The Roman Collar
  • Front Page
  • My Ponderings (Blog)
  • My Sunday Homilies
    • Homilies 2019
    • Homilies for 2018
    • Homilies for 2017
    • Homilies for 2016
    • Homilies for 2015
    • Homilies for 2014
  • My Bulletin Column
  • About/Contact the Author
    • My Biography
    • Contact Me
  • Great Resources and Websites
    • Military Resources
    • Websites
    • Great Blogs
  • Videos
    • Waldo Canyon Fire - Colorado Springs
    • Pope's Final Departure from Vatican
    • Seminarians on Pope's Departure
    • Cardinal Elector Procession into the Sistine Chapel
  • Photos
    • My Favorite Fire Department Photos
    • Venice, Italy
    • Pikes Peak Cog Railway
    • Vocation Trip to Denver Seminary
    • Kenrick-Glennon Seminary
    • Father & Son Retreat in Buena Vista
  • Ordination Videos and Photos

Dec. 6-7, 2014

12/13/2014

0 Comments

 
My Dear Parishioners,

As I mentioned last week, this is always a good time to reflect on our participation in the Mass. This week you will find Communion guidelines and a letter from the USCCB as an insert for the bulletin. Please take time to review it. Also, several of you commented on my homily and in response to requests, here is a brief summary for your reflections.

  • Preparing for Mass
    • We should always be modest, neat and clean. We should dress appropriately, not like we are going to the ballpark or the beach or the gym.
    • Torn shirts, tank tops and shorts are never appropriate for Mass.
    • We should aim to arrive about 10 minutes early.
    • We should greet our friends and neighbors in the narthex because the nave is for prayer. Please respect those around you by not having extended conversations in the pews.
    • Never leave Mass before the priest. Wait for those few minutes and hear the closing prayer and receive the Final Blessing
    • Remember Jesus words to His disciples: “Could you not keep watch for one hour?” (Mark 14:37)
  • The Sign of Peace
    • Remembering that this is a sign and we are symbolically showing unity and charity to all our brethren, we are to offer this sign only to those nearest to us and in a sober manner. Leaving the pew and trying to greet as many people as possible is not the intent of this part of the Mass.
  • After Mass
    • Finally, when Mass is complete, take a moment or two and thank God for the wonderful gift He has given us. A short prayer of thanksgiving is certainly appropriate.
My brothers and sisters in Christ, remember that we are celebrating this most Sacred Sacrament. Mass is the time that God Almighty and man is the closest in this life. We should always strive to celebrate the Mass in the way most befitting the Sacrifice Jesus made for us.

This is my prayer before every Mass and I hope that you also will pray it and keep this intention in your heart:

May we celebrate this Mass worthily and well. May we celebrate it as if it were our First Mass, Our last Mass, our only Mass. Amen.

Your servant in Christ,

Fr. John


0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Fr. John Stearns is the Parochial Vicar at St. Dominic Catholic Church in Security, Colorado. These are his columns which appear weekly in the parish bulletin. 

    Archives

    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014

    Categories

    All
    Advent
    Blessings
    Budget
    Catechesis
    Charity
    Christ The King
    Conversion
    Indulgences
    Liturgy
    Mass
    Messiah
    November
    Ordinary Time
    Prayer
    Prayers For The Dead
    Preparation
    Teaching
    Teaching Mass
    Thanksgiving
    Tithing
    Treasure

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.