Browsing Pastor's Notes

Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

The Day 28 reflection focused upon Beauty of Catholic Churches and Cathedrals. In that day’s reflection, Matthew Kelly describes being in Paris when Notre Dame Cathedral caught fire and the incredible outpouring of funds and support to rebuild and restore the beautiful Cathedral.

Just over two months ago, on December 8th, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Cathedral of Notre Dame (Our Lady) was rededicated and reopened to the public both for tourist and religious practice. I was blessed to visit Notre Dame in 2004 (and it was partially under restoration then). I look forward to one day seeing it again in its renewed glory. The pictures I’ve seen look incredible.

Matthew Kelly rightly points out that the effort and energy to restore Notre Dame is not just because the cathedral has been central to the city since 1163, but because it is central to the Faith. It is much more than a building, and even if folks can’t articulate the faith, they are still drawn to the Faith that was impetus for the original construction. It is amazing how much labor, effort, and resources have been expended to restore the cathedral. Perhaps, having spent some energy and labor yourself these last 33 days, you have accomplished some renovation and restoration in the temple of your own heart for Christ in the Eucharist. As beautiful as Notre Dame is, your heart filled with love and devotion to our Eucharistic Lord Jesus, is more beautiful still.

Holy Family Church is no gothic cathedral. Yet, it has the beauty and comfort of being home. During the Christmas and Easter seasons, I so frequently hear how beautiful our church is. And it is! The Arts & Environment crew does superb to enhance our worship space. And yet, in some ways, it’s good the church doesn’t look so grand all the time, or the added seasonal décor would lose its impact. Yet, that is also why we discuss the difference between a renovation and mere decoration. Renovation is intended to have much more staying power. The work we did in our church last year, carpet, pews, HVAC were meant to enhance our space & for a much longer time than simply a liturgical season. Just so, the 33-Days to Eucharist Glory, has been intended to bring about a deeper beautification project than temporary fancy décor. We want real, substantial, change in ourselves. We too are supposed to be living Tabernacles and to be the new Arks of the Covenant – like Mary once was. We are to be filled with the Holy Spirit and to take the Good News of Jesus out to the world. And if we have undergone real interior renovation and dedication, we will radiate out the Truth, Goodness, and Beauty of our Eucharistic Christ. Our collective Consecration to the Eucharistic Christ this weekend is intended to have true long reaching fruit for our parish and our lives. Please God may it be so.

Speaking of the Seventy & Strong Parish Renovation, I never provided a final summary, so here it is. As you can see a few of the items came in under estimates. We also added some minor upgrades in the sacristy like a new sink and the new handrails into the sanctuary that were not initially included.

Donations covered 100% of the renovation work and so no parish savings were required to offset the cost of this work. Thank you again for your generosity, your willingness, your trust, & your support for these improvements.

 

Nothing Less than saints for the Holy Family of God.

 

Holy Family, Living Temples for Christ & the Holy Spirit, Pray for us.

 

~ Fr Jeremy M. Gries

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