COVID-19 Announcements

Spiritual Communion and the Sacrifice of the Mass

When Robert was hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), he learned that a Catholic priest celebrated Mass in the hospital chapel.  Even though he was unable to attend or receive Holy Communion, he was aware that through Spiritual Communion he could unite his heart to Christ and the overflowing Graces of the Mass.  And so, during the hour when the Mass was celebrated, Robert was present in mind, heart, and soul by uniting himself to the Sacrifice of Christ and praying for himself and all those in the hospital in need of healing.
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Being deprived of the opportunity to be present at Mass or to receive Holy Communion is tragic.  Yet it is an opportunity to rediscover and appreciate even more profoundly, the holy treasure we have in the presence of Jesus among us, and the Communion of love we have in the Holy Eucharist – the Bread of Life.
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Just knowing the Mass is still being celebrated in our parishes is a source of comfort.  The power and presence of Jesus Christ - the prayer of Jesus to the Father on our behalf in union with the Holy Spirit – continues in our midst.  As the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us: “…Christ himself (is) the principal agent of the Eucharist.  He is high priest of the New Covenant; it is he himself who presides invisibly over every Eucharistic celebration.”

St. Padre Pio said, “It would be easier for the world to exist without the sun than without the Holy Mass.” Yes, because it is Jesus, the Word, through whom the universe and the world came into existence (see JN 1:1-3) who continues through the Mass, which is His loving presence and prayer on our behalf, to hold it and us in existence.

May we unite our minds, hearts, and souls to Christ and the outpouring of Divine Grace through the Masses celebrated privately in our parishes.  Our Spiritual Communion in these days united to the most powerful prayer we have in the Mass is a primary means to receiving deliverance from the coronavirus pandemic. 

Lord, deliver us from this pestilence and sickness. 
May our hearts grow in desire to receive you again in Holy Communion. 
The schedule for when the churches are open and when private Mass is celebrated can be found at cpomc.org.