During these days and weeks of Lent, the Holy Spirit calls the Church to be renewed in our mission to spread the Gospel, and to gather to Christ those who would be given life in him through the Sacraments of Initiation. During these days of Pandemic, things can veer into the realm of “out of sight, out of mind.” This can be the case especially if we do not have anyone participating in the Rites of Christian Initiation of Adults as we have had in the past, but do not this year. But let me assure you, there is much, and there are many persons and families to have in mind and prayer during days of Lenten grace.
There are youngsters and their families who are exploring for greater understanding and greater love the Mystery of the Holy Eucharist. Tender hearts and hungry minds seek to grasp what we do as they have observed us receiving Christ in the Eucharist during the Communion Rite, no longer the sacrifice of Abraham’s son but the Sacrifice of God’s own Son. We are guiding and assisting their families as they proclaim Gospel truth to their children and interpret for them what it means to be “in” Christ as much as to receive him.
There also are a great number of our young men and women in the parish preparing to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation. Like the experience of the Transfiguration which we recall and celebrate this Second Sunday of Lent, these young people are called to perceive more deeply the presence and the call of Christ to each of them through the laying on of hands and anointing with Chrism which Bishop McManus will make seen, heard and felt.
This year much of the “seeing” is via Zoom; For their sake and ours, I encourage you to support them in prayer, via the Holy Spirit!
Fr. Tom