I. Feast of the Body & Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi): Historical Background: in the 13th century, so few people were receiving Holy Communion that the pope made a law say-ing that people must receive Communion at least once a year. This became known as our “Easter duty”. It was during this time in our history that veneration the Blessed Sacrament, Benediction, and the Corpus Christi procession became a substitute for receiving Holy Communion. Yet, the Blessed Sacrament has always been reserved for the sick and the dying (otherwise, the Sacrament would be completely consumed at every liturgy). Because we continue to reserve the Sacrament, we make outward outward signs of respect and reverence.
One of these signs is the Corpus Christi Procession. At St. Stephen Cathedral, we will have a procession with the Blessed Sacrament immediately following the 11:00 a.m. Mass this Sunday. We will process down 7th street, cross Frederica St. to make our way to Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel at Brescia University. If you are not attending the 11:00 a.m. Mass, please gather outside the cathedral on Locust Street at 12:00 noon. There will be adoration all afternoon, with Vespers and Benediction at 6:00 p.m. The entire diocese is invited!
II. Congratulations Fathers Basilio Az Cuc & Jamie Dennis on being ordained priests on May 28 for the Diocese of Owensboro. Having been ordained transitory deacons for one year, Bishop Medley ordained them to the Order of Presbyter (priests) on Saturday to serve the People of God. Basilio motored to Atlanta on May 18 to pick up his mother who flew in from Guatemala for her son’s ordination. We congratulate these two new priest and their families!
III. Welcome Fr. Titus Ahabyona! Having worked in our Diocesan Marriage Tribunal for six (6) years, during which time he lived at Saint Stephen Cathedral and Saint Pius X parishes three (3) years each, Fr. Titus was ordained in 1997. Two summers ago, Fr. Titus was assigned as rector of our Lady of the Snows Cathedral for his Diocese of Fort Portal, Uganda, with 45% Catholic population (15 million Catholics in a country of 33 million people). There are over 1 million Catholics in his Diocese of Fort Portal–we have approximately 65,000! Welcome back to Fr. Titus, who will be with us from May 28–June 28.
IV. The Cathedral Hosts Deanery: The Diocese is divided up into geographical areas called deaneries. Since there are 19 Catholic churches in Daviess County, Frederica Street is the dividing line for the East and West Owensboro Deaneries. On Wednesday, June 1st, at 12:30 p.m., the Cathedral will host the pastoral leadership from the Owensboro Western Deanery; thanks to Chona Curry, Anne Hubbard, and Moggie Riney for coordinating this luncheon before our meeting.
V. Newcomers Welcoming Reception: if you have recently joined Saint Stephen Cathedral, you are invited to a reception for new members at 6:30-8:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 2 at the rectory, 614 Locust Street; use the side porch door. We will serve heavy hors d’oeuvres. Please rsvp to Janet Murphy (270-485-8553) or Susan Howard (270-929-0269).
VI. Solemnity of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus: it was in the 17th century, in France, that the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus began to take the form we know today. It was a time when the heresy of Jansenism was rampant; people were convinced that human sinfulness was too great to be forgiven, that salvation would only be granted to a few. In this climate of fear, the revelations of the Sacred Heart are attributed to Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, a religious of the Visitation order. Thus, the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was added to our church universal calendar in 1856. On this solemnity, we give thanks to God for the infinite love of Christ, represented by the image of his heart on fire with love. There will be exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, followed by evening prayer and Benediction on Friday, June 3, 5:30-6:30 p.m. (This opportunity for quiet prayer is available every first Friday of each month).