The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the CDC, has issued guidance for the celebration of Thanksgiving: “Thanksgiving is a time when many families travel long distances to celebrate together. Travel increases the chance of getting and spreading the virus that causes COVID-19. Staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others. If you must travel, be informed of the risks involved.” The CDC goes on to point out that the safest way to celebrate Thanksgiving is “Having a small dinner with only people who live in your household” and “Having a virtual dinner …”
As much as this may currently be necessary for the health of loved ones, Thanksgiving means more to most people than a virtual interchange with families and friends. A virtual meal cannot substitute for being present and entering fully into the meal and the lives of others. There is the emptiness that comes from being absent from one another.
I use this as an analogy for our absence from the Eucharistic table of the Lord and from the life of the family of God, the parish. For a long time, even before the onset of the pandemic, it has been on my heart to ask all of us to join our efforts in calling the family of God to join together at the sacred table of the altar. Studies indicate that many Catholics do not understand that the Eucharist is the Real Presence of Christ or, if they do, they do not accept this teaching. We need to renew and grow in the Church’s constant understanding of the Eucharist and to share this faith with others.
In addition, these past months of contagion have been a time when many Catholics have watched the Mass broadcast through various forms of media rather than being physically present. I am deeply grateful to our priests who have made this possible through their efforts to provide ways in which our people could still watch Mass despite the fact that concern for their health kept them from personally attending Mass in church. I also am deeply grateful to many of our priests who distribute Holy Communion outside of church buildings so parishioners can receive the Sacrament even if they did not attend the celebration of the Mass.
We pray that soon a vaccine will make it possible for everyone to safely attend Mass. It may be too soon to encourage everyone to return to Mass. It may be necessary to wait for a vaccine. Even now, however, I am hearing from pastors that Mass attendance appears to be slowly increasing. This is probably the result of several factors, not the least of which is the confidence parishioners have in parish efforts to provide for the safe celebration of Mass. Regardless, the day will come when all will be safely able to return to Mass to share the Bible and the Eucharist in person. As we look forward to that day, now is the time to remember why it is important to return.
For this reason, and after seeking the advice of priest and others, 2021 will be designated “The Year of the Eucharist and the Parish” in the Archdiocese of Mobile. The year is purposely not being limited to a year of the Eucharist, but includes the parish as well. As much as driving up to the front of the church and receiving Holy Communion may be acceptable in these present circumstances, it does not equate to being an active member of the family of God, the parish. To be a little facetious, no one should be satisfied with receiving Thanksgiving dinner by driving up to grandmother’s house and asking her to bring the plate of food to the car.
The Eucharist is meant to be shared and lived. At the Last Supper Jesus told us how He wished to be worshipped — by having a meal. Food of its nature brings us together. It is clear Jesus wanted us to come together, not merely to join in the meal, but to join in living the faith with one another. This is the role and nature of the parish community to which believers are to be united.
This unity, however, is not a human activity, it is the activity of the Holy Spirit. The parish is not where people gather, it is where God gathers His people. God calls us to the banquet He has prepared. When we receive Holy Communion, we are not receiving something, we are receiving Someone. The Eucharist is not a “what,” it is a “Who.” It is the Real Presence of the Lord Himself. No amount of watching a broadcast of the Mass equates with entering into Communion with the One who told us “This is my Body…this is my Blood.”
What more could Jesus have done to tell us that He is with us, walking with us, journeying with us, feeding us, strengthening us, than to allow us, His mere creatures, to actually receive Him into our very bodies? How much we are loved! The more we come to know Who the Eucharist is, the more we come to know who we are.
This is also a particularly fitting time to invite others to join us in actively living out the faith. The most effective way to invite someone to attend Mass and be active in the life of the parish is through a personal invitation. Our challenge is to open our hearts so our parishes can authentically be communities where people of all backgrounds can gather as one and where we care for the least of our brothers and sisters. If we receive the Real Presence of Christ, we are called to be the real presence of Christ to others.
This is the message we need to live and to convey to the best of our abilities. For this reason, and trying to read the signs of the times in our own pastoral reality, I am asking every parish, school and ministry to observe 2021 as the “The Year of the Eucharist and the Parish.” The year will begin on the First Sunday of Advent, November 29, 2020, and conclude on the feast of Christ the King, November 21, 2021. I am asking all pastors, principals and ministry leaders to consult with others and plan ways in which through this year we can:
n catechize our people concerning the Eucharist,
n evangelize others as we invite all to join with us in the family of God and around the sacred table making certain all feel welcome,
n strengthen the faith of all so we can live it in our daily lives.
This will not be a program to follow. There will be no manual to implement. This is a year to do what the Church should always be doing. However, this moment in time presents a very appropriate time to renew our efforts to heed the Lord’s call, ever old, ever new, to bring His Good News to others.
May our Mother Mary join her prayers with ours in asking God to bless this “Year of the Eucharist and the Parish” in our Archdiocese. The Lord Himself gave Mary to us to be our mother. As we seek to build up and strengthen the family of God, may our mother intercede for us.
May God bless and protect you and your parishioners.
Our Lady of Alabama, pray for us!