Dear Parishioners and Friends,
In my letter last week I introduced our special festival in honor of the Eucharist which we will celebrate during the first week of June: “Eucharist: Feast of Joy & Remembrance.”
We will begin the festival with a special concert by our choirs on Saturday evening, June 1st, titled O Sacrum Convivium! (‘O Sacred Banquet’), Choral Meditations on the Eucharist. The concert will present a range of choral works based on Eucharistic themes. Composers from the Renaissance to the 20th century will be represented.
On Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, June 2-4, we will present a program called “Source and Summit, Sacrifice and Supper: The Meaning of the Eucharist” presented by Joseph Nuzzi from the Church of St. Francis of Assisi in New York City. Joe is a pastoral associate at St. Francis where he works in the areas of Evangelization and Adult Faith Formation. He frequently offers classes and lectures on the Scriptures, the Sacraments and the Ancient Church.
Joe’s presentations will focus on three topics: “What happened at the Last Supper? Origins of the Eucharist” on Sunday, June 2nd; “What Happens at Mass?” on Monday, June 3rd; and “Living the Eucharist in the Dying and Rising of Christ” on Tuesday, June 4th.
I hope you will join us for these presentations which will be inspiring and informative, as we reflect on the Sacrament which nourishes and strengthens us to live our Christian faith to its fullest. As a sacramental church, in order to experience the presence of Christ in our midst, we must take part in the Eucharist as his Body and Blood are offered and shared. Moreover, it is important for us to understand as fully as possible what it is we do each time we celebrate the Mass. This will a unique opportunity for us to come together as a faith community to explore more deeply the great mystery and gift that the Eucharist is, and how it affects our daily living as Christian disciples. So, come to the feast and celebrate!
Blessings on your week ahead!
Fr. Tim Shreenan, O.F.M., Pastor