Archives for June 2018

From the Pastor – June 24, 2018

All who heard these things took them to heart, saying, "What, then, will this child be?" For surely the hand of the Lord was with him. The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the desert until the day of his manifestation to Israel. (Lk 1:66, 80) The life of John the Baptist is a preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ, and the circumstances of his birth are miraculous. In Luke’s Gospel, John’s parents, Zechariah and Elizabeth, were without children and beyond the age of child-bearing.  During Zechariah's time of priestly service in the Temple in Jerusalem, he is chosen to offer incense in the Holy Place.  While there, the Archangel Gabriel appeared to him and announced that he and his wife will give birth to a child, and that they shall name him John.  However, … [Read more...]

From the Pastor – June 3, 2018

While they were eating, He took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, and said, “Take it; this is my body.” Then He took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it.  He said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many.”  (Mk 14:22-24) Today’s Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ  (“Corpus Christi” in Latin) is a fairly recent addition to the Church calendar, dating from only the 13th century.  We know that the Body and Blood of Christ are present at every Mass, but this special feast to honor the Body and Blood of Christ owes its existence to the petitions of a Belgium nun named Juliana of Liège from the 13th century. From a young age, Juliana had a great love for the Blessed Sacrament and longed for a special … [Read more...]