The Pastor's Pen

 

July 31, 2022, the Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Time to Swim the Tiber?: The Tiber is a river in Rome over which one must cross to get to the Vatican, thus “swimming the Tiber” is an old expression for affiliating with the Church founded on the faith of the Apostle Peter who was martyred and is buried at the Vatican Basilica named in his honor. Each year those who are not fully affiliated or initiated into the Catholic Church are invited to contemplate doing so by joining a process called the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. Those adults never baptized as Christians, or those who were baptized and affiliated with other Christian denominations undergo a weekly formation program beginning in the Fall which leads to their full initiation into the Church at Easter. Those who have been attending Mass with or supporting their Catholic spouses in the practice of the faith and who wish to formally share that faith and practice as a married couple is among those who are appropriate candidates for the RCIA process. At this time, those who are for whatever reason not yet fully initiated into the Church are asked to begin discerning if this is the time to “take the plunge” those who want more information are encouraged to contact the parish office to be put in contact with a member of our RCIA team. Those among us 18 years or older who have been baptized and received their first communion but who have not completed their initiation by receiving Confirmation are encouraged to become part of the Adult Confirmation Program. Bishop Da Cunha customarily confirms adults who have prepared themselves to receive this sacrament at the Cathedral in late Fall and late Spring each year; please contact the parish office to receive more information.

Organ Donations: Not hearts and livers, but rather dollars toward the purchase of a new organ are welcome at this time as we prepare for the delivery of the new Rogers Infinity 367 Organ which will cost the parish $69, 400. Thus far through the generosity of several parishioners and parish organizations, we have collected $33,200 toward the cost of the new organ; that much and a bit more is still needed and will be gratefully received, simply make a check out to the CTK Building and Grounds Account or select it online and note “Organ Fund” on it if you care to donate! Our hope and prayer must be that we will be able to raise the other half before the summer ends!

The Eucharistic Revival: “ The Eucharist is essential” With these simple but provocative words, Pope Francis speaks of the Eucharist not as a nicety but as a necessity! The Pope explains that through sacramental communion Christ has a very direct and powerful means by which to access our hearts to help heal, expand, and inspire them. The Word of God, the sacred texts of the Mass, and sacraments all are intended to have similar effects, but the Eucharist that melts in our mouths and becomes incorporated into our bodies has the effect of incorporating us into the very Body of Christ! So often the good that people accomplish is credited personally to them, but as Christians, we must think differently because in actuality the good we do is the result of Christ living in and working through us to accomplish God’s own will. Our responsibility then is to receive Christ regularly in this most potent form which he himself provides, which is the Sacrament of His Body and Blood, and then pray that we will get out of his way so that his grace may work within us and enable us to cooperate with him in doing what he wants to be accomplished through us!

Say Amen!: In this time of Eucharistic Revival, let us each check of our own degree of respect in approaching and receiving this sacrament of all sacraments; our attitude, our posture, and our gestures of humble reverence. A gentle reminder is needed to those who may have forgotten that when presented with the consecrated host to be received as communion, a personal response is required from us, and it is only an “Amen.” This is the means by which we affirm that we believe what is being said of the host as the minister presents it to us saying “the Body of Christ.” If we say nothing, then the minister is actually not obliged to give us the host, and saying “Thank you” is not appropriate as it is not the minister who is providing the sacrament but Christ himself; we should thank him when we return prayerfully to our place after receiving him in communion. Those among us who would prefer to receive on the tongue or to do something other than a simple bow as a gesture of reverence are welcome to express their piety but are asked that consideration for the safety of others that they come up at the end of the procession to receive.

Summer Raffle: Chances are $20 each or 3 for $50, and are available at the entrances of the Church following Mass. The Grand Prize of $5000 will be drawn on Sunday, October 9th at noon, along with an additional $6000 in prizes!