The Gospel reading for the Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time is taken from the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus concludes His teaching with the parable about the wise and foolish men. The wise man builds his house upon the rock, and the foolish man builds his house upon the sand. The wind and rain test the work of both men. Only the wise man who builds upon the Rock of Christ has a house that stands after the storm. We, too, are urged to listen to Christ and act upon His Word in order to build our lives. Otherwise, like the foolish man, we may watch all we have built be washed away when the storms come to test us.

Readings:

Deuteronomy 11:18, 26–28
Psalm 31:2–4, 17, 25
Romans 3:21–25, 28
Matthew 7:21–27

Here are a few commentaries on these readings:

• The House Upon the Rock - Pontifical Household preacher, Capuchin Father Raniero Cantalamessa


• St. Charles Borromeo Lectionary Site (PDF)


• Solid Rock (Also available to be heard as an MP3) from St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology


• Faith vs. Works from The Crossroads Initiative

This is the web site of the USA National Office of the Apostleship of Prayer. It provides monthly and daily reflections to help people pray for the monthly General and Mission Intentions of the Holy Father. It also has information about Apostleship of Prayer materials, Morning Offering prayers, a gallery of Sacred Heart of Jesus art, music dedicated to the Sacred Heart, and information about the youth branch of the Apostleship of Prayer—the Eucharistic Youth Movement. Visitors can pray along with the Universal Church with the excellent prayers and reflections found on this site.

From Catholic Culture

---

This post is from the Holy Comforter Catholic Church eNewsletter which is sent out once a week via email. If you would like to subscribe to the eNewsletter, click here.

This week's excerpt from the Catechism teaches us about how the Eucharist makes present the Holy Sacrifice that our Lord made on the cross.

1362   The Eucharist is the memorial of Christ's Passover, the making present and the sacramental offering of his unique sacrifice, in the liturgy of the Church which is his Body. In all the Eucharistic Prayers we find after the words of institution a prayer called the anamnesis or memorial.

1363   In the sense of Sacred Scripture the memorial is not merely the recollection of past events but the proclamation of the mighty works wrought by God for men. In the liturgical celebration of these events, they become in a certain way present and real. This is how Israel understands its liberation from Egypt: every time Passover is celebrated, the Exodus events are made present to the memory of believers so that they may conform their lives to them.

1364   In the New Testament, the memorial takes on new meaning. When the Church celebrates the Eucharist, she commemorates Christ's Passover, and it is made present the sacrifice Christ offered once for all on the cross remains ever present. "As often as the sacrifice of the Cross by which 'Christ our Pasch has been sacrificed' is celebrated on the altar, the work of our redemption is carried out."

1365   Because it is the memorial of Christ's Passover, the Eucharist is also a sacrifice. The sacrificial character of the Eucharist is manifested in the very words of institution: "This is my body which is given for you" and "This cup which is poured out for you is the New Covenant in my blood." In the Eucharist Christ gives us the very body which he gave up for us on the cross, the very blood which he "poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."

Through the Holy Spirit we are restored to paradise, led back to the Kingdom of heaven, and adopted as children, given confidence to call God "Father" and to share in Christ's grace, called children of light and given a share in eternal glory.

Catechism of the Catholic Church

---

This post is from the Holy Comforter Catholic Church eNewsletter which is sent out once a week via email. If you would like to subscribe to the eNewsletter, click here.

The Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on the Friday following the second Sunday after Pentecost. In addition to the liturgical celebration, many devotional exercises are connected with the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Of all devotions, devotion to the Sacred Heart was, and remains, one of the most widespread and popular in the Church.

Understood in the light of the Scriptures, the term "Sacred Heart of Jesus" denotes the entire mystery of Christ, the totality of his being, and his person considered in its most intimate essential: Son of God, uncreated wisdom; infinite charity, principal of the salvation and sanctification of mankind. The "Sacred Heart" is Christ, the Word Incarnate, Savior, intrinsically containing, in the Spirit, an infinite divine-human love for the Father and for his brothers.

Devotions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus are numerous. Some have been explicitly approved and frequently recommended by the Apostolic See. Among these, mention should be made of the following:

• personal consecration, described by Pius XI as "undoubtedly the principal devotional practice used in relation to the Sacred Heart";
• family consecration to the Sacred Heart, in which the family, by virtue of the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony already participating in the mystery of the unity and love of Christ for the Church, is dedicated to Christ so that he might reign in the hearts of all its members;
• the Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, approved for the whole Church in 1891, which is evidently biblical in character and to which many indulgences have been attached;
• the act of reparation, a prayer with which the faithful, mindful of the infinite goodness of Christ, implore mercy for the offenses committed in so many ways against his Sacred Heart;
• the pious practice of the first Fridays of the month which derives from the "great promises" made by Jesus to St. Margaret Mary. At a time when sacramental communion was very rare among the faithful, the first Friday devotion contributed significantly to a renewed use of the Sacraments of Penance and of the Holy Eucharist. In our own times, the devotion to the first Fridays, even if practiced correctly, may not always lead to the desired spiritual fruits. Hence, the faithful require constant instruction so that any reduction of the practice to mere credulity, is avoided and an active faith encouraged so that the faithful may undertake their commitment to the Gospel correctly in their lives. They should also be reminded of the absolute preeminence of Sunday, the "primordial feast", which should be marked by the full participation of the faithful at the celebration of the Holy Mass.

Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy (166,171)

---

This post is from the Holy Comforter Catholic Church eNewsletter which is sent out once a week via email. If you would like to subscribe to the eNewsletter, click here.-

In observance of Memorial Day, the parish office will be closed on Monday, May 26th. This does not affect the mass schedule; mass will be celebrated at 8:00 a.m. on Monday. The parish office will again be open on Tuesday, May 27th.

This Sunday the Church celebrates the holy mystery of the Eucharist. In the Gospel reading from St. John's Gospel, we hear the words of our Lord that make it clear that He expects those who follow Him to eat His flesh and drink His blood. Although He is questioned about this, He never softens His language. Instead, He insists that we must partake of His body and blood in order to enjoy life in communion with Him. In Holy Communion, we literally receive the Body and Blood of Christ. Through the holy mystery of transubstantiation, the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ in order that we may fulfill our Lord's desires to receive Him so intimately. That the food which Christ offers is different food is also clear from our Lord's words when he refers to the manna that the Israelites received in the desert. This food did not allow them to live forever, but the food that Jesus gives--His Body and Blood--will allow us to live forever.

Readings:

Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14-16
Psalm 147:12-15, 19-20
1 Corinthians 10:16-17
John 6:51-58

Here are a few commentaries on these readings:

• The Two Bodies of Christ - Pontifical Household preacher, Capuchin Father Raniero Cantalamessa


• St. Charles Borromeo Lectionary Site (PDF)


• Word of the 'Living Father' (Also available to be heard as an MP3) from St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology


• Eucharist: The Body of Christ, The Real Presence from The Crossroads Initiative

On Friday, May 23rd at 7:00 p.m., the St. Thomas Aquinas Concert Series will present a concert of organ music for Pentecost, the Most Holy Trinity, and Corpus Christi. The concert will be performed by William Atwood who is an alumnus of of Westminster Choir College of Rider University and a current student at the Catholic University of America. The performance will include pieces by Bach, Boëllmann, deGriney, and Duruflé.

Admission is free but contributions are welcome for the Saint Thomas Aquinas Concert Series Fund.

For more information, view the concert brochure or contact the Director of Music at St. Thomas Aquinas Brian Sousa by calling 293-8081 x15 or via email at music@stauva.org.

The Gospel Reading for this Sunday is from St. John's Gospel. In the reading, which is taken from Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus, Jesus tells of the great love of God for men and women. In one of the most widely known verses of Scripture, Jesus says, "God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life." This describes the love of the Holy Trinity for the pinnacle of His creation--man--who had gone astray. The infinite, Triune God gives Himself completely in love for the sake of His creatures in order that each of us might be brought into eternal union with Him and experience the infinite love God has for each person whom He has created.

Readings:

Exodus 34:4-6, 8-9
Daniel 3:52-56
2 Corinthians 13:11-13
John 3:16-18

Here are a few commentaries on these readings:

• Trinity Is a School of Relations - Pontifical Household preacher, Capuchin Father Raniero Cantalamessa


• St. Charles Borromeo Lectionary Site (PDF)


• How God Loves (Also available to be heard as an MP3) from St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology


• Mystery of the Trinity from The Crossroads Initiative

At the beginning of this eighth and final week of Easter, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Pentecost. The apostles and the Blessed Virgin Mary receive the promise of our Savior in receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit. Emboldened by the Third Person of the Trinity, the apostles begin to fearlessly proclaim the Gospel beginning in Jerusalem.

Readings:

Acts 2:1-11
Psalm 104:1,24,29-31,34
1 Corinthians 12:3-7,12-13
John 20:19-23

Here are a few commentaries on these readings:

Power From Above - Pontifical Household preacher, Capuchin Father Raniero Cantalamessa

St. Charles Borromeo Lectionary Site (PDF)

A Mighty Wind - St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology

Pentecost Feast-The Gifts and Charisms of The Holy Spirit - The Crossroads Initiative

Pentecost Sunday

Eastertide concludes with Pentecost Sunday, the fiftieth day, and its commemoration of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the apostles (cf. Acts 2, 1-4), the Church's foundation, and the beginning of its mission to all nations and peoples. The protracted celebration of the vigil Mass has a particular importance in cathedrals and some parishes, since it reflects the intense persevering prayer of the Christian community in imitation of the Apostles united in prayer with Mother of Jesus.

The mystery of Pentecost exhorts us to prayer and commitment to mission and enlightens popular piety which is a "continued sign of the presence of the Holy Spirit in the Church. He arouses faith, hope and charity, in the hearts [of the faithful] and those ecclesial virtues which make popular piety valuable. The same Spirit ennobles the numerous and varied ways of transmitting the Christian message according to the culture and customs of all times and places".

