Bulletin Article: April 26

The domestic church is the church at home. In these trying times I hope that the domestic church will resurface in our homes. Families need to pray together and study their faith together. When is the last time that your family entered into prayer together?

To assist in the formation of your children Stephanie Mann and Judy Holt have continued their programs on Zoom. You can contact the parish office to find out how to get your children involved in their programs.

I also encourage you to gather as a family to watch Mass each Sunday. Our Mass is live each Sunday on Facebook at 8am (English) and 10am (Spanish).

In Christ,

Fr. Dustin Collins

3rd Sunday of Easter Year A Homily

Throughout the Mass illusion is made to this spotless unblemished Lamb. We thus hear on three occasions the invocation,“Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” and the invitation, “Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.”

This Lamb that we address is Christ who is the same spotless unblemished Lamb spoken of in our Epistle. Throughout the course of sacred scripture we should remember the importance that the sacrificial lamb plays. Therefore at the celebration of the Passover it was a lamb which was to be offered and it’s blood placed upon the doorpost. Not just any lamb, but according to scripture: “a lamb without blemish.”

We know that Christ was without blemish for He never entered into the reality of sin and that He becomes this sacrificial lamb which was offered in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world. As is pointed out from the Gospel of Saint John: “for these things were done that the scripture might be fulfilled: you shall not break a bone of him” which echos back to the Book of Exodus concerning this lamb for it commands: “neither shall you break a bone thereof.”

The Book of Revelation draws us further into relationship with this lamb. “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches, wisdom and strength, honor and glory and praise!” This is the same lamb towards which Saint John the Baptist called out: “Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sin of the world.”

This brings me to the importance of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. At times we have forgotten about the language of sacrifice in favor of meal. The Holy Mass is the Sacrifice of Calvary. It is here that we gather around Christ our Lord and the altar of sacrifice. To Him we must come to offer our hearts and strive to become His servants. As instructed by Saint John Chrysostom concerning the fractioning of the consecrated host: “What Christ did not suffer on the Cross, He suffers in sacrifice for thee.”

Let us be thankful for this spotless unblemished Lamb which has been offered for us. As the apostles journeyed with our Risen Lord their eyes came to be opened to this reality through the breaking of bread. Likewise, we will encounter Him here in the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Altar. This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

In the midst of our sufferings, temptations, and joys let us always remember and be drawn towards Christ our Lord. Let us allow Him to take our burden upon Him in order that we may be given rest. From Psalm 55: “cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you.” No matter the cross that we are called to endure in this vale of tears the Lord takes all upon Himself in order that we may live. It was this spotless unblemished lamb which overcame the sin of Adam and for this may we be found thankful for all that the Lord has done for us.

Bulletin Article: April 19

I hope that each of you continues to have a blessed Easter season.

Since the very beginning of this pandemic I have taken the attitude that we can’t treat this as a snow day or vacation. With that our parish office continues to operate during normal office hours with employees at home. Our youth ministry and religious education programs continue on Zoom. Many of our parish organizations also continue to meet on Zoom or another conferencing app.

During this time communications have become specifically important. Therefore, I thank Lillian Issac and those who assist her for all that they have done to keep the parish in the loop. If you have not already done so I encourage you to follow our parish Facebook page, subscribe to our parish YouTube page, and subscribe to the Sentinel.

Moving forward I will continue to post daily Mass to our YouTube page after it is offered. Our parish will also begin to have a live Mass in English at 8am and Mass in Spanish at 10am on Facebook.

Finally, Deacon Don is organizing Eucharistic visits to families of our parish. If you would like the Eucharist to be brought to your home and receive a blessing please email him and it will be arranged. During these visits the Eucharist remains outside and all must stay at least six feet away to allow for proper social distancing. I also continue to bless each nursing home and hospital each Sunday with the Eucharist.

In Christ,

Fr. Dustin Collins

Divine Mercy Sunday Homily

Faith is something that people can very easily take advantage of and if they do this we can claim that they didn’t actually have true faith to begin with. When the going is easy it is easy to have faith. When it seems that we are being tested and that everything around us is going against us it is easy to lose hope and abandon one’s faith. Again our faith cannot be dependent upon getting what we want when we want it, but instead it must be dependent upon Christ our firm foundation.

It is no secret that we are living in the midst of difficult times. Prior to this period of time people could easily frequent the Mass and the sacraments as they had wished, but now to do so is for the most part impossible for many. At this time there are also many who now face the uncertainty of future employment. There are also those who have lost loved ones and live in the fear of getting sick. There is also the reality of isolation which separates us from human interaction. Hopefully, as we face these many crosses in our daily life we will come to discover true faith and the hope that springs forth from it through Christ Jesus.

