From the Pastor’s Desk
32nd Sunday of Ordinary Time
Nov 12, 2023
“My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.”
-Psalm 63:2
Brothers and Sisters,
Brothers and Sisters,
Are you satisfied? In Psalm 63, the Psalmist expresses our innate desire and longing for the Lord. Just as hunger and thirst remind us that we need food and drink to stay alive, our longing for meaning and purpose in our lives points us to the one who can satisfy our souls. Only God can fulfill our deepest longing. Yet, more than just being aware of this spiritual yearning, we must cultivate a habit of coming to the Eucharistic feast hungry, desiring more of the Lord, and eager to spend time with him. As the Gospel encourages us, “Behold, the bridegroom!” Jesus is the one who accepts us, his beloved bride, the Church, and in turn, receives us into his very home. What an extraordinary gift to receive the Lord in both his Word and in the Eucharist and be in the presence of his free and abiding love. I also encourage you not only to join us at Mass to receive the Eucharist but also to cultivate a love for the Eucharist in Adoration. Let’s never lose sight of this fantastic opportunity to be in the real presence of our Lord!
I sincerely thank Bishop Cozzens, who is celebrating our 9 am Mass this Sunday, November 12, with us. His leadership of the National Eucharistic Revival is much appreciated, and I hope you gain insight from his story of how he “Came to know and love Jesus in the Eucharist.” The book Beautiful Eucharist (one that we are offering for free as a gift to you) includes a chapter by Bishop Cozzens, along with exceptional lay and ordained witnesses – a few names at least that I am sure you will recognize (including the other Fr. Mike). Join me as we strive to keep Christ at the center and follow the Bishop’s lead.
In listening to ideas supporting our growth as disciples and our love for the liturgy, I am in the works to begin a short video segment focusing on answering the “why we do this in the Mass” questions. I intend to name the video series Loaves & Fish, with an intentional reference to the Lord’s great miracle at the Sermon on the Mount, praying that he may multiply his graces before us and draw us into the meal that has no limits.
Finally, please pray for all our confirmation candidates on retreat this week, along with our wonderful staff and volunteers assisting them. I remember my Confirmation retreat as a pivotal moment where I began to understand better who I was and, more importantly, who I was in the eyes of the Lord. May the Lord bless their hearts with love for him and a passion to live out that love in service.