From the Pastor – Palm Sunday
March 26, 2018
From the Pastor – Palm Sunday
In his letter to the Philippians, our Second Reading on this Palm Sunday, St. Paul writes, “…he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Everything we hear today and during Holy Week relates to this statement.
For some 2,000 years scholars and theologians have debated what the phrase “emptied himself” means. As is sometimes the case, in the midst of these debates and discussions they lose focus of what is really Paul’s point and teaching perhaps. One of the things Paul might be trying to get us to think about is emptying ourselves to a certain extent. If you have ever been a retreat or been part of a spiritual exercise, you may be encouraged to “empty yourself” so you are prepared to in reality add something.
Jesus gave much up to be the Son of Man. At this point in our Lenten journey, we need to grasp that He gave up His life so that we might have life. That is what should be on our minds as we hear the Passion today and as we continue and complete our own preparation for Christ’s resurrection on Easter.
Have you ever heard someone say about someone else “He (or she) is so full of himself (or herself)?” Jesus was not “full of Himself.” He emptied Himself, and that is something we, too, must strive to do to be His disciple.
Pastoral Pondering – Reverence for the Most Holy Eucharist
Catholic Apologist Patrick Madrid related a discussion he had a few years ago with a Mormon who spoke with him after a talk on the Eucharist. The man told Madrid “the Catholics I’ve seen didn’t seem as though they believe what you just said about Jesus in the Eucharist.” He went on: “I’ve seen Catholics going forward [for] Communion chewing gum… Some Catholics look pretty bored. I’ve seen some waving to others as they go forward.” Even after receiving Communion, “they look disinterested and indifferent”.
As Catholics one of the things we always have to be conscious of is what our outward actions and disposition say about what we believe. The Church teaches clearly and without qualification that following consecration the elements of bread and wine become substantially the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ. We must always be conscious of this and prepare ourselves to worthily receive Him in the Eucharist.
Father Charles Mangan identifies Ten Commandments for Eucharistic Reverence that might help us all demonstrate our genuine love and adoration for the “Bread of Life & the Chalice of Everlasting Salvation”.
- Attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days – this Is a precept of the Church and a serious obligation from the time of our first Holy Communion onward. We participate in the Mass which is the greatest communication between the Almighty and His sons and daughters.
- Prepare well for each Mass we attend – we prepare well by realizing that the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is rooted in Jesus’ Last Supper celebrated on Holy Thursday and is the re-presentation of His sacrifice on Calvary. We prepare by fasting for one hour before receiving, by confessing any mortal sins committed prior to receiving, and prepare for Mass through prayer and study.
- Demonstrate by our conduct in the church that we believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist - When entering and upon leaving the church, we face the Tabernacle where Jesus is reposed and genuflect. (Those prohibited by poor health may bow to the Tabernacle as a mark of reverence.) We also genuflect when passing in front of the Tabernacle and in front of theAltar when the Body and Blood of Christ remain on it. Kneeling is an apt sign of reverence for the Blessed Sacrament. Our modest and fitting dress (avoiding shorts and indecent apparel) signifies our belief in and worship for the Holy Eucharist. Dressing as if we think it’s a “big deal” to approach the presence of the Messiah in the Tabernacle illustrates adoration for Jesus’ Body and Blood. We avoid chewing gum in the church as a testimony to the unparalleled splendor of the Blessed Sacrament, thereby giving witness that we are near Emmanuel —“God-with-us.”
- Enjoy the silence to which the Holy Eucharist beckons us – We maintain a respectful decorum before the Eucharist and spend time sitting before the Master.
- Receive Communion with joy and fervor - The worthy reception of the Body and Blood of the Lord—a “foretaste” and “pledge” of Heaven, an impetus for authentic charity towards the poor, weak, defenseless and needy and a nudge towards angel-like chastity—should be the highlight of our day, week, month, year . . . life. Having prepared as indicated, we joyfully and fervently advance in awe towards the Altar. We receive Jesus either on our tongue or in the hand. (If not kneeling to receive a profound bow before receiving is most appropriate.) When receiving on the tongue, one says “Amen” and permits Christ to be placed on it. If receiving in the hand, one makes a “throne” for the Lord by placing his stronger hand on the bottom and his weaker hand on top. Saying “Amen” and receiving the Host (instead of reaching for It), the communicant takes one step to the side, stops, and places the Host in his mouth by using the stronger hand from the bottom. The Host is never received “on the run.” If receiving the Precious Blood from the Chalice (an option in some parishes but not an obligation, since one receives the “total” Jesus—Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity—even under one Species alone), then the communicant carefully accepts the Chalice after responding “Amen” and consumes the Precious Blood. Our diligent reception of Holy Communion signals our love and adoration for Christ. May we always receive the Son of God with dignity and devotion!
