Saint Peter's Point- The Catholic Blog of Saint Peter Parish, Stevens Point Wisconsin

Today’s celebration of the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ (also known by the Latin Corpus Christi or “the Body of Christ”) is “intended to teach the faithful how to share in the Eucharistic sacrifice and to have it more profoundly influence their life, to revere the presence of Christ the Lord in this Sacrament, and to offer the thanks due for God’s gifts” (Caeremoniale Episcoporum, 385). Besides centering your week in the Mass on the Lord’s Day, making that extra effort to participate in the Mass during the weekdays is one way to live this feast of Corpus Christi throughout the year! Come to weekday Mass! Saint Peter has Mass at 5:15 pm on Tuesdays and at 8:00 am Wednesdays through Saturdays. Another excellent practice is to offer time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament – stop in church to make a visit when you are in the neighborhood (the Saint Faustina Room doors remain unlocked until 3:00 pm) or take part in the Exposition and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament on First Fridays (8:30 am to 5:00 pm). What is more, why not consider committing yourself to prayer once a week before the Blessed Sacrament during our time of Solemn Exposition following the 8:00 am Mass Wednesdays through Benediction at 7:50 am Thursdays? Please contact Jason and Darcy Bunn (343-9007) if you would like more information about our 24-hour weekly adoration or if would like to commit as a regular adorer or substitute. What graces the Eucharistic Lord desires to bestow on us, our families, our parish, our community, and the world if we but place ourselves in His presence!

The Vatican’s Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharist Outside Mass – approved by Servant of God Pope Paul VI in 1973 – encourages Eucharistic processions, especially on the Solemnity of Corpus Christi. Indeed, that ritual book states that “when the Eucharist is carried through the streets in a solemn procession with singing, the Christian people give public witness of faith and devotion toward the Sacrament . . . The annual procession on the Feast of Corpus Christi . . . has a special importance and meaning for the pastoral life of the parish or city. It is therefore desirable to continue this procession” (101-102). May our public witness of love of the Lord in the Eucharist enkindle in the hearts of those who have allowed the flame of faith to grow weak in their own hearts a newfound desire to encounter the merciful Savior!

This Friday, May 30, is the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us that “Jesus knew and loved us each and all during His life, His agony, and His Passion and gave Himself up for each one of us: ‘The Son of God . . . loved me and gave Himself for me” [Galatians 2:20]. He has loved us all with a human heart. For this reason, the Sacred Heart of Jesus, pierced by our sins and for our salvation, ‘is quite rightly considered the chief sign and symbol of that . . . love with which the divine Redeemer continually loves the eternal Father and all human beings’ without exception” (478). May this be our prayer throughout this month of June dedicated to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus: “Father, we rejoice in the gifts of love we have received from the Heart of Jesus your Son. Open our hearts to share His life and continue to bless us with His love. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen” (Collect, Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus).

Inserted into the bulletin this week is the recently-issued Pastoral Letter of the Bishops of Wisconsin entitled Serving All and Sacrificing None: Ethical Stem Cell Research. Please take a moment to read this important document that aims to clear up many misconceptions about stem cell research itself as well as what types of stem cell research are morally acceptable. Our bishops remind us that as Catholics “we are called to respect and love all human life. But we have a special duty towards the most vulnerable persons in our midst – the embryo and the unborn child, the chronically ill and the poor, the prisoner and the refugee. In so doing, we reveal the essence of our humanity and of our Christian faith.” For more information and to view a very well-done 14 minute video on ethical stem cell research go to www.wisconsincatholic.org.

Preparations for our annual parish picnic of June 14 and 15 are in full swing! By the hard work and dedication of every one of our parishioners we can make this another successful event. Do your part to publicize the picnic and sell those raffle tickets!

Saint Peter, pray for us! Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us!

Father Kevin C. Louis