This is the week of our annual Clergy Convocation at Lake Barkley. Fr. Joshua and I will join Bishop McRaith and most all the priests of the diocese on Monday afternoon. Our speaker for the week is a Sulpician priest from California. He will be presenting reflections on the Catholic priesthood from a theological and historical perspective. The Convocation affords us a time to renew relationships among ourselves, to pray together and to discuss issues of importance to the diocese. Bishop-elect Medley will join us for Mass and dinner on Wednesday. That evening we will honor those priests celebrating significant anniversaries this year. (Bishop McRaith celebrates his golden anniversary this year). I Thank you in advance for your prayers, and we assure you that we will be praying for you.
As we begin this new year, I would like to offer a couple of reminders to our Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers. Please remember that your responsibility also includes washing the communion vessels after the Mass to which you are assigned. There are some who frequently neglect this aspect of your duty. Secondly, be advised that the bow you make in reverence before receiving the Precious Blood is made to the chalice, not to the purificator. It is my habit to hand you the purificator before presenting the chalice. I notice that some bow and answer “Amen” to the purificator before I hand over the chalice and pronounce “The Blood of Christ.”
Lastly, I ask all liturgical ministers, including altar servers (and especially their parents) to be attentive to the schedule. It frequently happens that we have to find substitutes in the minutes just prior to Mass. This in an inconvenience to all concerned and leads to a general state of confusion as we begin Mass. If you cannot be present, please secure a substitute. Many thanks.
Finally, a thank you to all who contributed to make our Christmas celebration beautiful and prayerful. The list is not exhaustive, but it does include our choir and musicians, the various liturgical ministers, those who decorated and undecorated the Church. Love, Fr. John
