Dear Parishioners:
One of the greatest moments of my life took place when I was a sophomore in College participating in a foreign study program in Rome. April 16, 1978, I was present in St. Peter’s Square when Pope John Paul II was announced as our new Holy Father after the untimely death of Pope John Paul I. I have vivid memories of that event, and they are renewed as we observe today the Beatification of Pope John Paul II.
Our celebration of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick at all the Masses of this weekend is a wonderful reminder of what Blessed Pope John Paul II’s ministry. He was a healer and a Pope who spoke words of Hope to all people. In his own life, he witnessed to an unswerving Faith that accepted whatever Providence allowed to happen. He trusted in God’s Mercy. He told us all “Be not afraid.” In everything he did, he said “May Jesus Christ be praised!” I can still hear his voice ringing in my ears: “Sia lodato Gesù Cristo!” to which the response was “Sempre sia lodato!” that is, “May he ever be praised!”
Blessed Pope John Paul II is a reminder to the world of the Gift of Jesus Christ to all nations. His life and teaching are truly a gift to our time to assist us to meet the challenges of the present day. May we hear the invitation to trust in Divine Mercy, and may our lives be a sign to the world of the Truth of the Gospel.
The Year of Prayer: LITANY TO THE DIVINE MERCY
THE LOVE OF GOD IS THE FLOWER - HIS MERCY IS THE FRUIT
"Let the doubting soul read these considerations on the Divine Mercy and become trusting."
Divine Mercy, gushing forth from the bosom of the Father, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, greatest attribute of God, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, incomprehensible mystery, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, fount gushing forth from the mystery of the Most Blessed Trinity, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, unfathomed by any intellect, human or angelic, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, from which wells forth all life and happiness, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, better than the heavens, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, source of miracles and wonders, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, encompassing the whole universe, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, descending to earth in the Person of the Incarnate Word, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, which flowed out from the open wound of the Heart of Jesus, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, enclosed in the Heart of Jesus for us, and especially for sinners, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, unfathomed in the institution of the Sacred Host, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, in the founding of Holy Church, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, in the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, in our justification through Jesus Christ, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, accompanying us through our whole life, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, embracing us especially at the hour of death, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, endowing us with immortal life, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, accompanying us every moment of our life, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, shielding us from the fire of hell, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, in the conversion of hardened sinners, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, astonishment for Angels, incomprehensible to Saints, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, unfathomed in all the mysteries of God, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, lifting us out of every misery, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, source of our happiness and joy, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, in calling us forth from nothingness to existence, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, embracing all the works of His hands, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, crown of all of God’s handiwork, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, in which we are all immersed, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, sweet relief for anguished hearts, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, only hope for despairing souls, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, repose of hearts, peace amidst fear, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, delight and ecstasy of holy souls, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, inspiring hope against all hope, I trust in You
Eternal God, in whom mercy is unfathomable and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy, itself" (Diary 949).
Countdown to our Golden Jubilee: Getting to know Saint Timothy.
“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the church of God that is in Corinth, with all the holy ones throughout Achaia: grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (II Corinthians 1:1-2)
“For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was proclaimed to you by us, Silvanus and Timothy and me, was not "yes" and "no," but "yes" has been in him.” (II Corinthians 1:19)
The Christian community finds its unity in relationship to Jesus Christ, a relationship that is discovered with a vertical dimension that is always made real in the horizontal dimension. In other words, God’s relationship to us in Christ is embodied in a living relationship with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Paul continues his correspondence to the Corinthians with a greeting of Grace and Peace and he acknowledges simply that this is a shared gift.
Paul also highlights the unity of mind and heart shared with all who preach the Truth about Jesus Christ. There is a unity of witness that the Corinthians, and all who read this letter, are invited to share. This kind of unity is much needed in our world today.
Reflections on the Liturgy: NICENE CREED
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
consubstantial with the Father;
through him all things were made.
As we profess our Faith, we make use of the Nicene Creed, which was formulated with precise language to express the doctrine of the Church concerning the Holy Trinity and the relationship of God to His People. The changes in the first part of the section on the Son are to help us to express more clearly some of the truths that are confessed by the Church. The Credo expressed at the beginning is repeated here in translation, whereas in the Latin text it is implied. The singular voice of the One Body of Christ speaks with the many voices of the Faithful joined together.
The former translation gave only a partial expression of the first term used to speak of the Son. “Unigenitum” is now given its full meaning “Only Begotten.” Similarly, we now have in English a more direct translation of the express “ex Patre natum ante omnia saecula.” These expressions were melded together in the current version.
