September 14, 2008
Dear Parishioners,
Today we celebrate the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. It is a Feast which has its roots of course in the Crucifixion of our Lord as He was lifted before the entire world and all history as the Savior of each soul. Moses lifted up the bronze serpent on the pole in the desert and the people were healed of the guilt of their sins. Our Blessed Lord is lifted up at Calvary and every soul has the opportunity to be healed of the guilt of sin. To the degree that we have prepared for entering into the mystery of the saving act of the crucifixion of the Lord (by frequent Confession and regular and devout prayer) we can experience the healing effect of His sacrifice – we gain the merits gained through the Cross of Jesus. We enter this mystery of course at the Holy Mass; it is here that we meet the redeeming action of God Who is Merciful and loving while demanding of us a response to His call for us to the perfection of charity. There is no mediocrity in Christianity because there is no mediocrity in the Sacrifice which is at its center.
Today’s Feast commemorates the finding of the relics of the Cross in Jerusalem by St. Helen (18 August 330 A.D.) Because the Romans had covered Calvary with a pagan temple to stop Christians from coming on pilgrimage to the place of the crucifixion, the place of the crucifixion was protected actually. So when St. Helen had the archeological work done, she found relics of the True Cross of Jesus. Several miracles were attested to as a result of people coming into contact with the relics.
Today’s Feast is also a celebration of the dedication in 335 A.D. of the buildings erected by Constantine, St. Helena’s son and the Roman Emperor:
A Domed Church (the Anastasis) over the empty grave of Jesus
A basilica (the Martyrium)
A shrine (a Calvarium) marking the place of the Crucifixion of the Lord.These buildings were destroyed the Persians in 614 and then rebuilt. The present Church of the Holy Sepulcher, which includes the three above mentioned places and so encompasses a Catholic Altar at the place of the Nailing of Jesus to the Cross; an Orthodox Altar where Jesus was Crucified, a slab of stone at the place where Jesus’ body was prepared for burial, and a the tomb where Jesus was buried. So, all of this is now in one building which was build by the crusaders in 1149 A.D.
Each day’s saint or feast day helps us in our spiritual growth. It is a good practice to read about the saint of the day personally and if you have any children with them. The account of Our Lady of Sorrows, Sts. Cornelius (Martyred Pope) and Cyprian (Martyred Bishop), St. Robert Bellarmine (the Jesuit who helped with Galileo), St. Januarius (the relic of his blood is in the Cathedral of Naples), and SS. Andrew Kim & Companions (Korean martyrs) all help us to study the virtue and witness of good Catholics in union with our Lord and His Church. Let the account of the fervor of their faith enliven yours, learn from them and then ask: What does God want of me today?
Thanks to the Parish Council for the good beginning of a year of service to the Parish. Today our Stewardship Committee has arranged for displays of the many apostolates in our Parish. Look to see where God would like you to assist your parish, encourage each other in the practice of the Catholic Faith and build a strong St. Michael Parish Family to witness to those in our community of our love for the Lord.
Today and next Sunday we will also take the second collection for the Priests’ retirement. Please be as generous as possible. Thanks for your appreciation of the needs of our retired priests.
The Diocesan Eucharistic Congress will soon be here and the last minute details are being finalized. I hope many of you will be attending. Friday night, October 3 is especially significant as we will have a visit to our Diocese of one of the Cardinals of the Church: John Patrick Cardinal Foley. Cardinal Foley is the Grand Master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem. He has been for years the Prefect of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications. It is his voice the world has heard every Christmas explaining the Midnight Mass of the Pope. He was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. This is a great honor for Charlotte. Come on Friday night to the Sacred Music Concert and then hear Cardinal Foley. Saturday, October 4 will be the Outdoor Eucharistic Procession, the programs for all ages during the day and the Closing Mass of the Congress at 4:30 PM. All of this is at the Charlotte Convention Center on College Street behind St. Peter’s Catholic Church. I hope to see you there.
Thank you again for all your good work for our Lord and His Church.
God bless you and may our Lady keep you in her tender care.
–Father Arnsparger