If the response of the spectators to Phil Mickelson's likely victory while in the fairway of the 18th hole of the P.G.A Championship is any indication (jubilant and unrestrained), it would seem that coming out of the coronvirus pandemic (at least we pray we are) and its restrictions is leading people who have been restrained to express themselves in some new or renewed ways in many venues including in worship in church.
I am seeing that before me at the weekend Masses at Sacred Heart Church as more and more are coming back to church after many months away from us. The participation of our parishioners and visitors seems to reflect, to me anyway, the power of the Holy Spirit, as the volume of voice coming from the congregation has gone up at the Masses, especially at last Saturday's 5:00 p.m., Pentecost Mass. There is no substitute for the physical presence of people at Mass and for some the interactions that take place before and after Mass (and at the Sign of Peace) which strengthen bonds with those we know and who believe as we do. I applaud those who have come to Mass during the pandemic and through the restrictions and protocols that were required to keep us safe. I'm sure I wasn't the only one missig the "normal" amount of music and singing during Mass (which is a powerful way to pray and join the choirs of angels and saints in heaven). I hopefully don't need to say much if at all about the GREAT blessing of receiving Jesus in Holy Communion at Mass. Those who had chosen to receive Communion on the tongue, (for some since the reception of their First Holy Communion) can now go back to doing so during the Mass. It's hard to say if or when we will offer the Precious Blood of Christ at Mass again. That's the call of the bishop. I do want to thank God for our bishop and for his care of Catholics in Arkansas, but also for our physical well being during this hopefully once in a lifetime pandemic!
Finally, I give thanks to God and acknowledge in appreciation all those who helped out in all aspects of the "parking lot Mass" from set up and take down, to handing out bulletins, to parking attendants, and sound people during the many months of the pandemic. You know who you are, and those who faithfully attended the "parking lot Mass," know who you are as well. Blessings upon all of them for going "above and beyond" for such a long time.
I pray that the enthusiasm I have seen in the last few weeks (after restrictions have been lifted) will continue in the future, and will make us even stronger Catholics in Mass and in our daily lives as well. "Come Holy Spirit on us shine!"
I am seeing that before me at the weekend Masses at Sacred Heart Church as more and more are coming back to church after many months away from us. The participation of our parishioners and visitors seems to reflect, to me anyway, the power of the Holy Spirit, as the volume of voice coming from the congregation has gone up at the Masses, especially at last Saturday's 5:00 p.m., Pentecost Mass. There is no substitute for the physical presence of people at Mass and for some the interactions that take place before and after Mass (and at the Sign of Peace) which strengthen bonds with those we know and who believe as we do. I applaud those who have come to Mass during the pandemic and through the restrictions and protocols that were required to keep us safe. I'm sure I wasn't the only one missig the "normal" amount of music and singing during Mass (which is a powerful way to pray and join the choirs of angels and saints in heaven). I hopefully don't need to say much if at all about the GREAT blessing of receiving Jesus in Holy Communion at Mass. Those who had chosen to receive Communion on the tongue, (for some since the reception of their First Holy Communion) can now go back to doing so during the Mass. It's hard to say if or when we will offer the Precious Blood of Christ at Mass again. That's the call of the bishop. I do want to thank God for our bishop and for his care of Catholics in Arkansas, but also for our physical well being during this hopefully once in a lifetime pandemic!
Finally, I give thanks to God and acknowledge in appreciation all those who helped out in all aspects of the "parking lot Mass" from set up and take down, to handing out bulletins, to parking attendants, and sound people during the many months of the pandemic. You know who you are, and those who faithfully attended the "parking lot Mass," know who you are as well. Blessings upon all of them for going "above and beyond" for such a long time.
I pray that the enthusiasm I have seen in the last few weeks (after restrictions have been lifted) will continue in the future, and will make us even stronger Catholics in Mass and in our daily lives as well. "Come Holy Spirit on us shine!"
About a week ago, I con-celebrated the funeral Mass of one of our senior priests, Fr. Robert (Bob) Dienert at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Marche, Arkansas. Fr. Dienert was a "Missionary" to Arkansas, coming to Arkansas from Detroit, Michigan and attending seminary at St. John's in Little Rock. He was accepted as a priest in our diocese and served in parishes throughout Arkansas for over 50 years. Please pray for the happy repose of his soul as well as that of Fr. Ralph Esposito, a retired priest who came to the diocese from Pittsburgh in 1979 and served the people of Arkansas for over 20 years until he contracted Esophageal Cancer and had to retire early. These and other missionary priests from places around the United States (like Philadelphia) came to Arkansas in the 1930's, 40's and 50's to help provide for the rural, and not very "Catholic" part of our country. In those days, with so few Catholics in our state, the number of home-grown priests was very few in number. Now for the past 25 years or so, our diocese has been blessed with missionary priests from Nigeria, Uganda, India, and a few other countries to help with the ongoing ministry needs in Arkansas. Unlike the priests I have mentioned earlier, most of these priests are on loan from their diocese and stay with us for a limited time. We are truly blessed to have them, as the alternative would have been to have to close some of our parishes for lack of priests.
