This Sunday is the first of two Solemnities that follow Pentecost Sunday. This weekend we celebrate Trinity Sunday and next weekend is the Feast of Corpus Christi, the Body and Blood of Jesus. As I get older, I find a deepened appreciation of the mystery of the Trinity. Officially, we pray to the Father in Jesus and through the Holy Spirit. This means that our experience of the divine has a relational depth to it. You can have a relationship with each person of the Trinity. While we give a separate “job” to each person, in reality, they act together in all they do. When Jesus came to be with us, He was one with the Father and filled with the Holy Spirit. We are saved by all three acting as one.
Next Sunday is an important Catholic day in Norwalk. Our deanery is coming together at St. Matthew Church to publicly proclaim our central belief that at Mass we receive the Body and Blood of Jesus. Our Tabernacles then contain Jesus reserved in the Blessed Sacrament to be adored and given as communion to the sick.
The afternoon will start at 2:30pm with prayers and music. At 3pm, those who are able will process with the Blessed Sacrament from St. Matthew to NCC and back again. The Bishop will then celebrate Benediction at 4:15pm.
When I was a boy, at St. Joseph Cathedral in Hartford, every Corpus Christi we would have a solemn procession. In those days, Benediction was also a weekly experience. This Sunday will bring back those days of yore. Perhaps we have missed them, and maybe such spiritual practices may have a greater role in the future. There is a sign-up sheet in the hallway for those who plan to attend. But even if you do not sign up, you are most welcome and encouraged to attend as well.
Next weekend is our “in-pew” weekend for the Annual Catholic Appeal. We are at about 91% of goal. I am very hopeful that next weekend will put us over the top. I will make the same deal with you that I do every year. I will give a short homily and you will give to the Appeal! It sounds like a good deal to me. The Annual Catholic Appeal supports many important ministries, and I, for one, am happy to support it. Please join me if you have not already given.
