From the Pastor - Year of Faith (Porta Fidei)
On Tuesday evening the Celebrations of Faith Committee met to discuss what we would be doing for the upcoming academic year. Pope Benedict XVI recently announced that he would launch a Year of Faith to help Catholics appreciate the gift of faith, to deepen their relationship with God and to strengthen their commitment to sharing faith with others. The Year of Faith will begin October 11, 2012, the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council, and will end November 24, 2013, the feast of Christ the King.
Because it is the 50th Anniversary of Vatican II, and the documents that came out of the Council have been so formative for our Church and our faith, we will begin a series of monthly homilies, handouts and resources for all of us to better appreciate Vatican II and our faith. The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF)(Cardinal William J. Levada) has put out “guidelines” for implementing the Year of Faith. In the last paragraph of the CDF document, it summarizes the purpose:
Faith “is the lifelong companion that makes it possible to perceive, ever anew, the marvels that God works for us. Intent on gathering the signs of the times in the present of history, faith commits every one of us to become a living sign of the presence of the Risen Lord in the world.”
Faith is both a personal and a communal act: it is a gift from God that is lived in the communion of the Church and must be communicated to the world. Every initiative for the Year of Faith should be designed to aid in the joyous rediscovery of the faith and its renewed transmission. The recommendations provided here have the goal of inviting all of the members of the Church to work so that this Year may be a special time in which we, as Christians, may share that which is most dear to us: Christ Jesus, the Redeemer of mankind, Universal King, “leader and perfecter of faith” (Hb 12: 2).
Gratefully, Father Philip Waibel, OSB, Pastor
Year of Faith
Archbishop Sample has asked that the faithful in the Archdiocese, on the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, June 2, join the Holy Father as he presides over a special Eucharistic Adoration. It will extend at the same time all over the world involving the cathedrals and parishes in each diocese. For an hour, at 5pm (Rome time), the whole world will be united in prayer and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Our 7:30 AM Mass does not allow us to simultaneously join in. And so we at St. Mary’s will begin our Adoration time at 6:00 PM on Sunday with Exposition, join in the usual Rosary at 6:30 and then conclude with Benediction. Fr. Philip will preside at this special Adoration. All are invited to participate.
Volunteers Needed
Consider joining:
St. Anne’s Altar Society, Catholic Daughters, Knights of Columbus
Be trained as a: Lector or Eucharist Minister
Teach your children the value of serving their church. Their opportunities include: Server, Candlebearer, Junior Catholic Daughter
Contact Meghan Bischoff online or call 503-551-2907