Dear friends,
The proclamation of the mighty works wrought by God for men (Cf. Ex 13:3) is being witnessed by us whenever we come together to celebrate the Eucharist. This week we are very grateful to God for what he has accomplished in us, for us, and through us in the last 20 years since the beginning of our Parish on 8th September 2001. 8th September is a day to remember not only because it is the birthday of our Mother Mary, but also because it was on this day that we began our parish. We cannot fail to remember God’s continuing mercy on us, as well as to remember our Priests and religious who toiled hard to plant the seed of God’s love here; we also remember all the faithful members of our parish who toiled hard to make it what it is today. Let us be grateful for the gift of having our house of worship.
I also want to congratulate Lynn and Bob Kush, recipients of the Family of the Month award for all they do for St. John’s.
I will be very happy to share with you about Phase 1 and 2 of our Master Plan Development Project at the Masses. God has certainly blessed us with extraordinary faithful members who have made it possible for us to grow so gracefully.
We also remember with sorrow the deadly events of September 11, 2001, and for the many that lost their lives. Isaiah’s words for the 23rd Sunday B might give us comfort in this time of growing fear of our humanity’s heartlessness: “Say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not! Here is your God, he comes with vindication; with divine recompense, he comes to save you (Isaiah 35: 4). Yes indeed, God has come in the person of Jesus Christ who “has done all things well” (Mark 7:37) and we are exceedingly astonished indeed and our appropriate response is: Praise the Lord, my soul! (Psalm 146).“
Let us continue our reflection on the Eucharist found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church:
ARTICLE 3: THE SACRAMENT OF THE EUCHARIST
- THE SACRAMENTAL SACRIFICE THANKSGIVING, MEMORIAL, PRESENCE
The sacrificial memorial of Christ and of his Body, the Church
1362 The Eucharist is the memorial of Christ's Passover, the making present and the sacramental offering of his unique sacrifice, in the liturgy of the Church which is his Body. In all the Eucharistic Prayers we find after the words of institution a prayer called the anamnesis or memorial.
1363 In the sense of Sacred Scripture the memorial is not merely the recollection of past events but the proclamation of the mighty works wrought by God for men (Cf. Ex 13:3).In the liturgical celebration of these events, they become in a certain way present and real. This is how Israel understands its liberation from Egypt: every time Passover is celebrated, the Exodus events are made present to the memory of believers so that they may conform their lives to them.
1364 In the New Testament, the memorial takes on new meaning. When the Church celebrates the Eucharist, she commemorates Christ's Passover, and it is made present the sacrifice Christ offered once for all on the cross remains ever present (Cf. Heb 7:25-27)."As often as the sacrifice of the Cross by which 'Christ our Pasch has been sacrificed is celebrated on the altar, the work of our redemption is carried out" (LG 3; cf. 1 Cor 5:7).
Be Blessed! With love, Fr. John