Pastoral Messages from Father Rick – 06-03-2021
Pray for Rain. This coming Wednesday, June 9, St. Christopher’s Parish will join other faith communities of our state in prayer and fasting for rain. This initiative was offered to us by members of the local Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and suggested by Governor Cox. Please join us for Mass at 8:00 AM and follow up with a rosary at a time of your choosing during the day. Fasting means one meal per day with two other ‘snacks’ and nothing between meals.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Please join us on Thursdays from 4:00 – 5:00 PM for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament ending with benediction. This form of group silent prayer is a very powerful statement of our faith in a God who is calling us together as one. If we give God the time to more deeply penetrate our souls, we will eventually learn how to see each other ‘with the eyes of our hearts’ despite what our brains and wills might be saying to us.
The ‘Mystical Season’ As we move through the sacred Solemnities of Pentecost, Holy Trinity and The Most Precious Body and Blood of Jesus Christ it’s a great time to really consider the transcendent state of relationship to which we are called even while we are here on earth. This should be the ‘selling point’ of our Catholicism: That we are called into a spiritual state of ONENESS with God and each other that is experienced in a unique way through the sacraments, especially the Eucharist. All the answers to all the problems and challenges we face as a nation and global community are answered through our growing sense of communion. The closer we come to God and more deeply connected we are with each other (becoming ONE BODY; ONE SPIRIT IN CHRIST), the more boring and banal is the competitive, materialistic, sensate world that Satan has designed for us. With extra discretionary time and resources at our disposal, elders especially have a special opportunity and responsibility to make present this transcendent experience in the world. A careful participation in the ‘mystical season’ will prepare us to shape the world our grandchildren inherit.
Bishop’s Annual Appeal: Please make a donation to the Diocesan Development Drive. So far only about one fourth of our community have made a donation…. And don’t forget who pays for the ‘ol Padrecito’s salary.
Pride Week in Salt Lake City. Please pray for the LGBTQ? ‘community’ in Utah and read the section on CHASTITY in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
Hospitality and Safe Spacing: I have a special request for our local Catholics. With the Covid restrictions lifting (please see our website) we are blessed with more visitors joining us for Mass. In order to accommodate our lingering safe-distance requirements and to make room for more visitors at Sunday Mass, could the locals try to attend Mass on Saturday if you can do so without major disruptions to your life and schedules? Your cooperation will be greatly appreciated. We do not like to turn people away for lack of space.