile on others faces, like me whenever Marian says yes to my requests for help. She responded a number of years ago when asked to help Cathy Silk with office duties and was a very welcoming, helpful presence to me and those who came to the office with needs or just to have someone to talk to. She has been serving faithfully as an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion at Mass and has been known to do this ministry on more than one occasion on a weekend when needed. She serves as a sacristan who comes early to "set up" for Mass and stays after Mass to clean up and put up. She was one of those I could count on to help out in various ways during our weekly outdoor Masses during COVID. She has been a helpful presence and worker at many social activities in the lower hall when asked to do so. She currently serves on the liturgy committee and took over awhile back on the scheduling of gift-bearers for the weekend Masses and is now serving on the Sacred Heart Pastoral Council representing the liturgy commission. She is a valuable member of our 10:00 a.m. Sunday choir and has recently agreed (to the great pleasure of our organist/choir director, Kathleen Kinney) to become a cantor. She has recently trained to start bringing Holy Communion to our parishioners who are shut-in and cannot attend Mass.
In the bio she submitted to help me with this column (though I can honestly say I didn't really need it as I was already aware of the many things Marian has done and continues to do), she made a remark about her participation in our parish ministries and activities that you can see is so true. She said that since the time her husband Don died after a battle with cancer (5 years ago), she made a conscious choice to make this wonderful parish her main focus. Many (including me) have been blessed by it! God bless you, Marian!
The subject matter this week is Mass intentions and how they are handled when requests are made through our parish.
There is evidence that specific and general intentions were offered from the early days of the church as the Eucharist was celebrated. Tertullian (200) wrote that he offered "prayers and sacrifices" for a deceased one's spouse on the anniversary of their death. Historically, the faithful have given a monetary gift for a specific intention that normally is given to the priest for his support and as a means for the person asking for a "Mass Intention" to make a sacrifice. Please note that since it is a "gift" there is no requirement to give anything for a Mass intention. Neither the Church nor the priest is "charging" for the Mass to be offered for that intention.
The challenge for our parish is to try to satisfy the many requests we get for Mass intentions for living or deceased persons or for specific needs. While we want to try to satisfy requests for a certain date for the death anniversary of a person or a birthday remembrance for a person who has died or is deceased (or a wedding anniversary of a living couple), we have to allow for other Masses to be said by a variety of people who ask for them. We may have to send some of those intentions to other priests in Arkansas who are needy for intentions for the daily Masses they celebrate. The Church also says that we MUST send Mass intentions off if that can't be said in a timely manner (within four months of when they are requested) especially when it is offered for the happy repose of someone's soul. Death anniversaries might be the exception to this. If more than one "anniversary" is requested, we can do both intentions at that one Mass and the priest can only accept one donation with the other being sent to the Diocesan Clergy Welfare Fund which supports our sick and retired priests. Gina, our parish secretary will not be able to tell you when the Mass being requested will be offered (except if it is for an anniversary or birthday) or even if it will be offered here if multiple Masses are being requested. Finally, our diocese has approved $10 as a suggested gift for a Mass intention though more or less can be given for that intention. If you want to give let's say $50 and have 5 Masses for the same person, then expect that some of those may have to be sent (with the corresponding monetary gift) to other priests.
I am impressed that so many Masses are requested at our parish. It speaks to and about those who recognize the spiritual benefits that are afforded to those for whom Masses are being offered. We ask your patience and understanding as we try to satisfy the requests that are made here.
There is evidence that specific and general intentions were offered from the early days of the church as the Eucharist was celebrated. Tertullian (200) wrote that he offered "prayers and sacrifices" for a deceased one's spouse on the anniversary of their death. Historically, the faithful have given a monetary gift for a specific intention that normally is given to the priest for his support and as a means for the person asking for a "Mass Intention" to make a sacrifice. Please note that since it is a "gift" there is no requirement to give anything for a Mass intention. Neither the Church nor the priest is "charging" for the Mass to be offered for that intention.
The challenge for our parish is to try to satisfy the many requests we get for Mass intentions for living or deceased persons or for specific needs. While we want to try to satisfy requests for a certain date for the death anniversary of a person or a birthday remembrance for a person who has died or is deceased (or a wedding anniversary of a living couple), we have to allow for other Masses to be said by a variety of people who ask for them. We may have to send some of those intentions to other priests in Arkansas who are needy for intentions for the daily Masses they celebrate. The Church also says that we MUST send Mass intentions off if that can't be said in a timely manner (within four months of when they are requested) especially when it is offered for the happy repose of someone's soul. Death anniversaries might be the exception to this. If more than one "anniversary" is requested, we can do both intentions at that one Mass and the priest can only accept one donation with the other being sent to the Diocesan Clergy Welfare Fund which supports our sick and retired priests. Gina, our parish secretary will not be able to tell you when the Mass being requested will be offered (except if it is for an anniversary or birthday) or even if it will be offered here if multiple Masses are being requested. Finally, our diocese has approved $10 as a suggested gift for a Mass intention though more or less can be given for that intention. If you want to give let's say $50 and have 5 Masses for the same person, then expect that some of those may have to be sent (with the corresponding monetary gift) to other priests.
I am impressed that so many Masses are requested at our parish. It speaks to and about those who recognize the spiritual benefits that are afforded to those for whom Masses are being offered. We ask your patience and understanding as we try to satisfy the requests that are made here.