In our Gospel Saint Thomas came to behold the wounds of our Risen Lord and thus from his unbelief came belief. We must come to embrace these same wounds that Saint Thomas came to embrace. They serve as a reminder of our Blessed Lord’s abundant love for each of us as was poured out upon the cross and the hope of life which is to come through the Resurrection. In the midst of our unbelief we must come to behold these same wounds in order that we too may believe and have the virtue of hope that is necessary for us to carry on.

In the words of Saint Augustine: “So will Christ show His wounds to His enemies, so that he who is the Truth may convict them, saying: “Behold the man whom you crucified; see the wounds you inflicted; recognize the side you pierced, since it was opened by you and for you, yet you would not enter.”

Therefore, we receive an invitation to enter into these wounds of our Blessed Lord which have redeemed us. The Lord is indeed merciful and just, but do we want anything to do with this mercy? Do we desire to enter into these wounds and live as Saint Thomas came to enter into these wounds and live?

Today is also known to us as Divine Mercy Sunday. When we look at the image of Divine Mercy we will notice that He still bares these wounds which were encountered in the Gospels. These wounds serve as invitation of His mercy. He desires to pour out His rays of loving mercy upon us and upon the whole world.

With this invitation let us turn away from sin and place our trust in Christ. There is a lot around us that is ultimately out of our control and this should teach us that we are dependent upon Christ and His mercy. When things finally get back to normal let us take not this mercy for granted, but instead have the same faith that Saint Thomas exhibited. May we too venerate these Holy Wounds and “not be unbelieving, but believe.”

Bulletin Article: April 12

CHRIST IS RISEN! HE HAS RISEN INDEED!”

Today we celebrate Easter and thus the celebration of the Resurrection. May we continue to pray for one another especially the sick and their caregivers. In the midst of all that we must endure the great hope of the resurrection springs forth. This hope always signals that something greater always comes. With that there will come a time when we will be able to gather together publicly to celebrate the Sacred Mysteries of Christ’s death and resurrection once again. 

In Christ,

Fr. Dustin Collins

Easter Homily

CHRIST IS RISEN! HE HAS RISEN INDEED!

Our life has changed drastically and it only took a small amount of time to do so. It is hard to fathom that something as small as a virus has brought this world to a complete halt. Prior to this virus many would of thought their way of life to be invincible and yet here we are in a day and age where many throughout the world cannot even be present to celebrate Easter Mass in person.

If we go back to the early Church we would know that the apostles and early Christians did not have it easy. The Church flourished, but it had to do so underground. If one were to be found worshipping Christ they in return would be put to death. We on the other hand have it pretty easy and due to this simplicity it is easy for us to take this gift for granted. Now that all has been snatched away from us we will hopefully be lead towards never taking such realities for granted again.

Following the crucifixion it would seem that all hope had been lost. Christ had died, but He had not yet risen. Thankfully our knowledge of Christ does not end with the Passion, but continues towards the hope that is to come through the Resurrection. Likewise, as all seems to be tumbling down around us may we come to orient our sight towards this same reality. For from the Resurrection always shines forth a great hope.

During this Easter season and as we continue to face this plight, that is this pandemic, may we find out hope in consolation in this reality. This virus may of brought this world to its knees, but this virus cannot stop the Lord’s Resurrection. As the Lord sheds His rays of mercy, forgiveness, and glory upon us may we desire to continue to be drawn into relationship with Christ our Lord.

So many have enjoyed the successes of this life over this relationship. They do not allow themself to see the seriousness that sin plays upon this relationship. We have gone about busy pushing Christ off to the side. Hopefully now we don’t take anything for granted, but instead desire to be reunited with it. To become a people who don’t proclaim to be Christian in name only, but also by they way in which we live and order our life

Very soon we will have the opportunity to renew our baptismal vows. Hopefully when we say “I do” we firmly mean it. Let us realize that through the life giving waters of baptism that we were claimed for Christ Jesus. Through our “I do” we desire to renounce Satan, all his works, and all his empty shows. Through this renewal may continue to live for Christ Jesus and to find our hope in the reality of His Resurrection.

As everything around us seems to be uncertain and effected by this virus may we find our firm foundation in Christ our Lord and the fact that through His Resurrection springs forth the hope of life everlasting. This hope cannot be conquered by a virus for the Good News of the Lord’s Resurrection shines forth from the darkness of sin and death. Let us forever trust and orient our life towards this great light which shines forth this great hope.

CHRIST IS RISEN! HE HAS RISEN INDEED!

Easter Vigil Homily

CHRIST IS RISEN! HE HAS RISEN INDEED!

The symbolism behind the Easter Vigil is most beautiful. Here we come to reflect heavily the symbolism of darkness and light as well as death and new life.

