This weekend we celebrate the great gift of self-sacrifice: Jesus’ own Body and Blood given to us in the Eucharist. It is rightly called the “Gift to the World in Mercy Broken and Outpoured.” It is the Solemnity of Corpus Christi (The Body and Blood of Christ.) In our Catholic understanding of this sacrament, we believe that it is Jesus wholly and truly present, human and divine. It is not a symbol, reference, or reminder, but truly Jesus Christ. One author notes that if we were able to comprehend the awesomeness of this reality, we would fall on our faces in glad worship at the mere thought of a tabernacle in a church or during the approach to receive holy communion. This weekend we will also inaugurate, with the Archdiocese of Boston, the Year of the Eucharist. The planned celebrations have been sidetracked because of the pandemic, but we have a group of parishioners who will assist us as new ideas unfold. Sunday June 14, we will have a Holy Hour of Eucharistic Adoration in the church from 4:00 PM-5:00 PM. You are welcome to attend (no reservation required.) Seminarian Bobby Leblanc will offer the reflection.
These are chaotic times driven by heartache, fear, and the desire for a better future. At this writing, the pandemic continues to cast its shadow of illness, anxiety and caution. Protests and voices being raised around the world highlight a renewed call against racial injustice. (I am grateful to Fr. Patrick who has been reaching out to our Black undergrads to offer them support in these days.)
As Cardinal O’Malley noted in his statement last week, we can look to the great treasury of Catholic Social doctrine for a road map forward. Based in the reality that we are made in the image and likeness of God as its foundation, and guided by the twin principles of the common good and the dignity of every human person, these important teachings can shape our own personal response and our assistance to the world’s grappling with these concerns. We pray that righteous anger will not devolve into senseless anarchy and that courage and wisdom will enlighten minds and hearts.
The slow opening of our church to the celebration of Mass can only help us in this. It has been wonderful for parishioners to be able to pray together, to receive the Eucharist, and to greet one another in a safe way after Mass. We continue to be grateful to the volunteers who usher and clean at Masses. We can always use more volunteers to have on the roster so that we can keep the church open for Masses! Just contact Nancy in the main office.
We remind you to register for Masses at the parish website, which has been going well, and I note that there are plenty of spots available at 5:00 PM on Saturday and 7:30 AM on Sunday.
The support scaffolding has been installed in the lower church under the sanctuary during this week and by next week the upper church sanctuary will be filled from top to bottom! Pray that the repairs to the beautiful Ascension frieze will not be as extensive as they might be (we won’t know until the technicians get up there and actually touch the plaster.) Weekend Masses will continue as usual.
I want to thank those who participated in the Choir School Day of Giving. It was an encouraging success, indicating the commitment of many and the recognition of how important this school is for the boys, the parish, and the wider music and church world.
Along those lines, you’ll not be surprised to learn that we have to make many adjustments in the school for a September opening to keep everyone there safe during the pandemic. We have a cracker jack team of experts in a variety of fields helping us. There are many expenses, but a large one is the need for an air conditioning/air filtration system for the third floor of the school. Though we do not yet have a final estimate of costs, I expect it to be in the $20,000-$30,000 range. If you or someone you know might be able and interested to help with this project in any way, I would be grateful to hear from you.