Dear Friends,
Our celebration of Forty Hours was a beautiful and inspiring moment in the life of our parish. Father Louis Monica walked us through the basics and helped us focus our attention on and increased our appreciation for the true reality of Jesus Christ present in the Most Blessed Sacrament.
Thank you to everyone who helped to make these days so beautiful, reverent, and prayerful. Thanks to our servers, cantors and organist, our deacons, our youth group, and parish staff. A special word of thanks to Father Graebe who coordinated the liturgical celebrations for the devotions. Thank you all who participated in the evening devotions and spent time quietly with our risen Lord over these days including our children from Holy Cross.
Our parish feast day was Wednesday, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Saint Eleanor, who is Saint Helena, is the founder of the True Cross and so our Forty Hours devotions are celebrated near this feast day. Of course, it is also the feast day for Holy Cross Regional. The school children attended the 9 AM Mass and fully participated in liturgical ministries.
Not long ago, I came across a hymn in the Liturgy of the Hours, the prayers that are recited throughout the day by priests, religious and lay faithful. It is one of the hymns assigned for Midday Prayer. There are many hymns included in the Liturgy of the Hours. It really touched my heart and soul deeply. I pray it often now and want to share it with all of you ~
Breathe on me, breath of God, Fill me with life anew, That I may love the things you love, And do what you would do.
Breathe on me, breath of God, Until my heart is pure, Until with you I have one will, To live and to endure.
Breathe on me, breath of God, My soul with grace refine, Until this earthly part of me, Glows with your fire divine.
Breathe on me, breath of God, So I shall never die, But live with you the perfect life, In your eternity.
Tune: Yattendon 64 S.M.; Music: H. E. Woodbridge, 1845-1917; Text: Edwin Hatch, 1835-1889, adapted by Anthony G. Petti
Indeed, come and breathe most Holy Spirit ~ fill us and all the people of the world. Amen.
God bless you, God love you,
Monsignor McCulken