The use of the term “consubstantial” instead of the expression “One in Being” is meant to emphasize the sharing of Divine Being, rather than a “being in general.” All that is shares “being” with God. The Only-Begotten, Born before all ages Son of the Father shares Divine Substance with God the Father. His unity in Being is of a different level of reality. All the analogies used in the Creed are intended to highlight our Faith in the Divine Nature of the Son, made present to us in the Person of Jesus Christ.
Showing posts with label Creed. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Creed. Show all posts
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Sunday, April 17, 2011
A Word from Your Pastor April 17
Dear Parishioners:
Our journey through Lent is coming to its close. With Palm Sunday, we now enter into the “High Holy Days” of our Catholic Faith. The central Liturgy of the Catholic Church crosses over four days, from Holy Thursday evening to Easter Sunday. The Triduum – counted as three days in the ancient Jewish way, from evening to evening – offers one great Liturgy that leads us deep into the Paschal Mystery.
At the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday evening, we celebrate the Gift of Priesthood, the Call to Serve and the Institution of the Holy Eucharist. Good Friday recalls the Passion of the Lord. Holy Saturday reminds us of the time of darkness before the dawn of Resurrection. The Solemn Easter Vigil carries us through the night to the new day of Eternal Life.
Our RCIA participants stand before us as a reminder of the truth and power of our Catholic Faith, entering into the life of grace through the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist. Let us pray with them and for them as they join us for the first time at the Altar.
On Tuesday evening, the Diocese of Columbus also experiences the Chrism Mass, which is properly the Mass of Holy Thursday morning. At this Mass, the Bishop blesses the Holy Oils that will be used for the celebration of the Sacraments throughout the coming year. The Bishop and Priests of the Diocese also renew the promises of their ordination and ask for the prayer of the priestly people. If you have never had an opportunity to participate in this Mass, you are encouraged to do so, at St. Joseph Cathedral on April 19 at 6 p.m.
Let the Liturgical events of Holy Week and the Triduum enter into your awareness, whether you are able to attend or not. Easter is the most important expression of our Faith. Don’t miss it!
The Year of Prayer: Prayer Recalling the Passion & Resurrection of the Lord
Dear Lord Jesus, by Your Passion and Resurrection You brought life to the world. But the glory of the Resurrection came only after the sufferings of the Passion. You laid down Your life willingly and gave up everything for us. Your body was broken and fastened to a Cross, Your clothing became the prize of soldiers, your blood ebbed slowly but surely away, and Your Mother was entrusted to the beloved disciple. Stretched out on the Cross, deprived of all earthly possessions and human aid, You cried out to Your Father that the end had come. You had accomplished the work given You, and You committed into His hands, as a perfect gift, the little life that remained to You. Lord, teach me to accept all afflictions after the example You have given. Let me place my death in Yours and my weakness in Your abandonment, Take hold of me with Your love, that same foolish love that knew no limits, and let me offer myself to the Father with You so that I may rise with You to eternal life.
Countdown to our Golden Jubilee: Getting to know Saint Timothy.
“Timothy, my co-worker, greets you; so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my
relatives.” (Romans 16:21)
St. Paul gives credit where it is due and he does all he can to keep folks connected. This short greeting from the Letter to the Romans shows Paul’s interest in ensuring that the Gospel is understood as “a family affair.” Our Timothy is among those named as offering greetings and some of Paul’s own blood relatives are included as well. It is not certain whether any of these were already known to the Roman community or whether this note serves as an introduction. Paul himself had not yet been to Rome, though he had met a number of those who were from Italy in his travels through Greece.
The Gospel does not belong to individuals. It is always a communal reality. When a community hears and proclaims the Good News in words and in shared actions, including worship, the Gospel takes root. Families become larger by their opening to the others and drawing them in. The greetings offered are not superficial. They are a heart-felt welcome into the awareness of a mutual belonging. We are called to live this way.
Reflections on the Liturgy: NICENE CREED
I believe in one God, the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.
One change that occurs in the first section of the Nicene Creed is the return to the singular form for the translation of the word Credo, “I believe.” It is important to note that this is not meant to be a change in the meaning of the recitation of the Creed as a communal act of Faith. Rather, it is a direct translation of the word as it appears in Latin (Credo) and in the Greek original (Πιστεύω Pisteuo). The Church stands together as the One Body of Christ, united in the Act of Profession of Faith. Each unique person’s “I believe” is one with the voice of the One Bride of Christ, who says “I believe.” It is interesting to note that this unity is emphasized in the Churches of the East where the Sign of Peace is given by the clergy during the Creed: One Church, One Faith.
