Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church

This past week you may have seen a deacon at Mass. Some Masses he served as a deacon, and others he came out to help distribute Holy Communion. Deacon Tim Banach is a transitional deacon, who is finishing his last year of studies at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia. This is the same seminary I graduated from, and it is great to have another man from St. Charles in the house!

As an aside, the ‘transitional’ adjective in front of ‘deacon’ is the Church’s way of identifying that he is in formation to be ordained a priest. This is in contrast to ‘permanent’ deacons who are not on a path to priesthood.

There are three promises made by the transitional deacon during his ordination Mass: to pray the Liturgy of the Hours, Obedience and Celibacy.

1. To pray the Liturgy of the Hours for the people of God. Prayer is at the heart of a life of service. This prayer, consists of psalms, petitions, and reading from both Scripture and Church fathers. Through this prayer, the clergy of the Church are praying at every hour of the day for the Church.
2. Obedience. To be ordained is to be configured to Jesus Christ. Thus, in obedience, the clergy live and make present the self-emptying love of Our Lord. It is through generously living this, that the bishop is able to care for the souls entrusted to him. How can a preist know he is doing God’s will? When he obeys the directives of the bishop, and serves in harmony with him.
3. Celibacy. This is what most gets people’s attention. Living celibacy generously is a great witness to the Kingdom of God! Here is a snippet of the ordination rite as pertains to celibacy:

   By your own free choice, you seek to enter the order of deacons…. By living in this state with total dedication…you will adhere more easily to Christ with an undivided heart; you will be more freely at the service of God and mankind, and you will be more untrammeled in the ministry of Christian conversion and rebirth. By your life and character you will give witness to your brothers and sisters in faith that God must be loved above all else, and that it is He whom you serve in others.

Deacon Tim will be with us for about 9 weeks this summer, and will also be back for Christmas and Holy Week! This adds a new joy to our parish taking part in the formation of future priests. Thank you for the warm welcome that I know you will extend to him.

pax,

Father John Mosimann

Dear Folks,

Corpus Christi, the Feast of the Body and Blood of our Lord!

It is such a great occasion to consider this fundamental truth the faith entrusted to us by Our Lord. St. Maximilian Kolbe said, “If Angels could be jealous of men, they would be so for one reason: Holy Communion.” These beautiful, pure spirits gaze upon the face of God and yet they cannot receive Jesus in the manner that we do. Sometimes I ask my guardian angel to worship God on my behalf and to pray as He deserves.

How can I more worthily receive the Eucharist?

1. Remote Preparation – Spend time in adoration. To come to church and pray in the presence of the sacrament is to invest my time where my faith is. It is an act of faith to be willing to sit and gaze upon this Sacrament. When we bask in the light of the Son, we are warmed and transformed. Will I spend more time this summer sun-bathing or Son-basking?

2. Immediate Preparation – Do I arrive at Mass early enough to pray, settle, and recollect? Also re-read last week’s bulletin note on dressing in our ‘Sunday Best.’

3. Reception – when I receive on the tongue or in the hand, am I focussed only on Jesus? Am I giving him my best and most reverent attention? Banish all thoughts of watching others receive, or checking out the fashion choices of others.

4. Thanksgiving – after receiving and returning to my spot, whisper to Jesus who now dwells within me like the tabernacle. This the tabernacle that He prefers, a loving heart.

5. Discipleship – live in the manner worthy of the sacrament. Be His disciples to the world, making Him known in your love for the poor, in your concern for youth and the elderly, in your charity to all. Reject Sin, Satan, and all His works. Live the corporal and spiritual works of mercy.

Ok, that is quite a recipe, and one that is far from complete. Because the real work being done in your soul is Jesus conforming your heart, mind and soul to the Lord who loves you more than you can imagine. Our after Mass prayer is an effort to consciously call to mind the life changing truth of the Eucharist. I hope it is having some effect!

Also, this coming week, please give a warm St. Mary’s welcome to Deacon Timothy Banach!! He will arrive at our parish tomorrow (Monday) for his summer assignment with us. He is in the final year of his seminary formation at St. Charles Borromeo in Philadelphia, and we will be blessed by his presence and work. Please warmly welcome him!

pax,

Father John Mosimann