Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Preparing for Advent and Turning Eastward Last week I wrote of how we plan to celebrate the Masses of Advent ad orientem, meaning “toward the East.” A couple years ago, the Prefect for the Congregation of the Discipline of the Sacraments, Cardinal Sarah, stated that this liturgical posture is very much a part of our current Tradition and recommended that priests and parishes incorporate this liturgical option in some way. While this was not a mandate, only a suggestion, I believe it has merit.

Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Listening Session Regarding Church Scandals Last Sunday we had about 40-50 people at our Listening Session. It was a time of thoughtful sharing and prayer. I thank all those who participated and those who have spoken to me privately as well. One of the points mentioned many times was the need for prayer, so I encourage everyone to continue their prayers for the Church. If you have other suggestions on how we can respond as individuals or as a parish please contact me.

Vigil Mass October 31 7:00 p.m. Holy Day November 1 7:00 a.m. 8:30 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. and while November 2nd, All Souls Day, is not obligatory, please join us as we pray for our faithful departed on Friday at 8:30 a.m. Mass or at the new Extraordinary Form Mass at 5:30 p.m.

Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Listening Session Regarding Church Scandals This Sunday, October 28 at 9:30 in the PAC we will have a listening session regarding the recent scandals in the church. It will be a time of prayer, sharing thoughts and feelings, and offering support to one another as we journey together during these difficult times. My hope is that this can be a step toward receiving the Lord’s consolation and asking God to bestow even more graces to His Church.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Join us for 33 Days to Morning Glory In conjunction with our Sunday morning Faith Formation sessions, I invite every parishioner to join in for a Do-It-Yourself Retreat. For many it is hard to get away for a true retreat even for a whole day let alone a weekend or an entire week. As part of our parish spiritual renewal (remember RENOVATIO!) we are offering this opportunity.

Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Adding a Friday Evening Mass For some time I have been asked by some folks in the surrounding community as well as a few parishioners to offer a daily Mass in the evening. The request was to offer this Mass in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite (I have written about this Form before, but if you are unfamiliar, see below).

Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Benefits of Eucharistic Adoration For many years we have been blessed with Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on Tuesdays from 7:30am-3:00pm. We have a small number of faithful people who commit an hour (or sometimes a half-hour) every Tuesday to praying before the Eucharistic Presence of our Blessed Lord. It is always good to remind ourselves of the great individual graces one can receive from this practice as well as the benefits that come to the parish.

Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, My Mother and Christ Child Society Thanks You. This weekend I may look a little different from what you are used to, but do not let it distract you. As of this writing, I do not know the total amount raised at the Christ Child Society Fundraiser, but there were enough in tips in my bar tending jar to justify shaving my beard as I promised to do last week (which made my mother happy and apparently a few parishioners).

Encouraging the culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Come Help Fr. Pfeiffer’s Mother (and Christ Child Society) Christ Child Society helps to give love and basic support to children lacking the basic necessities of life. They are having a fundraising event called Cheers for a Child at Thirsty Dog Brewing Company on Grant St. on Tuesday September 25, 4:30-7:30. There will be “celebrity” bartenders pouring the drinks. I am one of those bartenders (I’ll be there from 5-6) because my mother is a member of the Society. This year, in an effort to help increase the donations at the bar (and to make my mother happy), I am offering to shave off my beard if I make enough tip money.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Yes, We Still Believe in That! When we hear the word “relic” we probably think of something old, some ancient artifact that Indiana Jones would set out on an adventure to find. In Catholicism we use the word “relic” to refer to the remains of saints.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Yes, We Still Believe in That! When burying the remains of the dead. This is a practice that Catholics must do; it is one of the corporal works of mercy. As Christians we believe our bodies are good because God created them. He meant for them to be part of who we are forever. Due to original sin, death entered the world thus leaving our bodies to corruption. Keep that in mind if tempted to think that sin is not that bad.

Yes, We Still Believe in That! Last week I wrote about the reality and importance of angels. There are many examples in Scripture of angels, and the Church’s teaching is clear on their existence. The same can be said of demons, which are fallen angels. Demons retain their natural abilities but are fallen and thus deprived of God’s sanctifying grace.

Yes, We Still Believe That! - Angels and Demons In the Creed we pray our belief in God the Creator of “all things visible and invisible.” Being humans who rely on sense experience we can tend to forget the invisible realm, but it does exist. Angels are very real; they are not figments of our imagination nor are they mere literary devices used by authors of Scripture.

Make a Joyful Noise!-There will be an organizational meeting for those past and future members of the St. Paul Ringers handbell choir and for any other interested students at least 12-years of age or adults on September 9th @ 1:00 p.m. in the church. 

Yes, We Still Believe in That!! This week let us gives thanks to God for His mercy and grace, because without it we will end up in Hell. The reality of Hell is part of what Catholics must believe. This teaching is not morbid or unhealthy; it is recognizing the truth of the consequences of our freewill.

A new hymn to St. Paul is here! Look for this new hymn in the pews very soon. The hymn tune is "O God Beyond All Praising" and is familiar to all. 

Yes, we still believe that! It is still a wonderful Catholic custom to offer prayers for the faithful departed. A few weeks ago I wrote here about our continued belief in Purgatory and the efficacy of our prayers for those who have died. This week I focus on how we do this specifically by offering Masses for people. After all, if we want to pray for people, why not offer the most perfect prayer there is - the Most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

Yes, we still believe that! This year is the 50th anniversary of Pope Paul VI’s encyclical, Humanae Vitae. An encyclical is a particular letter written by a pope to address pastoral issues in the church. Pope Paul wrote Humanae Vitae to uphold the constant teaching of the church regarding the use of artificial contraception.

Yes! We still believe that! Last week a parishioner mentioned to me that my bulletin column about our continuing belief in the doctrine of Purgatory was helpful, so I figured I would write another - this time on the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.

A new Mass setting will be coming in August. Take time to listen and sing along. Practice videos have been provided. The new mass is called "Missa Pacem" which is in our Gather Book beginning with #271. Please note that we will sing the Gloria refrain at the beginning only, not between the verses.