 Fr.
Tom's Tomes August 28, 2005
Attending Mass and receiving communion is very important to us as Catholics. The Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith. It is important we come to Mass each weekend to gather as the people of God in prayer. When we gather for prayer it is an opportunity for us to bring with us the prayers of our day and week. It is just as important for us to realize we are praying with all who gather for Mass.
Mass is a public gathering of people. In addition to it being our individual prayer it becomes an opportunity for us to pray with others. When praying with others we need to listen to those around us so the response of the prayers comes as a common response of the people gathered together.
I have been noticing at communion time when the person distributing communion says "The Body of Christ" many people either do not respond "Amen" or are very quiet when responding. When a person comes to receive communion the response of Amen means the person receiving communion believes this to be the Body of Christ. If we believe communion to be the Body of Christ we need be concerned that others will hear us respond "Amen" in a loud voice. I would ask and encourage all who come to receive communion to respond in a clear and audible response of "Amen" when the person distributing communion says "The Body of Christ".
At times there are situations in which people are not able to get to Mass on time or may have to leave early. I believe this would not happen often. I am hoping to begin Mass on weekends at the times we are suppose to start. In my last parish I was late at times in starting Mass because of the schedule. Here at St. Columban I am doing my best to begin Mass at 5:30 pm on Saturday night, and 8:00 am and 10:00 am on Sunday. I invite all who come to Mass to please come on time and to stay until the closing song is complete. Please do not leave Mass early unless there is an emergency. Leaving early does not give a person the opportunity to pray quietly after receiving communion. The time after receiving communion also is a great time to thank God for the blessings of the past week. We are blessed by God each day of our lives and the time after communion helps us to stop and thank God for the blessings we have received.
The time for the Fall Festival is right around the corner. You should have received your raffle tickets in the mail. Please help the parish out by selling the tickets you have received to others and then coming back for more. If every parishioner would do their best to sell as many raffle tickets as possible we will have a great response this year. Please do help us out and don’t let someone else do all the work. I, as pastor, need your help in making our parish Fall Festival a success and an opportunity to support the ministries of the parish.
God bless you and
have a great week.
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