- Spend time with the Eucharistic Jesus outside of Mass – The adoration chapel is always available for private prayer and reflection.
- Make frequent spiritual Communions - The cherished practice of the Spiritual Communion in which one invites the Lord into his soul, as He would come during Sacramental Communion, is to be fostered as an act of love and worship. Spiritual Communions involve the desire to receive the Eucharistic Lord when one is impeded from making the usual Sacramental Communion and are made anywhere.
- Cultivate a devotion to Mary, Mother of the Eucharist – She always to lead us closer to her Divine Son.
- Know the Saints who lived for the Holy Eucharist - The Church’s brilliant history is overflowing with men and women, boys and girls who loved, adored and, in some cases, died for the Holy Eucharist. Acquainting ourselves with their affection for Holy Communion spurs on our own development in love and worship of the Eucharistic Jesus.
- Arrange for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass to be offered for both the living and the dead - There is no more beautiful gift for the living and the faithful departed. Requesting Masses shows one’s belief in the efficacy of Christ’s Sacrifice and conveys worship of the Holy Eucharist—the “Treasure of Treasures” that enriches those who love and adore the King of Kings really present in the Most Blessed Sacrament.
From the Pastor
This weekend we celebrate a sacred milestone: the anniversary of the dedication of our church building. The readings chosen for this occasion invite us to look beyond brick and mortar and ask a deeper question: What makes a house of God holy? And how do we, the living Church of Saint Mark, continue to be that house? In the First Reading, Solomon stands before the newly completed Temple in Jerusalem and prays with both awe and humility: “Can it indeed be that God dwells on earth? If the heavens and the highest heavens cannot contain you, how much less this temple which I have built!” Yet he dares to ask the Lord to keep His eyes open toward this place and to hear the prayers of His people. The Temple was never meant to limit God; it was meant to make His presence accessible to a people who needed a place to gather, to pray, and to be reminded that they belong to Him. Saint Paul takes this truth even further. Writing to the Corinthians, he tells them—and us—“You are God’s building… Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” The foundation of this living temple is Jesus Christ alone. No other foundation can be laid. The physical walls of our church matter. They have been consecrated. They shelter the Eucharist. They hold our baptisms, our weddings, our funerals, and our daily prayers. But the true temple is the community of believers who gather here. We are the living stones. When we treat one another with reverence, when we protect the dignity of every person, when we refuse to allow division or scandal to take root, we honor the Spirit who dwells among us. Finally, in the Gospel, Jesus asks the decisive question: “Who do you say that I am?” Peter answers with the faith that becomes the rock: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Upon that confession Jesus builds His Church and entrusts Peter with the keys. Every time we renew our faith in Jesus as Lord, every time we hand over our lives to His authority, we strengthen the foundation of this parish. Saint Mark’s is not simply a building dedicated years ago; it is a community continually being built upon the rock of Peter’s confession and the living presence of Christ. As we mark this anniversary, let us give thanks for the sacred space that has sheltered our parish family. Let us also examine our hearts. Are we living as temples of the Holy Spirit? Are we building one another up on the one true foundation? May the Lord who cannot be contained by any temple continue to dwell richly among us—and may Saint Mark church always be a place where heaven and earth meet in prayer, in charity, and in faithful witness to Jesus Christ. Pastoral Pondering Consecrated church buildings hold a central place in Catholic worship and theology because they are set apart as sacred space—places where heaven and earth meet in a privileged way. The architectural style, the overall design and the artistic elements are all to serve Catholic worship and belief. The following offers some information on the role of church buildings in the life of the Church. 1. They are truly dedicated to God Through the solemn Rite of Dedication, a church building ceases to be ordinary architecture. The walls, altar, and space are anointed, blessed, and consecrated exclusively for divine worship. From that moment, the building belongs to God in a special way. Canon law treats consecrated churches as sacred places that may not be used for profane purposes (Canon 1210). This consecration is not merely symbolic; it affects a real change in the character of the place. 2. They house the Real Presence of Christ The most decisive reason a consecrated church is holy is the presence of the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle. Once the Eucharist is reserved there, the building becomes the dwelling place of the living Christ. Catholics genuflect not to architecture but to the Lord who remains present. The church is therefore more than a meeting hall; it is a true house of God. This presence elevates the entire space and gives Catholic church buildings a unique sacred character that persists even when no liturgy is being celebrated. 