Corpus Christi

Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

Corpus Christi comes from the Latin, which means “Body of Christ.” It refers to the real presence of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ present in the sacrament of the Eucharist. The Feast of Corpus Christi is the celebration of the central mystery of our faith. Through this feast, the Church teaches that the bread and wine, offered at Mass, become the Most Holy Body and Blood of Jesus. Jesus instituted the sacrament of the Eucharist at the Last Supper: “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to His disciples, saying, Take and eat; this is My body. Then He took a cup, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, Drink from it, all of you. This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins”. (Matthew 26:26-28) Jesus Himself becomes present in the Eucharistic species of bread and wine.

The Church is truly blessed with the gift of Christ’s presence in our midst. In the Eucharist, the Church both receives the gift of Jesus and gives thanks to God for such a blessing. Thanksgiving is the proper response for such a blessing, for Christ gives us the gift of eternal life. In the Gospel of John, Jesus says: “The bread that I give is My flesh for the life of the world.” Jesus gives us eternal life through the Sacrament of the Eucharist. That’s why we ought to participate in this mystery: “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his Blood you will not have life within you”. This is why our participation in the Holy Eucharist is so crucial for our lives. When we receive His Body and/or His Blood, we are truly being sanctified, glorified, and transformed into something more beautiful, pure, and divine.

Today in the Gospel we hear the story of the loaves and fishes. Jesus satisfies not only the physical hunger for food but also the hunger for the words of life. Jesus is always concerned about the whole person. When people were sick, He healed them; when people were lonely, He included them; when they wanted to learn, He taught them; when they sinned, He forgave them; when their hearts were broken, He comforted them; when they were hungry, He fed them, all five thousand of them. Today, Jesus continues to feed millions and millions of hungry people every day; He feeds our spiritual lives with His real presence, with His same body and blood.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that the Eucharist is “The source and summit of the Christian life.” It is the source because the origin of the believer’s journey is contained in this mystery. It is the summit because it is a foretaste of heaven on earth. The Eucharist is the place where believers receive grace and communion with Christ. Through the Eucharist the Church is sanctified with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Every Sunday we come to

church is a step into the life of God is truly a privilege for us. So let us come to church now that we can. Let us partake of Jesus’s body and blood so that we might become one body, one mind, and one heart with Him.

Nativity of John the Baptist

The Nativity of John the Baptist is celebrated on June 24th. It comes six months before Jesus’s birth. The Church finds this day near the summer solstice to be appropriate and significant. After the Summer solstice, which is the longest day of the year, daylight begins to grow shorter. It signifies the unique role of John the Baptist as the messenger to the Messiah. The birth of John the Baptist marks the beginning of his preparation of the way for Jesus. John the Baptist testified about Jesus being the Messiah and acknowledged his role as the messenger: “I am not the Messiah but I am sent ahead of him… He must increase; I must decrease”. (John 3:27,31)

The birth of John the Baptist helps us to reflect on the importance of Jesus in our lives. Jesus is the light that will guide us to eternal life. John the Baptist was a humble servant: his mission was not about him. He was always pointing to Jesus. He spent his life preparing the way for the Lord. John the Baptist’s message of repentance and prophecy of the coming Messiah is fulfilled by the coming of Jesus into the world. John the Baptist wants us to focus on Jesus, and this might be the main point of celebrating his Nativity. The days grow shorter until Christmas Day, when daylight will increase and the coming of Jesus will illuminate the world one more time.

Parish Office

We have moved the parish offices to the school building. This change will allow the parish staff to monitor the premises, to make sure parish ministries are able to access the facilities, and to keep the building running and well-maintained. Parishioners are asked to access the building through the main office. Please stop by the front office if you use or need access to any of the spaces in the building. The buildings will be used by the parish. There are no plans to rent out the facilities. Along with the archdiocese, we will evaluate any request about rentals we might get. We do not anticipate making any major plans for this year.

Peace
Fr. Lara

The Pope's Intention for the Month of June

That the world might grow in compassion

That each one of us might find consolation in a personal relationship with Jesus, and from His Heart, learn to have compassion on the world

Recognize God in Your Oridinary Moments - By Colleen Jurkiewicz Dorman

Mini Reflection:Sometimes we forget that we need the Eucharist. It’s not just a nice thing to have, a sweet act of devotion, something to bolster our faith. The Eucharist is none of those things. The Eucharist is the food without which we will die.

As the Day Was Drawing to a Close
It isn’t uncommon for me to get to the noon hour only to realize that I haven’t yet eaten anything that day.

