Dear Parishioners,

In previous weeks, I talked about some misconceptions people have about baptism and confession. This week, I would like to talk about what we believe about the Eucharist.

First, the Eucharist is the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ. This is the most important truth about the Eucharist and it needs to be understood for the rest of what we believe even to make sense. We do not know this truth by our senses or by our reason but because Jesus Himself asserts it at the Last Supper. The God who created the universe and became human wills Himself to come to us under the appearance of Bread and Wine so that we may receive Him and have His life and holiness in us. As St. John Vianney tells us, “There is nothing so great as the Eucharist. If God had something more precious, He would have given it to us.”

Second, Christ is completely and totally present in each drop of the appearance of wine and each crumb of the appearance of bread. That is why after Communion, the priest or deacon so carefully purifies the vessels used at Mass: we are making sure that as much as possible of the Eucharist is consumed.

Third, we ought to only receive the Eucharist if we have faith, are in full communion with the Church, and have not committed any mortal sins since our last confession. As St. Paul warns the Corinthians, “For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body, eats and drinks judgment on himself.” (1 Cor 11:29) So, if you have discerned you have mortal sin on your soul, please come to confession. If you are in a state of life that keeps you from full communion with the Church (like an irregular marriage) please contact the parish office and we can begin to heal that situation.

Fourth, we not only receive our Lord at Mass, but we also adore and worship Him. It is why we should not immediately leave after Mass, but spend time with our Lord praying to Him and why so many people love going to Eucharistic Adoration which we have every Thursday.

May we continue to love the Lord and worship Him in the Blessed Sacrament.
God bless!

Fr. Carter

P.S. For anyone with a gluten allergy, we do have low gluten hosts in the sacristy. So please talk to the priest or deacon before the Mass if you need that kind of host.

P.P.S I’m hearing confessions in the chapel this Thursday at 6 pm.