FIFTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – July 16, 2023

RES. PSALM: The seed that falls on good ground will yield a fruitful harvest.

TODAY’S MASS INTENTION: Parishioners of St. Elizabeth and St. Emeric Parishes

MASS SCHEDULE & INTENTIONS FOR THE COMING WEEK:

FROM THE DESK OF FR. BONA: This week I would like to offer brief catechesis on the one hour fast before receiving Holy Communion. The practice of fasting before Mass is an ancient discipline, present as early as the 2nd century. One was not supposed to eat before receiving Eucharist which in practice led to midnight becoming the starting point of the fast. It remained in place until Pope Pius XII reduced the fast to three hours in 1957. The fast was further shortened in 1964 when Pope Paul VI lowered it to one hour before reception of Communion.

The current Code of Canon Law reflects this change and states, “A person who is to receive the Most Holy Eucharist is to abstain for at least one hour before holy communion from any food and drink, except for only water and medicine” (c. 919 §1). However, “The elderly, the infirm, and those who care for them can receive the Most Holy Eucharist even if they have eaten something within the preceding hour” (c. 919 §3). The hour’s fast is from all edible food and drink other than water, taken by mouth and swallowed. Chewing gum and swallowing the juices and flavors released by the chewing process would break the fast as well.

What is the rationale? Pope Paul VI wrote concerning the power of spiritual discipline in his apostolic constitution Paenitemini: “Mortification aims at the liberation of man, who often finds himself, because of concupiscence, almost chained by his own senses. Through ‘corporal fasting’ man regains strength, and the wound inflicted on the dignity of our nature by intemperance is cured by the medicine of a salutary abstinence.”

Fasting builds up our spiritual strength, and the Church asks us to complete this simple task every time we receive Holy Communion for our own benefit. Just like any athlete we need to exercise discipline and fasting is great for building those spiritual muscles. Without fasting we are weak and our passions drive us to wherever the wind blows.

Additionally, Pope John Paul II lamented in Dominicae Cenae how modern Catholics possess a “lack of Eucharistic ‘hunger’ and ‘thirst,’ which is also a sign of lack of adequate sensitivity towards the great sacrament of love and a lack of understanding of its nature.” We need to “hunger” and yearn for the Eucharistic before we can properly receive it. Our reception of Holy Communion needs to correspond to an inner hunger that is indicative of a soul that thirsts for God’s love. If we do not have this hunger (brought to mind by our physical hunger during fasting), we might think of Holy Communion as something ordinary, not needing any preparation beforehand. (Source: Alleteia; modified)

THANK YOU very much to all of you who continue to help with and around the parish. Your time and sacrifices are greatly appreciated.

THE NEXT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING will be held on Wednesday, July 19 at 6:30 PM.

AUGUST SPECIAL ELECTION: Issue 1 asks voters if Ohio should “Require that any proposed amendment to the Constitution of the State of Ohio receive the approval of at least 60 percent of eligible voters on the proposed amendment.” Passing Issue 1 directly affects the issue of abortion in Ohio. Namely, the abortion lobby, with the current easy threshold of 50.01%, is presently attempting to enshrine abortion up until birth with zero restrictions in Ohio’s constitution this November. Thus passing the Issue 1 (voting YES on August 8, 2023) will help protect the most fundamental right of all – the right to life. Please, ensure you are registered to vote and verify your voting information before July 10, 2023 by going to VoteOhio.gov.

Tuesday, July 11: Absentee and Early In-Person Voting begins

Sunday, August 6: Early In-Person Voting ends at 5:00 pm

Monday, August 7: Last day to drop off or postmark your Absentee Ballot

Tuesday August 8: ELECTION DAY

LAST WEEKEND’S COLLECTION: July 2: Sunday Collection: $335. July 9: Sunday Collection: $1,147; maintenance: $400; in loving memory of Linda Green: $75. May God reward your generosity in supporting the church. Thank you for sending in your donations by mail or using our website https://stemeric.com/donations/.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SICK, especially for Bev Kimar, Teréz Kalász, Lajos Boday, Julius Skerlan, Márta Takács, Zsuzsanna Hunyadi, Albert Kovács, Viola Kocskár.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE DECEASED: Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen

THIS SUNDAY the 11:15 AM Mass from St. Emeric church will be livestreamed at https://www.facebook.com/saintemeric/ and https://stemeric.com/

LET US PRAY THREE HAIL MARYS FOR OUR PARISH EVERY DAY!

Ez a bejegyzés olvasható Hungarian nyelven is.