Eucharistic Hymns

Throughout time, there have been many hymns written in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. One hymn that is near and dear to our hearts is “Jesus My Lord, My God, My All” by Frederick W. Faber (1814-1863), which we will sing at Communion this weekend. Many of us first learned this beloved hymn when we were preparing for our first Eucharist. Most can remember its refrain easily: “O Living Bread, we Thee adore, O make us love Thee more and more. O make us love Thee, more and more.”

In 1951, J. Fischer & Bro. published “The Parochial Hymnal," a compilation by St. Paul Cathedral organist and choirmaster, Rev. Carlo Rossini. This hymnal, with Imprimatur, (authorization), by Bishop Hugh C. Boyle, found its way into most churches in the Pittsburgh area. I found quite a few treasured hymns inside, such as, “O Bread of Heaven” and “O Lord, I Am Not Worthy,” of which I remember singing while kneeling at the Communion rail awaiting my first Eucharist. These treasured hymns were melodic, easy to sing, and most importantly, written with reverence.

This weekend we celebrate the Feast of Corpus Christi, or The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. The following is a Novena which is prayed for nine consecutive days following Corpus Christi:

O Lord Jesus Christ, You who have given us Your precious Body and Blood to be our meat and drink, grant that through frequent reception of You in the Holy Eucharist, I may be strengthened in mind and body to do Your holy will. Amen. Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, have mercy on us.

The Other Shore

(Dedicated to all who attended St. Joseph School)

There’s a place beyond a hill,
It’s a place where time is still.
There we dream, but part no more,
When we reach the other shore.

There’s a time to give your heart,
There’s a time when all must part.
As we reap, there we shall sow,
And so the time for letting go.

Love waits there - the other side,
To meet your light as you arrive.
With open arms to take you in.
Here we end, there we begin!

You must go and I must stay.
Set your course and sail away.
Send a smile across the tide,
When you reach the other side!

Cast your journey toward the sun.
A brand new day has now begun.
Wave to me as you depart,
I’ll keep you safe within my heart.

We cannot hold the hands of time.
They are not yours, they are not mine!
Dwell not on pages left unread,
Or count the words we left un-said.

Count the laughter, not the tears.
Count the moments, not the years.
There’s a time to part no more,
When we reach the other shore.
I’ll meet you on the other shore.

Veni Sancte Spiritus!

Have you ever:

Felt a sudden burst of happiness?

Had a surge of unexpected energy?

Gotten excited about a project?

Written a story, a poem, a song?

Drawn, painted, sculpted?

Smiled at the sunrise?

Stayed up to watch the moon?

Washed your car even though it was clean?

Organized a desk, closet, drawer, or all three?

Written a letter for no reason?

Sent a card to someone for no reason?

Planted a garden?

Told a joke?

If you can answer “Yes” to any of these examples, you may very well have been inspired by the Holy Spirit! (Even using an exclamation point at the end of a sentence counts as inspiration!)

The Holy Spirit manifests Himself in many ways - creatively, prayerfully, and quite unexpectedly at times. We must recognize the Spirit's call and heed it. It could be something as simple as finding joy in walking your dog, or watering a plant. Whatever the gift, whatever the call, we must be open, and accepting.

The Holy Spirit will be calling you soon. Will you answer?

With a Song in Our Hearts

As we say “good-bye” to our school this month, I would like to take an opportunity to thank those students and parents who generously gave their time to make our Choristers and Teen Ministry Choir a success.

We’ve all heard the saying, “When you sing, you pray twice.” If that’s the case, then I can only imagine heaven's delight at the sound that emanates from the choir loft during Mass.

Your ministry of song brings joy, spirit, prayer, and praise to our pews. The faithful are brought to a deeper sense of prayer through your joy-filled voices.

The Teen Ministry Choir sang for the final time this season last Sunday at the Noon Mass. The new season will begin in September. Any student in grades 8-12 are welcome to join.

The Choristers season comes to an end this week. When we resume in September, there will be some changes to our schedule. We will rehearse one Saturday per month at 2:30 PM and will sing on that same Saturday at the 4:00 PM Vigil Mass. Any student in grades 3-8 are welcome to join us,

regardless of the school you attend.

I am hopeful that this wonderful ministry of song will continue at St. Joseph Parish. I wish all the students the best of luck. My prayer for you is that you leave with a song in your hearts!