Divine Mercy Novena

Today begins the Divine Mercy Novena, and it continues till next Sunday, Divine Mercy Sunday.

I don't think I need to delve into reasons why it is crucial to petition the Lord for mercy with the general audience of this blog, but nonetheless, there are many in the world, including myself, who are in desperate need of God's mercy everyday.

A small reminder: As a part of our Thurifer rank, a devotion to God's Divine Mercy is specifically encouraged in our ministry. What a great opportunity to prepare for that Rank now!

Bottom line: souls need your advocacy; don't leave them to Hell.

Click here to be redirected to the EWTN's Resource page.

Serving During Holy Week

I often get strange looks and questions from parishoners, parents, priests, seminarians, and many other types of people when I explain the expectations we have for our MEF servers at St. Ann's. While Fr. Reid sets these expectations, I willingly apply the training, constantly pushing the servers in every aspect that I can.

Let's get to the point: serving at the altar is not a right; it's a privilege. Fr. Reid approved every single server in our ministry for a reason. Not everyone is called to be a priest. Not everyone is called to kneel three feet away from the Celebrant during the most sacred aspect in our faith, the Consecration.

We take the Mass very seriously. Serving in the Sanctuary always takes preparation, diligence, and love. We are not Pharisees. Completing rubrics and spouting off an ancient language like robots without understanding what's going on is an insult to the Lord and unbefitting of altar servers. That's one reason it takes 6 months to complete basic training to be an acolyte at Low Mass. We focus on understanding and the goal is to cultivate a stronger relationship with God and a stronger love for Him. Start off as a "slave for Christ," train, learn, and listen, and then Christ will invite you to be his friend (John 15:15) as Pope Benedict XVI reminded us in his message to Altar servers. Thus, once in the Sanctuary, you are loving God and glorifying Him through excellent and diligent serving.

As Lent comes to it's culmination, the emphasis on the Liturgy during Holy Week is heightened and intensified. Servers must step up to the occasion:

1. Mind your appearance before the King of Kings - haircut, shoes shined, showered, and shaved.

2. Reverence for the King of Kings - pause when genuflecting, move slowly and purposefully, keep your eyes down, mind the altar, the vessels, and the tabernacle.

3. Be conscientious to imitate the King of Kings - arrive in plenty of time, help without being asked, be the example.

4. Prepare to be in the presence of the King of Kings and to receive Him: Sacrament of Reconciliation, time spent in Adoration, and learning humility. Especially ask Our Lady for help.

Lastly, training does not stop once you leave St. Ann's. You bring everything you are to the Sanctuary when you serve, and therefore you must serve at home as you would serve at Church. Spend your day imitating Christ so that when you are in His Sanctuary you will bring with you the sweet aroma of charity from serving your family well.

Be silent angels this week and glorify God.

April and Youth Lenten Retreat

Training this week is on Tuesday April 5th from 4:15 to 5:45 pm. This is the second time I'm announcing that practice attendance in March, April, and May will help guide who is chosen to do what in Missa Cantata's this year.

The Diocese of Charlotte is sponsoring a Youth Lenten Pilgrimage this Saturday from 9 AM to 8 PM at Belmont Abbey. Click here to see the info page about the day. If anyone is interested in going and does not have a youth group to go with, I will consider taking servers this year. If you want to experience Christ in the company of your fellow servers and North Carolina Youth, I am highly encouraging the trip this year. Let me know.

Practice cancellation notice

I commend the parents for the keeping me updated on family schedules. Unfortunately, due to the high number of servers who can't make it to Saturday's practice, I'm going to have to cancel it.

I've updated the training schedule and I'll confirm today about the 4th or 5th next week.

We have an opening for this Saturday evening's Mass for Ac1 if anyone is interested. Please let me know.

New Novus Ordo Missal

The new English translation of the Roman Missal is coming out and the servers will recognize that the changes reflect the Latin responses they've learned in the MEF.

Even so, there's still an opportunity to learn about the responses which has been an integral part of our ministry. The Diocese of Charlotte has been putting out education in the Catholic News and Herald on a regular basis, but in addition, the Diocese of Charlotte has also produced some great videos featuring Fr. Brandon Jones of St. Mark in Huntersville. Here they are:

Lenten update

Lent is upon us. I hope everyone got their ashes yesterday and has begun Lenten practices by now. I have some news for the entire group so here we go:

Next training session is this Tuesday March 15th from 4:15 to 5:45. Please be prepared for the training prior to arriving. Go over your Mass cards and your roles for the Missa Cantata. Just so there is no confusion, attendance is going to be considered when assigning roles for the Missa Cantata's this summer.

There will not be a Missa Cantata for the Annunciation this year on March 25th as there is no priest available to celebrate it. It is still a Holy Day of obligation, so make sure to attend Mass.

The next Missa Cantata will probably be in May for the Ascension. I expect Fr. Reid will want to do at least two to three Missa Cantata's between May and July so we'll be focusing on that in training.

Fr. Reid has mentioned a few things that need to be addressed: If you are not going to show up to Mass as assigned, then I need to be informed no matter what. We've had some team players help out, especially Will Borin and Joseph Mack, but it is the original server's responsibility to be aware and to manage to be at Mass. Second, Fr. Reid has mentioned that servers are arriving late to help set up for Adoration. Servers are REQUIRED to be at St. Ann's by 4:30 pm to set up for Adoration on Wednesday and by 5:45 pm to set up for Saturday evening Mass. This comes from Fr. Reid and it is a matter of obedience on the server's part. Lastly, when servers extinguish the candles, please let the smoke extinguish prior to replacing the glass chimney and wipe the chimney after Mass. We'll review this at training.

The April Mass Schedule is out but the training schedule will need to wait as I'm waiting for my April schedule from work at this time.

Fr. Reid did commend the servers and their hard work. Keep up the good work.

Photo credit: The Catholic Traveler

A great time

I've gotten reports from servers, families, and priests that the field trip to St. Bernadette was successful and enjoyable. Fr. Gober was very impressed with the server's catechesis and he credited that to the families. Both Fr. Reid and Fr. Gober were grateful for the time and effort put into the questions presented to them in the Q&A session. We all had fun running around Linville Falls as well. Look for more trips in the future!

Just a reminder that we have training this Tuesday from 4:15 until 5:45 as usual and we'll be covering Missa Cantata work and reviewing the field trip.

Please keep all of the servers and their families in your prayers but please pray especially for Mr. Stefano who's enduring some blessed challenges and has requested prayers.

Anyone want to fill in for Ac2 on Saturday March 5th? If so please email me.