From the Pastor’s Desk::
The celebration of the Eucharist is the center of our Catholic Worship and Faith. There is no greater gift that God could give us. When we come to Sunday Mass we are stepping into a sacred space. As the celebrant walks down the isle and Mass begins we then step into sacred time. Christ comes among us in the congregation, the priest, the Word and the sacred Eucharist. We listen to the life of Christ and consume the living word Himself as come to Holy Communion.
The celebration of the Eucharist takes place within the community and we are to carry that celebration out into the world by our words and deeds. In order for us to be able to do that we need to first be present and then to be active within the liturgy. Just showing up at Mass at the last minute and leaving as soon as the celebrant walks down the isle is not enough.
Each of us need to look at commitment to the Mass. Are we going to Mass on a regular basis? During the liturgy are you actively involved whether during the readings, or the prayers with the proper responses.
Praying the prayers in our minds is not community. I know there are people who do not like to sing, or feel they cannot sing. I am reminded of one of the old pastors when I was growing up and what he said about singing because he could not sing, “I know I can’t but God gave me this voice and I’m going to give it back to Him!”
God never gave up on the People of Israel, Jesus never gave up on His apostles and He will never give up on us. Come to Sunday Mass in order to receive Him through Holy Communion, to be feed spiritually and then carry that great gift into the world. Share the gift you receive in Holy Communion and invite those who have drifted away from Sunday Mass since the Covid year to return. Be active in your faith, be a disciple to those around you.
Travel in the Footsteps of St. Paul with Fr. Lewis Hejna, beginning May 25-June 4, 2024.
The cost of the trip, including roundtrip airfare from Springfield is $4,999.00. Contact Fr. Lewis at St. Agnes (417-831- 3565) for information or a trip itinerary. You may also go on line at www.proximotravel.com. Please refer to trip #1054 when registering And look for trip with Fr. Lewis Hejna.