Strengthen Your Brethren - Fr. Louis Bulletin Letter - May 28, 2006
“The Parish Pastoral Council is a consultative body (Code of Canon Law, 536, 2) by which the Christian faithful of a parish, together with those who have pastoral authority in the parish, ‘give their help in fostering pastoral activity’ (Code of Canon Law, 536, 1). Its work is to be informed and inspired by the vision of the Church, exemplified in the teaching of the Second Vatican Council” (Bishop John J. Paul, On Consultation in the Parish and Deanery). Thank you to all those parishioners who accepted nominations for our Pastoral Council. Thanks, too, to all of you who voted – the largest voter turnout in years! Congratulations to Tom McCann, James Miller, and Jeff Zdroik who were elected, and to Cynthia Calhoun who was appointed. The September meeting of the Council begins their two-year term.
Congratulations to all our graduates – from various colleges and universities, area high schools, middle schools, and those home-schooled. “Lord our God, send your blessings upon these graduates and fill them with your wisdom and blessings” (Book of Blessings, 541).
Since its promulgation by John Paul II in 1992 (and second revised edition of 1997), the Catechism of the Catholic Church has been translated into more than 50 languages and continues to be a worldwide bestseller. In an age of confusion both inside and outside the Church, the Catechism has provided us – and the world – with a sure and authentic summary of the Catholic faith. Unfortunately, some people have found the large text (904 pages in the hardcover edition!) to be rather intimidating and even overwhelming. Upon the recommendation of the 2002 International Catechetical Congress, John Paul II established a commission to compose a synthesis of the Catechism. On 28 June 2005, Benedict XVI promulgated the fruit of the labors of that commission, the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. With brevity (only 204 pages!) and clarity, the Compendium faithfully reflects the structure, contents and language of the larger Catechism. It is very “user-friendly” being written in a questions and answers format. It also includes a collection of common prayers, formulae of Catholic doctrine, and an excellent index. In promulgating this new text, Pope Benedict said: “I entrust this Compendium above all to the entire Church and, in particular, to every Christian, in order that it may awaken in the Church of the third millennium renewed zeal for evangelization and education in the faith, which ought to characterize every community in the Church and every Christian believer, regardless of age or nationality.” Please take our Holy Father’s exhortation to heart and purchase a copy of the Compendium for your home – and then study it! What is more, it makes a perfect gift for your graduates, family members or friends! It would also be a great present for someone who has fallen away from the regular practice of his faith. At $14.99 the Compendium is not much of an investment for the nourishment of faith! It is available from various outlets including our city’s own Cornerstone Catholic Books and Gifts, 5733 Windy Drive (342-9009).
From that new Compendium we have a beautiful summary of this weekend’s Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord. “After forty days during which Jesus showed Himself to the apostles with ordinary human features which veiled His glory as the Risen One, Christ ascended into heaven and was seated at the right hand of the Father. He is the Lord who now in His humanity reigns in the everlasting glory of the Son of God and constantly intercedes for us before the Father. He sends us His Spirit and He gives us the hope of one day reaching the place He has prepared for us” (132).
Saint Peter, pray for us! Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us!