Whenever a poll is done on any subject and the results are a low percentage, that usually is bad news for somebody or something. The hopes (of some people) are that is will rise. That is certainly the case when it comes to the percentage of Catholics who say they truly believe in the "Real Presence" of Jesus in the Eucharist. Of course, any poll has to be evaluated when it comes to who was polled, whether, in this case, it was practicing Catholics or those who have Catholic roots but are not attending Mass much, it at all. I would certainly hope that the percentages would be higher among those who make it a practice and priority to participate in Mass and receive the blessings of the Sacrament of the Eucharist.
Another poll number that is often thrown around, in a general sort of way, is how many people in ANY given organization, including church congregations, take an active role in the workings of the group. In terms of a church congregation there is the percentage of those on the rolls as members who at least come to Mass on a somewhat regular basis. Usually that number is around 30% or lower in many congregations. I would honestly (and happily) say that the percentage at our parish is higher than the average parish and, for that, I am very thankful and know many people are blessed by their putting God as a priority in this important way.
Admittedly, I believe the percentage of our parishioners who participate beyond attending Mass is not much higher than the 15-20% that is quoted as the ones who "do all the work", whether it be ours or any parish, or other organization. The challenge is always there to get that number higher.
In this weeks column, I want to encourage and invite more participation in our liturgical ministries as it has the potential to be much higher that other ways of participating in ministries and activities of the parish. Today's particular pleas from me is for altar servers at the weekend Masses (weekday Masses too). We are not only lookiing for men who might have the "experience" of serving Mass in their growing up years and those who haven't, but also women who probably didn't have the opportunity when growing up, but do now! Many churches have many young people who can participate in this ministry and plenty to take over for those who quit. That is not the case here! PLEASE consider this ministry if you are physically able (There is no age limit)! Al Hanschmann, (847-977-1789) will train you and we will accommodate whatever Mass or Masses you are williing to serve. In my 12 years of being an altar server growing up, I felt more in touch with the Mass and it seemed to go faster when I was on the altar "doing something" for the priest rather than being confined in the pew! We need you, so, PLEASE, answer the call.
Another poll number that is often thrown around, in a general sort of way, is how many people in ANY given organization, including church congregations, take an active role in the workings of the group. In terms of a church congregation there is the percentage of those on the rolls as members who at least come to Mass on a somewhat regular basis. Usually that number is around 30% or lower in many congregations. I would honestly (and happily) say that the percentage at our parish is higher than the average parish and, for that, I am very thankful and know many people are blessed by their putting God as a priority in this important way.
Admittedly, I believe the percentage of our parishioners who participate beyond attending Mass is not much higher than the 15-20% that is quoted as the ones who "do all the work", whether it be ours or any parish, or other organization. The challenge is always there to get that number higher.
In this weeks column, I want to encourage and invite more participation in our liturgical ministries as it has the potential to be much higher that other ways of participating in ministries and activities of the parish. Today's particular pleas from me is for altar servers at the weekend Masses (weekday Masses too). We are not only lookiing for men who might have the "experience" of serving Mass in their growing up years and those who haven't, but also women who probably didn't have the opportunity when growing up, but do now! Many churches have many young people who can participate in this ministry and plenty to take over for those who quit. That is not the case here! PLEASE consider this ministry if you are physically able (There is no age limit)! Al Hanschmann, (847-977-1789) will train you and we will accommodate whatever Mass or Masses you are williing to serve. In my 12 years of being an altar server growing up, I felt more in touch with the Mass and it seemed to go faster when I was on the altar "doing something" for the priest rather than being confined in the pew! We need you, so, PLEASE, answer the call.
Have you ever heard of a podcast? Many of us have and some of us actually do subscribe to podcasts, which is a regular (i.e. daily or weekly) program through the internet, that often involves a person or persons sharing their point of view on a topic or topics. An advertisement for one of these says that one of the episodes each week is on a topic that interests him and the other one is on a topic that interests his viewers or listeners.
I have decided to do something similar with my pastor's column. I will have one week that I will choose a topic for the column and the next week I will delve into a topic that parishioners of Sacred Heart are interested in. If you have an idea for a topic (of course within the Catholic realm), please send it to me at my email address, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. While I'm giving this email address to you, I think it is a good time to remind you that "scam people" continue to try to pose as me by sending emails asking something of you (supposedly from me). If you look at the email address the scam is coming from, it is usually not even close to mine. One time someone just added an extra "l" to Bill and I didn't catch the difference at first myself.
Getting back to parishioners helping to choose the topic of the pastor's column, please realize that, depending on how many ideas come in, it may be awhile before I get to a submitted suggestion. Please include your name and phone number so I can get back to you in the event I might need clarification on the topic you wish to be covered in my pastor's column.
Today, briefly, I want to write about a question someone sent me about purifying the sacred vessels after Communion at Mass. We all grew up seeing this done by the priest (and later by deacons) right after Holy Communion. As a longtime altar server, I remember bringing the cruet of water over to the priest at the altar after he returned from puttimg the ciborium of consecrated hosts back in the tabernacle. As you know, over time, the number of vessels that need purifying has grown, especially when the precious blood is given. The Church's liturgical directives now give the priest the option of purifying some or all of the vessels after Mass. I exercise this option, and, when a deacon has not assisted me at Mass, I go to the credence table on the weekends after saying goodbye to those leaving Mass, and purify the vessels. I do want to thank our sacristans who patiently wait for me or the deacon to do this before returning the vessels to the sacristy and washing them. I also want to publicly thank our head sacristan Mark Lukasavige and all the assistant sacristans who come early for Mass and stay later than most for the exercising of their duties! They are all a blessing to me and to our congregation!
