oct99nws

OCTOBER 1999 TAPESTRY

The Eucharist: Meal & Sacrifice      During the last 500 years or so, the Eucharist was viewed almost exclusively as the Sacrifice of Christ. In fact, many
people referred to the Liturgy as “the Sacrifice of the Mass.”   Jesus’ death on Calvary is made present in the Eucharist by the words and by the meaning of the Last Supper. The words of Jesus remind us that the bread and wine are to be shared in remembrance of Christ being lifted up on the cross. It would seem that there couldn’t be a misunderstanding in the notion that the Eucharist is sacrificial. So why did the Church stress that aspect almost to the exclusion of the notion of the Last Supper being a meal?
     The Protestant Reformation was the cause of this teaching. Many of the reformers thought it necessary to deny the
sacrificial notion of the Mass so that the one sacrifice of Christ on Calvary wouldn’t be diluted. To keep the integrity of the unique sacrifice of Christ on the cross most of the reformers chose to refer to the reception of communion as a partaking in a meal.
     The Catholic Church wanted it’s believers not to forget that partaking in communion, in fact, even the participation in the
Mass, was a uniting of one with the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. So, to do this the notion of meal was downplayed.
     Since the Second Vatican Council the Church has tried to recapture some of the meal language of the Eucharist. We
speak much more often of the meal in our ritual prayers, in our music, and in our architecture. The altar today is to resemble a table more than a casket, for instance. The revision in the Sacramentary called the Church to have the congregation receive the cup as well as the host. For Christ told us to, “take and drink” as well as to “take and eat.” The hosts are to have the resemblance and taste of bread. The wine is to be enough for all to share in and the vessels are meant to be for the sharing in a meal.
     Some today would argue that due to our stressing of the meal aspect of Eucharist we have lost a notion of Christ’s real
presence and the sacrificial notion. Perhaps if there is a lessening in the understanding of Eucharist as sacrifice it might be due to the fact that we have a hard time understanding what sacrifice means. Not too many of us have to hunt for our food. We don’t practice animal sacrifices in our rituals. We find that we can have most things whenever we want them. Having to sacrifice for anything is something most people don’t ever have to do.
     Perhaps to have a genuine understanding of Eucharist we need to revive two things in our families. We need to have a
better understanding of the family meal. I would suggest setting at least one meal a week aside where the entire family eats
together. This will help families understand how important it is to come together and share around a common table.
     The second thing we need to do is to meditate more fully on the notion of sacrifice. For instance, take time each day to
remember the farmers that grow your food, the butchers and packers that get your food to the store. Become more grateful when a family member goes out of their way to help you. Maybe do the same for them. Then, the typical sacrifices of Lent are good all year. Maybe fast on Wednesdays for the needs of our parish. Give up some spending money for the poor. The more that sacrifice becomes meaningful the more the notion of God giving Christ to us on the cross makes sense.
     I am confident that we will not lose the beauty of the presence of Christ in the Eucharist as both meal and sacrifice. With
some work we will grow in even greater appreciation for that great gift.
                                                                                                                     Peace,
                                                                                                                                  Fr. Chris

THE FEAST OF ST. FRANCIS
October 4th is the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, designated by Pope John Paul II as the patron of the environmental movement. Francis is well known for taming wolves, preaching to birds, and being a friend of the poor. His struggle to love perfectly the poor gave rise to the humility that made him a brother to all creation.

NEWS FROM THE DIOCESE OF ORLANDO
BLACK COMMUNITY MINISTRY
     The Orlando Diocese Community Gospel Choir rehearses on the first and third Thursdays, 7:15 p.m., in the music room
of Saint Mary Magdalen Catholic Church, 861 Maitland Avenue, Altamonte Springs. Call (407) 658-1818, ext 243 to join or book the choir.
     Florida Conference of Offices of Black Catholic Ministry needs volunteers to help with STATEWIDE GATHERING 2000
to be held Friday, June 16 – Sunday, June 18, 2000, at the Wyndham Harbour Island Hotel, Tampa. Contact Gretchen Demps, FCOBCM Secretary, at (407) 658-1818, ext 243.
     The Black Community Ministry is organizing a team for the NCCJ Walk As One on Saturday, October 23, at lake Eola
Park, Orlando. To join us for this five-mile walk, call (407) 658-1818, ext 243.

