September 10, 2023
Twenty-Third sunday of ordinary time
by Fr. Boniface Endorf, OP
Dear St. Joseph Parish Family,
Summer is over and now the parish season begins again in earnest! RCIA and CCD start—so if you know a child in need of religious instruction or sacramental preparation, or an adult who would like to become Catholic, now is the time to contact the parish and get the ball rolling.
Also, our parish ministries will be meeting again, so now is a great time to get more involved at St. Joseph’s—it will certainly bear fruit in your life! Check our parish webpage for details on the ministries available here, or the bulletin board in the church narthex.
Finally, if you haven’t already done so, consider taking a adoration slot in our new perpetual adoration chapel. If you’re unsure what that means or entails, ask any of the friars or call the parish office. It’s a perfect way to learn to hear Christ more clearly and receive the graces and peace He wants to give.
God Bless,
Fr. Boniface
Mass Tidbit:
At the consecration we stand at the heart of the sacrifice of the Mass—Christ offering His life for ours. The priest first consecrates the bread, saying:
“On the day before he was to suffer, he took bread in his holy and venerable hands, [here the priest takes the bread and holds it raised slightly above the altar] and with eyes raised to heaven to you, O God, his almighty Father, giving you thanks, he said the blessing, broke the bread and gave it to his disciples saying: Take this all of you, and eat of it, for this is my Body, which will be given up for you.”
The Missal has the words of consecration in caps as above because these words are essential: when the priest says those words the bread is transformed into the Body of Christ. This moment is the reason we all came to Mass. After those words the bread is no longer bread, but Christ truly present to us. Therefore, after saying the words of consecration, the priest elevates the host so that the people can adore Christ present to us in the Eucharist. The bells are rung at this most holy of moments. After placing the Body of Christ back on the altar, the priest genuflects in adoration. Here we stand at the center of our Faith.
