The Feast of Corpus Christi June 3, 2018
From the Pastor . . .
My Sisters and Brothers:
Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, also known as the Feast of Corpus Christi. On this occasion, and as I reflect on the significance of the great gift of the Eucharist, I can’t help but to recall the words of the revered prayer “O Sacrum Convivium,” composed nearly eight hundred years ago by the renowned Dominican friar and theologian, Saint Thomas Aquinas. In part, the prayer reads: “O Holy Banquet, in which Christ is received, the memory of his passion is recalled, the soul is filled with grace, and the promise of future glory is given to us . . . he has given us bread from heaven, containing in itself all delight.” These words give us a wonderfully concise perspective into what we believe and celebrate on this Feast of Corpus Christi.
As I study and reflect on Aquinas’ prayer, I am compelled to think about all of the events that our community of faith recalls during the annual observance of the Easter Triduum: On Holy Thursday, Good Friday and concluding with the beginning of the Great Easter Vigil, we remember the “Last Supper,” the passion, the sacrifice, the death, the burial and the resurrection of the Lord Jesus! During our Masses and prayers during those days, we remember that Jesus offered his very life for us, that he gave us the gift of the Eucharist, that by his death on the Holy Cross he became for us a “perfect sin offering” (one that never needs to be repeated, unlike those offered by the priests of the Old Testament days), that he was completely victorious over sin and death, and that he rose to new life and now and forever shares the fullness of God’s life with each one of us.
I believe the themes noted above, so vividly presented to us during the Easter Triduum, and summarized so precisely by St. Thomas Aquinas, are realities at the very heart of our understanding of the great gift of the Holy Eucharist. We recall these ideas of our faith each time we gather around Table of the Lord (the altar) in order to celebrate the Mass and to share and receive the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ! In this celebration we hear again the words of Jesus: “Take my body and blood . . . poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins . . . do this in memory of me” (cf. Luke 22:19 and 1st Corinthians 11:24-25). And so each time we rejoice in the great gift of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, may we never forget what we believe and what we truly receive: Our Lord Jesus Christ, the one who suffered and died for us in order to give us the fullness of grace and the promise of a future and glorious life forever with the Father in heaven; a God who loves us more than we can ever possibly imagine!
Today therefore, may we also recall the concluding words of the O Sacrum Convivium of St. Thomas Aquinas, and let us pray: “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 and reign forever and ever. Amen”
Praise God! Friar Timothy
PASTORAL COUNCIL
The Pastoral Council meets tomorrow, Monday, June 4, 6:30 pm in the Anchorage. All members are encouraged to attend.
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Today is the last day for Sunday School for the 2017-2018 school year. A special thank you to all of our Sunday School staff and parents who take part in the religious education of our youth.
GRADUATION SUNDAY
We will be honoring all of our 2018 graduates during our annual Graduation Sunday Mass next Sunday, June 10. Please sign the list in the back of the church if you or a member of your immediate family is graduating from school (Pre K through postgraduate) this year and will be here to celebrate with us on Sunday, June 10. Today is the last day to sign up!
PASTORATE CHURCH PICNIC
St. Francis Xavier, St. Ann, and St. Wenceslaus will gather together for a joint Parish Picnic on Saturday, June 23rd @ O’Dwyer Retreat House 11:00am-7:00pm! All parish members, their families and friends are invited to join us on this day of fellowship.
Location: O’DWYER RETREAT HOUSE
15523 York Road, Sparks, MD 21152
Parish Picnic Pricing including food/games:
All Adults age 15 years and older- $10.00
Children age 14 years and younger- $7.00
Time & Food:
Pool Time | 12NOON - 6PM
Food Time | 12NOON - 4PM
***Attendees are encouraged to bring additional food as desired.
For tickets and information, please see:
Rogelio D'Almeida 443-413-8568 or rogeliodalmeida@gmail.com , or Bobby Jackson.
FATHER PETER TO VISIT JUNE 24TH
We're blessed to announce that our most recent former Pastor, Fr. Peter Lyons, TOR, will be with us to celebrate the parish Mass on Sunday, June 24th. After Mass, all are invited to join us for light refreshments as we share fellowship and celebrate his visit! Please plan to be with us on the 24th!
STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY
Discover a way to share yourself with our community. Are you currently in a Ministry or service group at St. Ann? Do you need more members? Or, are you searching for a way to get involved? Perhaps there is a service that you would like to see grow in the Parish. Service is a way to nurture our community and to grow closer to the life Jesus wants for us. Stewardship Sunday is Sunday, June 24. We also ask you to pray for god’s guidance as you prepare to pledge your self-giving at this time of stewardship as your consistent and steady giving is an important part of your involvement in our church community.
As you contemplate on ways in which you may contribute to the mission of our parish, here are just a few of our ministries that you may consider joining:
Altar Server Lector
Choir Technology &
Sunday School Communications
Eucharistic Minister Outreach
Eucharistic Minister Hospitality to the Sick
Evangelization Usher
Sista Circle
St. Ann’s Men’s Ministry Physical Plant
Racial Justice Liturgy
Community Relations Religious Ed
Jubilee Seniors Count Team
Finance Committee Fundraising
PRAYER REQUESTS
Please continue to pray for all of our sick and homebound, especially Florence Barber, Erna Bundy, James Butts, Augustine Christian, Danny Dallas, Elaine & Roland Edmonds, Gregory Epps, John Frederick Rita Hardy, Odessa Johnson, Tom Lutz, Penny Palmer, Bernadette Wallace, Nelson Outlaw, Jeanette Rice and Rita Watkins and ask that God grant them strength, comfort and healing.
JUNE 2018
Sun., June 3 Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
Sunday School 9:30 am
2nd Floor Youth Room
Adult Bible Study after Mass
Anchorag
KPC Ladies Auxiliary Meet After Mass, Parlor
Mon., June 4 Pastoral Council Meeting
Anchorage, 6:30 pm
Wed., June 6 Mother Seton Academy Graduation, St. Ann’s Church 8 am – 12 pm
Thurs., June 7 Evening Mass (confession before/after) Bible Study 7-9 pm
Sun., June 10 Graduation Sunday 10th Sunday In Ordinary Time 11 am Mass
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READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY
1st Reading Genesis 3:9-15
2nd Reading 2 Corintians 4:13-5:1
Gospel Mark 3:20-35