September 17, 2023
Twenty-fourth sunday of ordinary time
by Fr. Boniface Endorf, OP
Dear St. Joseph Parish Family,
September is always an exciting month as people return to the city and St. Joe’s fills up again. Welcome back to everyone who’s been away! We’re planning a lot of new and exciting things for this year so make sure to stay abreast of what’s happening here either through the bulletin or signing up for our weekly Flocknote email (you can do so on our website). Also, make sure to check out our new perpetual adoration chapel!
If you know anyone interesting in becoming Catholic now is the time to ask them to join our RCIA class starting now. Call the parish for details.
God Bless,
Fr. Boniface
Mass Tidbit:
After the consecration of the bread, which is transformed into the Body of Christ, we have the consecration of the wine, which is transformed into the Blood of Christ. The priest says:
“In a similar way, when supper was ended, [the priest takes the chalice and holds it slightly above the altar] he took this precious chalice in his holy and venerable hands, and once more giving you thanks, he said the blessing and gave the chalice to his disciples, saying: Take this, all of you, and drink from it, for this is the chalice of my Blood, the Blood of the new and eternal covenant, which will be poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in memory of me.”
The priest then elevates the chalice so that the people can see and adore it, while the server rings the bells. The priest then places the chalice on the altar and genuflects before it.
Christ here is celebrating the Passover meal, eaten by the Israelites before they left Egypt at the Exodus. That meal prefigures the Mass, where the graces Christ won for us lead us to true freedom and our true homeland in heaven. It is ratified in Christ’s own Blood, creating a new and eternal covenant between God and man. We take part in this covenant when we celebrate Mass: we are moving towards our true homeland, attained not through a physical journey, but through a spiritual transformation that is enabled through Christ. We drink His Blood and eat His Body, and we become like Him: children of God.
