From the Pastor
February/12/2010
This weekend marks the beginning of the annual FORTY HOURS Eucharistic Devotion in our parish. Introduced into the USA by St. John Neumann, 4th Bishop of Philadelphia, in the 19th century, the devotion rapidly spread throughout the country; but it the South it didn’t take hold until more recently. We will have the Blessed Sacrament exposed in the jeweled monstrance in the Adoration Chapel each day this weekend after the 8:30 A.M. Mass, beginning with Friday morning and ending Sunday evening with solemn Benediction just before the Life Teen Mass. May I encourage you and your family to spend some quality time with Jesus in the Eucharist.
A big and hearty “Thank You” to those Knights of Columbus members, who volunteered the last two Saturdays under the leadership of Grand Knight Chris Grant, to trim the hedges and trees around the church and rectory; they really made a big difference in the way that area looks. We also thank the men and women of our school family, led by Tim & Danielle Marten, who worked so well in putting
on the Spaghetti Dinner last Saturday, at the close of last week’s Catholic Schools Week.
What a wonderful way, combined with the Talent Show our youngsters put on, to bring that celebration to a close. Thank you, too, to David Valdez of Carrabba’s, for donating the makings of that great meal! Don’t forget to patronize his business, too!
Now, we enter the holy season of Lent, beginning this Ash Wednesday (which is not a Holy Day of Obligation). Stations of the Cross will be conducted twice weekly, on Tuesdays at 7 P.M. and on Fridays at 9 A.M.
It might be good to familiarize ourselves again with the regulations and guidelines of the Catholic Church on fasting, abstaining, the Holy Eucharist and Penance, so that we might better plan our observances during this great spiritual season:
Fasting and Abstinence Regulations for Lent Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fast (one full meal) and abstinence (from meat). Fasting is observed by all 18 years through age 59. Eating between meals is not permitted, but liquids (including
milk and juices) are allowed. Two other meals may be taken these days, but should not equal a full meal.
Abstinence is observed by all, once they have reached 14 years of age. Ash Wednesday, ALL Fridays of Lent and Good Friday are days of abstinence. On these days, NO meat/meat products is allowed. Note that when health issues or ability to work would be seriously affected, the law does not oblige. When in doubt, consult your parish priest. Fasting, almsgiving and prayer are the three spiritual disciplines of Lent. All the faithful and catechumens should undertake these practices in a spirit of penance and of preparation for baptism or of renewal of Baptism at Easter.
Regulations Regarding Eucharistic Fasting and Frequent Reception of Holy Communion Catholics who have made their First Communion are obliged to receive the Eucharist at least once during the Lenten- Easter season. That season extends from Ash Wednesday to Trinity Sunday. Though frequent reception of the Sacrament
Penance is encouraged, it is not obligatory during this season unless a person has committed serious sin.
A person who is to receive the Holy Eucharist is to abstain from any food or drink, with the exception of water and medication, for at least the period of one hour before Holy Communion. The time of the fast is computed from the time of the completion of the consumption of the food or drink until the reception of Holy Communion.
A person who has received the Holy Eucharist may receive it a second time on the same day only during the celebration of a Mass in which he/she participates. A person may not, under normal circumstances, receive Holy Communion a third time on the same day. The exception would be on a Saturday, if a person receives in the regular morning Mass, then he/she may do so at a Nuptial or Funeral Mass, and again at the Vigil Mass of Sunday. Likewise the custom of receiving Holy Communion at three Masses on Christmas or All Souls Day is not abrogated.
Eucharistic Regulations and Prohibitions In order to be properly disposed to receive Holy Communion, a Catholic who is conscious of grave sin is not to receive
the Body and Blood of the Lord without prior sacramental Confession (unless a grave reason is present and there is no opportunity of Confession beforehand). In this instance, the person is to be mindful of the obligation to make an Act of Perfect Contrition, including the intention of confessing as soon as possible.
