St. Joseph the Worker

Dear SJW Parishioners:

Welcome to the month of June!  May flew by, didn’t it?  Summer is now upon us, and that is a welcome season---picnics, ball games, beaches, vacations, hammocks, BBQ food---and so much more.

This weekend we celebrate the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Jesus.  Each year we have this special celebration of the great gift that Jesus left us---His very Self.  Of all the remembrances He could have chosen, He chose the best, didn’t He?  Nothing else could even compare or come close to His own Body and Blood.  How much Jesus thought of us by entrusting us to receive and remember Him.

Do we ever think of this great privilege given to us?  Do we ever ponder how special we must be in His sight because He left us this wonderful gift?  Do we give thanks each time we receive Holy Communion for the opportunity to be filled with the Savior of the world?

And when we do come forward to partake of the Body and Blood of Jesus, do we take account of the condition of our soul?  Are we striving to be as “sin-free” as we are able?  Do we show reverence by a slight bow of our head before receiving?  Do we say “AMEN” like we mean it?  Have we observed the hour fast before receiving?  Holy Communion is such a sacred time.  It calls us to acknowledge the holiness of the moment.

As we have observed the Year of the Eucharist, and are now preparing for the Eucharistic gathering in Indianapolis next month for our entire nation, let us resolve to intensify our love for the Eucharist.  Let us pledge our hearts to be open to this gift of our Savior each time we gather to remember Him at Mass.  Let us always be grateful that, as Catholics, we have THE Body and THE Blood of Jesus. 

May we pray the following prayer daily.  May the praying of it deepen our appreciation of and awareness of Communion in our spiritual life. 

Lord, Jesus Christ,

You gave us the Eucharist

as the Memorial of Your suffering and death.

May our worship of this Sacrament

of Your Body and Blood

help us to experience the salvation

You won for us

and the peace of the Kingdom

where You live with the

Father and the Holy Spirit,

God, forever and ever.

AMEN.

Your Pastor, Father Joe