July 31-August 1

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Continuing with our reflections on the Most Holy Eucharist today we read from the Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy (2002) issued by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, entitled: “Visiting the Blessed Sacrament”

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is a form of Eucharistic worship, which is widespread in the Church and earnestly recommended to her pastors and faithful.  Its initial form derives from Holy Thursday and the Altar of Repose, following the celebration of expressing the connection between the celebration of the Coena Domini (Supper of the Lord) Mass.  This adoration is a most apt way of expressing the connection between the celebration of the memorial of the Lord’s Sacrifice and His continued presence in the Sacrament of the Altar.  The reservation of the Sacred Species, so as  to be able to administer Viaticum to the sick at any time, encouraged the practice among the faithful of recollection before the Tabernacle and to worship Christ present in the Sacrament.

Indeed, this worship of adoration has a sound and firm foundation, especially since faith in the Lord’s Real Presence has as its natural consequence the outward and public manifestation of that belief.  Therefore, the devotion prompting the faithful to visit the Blessed Sacrament draws them into an ever deeper share in the Paschal Mystery and leads them to respond gratefully to the gift of Him Who through His humanity constantly pours divine life into the members of His Body.  Abiding with Christ the Lord, they enjoy His intimate friendship and pour out their hearts before Him for themselves and for those dear to them, and they pray for the peace and salvation of the world.  Offering their entire lives with Christ to the Father in the Holy Spirit, they derive from this sublime colloquy an increase of faith, hope, and charity.  Thus they foster those right dispositions that enable them with due devotion to celebrate the Memorial of the Lord and receive frequently the Bread given us by the Father.

I would like to express in my own name and on behalf of all our clergy and parishioners sincere thanks to those who have made the renovation at St. Mary Magdalen possible  We are ever grateful to Mary Kilgallon, Mark Hook and Jeanne Bentley for their remembrance of St Mary Magdalen Church in their bequests.  Without their generosity the work would not have been possible.  Those who executed the work are to be commended for outstanding expertise and superb workmanship.  Our own Wayne Earley served as general contractor with Grimm construction.  His going the extra measure and attention to detail is unsurpassed.  We are truly grateful.  Bill Edsall tended with utmost care the installation of the electrical maze necessary to accommodate the ac equipment.  Dave Kinzinger HVAC has made our former hot box into a most comfortable, quiet, and pleasant house of worship.  Bill Farrenge of Village Carpet installed the new flooring which brings a bright and clean and easy to clean freshness,  Bob Keck transformed our rickety old pews into what looks brand new, what a monumental job!  Fran Panzar and Eroh Schaffer reconstructed our High Altar as only fine carpenters can do.  The many workman (including our own John Lukan) used a lot of muscle in bringing our renewed church to its present glory.

We are most grateful to all of them and pray God’s blessing on them now and always.

With Blessings,

Fr. Langan