F.R.E.E –
The theme for adult education on October 10 will be: PRAYER IN THE CATHOLIC TRADITION. This session will be held in the main assembly area beginning at 2:45 pm.

HOW TO MAKE HUMBLE PIE
Jesus criticized some religious leaders for being proud. Pride was the reason for some of them being spiritually blind, fools, and
hypocrites (Mt 23:13,17). Therefore, Jesus called them to humble themselves, and He calls us to do the same (Mt 23:12).
To clothe ourselves in humility, we should:
- carry our daily crosses (Lk 9:23)
- choose the lowest place (Lk 14:10)
- bend our knees and lives at the name of Jesus (Phil 2:10)
- repent and confess our sins to one another, especially in the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Jas 5:16)
- tremble as we read God’s word (Is 66:2)
- forgive and apologize
- be “quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger” (Jas 1:19)
- be submissive to others (Eph 5:21)
- come to serve (Mt 20:28)
In His Church and its word, especially in the Bible, the Lord has given us many more ways to humble ourselves. Look for them and do them. Clothe yourself in humility.

The deepest element of God’s commandment to protect human life is the requirement to show reverence and love for
every person and the life of every person.
John Paul, II, Evangelium Vitae

BLESSING OF ANIMALS
The Blessing of Animals (Pets) commemorating the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, will be Sunday, October 10, at 1:30.

October’s Feature Film will be “HEROES OF FAITH”. This video profiles 11 extraordinary Christians, including heroes held captive, heroes in the arts and entertainment world and heroes of social activism. Individual vignettes include: Fr. Lawrence Michael Jenco, held hostage in Lebanon; Fr. Tom Takahashi, World war II prisoner; Orel Hercheiser, major league pitcher; Fred Rogers; Flannery O’Connor, writer; Dave Brubeck Jazz legend; Natzih Rizk, a blind photographer; Jean Donavan, modern day martyr; Dorothy Day; St. Francis of Assisi; and Martin Luther King, Jr. Join us October 31 at 6 P.M.

MOTHER TERESA SPEAKS TO THE NATION’S LEADERS, PRO-LIFE ACTION NEWS, MAY 1994
The way to plan the family is natural family planning, not contraception. In destroying the power of giving life through contraception, a husband or wife is doing something to self. This turns the attention to self and so it destroys the gift of love in him or her. In loving, the husband and wife must turn their attention to each other as happens in natural family planning, and not to self, as happens in contraception. Once that living love is destroyed by contraception, abortion follows very easily.
“I also know that there are great problems in the world – that many spouses do not love each other enough to practice natural family planning. We cannot solve all the problems in the world, but let us never bring in the worst problem of all, and that is to destroy love. And this is what happens when we tell people to practice contraception and abortion.”

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP THE PRO-LIFE CAUSE?
Make frequent use of the best channels of grace and weapons against evil that God gave us: the Sacraments! (Daily
Mass if possible and confession at least once a month.) (CCC 1389, 2827.)

Offer even just a ten-minute visit with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament for pro-life causes.

Adopt an abortionist in your prayers.

Use a pro-life sticker or pro-life checks.

Turn the TV off and go for a walk with your family.

Change your doctor if he/she “terminates pregnancies” or dispenses contraception and tell them why. Help make a pro- life doctor’s practice flourish!

Demand your congressman stand against abortion, euthanasia, & fetal tissue research.

Withhold your time and money from organizations that undermine life such as March of Dimes, Unicef, Planned
Parenthood, and United Way. Alternative charities: Catholic Relief Services, Human Life International.

Subscribe to reputable pro-life materials and circulate them among family, friends, and neighbors. When you’re done
reading a pro-life magazine, consider leaving it in area where it may be picked up and read by a stranger.

Donate your time, energy, and money to your pro-life group. We have lots of work to do!

GOSPEL SING AT CYPRESS GARDENS
Gospel groups from around the state will perform at Cypress Gardens October 9-10. For more information or to order tickets, call (800) 282-2123 or (941) 324-2111, ext. 213, 215 or 290.

