Thanksgiving Day 2009
On Thursday good volunteers of SMT Parish will sacrifice some time in order to provide a Holiday Dinner for the poor, the alone, our shut-ins, Police and Fire men and women, in a word, to anyone who is looking for Catholic Christian Hospitality. No one should be alone on Thanksgiving Dinner.
Our volunteers are of different ages - all imbued with the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy.
Whatsoever you do for the least of my brothers and sisters, that you do unto Me.
Please pray for the success of our endeavor. Let the prayer be that no one feels shy or embarrassed or fearful.
SMT Parishioners continue to "Open wide the doors to Christ".
Pax et Bonum
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Thursday, November 5, 2009
The Annual Forty Hours
A Personal Reflection
The three days that we have come to call the Annual Forty Hours has always been a very special time for me. As a youngster I can still visualize our little church in Morrisville, Pa. decked with flowers and candles. All the externals announced the Divine Presence. My singular recollection is that of all the senses being bombarded. The smell of beeswax candles, the incense and the flowers. The sight of the monstrance being carried underneath the canopy. The Solemn High Mass for opening and closing. The visiting clergy honoring the parish for this special event. The choir singing the beautiful Latin Hymns of the day. The Pange Lingua echoing throughout the church. Me, dressed in my altar boy cassock and swinging the thurible hot with charcoals and burning incense wafting throughout the congregation.
My sense of this time has not changed as a priest - an older priest now.
I look forward to next week. It is almost like a retreat without going away. The church will be decorated and open all day. People, I hope, will come in and out.
We will try to emulate the solemn ceremonies of the past.
Why do all this? Because Jesus Christ is present among us.
Forty Hours will open at the Noon Mass on Sunday.
The church will remain open all Sunday afternoon.
Sunday night will be the solemn procession with the Blessed Sacrament.
Sunday, Monday and Tuesday Night devotions will take place at 7:00 P.M.
Servers will be commissioned on Sunday night.
First Communion Children will be blessed on Monday.
Confirmation candidates will be blessed on Tuesday.
The church will be open to the faithful all day on Monday and Tuesday.
Come and stay a while.
Pax et bonum
A Personal Reflection
The three days that we have come to call the Annual Forty Hours has always been a very special time for me. As a youngster I can still visualize our little church in Morrisville, Pa. decked with flowers and candles. All the externals announced the Divine Presence. My singular recollection is that of all the senses being bombarded. The smell of beeswax candles, the incense and the flowers. The sight of the monstrance being carried underneath the canopy. The Solemn High Mass for opening and closing. The visiting clergy honoring the parish for this special event. The choir singing the beautiful Latin Hymns of the day. The Pange Lingua echoing throughout the church. Me, dressed in my altar boy cassock and swinging the thurible hot with charcoals and burning incense wafting throughout the congregation.
My sense of this time has not changed as a priest - an older priest now.
I look forward to next week. It is almost like a retreat without going away. The church will be decorated and open all day. People, I hope, will come in and out.
We will try to emulate the solemn ceremonies of the past.
Why do all this? Because Jesus Christ is present among us.
Forty Hours will open at the Noon Mass on Sunday.
The church will remain open all Sunday afternoon.
Sunday night will be the solemn procession with the Blessed Sacrament.
Sunday, Monday and Tuesday Night devotions will take place at 7:00 P.M.
Servers will be commissioned on Sunday night.
First Communion Children will be blessed on Monday.
Confirmation candidates will be blessed on Tuesday.
The church will be open to the faithful all day on Monday and Tuesday.
Come and stay a while.
Pax et bonum
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