Here Comes the Pope

Second Communion
Everybody makes a big thing about “first
communion” -- and so we should. It’s the first time a young person encounters Jesus in this most intimate and in this most communal way. But I’d like to make an equally big thing about “second communion”.
There is less fanfare to the second time a child
receives communion yet, perhaps that is the more important moment since it indicates the continuation of a life-long habit of receiving Jesus, of growing ever close to him. Anyone can do something
good once --a first date, a first plane ride, a first visit to a special place--but it is when we repeat the action that it truly has value for us. A relationship that ends on the first date isn’t much of a relationship. The
person frightened by the first plane ride might be
“grounded” for life. So too, “first communion” without its subsequent encounters with Jesus leaves us incomplete in our lives. Let’s pray that the children who come to first communion will come again and again.

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Past Columns:
April 6: Fresh Oil
March 30: What are your doing for Easter?
March 23: Can Easter come too early?
March 16: Which crowd is yours?
March 9: We believe, yet...
March 2: Oil or Mud
February 24: What are you thirsting for?
February 17: Who are You Wearing?
February 10: Just Say No
February 3: The Power of the Cross
January 27: How I Turned Out
January 20: Being Safer
January 13: Conversations in 2008
January 6: Matthew's Magi
December 30: Matthew's Magi
Christmas 2007 Homily

Columns from 2007

Columns from 2006

Columns from 2005

Columns from 2004

Columns from 2003

Columns from 2002

Columns from 2001


		April 13, 2007 Here Comes the Pope
Second Communion Everybody makes a big thing about “first communion” -- and so we should. It’s the first time a young person encounters Jesus in this most intimate and in this most communal way. But I’d like to make an equally big thing about “second communion”. There is less fanfare to the second time a child receives communion yet, perhaps that is the more important moment since it indicates the continuation of a life-long habit of receiving Jesus, of growing ever close to him. Anyone can do something good once --a first date, a first plane ride, a first visit to a special place--but it is when we repeat the action that it truly has value for us. A relationship that ends on the first date isn’t much of a relationship. The person frightened by the first plane ride might be “grounded” for life. So too, “first communion” without its subsequent encounters with Jesus leaves us incomplete in our lives. Let’s pray that the children who come to first communion will come again and again. e-mail Father Ralph: Past Columns: April 6: Fresh Oil March 30: What are your doing for Easter? March 23: Can Easter come too early? March 16: Which crowd is yours? March 9: We believe, yet... March 2: Oil or Mud February 24: What are you thirsting for? February 17: Who are You Wearing? February 10: Just Say No February 3: The Power of the Cross January 27: How I Turned Out January 20: Being Safer January 13: Conversations in 2008 January 6: Matthew's Magi December 30: Matthew's Magi Christmas 2007 Homily Columns from 2007 Columns from 2006 Columns from 2005 Columns from 2004 Columns from 2003 Columns from 2002 Columns from 2001	“I am convinced that without the power of prayer, without that intimate union with the Lord, our human endeavors would achieve very little. Indeed this is what our faith teaches us. It is God who saves us, he saves the world, and all of history. He is the Shepherd of his people. I am coming, sent by Jesus Christ, to bring you his word of life.” This quote is from a video made by Pope Benedict to introduce his visit to our country this week. (How times have changed -- that the pope would make an internet video!! ) You can watch the video online at: www.uspapalvisit.org/stories/vmessage.htm He continues, “I shall come to United States of America as Pope for the first time, to proclaim this great truth: Jesus Christ is hope for men and women of every language, race, culture and social condition. Yes, Christ is the face of God present among us. Through him, our lives reach fullness, and together, both as individuals and peoples, we can become a family united by fraternal love, according to the eternal plan of God the Father. I know how deeply rooted this Gospel message is in your country.” Oh how I wish he was coming to Saint Brigid’s, for here he would see that Jesus Christ is indeed “hope for men and women of every language, race, culture and social condition.” He would see that we continue to strive to “become a family united by love...” Let us pray that our holy father’s visit to the United States will stir up the fervor of faith in our Catholic communities, that people of all faiths will grow closer to each other, that all people of good will can unite for the common good. He concludes his video with this message: “Dear brothers and sisters, dear friends in the United States, I am very much looking forward to being with you. I want you to know that, even if my itinerary is short, with just a few engagements, my heart is close to all of you, especially to the sick, the weak, and the lonely. I thank you once again for your prayerful support of my mission. I reach out to every one of you with affection, and I invoke upon you the maternal protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary.”