LAVABO
(Taken from Notes Made at the Conferences of Dom Prosper Guéranger).
Whilst the Choir and people are being honoured with incense, the Priest washes his hands. This ceremony is marked, at this particular moment, because the Priest has just been using the Thurible, which always soils the hands, because of the smoke. But at the same time, this washing of the hands embodies a mystery: it expresses the necessity there is for the Priest to purify himself yet more and more, as he advances in the Holy Sacrifice. Just as Our Lord washed the feet of His Apostles before instituting the Holy Eucharist and giving them Holy Communion, so too, should the Priest purify himself. In the Ambrosian Liturgy, this rite of washing the hands takes place during the Canon, before the Consecration; the signification is ever the same, namely, the duty of self-purification incumbent on the Priest; nevertheless, the moment chosen for this rite by the Roman Church, ever discreet in all her decisions, is preferable to that adopted by the Ambrosian Liturgy.
To accompany this action, which signifies what the purity of the Priest should be, holy Church has selected the Psalm xxv., which is marked in the Monastic Office in the First Nocturn of Sunday’s Matins: Judica me, Domine, quoniam ego in innocentia mea ingressus sum. [Judge me, O Lord, for I have walked in my innocence] In this Psalm, it is Our Lord Himself who speaks; it is easy to perceive that the Priest could never apply such words to himself. Holy Church appoints but the half of this Psalm to be said, commencing with the words: Lavabo inter innocentes manus meas et circumdabo altare tuum, Domine, ... I will wash my hands, O Lord, and make myself like to those who are in the state of innocence, so as to be worthy to approach Thine Altar, to hear Thy sacred Canticles and to recount Thy marvellous Works. Every word is wonderfully adapted to the present occasion. Further on, we come across this other remarkable expression of the Prophet: Domine, dilexi decorem domus tuae et locum habitationis gloriae tuae: Lord, I have loved the beauty of Thy House, the Place where Thy Glory dwelleth. David here speaks of that Tabernacle under the shade of which he dwelt so happy, although the Temple was not yet in existence, for it was not built till Solomon’s time. The Psalm is continued to the end, so as to allow the Priest ample time for washing and wiping his hands. This other verse of the same Psalm: Ego autem in innocentia mea ingressus sum: I have walked in mine innocence, proves to us, once again, that this Psalm is altogether Messianic; the Priest, therefore, says it in the Name of Christ, with whom he is but one and the same, during the action of the Great Sacrifice. In Masses of the Dead, and at Passiontide (when the Mass is ferial), the Gloria Patri is omitted at the end of this Psalm. This omission of the Gloria in this place is always coupled with the omission of Psalm Judica at the beginning of the Mass.
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Just a reminder that this Tuesday is the Feast of the Assumption. It is a holy day of obligation for Roman Catholics. There will be a High Mass at 7 PM.
There will also be a special blessing of fragrant flowers and herbs which will take place immediately before Mass begins. Please bring things to make the church smell good in honor of our Blessed Mother, who is said to have left nothing behind but a sweet odor when she was taken up into heaven. Items may be placed in the front pews.
| MASS INTENTIONS
FOR THE WEEK |
- Sunday, August 13 - 10th Sunday after Pentecost 8:00 a.m. John & Phyllis† Kuhn Family Living & Deceased 10:00 a.m. Pro Populo
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- Monday, August 14 - Vigil of the Assumption 7:30 a.m. Sr. Catherine of Christ
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- Tuesday, August 15 - The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary 7:00 p.m. Pro Populo
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- Wednesday, August 16 - St. Joachim, Father of the Blessed Virgin Mary 6:00 p.m. Fr Aubert Grieser OFM†
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- Thursday, August 17 - St. Hyacinth, Confessor 7:30 a.m. John & Kathleen Blake
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- Friday, August 18 - Feria 6:00 p.m. Poor Souls
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- Saturday, August 19 - St. John Eudes,
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- Sunday, August 20 - 11th Sunday after Pentecost 8:00 a.m. Melanie Heiny 10:00 a.m. Pro Populo
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| REGINA CAELI CHOIR
The new choir season is fast approaching and we would like to send an invitation to anyone considering being a part of this vital ministry. As you know, a choir is necessary in order to have a High Mass, and Sacred Heart is in need of new choir members, especially men. Singing in the choir is an excellent way to participate in the Mass. The only requirement is the ability to match pitch. Practice times are Wednesdays after the 6:00 pm evening Mass and Sundays at 9:00 am before the morning Mass. Occasional Saturday practices will be required for major Feast Days and new members. If traveling distance is a problem in attending a practice, special arrangements can be made. Remember, as St. Augustine said, He who sings well, prays twice.
If you are interested, please contact the choir director, Teresa Smith, at 260-565-4449, or teresalsmith2000@yahoo.com. |
| MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Parish picnic -- Sunday, September 24, at Foster Park in Fort Wayne. More details to come. |
PREPARATION FOR CONFIRMATION
Confirmations this year will be celebrated along with the community in South Bend at St. Stanislaus Church on December 17. Preparation classes will begin Sunday, August 20, after the 10 AM Mass. If there are still individuals wishing to be confirmed this year that have not yet contacted the pastor, please do so as soon as possible.
| Scrip
Scrip is a very easy way to help the parish financially without increasing your Sunday contribution. Please take a look at the order forms to see if there are vendors that you frequent. If so, just fill in the amount you would like to purchase. You will receive a gift card back that can be used any time and never expires. Please submit the form with a check by dropping it in the collection basket. For any questions call the office at 260-744-2519. All orders must be prepaid and will be placed on Monday of each week. Due to processing costs, in order to make a few dollars we have to have a combined total of all orders come to $400 or more. Your small order can help to reach this threshold. |
Today’s Catholic
Since 1926, Today’s Catholic, the newspaper for the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, has been printed locally with complimentary printed editions mailed to all registered Catholics. Starting August 1, Today’s Catholic will also be launching free digital products including a brand new website, digital edition, app and Facebook page. For those who wish to retain a print subscription, they may do so for an annual price of $20. Subscribe to print or digital in your parish or online at www.todayscatholic.org.
| St. Vincent de Paul “Brown Bag Collection”
Please continue to help our food bank here at Sacred Heart by taking a brown bag and filling it with non perishable foods. Every Friday the Sacred Heart St Vincent de Paul Society has a food bank that is open to anyone living in the Fort Wayne area. We currently serve an average of 110 families. Please bring the filled bag back by the 2nd Sunday of each month and we will exchange it with another empty brown bag. This gives everyone an opportunity to help feed the poor in our city and work on our corporal works of mercy. Thank you in advance to all those who help us keep our food bank going. |
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