It drives my husband crazy. He was raised by a bunch of Italian women, so he can’t help but think three meals ahead. And don’t get me wrong, I love food — I literally dream of donuts. But some days, I’m just so busy and I keep putting it off until I realize how weak I feel, how light-headed. And I think to myself: Stupid, you’ve done it again.

This is what comes to mind today, on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, as I read the Gospel account of the miracle of the loaves and fishes.

I think of hunger, distraction and the poor planning of those who pride themselves on being capable.

“As the day was drawing to a close,” it is written — that’s when the disciples finally realized that 5,000 hangry people is not an ideal situation.

I wonder, did Jesus roll his eyes when they came to him, and think, “Finally”? At any point he could have pulled out a fish and said a blessing. But he waited for them to ask. He waited for them to realize how badly they needed it.

Sometimes we forget that we need the Eucharist. It’s not just a nice thing to have, a sweet act of devotion, a sacramental item that bolsters our faith. The Eucharist is none of those things. The Eucharist is the food without which we will die. The Eucharist is something we must seek out. Remember: the day is drawing to a close.
©LPi

Honor Our Military

Please take time to give thanks for those who have served and are serving in our military and to pray for the safety of those who may currently be in harm’s way. In a special way, we thank and pray for these parishioners and relatives of parishioners.
Dear God,
We pray in gratitude for all of those who have defended peace, virtue, and justice with honor. We pray especially for those who have suffered in mind and body from the ravages of war. May Your peace reign in our hearts and in our world. Amen.

He Who Sacrificed His Life
†JOHN A. STONIS, Grandson of John & Dorthy Stonis
†CHRISTOPHER ZIMNY

Those Still Serving
CRAIG BEHRENDT, Grand-nephew of Sister Mary Helen
DANIEL BELZER, Nephew of Dave & Bev Belzer
RYAN BLOCHBERGER, Nephew of Mae Grady
JESSICA CAMERON, Niece of the Cameron Family
BRYAN DUFF, Son of Julie Duff
TIMOTHY DWORKIN, Grandson of Barbara Bouska
MICHAEL FOLEY
JOHN FOLEY
RYAN FONTILLAS
DANIEL FRAYNA
ALEXIS GONZALES, Great-niece of Eden & Lyle Gonzales-Nemzin
JOSEPH GULLO
MICHAEL T. HAHN, Grandson of John & Dorthy Stonis
SANG HOON LEE
MICHAEL KELLY, Nephew of Kevin and Kathy Kelly
JACK MAHON, JR., Son of Jack, Sr. & Eileen Mahon
JAY MARTIN, Nephew of Becky and Tom Brennan
MORRIS COREY MCMAHON, Son of Chris & Julie McMahon
PETER MULLER
MATTHEW NEUBAUER, Nephew of Dan & Judy Neubauer
ANTHONY PALMERO
JOHN PODCZASKI, Grandson of Genevieve Podczaski
NAILL SWIDER, Grand-nephew of Alice Swider
STEVEN TUMBARELLO, Son of Sylvia & Vince Tumbarello
EUGENE WALL, Nephew of Suzanne Lessner

To add or remove someone, please send the person’s name and relationship (optional) to bulletin@stcatherinelaboure.com

Please Pray for Ukraine

For our sisters and brothers involved in or affected by the war and devastation in Ukraine-- the deceased, the injured, the frightened, the displaced, the fighters, the protesters, the leaders. May God give them solace, healing, comfort, and hearts and minds directed toward peace.
Donations can be made here:

Knights of Columbus: https://www.kofc.org/secure/en/donate/ukraine.html

Caritas: https://www.caritas.org/

Ukrainian Catholic Archdiocese of Philidelphia: https://ukrarcheparchy.us

"May the Queen of Peace preserve the world from the madness of war" - Pope Francis

Neighbors of other Faiths
The Golden Rule

Excerpted from charterforcompassion.org/the-golden-rule-in-seven-major-religions
We may speak of great differences in religious beliefs and forms of worship around the world. Called by an endless number of names, all, however, recognize and worship a Supreme Being. And all religions, somewhere in their sacred literature, expound the fundamental philosophy of the Golden Rule.

Buddhism: Hurt not others with that which pains yourself.
~ Buddha, Undanavarga 5:18

Christianity: Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that all men should do to you, do ye even so to them.
~ Matthew 7:12

Confucianism: What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.
~ Confucius, Analects 15:23

Hinduism: Good people proceed while considering what is best for others is best for themselves.
~ Hitopadesa

Islamism: No one of you is a believer until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.
~ Mohammed, Traditions

Judaism: And thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
~ Leviticus 19:18

Zoroastrianism: Whatever is disagreeable to yourself do not do unto others.
~ Shayast-na-Shayast 13:29