From the Rector’s Desk…

 

 

This Sunday’s feast of The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ dates to the thirteenth century.   It would seem rather redundant to have a feast in our Church’s liturgical calendar that celebrates what we celebrate every Sunday and at every Mass - the Eucharist - the memorial of Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection on the cross.   However, we do need to be reminded of the important truths of our faith.  Unfortunately, many Catholics do not understand the dogma of the Real Presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament - the host and wine consecrated at Mass that becomes the Body and Blood of Christ.  The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: “In the most blessed sacrament of the Eucharist, ‘the body and blood, together with the soul and divinity of or Lord Jesus Christ and, therefore, the whole Christ is truly, really, and substantially contained.’  This presence is called ‘real’ - by which is not intended to exclude the other types of presence as if they could not be ‘real’ too, but because it is presence in the fullest sense…by which Christ, God and man, makes himself wholly and entirely present” (CCC 1374).  The Church’s belief in Jesus’ real presence in the Eucharist has been proclaimed for centuries based on our Lord’s own words at the Last Supper, “This is my body which is given for you,” and “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood” (Luke 22:19-20).  Our Lord’s words and the Church’s constant teaching should cause us to believe, adore and be transformed by the Eucharist whom we receive in Holy Communion.  Our “amen” when we receive Holy Communion is an assent to this teaching of our Church.   Some have struggled with this teaching down through the centuries.  It is the gift of faith from God that allows us to assent to this teaching.  It is also the gift of love that convinces our hearts that Jesus is truly present in the Blessed Sacrament.  For out of love for human beings, Jesus laid down his life and out of love for human beings he rose from the dead.  Out of love, he desires to share his divine life with us through this sacrament.  Out of love and in gratitude to him, we receive Jesus in Holy Communion with true faith.  Let us ask our Lord to strengthen our faith in his presence and our love for the sacrament of his Body and Blood that he has left us.

 

National Eucharistic Revival

The Bishops of our country continue to lead us in a three-year initiative of renewal of our belief, as Catholics, in the Blessed Sacrament.   Last year, was a diocesan phase.   This year, beginning this Sunday, is the parish phase.  For the nine days leading up to this Sunday, Bishop Fernandes has been traveling to different parishes in the diocese, celebrating Mass and leading processions of the Blessed Sacrament reminding us the centrality of the Mass and the presence of Christ in our communities.  Today, after the 10:30 am Mass, Bishop Fernandes will lead us in a procession around Cathedral Square, back into the Church, concluding with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.  We are reminded of Christ’s love through the Eucharist and are given Christ’s love through this sacrament of the Eucharist.  As we go out into the world each day, let us be a sign of charity to those we meet and remember the One who is the source and strength of our charity.

 

Holy Cross News

Next Sunday, June 18th is our Mission Appeal Weekend.  The Missions Office of the Diocese of Columbus has assigned us to support the Divine Word Missionaries.  They are a religious congregation of priests and brothers that serve in 79 countries around the world.  They serve in areas in which the Gospel has not been preached or where the Church cannot survive without the help of missionary service.  They were founded in 1875 in the Netherlands by Saint Arnold Janssen and number approximately 6,000 members wordwide  The Divine Word Missionaries will not be sending a representative.  However, they have sent us a written Appeal which will be read at the 9 am Mass.   Checks can be made out to Holy Cross church noting Mission Appeal in the memo line.  I thank you for your generosity in advance.  

 

Have a blessed week.

 

Fr. Kitsmiller