14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear Parishioners,

   During the past week there has been a lot written in the media about whether the American Catholic Bishops will deny communion to politicians who do not support laws that would restrict abortion.  The bishops voted at their summer meeting to write a statement about the Eucharist.  The statement will be drafted and voted upon in the fall. Several bishops have stated that they are concerned about the stance that some Catholic politicians have taken on abortion and question whether they should receive communion.  Naturally, this is a very sensitive issue.

     The controversy has prompted the National Council of Catholic Bishops to respond on their WEB site to questions being asked.  I invite you to go there and to see what they are saying.  One question that is most relevant is answered in clear terms:

     Are the bishops going to issue a national policy on withholding Communion from Politicians?

     Answer: No.  There will be no national policy on withholding Communion from politicians.  The intent is to present a clear understanding of the Church’s teaching to bring heightened awareness among the faithful of how the Eucharist can transform our lives and bring us closer to our creator and the life he wants for us.

      I do think most bishops hope that the Eucharist might be something that unites rather than divides us. We do need to be brought back together around the Eucharistic table after the divisions that have arisen in our country of the last two years. That is the Theology of Eucharist that has always been preached since Jesus said at the Last Supper, “I pray……that all may be one as you, Father, are in me, and I in you.”

     May Our Lady and All the Angels and Saints may watch over you.

Fr. Mark

P.S. Please check the bulletin for the latest on our COVID 19 protocols.