I have to be honest that I compose this pastor's column without my "cheat sheet". Now before you think badly of what Ijust said, let me change my terminology to "information sheet" which is what I normally see before telling you about our VIP each month. In the case of our VIP this month, Elsa Naeger, I feel capable of informing you about her from my many experiences with her over the years, as well as what I am aware of that she has done that makes her a good choice as VIP. 9Very Important Parishioner) for Sacred Heart Parish.
I start with something personal as Elsa has had me (and a few times in the past my mother) over for dinner and nice conversation. She did this when her dear husband of over 50 years, Leo, was still with us in this world and in times since he has gone to be with the Lord. I have always appreciated her good cooking and the relaxed atmosphere of our visits. I have always appreciated her "mom like" demeanor around me. I have also been impressed over the years by Elsa's commitment to keep herself healthy and active. She is an avid and good swimmer who gets in many laps in the Coronado pool each week. Her fitness is obvious in that she seems to alwys be "on the go" (which sounds like someone else you know.) She is a mainstay at many of our parish's social events and excels with her good friend and fellow parisioner, Francisco Gutierrez on the dance floor.
Of course, she has distinguished herself in the area of ministry as a faithful sacristan, Eucharistic Adorer, and an active member of LOSH. and her guild. She recently volunteered to head up our 10th anniversary of Eucharistic Adoration Dinner which is coming up soon and has shown herself to be an organized person whose pleasant disposition leads epople to say "yes" to helping her with this important endeavor. Since she is often a "behind the scenes" disciple of the Lord, I feel confident to say that I am probably leaving out more than a few activities and ministries in which she is a help to others. Still I can truly say in reference to her, that we need more "Elsa Naeger's" in this world to show others how many blessings come to and through people who seek to have the Lord as the center of their lives. God bless you, Elsa!
I start with something personal as Elsa has had me (and a few times in the past my mother) over for dinner and nice conversation. She did this when her dear husband of over 50 years, Leo, was still with us in this world and in times since he has gone to be with the Lord. I have always appreciated her good cooking and the relaxed atmosphere of our visits. I have always appreciated her "mom like" demeanor around me. I have also been impressed over the years by Elsa's commitment to keep herself healthy and active. She is an avid and good swimmer who gets in many laps in the Coronado pool each week. Her fitness is obvious in that she seems to alwys be "on the go" (which sounds like someone else you know.) She is a mainstay at many of our parish's social events and excels with her good friend and fellow parisioner, Francisco Gutierrez on the dance floor.
Of course, she has distinguished herself in the area of ministry as a faithful sacristan, Eucharistic Adorer, and an active member of LOSH. and her guild. She recently volunteered to head up our 10th anniversary of Eucharistic Adoration Dinner which is coming up soon and has shown herself to be an organized person whose pleasant disposition leads epople to say "yes" to helping her with this important endeavor. Since she is often a "behind the scenes" disciple of the Lord, I feel confident to say that I am probably leaving out more than a few activities and ministries in which she is a help to others. Still I can truly say in reference to her, that we need more "Elsa Naeger's" in this world to show others how many blessings come to and through people who seek to have the Lord as the center of their lives. God bless you, Elsa!
Have you ever had a time when you were going to do something you knew was what God wanted for you, but just didn't have your heart in it? A couple of weeks ago, that is what happened to me when I was taking Holy Communion to the Catholic patients at St Vincent's Hospital in Hot Springs. I was tired, sad and anxious that what I was doing in my lfe and for the Eucharistic Revival was not enough. I felt that I was not enough. I got my list, pyx, name tag and akey to get Jesus' body from the tabernacle in the chapel and made my way to the first room. It happened to be on the labor & delivery floor. I knocked on the door and was invited to enter. God did what God always does when I least expect it. I showed up with an open, yet discouraged heart andhad an encounter with Jesus. Her husband was raised Protestant, but they both decided they wanted to be part of the Catholic faith and are currently in the RCIA program at their parish. Their heart are burning with the love of Jesus. Their love for each, their child and Jesus was palpable. The Eucharistic Revival is just like this. It is about an encounter with Jesus, often when we least expect it; in the Sacrament of Reconciliation through the priest and in the Mass through the Word, the Holy Euchrist and each other. It is about healing and transformation so we can be the hands and feet of Jesus. For me, it was being reminded through the encounter with this young couple and our conversation, that I AM enough. God, through Jesus, receives us just as we are and uses what we bring in each situation so we and/or others may experience and encounter with Jesus Christ. I left the room that day uplifted and inspired by the conviction and faith of this young couple. I realized the feelings I had prior to my visit were not from God, but from evil one. Jesus knew I needed to be fed, and I was. The Eucharistic Revival and my involvement as parish point person has widely opened my heart. I invite you to "Come and See" what Jesus can do with what you bring. May this Eucharistic Revival be a time of healing, renewal and transformation for you ant the lives of those you touch every day.
The focus of the second year of the "National Eucharistic Revival" is on the parish where the Eucharistic Celebration (the Mass) is the first and most important activity and ministry that happens (in most cases) every day! While some people (especially agnostics and atheists) deny the reality of miracles, I hope that many Catholic (including all of you) would quickly assert or confirm the statement that a miracle occurs during EVERY Mass that is celebrated, as Jesus becomes miraculously and personally present to us through the power of the Holy Spirit as bread and wine, the gifts that come to us from the basics of God's creation (wheat and grapes) becomes the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ! It is truly the greatest of blessings of Jesus (after the gift of eternal life that He won for us through his passion, death and resurrection) that he offers to us throughout our sojourn in this life and, hopefully, before our soul departs from this world through "Viaticum", (food for our journey).
The Eucharisitc Revival is both an invitation and a challenge. I must admit I don't care much for the word "invitation" because it speaks to some people as an option to say yes or no to what is being presented. Our Baptismal commitment was a definite "yes" to God and to a lively and growing faith in Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord. Hopefully, throughout our life, we challenge ourselves to grow in union with Jesus and his "Body" the Church. Sometimes the challenge comes from outside of ourselves and our response to it should always echo the "yes" of our baptism. While we are blessed to have quite a few regulars at our daily Masses throughout the week, I have only seen a relatively small number who commit to at least one daily Mass during the week. I once again challenge all of you who are physically able, to participate i at least one daily Mass every week, recognizing that growth in the Lord will come from such a commitment.
With all the instability and immorality that happens in our world today, WE ALL NEED the stability and strength that comes from participating in the miracle of the Eucharist and spending at least an hour a week in the loving, mreciful, and peace-giving presence of Jesus in the Monstrance, the miracle that perpetuates itself (or really Himself) with us all the time!!!
The Eucharisitc Revival is both an invitation and a challenge. I must admit I don't care much for the word "invitation" because it speaks to some people as an option to say yes or no to what is being presented. Our Baptismal commitment was a definite "yes" to God and to a lively and growing faith in Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord. Hopefully, throughout our life, we challenge ourselves to grow in union with Jesus and his "Body" the Church. Sometimes the challenge comes from outside of ourselves and our response to it should always echo the "yes" of our baptism. While we are blessed to have quite a few regulars at our daily Masses throughout the week, I have only seen a relatively small number who commit to at least one daily Mass during the week. I once again challenge all of you who are physically able, to participate i at least one daily Mass every week, recognizing that growth in the Lord will come from such a commitment.
With all the instability and immorality that happens in our world today, WE ALL NEED the stability and strength that comes from participating in the miracle of the Eucharist and spending at least an hour a week in the loving, mreciful, and peace-giving presence of Jesus in the Monstrance, the miracle that perpetuates itself (or really Himself) with us all the time!!!