Pastors Notes from June 6, 2022
-
June 6, 2022Our ‘forgotten’ feast day, Pentecost Sunday, the beginning of our Christian Church always falls in the midst of graduations, the end of the school year, between Mothers Day and Fathers Day, as individuals and families are transitioning to outdoor activities. Our attention may observe the symbol of the Holy Spirit—red—fashioned in the sanctuary, but we may be distracted away from the significance of this feast in relation to our Church, the faith we inherited, and the Holy Spirit continually at work within the activities, prayers, Sacraments that call us into community. Three popes and three contrasting aspects of “Church” on this Pentecost Sunday. “Let us go back to the origin of the Church, to the day of Pentecost. Let us look at the Apostles: they were from different backgrounds and social contexts. . . .some were meek and others were excitable; they all had different ideas and sensibilities. . . .Jesus did not change them; he did not make them into a set of pre-packaged models. No. He left their differences and now he unites them by anointing them with the Holy Spirit. With the anointing comes their union – union in diversity: the people of God, shaped by the Spirit, who weaves unity from diversity and bestows harmony because in the Spirit there is harmony.” (Pope Francis, 2020) “The Church of Christ is always, so to speak, in a situation of Pentecost: she is always gathered in the Upper Room in prayer, and at the same time, driven by the powerful wind of the Spirit, she is always on the streets preaching. . . .On the day when we celebrate the memorial of the Church’s birth, we want to express heartfelt gratitude to God for this twofold, and ultimately one, witness, which has involved the great family of the Church since the day of Pentecost. We give thanks for the witness of the first community of Jerusalem which. . .has become the inheritance of countless men and women down the ages around the world” (Pope John Paul II, 2000). “The very nature of the gifts which Christ has given the Church demands that they be extended to others and shared with others. . . .It does not regard God's mercy as an exclusive privilege, nor does the greatness of the privilege it enjoys make it feel unconcerned for those who do not share it. On the contrary, it finds in its own salvation an argument for showing more concern and more love for those who live close at hand, or to whom it can go in its endeavor to make all alike share the blessing of salvation.” (Pope Paul VI, 1964) Each speaks of a unique and lasting character of our Christian Church through the ages, the struggles and triumphs, blessings and falters; but the Pope of my childhood—Paul VI— remains a significant part of my Catholicism, as does my parish of St. Joseph in Wesley. Through my own struggles and blessings and distractions both are a consistent reminder of the foundation of the Catholic faith and the Eucharist which remains a gracious privilege, yet as Pope Paul VI exhorts, “it demands that they be extended to others and shared with others.” For all three church communities here in Boone County—St. John, St. Malachy, Sacred Heart—may that spirit of Christian hospitality and welcoming remain a constant presence we offer parishioners, visitors, and strangers alike regardless of our diversity and backgrounds.
“Ordinary Time” begins liturgically after this Pentecost Sunday though we celebrate the feast of the Trinity and The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ the next two weekends. A traditional custom in many parishes has been the Corpus Christi Procession. On the Thursday before Corpus Christi Sunday (the 16th), Sacred Heart will hold a Mass at 5:00pm followed by a Corpus Christi Procession on our church grounds. We will have three ‘chapels’ set up on the church grounds incorporating the traditional prayers associated with the procession which will end with a final benediction. Following will be a celebration of faith and summer, so to speak, with music, activities and a variety of food offered through food trucks present on the church parking lot. Individuals and families are welcome to participate and celebrate the gift of our Eucharist and the goodwill of community.
On Corpus Christi Sunday St. Malachy Parish will hold the traditional procession, following the 8:30am Mass. Incorporating the traditional prayers with the rosary, the procession will take place on our church grounds, stopping at each ‘chapel’ and lastly at the statue of Jesus before entering church for the final Benediction. A beautiful way to celebrate the gift of the Eucharist—the presence of our Savior we share at Communion—and the community formed around this Sacrament. We welcome all individuals and families to participate. A social will follow in the parish hall.
Risen Savior, Ascension, Prince of Peace and Mary, Queen of Angels, the four names selected by popular vote, have been sent to the Bishop. Sometime this summer he will grant us a ‘new parish name’ while at the same time our Finance Boards will merge into one, though our finances will remain separate for the time being. Our steps moving us into one parish as called for by the diocese will be gradual and not without a few missteps. We all have our opinions and desires, but may faith guide this journey with understanding and patience. As for the weekend and weekday Mass times there will be definite change, hopefully accommodating what is best for individuals and families participating in the Eucharist at St. Malachy and Sacred Heart. (We will have daily Mass at St. John on certain Fridays of the month.). If you have any suggestions please let me know. In time we hope to incorporate St. Malachy’s Social Justice Committee with the entire parish, and likewise begin an inclusive Parish Council.
God Bless, Fr. Tim
FYI: “Nature always wears the colors of the Spirit.” (Ralph Waldo Emerson)