…that during Mass we are challenged to assume an active role and not just be passive spectators?

The entire liturgy is encompassed into four actions. We GATHER when we prepare for Mass and during the Introductory Rites. We LISTEN during the Liturgy of the Word, the Creed, and the Intercessions. We RESPOND during the Eucharistic Prayer and during Communion. And, finally, we are SENT FORTH after the final Blessing to live the Gospel.

Join us for the St. Margaret Mary Annual Turkey Dinner on Saturday, November 13!
Dinner will be served from 5:45 – 7:00 pm. The festivities will end at 11:00 pm.

Cost: $7.00 (A child size portion is available for those 12 and under)
Beer will be available for purchase

Come enjoy good food and good fun while you help support the youth projects of St. Margaret Mary Parish.
There will be a Turkey Raffle and Basket Raffle as well as Bingo Ball and Split the Pot.

We hope to see you there!

…that the feast we celebrate on Monday, November 1, the Solemnity of All Saints, honors not only those who have been canonized by the church, but all who enjoy the glory of the kingdom of heaven?

It is a day to remember the promise God made to all who live the paschal mystery – the promise of everlasting life. For many of us, it is through our prayers to and our imitating the example of those who have gone before us, that we are able to live a life of faith. This more inclusive list of “saints” includes common names, names like ours. The Solemnity of All Saints should remind us that we belong to the family of God, and that we, too, are challenged to join the family of saints.

In the attempt to keep St. Margaret Mary Parish informed of all of the happenings at our parish school, Our Lady of Grace, comes “From the Hall of OLG.”

This will be a weekly segment to keep everyone up to date of the happenings at OLG, not just reserved for those who have children attending the school.

Want to go to a basketball, or volleyball game? Interested in an evening at a theatrical event? How did the Walk-a-Thon turn out? All of this information will soon be listed right here on the St. Margaret Mary blog.

Check back next week as the first installment of “From the Halls of OLG” will be posted.

 

…that in recent years a different emphasis has been placed on the Sacrament of the Sick?

Even the name has changed. The former name, “Extreme Unction” made the sacrament seem like a deathbed experience in preparation for the next life. The new name, “Sacrament of the Sick” tries to convey the real purpose of the sacrament: to confer special grace on the person experiencing the difficulties that accompany serious illness or old age. In the past the sacrament was administered almost always in private (in home or hospital). Although that still can be the case, parish celebrations of the sacrament have become common practice. This helps to underscore the fact that every sacrament combines the action of Christ and the action of the community. We join together to pray not only for our sick and infirm brothers and sisters, but also for all those in our parish family in need of God’s healing.

…that October 4 is the feast of one of the church’s most beloved saints?

Stories abound of how St. Francis of Assisi followed the example of Jesus. Francis is well- known for his deep concern for all, his love for God’s creation, and his quest for peace. He renounced wealth to work with lepers, the most neglected and despised group in his society, and ministered to the poor with hope and courage. Ever the peacemaker, Francis traveled to the crusades, not to convert, but to bring peace. Simply stated, Francis’ message is that by serving others we can find God in our daily routine. But words were never enough for Francis. He believed in show and tell, and made the story of Christmas come alive by staging a living tableau of the Nativity. Francis bore the stigmata (the wounds of Christ), and was canonized two years after his death. He is the patron of ecologists and of Italy.

You have probably been hearing about the new Roman Missal for the Catholic Church over the past several months. Originally published in Latin, the various bishops’ conferences worldwide have been in the process of providing an acceptable translation of these Latin texts into the language of their respective countries, to be approved by the Vatican. The “recognitio”, or final approval, was recently given by Pope Benedict XVI to English speaking countries, including the dioceses of the United States.

“The revised edition of the Missale Romanum contains prayers for the observances of recently canonized saints, additional prefaces for the Eucharistic Prayers, additional Votive Masses and Masses and Prayers for Various Needs and Intentions, and some updated and revised rubrics (instructions) for the celebration of the Mass. The English translation of the Roman Missal will also include updated translations of existing prayers, including some of the well–known responses and acclamations of the people.” (www.usccb.org)

The new text will be used for the first time on the First Sunday of Advent, November 27, 2011.

Archdiocesan priests have been attending a series of workshops on the new Roman Missal and as the year progresses, the changes that will come to our worship and prayer will be introduced to the parish. There will also be presentations on the new Roman Missal taking place in neighboring parishes. As those opportunities are announced, feel free to take advantage of them.

For more information, you can go to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) website at www.usccb.org/romanmissal.

…that the Church has its own verbal shorthand?

Just like the popular abbreviations of today (bff, lol, for example) the Church has groupings of letters that represent tenets of faith. The alpha and omega is a popular example. They are the first and last letters in the Greek alphabet and appear several times in the Book of Revelation at the end of the Bible. Together they form a title of Jesus Christ, who is the first and the last; the one who is, who was, and who is to come, the one who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Each year during the Easter Vigil, the priest carves these letters into the Easter candle while reciting a text that proclaims Christ as the beginning and the end. The symbols remain in the candle throughout the year.