June 18, 2010
The Christian Journey
Thanking parents and others who nurtured a love for the Mass
BY FATHER JIM SAUER
The Feast of the Lord’s Body and Blood stirred up within me a grateful spirit for those who nurtured my love of the Mass. The first ones were my parents. The diocesan priests and Benedictine sisters serving my home parish of St. Joseph Church, Evansville, also devoted themselves to organizing and celebrating inspirational Masses. St. Joseph parishioners were examples to me by their faithful attendance at Mass. The Benedictine monks at St. Meinrad Seminary further instilled within me a love of the liturgy as the focal point of our lives. Having participated in a challenging theology class by Father Bill Deering, he handed on to me a love of sacramental and liturgical history, which has been a focus of personal study since meeting Bill 42 years ago. Finally, the faith in and love for the Mass of the people whom I have led in worship in parishes throughout the diocese since my ordination in 1977. Thank you to everyone!
When my parents brought my three siblings and me to baptism, they took seriously their promise to raise us in the practice of the faith. They were ordinary Catholics who, by faithfully attending Mass every Sunday and on Holy Days, handed on their value that the worship of God is a very high family priority. By praying with us (our night prayers, the rosary during May, October and Lent), they demonstrated to us that we could always turn to God for help. Grace before meals impressed upon our young minds and hearts the need to be thankful for God’s gifts. As a family, we participated in Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday services, as well as spent one hour adoring the Blessed Sacrament on Holy Thursday night. Occasionally we went to Wednesday evening Marian devotion with Benediction. They encouraged us to be involved in the Mass by singing in the choir or by serving as altar boys. Among all these devotions, however, the Sunday Mass was the focal point of our family life. The Mass is where I most often “sensed” God’s presence — in my participation, in Communion, and in the gathering of God’s people.
Beginning in January 2010, I celebrated Mass with each elementary religious ed class whose school is located next door to our parish center. What a blessing to have contact with these young people as they enjoyed celebrating Mass in a smaller setting. Our Masses also saddened me because many of the children did not know the responses, indicative of their non-attendance at weekend Mass. In fact, one boy mentioned how much he would love to attend Mass, but since his parents always slept in, he had no way to get to Church. I wonder if the boy’s comments would have an affect on his parents if they could hear how much they are depriving their son of a spiritual experience of God and the Church because of their laziness, lack of faith, or commitment to the Church.
Most children come to love the Mass and the importance of being part of the Church from their parents’ example. Although we cannot deny the power of God’s grace, which is stronger than sin (St. Paul), “grace usually builds on nature.” Just as God gives human life through the love of a husband and wife, God invites parents to work with him to “keep Christ’s flame of faith given to child in baptism burning brightly all the days of their life.”
Who were the people who nurtured your love of the Mass during your lifetime? Who are they today?