I have decided to do something similar with my pastor's column. I will have one week that I will choose a topic for the column and the next week I will delve into a topic that parishioners of Sacred Heart are interested in. If you have an idea for a topic (of course within the Catholic realm), please send it to me at my email address, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. While I'm giving this email address to you, I think it is a good time to remind you that "scam people" continue to try to pose as me by sending emails asking something of you (supposedly from me). If you look at the email address the scam is coming from, it is usually not even close to mine. One time someone just added an extra "l" to Bill and I didn't catch the difference at first myself.
Getting back to parishioners helping to choose the topic of the pastor's column, please realize that, depending on how many ideas come in, it may be awhile before I get to a submitted suggestion. Please include your name and phone number so I can get back to you in the event I might need clarification on the topic you wish to be covered in my pastor's column.
Today, briefly, I want to write about a question someone sent me about purifying the sacred vessels after Communion at Mass. We all grew up seeing this done by the priest (and later by deacons) right after Holy Communion. As a longtime altar server, I remember bringing the cruet of water over to the priest at the altar after he returned from puttimg the ciborium of consecrated hosts back in the tabernacle. As you know, over time, the number of vessels that need purifying has grown, especially when the precious blood is given. The Church's liturgical directives now give the priest the option of purifying some or all of the vessels after Mass. I exercise this option, and, when a deacon has not assisted me at Mass, I go to the credence table on the weekends after saying goodbye to those leaving Mass, and purify the vessels. I do want to thank our sacristans who patiently wait for me or the deacon to do this before returning the vessels to the sacristy and washing them. I also want to publicly thank our head sacristan Mark Lukasavige and all the assistant sacristans who come early for Mass and stay later than most for the exercising of their duties! They are all a blessing to me and to our congregation!
When you hear the term B&B, many people immediately think of "Bed and Breakfast" opportunities in various places. I'm sure some of you have used B&Bs over the years. For purposes of this pastor's column, when I speak to you of B&B, I'm referring to our VIPs for the month of July, Bob and Bonnie Lennen. Before telling you more about them and their participation in our faith community, I want to bring to your attention (with their permission) the fact that Bob, though a cradle Catholic (having received Baptism and Eucharist in the early years of his life) had not received Confirmation and was not a practicing Catholic for many years, only returning and being Confirmed by Bishop Taylor in 2011.
After many prayers by his dear wife Bonnie, and encouragement from others (especially parishioner John McGrail of happy memory), Bob, led by the Holy Spirit who came to him at his Confirmation, started to get involved in such activities as the Men's Club and Knights of Columbus. He became an usher at the 10:00 a.m. Mass and, for a time, coordinated a monthly Sunday afternoon golf outing for parishioners, along with a meal that followed, at vaious courses in the Village. He was (and is) a Eucharistic Adorer and, at a certain point, became the afternoon division leader for Eucharistic Adoration in our parish. Bob was known to take open Holy Hours whenever needed and only recently gave up his role as division leader.
I hold Bob and Bonnie up as wonderful examples of commitment to the Lord (in prayer) and in service to His people. Bonnie was not only praying for Bob for years (and being a good and faithful wife), she also showed to Bob, and others, the joy of being involved in Christ-inspired activities. She has been a long-time member of the Sunday and Resurrection choir, is a Ladies Guild memeber and past captain of her guild. She was a secretary for L.O.S.H., is a Eucharistic Minister to our homebound parishioners, and a long-time Eucharisitic Adorer and hourly captain.
I am sure Bob and Bonnie inspire and encourage each other in the ministries they did and the ones they are doing for our Lord and our parish. Bob's sense of humor (he once said about me, "I finally found a priest that I can see eye to eye with in our small stature and I believe in other ways as well.) Bonnie has a sweet disposition that both friends and strangers discover and treasure about her.
Though they humbly indicated when finding out that they were chosen as VIPs, there are many others who deserve that honor before them. I hope you will agree with me that they are a fitting choice and I would ask prayers in thanksgiving to God for B&B. Let them know by word (if you know them) or by card that you appreciate them. I know I do!!
After many prayers by his dear wife Bonnie, and encouragement from others (especially parishioner John McGrail of happy memory), Bob, led by the Holy Spirit who came to him at his Confirmation, started to get involved in such activities as the Men's Club and Knights of Columbus. He became an usher at the 10:00 a.m. Mass and, for a time, coordinated a monthly Sunday afternoon golf outing for parishioners, along with a meal that followed, at vaious courses in the Village. He was (and is) a Eucharistic Adorer and, at a certain point, became the afternoon division leader for Eucharistic Adoration in our parish. Bob was known to take open Holy Hours whenever needed and only recently gave up his role as division leader.
I hold Bob and Bonnie up as wonderful examples of commitment to the Lord (in prayer) and in service to His people. Bonnie was not only praying for Bob for years (and being a good and faithful wife), she also showed to Bob, and others, the joy of being involved in Christ-inspired activities. She has been a long-time member of the Sunday and Resurrection choir, is a Ladies Guild memeber and past captain of her guild. She was a secretary for L.O.S.H., is a Eucharistic Minister to our homebound parishioners, and a long-time Eucharisitic Adorer and hourly captain.
I am sure Bob and Bonnie inspire and encourage each other in the ministries they did and the ones they are doing for our Lord and our parish. Bob's sense of humor (he once said about me, "I finally found a priest that I can see eye to eye with in our small stature and I believe in other ways as well.) Bonnie has a sweet disposition that both friends and strangers discover and treasure about her.
Though they humbly indicated when finding out that they were chosen as VIPs, there are many others who deserve that honor before them. I hope you will agree with me that they are a fitting choice and I would ask prayers in thanksgiving to God for B&B. Let them know by word (if you know them) or by card that you appreciate them. I know I do!!