Corpus Christi by Fr. Chris House
One of the highlights of making a pilgrimage to the Holy Land is visiting Capernaum on the north shore of the Sea of Galilee. Capernaum was the home town of St. Peter and St. Andrew and became an adopted home of Jesus.
One of the highlights of making a pilgrimage to the Holy Land is visiting Capernaum on the north shore of the Sea of Galilee. Capernaum was the home town of St. Peter and St. Andrew and became an adopted home of Jesus. I have been blessed to stand in the ruins of Capernaum’s ancient synagogue. It was in this synagogue where Jesus gave one of his most famous teachings found in the sixth chapter of John’s Gospel known as The Bread of Life Discourse. Jesus repeats himself several times in this discourse, commanding us to feed on him, to literally eat his flesh and drink his blood. This is not figurative language; this is John’s exposition on the Eucharist.
This weekend we celebrate the feast formally titled the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, but popularly known as Corpus Christi. Every time the Church gathers to celebrate the Mass, the Eucharist, which is the body, blood, soul, and divinity of our Lord, is at the center of our worship. We must avoid the danger of growing lax in our reverence and awe due to our familiarity with this great and wonderful sacrament, which is one reason why the Church dedicates a particular day of solemnity to focus solely on this mystery. The Eucharist is the life source of the Church, the ultimate manifestation of Christ’s presence among us, and it has been the strength of the faithful for the Church’s entire history. It is not a sign or symbol, because a sign or symbol points to another reality; the Eucharist is the reality of Jesus’s real presence among us.
In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus’s feeding of the five-thousand is recounted for us which happened at another site a few miles from Capernaum called Tabgha. The transformation of those five loaves and two fish, meager as they were, reminds us that our simple gifts of bread and wine, when changed by the power of the Holy Spirit, become something new and wonderful in the Eucharist. In the Church of the Multiplication at Tabgha, there is a famous mosaic on the floor of two fish but only four loaves. The absence of the fifth loaf in the mosaic invites us to raise our eyes to the Blessed Sacrament present either on the altar or the tabernacle and to see that it is Jesus who is the true bread who continually comes down from heaven in the Eucharist.
Beginning this weekend with the Feast of Corpus Christi, the Church in the U.S. is beginning a three-year Eucharistic Revival. The first year of the revival will focus on the diocesan level; in our diocese this will culminate in October of 2023 with a Jubilee celebration of the centennial of the transfer of our diocesan see from Alton to Springfield. A year from now we will begin a year of parish renewal. The final year of the revival will focus on the call to missionary discipleship to give witness to our community of the great gift that we have in the Eucharist. I truly believe that this revival is going to be a wonderful opportunity for an outpouring of grace into the Church, nationally and locally. I will keep you informed of new initiatives during this time as they are presented.
*From Last Weeks Bulletin Since Many Did Not Receive It*
New Parish Census/Giving Program
We are transitioning from WeGather to Our Sunday Visitor for our church census management software as well as our online giving platform. The transformation is occurring because WeGather is decommissioning their product. We will need to transfer all online giving accounts to the new platform in the next few weeks. All online giving with WeGather (including recurring transactions) will end on June 30, 2022. If you are an online donor please look for an email invitation from OSV Giving to transfer your recurring donation. The parish office will also be in further contact with parishioners as we work through this transition. Thank you for your patience and understanding!
Seminary Summer Intern
We have been asked to host seminarian Troy Niemerg here at CTK for a parish experience this summer. Troy is a native of Dieterich, on the east side of our diocese, and has completed his second year of theology at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. He will be with us from June 20th through August 22nd. I know that you will make Troy feel welcome.
Thank you Jerry!
Our fellow parishioner Jerry Smith, who has served several years as the director of facilities, has retired. Jerry was a great help to me in my transition as pastor two years ago. I wish Jerry the very best and thank him for his service to our parish and school.
The Precious Blood
Several weeks ago I stated my intention to return the option to receive the Precious Blood at Mass starting the first week of June. At that time, I did not envision a significant rise in Covid cases. I have made the decision to delay the return of cup at Mass until the beginning of July, continuing to evaluate the size of this new Covid wave. While I firmly believe that our Lord’s Precious Blood will make no one ill, I cannot definitively say that the virus cannot be passed on the outside of the cup. I know that some in our parish have been waiting for this option to return and I am sorry that I believe we need to wait a little longer; thank you for your patience!
Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!
Father Chris House
