Pastors Corner

Preparation For Mass

 

Prayerful recollection

We should prayerfully recollect ourselves prior to coming to Mass.  We should strive to arrive on time, allowing ourselves to prepare our minds and hearts for the liturgy.  Upon entering the church, we should maintain reverent silence so that we and those around us are able to pray before Mass begins.  This will ensure that we are at peace within ourselves and with others.  Such recollection helps to eliminate distractions and allows us to focus more easily on the great mystery of the Eucharist celebration in which we are about to participate.  A prayerful and reflective reading of the Scripture selections for the Mass of the day will help make our hearts and minds ready to receive God’s Word more deeply.

 

The Eucharistic fast

We are required to keep the Eucharistic fast, that is, refraining from food and drink (except for water and medicines) for at least one hour prior to receiving Holy Communion.  This fast demonstrates reverence and respect for the Body and Blood of Christ that we are going to receive.  It also teaches us to hunger for Jesus in Holy Communion.

 

Appropriate attire

We should also come to the sacred liturgy appropriately dressed.  As Christians we should dress in a modest manner, wearing clothes that reflect our reverence for God and that manifest our respect for the dignity of the liturgy and for one another.

 

By: U.S. Catholic Bishops, November 14, 2006

 

MARY

Mother of God

 

Some Christians are surprised that Catholics honor Mary as the Mother of God.  They may ask if we worship Mary in the same way that we worship God.  The answer is simple: No.  We love and honor her because Jesus asked us to.  In His last moments on the cross, Jesus told St. John and us, “Behold your Mother.”  The Blessed Virgin has an exalted place as the Mother of Jesus, and she is also our Mother.

 

We believe that our Blessed Mother remains close to  Jesus so that she can act as our intercessor.  She adds her voice to our prayers and carries our petitions to her Son.  Mary indeed listens lovingly to our prayers, but it is her Son Jesus who is Our Savior.

 

The central mystery of our Catholic faith is the Blessed Trinity.  Jesus, the Son of Mary, is the Word made flesh.  He is the second person of the Blessed Trinity.  The Word of God existed from all eternity, but Mary bore Jesus the God man in her womb.  She gave birth to Him in real, physical time as decreed in God’s loving plan.  Mary is the Mother of Jesus.  She is the first and most perfect  disciple of her Son, who is Savior of the world. 

 

We honor Mary as Jesus’ first disciple.  Often called a Christbearer, she points the way to God for all people, even those who do not know their Savior.  Mary teaches us how to follow her Son Jesus and urges us to know and live His teachings:  “Do whatever He tells you.”

 

From the day that the Angel Gabriel came to her, Mary gave her life over to God’s plan.  Gabriel said, “Blessed are you among women … the Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the Holy One born of you will be the Son of God.”  Mary lived every aspect of her life in support of her Son, even to Calvary and beyond His death on the cross.  She indeed has a unique role in God’s plan of   salvation.

 

If people ask, “Is Mary the Mother of man or the Mother of God?” we reply that she is both.  She is the Mother of the God man, our Savior.  She is our Mother, and she is Mother of the Church.  Through her everlasting love for her Son and His mission, she is always ready to hear our prayers.  She will always help us.

 

 

Dec. 2, 2007

TWO SEASONS, NOT ONE

 

Dear Holy Spirit parishioner,

The peace of Christ be with you.

     Living in a state that is about 3% or 4% Catholic presents some challenges for us.  Some are more serious than others.  As Catholics we are encouraged by our Church to look for ways to work cooperatively for the good of our community with people of other denominations (ecumenism) and other faiths (interfaith).  And people of our community do this on a daily basis.

     At this time of year you might think that the “Christmas season” is one of the times when we can work together with others…and it is.  Much charity is done at this time in an ecumenical and interfaith way to help the needy of our area.  Your generosity spills out in many ways that you do not publicize.

     I don’t want to be a scrooge, but I will point out some liturgical differences that we have at this time of the year that sets us apart form many of our neighbors.

     First, the “Christmas season” does not begin with the shopping spree on the day after Thanksgiving (or the day after Halloween!).  The “Christmas season” begins with the first Mass of Christmas Eve (Dec. 24^th) and ends with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord (this year it’s Jan. 13^th).  Christmas is a season on our Catholic liturgical calendar that celebrates the Incarnation of the Son of God.  This year we will   celebrate the “Christmas season” from Dec. 24^th until Jan. 13^th!

     So, what starts this Saturday evening with our Vigil Mass?  It is another “season”.  It is the “Advent season”.  This year it begins with the Sunday Vigil Mass on Saturday, Dec. 1^st and ends with the morning Mass on Dec. 24^th.  The “Advent season” prepares us for the “Christmas season”.  There are two season, not one.  But, I will be the first to admit that it is difficult to be a liturgical Catholic in Alabama during these two seasons, because many of our neighbors come from non-liturgical denominations.  Don’t be surprised if you see their Christmas tree in the garbage on Dec. 26^th!

 

P.S. It’s OK to have a “Christmas party” during the “Christmas season”, but you’ll have to do a lot of explaining.  Have a joyful Advent season.