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October 10, 2021Dear Parishioners,
Last weekend the 8th grade class from our parish school auctioned homemade scarecrows. They are quite the talented and hardworking class judging by the variety and quality of their work. It was a big success. Thank you to those who donated, the students, their parents, and to our teachers and staff who helped organize the event. The donations go to support 8th grade activities like their class trip.
This past Monday we prayed the rosary before the Blessed Sacrament at 7:00pm in the church. Each Monday in October we will have Eucharistic Adoration and the recitation of the Rosary. Eucharistic Adoration (which involves the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, hymns, incense and benediction) is one of the most important devotions in our spiritual lives. It offers us a chance to answer Jesus’ question in the Garden: “Could you not keep watch for one hour?” (Mk. 14:37). Archbishop Fulton Sheen recommended a daily Holy Hour, ideally before the Blessed Sacrament. Pope Pius XII in “Mediator Dei” pointed out that different forms of Eucharistic Adoration “have brought a wonderful increase in faith and the supernatural life to the Church.”
Eucharistic Adoration gives us a chance to comprehend the awesome reality of Christ’s presence. It is a moment of the Mass frozen in time. Namely, the moment when the priest raises the consecrated host. To our eyes the host appears as a small insignificant piece of bread. Yet through faith we know that astonishing truth: that is the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ; God Himself. As the Eucharistic hymn, Tantum Ergo remarks: “Faith for all defects supplying, when the feeble senses fail.” Looking at the host can trigger acts of faith and awe in the power and presence of God.
Pope St. John Paul II in his final encyclical “Ecclesia de Eucharistia” admirably summed up the doctrinal essentials: “The worship of the Eucharist outside of the Mass is of inestimable value for the life of the Church. This worship is strictly linked to the celebration of the Eucharistic Sacrifice… It is pleasant to spend time with him, to lie close to his breast like the Beloved Disciple (cf. Jn 13:25) and to feel the infinite love present in his heart. In the course of the day the faithful should not omit visiting the Blessed Sacrament… Such visits are a sign of gratitude, an expression of love and an acknowledgment of the Lord's presence.”
God bless,
Fr. Barrow
