From the Pastor’s desk— August 25, 2024

Dear Parishioners!

Thank you to everyone who has volunteered their time and effort to make the festival of nations a success. I continue to be amazed by the show of unity we see in that event. Last week I reflected on the offering of the bread and wine at Holy Mass, each bringing our offerings together into one. This week my mind is on the music we sing together. On Wednesday the Church celebrated the memorial of Pope Saint Pius X, a patron of our diocese and someone who encouraged singing at mass. That same evening, I had the opportunity to meet with some of our musicians from one of the weekend masses. We are blessed in this parish to have many musicians willing to help lead us in song at each Holy Mass.

                There are two purposes that we sing together at mass. One reason is to give greater glory to God. He gave us voices to praise Him with, and when we sing, we elevate our speech into something more beautiful: music and harmony. The second reason is to more fully unite us together in mind and heart when we pray as the one Body of Christ. When we sing, our voices come together and resonate as one. We feel it in our hearts and know our minds are in sync to make the music happen. This unity is pleasing to God. After feeling this unity in song, we can better remember that we are not alone going back out to the world. We have many brothers and sisters in Christ who share our faith and mission of love.

                At a time when not many people were singing at Holy Mass, Pope Saint Pius X was putting in more songs to sing. He understood its importance. In scripture, St. Paul writes in Ephesians 5:18-19, “…be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart…” Sing boldly even if your voice is weak! Thank you to all our musicians for your generous service. Pope Saint Pius X, pray for us!

Fr. Joseph