A Little News Update

I would like to share some brief updates as we move into this weekend’s Solemnity of Corpus Christi, The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.

The parking lot was sealed and repainted this past week. I had hoped to have done more, but the pricing for the work was prohibitive. The work was  completed by “Hope Seals,” a firm who employs many formerly incarcerated individuals, offering them a second chance in life.

Our roofing company came to take an updated drone view of the roof repairs. When the crew went to pick up the shingles that had been ordered. They were told that the shingles were sold to another company who needed the same materials as we do. A re-order was placed for installation on arrival.

The church bathrooms are still not working. A member of the parish with an extensive work history in construction, recommended a company to explore the trouble. A gentleman stopped out this morning and will return to find a solution next week. This will also give us an opportunity to complete some overdue updates in the bathrooms themselves. The half-bath in the parsonage is working well and is open to anyone in need.

My literal “vision” of the distribution of the Eucharist at the 11:30 mass is limited to the needs of those receiving in the sanctuary due to the unique practices formed by our worship space.  After sharing this with some of our Extraordinary Ministers, a proposal was made for a minor shift to our process in both the sanctuary and on the main floor.

1) The ordained minister and an EM will both distribute the Eucharist in the sanctuary while the ministers of the Precious Blood move to the main floor to prepare for the sharing of the cup.

2) While the distribution of the Eucharist is taking place in the sanctuary, those on the main floor are asked to move toward the center and form two lines. When the ordained and EM have completed the distribution in the sanctuary, they will step down to the floor and share the Eucharist with those who are waiting.

All new ritual movements need time to work any bugs out and become comfortable. Please give this time to become comfortable as I hope it will also help visitors navigate our practices. I say the 11:30am mass only because this pattern is similar to the way in which the Eucharist is distributed at the evening mass.

This past week, Pope Leo reiterated that standing is a preferred posture to receive the Eucharist. That being said, those who choose to kneel may be denied the Sacrament, as some bishops have attempted to do recently. In our diocese, the standard posture is to kneel during the Eucharistic Prayer and to remain standing from the Lord’s Prayer until the end of Communion. Obviously kneeling is not a reasonable posture for many in our community but more are choosing to kneel, especially our younger members.

Congratulations and best wishes to Zach Haderski and Lauren Krivanek who celebrated the Sacrament of Matrimony at St. Peter last Saturday.

We also offer prayers and blessings to parishioners Aaron and Sonia Rutledge who will convalidate their civil marriage and celebrate it as a sacrament during the 7:00pm mass this Sunday evening.

On Saturday in St. Augustine Church in Pittsburgh, Br. Stephen Cantwell, Br. Luke Kim and Br. Ryan Schmeltzer will be ordained to the priesthood by Lakewood’s Cardinal Sean O’Malley, OFM Cap. Please pray for these men as they begin new lives of service at the Altar and to the People of God following in the footprints of St. Francis of Assisi.

We’re looking for some volunteers to help sweep and mop the church floor on Saturday morning, June 13th, the Feast of St. Anthony. Save the morning on your calendar; a more exact time will be forthcoming.

All Good Things!

Br. Phil Bernier, OFM Cap