I am happy to say that in the last 20 years, the Holy Spirit has been working in our diocese through the leadership of Msgr. Friend to produce many "home-grown" priests who have received positive influences (including priests like Fr.'s Dienert and Ralph) that have led them to give their lives to God as priests for the people of Arkansas. This year with 5 young men (and I want to emphasize the word YOUNG) about to be ordained priests for the Diocese of Little Rock, we have a unique situation in that EVERY Catholic in Arkansas is being invited to this ordination on May 29, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at the Barton Coliseum, 2600 Howard Street in Little Rock. This venue was chosen because of limitations of seating in even our largest Catholic Church due to the coronavirus, and given the capacity of Barton Coliseum (over 8,000) there's plenty of room and parking for Catholics to take part in a priestly Ordination Mass and be there to welcome and congratulate (at least by applause) these newly ordained priests. Believe me, it will be an experience that you will never forget (and hopefully share with others who could not come). Finally, you will get to see many of the priests of Arkansas present at this Mass, which is impressive in and of itself!!
I am happy to say that in the last 20 years, the Holy Spirit has been working in our diocese through the leadership of Msgr. Friend to produce many "home-grown" priests who have received positive influences (including priests like Fr.'s Dienert and Ralph) that have led them to give their lives to God as priests for the people of Arkansas. This year with 5 young men (and I want to emphasize the word YOUNG) about to be ordained priests for the Diocese of Little Rock, we have a unique situation in that EVERY Catholic in Arkansas is being invited to this ordination on May 29, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at the Barton Coliseum, 2600 Howard Street in Little Rock. This venue was chosen because of limitations of seating in even our largest Catholic Church due to the coronavirus, and given the capacity of Barton Coliseum (over 8,000) there's plenty of room and parking for Catholics to take part in a priestly Ordination Mass and be there to welcome and congratulate (at least by applause) these newly ordained priests. Believe me, it will be an experience that you will never forget (and hopefully share with others who could not come). Finally, you will get to see many of the priests of Arkansas present at this Mass, which is impressive in and of itself!!
A few weeks ago, while I was visiting one of our parishioners who is "shut-in" I was engaging in conversation with a hired caregiver. At some point, the caregiver inquired if she could ask me a question. I was not surprised when I heard her question, as it was (and is) one that is aked of me and perhaps many of you from our Protestant brothers and sisters in the Lord, especially in this part of the country. Do Catholics worship Mary? Of course, the shortest answer to this question is NO. I would hope, however, that all of us can use this opportunity to help our friends to understand firstly, that according to the Catholic Church and the First Commandment (of the Ten Commandments), we (and everyone) should worship God alone.
It would be good to go on to explain that we honor Mary as the Mother of God and hold her up as the best example of what it is to be a disciple of the Lord. Given the reality that "Bible-based" Christians are always looking for answers and wisdom from God's Word (which we Catholics do in our liturgies and on our own or in group scripture studies), I would urge you to give witness to our belief in honoring Mary and asking for her help by quoting the very familiar "Hail Mary" prayer. The first part of it quotes the Angel Gabriel who says to Mary, "HAIL FULL OF GRACE, THE LORD IS WITH YOU." (Luke 1:28) while the next part quotes Mary's cousin, Elizabeth who, the bible tells us, who, "filled with the Holy Spirit cried out with a loud voice to Mary, BLESSED ARE YOU AMONG WOMEN AND BLESSED IS THE FRUIT OF YOUR WOMB. (LUKE 1:41-42). These two bible quotes, make it clear just how special Mary was (and is) to God AND to us. Then the final part of the "Hail Mary" prayer speaks indirectly of the fact that we look to God and God alone to answer our prayers and we look to Mary, who we believe to be close to her Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus to intercede to her Son when we say "PRAY FOR US, SINNERS, NOW AND AT THE HOUR OF OUR DEATH.
The same, Mary, the Mother of God, who interceded to her son on behalf of the newly married couple at the Wedding Feast of Cana (John 2:1-12) is, we believe always ready to help us or anyone who believes in the power of her Son, Jesus Christ to answer our wants and needs. The "Hail Mary" prayer is indeed a good scriptural answer to those who question our belief about Mary and it certainly is a prayer worthy of us echoing over and over again as we pray the rosary and meditate on the great mysteries of our salvation in and through Jesus Christ!!!
It would be good to go on to explain that we honor Mary as the Mother of God and hold her up as the best example of what it is to be a disciple of the Lord. Given the reality that "Bible-based" Christians are always looking for answers and wisdom from God's Word (which we Catholics do in our liturgies and on our own or in group scripture studies), I would urge you to give witness to our belief in honoring Mary and asking for her help by quoting the very familiar "Hail Mary" prayer. The first part of it quotes the Angel Gabriel who says to Mary, "HAIL FULL OF GRACE, THE LORD IS WITH YOU." (Luke 1:28) while the next part quotes Mary's cousin, Elizabeth who, the bible tells us, who, "filled with the Holy Spirit cried out with a loud voice to Mary, BLESSED ARE YOU AMONG WOMEN AND BLESSED IS THE FRUIT OF YOUR WOMB. (LUKE 1:41-42). These two bible quotes, make it clear just how special Mary was (and is) to God AND to us. Then the final part of the "Hail Mary" prayer speaks indirectly of the fact that we look to God and God alone to answer our prayers and we look to Mary, who we believe to be close to her Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus to intercede to her Son when we say "PRAY FOR US, SINNERS, NOW AND AT THE HOUR OF OUR DEATH.
The same, Mary, the Mother of God, who interceded to her son on behalf of the newly married couple at the Wedding Feast of Cana (John 2:1-12) is, we believe always ready to help us or anyone who believes in the power of her Son, Jesus Christ to answer our wants and needs. The "Hail Mary" prayer is indeed a good scriptural answer to those who question our belief about Mary and it certainly is a prayer worthy of us echoing over and over again as we pray the rosary and meditate on the great mysteries of our salvation in and through Jesus Christ!!!