Critical Moment for Church in Australia, Says Melbourne Institute's Dean
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grannymh
Guest
When I read quotes like “While Church attendance numbers are still very bleak, …" (from link in OP) I wish that the people who worship God at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass would casually ask the Pastor for a homily on the Eucharist as the Real Presence of Jesus Christ, True God and True Man – with the emphasis on True God.
I know this sounds like “preaching to the choir” but it is exactly the “choir” who needs to spread the word that Jesus is really present ipso facto and the Pastor said so.
I know this will sound odd, but one of the objections which may come up is that the homily has to relate to the readings.
It doesn’t take a theologian to figure out that the readings ultimately point to God…
Another possible objection is the excuse that the Eucharist was mentioned last week, last month, last year on Holy Thursday. Smile and express appreciation with the request to hear the homily expanded – it was that important. When people who occasionally pop into the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass lean about the important facets of the Mass, from its adoration of God to personal petitions, to the real fact that they are receiving the real Jesus in Holy Communion, they can be inspired to come more often.
It may take a month of Sundays to get the congregation talking to others about all the interesting things involved in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Remember that less bleak is a whole lot better than “very bleak” in the OP link.
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