The decision to change “seen and unseen” to “visible and invisible” is perhaps an effort to stay close to the Latin text, since the words used have cognates in English. This particular article of the Creed is Scriptural: “For in him all things were created all things in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible.” (Colossians 1:16) The primary meaning of this is the fact that God is Creator of all that exists. The material and spiritual worlds are from one source, the All Good and Loving Creator.
Our journey through Lent is coming to its close. With Palm Sunday, we now enter into the “High Holy Days” of our Catholic Faith. The central Liturgy of the Catholic Church crosses over four days, from Holy Thursday evening to Easter Sunday. The Triduum – counted as three days in the ancient Jewish way, from evening to evening – offers one great Liturgy that leads us deep into the Paschal Mystery.
At the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday evening, we celebrate the Gift of Priesthood, the Call to Serve and the Institution of the Holy Eucharist. Good Friday recalls the Passion of the Lord. Holy Saturday reminds us of the time of darkness before the dawn of Resurrection. The Solemn Easter Vigil carries us through the night to the new day of Eternal Life.
Our RCIA participants stand before us as a reminder of the truth and power of our Catholic Faith, entering into the life of grace through the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist. Let us pray with them and for them as they join us for the first time at the Altar.
On Tuesday evening, the Diocese of Columbus also experiences the Chrism Mass, which is properly the Mass of Holy Thursday morning. At this Mass, the Bishop blesses the Holy Oils that will be used for the celebration of the Sacraments throughout the coming year. The Bishop and Priests of the Diocese also renew the promises of their ordination and ask for the prayer of the priestly people. If you have never had an opportunity to participate in this Mass, you are encouraged to do so, at St. Joseph Cathedral on April 19 at 6 p.m.
Let the Liturgical events of Holy Week and the Triduum enter into your awareness, whether you are able to attend or not. Easter is the most important expression of our Faith. Don’t miss it!
The Year of Prayer: Prayer Recalling the Passion & Resurrection of the Lord
Dear Lord Jesus, by Your Passion and Resurrection You brought life to the world. But the glory of the Resurrection came only after the sufferings of the Passion. You laid down Your life willingly and gave up everything for us. Your body was broken and fastened to a Cross, Your clothing became the prize of soldiers, your blood ebbed slowly but surely away, and Your Mother was entrusted to the beloved disciple. Stretched out on the Cross, deprived of all earthly possessions and human aid, You cried out to Your Father that the end had come. You had accomplished the work given You, and You committed into His hands, as a perfect gift, the little life that remained to You. Lord, teach me to accept all afflictions after the example You have given. Let me place my death in Yours and my weakness in Your abandonment, Take hold of me with Your love, that same foolish love that knew no limits, and let me offer myself to the Father with You so that I may rise with You to eternal life.
Countdown to our Golden Jubilee: Getting to know Saint Timothy.
“Timothy, my co-worker, greets you; so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my
relatives.” (Romans 16:21)
St. Paul gives credit where it is due and he does all he can to keep folks connected. This short greeting from the Letter to the Romans shows Paul’s interest in ensuring that the Gospel is understood as “a family affair.” Our Timothy is among those named as offering greetings and some of Paul’s own blood relatives are included as well. It is not certain whether any of these were already known to the Roman community or whether this note serves as an introduction. Paul himself had not yet been to Rome, though he had met a number of those who were from Italy in his travels through Greece.
The Gospel does not belong to individuals. It is always a communal reality. When a community hears and proclaims the Good News in words and in shared actions, including worship, the Gospel takes root. Families become larger by their opening to the others and drawing them in. The greetings offered are not superficial. They are a heart-felt welcome into the awareness of a mutual belonging. We are called to live this way.
Reflections on the Liturgy: NICENE CREED
I believe in one God, the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.
One change that occurs in the first section of the Nicene Creed is the return to the singular form for the translation of the word Credo, “I believe.” It is important to note that this is not meant to be a change in the meaning of the recitation of the Creed as a communal act of Faith. Rather, it is a direct translation of the word as it appears in Latin (Credo) and in the Greek original (Πιστεύω Pisteuo). The Church stands together as the One Body of Christ, united in the Act of Profession of Faith. Each unique person’s “I believe” is one with the voice of the One Bride of Christ, who says “I believe.” It is interesting to note that this unity is emphasized in the Churches of the East where the Sign of Peace is given by the clergy during the Creed: One Church, One Faith.
The decision to change “seen and unseen” to “visible and invisible” is perhaps an effort to stay close to the Latin text, since the words used have cognates in English. This particular article of the Creed is Scriptural: “For in him all things were created all things in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible.” (Colossians 1:16) The primary meaning of this is the fact that God is Creator of all that exists. The material and spiritual worlds are from one source, the All Good and Loving Creator.
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