To My Spiritual Family of Holy Redeemer and St. Anthony, St. Joseph School Open House: The students, families, and staff of St. Joseph Catholic School are welcoming guests at their annual Open House this Sunday! The event serves as a kick-off for the week-long celebration of Catholic Schools Week. The Open House runs from 11:45 am to 1:00 pm. St. Joe’s School is a great place and I encourage all of our families to consider enrolling your children there. Stop by and see what is available! Candlemas Blessing: The feast of the Presentation of the Lord – also known as Candlemas – is this Thursday, February 2. I invite you to bring any candles that you desire to have blessed to our morning Mass at 7:00 am. This feast is also the World Day for Consecrated Life. Many of us have been impacted by the lives of religious women, and they continue to serve our diocese in countless ways and in numerous ministries. Most importantly, sisters and nuns pray! Prayer is at the heart of their vocation. Please thank them by offering your prayers for the sisters! The Suffering Church in Nigeria: Please pray for our brothers and sisters in Nigeria. The faith is rich and alive in that nation, but it is also under fierce attack from Islamists. Attacks on churches and Christians are ongoing. Kidnappings are far too common. Recently, a Pentecostal church was bombed during Sunday services. A Catholic priest was burned alive. Martyrdom is an everyday possibility for the Christians of Nigeria. Your prayers offer them strength. Let’s stand in solidarity with our African brethren! Notes on Eucharistic Revival (Part III): The moment at which we receive the Body and Blood of the Lord in Holy Communion is a sublime and mysterious moment indeed. Jesus told his followers: “I am the bread which came down from heaven (John 6:41).” Upon our tongue or within our hand, we receive the God of the Universe: literally and actually! We receive Love. We receive Eternal Life. Receiving with extreme reverence is essential. The Church asks that we make a sign of reverence before the reception of Holy Communion. For most communicants, this is a profound bow. Others choose to receive the Sacrament while on their knees. For those receiving on the tongue, it’s helpful to the priest or deacon administering the host if you remain still and do not lunge. For those receiving in the hand, you should make a throne with your hands (one beneath the other) in which the King of Glory may take his place. Please do not reach for the host with your fingers. Once Holy Communion has been placed in your hand, step to the side and immediately consume the host. Do not carry the host back to your pew. If you drop the Blessed Sacrament, its best that you pick it up and consume it. If any particles remain, notify the priest or deacon so that they can consume those particles. Jesus is truly present even in the crumbs of the host (that’s why such care is taken in purifying the sacred vessels used for Mass). Finally, when you have received and returned to your seat, offer a prayer of thanksgiving. You have received the great gift of the Eucharist. You have received into yourself the very Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Christ. Angels look on with joy and offer their praise to God! May your week be filled with much beauty and joy! Mary, Mother of the Holy Redeemer – Pray for us! Our Lady of Guadalupe – Pray for us! St. Anthony – Pray for us! St. Joseph – Pray for us! Fr. Steve