Jesus Mission - March 22-25

Jesus Mission Worship Aid - March 22-25, 2021

A Word About our Jesus Mission This Week:

Since the Council of Trent, approximately 475 years ago, Catholics have practiced their faith with the assurance that if they were in a good relationship with the church they were in a good relationship with God. There were many essential reasons for this belief and practice and arguably it served our community well. That being said, things change even if we do not want them to do so, and this primary relationship and promise has also changed. People still desire healthy relationship but they have a tendency to mistrust relationship with an institution and prefer rather an authentic relationship with a person.

Although this new perspective and understanding is important and challenging, the church is well prepared to meet the men and women of this generation. We are not trapped in the pastoral perspective of 500 years ago since our faith is alive and well. We are not afraid of new perspectives and new practices. Vatican Council II boldly proclaimed this truth. Unfortunately some of our brothers and sisters in faith argue that we must abandon the new and the fresh and return to the tried (tired) and the well tested. There is no room in our tradition for any other perspective is this mantra.

Thankfully there are many layers of tradition and authentic orthodox experience within the church. Many of these layers of tradition are known and appreciated, such as the different liturgical faith communities, while still others are in the mainstream but not necessarily routinely engaged. One such tradition is the contemplative tradition. This tradition celebrates mystery, the unknown and the untested, is never afraid of a question and believes in the profound manifestation of the Spirit of God in and through human experience.

The mission that we offer the week of March 22-25, each evening in church and also streamed at 7:00PM is representative of the contemplative tradition. Jesus: God Made Present, is an invitation to enter into the mystery of the Incarnation. Through song, preached word, a consistent theological reflection, and community ritual we will enter into the mystery of our relationship with Jesus.

This is a four night celebration of the mystery of God. It is new. It is different. It is engaging. It calls forth and in- vites relationship, a deepening of relationship with Jesus. There will not be traditional expressions of catholic spiritual practice and no sacramental celebrations. There will be familiar symbols of faith, songs, and ritual that will integrate together to invite everyone to "enter the mystery."

We hope that you might join us either in Church or through streaming. Please consider inviting members of your family who might be open to a new perspective and presentation. We will also be present after the 9:00 morning mass to discuss what you might have heard and learned. We look forward to our faith journey together.

Fr. Tom Santa, C.Ss.R.