Dear Friends in Christ,
“Encore! Encore!”
Last Sunday’s Feast of the Holy Trinity and this Sunday’s Feast of Corpus Christi the great “encore” after the big show of the Easter season—two additional Sundays of special jubilation. The Catechism #221 teaches about the Trinity: “God has revealed his innermost secret: God himself is an eternal exchange of love, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and he has destined us to share in that exchange.”
Where is this innermost secret more broadcast than in the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus? What greater access do we have to this love than in every Mass and in every tabernacle where we encounter Christ who has opened His heart to us (literally having his heart pierced) that we might enter in and find life, rest, hope, peace, and joy? The Eucharist is how we share in God’s innermost secret.
The spiritual writer Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalene beautifully unites the two encores of the Trinity and the Eucharist when he says, “Jesus came to us from the bosom of the Father to bring us to the Trinity; this was the purpose of the Incarnation and it is also that of the Eucharist, which prolongs the mystery of the Incarnation in time.”
Receiving, sharing in, and witnessing to this love is what we are made for. I hope that this Corpus Christi Sunday inspires in us greater love of Jesus in the Eucharist, that our hearts are open to spending more time with Him in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, and that the many effects of Holy Communion and Adoration bear fruit in our lives of discipleship. Become WHO you receive!
June 7 – All are invited to the Eucharistic Procession Sunday 06/07 after the 11:30 Mass at SJF. There will be adoration after the procession until 6pm. Songs of worship at 5pm, Evening Prayer at 5:30pm, Benediction at 6pm.
June 12 – Join us for 6pm evening Mass at St. Jane Frances followed immediately by a cookout in honor of the Sacred Heart. There will be simple grilled foods and lawn games. Bring a friend!
Thank you to all our volunteers for your presence with us at Friday’s volunteer dinner. We wouldn’t be here without you! We will always take more help! And thank you to our generous staff for taking the lead making this event happen.
As has been announced, I have been assigned by our Archbishop Lori to serve as the full-time chaplain at Mount St. Joe. I am grateful to the Archbishop’s confidence in me with such an important ministry. It is also terrifying. I am eager to see what the Lord will be doing there as I serve there full-time. I am equally sorrowful to conclude my time at the Pastorate. What a gift it has been! Thank you for your prayers and support for me, for the new associate Fr. Kevin Farmer, and for our staff as we navigate this transition. No farewells yet! Know of my prayers and gratitude for you.
In Christ,
Fr. John
