Month: September 2023

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Why is there so much suffering in this world?

Sometimes, when we see what is happening in the world, we think the following: “I am a fervent believer, but when I look around me and what is happening in this world, I cannot help but see evil around me.” This should make us remember the words of the devil in the second temptation to our Lord Jesus Christ, after showing Him all the kingdoms of the Earth: “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to” (Luke 4:5-7), the devil did not receive the nations of the Earth from God, God gave the Earth to us (Genesis 2:15), but it was us who gave the power to the devil by falling into the same temptations that were presented to Jesus: temptation to pleasures of the flesh (Luke 4:3), temptation to earthly power (Luke 4:6), or temptation to arrogance (Luke 4:9-11).

When these thoughts invade our reflections, we must also remember what our Lord told us: “…Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven…” (Luke 6:20-23). Let us remember that our objective is not in this world, but rather it is the dwelling place in the Kingdom of Heaven that our Lord has prepared for us (John 14:2). Those who suffer in this world will have their reward in Heaven with our Lord and the love of God the Father.

Let us avoid falling into the temptations of the enemy, and let us do the God’s will here on Earth as it is done in Heaven, let us work to earn that abode that Jesus Christ has reserved for us and let us wait with faith for our just reward according to our actions.

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Can I celebrate mass at home?

A special occasion is coming up in my family, and we would like to celebrate it with a mass. Can mass be celebrated at my house? Although celebrating a mass in our home can be considered an honor and a great blessing, there are conditions for this to be done. The documents of the Catholic Church tell us that the celebration of the Eucharist must take place in a sacred place, for example, a cathedral, a church, a chapel or a shrine; unless a case of particular necessity requires otherwise, and in that case, it must be done in a decent place (Canon 932 § 1).

But what could be these situations of particular need? For example: there is no Catholic church nearby, such as in places of armed conflict or trapped on the road after a snow storm. Another special occasion is when the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is celebrated when a faithful is seriously ill, since it is recommended that this sacrament be celebrated within the Eucharist (CCC 1517). Or when the existing church is too small for the community, it can be celebrated in another appropriate place that is worthy of such a great mystery (GIRM 288).

The diocesan Bishop shall be the judge for his diocese concerning this necessity, on a case-by-case basis (Redemptionis Sacramentum 108)

Once permission has been obtained from the diocesan Bishop to celebrate a mass outside a sacred place, there are conditions that must be met:

Instead of a consecrated altar, a suitable table can be used for the Eucharistic Sacrifice, always with a cloth and corporal (Canon 932 § 2).

The celebration of Holy Mass is not to be inserted in any way into the setting of a common meal, nor joined with this kind of banquet. Mass is not to be celebrated on a dinner table nor in a dining room or banquet hall, nor in a room where food is present, nor in a place where the participants during the celebration itself are seated at tables. If out of grave necessity Mass must be celebrated in the same place where eating will later take place, there is to be a clear interval of time between the conclusion of Mass and the beginning of the meal, and ordinary food is not to be set before the faithful during the celebration of Mass. (RS 77)

Let us have reverence for the sacramentality of the great mystery that is the Holy Eucharist, let us go to our local church to celebrate and bless those special occasions in our lives and by being surrounded by holiness in such a sacred place, may this allow us to advance further in our own calling to holiness. (Matthew 5:48)

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What must I do to be ready for the Second Coming of Christ?

I regularly come to mass and support with the offering, is this enough to be admitted to the kingdom of heaven? Our Lord Jesus Christ taught us through parables the importance of being ready for the end of times (Matthew 13:47-50, Matthew 25:1-13, Luke 16:19-31), he also tells us that we do not know neither the day nor the hour in which it will arrive (Matthew 25:13).

“We have to be ready for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, to be really attentive to the Gospels; makes us ready, the messages we hear in the Gospels at every Mass constantly remind us to be kind, to be charitable, to speak well of one another, to be ready in the presence of Jesus with our actions, to go to the table of the Lord, because there is where we get the food we need to get ready. Let us also remember that at the end of the Mass, we are told to go and be Eucharist for others, to go in peace to share what we have seen and heard at Mass. It is our job at the end of the mass to bring the good news to others, to be ready, to live honest and morally correct lives.” i

To be ready we must follow the example of Christ, love God above all things and love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:34-40), do everything possible to be able to participate in the Lord’s supper, and fulfill our mission to evangelize.

To follow Jesus Christ implies following his teachings, commemorating the paschal sacrifice, and above all participating in said sacrifice, which is the Holy Eucharist, since we have to eat the body of Christ because He is the living bread that came down from heaven, and the one who eats from that bread you will have eternal life. (John 6:51)

I Poth, Thomas “Homily” 8:00 AM Mass, 1 Sep. 2023, The Parish of Saint Patrick, Bay Shore

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How can I help in my parish?

I come regularly to mass and support with the offering, but I would like to help more, what can I do to help my parish? Our main mission as Catholics is to evangelize, we can also do it by helping our local Church, joining a lay ministry or forming one that is needed.

Lay ministries in the Church are not only those that we see at Mass, such as: altar servers, acolytes, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, lectors, psalmists, choir, and ushers. Apart from these there are other ministries that we usually do not see, but nevertheless their work is important for the ritual of the mass and evangelization. Some of these are: Altar Linen Care Ministry, are those in charge of washing the altar cloths, corporals and purifiers; Consolation Ministry, are those who assist in the preparation prior to and during funerals to accompany the family of the deceased; Catechesis Ministry, they share their faith, whether with children,  adolescents or adults to guide them in the knowledge of the Church’s teachings; Prayer Shawl Ministry, who offer their time and skills making hand-woven garments that will be donated to those most in need; Vine and Branches Ministry, they help and organize the events of the parish in which food is shared; Youth Ministry, aimed at youth who have already received their sacraments of initiation, in order to keep them active in their faith; Liturgical Environment Ministry, which is in charge of decorating the temple according to the liturgical time and vesting the altar with the appropriate liturgical color; Wedding Preparation Ministry, offers support to couples in the coordination and rehearsal for the sacrament of marriage; Outreach Ministry, extends the mercy of the Church to those most in need, offering them food and household supplies; Prayer Ministries, in its various forms, Divine Mercy, the Holy Rosary, Padre Pio, Miraculous Medal, who offer their time and prayers for the well-being and sanctification of everyone.

Let us participate in a ministry where we can put into practice the gifts which God has blessed us with, supporting our parish and evangelizing with our actions.