“Corpus Christi” – The Body of Christ, is the familiar Latin and English expression for today’s feast. The church itself is yet another way of understanding this expression (the Church, that is, as the People of God). Then again yet another obvious meaning is of course ‘The Eucharist’.
It’s on the basis of all these expressions that the Christian Parish/Community structure is so firmly rooted throughout the Catholic (Universal) Church. Each parish, each community, sees itself as an embodiment of Christ’s presence in that place. Here in our own local setting in Cabinteely we are constantly trying to build up, even more, that sense of community that already characterises St Brigid’s as a great place to be a part of. Building of Community is vital to the proper understanding of Christ’s presence in His Church.
Speaking about presence and celebrating what we call the ‘Real Presence’ in all of our Catholic Churches, ‘Corpus Christi’ celebrates that truth the world over today. Indeed this year Pope Francis has asked that, insofar as it might be possible/practical, that anyone who would like to join him spiritually and spend a while before the Blessed Sacrament in their own Church at exactly the same time as he will be spending an hour in prayer in Rome i.e. for us here today, between 4pm and 5pm
Because of our usual 4.30pm Sunday Mass though, we will set up the side porch as a small Chapel for that hour. If you’d like to be a part of that, then it’ll be between 4pm-5pm.
As was mentioned in last week’s missalette (and no doubt in next week’s too!) in this Year of Faith and of The Gathering we’re going to try and combine these two possibilities on June the 16th for ourselves here in St Brigids. As we know June 16th happens to be Fathers’ Day for this year as well, so what better day to come back to your father’s house – in more ways than one!!
Check with the flyers and/or posters you will see around the church and the village for the running order of the day. Fathers’ (with a difference and without a family!!) Day will reflect itself on June16th with Fr.Tom, Fr. Conor and myself floating ‘round the place as well on the day. In fact we’re hoping that the longest serving collared Cabinteely Father! (Tom) will be able to make a welcome return home on the day to be able to celebrate the 4.30 Mass for us on that occasion – an opportunity to extend to him the warm wishes and welcome home that so many have been wanting to do since his unfortunate fall.
All we need now is for the weather to hold good on the day as there will be a number of events marking ‘Fathers’ Day’ in the area. Park Celtic have their annual ‘Soccer Mini World Cup’ in Cabinteely Park that afternoon.
Have a good week!