THE SOLEMNITY OF THE MOST HOLY TRINITY – MAY 30, 2021

RESPONSORIAL PSALM: Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

TODAY’S MASS INTENTION: Charlotte & Victor Falk, by Ildikó Peller

MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE COMING WEEK:

FROM THE DESK OF FR. BONA: It has always been difficult for artists to depict the Holy Trinity. How could they portray the incomprehensible mystery of the Holy Trinity, one God in three persons?  How could they avoid, through their imagery, leading others into some theological errors? Thus, for Christian artists, the story of the Lord visiting Abraham at Mamre (Genesis 18) in the form of three men provided a neat solution to the problem of representing the Godhead. By picturing what was visible to Abraham, they could direct the viewer’s mind to the invisible reality of God’s presence at Mamre. For the Eastern Churches, the Hospitality of Abraham has continued to be the primary way of presenting the Trinity. In the West, however, in the late Middle Ages three new ways were devised.

The first was the so-called Throne of Mercy and it visualizes John 3:16. In this iconographic type, the Father presents his dying Son on the cross to the viewer. A dove sits atop the cross to represent the Holy Spirit. The second form was the representation of the Holy Trinity as three identical men. In 1745, Benedict XIV pronounced this way of picturing the Trinity “not absurd” because it might be said to refer to Abraham’s three visitors. In the same document, however, the pope roundly condemned a related iconographic type: a single human figure with three faces.

The third manner became the most common: the Son with a cross sitting at the right hand of the Father, with the Holy Spirit between them as a dove emitting light rays (see our bulletin cover). The Father is depicted as an old man with a beard, a choice that could be explained by the reference to God as “the Ancient of Days” (Daniel 7:9, 13, 22) and in Revelation 1:14 as having hair “as white … as snow.” He almost always holds a mappa mundi orb, symbol of his universal sovereignty, in his left hand. (Source: Richard Stracke, Emeritus Professor of English, Augusta University)

NEXT WEEK (JUNE 6) IS THE FEAST OF CORPUS CHRISTI: We will hold our traditional outdoor procession, weather permitting. I would like to thank those who had decorated the outdoor altars in the past and would like to ask them, if they can, to continue this beautiful service. If you have flower petals, please bring them for extra decoration on the ground. I also ask the children to participate by wearing their white dresses, and to scatter the flower petals in front of the Blessed Sacrament in the procession.

IMPORTANT NEWS: With the improving situation concerning the health pandemic, the bishops of Ohio have decided to reinstate the general obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation (Code of Canon Law, c. 1247). This will take effect in each of the Dioceses of Ohio the weekend of June 5-6, 2021.

LAST WEEKEND’S COLLECTION: Sunday Offering: $1,461. In loving memory of János Táborosi: $1,000. Thank you for remembering your church’s needs in these difficult times. Thank you also for sending in your offertory donation when not in attendance at Mass either by mail or on our website using a credit card or the PayPal option: https://stemeric.com/donations/

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SICK, especially for Bev Kimar, Béla Tarmann, Rose Dudevszky, Teréz Kalász, Madeleine B. Smith, and Gerő Kondray.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE DECEASED, especially for Theresa Kalasz, the daughter of Teréz Kalász.

NEW POST PANDEMIC PROTOCOLS: Starting next weekend, June 5/6, many of the restrictions will be relaxed. Bishop Malesic has issued on May 21 a memo outlining these new guidelines (see https://www.dioceseofcleveland.org/post-pandemic). The following is a summary of the most salient points: (1) Facemasks are no longer required. The diocese recommends them for those who have not received the Covid-19 vaccine or are otherwise vulnerable, but they are not required. The bishop noted that pastors and others “should not inquire of anyone as to whether or not they have been vaccinated.” I will certainly not inquire of anyone and I ask that you do so as well and respect the rights of others. After all, vaccination is a private medical information (or decision) discussed with one’s doctor. (2) Social distancing is no longer required. We will resume the use of all pews. (3) By and large, liturgy can be celebrated as it was before the pandemic. You will notice, for example, the return of the offertory processions and other elements that are part of our tradition (e.g. holy water fonts will be refilled, return of hymnals, etc.). (4) The sign of peace among the faithful is permitted. It should be exchanged without physical contact between persons who are not of the same household or family. Technically speaking, the exchange of the sign of peace has always been optional in the liturgy. Thus, when the priest (or deacon) does not say “Let us offer each other the sign of peace,” we should not exchange a sign of peace, even with family members. At times, I will and I will not say this invitation, please pay attention to it. (5) Respect is to be shown to all, including those who for personal reasons choose to continue to wear facemasks and practice social distancing. Finally, Bishop Malesic concludes: “Please continue to pray for a complete end to the pandemic, for all those who died from the pandemic and for those who have lost loved ones, employment or have been adversely impacted by the pandemic.”

THIS SUNDAY the 11:15 AM Mass (St. Emeric) is livestreamed at https://www.facebook.com/saintemeric/ and on our website, https://stemeric.com/

Ez a bejegyzés olvasható Magyar (Hungarian) nyelven is.