From the Pastor’s Desk:

The Second Vatican Council called the Eucharist, “the source and summit of the Christian life.”  The Eucharist strengthens the Church to be Christ’s Body in the world.  Eucharist means “thanksgiving.”  As Jesus gave thanks at the Last Supper, we give thanks in the liturgy of the Eucharist, the central sacrament of the Catholic Church.

Jesus is present in the Mass in three ways: first, in the assembled “Body of Christ,” gathered to pray in his name; second, in the Word of Scripture; and third, in the bread and wine that, by the power of the Holy Spirit and the words of Christ, truly become His Body and Blood.  According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the sacrament’s purpose is our “intimate union” with Christ.  After receiving communion, we spend a few quiet moments giving thanks to Jesus for the gift of himself.

We give thanks for all creation, symbolized by the gifts of bread and wine.  We give thanks for Jesus’ Paschal sacrifice which redeemed us.  We give thanks for the continuing sanctification of the Church, nourished by the Body and Blood of Christ.  Most of all, we give thanks for the REAL PRESENCE of Christ.

Next weekend here at St. Agnes Cathedral nineteen of our young people will receive Holy Communion for the first time.   From this time until the Lord calls them home, the Eucharist will be available to them, as well as to all practicing Catholics.  The Eucharist is that special gift from God in which He can come into each of us individually to give us the grace and the guidance we need; Christ coming into us in that most special and intimate way.  We become one with Christ, as Christ becomes one with us.  May the Lord bless our young people.

As I stressed to the parents in our parent meeting at the beginning of the First Communion preparation, it is so important that we, as adults, provide a living example of worship to our young people.  It is not enough to simply explain it to them.  It is not enough to just go through the actions. We need to live our faith.  Living our faith means attending Sunday Mass and worshiping God on His day, the day of the Resurrection.  Each Sunday is a miniature Easter.  When we choose not to go to Sunday Mass, we are saying that the vacation time, or the floating on the river, or the ball game, is more important than our eternity with God.  We are approaching summer, which means vacations and weekends at the lake–please take the time to go to church.  Out of all the hours He has given you during the week, take the time to give back to the Lord this one hour.

The 2024 Diocesan Development Fund appeal will be held the weekend of May 4-5, at all Masses. Please be generous.  Our parish goal this year is $143,645.  To date, we have had 16 people pledge $7,595.00 towards our goal.  Remember to turn in your cards regardless of whether you can or cannot give this year and please pray for a successful campaign.