The More of the Eucharist
As Catholics, our belief in the REAL presence of Christ in the Eucharist extends far beyond receiving that REAL presence during Mass. Consecrated wine that becomes the Blood of Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit is ideally FULLY consumed by those attending Mass. Because life and church are not always ideal. If there is consecrated wine left over, it is prayerfully consumed by the Presider and Eucharistic Ministers; OR if that IS NOT POSSIBLE (because God doesn’t intend for us to over consume), any remaining Blood of Christ is poured down a special sink called a sacrarium. Unlike most churches, we here at Holy Family have two sacrariums, one in the Family Room across from the Chapel and one in the back sacristy behind the main altar.
Sacrariums have drains that go directly into the earth and are not a part of the regular plumbing system of any church. This returning to the earth adds to the reverence in treating this very sacred substance in a special way. We treat it with such reverence because it is more than wine at that point.
We treat unconsumed hosts, or the Body of Christ, differently. We place them in a TABERNACLE accompanied by a light, usually a lit candle. This is a proper place for the Body of Christ to dwell in our midst in a continual REAL way. EVERY Catholic Church has a tabernacle housing the Body of Christ. One way of looking at this is that the Lord’s REAL presence is ALWAYS with us. Another way of looking at this is that Christ’s REAL presence, in the form of consecrated hosts, is not only to be shared during the celebration of the Eucharist, but shared continually in any possible, reverent manner, normally with our homebound or those in hospitals or assisted living facilities who cannot join us during liturgies.
Ministers of Care
We here at Holy Family, like any other Catholic Church, have Ministers of Care who take the Body of Christ to those who are shut in, sick, or in any other way unable to attend Mass – another way that Christ lives in our midst and we share His REAL presence. Prayerfully bringing the Body of Christ to those unable to attend the Eucharistic celebration is a powerful and important ministry of our Church. We train and commission Ministers of Care to extend the REAL presence of Christ to all.
Please consider being a Minister of Care or PERSONALLY encourage someone you know who is reverent, compassionate and willing to not simply visit those who can’t join us at Mass, but to be a powerful vehicle of sharing Christ’s REAL presence.
You, or someone you know, can simply contact Jeannie Parry from our staff for more details. Her email is at jparry@holyfamilyparish.org
Again, you will be hearing this a lot from me in my remaining years with you at Holy Family. There are three possible responses to this invitation. NO, I am not interested in being a Minister of Care. Yes, I am interested, OR I will personally encourage someone I know who has the qualities that would make a good Minister of Care. Please consider the last two responses.
Be More
Just as the Eucharist is about More, as in bread becomes MORE, wine becomes MORE, Scripture becomes MORE, our generosity becomes MORE and hopefully we become MORE, please be attentive to this year’s Adventure in Grace entitled Be More: An Ignatian Spiritual Fitness Program.
Our year will follow the structure of the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola who founded the Society of Jesus, better known as the Jesuits. We have a clever play on the word Exercises by calling our adventure a “Fitness” program. Just like any good fitness program there are a variety of exercises that are rooted in Ignatius’s conversion experience but very applicable to our lives. The Exercises consist of Four Weeks or sections. Week One encourages us to root ourselves in the unconditional love of God and then review our sometimes flawed responses to that love. Week Two uses the scripture story of Christ to inspire us into discipleship with Christ. After committing to the overall exercises, Week Three invites us to enter into the passion, suffering and death of Christ. Week Four invites us to share in the energy, chaos, joy and triumph of the Resurrection.
Fr. Rick McGurn, S.J. will give us background on the life of St. Ignatius, first with homilies at all Masses October 7 and 8, and then in more depth on Wednesday, October 11 at 7:00pm in church. Please plan on attending and invite family members and friends for some solid spiritual fitness.