Pastor’s Postcard – Gratitude, Eucharist, & September

Sunday October 1, 2023

More and more people started asking me with such sincerity as September unfolded, “How are you doing, how do you like the parish?”  My reply, “I am grateful to be here.”  Beyond my feelings of gratitude are a call to relax and settle into our Saint Joachim community. 

Eucharist is the Greek word for thanksgiving.  It felt great to see so many of those who serve at Mass join me for my reflection, Holy Trinity and Liturgical Ministry.  The Eucharist is the beating heart of the Church that gives life to the mystical body of Christ.  The goal of this time of Eucharistic revival is that the Eucharist be believed, celebrated, and lived. We have an opportunity to celebrate the Eucharist at the Cathedral with thousands of other believers, our diocesan brothers and sisters at the Eucharistic Congress on October 21st.   Please use this QR code for registration.

Our daily lives, with their work and responsibilities, trials, and travels, are the  altar we offer ourselves on.  This is how we live the Eucharist!

The Eucharist must be believed if it is to be lived. Adoration of the Risen Body of Christ, like the liturgy, both expresses our faith and strengthens it.  I used to kneel next to my grandfather during some early morning hours as a boy.  Now I kneel next to Deacon Javier and Martin Concha (Diaconate ordination October 14) during a Holy Hour on our First Friday monthly parish day of adoration.  I believe that this life, this journey of faith, is designed to widen and deepen our hearts to both receive love and share love.  During adoration, our hearts are filled with the love of Christ, and we return that same love to him in adoration.  I hope we can revive this First Friday devotion in our community. You can sign up for an hour using this QR code.

In Christ,

Rev. Robert P. Capone