Pentecost Sunday

05-28-2023Pastor's CornerVery Rev. Robert J. Deehan, VF

Do you really understand what the Mass is all about? For Catholics, it’s not just one option to choose from among many worship services offered at other Christian denominations. The Mass has biblical and theological roots that stem from the time of Jesus and apostolic times. It calls for a full, active and conscious participation beyond what most secular communal activities require – a mere passive observer involvement.

Recently, Fr. Bill offered a wonderful 3-part series on the Mass to help people understand what we do at Mass. To build upon his presentation and to offer parishioners an accessible explanation of the Eucharist in book form, our parish is providing a short text written by noted Catholic author and speaker, Bishop Robert Barron entitled, This Is My Body – A call to Eucharistic Revival. It’s offered at a time when the bishops of the United States have set aside a three year period called a “Eucharistic Revival” to help educate and encourage all Catholics to celebrate Eucharist with a clear awareness of what they’re doing and receiving at Mass. Sadly, a 2019 survey of Catholics taken by the respected Pew Forum revealed that only one-third of respondents hold to the Church’s official position that Jesus is really, truly and substantially present under the appearances of bread and wine. In other words, a great majority of Catholics do not understand the central reality that the Eucharist is the “source and summit of the Christian life.” The Catholic Mass is the unique form of worship that Jesus called His followers to participate in regularly. And, if people fully appreciated it and participated in all of it elements, a spiritual renewal would take place within our Church. Bishop Barron’s book analyzes the Eucharist according to three categories: sacred meal, sacrifice and Real Presence. His hope and mine is that “you might fall in love with the Lord more completely.”

Copies of Bishop Barron’s book are available for free on tables at the doors of the church. I encourage small groups that meet in our parish to use it as a source of discussion. It’s important to remember that acceptance of what the Church teaches about Eucharist needs to be the starting point of any helpful and accurate conversation about this fundamental dogma of our faith, especially when misinformed, contrary opinions abound generally in much of public discourse today. Pray for your own spiritual growth and that of fellow Catholics as, together, we seek a “Eucharistic Revival” that will truly lead to greater honor and glory to God, and to an increase in holiness of life for our Catholic faith community – locally and throughout our country.

God bless you!

Fr. Bob