On the Solemnity of Corpus Christi (June 7), the homily spoke of the Blood of Christ as part of the New Covenant God made through Christ's Passion, Death and Resurrection. Receiving the Blood of Christ at Mass is one means for us to renew our part of the Covenant. The Preface for "Corpus Christi" says ". . .When we drink His Blood which was poured out for us, we are washed clean." While the Church teaches that if we choose to take the Body of Christ, we are certainly receiving the entire Christ, the Church offers and encourages reception of the Blood of Christ at Mass whenever it is offered.
I couldn't help but notice at one Mass during the Corpus Christi weekend, that a few ministers of the Precious Blood, ran out of consecrated wine before the distribution of Communion was finished. As a result, we are planning, sometime in the near future, to offer two cups with the Precious Blood at each of our Communion stations. To do this, we need more people to step forward to be Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion at Mass. To qualify, a person must be regularly practicing their faith, in good standing with the Church, and have a love and reverence for Jesus, present in His Body and Blood. A one-time session of catechesis and training is required before a person is commissioned by the bishop for a three-year term of ministry (which can be renewed). If you are interested in serving The Lord and the parish in this ministry, please contact Deacon Larry at 922-3283 or Deacon John at 226-5506. We want those who want to receive the Body and Blood of Christ to not be deterred from doing this by the long lines at the cup stations.
Please pray about making yourself available for this ministry. Schedules are made in advance, in case people are going to be out of town and can't serve for a weekend or more.
I couldn't help but notice at one Mass during the Corpus Christi weekend, that a few ministers of the Precious Blood, ran out of consecrated wine before the distribution of Communion was finished. As a result, we are planning, sometime in the near future, to offer two cups with the Precious Blood at each of our Communion stations. To do this, we need more people to step forward to be Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion at Mass. To qualify, a person must be regularly practicing their faith, in good standing with the Church, and have a love and reverence for Jesus, present in His Body and Blood. A one-time session of catechesis and training is required before a person is commissioned by the bishop for a three-year term of ministry (which can be renewed). If you are interested in serving The Lord and the parish in this ministry, please contact Deacon Larry at 922-3283 or Deacon John at 226-5506. We want those who want to receive the Body and Blood of Christ to not be deterred from doing this by the long lines at the cup stations.
Please pray about making yourself available for this ministry. Schedules are made in advance, in case people are going to be out of town and can't serve for a weekend or more.
Last weekend I preached on the importance of caring for the environment and the new encyclical from Pope Francis entitled "Praise Be: Concern for Our Common Home." There is, no doubt, much teaching that will come out in light of this encyclical, and a great many challenges that will be presented to Catholics, politicians, government officials and others from this encyclical. It will certainly give Catholics a wonderful opprotunity to speak out in the name of our Catholic tradition, about the importance of all people protecting and enhancing the world's resources and assets in ways that will benefit and NOT HARM future generations.
Even before we get more direction from our Holy Father and bishops, we can already do our part individually and together. Saving recyclables and getting them to their proper place is important. If you didn't know it, our Ladies of the Sacred Heart collect empty aluminum drink cans and invite you to save these in an enclosed bag and put them in the trailer that is always parked in the back section of our lower parking lot. In addition, our parish has gone green in the Lower Hall by using paper (rather than plastic) products as much as we can. We will certainly strive to be more diligent about this in the future, and provide containers to place recyclable items.
No doubt the Pope is challenging all people to change some habits that will contribute to a better environment now and for the long-term future of God's creation. Please pray that many of us will be ready to speak with one voice to politicians and government leaders encouraging policies and agreements that will protect the environment here and around the world.
God's creation is ours to care for and protect, NOT dominate and destroy. I'm confident, given the fact that we are surrounded by God's beautiful creation, that we will do our part to preserve it as God made it.
Even before we get more direction from our Holy Father and bishops, we can already do our part individually and together. Saving recyclables and getting them to their proper place is important. If you didn't know it, our Ladies of the Sacred Heart collect empty aluminum drink cans and invite you to save these in an enclosed bag and put them in the trailer that is always parked in the back section of our lower parking lot. In addition, our parish has gone green in the Lower Hall by using paper (rather than plastic) products as much as we can. We will certainly strive to be more diligent about this in the future, and provide containers to place recyclable items.
No doubt the Pope is challenging all people to change some habits that will contribute to a better environment now and for the long-term future of God's creation. Please pray that many of us will be ready to speak with one voice to politicians and government leaders encouraging policies and agreements that will protect the environment here and around the world.
God's creation is ours to care for and protect, NOT dominate and destroy. I'm confident, given the fact that we are surrounded by God's beautiful creation, that we will do our part to preserve it as God made it.
If anyone ever guesses that you are younger than you are, I'm sure you are quick to thank them. I know I would. If, however, someone were to state mine (or another priest's) years of ordination, and it were to be less than what has actually been served, then I would usually be quick to correct him/her. I, along with other priests, are thankful to God for every year that we have served the Lord and His people in this blessed vocation. When word initially was communicated by e-mail, that I was celebrating the completion of 24 years of priesthood, I realized that I came to Sacred Heart Parish only a few weeks after I had celebrated my 24th anniversary. I'll always treasure the effort that the parish put forth to help me celebrate my silver anniversary of ordination on May 31, 2011.
I have now completed five years as your pastor, which means 29 total years of priesthood. I thank all who continue to encourage me in my priesthood and thank me, and especially the Lord, for my service as a priest. As I give thanks for the ways God has helped me to grow in my priestly life. I acknowledge humbly, and regretfully at times, that I stumble, and at times, even fall flat of my face, in my encounters with people; and for that, I ask forgiveness and continued prayers to help me do better. I especially want to thank those who gave me cards (and some gifts) on the occasion of my 29th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood including Jim Dyar who presented me with (at our Sacred Heart Dinner) one of his works of art - a crucifix with a Sacred Heart in the middle. I look forward to whatever time the Lord gives me in the future to serve your needs in His name. Please help me to be the best that I can for you. Also, before we get too far away from it, I want to thank Ruth Wolfer, and all those she recruited, to make our time with John Michael Talbot a blessing and a memorable experience.
I have now completed five years as your pastor, which means 29 total years of priesthood. I thank all who continue to encourage me in my priesthood and thank me, and especially the Lord, for my service as a priest. As I give thanks for the ways God has helped me to grow in my priestly life. I acknowledge humbly, and regretfully at times, that I stumble, and at times, even fall flat of my face, in my encounters with people; and for that, I ask forgiveness and continued prayers to help me do better. I especially want to thank those who gave me cards (and some gifts) on the occasion of my 29th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood including Jim Dyar who presented me with (at our Sacred Heart Dinner) one of his works of art - a crucifix with a Sacred Heart in the middle. I look forward to whatever time the Lord gives me in the future to serve your needs in His name. Please help me to be the best that I can for you. Also, before we get too far away from it, I want to thank Ruth Wolfer, and all those she recruited, to make our time with John Michael Talbot a blessing and a memorable experience.