The faithful are well used to invoking the Holy Spirit especially when initiating new undertakings or works or in times of particular difficulties. Often they use formulas taken from the celebration of Pentecost (Veni Creator Spiritus, Veni Sancte Spiritus) or short prayers of supplication (Emitte Spiritum tuum et creabuntur). The third glorious mystery of the Rosary invites the faithful to meditate on the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. In Confirmation they are conscious of receiving the Spirit of wisdom and counsel to guide and assist them; the Spirit of strength and light to help them make important decisions and to sustain the trials of life. The faithful are also aware that through Baptism their bodies become temples of the Holy Spirit to be respected and honoured, even in death, and they know that the body will be raised up on the last day through the power of the Holy Spirit.

While the Holy Spirit gives access to communion with God in prayer, he also prompts us towards service of our neighbour by encountering him, by reconciliation, by witness, by a desire for justice and peace, by renewal of outlook, by social progress and missionary commitment. In some Christian communities, Pentecost is celebrated as a "day of intercession for the missions".

Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy (156)

---

This post is from the Holy Comforter Catholic Church eNewsletter which is sent out once a week via email. If you would like to subscribe to the eNewsletter, click here.-

This week's excerpt from the Catechism teaches us about what God reveals to us in Pentecost. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Apostles is a completion of Christ's Passover and further revelation of the Holy Trinity.

731   On the day of Pentecost when the seven weeks of Easter had come to an end, Christ's Passover is fulfilled in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, manifested, given, and communicated as a divine person: of his fullness, Christ, the Lord, pours out the Spirit in abundance.

732   On that day, the Holy Trinity is fully revealed. Since that day, the Kingdom announced by Christ has been open to those who believe in him: in the humility of the flesh and in faith, they already share in the communion of the Holy Trinity. By his coming, which never ceases, the Holy Spirit causes the world to enter into the "last days," the time of the Church, the Kingdom already inherited though not yet consummated.

We have seen the true Light, we have received the heavenly Spirit, we have found the true faith: we adore the indivisible Trinity, who has saved us.

Catechism of the Catholic Church

---

This post is from the Holy Comforter Catholic Church eNewsletter which is sent out once a week via email. If you would like to subscribe to the eNewsletter, click here.

The parish calendar for May has been posted. You can access it by clicking on the May calendar displayed in this post or by clicking here. It can always be accessed from the "Parish Calendar" link on the right side of the parish's home page.

The calender lists the events and activities which are associated with the parish including mass times, committee meetings, and opportunities for outreach. If you find any incorrect information, please send an email to the webmaster to have the calender corrected.

In addition, to information about parish events, the calendar includes other information about the Church.

The picture above shows several typical days in the parish calendar. The items circled in red are links that can be used to access the daily mass readings, information about the saints, and Bible study information on the Sunday mass readings.

1. Click on the date to access the daily mass readings. This is illustrated by the circled 12 in the picture.


2. Click on the saints' links to get more information about the saints. In the example above, to learn more about our Lady of Fatima, you would click on the link circled on the 13th.


3. Click on the Bible study links to ready Bible studies on the liturgical readings for that day. In the picture above, you would click on the PENTECOST link to read the Bible study for that Sunday's readings. Bible studies are available for every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation in addition to several other important liturgical days.

The Ascension of the Lord falls on the sixth Thursday in Easter. However, in the Diocese of Richmond, the feast is transferred to the Seventh Sunday in Easter which is May 4th this year.

Readings:

Acts 1:1-11
Psalm 47:2-3,6-7,8-9
Ephesians 1:17-23
Matthew 28:16-20

Here are a few commentaries on these readings:

• St. Charles Borromeo Lectionary Site (PDF)


• Ascension - What's in it for Me? from The Crossroads Initiative

Pentecost Novena
Novena Dates May 2-10, Feast Day May 11

Dearest Holy Spirit, confiding in Your deep, personal love for me, I am making this novena for the following request, if it be Your Holy Will to grant it:
(mention your request).

Teach me, Divine Spirit, to know and seek my last end; grant me the holy fear of God; grant me true contrition and patience. Do not let me fall into sin. Give me an increase of faith, hope and charity, and bring forth in my soul all the virtues proper to my state in life. Make me a faithful disciple of Jesus and an obedient child of the Church. Give me efficacious grace sufficient to keep the Commandments and to receive the Sacraments worthily. Give me the four Cardinal Virtues, Your Seven Gifts, Your Twelve Fruits. Raise me to perfection in the state of life to which You have called me and lead me through a happy death to everlasting life. I ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen.

---

This post is from the Holy Comforter Catholic Church eNewsletter which is sent out once a week via email. If you would like to subscribe to the eNewsletter, click here.

For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy. - St. Thérèrse of Liseaux

The Holy Father's prayer intentions for May are:

General: That Christians may use literature, art and the media to greater advantage to favor a culture which defends and promotes the values of the human person.

Mission: That just as she accompanied the Apostles in the early stages of the Church, may the Blessed Virgin Mary, Star of Evangelization and Queen of Apostles, continue to guide missionaries throughout the world with maternal affection.

Pro-Life Prayer Intention

For an increase in the spirit of respectful dialogue with those who disagree with us on life issues.