Looking back at the weekly messages of Father Paul Counce, first published in The Carpenter, our weekly Parish Bulletin
Published: August 19, 2018
On Friday afternoon this coming week Bishop Michael Duca will be seated officially in our beloved St. Joseph’s cathedra (bishop’s chair), and by that solemn ritual action become our new shepherd. While admission to the Cathedral for the special Mass is by ticket only, everyone is invited to watch it on CatholicLife Television. Everyone is also invited to the reception for him at the Catholic Life Center immediately afterwards, and to the special prayer-service at St. George Church the night before! Finally, he will be with us on Sunday, August 26, at our 10:30 am Mass. Make sure you take the opportunity to meet him and to pray for him!
Next weekend our five-Sunday series of Gospel readings – taken from the well-known Bread of Life discourse of the sixth chapter of John’s Gospel – ends. We’ve reached a point where we can move from the theological to the more practical.
True, the former is the most important. I and the others who’ve preached during this time have tried to develop and present many of Holy Communion’s key theological truths: that it is really Christ and not just a representation of Him; that its effects in us are forgiveness of our venial sins and growth in sanctifying grace; that the Mass is both a continuing re-presentation of Christ’s sacrifice of His life for us as well a memorial thanksgiving meal; that its purpose is our salvation; and so forth. None of this is contingent on whether we understand, accept or believe it or not: it’s true regardless.
Yet it’s also important to deal with the practical. I know you’ve heard this from me before, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out this kind of thing occasionally. Maybe some of this can be a bit of an “examination of conscience” for us all as we try to improve our experience of the Eucharist.
First, be reverent not just in gesture but in every other external way. Dress acceptably for church; fast from food, drink and even chewing gum for at least an hour; genuflect or bow toward the tabernacle when you come into church; and maintain enough of a reverent silence when in church that you never disturb anybody’s else’s prayer or concentration. Bow your head before receiving Holy Communion, and answer “Amen” when the minister presents the Host or Chalice to you. When receiving the Sacred Host in your hands, cup them palm up and let the minister place the Host in them; don’t grab! If you choose to receive “on the tongue,” please open your mouth wide enough and stick your tongue out far enough so that only the Host and not the minister’s fingers end up in your mouth. And never forget to spend time in prayer after receiving, thanking God for the gift of His Son.
Lastly on this topic, be on guard against disrespect shown to the Holy Eucharist. It’s pretty rare, and most often it’s childish irresponsibility or non-Catholic ignorance when it does happen, say when someone tries to walk off with the Sacred Host instead of consuming it immediately. Yet, sadly, every now and then someone is overcome with evil and purposely attempts to desecrate the Blessed Sacrament by theft or worse. Should you ever notice something like this please inform the priest or an usher immediately!
Sincerely in our Eucharistic Lord,
Very Rev Paul D. Counce
