For some who are reading this pastor's column, this will be a review. For others it will be new to read. For all, I pray it will be an inspiration and a source of reflection and appreciation for what so graciously is offered at every Mass we attend.
For the 18th day in the "33 Days to Eucharistic Glory", Matthew Kelly starts with a question: "What do I get out of it?" We all are guilty at times of deciding whether to do something or be involved in something based partly or entirely on whether or not I benefit from it. Of course, from a Christian perspective we should be Christ-like in looking to do things for the benefit of others and thereby for the glory of God. When it comes to our coming to and participating in Mass with our minds, hearts and voices turned firstly to God, we can be a wonderful example to others of how important it is to join together in the most powerful prayer we have, "THE MASS" and give God the honor, glory, praise and thanksgiving that is befitting to the God who created us (The Father), who redeemed and saved us (the Son, Jesus Christ) and who is ready to guide and sanctify our lives (The Holy Spirit). Time spent before and after Mass can also be of benefit to others and our-selves in the fellowship we share with each other.
It is okay, however, for us to recognize and celebrate the many benefits that come to each of us (which are many) at every Eucharistic celebration especially when we encounter Jesus one on one in the reception of Holy Communion. Matthew Kelly says (and I hope we all agree) that each time we receive the Eucharist, Jesus gives us the extraordinary gifts to help us live the life we were made for. He then lists some of the fruits and gifts that flow into our soul each time we receive the Eucharist. I ask that you read, contemplate, and then give thanks for these; friendship with Jesus, desire to know and do the will of God, cleansing of venial sin, hunger for virtue, grace to avoid sin in the future, a heart that listens to the Holy Spirit, and a desire to know and love God.
Kelly says that these gifts and the fruits that flow from the Eucharist (including time spent in Eucharistic Adoration) can (and hopefully will) lead to having better relationships, doing our best work, and have more clarity about every decision we make in our lives.
If you haven't started the "33 Days to Eucharistic Glory" I pray that you choose a day to start and stay with it to the finish. I know that when taken seriously it can transform you in ways that you can never appreciate until you finish it.
For the 18th day in the "33 Days to Eucharistic Glory", Matthew Kelly starts with a question: "What do I get out of it?" We all are guilty at times of deciding whether to do something or be involved in something based partly or entirely on whether or not I benefit from it. Of course, from a Christian perspective we should be Christ-like in looking to do things for the benefit of others and thereby for the glory of God. When it comes to our coming to and participating in Mass with our minds, hearts and voices turned firstly to God, we can be a wonderful example to others of how important it is to join together in the most powerful prayer we have, "THE MASS" and give God the honor, glory, praise and thanksgiving that is befitting to the God who created us (The Father), who redeemed and saved us (the Son, Jesus Christ) and who is ready to guide and sanctify our lives (The Holy Spirit). Time spent before and after Mass can also be of benefit to others and our-selves in the fellowship we share with each other.
It is okay, however, for us to recognize and celebrate the many benefits that come to each of us (which are many) at every Eucharistic celebration especially when we encounter Jesus one on one in the reception of Holy Communion. Matthew Kelly says (and I hope we all agree) that each time we receive the Eucharist, Jesus gives us the extraordinary gifts to help us live the life we were made for. He then lists some of the fruits and gifts that flow into our soul each time we receive the Eucharist. I ask that you read, contemplate, and then give thanks for these; friendship with Jesus, desire to know and do the will of God, cleansing of venial sin, hunger for virtue, grace to avoid sin in the future, a heart that listens to the Holy Spirit, and a desire to know and love God.
Kelly says that these gifts and the fruits that flow from the Eucharist (including time spent in Eucharistic Adoration) can (and hopefully will) lead to having better relationships, doing our best work, and have more clarity about every decision we make in our lives.
If you haven't started the "33 Days to Eucharistic Glory" I pray that you choose a day to start and stay with it to the finish. I know that when taken seriously it can transform you in ways that you can never appreciate until you finish it.
If I were to ask you what significant event took place in Christianity 1700 years ago this year, I hope you would take time to do the math and come up with the year 325. That was the year that Church leaders gathered in Nicaea (near Constantinople) to discuss a number of matters including (most importantly) a Creed that sought to define the essential common foundations on which to build local Christian communities that would recognized each other as sister churches, each respecting the diversity of the other. Disputes and disagreements had arisen in previous decades over such things as the nature of Christ in relation to the Father, the question of a single date to celebrate Easter, and opposition to theological opinions that were considered heretical, and how to re-integrate believers who had abandoned the faith during the years of persecution before the Emperor Constantine declared Christianity to be not only allowed but favored by the empire. During the Council, a significant number of Council Fathers argued against belief in the divinity of Christ. These came to be called Arians after its original proponent, a priest named Arius. Due to the efforts of Church Fathers such as Athanasius and Nicholas, the divinity of Christ was ultimately accepted as dogma and was a key part of the Nicean Creed. The approved text originally (and for the longest time when we recited it at Mass) was in the first person plural as it started out: "We believe.... This form emphasized the unity of belief of Christians (something that we need to pray for always especially during the annual "Week of Christian Prayer for Unity" from January 18-25). We are all aware (I hope) that the Creed is divided into three parts dedicated to the three Persons of the Blessed Trinity. Interestingly, the original Nicene Creed concluded with condemnations of affirmations that were considered heretical. The Creed was revised and expanded at the Council of Constantinople in 381 AD at which time the condemnations were removed. So what we often profess at weekend Masses should rightly be called the Nicene-Constantinople Creed.
