As most of you who attend the 10:30am Mass know, we recently have begun allowing parishioners to receive Holy Communion on the tongue while kneeling at the altar rail. This was the “normal” manner of receiving Holy Communion prior to the Second Vatican Council, and many of you appreciate the reverence that it brings. Just to be clear, no one is “required” to receive the Holy Eucharist in this manner. If you would like to receive the Blessed Sacrament in the hand while standing, that option is offered by the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion in the side aisles. … [Read more...]
Archives for February 2024
From the Pastor – February 4, 2024
February 2, 2024 By
Job spoke, saying: Is not man's life on earth a drudgery? Are not his days those of hirelings? He is a slave who longs for the shade, a hireling who waits for his wages. So I have been assigned months of misery, and troubled nights have been allotted to me. (Job 7:4) Most of us know the story of Job. He was faithful to God, but God let the devil take away all of Job’s possessions, kill all of his children and ruin his health. And despite his misfortunes, Job does not curse God. But that doesn’t stop him from bemoaning his situation. The passage above reflects his poor attitude, but it speaks to a truth. The world often imposes on us many miseries. We get tired and frustrated with work. We get in arguments with family members and friends. We get sick, we can’t pay the bills, and we … [Read more...]
Our Lady of Lourdes
February 2, 2024 By
Saturday, February 11, the Church remembers the apparitions of Our Lady of Lourdes to St. Bernadette Soubirous that took place a little over 150 years ago in Lourdes, France. Since Our Lady of Lourdes Parish down the street on Napoleon Avenue has been closed, I thought a little “refresher course” on the apparitions of Lourdes might be in order. On 11 February 1858, Bernadette Soubirous went with two girlfriends to collect some firewood to sell in order to be able to buy some bread. As she was wading through a river near the Grotto of Massabielle, she heard the wind but did not see the trees and bushes move. As she looked toward the Grotto, she saw a light and a beautiful lady – “Lovelier than I have ever seen” - dressed in white with a blue sash fastened around her waist and two golden … [Read more...]
