I continue to welcome all those who are new to our parish community. I hope that you will consider making this your parish home. If you would like to receive more information on how to become Catholic please call the parish office to receive more information on our RCIA program. Next weekend, September 8, we will welcome all newly registered families to our parish community. There will be a reception to welcome them following our 10am and 12pm Masses. Let us all do what we can to make this a welcoming parish community.
Some have probably noticed the veil which has now been placed upon the tabernacle. From Eucharisticum Mysterium number 57 we are instructed: “Care should be taken that the presence of the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle is indicated to the faithful by a tabernacle veil or some other suitable means prescribed by the competent authority.” Inaestimabile Donum number 25 also speaks on this topic. Here we are instructed: “The presence of the Eucharist is to be indicated by a tabernacle veil or some other suitable means laid down by the competent authority, and a lamp must perpetually burn before it, as a sign of honor paid to the Lord.” If we are to understand our Catholic faith I would instruct one to also learn the Jewish faith. One great writer on this topic who I highly recommend is Doctor Brant Pitre. The sanctuary of the church serves as a reflection of that which was found in the Temple in Jerusalem. There we would discover the veil which veiled the Holy of Holies. The Holy of Holies was literally the presence of God. The veil on the tabernacle thus serves as a reminder of this reality. It is to state that what is located within the Tabernacle is literally the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Christ our Lord. What is located here is truly God who is present with us.
Another question that has given rise is the recent use of the communion plate at Mass. A 2004 document, Redemptionis Sacramentum, states in paragraph 93: “The Communion-plate for the Communion of the faithful should be retained, so as to avoid the danger of the sacred host or same fragment of it falling.” In this day and age when roughly 70% of US Catholics do not believe in the true presence it is my hope that these will make us think about what we are about to receive. They also give the altar server another job during Mass and as stated above keep a fragment of it falling to the ground.
Lastly, I want to thank Mark Mancuso for his helpfulness in my transition into this parish. Mark has decided to step away from his role as Business Manager. I am currently in contact with the Diocese of Knoxville on how we will structure our office moving forward. If you would like any further information on this or anything always feel free to approach me.
In Christ,
Fr. Dustin Collins
