Reach More Groups
One of my primarily pastoral focuses here at Assumption is to get people to pray together more in small groups. To that end, we have offered regular “Reach More” (link) trainings. Right now, we are currently running two training groups: one for about 10 adults, mixed between the English and Spanish communities, and one for about 8 high school students. I would ask your prayers for both of these groups, as they dive deeper into what small group outreach looks like and as they pray about who God is calling them to journey with going forward.
Partners in the Gospel Input Sessions
Our first input session on Tuesday had 73 people in attendance and it seemed to be very helpful and effective. Thank you to everyone who attended and everyone who helped make it happen (especially the Pastoral Council, notetakers, and facilitators). We have two remaining in English (Sat., Sept. 30, 6:30 pm & Tue., Oct. 03, 6:15 pm) and one in Spanish (Sun., Oct. 08, 2:15 pm).
You can find all the Partners information at https://archseattle.org/partners/. You can also find the online form there, if you cannot attend an in-person session (though we strongly recommend the in-person sessions).
Synod on Synodality
The Synod on Synodality starts this week in Rome. Our own Archbishop Etienne will be in attendance. You can find resources from the Archdiocese, and the Archbishop’s own reflections, at this link.
Quotes about the Mass
One of our parishioners sent me a set of quotes about the Mass. They were lovely enough to share.
“When Mass is being celebrated, the sanctuary is filled with countless angels who adore the Divine Victim immolated on the altar.” – Saint John Chrysostom
“If we really understood the Mass, we would die of joy.” – Saint Jean Vianney
“The angels surround and help the priest when he is celebrating Mass.” – Saint Augustine
“It would be easier for the world to survive without the sun than to do without Holy Mass.” – Saint Padre Pio
“The Holy Mass would be of greater profit if people had it offered in their lifetime, rather than having it celebrated for the relief of their souls after death.” – Pope Benedict XV
“Put all the good works in the world against one Holy Mass; they will be as a grain of sand beside a mountain.” – Saint John Vianney
“No human tongue can enumerate the favors that trace back to the Sacrifice of the Mass. The sinner is reconciled with God; the just man becomes more upright; sins are wiped away; vices are uprooted; virtue and merit increase; and the devil’s schemes are frustrated.” – Saint Lawrence Justinian
“Know, O Christian, that the Mass is the holiest act of religion. You cannot do anything to glorify God more, nor profit your soul more, than by devoutly assisting at it, and assisting as often as possible.” – Saint Peter Julian Eymard
“The heavens open and multitudes of angels come to assist in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.” – Saint Gregory the Great
“How happy is that guardian angel who accompanies a soul to Holy Mass!” – Saint John Vianney
“When we receive Holy Communion, we experience something extraordinary – a joy, a fragrance, a well-being that thrills the whole body and causes it to exalt.” – Saint John Vianney
“I believe that were it not for the Holy Mass, as of this moment the world would be in the abyss.” – Saint Leonard of Port Maurice
“Let the entire man be seized with fear; let the whole world tremble; let heaven exult when Christ, the Son of the Living God, is on the altar in the hands of the priest. O admirable height and stupendous condescension! O humble sublimity! O sublime humility! that the Lord of the universe, God and the Son of God, so humbles Himself that for our salvation He hides Himself under a morsel of bread.” – Saint Francis of Assisi
Fr. Moore 