Eucharist – Thanksgiving!

Jun 9

Letter from the Pastor
Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ
June 11, 2023

“For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks (εὐχαριστήσας - eucharistia), he broke it, and said, "This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me". — 1 Corinthians 11:23–24

Last week I shared with you the news that the friars would be away for the week at a provincial-wide meeting. In doing so I had to postpone my thanks to our wonderful parishioners who spoke at all the Masses on Pentecost Weekend. As a part of the roll-out of our Stewardship program, I asked some of our fellow parishioners to speak at the Masses and share their thoughts on what they love about being a member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish. They each rose to the request and did a fantastic job. I am only sorry that I could not hear all of them.

When I introduced the parish to Stewardship a few weeks ago I shared the dictionary’s definition of it as “the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one's care.” But it is more than that. It includes the sense of belonging to something larger than ourselves and a desire to ensure it succeeds. Everyone who stood before you at Mass two weekends ago shared their story and spoke about why they find St. Francis Parish so enriching and life-giving. Many of them told me that they were humbled to be asked to speak to the community. I was humbled by what they said. I was moved by their excitement to be a part of this faith community. Their feeling at home and being welcomed speaks volumes about the depth of our Christian hospitality, and their joy of being a part of a community that leads them to a closer relationship with God is the very reason we exist. We often hear so many negative things about our Catholic church. My spirit was lifted when I heard them speak [or read, in some cases] about their positive experience of being a member of our Catholic community. It is my hope is that as we embrace a stewardship model of church that excitement and life-giving message will increase for all our members and guests.

The three great solemnities of these past three weekends define us all. This weekend we celebrate the Solemnity of the Body of Christ. The end of the Easter season brought forth the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and from within the great mystery of the Most Holy Trinity the Body of Christ is formed and becomes present in our midst in the Sacrament of the Eucharist and in the sacramentality of our Church, the Body of Christ.

St Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians tells the Church that we are the Body of Christ. “There is one body, but it has many parts…We were all baptized by one Holy Spirit. And so we are formed into one body.” [1 Corinthians 12:12-13] In verse 27, St. Paul adds, “Now you are Christ’s body, and individually parts of it.” As with a body, the Church is a living entity, and it exists in our time because we come together as a community of believers. Our Church’s catechism teaches us that “The comparison of the Church with the body casts light on the intimate bond between Christ and his Church. Not only is she gathered around him; she is united in him, in his body. Three aspects of the Church as the Body of Christ are to be more specifically noted: the unity of all her members with each other as a result of their union with Christ; Christ as head of the Body; and the Church as the bride of Christ.” CCC 789

I offer my sincere thanks to Jim and Pat Heimlich, Bill Malone, Angela Ominski, Jen and Anthony Mauro, Jim and MaryEllen Moench, Tom Ball, Don Essig, Bill and Jean Roberts, Skip and Maddy Foley, Cathy Maxwell, Bobbi Greene, and Marie Logue for being such a great part of our community, and for having the courage to share their stories as members of the Body of Christ. Thank you all!

I would also like to thank everyone who has responded and committed themselves and their families to our Stewardship program. The response with your commitment cards has been tremendous. Thank you for committing to be a great part of this community as we gather together to partake in, to be, and to become the Body of Christ in our time.

Peace and All Good!