Holy Family Roman Catholic Church

 

​​ 29 Sugarloaf St. South Deerfield, Ma 01373
                   Phone:  413 665-3254​

Mass Times:  Daily Monday - Thursday 8am
Friday Communion Service 8:00am, First Friday Mass 8:00am
Saturday 4pm, Sunday 8am and 10:30am       
Confessions: Saturday at 3:00pm or by appointment

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From the Pastor's Desk

JMJ

Dear Friends,

This weekend is a very special one in that our 10th graders are receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation and our 2nd graders are receiving the Sacrament of the Eucharist for the very first time! These two sacraments are a big deal. As many of recall, the Church teaches us that a sacrament is "an outward sign, instituted by Christ, that gives grace."
Today, I want to speak on the reality of the Holy Eucharist. There are three things we need to keep in mind when discussing this sacrament. The Eucharist is a sacrifice, presence, and food. This three aspects are central to understanding the reality of this sacrament. 

Sacrifice: It is Christ's Sacrifice made present on our altar. The Mass is not a rerun of Calvary, it is the true sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The Eucharist is the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ offered up in sacrifice for us ... and this is made present in the Mass. 

Presence: At the end of St. Matthew's Gospel Jesus tells His disciples: "I am with you always..." And how is that? In the Eucharist. Christ is truly present to us, Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity in the Eucharist. When He tells us: "this is my body; this is my blood" we have to believe Him. 

Food: The Eucharist is the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ. He said so Himself in the Gospel of John (chapter 6): "My flesh is true food, my blood is true drink; unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man you have no life in you." Jesus did not mince words here! 

We have to remember that we receive Holy Communion, we become truly united to Jesus - the closest we can get this side of eternity. Pope St. John Paul II helps us understand this reality: “Do not see in the bread and wine merely natural elements, because the Lord has expressly said that they are his body and his blood: faith assures you of this, though your senses suggest otherwise” (Ecclesia de Eucharistia, n.15). 
We offer our congratulations to the children of our parish on this memorable day! May the Eucharist nourish their faith from this day forward and keep them always close to the Heart of Jesus.

God bless you!
Fr. Reardon