THE COUNCIL ON AGING OF VOLUSIA COUNTY -
FOSTER GRANDPARENT PROGRAM AND SENIOR COMPANION PROGRAMS have openings
for seniors 60 and older who would enjoy working with special needs children in Volusia County schools or assist the frail elderly to remain in their homes by providing companionship. Individuals meeting certain income guidelines may work 20 hours per week and receive:
- a modest federal stipend – tax free
- travel reimbursement
- a meal while on duty
- liability insurance coverage
- a great deal of satisfaction
For additional information and an appointment, call Dan Feinbaum at Council on Aging of Volusia County (904)
736-7747 ext. 206 Program funded by the Corporation for National Service and United Way of Volusia-Flagler Counties.

NATIONAL VOCATION AWARENESS WEEK
October 10 – 16 is National Vocations Awareness Week. Archbishop McCarthy asks us to pray in a special way for vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life, particularly in our Archdiocese.

THOU SHALL NOT KILL
YESTERDAY I killed… my son’s joy… in the victory of his team. I complained about his dirty clothes – torn at the seam.
The day before I killed my daughter’s pride in that dress she’d made. I pointed out its faults, then added faint praise.
One day I killed a friendship – turned affection to hate.
I misunderstood that’s all – but it was too late.
I killed my spouse’s love…NOT with a mighty blow. It died bit by bit;
year by year…so slow.
Tonight I saw the light of love die slowly in her look: when she
reached toward me with her hand… and I picked up… a book.
Oh God of the resurrection… take me by the hand. And teach me how to
truly love and loving understand.
(Thanks to Nilda Brain for this reflection.)

DIOCESAN SPONSORED MORNING OF REFLECTION FOR
EXTRA-ORDINARY MINISTERS OF THE EUCHARIST:
October 23 St. Francis of Assisi, Apopka - Spanish
Cost $3 person 9:00 A.M. – 12 Noon

SUPPORT GROUP FOR PERSONS LIVING WITH CHRONIC DISEASES
Dr. Steven Reed presents: Osteoporosis Prevention and other Matters Wednesday, October 20 7:00 P.M.
All interested persons invited.

MINISTRY TO THE SICK CONTINUING EDUCATION:
October 16 8:30 a.m. At St. Clare Catholic Community Topic: Pastoral Care of the Sick Presentor: Mario Ceballos

THE AUCTION
     A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had everything in their collection from Picasso to
Raphael. They would often sit together and admire the great works of art.
     When the Vietnam conflict broke out, the son went to war. He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing
another soldier. The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son.
     About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large
package in his hands. He said, “Sir, you don’t know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly. He often talked about you and your love of art.”
     The young man held out his package. “I know this isn’t much. I’m not really a great artist, but I think your son would
have wanted you to have this.” The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up in tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture. “Oh no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. It’s a gift.”
     The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home, he took them to see the portrait of his
son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected.   The man died a few months later. There was a great auction of his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection. On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded his gavel. “We will start the bidding with this portrait of the son. Who will bid for this picture?” There was silence. Then a voice in the back of the room shouted, “We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one.” But the auctioneer persisted. “Will someone bid for this painting? Who will start the bidding? $100? $200?”
     Another voice shouted angrily. “We came to see the Van Gogh’s, the Rembrandt’s and other great works. Get on with
the real bids!” But the auctioneer continued. “The son! The son! Who will take the son?” Finally a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the longtime gardener of the man and his son. “I’ll give $10 for the painting.” Being a poor man, it was all he could afford.
     “We have $10, who will bid $20?” “Give it to him for $10. Let’s see the masters.”   “$10 is the bid, won’t someone bid
$20?” The crowd was becoming angry. It didn’t want the picture of the son, it wanted the more worthy investments. The
auctioneer pounded the gavel. “Going once, going twice, SOLD for $10!” A man sitting on the second row shouted, “Now let’s get on with the collection!” The auctioneer laid down his gavel. “I’m sorry, the auction is over.” “What about the paintings?” “I am sorry.
    When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will. I was not allowed to reveal it until now. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings. The man who took the son gets everything!”
     God gave His only Son 2,000 years ago to die on a cruel cross. Much like the auctioneer, His message today is, “The
Son, who’ll take the Son?” Because you see, whoever takes the Son gets everything.

