FATHER'S TWO CENTS WORTH

Hello!  Not a whole lot of news this week!  Our Auction went off well, or so I hope as I write this article on Thursday.  Many thanks to all who helped make it a success.  A lot of work went into this event to help our school—hopefully about $35,000, toward the paying of operational expenses.  Many thanks to all who donated items and events, and to all who attended and generously bid and bought these gifts.  May God bless all of you who had a part in this event.

I recently saw an article in AMERICA magazine, and thought it would be good to share with more of our parish family, hoping that it would deepen our appreciation of who we are, our blessings, and make our parish life and liturgies more meaningful.  Here it is!

PRAYING AS FAMILY

“The closer people sit to each other (at Mass) the better they understand the meaning of Eucharist.  Conversely, the farther apart people sit from each other, the less their understanding.”  Such is the index suggested by Paul Bernier, S.S.S., to measure the depth of understanding people have of the Eucharist (Emmanuel magazine, Sept./ Oct. 2009).

Does this apply to your parish?  Or to your choice of a pew or seat?  The point Father Bernier is making is that during Mass we are not to focus on our own individual personal piety or devotion.  Rather, we gather as God’s community in public worship around the table of the Lord for a sacrificial meal.  We are not scattered individuals, observers of what the priest does for us.   The congregation, led by the priest, offers together the sacrifice of Christ.

In most African churches on Sundays, this matter of people sitting far apart is almost never a problem.  Whether the church is a small outstation or a large cathedral, Sunday Masses are often overcrowded, with standing room only.  Surely that contributes to the spirit of celebration that is so apparent and tangible.  In the United States by contrast, many of our large, ornate churches have diminishing numbers of parishioners.  Might not one of the functions of the ministers of hospitality be to direct people to come up front and center?  Then we might begin to see the congregation not scattered throughout the church but rather sitting, kneeling, and even singing close together as God’s family.

(Father’s Comment:  We really need one another to hear one another, to sing together, to pray together, to know that we are one, and not many different and separate parts, isolated, and going in our own directions.  The church is the Body of Christ.)

 Last Sunday's collection was down; it was just over $6000.  In operating a school and parish, paying salaries, benefits, and utilities all come as monthly bills.  Just like you, we need to meet the “NEEDS” and put on hold, the “WANTS’  to pay our bills.  All of us must work together to help meet these needs of our parish.

SHEPHERD SUNDAY: The Mascoutah Food Pantry is in need of the following items this month: peanut butter, graham crackers, canned chili, egg noodles, pasta sauce, sloppy joe sauce, and detergent. Thank you for supporting the Food Pantry!

CYO SMALL VICTORIES FUNDRAISER: Reminder to return your baby bottles and/or baby supplies to either side of the breeze-way at church by October 25th. The CYO members thank you for your help and support!

INTERNATIONAL WORLD YOUTH DAY PILGRIMAGE is an opportunity to celebrate our Catholic faith with the Holy Father and youth of the world! This pilgrimage trip is a service of the Office of Youth Ministry, Diocese of Belleville. All youth must be a minimum of 16 at the time of the trip or be accompanied by a parent or guardian in order to participate. We strongly encourage young adults between the age of 18-35 to register. This will take place in Madrid, Spain and will be held August 11-22, 2011. For more information, please contact Colette Kennett at the Office of Youth Ministry at 618-235-9601.  

EDUCATION ENDOWMENT FUND will be accepting requests from religious groups in our parish until Saturday, October 31st. Make sure you state how much money is needed and what the money is needed for. Any quotes or invoices will be very helpful. You can mail them into the rectory or drop them off. Thank you!

PSR is seeking a 3rd grade Catechist teacher for the year. Our current teacher's family has been transferred. If you are interested or know anyone who would like to teach the 3rd grade PSR class, please call Marilyn Byrne at 566-4527. Thank you!

"Why don't we accept the cross the Lord gives to us?

We look at everyone else's crosses and want to trade

because ours is too heavy.

Maybe it is not too heavy;

maybe we are just carrying it the wrong way.

Our cross should not be endured, it should be embraced.

 It is our way to salvation."

(Hope for the Journey, Fr. Spalding.)

Visit our Lord in Eucharistic Adoration on Tuesdays following the 8 AM Mass until 7 PM

or on Saturdays from 9-10 AM.