From the Pastor’s Desk
31st Sunday in Ordinary Time
Nov 5, 2023
“…in receiving the word of God from hearing us, you received not a human word but, as it truly is, the word of God, which is now at work in you who believe.”
-1 Thessalonians 2:13
Brothers and Sisters,
During November, as we celebrate All Saints, let’s remember those hundreds (or more) saints, not formally canonized or named by the Church but who, while remaining in union with the Lord in heaven, continue to work for us! Though unnamed, these Saints contribute to the salvation won by Jesus and encourage us to trust in the love and mercy he provides. As St. Thérèse promised, she would continue to draw people to Love, who is God, even in heaven. Let us give thanks and praise to God, who involves the saints in his work of salvation.
Still, St. Paul’s message to the Thessalonians reminds us that the tremendous gift – the Word of God – is alive in us, inspiring us to share the life of Christ with the world through our prayers, good works, and acts of charity. We are meant to be witnesses to the world that God is always victorious. And that union with God is made even more profound when we receive the gift of the Eucharist, the life of Christ that mysteriously consumes us. Jesus’ presence in the Eucharist is the life of the Church.
Join us next Sunday, November 12, as The Most Reverend Andrew Cozzens, the Bishop of Crookston in Minnesota and the leader of our current National Eucharistic Revival, celebrates the 9 am Mass with our parish community. Afterward, Bishop Cozzens will share his personal story of his encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist around 10:30 am in the Parish Center Gym. Please invite family, friends, and neighbors to join us!
To further draw the whole parish into a more profound love for the Eucharist, we will conclude our Sunday masses through the Christmas season with Come Reign in Us: Eucharistic Prayer for the Family by the Sisters of Life. I have included it below, and it’s available on our website (https://olphparish.org/
In the Lord,
Rev. Michael S. Triplett
Come Reign in Us: Eucharistic Prayer for the family by the Sisters of Life
O Jesus, King of the World,
You entered our lives
hidden and humble
in a Bethlehem cave.
Now, hidden in the Host,
You come.
O Jesus in the Eucharist,
let the rays of Your love and
mercy radiate out and flood
my soul, and the soul of
every person in my family.
With Your saving power,
Jesus, cast out all anxiety,
unforgiveness, addiction, pride,
impurity, confusion, hatred,
resentment, fear, and despair.
Pierce the darkness with
Your light and fill us with
Your presence.
O Jesus in the Eucharist,
King filled with compassion,
Come, reign in me
and in my family.
O Jesus in the Eucharist,
King of infinite mercy,
Come, reign in me
and in my family.
O Jesus in the Eucharist,
King Who is all truth and beauty,
Come, reign in me
and in my family.
Mary, Mother of God,
St. Joseph, protector
of the Holy Family,
Help us to love Jesus
and to entrust ourselves
completely to Him.
O Jesus in the Eucharist,
Prince of Peace,
Come reign in us!
Amen.