THE MOST HOLY BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST (CORPUS CHRISTI) PASTOR’S CORNER The Eucharist is not a symbol; it is true spiritual food, the real flesh and blood of our Saviour the God-man. Here are 7 ways to increase your love for this gift from heaven: 1. Faith: First and foremost, you must strengthen your faith in the reality of Jesus truly present in the most Holy Eucha- rist. If you do not cultivate your faith in the Real Presence of Jesus in the consecrated Host that we call the Eucharist, then it is possible to eventually lose your faith altogether. 2. Confession: Our soul can be compared to a window pane. How easy it is for a window pane to become sullied from the dirt. It is even easier for your soul to become sullied due to sin. A good confession cleanses your soul and makes you more worthy and better disposed to receive Jesus in Holy Communion. Receiving important guests is preceded by house- cleaning; likewise, before receiving Jesus—the Guest of our soul—you should do spiritual house cleaning, which means a good confession. 3. Arrive early for Mass: It might appear to be obvious, but arriving late for Mass can greatly damage the efficacy of our reception of Jesus, the Eucharistic Lord. For movies, sports events, graduation ceremonies, even restaurants and dining engagements, we all make an effort to arrive at least a few minutes early. Yet, when we are dealing with the Holy Sacri- fice of the Mass where we encounter Jesus, the Lord of Lords and King of Kings, many of us can be most flippant and nonchalant, arriving late without any qualms of conscience. Try to be disciplined and arrive at least ten minutes early for Mass. Athletes arrive early before sports events to warm up; you should arrive early for Mass to shake the dust from your mind and heart so as to enter into the spiritual milieu, and assume a contemplative mode. 4. Dress appropriately and modestly: It has to be said, due to an onslaught of paganism, that at all times we all should dress according to the dignity of who we really are, sons and daughters of God and ambassadors of Christ. However, most especially this should be the case upon entering God’s sanctuary, drawing close to our God in the Tabernacle! Therefore, your dress should be indicative of who you are, who you represent, and who you are to receive in the Holy Mass. 5. Offer your own intentions: In most Parish Masses there is a specific intention for whom the priest offers the Holy Sac- rifice of the Mass. However, this does not negate the fact that you can offer your own personal intentions and these in- tentions can be countless. 6. Reception of Holy Communion: The way you receive Holy Communion is of paramount importance. Your exterior comportment should be of the greatest reverence: your hands should be folded and receiving Holy Communion should be preceded by some act of reverence. And please take your time as you receive the Sacred Body and the Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ. 7. Thanksgiving: Last but not least, a word on the importance of thanksgiving after receiving Holy Communion. The minutes after receiving Jesus in Holy Communion are the most important minutes in your spiritual life. That is the time in which we have the Creator of the entire universe within the very depths of our heart, mind and soul! This is why you should spend some quality time in thanksgiving after you receive the Eucharistic Lord, especially when the Mass is fin- ished. This is a good time to be silent in your heart and mind, and just be grateful for a few precious minutes with the Lord. Fr. Slawek June 10/11, 2017—$61, 286.55 June 3/4, 2017—$59,941.30 May 6/7, 2017—$44,507.80 April 22/23, 2017—$23, 767.00 April 8/9, 2017—$21,304.00 ShareLife Campaign Our Goal is: $67,000.00 SENIOR’S GROUP: The seniors group every Wednesday after the 9 a.m. devotion of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Come out and socialize, play cards, OFFICE CLOSED—JULY 3, 2017 will reopen July 4, 2017 at 8:30 a.m.