A few weeks ago, after one of the Sunday Masses, a parishioner came to me expressing her desire to be a greeter at Mass. She shared with me that for a while she had discerned that God really wanted her to help others. In the process of discernment, she realized that she had been blessed to feel happy and welcomed in the Saint Simon community. And she would like to extend that welcome and hospitality to others, especially to the first-time comers, even though she already volunteers in other ministries. It is such a profound and personal experience that she has, and she intends to fulfill that deepest desire by engaging in one-on-one welcome.
When we come together to celebrate the Eucharist, we become the Body of Christ, in which we belong. The Eucharistic liturgy has different parts that we are all called to participate in to make it our celebration. The listed ministries are music, Mass coordinator, lector, Eucharistic minister, altar server, art environment, greeting, ushers, and A/V technology. Please come and talk with any of the coordinators, or you can check it out under “Liturgical Ministries” on our parish website www.stsimon.church for more information. We are grateful to those who are already serving!
As we enjoy the summer time, it is also Ordinary Time in the church’s liturgical calendar, when we continue to deepen our personal relationship with the Lord and with one another. Particularly in our faith-filled community, we can commit our time and talents to the Eucharistic celebration as we minister to one another. It’s an on-going commitment, to prepare before we come, to show up in person to greet one another, and to celebrate our faith in the Lord whose words are proclaimed, sung, and reflected upon in the context of communion in Him and with one another.
On this past solemnity of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, we began the National Eucharistic Revival called for by the bishops of the United States. It is a three-year process that once again helps us to appreciate deeply and celebrate gratefully, the gift of His real presence that the Lord Jesus Christ gives us in the Sacrament of the Eucharist. You can find more information about the National Eucharistic Revival here: https://www.dsj.org/eucharistic-revival/. The theme is “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world” (John 6:51).
We all know that everything we do begins with prayer. In today’s gospel Jesus taught the so-called “the Lord’s Prayer.” When the Lord taught this prayer, He himself prayed it first. Therefore, every time we pray it, we pray with the Lord and with one another: “Our Father, who art in heaven….”
God Bless!
Fr. Thuc