4th Sunday in Ordinary Time

 

Presiding Today: 

Fr. Loren Connell, OFM

 

In Today’s Mass We Pray For:

Aline Stritch

 

Proclaimers of the Word:

Barbara Gobrail & Rosalie Shoenfeld

 

This Week’s Readings 

January 31

Jeremiah 1:4-5, 17-19

1 Corinthians 12:31-  13:13

Luke 4:22-30

 

Next Week’s Readings 

February 7

Isaiah 6:1-8

1 Corinthians  15:1-11

Luke 5:1-11

 

 

Today after Mass there will be a blessing of the throats

 

 

St. Leonard Faith Community

Loren T. Connell, OFM

chaplain/moderator

937-436-6440

brolocon@sbcglobal.net

 

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

 

Before I became your chaplain/moderator three and a half years ago, I had no regularly scheduled Sunday Mass assignment. On some Sundays I helped at different communities, including this one, as I was asked. On other Sundays I sat in the pews of various communities and participated in the Mass with the rest of the people. As a result, I got to experience many different styles of celebration. Some I liked; others I didn’t. Some I wanted to adopt; others I wanted to reject. Those Sundays in the pews offered me the opportunity not only for spiritual growth but also for pastoral and liturgical enrichment.

 

A few weeks ago I realized that I have been missing that opportunity to experience other styles of Catholic liturgy. I think that I have a good grasp of liturgical principles and practice, but that is only my understanding. I have tried to implement my appreciation of liturgy in service to the community, but I do not know how effective I have been. How well am I as a presider meeting the liturgical needs of this community? Have I become stuck in a rut? I need to ask those questions.

 

Now what about you? The most important ministerial role in liturgy is that of the worshipping community. Have you become stuck in a rut? As a member of the community, are you in tune with your own needs and those of others? Do those others include people beyond your own circle of friends? Do you bring those needs with you to Mass? How well are you, I, and the other liturgical ministers addressing those needs? Do we come to Mass prepared to hear and live the Word of God? Do we come prepared to serve and support one another in that endeavor? Do we come prepared to be transformed in the Spirit of the Living God?

 

 

                                                Peace and every blessing,

                                                    Loren, OFM