Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
 
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.  Yes Catholics still must believe that the Eucharist is truly the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ, made present through the Most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.  There are many disheartening statistics about Catholics who believe the Eucharist is a mere symbol or a nice ceremony for us to get together and replay what Jesus did at the Last Supper.  Also disheartening are the statistics that only 20-25% of Catholics in our country attend Mass regularly (“regularly” means for them once a month, not every week!).  This is also a sign of disbelief in the True Presence for if one believes then one would make the time to attend Mass, right?  Or is it that people do not care enough when compared to sports or sleeping in or other excuses?  Or, like with Purgatory, do people think the Eucharist is a bonus optional belief?  The mentality I have encountered is that as long as we all believe in Jesus (which is a very vague statement anyway), that’s enough, and one goes to Mass only if one feels it is helpful.  This is a very non-Catholic approach.  I recommend reading chapter six of the Gospel of John to correct our thinking.  There Jesus commands (not suggests) us to eat and drink His Body and Blood. As Christians we want to be formed in Christ, so what better way than to have Jesus Himself dwelling in us through Holy Communion?  When the catholic author Flannery O’Connor was told by an acquaintance that Catholics had a nice symbol in the Eucharist, her response was, “If it’s a symbol, then to hell with it!”  She knew the truth; it is what we teach it is - the Body and Blood of our Blessed Lord - otherwise we are wasting our time.  So if anybody asks if you still have to believe in the Real Presence, we say, “Absolutely! And Thanks be to God for the wonderful gift of the Eucharist!”
 
House Blessings & Pastoral Visits
The Deacon and I are working to complete the house blessings people requested from our last parish survey.  I am enjoying the visits very much and getting to know more people outside of seeing folks at Mass.  The rest of the visits are scheduled to be completed by the end of the summer.  However, there are still slots open!  If did not request a visit yet but would like me or Dcn. John to come over for a house blessing, call the rectory and we can schedule it!  This initiative was meant to get things going in making better and deeper connections. I would love to come to visit, talk, and pray.
 
Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Pfr