Pastor’s Letter: September 4, 2022

Pastor’s Letter: September 4, 2022

2 Sep 2022 | Posted by: chadmin

The September 4 bulletin is available online. 

Dear friend,

Throughout the Liturgical year, the Mass the Church celebrates each day is determined by a hierarchy of theological importance. A Holy Day of Obligation ranks as the most important time to attend Mass. There are 5 Precepts of the Catholic Church for one to stay in “good standing” with the Church. One of the 5 Precepts is to “Attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation.” We believe in the importance of attending Mass on Sundays and Holy Days because not only of the gift of Communion, but the message of the Mass that day. Each Mass and day of the Liturgical Year has a theme to the Mass and a clear message to the Scriptural readings. In addition to attendance at Mass, the precepts invite us “confess sins once per year,” “receive Communion once a year, preferably during the Easter Season,” “observe the days of fasting and abstinence,” and to “provide for the needs of the Church.”

There are many ways to spiritually, physically and materially provide for the needs of the Church. The prescribed days of fasting and abstinence refer directly to Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and Fridays in Lent. Confession at least once a year allows for a spiritual reset and cleansing of the soul. While we believe in the power and importance of receiving the gift of Holy Communion, the precept is actually to attend Mass and not to receive Communion every week. One wants to be in a spiritual state to receive communion, through the gift of reconciliation. However, it is vitally important to be at Mass listening, praying, sitting, standing, and kneeling in adoration of the Lord.  This importance is emphasized by the hierarchy of days on the Liturgical Calendar.

This week the Church celebrates the Feast of the Nativity, or the Birth, of Mary on September 8. Mary holds a place of extreme importance and distinctive honor in the Church, as the Mother of Jesus. The Church joins us in celebrating birthdays as a celebration of the entirety of a person’s life, in this world and the next. However, all that we celebrate about Mary is of less theological importance than the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the Dead. Every Sunday is a celebration and a remembrance of the Resurrection of Jesus.

The Sacraments of the Church are the ordinary means by which we believe God helps us through this life. The day-to-day sustenance of God’s gift of grace comes through the sacraments. The Rite of Christians Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the ordinary way for adults to join the Church and receive the Sacraments for the first time. As we enter September, we are beginning plans for a new RCIA class. We will have an informational night and introduction to the RCIA process on Tuesday, September 13 at 6:30pm in the Banquet Room of the Parish Center. If you are or you know anyone interested in receiving the Sacraments, please contact us to register or with any questions. The RCIA class is for those who are not Baptized who would like to receive Baptism, for Baptized Christians that want to become Catholic, and for Baptized Catholics who have not received Confirmation. You can email parish@stphils.com or just show up on September 13. Please feel free to reach out to us if you are interested.

God bless,

Father David