Throughout our country and world we have been thrust into a great period of darkness. As this Mass continues this darkness seemingly continues. Thankfully, we have a shining light which shines brightly in the midst of this darkness through Christ our Lord and this shining light comes to dispel the darkness of sin and despair.

Christ shines upon us this night and gives us the virtue of hope. Hope is found in the midst of all that we endure in this valley of tears for the end is not the tomb, but life everlasting. The cross was not the end, but from it sprung forth the Good News of our Lord’s Resurrection.

Those who came to the tomb of our Blessed Lord did not expect to see Him alive. Yet He prevailed Himself to them as He continues to prevail Himself to us saying, “do not be afraid.” I must admit that when we are out of control and don’t know what will happen to us next it is easy for us to lose faith and be afraid. Nevertheless, the Lord’s Resurrection is the assurance that from the cross something greater will always come.

Now we continue to endure the fear that comes from this virus. Sadly, our church was not able to be opened for the public celebration of the Mass. Nevertheless, this celebration of Easter continues. No matter how many crosses that we are forced to bare our Lord triumphs over the tomb and says: “do not be afraid.”

It is my hope that during this trying time that we will come to love the Lord our God more fervently. That we will not take the Eucharist lightly. That we will continue to rebuke sin and frequent the sacrament of confession. The disciples who interacted with the Risen Lord did not have a one and done experience, but instead gave their life entirely over to Him. 

Holy Thursday Homily

On this Holy Thursday we celebrate with great joy two realities: we celebrate the fact that Christ instituted the priesthood and the fact that Christ instituted the Eucharist.

One element of our faith which is most important is that of the Most Holy Eucharist. Sadly, there are many throughout the world who have now fasted from this sacrament for some time. Nevertheless, it is my hope that during this period of fast we have grown in our trust and appreciation for the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Altar. May we never allow ourself to take the gift of the Eucharist for granted.

It has been uplifting in these days to see so many souls who have desired in their heart to receive our Blessed Lord again. Whenever I walk into the church I always find someone deeply in prayer before the Eucharist. To those who cannot be present for this period of prayer I know that there are many who make spiritual communions throughout the day and allow their mind and heart to make a visit to the tabernacle to dwell there with Christ our Lord.

On this evening we commemorate the Lord’s Supper. If you have paid close attention you would realize that the tabernacle is currently empty. At the Eucaristic Prayer you would also realize a change of a few words from their normal format. All of this is to reflect the reality that this IS the night that our Lord took into bread and wine in His holy and venerable Hands and said “this is my Body” “this is my Blood.” “Do this in remeberance of me.”

We therefore join with them in this reality. Very soon they would face the trials of our Lord’s death upon the cross. From these trials they would be filled with fear. Nevertheless, our Blessed Lord gave them this great gift as He continues to give us this great gift. In the midst of all of our our fears, hardships, and crosses we must remember and be consoled by this great gift. Through the hands of His priests the Eucharist continues to be made manifest for each of us.

Holy Week Letter

We have now entered into Holy Week and Easter is just about upon us. I invite your family to celebrate these solemn days with our parish. We will live stream all of these important liturgies to our Facebook page and make it available on YouTube after. Our schedule is as follows:

Holy Thursday Mass, April 9th at 6pm
Good Friday service, April 10th at 3pm
Easter Vigil Mass, April 11th at 8:30pm
Easter Mass in English, April 12th at 8am
Easter Mass in Spanish, April 12th at 10am

Throughout the week we are keeping the doors of the church open for prayer from 8am-8pm. During Holy Week we will follow this schedule concerning being open for private prayer:

April 9th from 8am-5:30pm and from 7:30pm-12am
April 10th from 8am-2:30pm and 4:30-8pm
April 11th from 8am-8pm
April 12th from 12pm-8pm

The sacrament of confession will not be available at 1:30pm on Easter Sunday. Also, please keep in mind that you can schedule a confession by appointment by calling the parish office.

I hope that you and your family have a blessed Holy Week and Easter.

In Christ,
Fr. Dustin Collins

Bulletin Article: April 5

We have now arrived at Palm Sunday which is the start of Holy Week. Holy Week is an important time in the life of the church where we come to dwell upon our Lord’s Passion and eventual Resurrection. This year will be an odd Holy Week, but it will be celebrated nevertheless. We will live stream our celebrations on Holy Thursday (6pm), Good Friday (3pm), and Easter Vigil (8:30pm). I will attempt to also live stream Mass in English and Spanish for Easter Sunday, but those times are still pending. All live streams should be to our parish YouTube page, Saint Mary’s Catholic Church-Johnson City, TN. 

In Christ,

Fr. Dustin Collins