Inspiring: This weekend the Church celebrates the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ. This Feast reminds us of how incredibly important the Eucharist is for our life and salvation. A little story written by Bishop James Conley of Lincoln to share how important the Eucharist is. “During the Boxer Rebellion of 1900 in China, nationalist forces sought to usurp economic and political control of China from Western powers. Christianity was viewed as a symbol of Western colonialism; so Chinese soldiers were ordered to destroy Catholic churches across the country. They took tabernacles and sacred vessels, and imprisoned Catholic priests. There was one church in the Chinese countryside that was destroyed, while a small girl hid in the back, unnoticed but observant. She watched as the priest was arrested, as the tabernacle was torn away, and as the Sacred Hosts, stored within a ciborium, were strewn across the floor. The girl noticed where the Hosts landed, and noticed that the soldiers never bothered to pick them up. She went back to her home that afternoon, and told her parents what she had seen. And that night, slipping past guards and police officers, she snuck back into the Church, knelt before the discarded Hosts, and spent an hour in adoration. After she had spent time in prayer, she consumed one of the Hosts, and secretly made her way back home. Thirty-two hosts had been thrown across the church floor, and for 32 consecutive nights the young girl went back to the Church. Spending time in adoration, one by one, she consumed the Holy Eucharist. On the last night, after the girl had received the Eucharist, she accidentally woke a sleeping guard, who chased her down and beat her to death. The parish priest, under house arrest but watching from his window, stood by helplessly as the girl became a martyr. The story of the girl’s martyrdom was passed from home to home, and from priest to priest, and eventually it was heard by the young Father Fulton Sheen, the man who would become an archbishop and one of the most effective evangelists in the history of the United States. When Father Sheen heard the story of this young martyr, he resolved that he would spend an hour in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament every day for the rest of his life, and promote adoration of Christ in the Eucharist. He did so, with radio and television programs that reached millions of American homes. The graces of that martyr’s witness helped bring Christ to millions of Americans. But few had ever heard of her.” We can ask ourselves, “If this was just a piece of bread would the young girl have risked her life to adore and consume?” Of course not. She believed with her whole heart that it was Jesus, and worth giving her life for.
Graduates and golf: At the 10 am Mass this weekend we will recognize our high school graduates from Holy Family parish. Congratulations to all of them and many blessings on your future endeavors and plans. This afternoon Powers Catholic will celebrate their graduation ceremonies. Speaking of Powers, they are holding their annual golf scramble this Friday, June 8.
DSA: We are making slow but steady progress to reach our DSA goal of $188,000. Thus far, 307 parishioners have pledged $87,320. Many thanks to those who have given thus far. Please consider giving. I made my pledge this past week and hope you will do the same.
Fun Fest: Hope to see you at the Grand Blanc FunFest. Please stop by our tent during the festival June 7 – 10.
Our Mother: Next Saturday, June 9, is the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. We will have Mass at 8 am. Ordination on June 9: This Saturday, June 9, Deacon John Machiorlatti will be ordained to the priesthood at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Lansing. John spent a summer at Holy Family several years ago. He is assigned to St. John’s in Davison beginning June 27. Please note that we will not be able to hear confessions this Saturday at 8:30 am due to the ordination.
I will be in Omaha all this week serving at the Institute for Priestly Formation. See you next weekend.
In Christ’s love and prayers,
Msgr. Jerry