March 22nd, 2023

Embrace the Grace - Weekly Reflection

How I was first introduced to Abraham Joshua Heschel evades me, but his writing quickly stimulated my mind and touched my heart.

Rabbi Heschel was a devout Jew and a Hebrew scholar. He died in 1972 but was one of the Twentieth Century’s leading Jewish theologians and Jewish philosophers. In the seminary, I took a course called “The Prophets,” and sure enough, the core textbook we used in class was The Prophets by Abraham Joshua Heschel.

When you read Heschel, he puts you in touch with the divine.

Mr. Heschel wrote, “Our goal should be to live life in radical amazement … get up in the morning and look at the world in a way that takes nothing for granted. Everything is phenomenal; everything is incredible; never treat life casually. To be spiritual is to be amazed.”

Sometimes our faith loses amazement. The issue is on our end, not God’s. Lent is a good time to rekindle the fire of love in our hearts for God, for our neighbor. Take nothing for granted, including the fact you have been loved into existence by Love itself.

And Love is our destiny, for God is love: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Fr. Bob

1. A Mass intention may be requested for a Mass for the following reasons:
   1. A deceased loved one.
   2. A living person who is sick or suffering.
   3. A living person who is celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or other special moments in their life.
   4. In thanksgiving to God (including the Lord Jesus or the Holy Spirit).
   5. In thanksgiving for a prayer from a Blessed or a Saint.
   6. Or for a prayer intention (so long as the intention does not contradict Church teaching).
2. A Mass intention may not be requested for a prayer intention that contradicts Catholic moral doctrine.
3. There is a limit of four (4) intentions per Mass. If a given Mass has four intentions on a given day, please choose another Mass.
4. Lengthy intention listings cannot be published in the Bulletin and must be edited for brevity. Since publishing the intention in the Bulletin is to notify the family and friends of the intention, we suggest omitting middle initials, titles, etc. Each intention is limited to either two names or one group. Please indicate if the person for whom the Mass is requested is living or deceased.
5. A $10 donation is to accompany each Mass request. Intentions will not be recorded until the stipend is received. Canon Law requires that all stipends taken for Mass Intentions be said for the intention as designated.
6. Please note that Mass intentions may be requested for Sundays, most holidays, and weekdays throughout the year.  Mass intentions cannot be scheduled for Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil, Easter, All Saints Day, All Souls Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Eve, News Years Day. One Mass every Sunday and one Mass on a Holy Day of Obligation must be scheduled for the intentions of our parishioners, known as Pro Populo (For the People), as required by Canon Law.
7. Announced Mass requests will be granted as close to the requested date and time as possible. If it is not possible to comply with the primary request, the next closest date and time will be scheduled.