I would encourage you to make the time (maybe before Mass) and reflect a little at a time on what we believe about God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and the rest of what is contained in this most ancient and important document of the Church. Then pray that every baptized believer takes everything in it to heart and strives to share it with others with conviction, living out the hopes that it gives to us beyond the life we live in this world!
I would encourage you to make the time (maybe before Mass) and reflect a little at a time on what we believe about God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and the rest of what is contained in this most ancient and important document of the Church. Then pray that every baptized believer takes everything in it to heart and strives to share it with others with conviction, living out the hopes that it gives to us beyond the life we live in this world!
Before deciding the subject matter for this pastor's column, I gave some thought to the fact that this is the first column of the new calendar year. As such, I want this column to touch on an important topic that potentially speaks to almost all of you, and be both an invitation for some and an affirmation for others.
The topic is the ministry of Eucharistic Adoration here at Sacred Heart Church. I say it's a ministry because anything that we do that is a commitment to the Lord, and is focused firstly on giving praise and thanks to God with words and/or with our presence with the Lord, is doing God's work as a faith-filled disciple. It also is a great blessing to those who say "yes" to participating in this ministry as can be attested to by most of our adorers some of whom have been doing it as a regular or sub for up to 10 years.
I would like to share with you the testimony of one of our Eucharistic Adorers:
" Eucharistic adoration—a journey from intimidation to comfort."
When I first walked into the chapel for adoration, I felt a wave of nervousness wash over me. The stillness felt heavy, and I questioned whether I belonged there. Would I know how to pray? What if I just sat there, frozen? That sense of dread was palpable.
As I sat in silence, something remarkable happened. I began to realize that adoration isn't about perfection; it's about presence. It's not about saying the right words, but rather about being open to the love of Christ.
Slowly, the intimidation began to fade. I allowed myself to breathe, to listen, and to simply be. I found that in those moments of quiet, I could experience God's presence in a profound way. The chapel transformed from a place of anxiety to a sanctuary of peace.
What began as a daunting experience became a source of delight. I discovered that vulnerability is a gateway to deeper connection. As I opened my heart, I felt enveloped in God's love—a comfort that reassured me I was exactly where I needed to be.
Written by: Cindy Norlin
Please consider at the start of the new year joining so many in the parish in this ministry as a regular or sub and experience blessings that will be many for you, your family, your parish family and others that you can pray for in the presence of the Lord!! Call Mike Ritch 832 231-7469 to get started.
The topic is the ministry of Eucharistic Adoration here at Sacred Heart Church. I say it's a ministry because anything that we do that is a commitment to the Lord, and is focused firstly on giving praise and thanks to God with words and/or with our presence with the Lord, is doing God's work as a faith-filled disciple. It also is a great blessing to those who say "yes" to participating in this ministry as can be attested to by most of our adorers some of whom have been doing it as a regular or sub for up to 10 years.
I would like to share with you the testimony of one of our Eucharistic Adorers:
" Eucharistic adoration—a journey from intimidation to comfort."
When I first walked into the chapel for adoration, I felt a wave of nervousness wash over me. The stillness felt heavy, and I questioned whether I belonged there. Would I know how to pray? What if I just sat there, frozen? That sense of dread was palpable.
As I sat in silence, something remarkable happened. I began to realize that adoration isn't about perfection; it's about presence. It's not about saying the right words, but rather about being open to the love of Christ.
Slowly, the intimidation began to fade. I allowed myself to breathe, to listen, and to simply be. I found that in those moments of quiet, I could experience God's presence in a profound way. The chapel transformed from a place of anxiety to a sanctuary of peace.
What began as a daunting experience became a source of delight. I discovered that vulnerability is a gateway to deeper connection. As I opened my heart, I felt enveloped in God's love—a comfort that reassured me I was exactly where I needed to be.
Written by: Cindy Norlin
Please consider at the start of the new year joining so many in the parish in this ministry as a regular or sub and experience blessings that will be many for you, your family, your parish family and others that you can pray for in the presence of the Lord!! Call Mike Ritch 832 231-7469 to get started.