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Bread of Life Discourse

Every three years (beginning this weekend and continuing the following four Sundays) our Gospel readings take a break from Mark, and the Bread of Life Discourse is proclaimed from John. The timing is perfect, as our nation just hosted the Tenth Eucharistic Congress, and we, as a parish family, celebrated 40 hours of Eucharistic devotions. Thank you to all who made commitments last weekend to be present before Our Lord in prayer around the clock, day and night, including many who stopped in at any point for time in adoration. Special thanks to the Center for Pastoral Leadership who were generous to loan the monstrance from Borromeo Seminary on such a special occasion, and to our staff who worked tirelessly before, during, and after to help facilitate this important celebration.

Congratulations to the ten Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHC) who were commissioned at our Masses last weekend! In preparation to welcome them, it prompted an evening of recollection for all who administer the Sacrament, whether at Mass or to the homebound. When we gathered this past Wednesday, our reflection and discussion urged a few thoughts for us to consider. I would invite us then, as the assembly, to be attentive to the following:

  1. If you require Holy Communion to be brought to you:
    At any given time, due to an infirmity or issue of mobility, you might need to absent yourself from the Communion Procession and have the Sacrament brought to you. Not wishing to set anyone apart, we do not designate particular seating for those who may require assistance. That being said, sitting on the end of a pew will always prove helpful to our ministers. Avoiding the ends of the middle aisle and choosing to sit on the “angled end” of the stationary pews in the center provides the best assistance. This prevents ministers from disrupting the procession.
  2. Line-jumping:
    While line-jumping at Cedar Point is cause for removal from the park, that will not happen in church. Many times (especially toward the end) one minister appears more available than another, and to help facilitate the flow of the procession, communicants make a decision to join another line. Thank you for that courtesy. If you choose to assist in that manner, to complete that courtesy, please return to your pew “the long way around,” and avoid cutting back in front of others. This offer of politeness and regard, I am sure, would be appreciated by all.

Thank you,
Fr. Terry

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