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Dear St. James Family, |
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This Sunday we will participate in a first Sunday of Lent tradition that is unique to the Ordinariate and the Anglican patrimony that has been brought back into the Catholic Church: the Great Litany. This practice helps to set the tone for this season of preparation and renewal that we began yesterday on Ash Wednesday. At the beginning of Mass we will be praying together the Great Litany, a beautiful and somber way to begin this season of penance, preparation, and anticipation leading up to Easter. The Great Litany is the oldest piece of English liturgy in existence, first published in 1544, though with much older roots. At the 8:00 Mass, at which we focus especially on simplicity, the Litany will be prayed together while you remain at your chair. At the 10:15 Mass the Great Litany will be chanted in procession as we move around the property and then back into the building (those unable to walk are invited to remain prayerfully in their seats) for Mass. Learn more about the Great Litany and the symbolism behind processions. |
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Ash Wednesday Attendance
Yesterday we had two beautiful Ash Wednesday liturgies: a Mass and then later in the evening what is called the Penitential Office for the Imposition of Ashes, a short fifteen minute liturgy of repentance and receiving Ashes which had a much larger attendance than I expected. Both of these liturgies were great opportunities to turn our hearts to the Lord in humility by remembering that we are dust and ashes.
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We Officially Welcomed these Registered Parishioners this Past Week!
The Lord has been blessing our community with new families, though I have not been very good about getting out the word about blessings, but this is now my new Lenten resolve :-).
Learn more about our helpful, four step process to becoming part of the community or let me know if you would like to be on the invitation list for the next dinner where you can learn about the history and vision of St. James and the Ordinariate as well as hearing about my story.
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No Meat on the Fridays of Lent – Also, still Penance Requirement on Most Fridays even outside of Lent
Abstinence from meat during the Fridays in Lent is binding upon members of the Latin Catholic Church from age 14 onwards. This means that during these days of Lent it is not acceptable to eat lamb, chicken, beef, pork, ham, deer and most other meats. However, eggs, milk, fish, grains, and fruits and vegetables, and even meat juices, are all allowed.
Fridays outside of Lent continue as days of penance and expiation in union with Christ Crucified as a long standing practice of the Church. Abstinence from flesh meat is first and foremost commended, though outside of Lent another more helpful personal penance may be substituted. On Fridays that happen to asl be Solemnities, the normal penance is abrogated and replaced instead with celebration. This year the solemnities of the Most Sacred Heart on June 16 and the Immaculate Conception on December 8 both fall on Fridays. The Friday penance continues on all other Fridays of the year.
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Gifted with New Sanctus Bells! What are Sanctus Bells?
This past Sunday during Mass I publicly blessed the new Sanctus bells that were given to St. James. Sanctus bells are a set of hand bells that are first rung during the Mass when the Sanctus (Holy, holy, holy) is sung in order to bring attention to the fact that we are approaching the most important part of the Mass when the bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ. They are rung again when the priest places his hands over the bread and wine and asks the Holy Spirit to come down upon them and the last time during the elevations when the Blessed Sacrament is held aloft so that the people can see and adore Christ who appears to us at this time in the form of bread and wine.
The bells that were given to us are some of the best Sanctus bells that can be obtained. They are made of bronze which gives a much purer and beautiful ring. This past Sunday I compared for everyone gathered the sound of our old brass bells to the new bronze bells and the difference in sound and beauty was clearly evident. I and the people of St. James are grateful to the person who so generously gave so that these bells could be used for the purpose of the gospel and bring glory to our Lord for many years to come.
Learn more about the use of bells in the Church.
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Thank you to Everyone who Helped Launch our First Shrove Tuesday Gathering
This past Tuesday we had a great time eating pancakes topped with many delicious foods or condiments along with meats and deserts on the side. All of this was in preparation for a Holy Lent assisted by this opportunity to remove at least some of those tempting foods from your house. Thank you to Fr. Ernie Davis for driving in from Fernandina to provide the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Also to Cathy Messina who organized the food and the help of others:
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Disagree with a Church Teaching? Learn How to Find Certainty – Most recent homily
Before he physically left this earth, Jesus put a particular structure into place so that those within his Church could have full assurance of his teaching. Learn about this structure and how you can use it to deal with those disagreements that you might have with certain Church doctrines.
Listen to this and my other homilies at StJamesCC.org/Homilies or by searching “Fr. Mayer’s Preaching & Teaching” wherever you get your podcasts
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Faithfully, your pastor, Father Mayer |