In today’s bulletin, Father Hilton writes:
Our church looks pretty sad: the front is gone, the sides are partially demolished, and a construction fence is all around. However, the renovation is in full swing. The foundations are already being poured in and any day construction of the bell tower will begin. It is exciting to see how quickly progress continues: in no time, we will be able to see what the finished project will look like, at least from the outside. I can hardly wait until the sound of our bells will proclaim to everyone that the Holy Mass is about to begin. St. John Vianney, one of my favorite heroes, tied the sound of the church bell to the priesthood with the following thought:
“When the bell calls you to church, if you were asked, “Where are you going?” you might answer, “I am going to feed my soul. ” If someone were to ask you, pointing to the tabernacle, “What is that golden door?” “That is our storehouse, where the true Food of our souls is kept. ” “Who has the key? Who lays in the provisions? Who makes ready the feast, and who serves the table?” “The priest. ” “And what is the Food?” “The precious Body and Blood of Our Lord. ” O God! O God! how Thou hast loved us! See the power of the priest; out of a piece of bread the word of a priest makes a God. It is more than creating the world. . . . Someone said, “Does St. Philomena, then, obey the Cure of Ars?” Indeed, she may well obey him, since God obeys him.”
(St. John Vianney, Catechism on the Priesthood) St. John Vianney, pray for us.
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