Saint John Chrysostom asks: "Are you willing to learn more about just how awesome and holy the Mass truly is? Do you remember the story of Elijah confronting the false priests of the pagan gods? Imagine the scene as Elijah is standing high up on Mount Carmel. He's rebuilt an old stone altar to God and placed a sacrifice on it. The tired and sweaty false priests have given up their efforts to make a miracle. A large crowd of people stands in silence, waiting to see what will happen when Elijah prays. Then, suddenly, fire rushes from nowhere - from Heaven - down upon the sacrifice. Awesome. Amazing. Terrifying. But the Mass you attend this week is greater than this: marvelous, frightening. Your priest does not pray for fire; he prays for Grace! Your priest does not bring down fire; he brings down the Holy Spirit! Who can be bored at Mass, unless he is blind to the truth or stark mad?"
On May 18, we'll celebrate the Feast of Pope Saint John I, Martyr.
The "Year of Faith" announced by Pope Benedict will begin on October 11, 2012. It will run through November 24, 2013. The year is a time of "particular reflection and rediscovery of the faith."
The first day of the Year of Faith, October 11, 2012, is the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council. This isn't the first time a Year of Faith has been announced; some may remember the Year of Faith in 1967, announced by Pope Paul VI. October 11 will also be the 20th anniversary of the publication of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (which was published on the 30th anniversary of Vatican II.)
On the level of our parish, we are asked to:
1. Read Pope Benedict XVI's Apostolic Letter, Porta Fidei.
2. Pariticpate in the Eucharist "actively, fruitfully and with awareness."
3. Rediscovery and deepen knowledge of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
4. Renew the gift of faith by communicating our own personal faith and charity to our brothers and sisters, whether they are lapsed Catholics, non Catholic Christians, people of other faiths, or people indifferent to faith.