A Letter From Father: Give Thanks to the Lord, our God… It Is Right and Just

Dear Family,

As I write my monthly letter to you in this newsletter, we find ourselves preparing to share in the celebration of the Sacred Triduum — it’s hard to believe that this is my fifth celebration of the Sacred Triduum as a priest. In the midst of this, I am reminded how blessed I am — being a priest is a true blessing. The demands and duties of being a pastor are many, sometimes overwhelming, but the rewards and consolations are equally amazing. One of the things that amazes me, and for which I am grateful, is how the holy things I do so often never grow stale.

By far the most striking is offering the Holy Mass; consecrating the bread and wine so it is transformed into the very Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ — His Real Presence among us. The very word “consecration” literally means “association with the sacred.” To have that duty is incredible.

Almost all of us are familiar with the Mass, and with what we do and say leading up to the high point — The Reception of Holy Communion. As familiar and welcome the ritual of Holy Mass is, priest or parishioner, we should treasure each gesture, posture, and word we say in Holy Mass. Each time we attend Mass, we enter into the great mystery of our salvation and participate in the greatest act of prayer and highest form of worship the world has.

I could write a whole series of letters or articles on the meaning of everything we say and do at Mass, but one exchange in particular comes to mind, the preface dialogue.

I say to you, “Let us give thanks to the Lord our God,” and you respond, “It is right and just.” Think about what that means, because it is very much at the heart of stewardship. I am saying we need to thank God, show gratitude for everything we are and everything with which we are gifted — and you, at least in words, acknowledge that doing that is exactly what we need to do. The Mass is filled with statements and exchanges of that sort, and I would ask that we think about what they truly mean.

Even the simple exchange when you receive our Lord in Holy Communion, is heavy with meaning. We say, “the Body of Christ,” and you reply “amen.” In that instance, “amen” means “yes, I do believe this is Jesus.” Like myself, you are blessed. Sometimes we just need to realize it. Happy Easter!

Your Father in Christ,

Fr. Estrella, Parochial Administrator

Fr. Estrella, Parochial Administrator