June 11, 2023

Dear Parishioners,

Did you know there is a Eucharistic Revival going on presently in the United States? The bishops of the United States organized this revival to help ignite a love for the Eucharist in Catholics and hopefully attract non-believers into this communion.

The Eucharist “took a hit” during COVID, with people falling away from the practice of attending church. But the Eucharist had been “taking a hit” before that – declining Mass attendance, lack of belief in the Real Presence, and a lack of vocations to the priesthood (men called to bring the Eucharist to the world). So, the bishops thought the time was right to try to “revive the Eucharist.”

First of all, why should we revive a desire for the Eucharist in Catholics? This isn’t just to have good numbers at Mass to show a parish is strong, make the pastor feel good about himself, and prevent a parish from closing. Jesus says in our Gospel: “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever.” The Eucharist is real life. We can have life without the Eucharist, sure. All those people not going to Mass are not dying and are not all miserable. But do they have the fullness of life? The Eucharist gives us the fullness of life. It’s like a golfer shooting a 90. Sure, not bad. But don’t you want to be a Master’s Champion? The Eucharist is the ultimate green jacket. That’s why we should revive the Eucharist.

Second question, what does it mean to be “revived for the Eucharist?” Sure, it can entail our own private devotion to the Lord in the Eucharist. But I think transformation is important too. Are we changed by our reception of communion or our prayer before the Blessed Sacrament? To be changed, we need to have a desire to change, which means we have to be aware of what needs to be changed within us.

The next time you’re at Mass you might pray ahead of time of what you’d really like to see changed in your life. And if the desire is more to see someone else changed (like your child who doesn’t go to Mass), then you can bring to communion how you can better be the instrument to help them change. 

Part of believing in the Real Presence is believing that we can change. God desires to help us so that we can be his partners in building the Kingdom. May we trust that truth on this Feast of Corpus Christi.

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This Sunday, June 11th, we will have once again a special Family Mass in the Holy Family Chapel at 10:30am. Everyone is welcome to attend (there will still be the 10:30am Mass in the UC) and the children will be assisting in the various ministries at Mass. Thank you to the volunteers and musicians who have helped make the Mass possible.

Please note, because I will be away on retreat, there will be no Wednesday Scripture Seminar this Wednesday, June 14th. We will resume next Wednesday, June 21st.

We had a very nice gathering last Sunday at our first Teen Mass. We had over fifty teens from a variety of schools. Thanks again to Holt’s in Park Ridge for donating the pizzas. Our next teen Mass will be Sunday, June 25th at 5pm in the HFC (we’re avoiding the first Sunday of the month in July because of the holiday weekend). This Mass is strictly for teens, FYI (graduated 8th graders through graduated seniors in high school). Parents, thank you for encouraging your son or daughter to attend.

As I mentioned last week, I will be leaving for my annual silent retreat this Monday, June 12th after the morning Masses. I will return next Tuesday, June 20th. If you would like me to pray for any special intentions while I am on retreat, please write them down in one of the purple binders at the Mary or Joseph altar in the church. Either way, please know I will be praying for all of you. It’s my ultimate desire, as pastor, for each of you to grow closer to our Lord. 

Your Servant in Christ,