Catholic Ragemonkey

Further Pastoral Planning for the Year of the Holy Eucharist

I began the implementation of the new observances for the Holy Year and so far so good. I have a coverage priest coming in this weekend, so I have to leave him a note to say the Prayer of Saint Michael after each Sunday Mass.

In this week's bulletin, this article features the "Big Events" to inculcate greater devotion to Jesus Present in the Blessed Sacrament. Also in deference to Dave-o I will block quote rather than italicize.

Feasting at the Table of The Lord, Part Two
By Father Shane Tharp.

Last week, we considered some of the little ways that we could honor
our Lord present in the Most Blessed Sacrament. This week, we can look at some
major ways our parishes are going to celebrate this Holy Year.

1. Additional Masses in the Mission Parishes. If the
Holy Eucharist is the source and summit of our Christian Faith, then it follows
that our lives must revolve around the Mass, especially in the Sunday
celebration. Sunday is like a "mini-Easter" in which we are re-presented with
the merits of Christ’s passion, death, and resurrection. But what if you are
saying, "I want more to my Christian life"? In Alva, Holy Mass is celebrated,
Tuesday through Friday, at 8:00 a.m. and Saturday at 9:00 a..m. For the
missions, though, their experience of Mass is hampered by not having a resident
pastor. So additional Masses will be celebrated in the missions as soon as a
workable day and time can be arranged.

2. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament outside of Mass.
If what the Church proposes for belief concerning the Most Blessed Sacrament,
that it is truly the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ, our Lord,
under the appearances of Bread and Wine, then it follows that we should give
adoration and praise to Him in this most wonderful sacrament. The Church, from
at least the 8th century, has had special prayer services to take advantage of
His Presence and to spend time before Him. For the Year of the Holy Eucharist
there will be adoration with exposition on Wednesday and First Friday evenings
in Alva. Watch the bulletin for more details.

3. Guest Speakers and Special Events. In addition, to
these opportunities, we will be having a guest speaker come to our parish and
lead us into a greater appreciation of the Most Blessed Sacrament. In November,
the parish will be hosting Mr. Mark Shea. I hope that all of you will make an
effort to be there. In the spring, I hope to bring in Mr. Michael Poirier, but
the details are still being worked out.

4. Visits To the Blessed Sacrament. When all the smoke
from the incense clears, we all should recognize that these special events are
simply the beginning. The parish also needs time to simply be with the Lord. So
on Tuesdays through Sundays, the church will be open from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00
p.m. for times of private adoration. Please use the front doors for access to
the Church.

Of course, I am willing to entertain other ideas. If you have a way to
encourage Eucharistic Devotion in the parish, don’t hesitate to stop by and see
me. Let our hearts swell with life and vitality as we draw close to love
undiluted which pours out from the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ in the Most
Blessed Sacrament.

I have also some other evil plans like a constant barrage of bulleting inserts from myself and others and the column I write for the diocesan newspaper is going to take on a whole new slant.