May 4, 2008
Dear Parishioners,
As we continue the Easter Season, these 50 days of celebrating the resurrection of our Lord and our redemption, today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord. We began our Novena of the Holy Spirit this past Friday as we are in that time of preparation for Pentecost, the coming of the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, the Spirit of Truth. Today we watch our Lord ascend to Heaven where He goes to prepare a “place” for us. His bodily ascension is for us to see and to know that we are called to follow. St. Luke gives us the account of the ascension of the Lord in his first work, the Gospel and in the second work, the Acts of the Apostles.
We hear the words of the angels: “Do not stand idle all the day. This Jesus has been raised to Heaven.” Fr. Francis Fernandez writes in Conversations with God: “The angels told the Apostles that it was now time for them to begin the task before them, that there was not a minute to be wasted. With the Ascension Christ’s earthly mission comes to a close, and ours, as his disciples, begins. It is good that today in our prayers, we hear the words with which Jesus intercedes for us before His Father: “I do not pray that Thou shouldst take them out of the world,” out of our proper place in society, out of our job or family, “but that Thou shouldst keep them from the evil one.” Jesus wishes each of us to remain in His place, sanctifying the world from within, improving it and placing it at the feet of God. Only thus will the world be a place where human dignity is valued and respected, a place where men live in peace, in true peace, the peace which is so closely linked to God.” And then he quotes St. Jose Maria Escriva: “Today’s feast reminds us that our concern for souls is a response to a command of love given to us by our Lord. As He goes up to Heaven, Jesus sends us out as His witnesses throughout the whole world. Our responsibility is great, because to be Christ’s witness implies first of all that we should try to behave according to His doctrine, that we should struggle to make our actions remind others of Jesus and His most lovable personality.” (Christ is Passing By, 122)
But Jesus has remained with us also in the mystery of the Church, the Sacraments and most especially in the Most Holy Eucharist. To honor this Real Presence we will have our Forty Hours Devotions to the Most Holy Eucharist from Friday, May 16 through Sunday, May 18. This will be a little mini-retreat. Bring some prayer books, your Scriptures, your Catechism and spend some quiet time with our Blessed Lord. Come alone or with your family or friends. Slow down on this weekend and rest with our Lord in our beautiful Parish Church. The sign up list is in the back of the Church today after Mass. Sign up for a Holy Hour and thank Jesus for being here with us. Time spent before the Blessed Sacrament is the best way to appreciate Holy Mass and Holy Communion.
Plan to be with us for the Closing of Forty Hours on Sunday afternoon at 4:00 PM. All First Communicants should be here at 3:45 PM to prepare for the Procession with the Blessed Sacrament. All of us will process around the Church and receive 3 Blessings with the Eucharist. When we re enter the Church we will have the final Benediction. I invite you to a reception in our Parish Hall after Benediction. Let’s everyone join as a Parish Family to honor our Lord on that Sunday, May 18.
Remember the month of May belongs to Our Lady. Be sure to set up your May altars with our Lady’s image and fresh flowers during the month. Say your daily Family Rosary together. Next Sunday is the May Crowning at the 10 AM Mass. All First Communicants should be with us for the beginning Procession of Mass and then they will sit with their families. All children are invited to bring flowers to place before the statue of our Lady.
Congratulations to our children who are making their First Holy Communion today. We have placed their names in the Faith Formation section of the Bulletin. Please keep them and their parents in your good prayers. Let us pray that the excitement they have today will be with them each time they receive the Most Holy and Precious Body of our Lord all of their lives. May our Lord bless you and our Lady keep you in her care.
With my prayers,
Father Arnsparger