Author Unknown

La Eucaristia: Cena & Sacrificio       Durante los ultimos 500 años mas o menos, la Eucaristia se veia exclusivamente como el Sacrificio de Cristo. De hecho,
muchas personas se refieren a la Liturgia como “el Sacrificio de la Misa.” La muerte de Jesus en el Calvario se hace presente en la Eucaristia por las palabras y por el sentido de la Ultima Cena. Las palabras de Jesus nos recuerdan que el pan y el vino deben ser compartidos en memoria de Cristo siendo subido en la cruz. Parece ser que no puede haber un mal entendido en la idea de que la Eucaristia es un sacrificio. ¿Entonces porqué la Iglesia enfatiza ese aspecto casi a la conclusión de que la idea de la Ultima Cena es una comida?
     La Reforma Protestante fué la causante de esta enseñanza. Muchos de los reformadores pensaron necesario negar la idea
sacrificadora de la Misa para que el unico sacrificio de Cristo en el Calvario no fuera diluido. Para mantener la integridad del único sacrificio de Cristo en la cruz la mayoria de los reformadores optaron por referirse a la comunión como compartiendo en una comida.
     La Iglesia Católica queria que sus creyentes no se olvidaran que compartiendo la comunión, en efecto, aun la participación en la Misa, era uniendose uno con el sacrificio de Cristo en la Cruz. Entonces, para hacer esto la idea de cena fué menguada.
      Desde el Consejo Vaticano Segundo la Iglesia a tratado de recapturar algo del lenguaje de cena de la Eucaristia. Nosotros hablamos mas a menudo de la cena en oraciones rituales, en nuestras música, y en nuestra arquitectura. El altar hoy es para que paresca una mesa mejor que un ataud, por ejemplo. La revisión en el Sacramentario llamó a la Iglesia a que llevara a la congregación a recibir la copa tanto como la hostia. Porque Cristo nos dijo “tomen y beban” igual que “tomen y coman.” Las hostias deben parecer y saber a pan. El vino debe ser sufficiente para que todos puedan participar de el y los envases son hechos para compartir en una cena.
    Algunos hoy en dia discuten que debido a nuestro énfasis en el aspecto de la cena de la Eucaristia hemos perdido la idea de la verdadera presencia de Cristo y la idea sacrificial. Quizas si hay un poco de entendimiento de la Eucaristia como sacrificio se deba en efecto a que se nos hace duro entender qué quiere decir sacrificio. Algunos de nosotros no tenemos que ir a casar para comer. Nosotros no practicamos sacrificio de animales en nuestros rituales. Encontramos que podemos tener todo lo que deseamos cuando lo querramos. Sacrificarse por algo es algo que muchas personas ya no tienen que hacer.
    Quizas para tener mejor entendimiento de la Eucaristia necesitamos revivir dos cosas en nuestras familias. Necesitamos tener un mejor entendimiento de la cena familiar. Yo les sugiero que por lo menos una vez en semana lo saquen aparte para que toda la famila cenen juntos. Esto ayudara a la famila a entender cúan importante es venir y compartir juntos alrededor de una mesa común.
    La segunda cosa que necesitamos es meditar mas de lleno en la idea de sacrificio. Por ejemplo, tomen tiempo diariamente
para recordar los agricolas que cultivan su comida, los carniceros y empacadores que llevan la comida a la tienda. Haganse mas agradecedores cuando un miembro de la familia se esmera por ayudarles. Quizas haciendo lo mismo por ellos. Entonces, el sacrificio tipico de Cuaresma son buenos todo el año. Quizas ayunar los miercoles por las necesidades de la parroquia. Dar de su dinero al pobre. Mientras mas ese sacrificio tenga valor mas la idea de Dios dar a Cristo por nosotros en la cruz comienza a tener sentido.
    Estoy bien confiado que no perderemos la belleza de la presencia de Cristo en la Eucaristia tanto como cena y sacrificio. Con un poco de trabajo creceremos mucho mas en la apreciación por ese gran regalo.
                                                                                                                            Paz,
                                                                                                                                   Padre Chris