Sometimes I’m a little slow at putting things together as they should be shared. Especially when those moments mean everything to me. June began with a great deal of emotion that I am only now ready to share.
Our parish hosted an outdoor Corpus Christi Mass and procession through the streets of Modesto to witness the Risen Lord in Eucharistic Adoration. In prior years we celebrated a mass at the parish, followed by a procession through the surrounding neighborhood. This year within the whole of the Catholic Faith there is so much more going on in our call to a Eucharistic Revival.
Hubby and I are of the belief that if you are going to do something, go all the way. When we joined our parish, it was like coming home in that this is the most active parish we have ever experienced. When Father Sam asks for help, our hands are always raised. And he asks a lot – he believes it is not enough to come to Mass on Sundays. He wants us to go out into the community to evangalize the faith. Ours is a stewardship parish that promotes involvement. It’s amazing.
On the first of June Hubby and I were up at five that morning to help transport everything necessary to convert a stage at a public park into a place of worship. The Mass itself was moving, as every Mass is for me. Yet there was something amazing about being outdoors. A dove even landed in a nearby tree, almost as a sign from above that He was with us.
At the conclusion of the services, those in attendance formed the start of a procession of the faithful through the streets. The entire walk from the park to Saint Stanislaus Catholic Church was over a mile. We sang songs of praise, we prayed the Rosary and made stops along the way to spend time in Adoration. People along the route were actually moved to the point of joining in. They left their homes and cafes to become a part of something greater than themselves. By the time we reached the old church there were over 500 people following the Lord.
I cannot begin to express how moving this experience was. Not only to be a witness to the risen Lord in the Eucharist, but to see my husband, my soulmate, through the eyes of God. It wasn’t easy to kneel before the Lord on the hard, hot pavement of the streets time and time again. Yet with great reverence, that is exactly what he did. I am grateful for my faith. I am blessed with a husband who shares in that Faith.
Early Morning Set Up in the Park
For the alter, we used a bookshelf taken from the Parish Hall. The purpose of this bookshelf seemed so fitting for the Mass.
The Celebration of the Mass
The Procession of Faithful Witnesses
Sometime back, Hubby and I realized that while we loved one another very much, love alone doesn’t always make for a rock-solid marriage. Placing our lives, and our union on His alter has strengthened our relationship in ways we could not have imagined. Faith is the cornerstone of eternal love.
Today is National Strawberry Sundae Day. What better way to enjoy this beautiful Sunday than with as little effort as possible. After all, God gave us Sundays as a day of rest. So make the most of it.
Strawberry Brownie Sundae
2 cups fresh Strawberries
2 tablespoons Honey
12 Bite-Size Brownies
1 pint quality Vanilla Ice Cream
1 cup quality Chocolate Syrup
Clean, hull and slice strawberries. Place in a bowl, drizzle with a little honey to bring out the natural sweetness of ripe berries. Set aside. Cut brownies into smaller pieces, set aside.
Place two or three scoops of ice cream into each bowl. Scatter brownie pieces and strawberries over the ice cream. Drizzle with chocolate syrup. Serve and enjoy.
To You I lift up my eyes
who are enthroned in heaven —
As the eyes of servants
are on the hands of their masters.
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