As well as RECEIVING the support of others at Mass, we receive the nourishment for our Christian living which are the Bible teachings and the gift of Holy Communion. Not only do we receive, but we also GIVE our support to others simply by our presence in church for the Liturgy; simply by making the effort and the choice to be present in the church at the time of Mass we are making a statement to others about what we believe and how central and crucial to our lives we see this expression of Faith. Sadly we know of many others who make the choice not to be present at Mass on Sunday – this is sad and diminishes us all, but it is their choice and we have to respect it. However we should do all we can to encourage our Catholic neighbours, family and friends to make the effort to gather for Mass on the Lord’s Day.
However Sunday can be made special in many other
ways – perhaps it is the day when as a family we gather around a meal table and
spend extra ‘quality’ time together. However with the increased opening hours
of shops, the demands of finances at home meaning the need for over-time when
it is offered, and indeed the general ‘busy-ness’ of our lives, sometimes these
moments of quality get pushed to one side in favour of what seems immediately
more useful or pressing. How do we achieve a fruitful and healthy balance in
our living which will make Sunday not only a day for Mass and a day of Rest but
also a day for family and for that wider sense of belonging which can make our
lives worthy and wholesome?
Over the next weeks we will reflect further on
some of the material which the Archdiocese have sent to us in preparation for
this Diocesan Assembly. The Consultation Sheets prepared by the Archdiocese are
available at the back of the churches.
