 Fr.
Tom's Tomes November 20, 2005
We celebrate the Feast of Christ the King this weekend which is the last Sunday of the liturgical year. Next Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent and the beginning of a new liturgical, church year. As we approach the new liturgical year it is always a good time to stop and reflect upon our own spiritual relationship with God. It is time to take inventory and to make commitments to improve our relationship with God. I invite you to take time this week to think about how much time you spend with God in prayer. How attentive are you in prayer? Do you need to spend a little more time with God? You may think about your example of faith and prayer to your family. As a parent do you let your children know it is important to pray? Do you pray as a family before and after meals, before you go to bed at night or when you get up in the mornings? Do you pray the rosary or read the bible together? Family is very important and parents need to be role models of prayer for their children. Another area to consider is attendance at Mass. Do you come on a regular basis which means you come every weekend? Do you come on time for Mass and stay until after the closing song? Mass begins with the opening song and does not end until after the closing song is finished. Unlike New Year’s Day the beginning of the Church’s year means we take our personal inventory of where we are with God and improve our spiritual lives. Next weekend at St. Columban we will also begin to distribute communion under both the Body and Blood of Christ. I heard one rumor from the parishioners which said I am making all people receive the Blood of Christ. I do not remember indicating this. I am not going to force anyone to receive the Blood of Christ but we are going to offer it at Mass for those who choose to receive the Blood of Christ. When receiving either the Body or Blood of Christ please remember after the Eucharistic Minister says either "The Body of Christ" or "The Blood of Christ" to say Amen in a voice which can be heard. It is important to respond Amen and to allow others around you to know you believe you are receiving the Body and/or Blood of Christ. This week we celebrate the civil holiday of Thanksgiving. Our nation stops to give thanks to God for the many blessing we have received. On Thanksgiving morning we will have Mass at 9:00 am at St. Columban. It would be great to have the Church filled with people thanking God for the blessings we have received. If you have not decided to come to Mass for Thanksgiving or not I would invite you to do so. Coming to Mass is one of the best ways to thank God for all we have. May you have a blessed Thanksgiving Week. |