Dear Friends,
As I write this column, the Phillies have won their first Wild Card playoff game. Go Phillies! And of course, the Eagles are undefeated after 4 games. Go Eagles! A winning October for our sports teams.
This weekend we welcome and greet Father John Stokely to our parish family. Father spent this past week getting oriented to our parish with the priests, staff, and school. He will introduce himself at the Masses this weekend. We are very happy to have him here with us and look forward to his priestly ministry among us. Be sure to introduce yourself to Father when you see him around. We extend to him our traditional warm Saint Eleanor welcome!
Saturday, September 30 was our Archdiocesan Eucharistic Revival Congress at the Doylestown Shrine. I had the opportunity to assist with confessions for a little time during the day. Several of our parishioners attended the entire day. The feedback has been very positive and inspiring. The talks, the liturgies, the worship, the time being together with others from near and far, experiencing our shared belief in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament lifted the spirits of those attending.
One story exemplifies the profound faith of those in attendance. Two deacons, one being our own Deacon Jack Hasson, were transporting a very large monstrance with the Blessed Sacrament from one location to another and there was a delay of quite some length because the destination was being used for a talk. This was outdoors and people who came along knelt down and remained in adoration until the deacons could move to the location assigned. How precious is the presence of the Lord in the Eucharist. How blessed we are to have the opportunity to worship Him and express our love to Him.
Last weekend was also the second of our Confirmation retreat programs. My profound and heartfelt thanks to Mrs. Laura Jusko and her team. I shared among other things with the Confirmation candidates and their sponsors/parents a reflection and invitation about the word ~ AMEN.
We use the word all the time in prayer and worship. What does it mean? It is a Hebrew word and appears both in the Old and the New Testaments and early Church manuscripts, practices, and liturgies. Its meaning is “so be it,” “I believe.” When receiving Holy Communion, we respond out loud, AMEN, when the minister says to us: “The Body of Christ.” So, we are testifying that we believe the Host to be Jesus and that we are receiving Jesus. In the Sacrament of Confession, when the priest prays the words of the prayer of absolution over us, the proper response for us is to say AMEN. As we do, we are testifying that we believe God has absolved us, forgiven us our sins. A simple, short word that we use so often. It is one to ponder over in our hearts and prayer. Be sure to say it out loud.
It’s almost here…. Two Dollar Sunday! Get ready for next weekend and the big reveal! I was just told that Trader Joe’s (at least in some locations) has a “$2 Buck Chuck” program. Never heard of that myself; but this is different, of course. Stay tuned…
God bless you, God love you,
Monsignor McCulken
