From the Pastor:
Dear Parishioners,
In the bulletin last week and again this week are the names and pictures of those who are participating in our tri-parish OCIA and OCIC classes. OCIA is an acronym that stands for Order of Christian Initiation for Adults and OCIC is a similar program for children. Each of these people are interested in learning more about the Catholic Faith with the intent of joining the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil. For the last two months, they and their sponsors have been meeting each week with us priests and other catechists from our three parishes to learn about the Catholic Faith.
It is truly amazing who God is and what God has created us to be. Helping other people know this is one of my greatest joys and privileges. It provides the pathway for them to experience the “fullness of life” – as it is described in the Eucharistic prayer during the Mass. What God offers us even here on earth, when we fully give ourselves to Him, is beyond description. There are many ideas today about the purpose of meaning of our life, and how to find happiness and fulfillment, but none provides the direct pathway to God as Catholicism offers. I know this is a bold statement but that is why Jesus established the one Church for all of humanity. “Catholic” is Greek for universal.
The names and pictures of those in our OCIA and OCIS classes are in the bulletin so that you can include them in your own prayers each day. If you see them, please welcome them and encourage them in their prayer, study, and discernment. I admire their humility and courage in what they are doing. I'm especially excited about the high schoolers who are making this decision for themselves at an age when faith and religion are often unpopular. The good witness of some of their fellow students, who have taken the time to know the Catholic Faith and live it, have been an inspiration to them.
One of the most common reasons people become members of the Catholic Church is to receive Jesus in the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. The more we Catholics know and understand what the Eucharist is, the greater we can encounter Jesus whenever we are in the presence of the Eucharist. To help with this, the priests of our deanery are offering 6-session series aimed at deepening our love and appreciation for Jesus in the Eucharist. Each session will be at a different parish in our deanery on the second Thursday of the month, beginning this month.
Each event will start at 6:30 pm with a social that includes snacks. At 7:00 pm a presentation will be given, usually connected with the liturgical season. The presentation will conclude with a brief period for questions and answers. The evening will finish at 8:00 pm with 30 minutes of prayer before Jesus in the Eucharist. This special time of prayer is known as Exposition and will conclude with a special blessing for all in attendance. You are encouraged to bring your whole family as we gather as a deanery to learn, pray, and worship our Lord in the Eucharist!
Gratefully,
Fr. Miller