A Note from our Pastor 6-4-23
A NOTE FROM THE PASTOR
DEAR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST:
SOLEMNITY OF THE MOST HOLY TRINITY: This weekend we are celebrating the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. The observance of this Solemnity is a reminder that as Catholics we believe that there is One God with Three Divine Persons: the Father, Jesus the Christ His Son, and the Holy Spirit. Remember when we use to refer to the Holy Spirit as the Holy Ghost?
Ultimately, our understanding of the Most Holy Trinity is that God is within His very nature a unity of persons. The love of the Father for the Son and the Son for His Father is the Holy Spirit. You can appreciate why our understanding of marriage reflects this belief. The love of a husband for his wife and a wife for her husband is open to the creation of a child as an expression of their love for each other.
As we celebrate this Solemnity the church is not only reminding us of this fundamental Catholic belief but our charge to make His presence known throughout the world, especially, within our families, our neighborhoods and parish.
I pray that as we focus our spiritual attention on The Most Holy Trinity this weekend that our parish will continue to grow as a shining example of a community of faith and friendship with each other.
NEXT WEEKEND: SOLEMNITY OF THE MOST HOLY BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST:
As we mentioned last year at this time, a spiritual program of Eucharistic Revitalization began on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. The American Bishops made the decision to focus our attention on our belief that the hosts and wine consecrated at the Mass, through the words of the priest, speaking in the person of Jesus, and the work of the Holy Spirit, are transformed into the real presence of the Resurrected Christ. The Eucharist (Holy Communion) is not a sign nor symbol of Jesus but the real presence under the sacramental appearance of bread and wine.
Recent studies indicate that many Catholics do not believe in the True Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, that it is simply a sign or reminder of His Body and Blood. To address this the American Bishops have called for a period of Eucharistic Revitalization over the next three years. Through Holy Hours, Benediction and Eucharistic processions, our Bishops are hoping to revitalize this most fundamental and foundational Catholic belief.
Next weekend, to continue the efforts of Eucharistic Revitalization, we will have a procession with the Blessed Sacrament throughout the Church at the conclusion of the 4pm, 10am and 12pm Masses, which should last about 10 minutes. I am asking that everyone who comes to these Masses next weekend to remain for this procession as a reflection of your belief and love for the Eucharist.
STRIPING OF OUR PARKING LOTS. I am so grateful to our parishioner, John Marazita, of Pro Striping, LLC, for the wonderful work he did this past week in restriping our parking lots.
Up until that point the individual parking spaces were so difficult to see along with the handicap spaces and sections where the sidewalk dips to allow for easy access for carriages, wheelchairs and parishioners with walkers or canes.