The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
Years ago, a woman at daily Mass approached me in the communion procession. She had her arms crossed, indicating she wanted a blessing instead of the Sacred Host. She had tears in her eyes. I gave her a little blessing. She returned the next day. And the next. The same thing repeated. After a few weeks, I asked her why she didn’t receive Holy Communion. She said she wasn’t Catholic yet and was preparing to become so. I asked her why she wanted to be Catholic. She said, “Because I long to be in a real communion with Christ and with everyone I love.” That, I submit, is a darn good reason. A few months later, she became Catholic and received the Body and Blood of Christ with unspeakably great joy and still does to this day. Saint Paul says of the Eucharistic bread, “Is it not a participation in the body of Christ?” For Paul, the answer is obvious. Yes, it is exactly that. Which is why he can say, “we, though many, are one body.” Jesus is truly, really, and substantially present in the Holy Eucharist. This is no magic trick, but a mystery of our salvation. He feeds us with the Sacrament of His body so that our communion with Him — and with the other members of His body — is built up and becomes mature. That’s why the Eucharist quenches our deep thirst for love and communion. The Body and Blood of Christ is the best reason to be Catholic. It’s our participation of love in the one we love. — Father John Muir
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Two questions for you to consider:
1) Do you believe in the true presence in the Eucharist?
2) Why do you pray?
Let me start with why I ask the first question, for over the years I have noted many people are “afraid” to receive from the cup for they may get sick. If you believe that you are receiving the blood of Christ and not just wine, why would you have this fear? Do you really believe you can get sick by receiving Christ? I have had many people tell me out right that they believe the Eucharist is just bread and wine for it is just a symbol of Christ Body and Blood despite the church teaching that is not the case. When I have asked further why don’t you believe in the true presence the answer usually is that how can a priest change bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ?
This brings me to my second question. Why pray? If you don’t believe God can work through the priest to change bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ, why would you think God can do anything at all? Why would you think He could answer prayers? You see if you believe God can do anything (which of course God can) then He can work through the priest and change bread and wine into Christ’s body and blood. To deny one is to deny both – either God can do it all or He can’t do any of it. I know God can do anything; that is known as faith, believing He can’t is called doubt. Which do you have faith or doubt?
God Bless you and have a wonderful week,
Fr. Michael
On Saturday, September 16th, Cardinal Tobin is leading an Archdiocesan pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Blessed Mother in Washington, DC. The Archdiocese is asking for a parish representative from every parish to act as promoter and liaison with the pilgrimage committee. If anyone would like to volunteer to be this person, please see Fr. Michael or call the rectory.
Altar gifts are a beautiful way to honor your loved ones while also helping our parish. There are some two week blocks still available in 2023. Please contact the rectory if you are interested.
SCRIPTURAL REFLECTIONS ON STEWARDSHIP
“Because there is one bread, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.”
As disciples of Jesus, we are called to lead holy lives and invite others to join us. We are called to be fed and to feed others. Living a stewardship lifestyle, being grateful and generous with our gifts, serves a twofold purpose. One, it helps build God’s kingdom here on earth. Two, it helps us strengthen each other’s relationship with God the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. It becomes our roadmap to Heaven. Let’s help each other get there!
The gift of Bread & Wine for the month of June has been given by Mr. & Mrs. Phil Iacono. The first two weeks are in memory of Angelina & Sebastian Falato and the second two weeks are in memory of Carmela & Salvatore Iacono.
The gift of Altar Flowers for the month of June has been given in memory of Charles Sylvestri by Linda J. Sylvestri.
The gift of the Sanctuary Lamp for month of June has been given In Thanksgiving by Richard & Agnes Levis.
Please consider sponsoring our Bread & Wine, Altar Flowers, and the oil for the Sanctuary Lamp.
We appreciate and are very thankful to all our parishioners and friends who continuously support our church. God bless us all.
To all our Lectors and Catechists or Religious Education Teachers, thank you very much. God bless you all!
Thanks to Rose and Lenny Sunga for the orchids and to all who decorate our altars with beautiful flowers.
Opportunities for Parish Support
There are several ways you can help support our parish and honor loved ones at the same time. As you may have noticed on the first Sunday of every month in our bulletin, we thank the donors of our Altar Gifts. You can donate the Bread & Wine, Altar Flowers or the Sanctuary Lamp in a two week block for $50 in someone’s memory. We have blocks open for this year. We also need to purchase a new Easter candle each year (the tall candle on the altar) at a cost of $300-$400 which can also be donated in someone’s memory. You do not have to fund the entire amount, anything you wish to donate towards the purchase of our Easter candle is appreciated. We also have masses available for your intentions. If you wish to honor someone in any of these ways, please call the rectory.
Prayer for our Nation
God our Father, giver of life, we entrust the United States of America to your loving care. You are the rock on which this nation was founded. You alone are the true source of our cherished rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Reclaim this land for your glory and dwell among your people. Send your Spirit to touch the hearts of our nation’s leaders. Open their minds to the great worth of human life and the responsibilities that accompany human freedom. Remind your people that true happiness is rooted in seeking and doing your will. Through the intercession of Mary Immaculate, patroness of our land, grant us the courage to reject the “culture of death.” Lead us into a new millennium of life. We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER REQUESTS
That God will relieve their suffering and restore them to health. Please pray for: Kellie Salata, Kelly Chinchar, Jessica, Carol Mangino, Daniel Breslin, Stanley, Helen Traina, Joseph Marrone, Bill Marshall, Anthony, Michael, Joseph, Jessica Esopo, Theresa McPeak, William, Steve, Audra, Bernadette, James Weiss, Chrissy Martin, Anne Trainor, Baby Ford, Rosemary Malangone, Elizabeth Malangone, Carly West, Danny, Colleen Emery, Richard.
Praying the ROSARY
The Rosary is a meditation, a time to recall and think about the life of Jesus as seen and experienced by Mary. As the model of faith, Mary’s life sets a pattern that we strive to follow: saying ‘yes’ to God’s will in our lives and sharing His love and message with others. The Mysteries of the Rosary form a mini lesson of faith, using the highlights and significant moments of the life of Jesus. Like paging through a family scrapbook, we see in brief the events of salvation history that are the core of our belief and the hope of our eternal life.
OUR ADVERTISERS OF THE WEEK
WE NEED BULLETIN ADVERTISERS!!
We would like to thank all the advertisers who have supported us throughout the past year. Our parish benefits greatly from the ads you see in the bulletin. The revenue pays for the printing which is an important means of communication for the parish. If we do not have enough advertisers, the cost of our bulletin goes up. We thank the local businesses that advertise with us especially in these tough economic times. We have some spaces on the back of our bulletin that need filling so if you would like to advertise your business as well as benefit your church, please contact John Patrick Publishing at 1-800-333-3166.
Please support our advertisers at the back cover of bulletin.
Prayer for A Pandemic
It is the best way to ensure our parish receives the support needed for our operating expenses and ministries by eGiving through Parish Giving! We are excited to introduce “Enhanced Stewardship through Electronic Funds Transfer” for your weekly offertory. No more envelopes or last-minute check writing! Electronic giving is safe and easy for you and good stewardship for the parish. Please enroll today by visiting www.icchackensack.com. and click on the logo that is on top of the website. Increased enrollment with Parish Giving will help stabilize our parish finances. There are brochures in the pews or visit Parish Giving at www.parishgiving.org
