Dear Parishioners:
The Gospel is not a solitary game. Right from the start, Jesus sent out His disciples two-by-two, and any who tried to do it on their own were bound to fail. Involvement in the life of the Community of Believers is not an option. Our current culture treats Faith as if it is a “do-it-yourself” construction. Inevitably, we end up creating only a house of cards that will not stand when troubles come.
Those who identify themselves as Catholic are a substantial minority in our society at large, nearly 25%. According to some, the largest group after that is made up of those who identify themselves as former (non-practicing or fallen-away) Catholics. What is the difference? It is simple: involvement in the life of the Parish Community. When folks are involved, they are more likely going to attend Mass. And they are more likely going to be willing to study the Faith.
Next weekend, our Parish will be holding a Ministries and Activities Fair. All the groups and organizations in the Parish and School have been invited to be present. As Pastor, I invite all of you to stop by and to claim your group. If you are already a member, an active participant, then stand by your group’s display and share what your involvement has meant to you. If you are not part of any of the groups or activities and want to be, then sign up. If it is not possible to join, then choose a group that is yours to support from sidelines.
One goal of this year will be to discern how we need to reach out beyond our Parish and School Community to assist others. Let the various Ministries and Activities we share among us lead us to a deeper knowledge and understanding of how we can make ourselves available in the name of the Lord. The responsibility of the Laity in the Church is to work to bring the Gospel into the secular world. We gather together to learn and then we are sent out to serve. How is the Lord calling you and your family to be involved in the work of the Kingdom?
Countdown to our Golden Jubilee: Getting to know Saint Timothy.
O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid profane babbling and the absurdities of so-called knowledge. By professing it, some people have deviated from the faith. Grace be with all of you. (I Timothy 6:20-11)
The close of the First Letter of Timothy is a reminder to guard the “deposit of Faith.” It is entrusted to us to hold onto in good conscience and to make it available to the world. The babbling and absurdities of the first century are still present in our modern world. Deviation from the Faith happens all to easily when we fail to see the worth of the treasure that has been given to us in our Catholic Faith. God’s grace can help us to persevere in the Faith and to deepen our knowledge of it.
As those under the patronage of St. Timothy, who was charged to guard the Faith, may we all see the gift that has been entrusted to us!
Reflections on the Liturgy:
As we enter into immediate preparation for the transition to the new English form of the Mass, it is good to take the opportunity to renew our understanding about what is happening in the Liturgy and our own part in it. We are called to full, conscious, active participation. Each person present has a role and a responsibility even if there is no particular ministry or function being exercised.
The Mass has four primary “movements”: Gathering, Hearing the Word, the Sacrifice, and the Sending Forth. Our final reflections are meant to highlight aspects of each of these parts of the Liturgy. All of us would do well to review our own practice and to become more conscious of the meaning of what we are doing.
The Gathering takes place as Mass begins. Ushers and Greeters are at the door, setting a tone of welcome. Ministers are signing in at the Sacristy so that we know that all the roles needed are covered. Altar Servers and Sacristans are seeing to the immediate preparation of the Altar and the credence table: the chalice and cups, bread, wine and water, and the other vessels needed, the candles and the books, etc., are all being placed where they belong. Musicians and Cantors are preparing to lead the Congregation in song.
The Assembly is gathering. The best way to attend to this part of the Liturgy is to arrive early. We have a habit of coming at the last minute or even five minutes to half an hour late. Although this may happen from time to time due to circumstances beyond our control, it ought not to be a weekly occurrence. The Gathering Rites are meant to form us as the People of God, united in mind and heart, ready for worship. The opening of Mass prepares us to receive the Word.
Entering the church, using Holy Water and making the Sign of the Cross, genuflecting toward the Tabernacle, and showing an attitude of welcome to “neighbors” in the pews are all acts that we can do consciously, rather than by rote.
The Opening Hymn expresses our unity as the Church, the Assembly called into being by God. The procession of the Priest and Ministers is our welcome to Christ in the various ministries and functions He Himself performs through us.
The Penitential Rite allows for an attitude of humility, acknowledgment of our awareness of our need for forgiveness and of the Lord’s Mercy. The Gloria, which is used on Sundays in Ordinary Time, Christmas and Easter, and on Feasts and Solemnities, is our joining with the Angels in their Eternal Song of Praise to the Holy Trinity. The Collect or the Opening Prayer allows for a moment of silence for the members of the Congregation to join their own spirits in the prayer of the whole Body, and then brings to expression the purpose and meaning of this particular Assembly.
Do an examination of your family conscience with these questions:
How do you ensure that you are ready for the celebration of Mass? Are you regularly on time? Have you considered the possibility of arriving early and developing a readiness by reflecting on the needs of your family, the Church and the world for which you will pray during Mass?
Do you call to mind your Baptism when you make use of the Holy Water at the door? Do you help your little children make the Sign of the Cross? As you enter the pew, do you make a full genuflection (unless you are unable to do so)? Do you commune in spirit with the Lord, Who is present in the Tabernacle?
When others come into church, do you make it possible for them to join you in the pew if there is room by moving toward the center? As the Mass begins, do you sing the Opening Song and participate with your voice in the parts of the Mass that belong to the People?
Have you begun to learn the new responses that will be used when Advent arrives? Are you prepared to practice them at home with your children?
Is the Lord calling you or someone in your family to the ministry of Usher/Greeter?
Ministry and Activities Fair October 15-16
We need your help. St. Timothy’s is a warm and welcoming parish at least in part because of our army of volunteers (you may have seen the army in action at Festival Time) but we can be even better with your help. Stop in after Mass on October 15 or 16 and have a cup of coffee and see what it’s all about. Bring the kids too, we have donut holes. For most of the ministries and activities, the time commitment can fit even the most busy schedule.
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