At the recent Synod for The New Evangelization for the Transmission of the Christian Faith the synod fathers presented the following proposition to the Pope: “The Eucharist must be the source and summit of the New Evangelization. The Synod Fathers urge all Christ’s faithful to renew their understanding and love for the Eucharistic celebration, in which their lives are transformed and joined to Christ’s offering of his own life to the glory of God the Father for the salvation of the whole world” (Proposition 34). The synod fathers are saying that the vitality and growth of the Church depends on the Mass.
This brings us to the importance of Mass for the parish. Since the parish is where the Church is experienced in neighborhoods it naturally follows that the thriving of a parish falls and rises with the celebration of the Mass (Proposition 25, Synod). The connection between the Mass and parish is even more pronounced at our parish where we identify ourselves as The Church of the Blessed Sacrament.
Once we realize the link between the vitality of a parish and the celebration of Mass, it becomes clear where we need to be generous with our stewardship of time, talent and treasure. The more we can come together for “full, conscious and active participation in liturgical celebrations, the greater we will realize the dynamic presence of Christ transforming our hearts towards one another (Sacrosanctum Concilium [SC], 41). In the Mass, love of God meets love of neighbor. When this encounter occurs the result is a thriving parish community.
As we begin a new school year, I would like to propose that we dedicate ourselves to full, conscious and active participation at the parish Mass each Sunday. We have already begun to mobilize our efforts to help in this regard. Within the next two months we will be replacing our Mass hymnals. The Gather and Worship hymnals will be replaced with one hymnal and a supplement. The new hymnals will be a provide an opportunity to better realize this full, conscious and active participation at Mass called for by the Second Vatican Council.
We are also focusing our efforts at the parish school on the centrality of the parish Mass. This year the children will participate in all school Masses on Mondays and Fridays. Monday’s Mass will be without music and Friday’s Mass will be with music. Moreover, during my class visits at the school, I will be teaching about the various parts of the Mass in greater detail.
If you have some ideas on formation and inspiration to refocus our emphasis on the parish Mass, please shoot me an e-mail at jjirak@blessedsacramentwichita.com.
We are The Church of the Blessed Sacrament!
Ad majorem Dei gloriam,
-Fr. John F. Jirak, Pastor
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