JMJ+
Dear fellows Catholics - we now have a Sunday home!
Many thanks to Reverend Ira Barr of Arbutus United Methodist (AUM) for opening their doors to us. Thank you to all of you for your patience and flexibility as we have hopped around during our recent "see how many lecture halls we can celebrate Mass in" tour of recent weeks. AUM is more than close (check out the map of campus below). It is practically the same distance as the ITE or the Administration Building. We will also be having Discovering Christ at AUM. We will continue to have Wednesday dinner and Mass in the IFC.
Many great reasons come to mind for making this switch. Here are a few:
1) IT IS A STEADY PLACE TO WORSHIP
We have switched rooms for Sunday Mass almost every week this semester. The Catholics have shown remarkable flexibility and patience, especially with last minute announcements and signs posted on the doors of Lecture Hall 6. Worshipping at AUM gives us a place that can be a spiritual home.
2) EUCHARISTIC WORSHIP IS WORTHY OF A SACRED PLACE
We can and ought to pray anywhere at any time. Also, at the end of the day, we'll celebrate Mass where we need to - a lecture hall, a trailer, a classroom, etc. However, in the Eucharist our personal relationship with the Lord is at its greatest and strongest point - we receive His very Body and Blood! This is the food for our spiritual journey and the strength for nurturing our relationship with the Lord throughout the week. The Eucharist is the family banquet offering the One Sacrifice of Christ to the Father. Nothing less! It is worthy of our effort and of a sacred place.
3) WE NEED A PLACE SET ASIDE
All of us are busy about many things. Having a place that is only used for worship gives us a chance to lift our minds to the Lord who is with us always and to be reminded of His Hand in all things. Jesus brought Peter, James, and John to the mountain for the Transfiguration to strengthen them for the test of faith in the valley. We need the same thing.
4) IT IS CLOSE!!
We can't have a church building on campus. This is practically on campus:
Peace,
Fr. John
