Pastor Notes January 22, 2023
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January 23, 2023As has been the custom in the past at St. Malachy Church, we will begin Children’s Collection during the offertory at both weekend Masses. Such allows the children who participate a sense of ‘tithing’ if you will, sharing for the sake of Jesus’ ongoing ministry through our local church community. We will begin next weekend—28th & 29th with the collection. As is presently a part of the so-called “Dollar Collection” or second collection following Communion at Sacred Heart, any child is welcome regardless of what they can share. A thank you to the parents for sharing the faith and the prayers of the Mass with your child(ren); such is a foundation that is set for life, inviting them to recognize their relationship with God in their respective life’s journey.
One month from this weekend we begin the season of Lent, with Ash Wednesday falling on the 22nd. Each church in our Boone County parish will have a Mass on that day and ashes distributed to all who participate. Likewise, we hope to coordinate the offering of ashes to the homebound and those in care centers as the season of Lent begins. We will again offer the Soup Supper Meal at St. Malachy following one of the evening Masses during Lent; and possibly beginning a similar meal at Sacred Heart once a week during Lent.
Sacred Heart’s new Paschal/Easter candle has been ordered for Easter. Anyone who would like to donate toward the cost of the four foot blessed candle in memory of a loved one may do so. Please contact the office. Our Paschal Candle at each church is used for each Mass during Easter Season and front and center at each funeral. Prominently, the candle should be the largest in every church, normally kept in the sanctuary or next to the baptismal font. Specially made the beeswax candle is made represents the sinless Christ, the wick symbolizes His humanity, and the flame, His divinity, soul and body. At the Easter Vigil service the candle is blessed by the priest, tracing a cross on it and likewise the symbols of the Alpha and Omega (the beginning and the end) while reciting a special prayer.
Though often when the feast of St. Blaise falls on a weekday (as it does this February 3rd) the traditional “Blessing of the Throats” is only offered on that certain day. We will offer the Blessing of Throats on the ensuing weekend at all the Masses. As in the past we will offer the ‘blessing’ prior to each weekend Mass (up to five
minutes before) and immediately after.
On the day before the feast of St. Blaise, the Church celebrates the Presentation of the Lord (February 2nd).
Because it too falls on a weekday we will have the symbolic “Blessed Candles” available on that weekend for interested individuals and families.
Today’s second reading, St. Paul’s first letter to the church in Corinth is very applicable to our church and culture today. “I urge you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. . .that there be no divisions among you. . .For it has been reported to me about you, my brothers and sisters. . .that there are rivalries among you. I mean that each of you is saying, ‘I belong to Paul,’ or ‘I belong to Apollos,’ or ‘I belong to Cephas,’ or ‘I belong to Christ.’ Is Christ divided?” In Pope Francis’ reflection offered to a gathering of bishops in 2016 he offered these words: "Division is the weapon the devil employs most to destroy the Church from within. He has two weapons, but the main one is division: the other is money. The devil enters through our pockets and destroys with the tongue, with idle chatter that divides, and the habit of gossiping. . .Please, fight against division, because it is one of the weapons that the devil uses to destroy the local Church and the universal Church. . . .These are challenges that are difficult to resolve, but with the grace of God, prayer, penance, it can be done. The Church is called to place herself above tribal and cultural connotations and the bishop, the visible principle of unity, has the task of ceaselessly building up the particular Church in the communion of all her members."
No doubt we are each a bit different in our personalities, likes and dislikes, circumstances and abilities, struggles and blessings. Yet, through our baptismal calling, and gathered for the Eucharist we are the Body of Christ embracing His teachings and path however cautious our steps may be. In our diversity we can see opportunity, finding the face of our Savior in places we have been reluctant to look. Sun Tzu, the ancient philosopher and writer gives us further perspective: “There are not more than five musical notes, yet the combination of these five give rise to more melodies than can ever be heard. There are not more than five primary colors, yet in combination they produce more hues than can ever been seen. There are not more than five cardinal tastes, yet combinations of them yield more flavors than can ever be tasted.”
God Bless, Fr. Tim
FYI: “Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and the test of our civilization.” (Mahatma Gandhi)