Funeral Mass - Katherine Atkins

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered for the repose of the soul of Katherine Atkins on Thursday, June 2 at 10:00 a.m. Please pray for her and for her family.

The Body of Christ

My parents had different names. They were called Michael and Mary. Mr. and Mrs. McLoughlin. Mom & Dad. Aunt Mary and Uncle Michael. Nana and Pop-Pop.

Names can tell something about ourselves.

So too – the Body of Christ has many different names –

It all began at the Last Supper – night before Jesus died.

Benedict thinks it was not the Passover – but the night before the Passover as John describes.

Jesus is the New Passover – the Passover from Death to Life.

He said: This is My Body - This is My Blood.

Power of words:

Umpire says – you are out – can argue all I want.

Police officer – under arrest – no I’m not -     power of words

Jesus: little girl, get up  -  Lazarus, come forth     This is my Body: and it becomes His Presence

Eucharist -   thanksgiving for this gift – why we try to dress appropriately, come to Mass on time, try not leave before the final blessing.

Holy Sacrifice – makes present what Jesus did on the cross  -  the ONE sacrifice – why we fast 1 hour before receiving.

Most Blessed Sacrament – Sacrament of Sacraments – why we receive properly with two clean hands (make a Throne for God) or on the tongue.

Viaticum – food for the journey – the last Communion – try not to wait for last minute so Communion can be received.

Holy Communion – unites us to Jesus – challenge to stay in Communion – not receive when I am not in Communion  -   Confession helps!

Holy Mass (Misa) -  Missio – sending forth  -   like living Tabernacles we bring Jesus to a waiting world.

Many names –

This is my Body

This is my Blood

Do this in Memory of Me!!

Memorial Day Mass at St. Denis Cemetery

Memorial Day is an opportunity to pray for and remember those who made the Supreme Sacrifice on behalf of our country. The parishes of St. Denis, St. Columba and St. Kateri (Cluster Parishes) will join together for Mass at St. Denis Cemetery on Monday, May 30 at 9:00 a.m. In case of bad weather, Mass will be in St. Denis Church.  There will be NO MORNING MASS at St. Columba on Memorial Day. All parish offices will be closed on Monday.

Wedding - Sousas and Martino

The Sacred Bonds of Holy Matrimony will be exchanged by John Sousas and Marissa Martino on Sunday, May 29 at 3:00 p.m. Please pray for this couple about to be married.

Corpus Christi Procession

Join us on Sunday, May 29 for our annual Corpus Christi Procession. We begin directly after the 12:00 noon Mass with Exposition. We will then proceed to two outdoor altars on our property as we pray the rosary. We will then return to the Church for Benediction. All are welcome!

Memorial Mass - Bernard Florack

A Memorial Mass will be offered on Saturday, May 28 at 10:00 a.m. for the repose of the soul of Bernard Florack, the father of our Director of Music, Linda Moore. All are welcome to attend. 

"The Story of God" and the Holy Trinity

National Geographic Channel is showing a Series “The Story of God” hosted by Morgan Freeman. In the latest episode, Morgan recalls that, at age 16, he became very sick. Many of his family thought he would die. With good care and many prayers, he pulled through. Some family members said – God saved him. Did God save him? Was it a miracle?

Next, Morgan visits a man in NYC who was a window washer. While being lowered down a building, the cable snapped and he plunged 47 floors. He had 10 broken bones, collapsed lungs and other injuries. He was in a coma for 3 weeks. But he completely recovered.   Doctors told him – you are a miracle.  He says he is not so sure – because his brother was right next to him and died instantly.

If it was a miracle, why did God save him and not his brother? It is such a mystery!  He believes he has been spared for a purpose, but has not found that purpose yet.

Next, Morgan visits with a Jewish family in Israel. They are celebrating Passover. It is the Story of how God saved his people – with 10 plagues and then the parting of the Red Sea.   At one point in the ritual, drops of red wine are dripped onto plates – they symbolize sorrow – that God lost some of his children – the Egyptians – while saving the people of Israel -   This is a great mystery.

So much about God is a mystery!   St. Augustine once said – If you think you fully understand God, then you do not understand God.

Who Is God???      Moses at Burning Bush – “I am Who Am.”

Jesus tells us – “God is Love.”   Not loves, but IS love – the very definition of Love.   Father is the Lover – Jesus is the Beloved. The Holy Spirit is the Love they share -   a Family of Love, the Mystery of the Trinity.

A Good Explanation of the Trinity is found in a Story by a Trappist Monk: Father Theophane.

Young man is speaking to a monk - Tell me what God is like.  Monk says: Here, take this book. If you read it at the right hour, it will tell you what God is like.

He brought it back to share with his wife – who was carrying their first child. “What did he mean by the right hour?” – she said.

Don’t  know. Maybe on Good Friday, or after the Easter Vigil. Or maybe Pentecost. Maybe we should wait and God will tell us. It could be years. Wait for a sign.

Two weeks later their first child was born.          He said: How can I explain how I felt?

1)      Worry – I was a dad. How will I do this?

2)      Pride – I was a dad. You really grow up.            

3)  Humbled – we were involved in something so beyond us. Thought I had everything figured out. – not so!

That night his child appeared to him in a dream – Asks the question: What is God like?  Woke up wife. This is it. Let’s open the book!   Opened at random

It’s very simple – God is a father.         Wife opened it – It’s very simple. God became a little child.

Let’s open it together. It’s very simple. Every breath you take is the breath of God.     Glory Be . . .