We also welcome to our celebration of the Mass those who do not share in the fullness of our faith in Jesus Christ. However, because Catholics believe that the celebration of the Eucharist is a sign of the reality of the oneness of faith, life and worship, members of Christian churches with whom we are not yet fully united cannot be admitted to Holy Communion. Yet, we encourage them to express in their hearts a prayerful desire for unity with the Lord Jesus and one another at that time (a spiritual Communion).
Very Rev. Canon Tom
A big and hearty “Thank You” to those Knights of Columbus members, who volunteered the last two Saturdays under the leadership of Grand Knight Chris Grant, to trim the hedges and trees around the church and rectory; they really made a big difference in the way that area looks. We also thank the men and women of our school family, led by Tim & Danielle Marten, who worked so well in putting
on the Spaghetti Dinner last Saturday, at the close of last week’s Catholic Schools Week.
What a wonderful way, combined with the Talent Show our youngsters put on, to bring that celebration to a close. Thank you, too, to David Valdez of Carrabba’s, for donating the makings of that great meal! Don’t forget to patronize his business, too!
Now, we enter the holy season of Lent, beginning this Ash Wednesday (which is not a Holy Day of Obligation). Stations of the Cross will be conducted twice weekly, on Tuesdays at 7 P.M. and on Fridays at 9 A.M.
It might be good to familiarize ourselves again with the regulations and guidelines of the Catholic Church on fasting, abstaining, the Holy Eucharist and Penance, so that we might better plan our observances during this great spiritual season:
Fasting and Abstinence Regulations for Lent Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fast (one full meal) and abstinence (from meat). Fasting is observed by all 18 years through age 59. Eating between meals is not permitted, but liquids (including
milk and juices) are allowed. Two other meals may be taken these days, but should not equal a full meal.
Abstinence is observed by all, once they have reached 14 years of age. Ash Wednesday, ALL Fridays of Lent and Good Friday are days of abstinence. On these days, NO meat/meat products is allowed. Note that when health issues or ability to work would be seriously affected, the law does not oblige. When in doubt, consult your parish priest. Fasting, almsgiving and prayer are the three spiritual disciplines of Lent. All the faithful and catechumens should undertake these practices in a spirit of penance and of preparation for baptism or of renewal of Baptism at Easter.
Regulations Regarding Eucharistic Fasting and Frequent Reception of Holy Communion Catholics who have made their First Communion are obliged to receive the Eucharist at least once during the Lenten- Easter season. That season extends from Ash Wednesday to Trinity Sunday. Though frequent reception of the Sacrament
Penance is encouraged, it is not obligatory during this season unless a person has committed serious sin.
A person who is to receive the Holy Eucharist is to abstain from any food or drink, with the exception of water and medication, for at least the period of one hour before Holy Communion. The time of the fast is computed from the time of the completion of the consumption of the food or drink until the reception of Holy Communion.
A person who has received the Holy Eucharist may receive it a second time on the same day only during the celebration of a Mass in which he/she participates. A person may not, under normal circumstances, receive Holy Communion a third time on the same day. The exception would be on a Saturday, if a person receives in the regular morning Mass, then he/she may do so at a Nuptial or Funeral Mass, and again at the Vigil Mass of Sunday. Likewise the custom of receiving Holy Communion at three Masses on Christmas or All Souls Day is not abrogated.
Eucharistic Regulations and Prohibitions In order to be properly disposed to receive Holy Communion, a Catholic who is conscious of grave sin is not to receive
the Body and Blood of the Lord without prior sacramental Confession (unless a grave reason is present and there is no opportunity of Confession beforehand). In this instance, the person is to be mindful of the obligation to make an Act of Perfect Contrition, including the intention of confessing as soon as possible.
We also welcome to our celebration of the Mass those who do not share in the fullness of our faith in Jesus Christ. However, because Catholics believe that the celebration of the Eucharist is a sign of the reality of the oneness of faith, life and worship, members of Christian churches with whom we are not yet fully united cannot be admitted to Holy Communion. Yet, we encourage them to express in their hearts a prayerful desire for unity with the Lord Jesus and one another at that time (a spiritual Communion).
Very Rev. Canon Tom