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Today we celebrate the mystery of the Holy Eucharist (‘Corpus Christi’) – Christ’s gift of himself to us under the signs of Bread and Wine, offered to us as food for our souls at every Mass. The terminology (‘body and blood’) is foreign to us because we are not familiar (as were the Jews of Jesus’ time) with animal sacrifice (Moslems still sacrifice a goat on the feat of Eid). Jesus would have been brought up with this, as we know from his annual trips to the temple in Jerusalem, with Mary and Joseph for the feast of Passover. Then, thousands of unblemished lambs would have been ritually slaughtered, and their blood poured over the altar by the priests. This offering to God was seen as a sacrifice for sin. In the evening, Jewish families would collect their lamb and roast it, enjoying a family meal together. At Passover time (the time Jesus’ was executed) Jerusalem would have been heaving with thousands of Jews who had arrived for the feast from far and wide. Jesus takes this scheme and transforms it. At the Last Supper, he declares himself to be the ‘lamb’ of God (the ultimate and unique sacrifice for sin) who will give his life for the salvation of humanity. And his followers are to feast on him (Holy Communion). ‘Christ, our Passover has been sacrificed, therefore let us keep the feast’ writes St. Paul (1 Corinthians 5.7). In fact the very first celebrations of Mass by the early Christians was combined with a full meal, called an ‘agape’ (‘love feast’), but this soon died out (as did animal sacrifice among the Jews, when the temple was destroyed by the Romans in AD.70- and it has never been re-instated). As Catholics we can so easily take Christ’s presence in the Blessed Sacrament (the consecrated Bread and Wine) for granted. Countless saints and martyrs have given their lives for this belief. We must remember that Christ is present with us not just at Mass, but in the Blessed Sacrament perpetually reserved in the tabernacle, and this is why we (should|) always bow the knee to this sacred presence each time we enter and leave a Catholic church. How privileged we are to have all this ‘on tap’! And now, from this week, two extra Masses will be celebrated - on Saturdays at 9.30am and on Tuesdays at 7.15pm. It is hoped that many parishioners will participate at these more convenient times (especially for those working during the week). Note also that the Sacrament of Reconciliation (‘confession’) will now be available on Saturdays after the morning Mass from 10am-10.30am in addition to Saturday at 5.30pm (before the 6pm Mass). All the sacramental resources of the church founded by Jesus Christ are ours! Use them!! |
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Mass attendances for last Sunday were 549.
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Sunday 2/6/13 |
Corpus Christi 9.30am (Sat) – Gerald Coleman, RIP (Howell family) 6pm – People of the Parish 9.15am – Agatha Yee, RIP (Victor Brittain-Wong) 11am – Peter Cauneen, RIP (M Thompson)
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Monday 3/6/13 |
No Monday Mass
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Tuesday 4/6/13 |
Feria 9.30am – Christopher Cosgrave, RIP (F and S Simon) 7.15pm – Martin Screene (welfare)
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Wednesday 5/6/13 |
St Boniface, bishop, martyr 9.30am – Dolores Robinson, RIP (Mary Hutchinson)
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Thursday 6/6/13 |
Feria 9.30am – Kathleen Quinn, RIP (Scott family)
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Friday 7/6/13 |
The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus 9.30am – In celebration of Bridget Wiggins’ birthday.
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Sunday 9/6/13 |
Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 9.30am (Sat) – 6pm (Sat) – People of the Parish 9.15am – George & Christina Jones, RIP (Cosgrave family) 11am – Fr. Louis Fitzmaurice |