3. They are the ordinary place of the Church’s sacramental life The major sacraments of the Christian life—Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Matrimony, Ordination and Anointing of the Sick—are normally celebrated within consecrated churches. The building itself becomes the visible setting in which the invisible grace of the sacraments is given. The altar, in particular, is the focal point: it is anointed and contains relics of the saints, signifying that the sacrifice of Christ is offered in communion with the whole Church, living and dead. 4. They image the mystery of the Church Catholic theology sees the consecrated building as a visible sign of the invisible reality of the Church. The physical structure points to the living temple made of “living stones” (1 Peter 2:5; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17). Just as Solomon’s Temple was the place where God’s name dwelt among His people, the church building is the place where the People of God gather as His temple. The architecture, art, and orientation of the building are meant to lift the mind and heart to the heavenly liturgy and to the eschatological reality of the New Jerusalem. 5. They foster continuity, identity, and reverence A fixed, consecrated place creates a shared sacred memory across generations. The same walls that witnessed baptisms and weddings decades ago continue to shelter the community today. Beauty, silence, and sacred art within the building form the senses and train the soul in reverence. This is why the Church has always insisted on the dignity and permanence of consecrated churches: they shape the faith of those who pray within them. In short, consecrated church buildings matter because Catholicism is a sacramental religion. God works through material realities—water, oil, bread, wine, and also space and architecture. A consecrated church is not merely a convenient location for worship; it is a privileged locus of God’s presence, a visible expression of the Church, and a permanent invitation to encounter the living Christ.
Today's Gospel from Matthew reminds us to trust the Lord even when it seems He is not answering our prayers. God desires to lead us to the joy of heaven and eternal life with Him. To prepare us for that day, He calls us to grow in faith and to live each day as a grateful response to His goodness. In other words, He is forming us into saints. This is what the stewardship way of life is meant to accomplish. At times that process is difficult. Often, it stretches us beyond our comfort. Jesus certainly challenged the Canaanite woman in today's Gospel. She cried out to Him on behalf of her daughter, who was tormented by a demon. How did Jesus respond to this desperate mother's plea? At first, He "did not say a word in answer to her." Undeterred, she continued to seek Him, and He continued to test her faith. She responded with such remarkable trust that Jesus proclaimed, "O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." Imagine hearing those words spoken to us by our Lord. There could be no greater affirmation of a life lived in faithful discipleship. The stewardship way of life will test our trust in God at times. But those are often the moments when He is doing His greatest work within us. Let us persevere in faith, trusting that His plan is always leading us toward the joy He has prepared for us. © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2026. Pastoral Pondering As the school year begins and we move into the post-summer routine, I wanted to give you an update on a few things which may be of interest to you. Building projects The rectory build is going well. Grainda Builders are projecting the project to finish by November (I am hoping for earlier!). We do plan to have an open house so that folks can see the new rectory upon its completion. The preliminary work for the second phase of our building projects is occurring with the installation of the water lines that will feed the new buildings. This will hopefully be done by Labor Day. We should be able to hold a groundbreaking shortly after the first of the year. Everything depends on when the present rectory sells and where we are with funding. The Diocese requires 60% of the project to be in cash, 30% to be in pledges and 30% allowable for Diocesan loan. We will keep you posted. Obviously, as we move forward, there will be growing pains that cannot be avoided due to the disruption of some parking. We are working with the general contractor to keep disruptions to a minimum, but we cannot avoid all of them. Thank you for your patience. Church Maintenance As many of you know, we have been battling issues with the church roof for some time. There have been numerous leaks over the years that have been patched and patched again. We have been battling the insurance company for over a year, and it is clear that, after a minimal payment to repair water damage, they are not going to approve a claim for roof replacement. Kudos to the Pastoral Council and Scott Bruno for making a significant investment of time and energy to try to do the groundwork to provide justification for the claim. With that being said, we have already replaced a portion of the roof that was causing significant problems (the lower roof closest to the driveway). Nonetheless, the whole roof really does need to be replaced. Estimates for replacement are in the neighborhood of $250K. At present with the other projects going on, we do not have this in reserves or the operating account to cover this expense. Should you wish to assist, donations can be made on the website. We will continue to monitor and do what we can to manage the problem until we are able to fully address it. The second significant issue that has arisen is the foundation of the Kerin Center. Over the last several years, due to water and drainage issues, we have had to address foundation instability. Reinforcements were added a couple of years back to the school-side of the building, but we have been seeing some issues on the church-side of the building over the past year. We are watching it very carefully and trying to ascertain the root cause of the problems. We are appreciative of those parishioners with engineering expertise who have assisted in this effort. There is also a link on the parish donation website for Kerin Center repairs.