Catholic Topics of Interest
If you have a topic of interest you would like featured in the bulletin, please send your request to Fr. Rodney at fatherrodrigo@yahoo.com.
The Eucharist: Catholic Beliefs and Practices
A Pew Research survey on religious views last year found that only 37% of regular Mass going Catholics accepted the teaching of the Church that Christ is truly and actually present in the Eucharist. The teaching of the Catechism of the Catholic Church asserts that Christ is present body, blood, soul and divinity in the Eucharist species. While it is good news that 37% do accept this teaching of the Church, it is sad news that 63% of active Catholics do not fully accept it. A number of commentators quickly noted that the methodology used for the Pew survey actually measured catechetical knowledge more so than actual belief, but the results still are troubling. Even more troubling was that for self-identified Catholics under forty, who only marginally practiced their faith, belief in the real presence was at 26%.
Eucharist, a word derived from the Greek eucharistia, means thanksgiving. The early Christian community began to use the word to refer to the Last Supper meal of Jesus with his disciples. There are four accounts of the institution of the Eucharist in the New Testament, the earliest account being by St. Paul in his First Letter to the Corinthians (1 Cor 11:23-26). These early Christians gathered on Sunday in order to recall Christ’s passion, death and resurrection from death because it was on Sunday that he rose from death. Their coming together offered them time and opportunity to thank God for their redemption from sin and lasting death in and through Christ. At the Last Supper, referring to Christ’s last gathering before his arrest, Jesus instructed his disciples to “do this in memory” of all that he would do for them in the following days through his death and resurrection. He connected everything he would experience through his passion, death and resurrection with the sacred meal they were sharing and which he instructed them to continue. It was more than a sacred farewell meal. It was participation in a saving action. Through their continuing to gather and share this meal, they were able to join in his saving sacrifice by which he brought about the possibility of salvation for people once and for all.
Eucharist, a word derived from the Greek eucharistia, means thanksgiving. The early Christian community began to use the word to refer to the Last Supper meal of Jesus with his disciples. There are four accounts of the institution of the Eucharist in the New Testament, the earliest account being by St. Paul in his First Letter to the Corinthians (1 Cor 11:23-26). These early Christians gathered on Sunday in order to recall Christ’s passion, death and resurrection from death because it was on Sunday that he rose from death. Their coming together offered them time and opportunity to thank God for their redemption from sin and lasting death in and through Christ. At the Last Supper, referring to Christ’s last gathering before his arrest, Jesus instructed his disciples to “do this in memory” of all that he would do for them in the following days through his death and resurrection. He connected everything he would experience through his passion, death and resurrection with the sacred meal they were sharing and which he instructed them to continue. It was more than a sacred farewell meal. It was participation in a saving action. Through their continuing to gather and share this meal, they were able to join in his saving sacrifice by which he brought about the possibility of salvation for people once and for all.
What is Annulment:
The annulment process is frequently misunderstood.
"Annulment" is an unfortunate word that is sometimes used to refer to a Catholic "declaration of nullity." Actually, nothing is made null through the process. Rather, a Church tribunal (a Catholic Church court) declares that a marriage thought to be valid according to Church law actually fell short of at least one of the essential elements required for a binding union.
For a Catholic marriage to be valid, it is required that: (1) the spouses are free to marry; (2) they are capable of giving their consent to marry; (3) they freely exchange their consent; (4) in consenting to marry, they have the intention to marry for life, to be faithful to one another and be open to children; (5) they intend the good of each other; and (6) their consent is given in the presence of two witnesses and before a properly authorized Church minister.
If a marriage is declared null, does it mean that the marriage never existed?
No. It means that a marriage that was thought to be valid civilly and canonically was in fact not valid according to Church law. A declaration of nullity does not deny that a relationship existed. It simply states that the relationship was missing something that the Church requires for a valid marriage.
If a declaration of nullity is granted, are the children considered illegitimate?
No. A declaration of nullity has no effect on the legitimacy of children who were born of the union following the wedding day, since the child's mother and father were presumed to be married at the time that the child was born. Parental obligations remain after a marriage may be declared null.
How much does it cost?
Pope Francis has asked dioceses whenever possible to provide their tribunal services free of charge. Depending upon how much our diocese is able to subsidize the work of our tribunal, you may be asked to make a donation following the completion of your case.
How do I start the process?
Make an appointment with Father Rodney.
"Annulment" is an unfortunate word that is sometimes used to refer to a Catholic "declaration of nullity." Actually, nothing is made null through the process. Rather, a Church tribunal (a Catholic Church court) declares that a marriage thought to be valid according to Church law actually fell short of at least one of the essential elements required for a binding union.
For a Catholic marriage to be valid, it is required that: (1) the spouses are free to marry; (2) they are capable of giving their consent to marry; (3) they freely exchange their consent; (4) in consenting to marry, they have the intention to marry for life, to be faithful to one another and be open to children; (5) they intend the good of each other; and (6) their consent is given in the presence of two witnesses and before a properly authorized Church minister.
If a marriage is declared null, does it mean that the marriage never existed?
No. It means that a marriage that was thought to be valid civilly and canonically was in fact not valid according to Church law. A declaration of nullity does not deny that a relationship existed. It simply states that the relationship was missing something that the Church requires for a valid marriage.
If a declaration of nullity is granted, are the children considered illegitimate?
No. A declaration of nullity has no effect on the legitimacy of children who were born of the union following the wedding day, since the child's mother and father were presumed to be married at the time that the child was born. Parental obligations remain after a marriage may be declared null.
How much does it cost?
Pope Francis has asked dioceses whenever possible to provide their tribunal services free of charge. Depending upon how much our diocese is able to subsidize the work of our tribunal, you may be asked to make a donation following the completion of your case.
How do I start the process?
Make an appointment with Father Rodney.
Anointing of the Sick:
"Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the presbyters (priests) of the church,
and they should pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of Lord.....
If he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven."
Jas 5:14-15
and they should pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of Lord.....
If he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven."
Jas 5:14-15
The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is one of healing sacraments of the Church and is not meant only for those who are at the point of death. "Hence as soon as anyone of the faithful begins to be in danger of death from sickness or old age, the fitting time to receive this sacrament has certainly already arrived.: (CCC 1514). An illness of a serious nature is sufficient reason for the Sacrament. Additionally, impending surgery or when suffering from the frailty of old age are also appropriate reasons to request or celebrate this Sacrament. Sick children, too, may be anointed if they have sufficient reason and understanding to be comforted by it.
When you are going to the hospital, inform the parish office as soon as you know the date of admittance. If you are not able to inform the parish yourself, ask a member of your immediate family to do so for you. You may request the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick be celebrated prior to admittance, or when you are in the hospital.
If you are homebound, or in a healthcare facility (either permanently or temporarily) please call the parish office as soon as possible. If you are not able to inform the parish, ask a member of your immediate family to do so. You may request Anointing of the Sick, as well as Communion, Confession, and/or pastoral visits. You may also request Anointing of the Sick after weekend masses, just approach the priest.
When you are going to the hospital, inform the parish office as soon as you know the date of admittance. If you are not able to inform the parish yourself, ask a member of your immediate family to do so for you. You may request the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick be celebrated prior to admittance, or when you are in the hospital.
If you are homebound, or in a healthcare facility (either permanently or temporarily) please call the parish office as soon as possible. If you are not able to inform the parish, ask a member of your immediate family to do so. You may request Anointing of the Sick, as well as Communion, Confession, and/or pastoral visits. You may also request Anointing of the Sick after weekend masses, just approach the priest.