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C a T H O L I C C H U R C H E P I P H A N Y C A T H O L I C C H U R C H Pentecost May 23, 2021 Vision Statement: “To offer every person in our community a life-changing encoun- ter with Jesus.” that wanders in prayer “the madwoman in the house”; it is like FROM POPE FRANCIS a madwoman that leads you here and there … We must stop it and cage it, with attention. PRAYER: DISTRACTIONS The time of barrenness warrants a different discourse. The Catechism describes it in this way: “The heart is separated Dear Brothers and Sisters, Good Morn- from God, when there is dryness, with no taste for thoughts, ing! memories and feelings, even spiritual ones. This is the moment of sheer faith clinging faithfully to Jesus in his agony and in his Continuing in the line of the Catechism, tomb” (no. 2731). Barrenness makes us think of Good Friday, in this catechesis we refer to the lived at night, and Holy Saturday, all the day: Jesus is not there, He experience of prayer, trying to show is in the tomb; Jesus is dead, we are alone. And this is the some very common difficulties, which thought that gives rise to barrenness. Often we do not know must be identified and overcome. Pray- what the reasons for barrenness are: it may depend on our- ing is not easy: many difficulties pre- selves, but also on God, who permits certain situations in the sent themselves in prayer. It is neces- outer or inner life. Or, at times, it can be a headache or a prob- sary to know them, recognize them and lem of the liver that stops us from entering into prayer. Often overcome them. we do not really know the reason. Spiritual teachers describe The first problem that emerges to those who pray the experience of faith as a continuous alternation of times of is distraction (see CCC, 2729). You start to pray and then your consolation and desolation; there are times when everything is mind wanders, it wanders all over the place; your heart is easy, while others are marked by great heaviness. Very often, here, your mind is there… distraction from prayer. Prayer often when we encounter a friend, we say, “How are you?” – “Today co-exists with distraction. Indeed, the human mind finds it I am down”. Very often we are “down”, or rather, we don’t hard to dwell for long on a single thought. We all experience have feelings, we don’t have consolation, we are unable. They this constant whirlwind of images and illusions in perpetual are those grey days … and there are so many of them in life! motion, which accompanies us even during sleep. And we all But the danger is having a grey heart: when this “feeling know that it is not good to follow this inclination to disorder. down” reaches the heart and it sickens… and there are people who live with a grey heart. This is terrible: one The battle to achieve and maintain concentra- cannot pray, one cannot feel consolation with a tion does not relate only to prayer. If one does grey heart! Or, one cannot emerge from spiritu- not attain a sufficient level of concentration one al barrenness with a grey heart. The heart must cannot study profitably, nor can one work well. be open and luminous, so that the light of the Athletes are aware that contests are not won Lord can enter. And if it does not enter, wait for solely through physical training, but also with it, with hope. But do not close it up in greyness. mental discipline: above all, with the capacity to “Many difficulties pre- concentrate and to remain focused. sent themselves in pray- Then, a different thing is sloth, another flaw, er. It is necessary to another vice, which is a real temptation against Distractions are not guilty, but they must be know them, recognize prayer and, more generally, against the Chris- fought. In the heritage of our faith there is a tian life, is a different matter. Sloth is “a form of them and overcome virtue that is often forgotten, but which is so depression due to lax ascetically practice, de- present in the Gospel. It is called “vigilance”. them.” creasing vigilance, carelessness of heart” , And Jesus said, “Keep vigil. Pray”. 2733). It is one of the seven “deadly sins” be- The Catechism mentions it explicitly in its in- cause, fueled by conceit, it can lead to the struction on prayer (cf. no. 2730). Jesus often death of the soul. calls the disciples to the duty of a sober life, guided by the thought that sooner or later He So what can we do in this succession of enthusi- will return, like a bridegroom from a wedding or asms and discouragements? One must learn to a master from a journey. But since we do not know the day go forward always. True progress in the spiritual life does not and hour of His return, all the minutes of our lives are precious consist in multiplying ecstasies, but in being able to persevere and should not be wasted on distractions. In a moment that in difficult times: walk, walk, walk on… and if you are tired, we do not know, the voice of our Lord will resound: on that stop a little and then start walking again. But with persever- day, blessed will be those servants whom He will find industri- ance. Let us remember Saint Francis’ parable on perfect joy: it ous, still focused on what really matters. They did not stray in is not in the infinite fortunes rained down from Heaven that pursuit of every attraction that came before their minds, but the ability of a friar is measured, but in walking steadily, even tried to walk the right path, doing good and performing their when one is not recognized, even when one is mistreated, own task. This is distraction: the imagination wanders, it wan- even when everything has lost its initial flavor. —Francis ders and wanders… Saint Teresa used to call this imagination Page 2 Epiphanyparish.com FROM THE PASTOR CELEBRATING OUR FAITH COVID-19 PROTOCOL UPDATE SACRAMENTS SCHEDULE Epiphany Catholic Church, Covid-19 Protocols, effective May 29-30, 2021 Mass Times Incense is used at 9:30am Sunday Mass. All Ministers have Glu- On May 13, 2021, federal guidance on ten-free Hosts. 7:30 am Sunday Masses are Broadcast on Face- mask wearing changed due to the book at Epiphanyparish.com Drive Up Communion is available effectiveness of Covid-19 vaccinations: Sundays till 8:30am (Canopy). Note: 8:15am School Masses are fully vaccinated people — those who currently closed to the public due to the Pandemic. have received their final Covid-19 vac- cination at least two weeks ago — no longer need to wear masks outdoors Sunday, May 23, Pentecost Sunday or in most indoor settings. According 4:00pm Enes and Fred Belligio to the CDC Director, “Few vaccinated 7:30am Bill Cunningham people become infected with the vi- 9:30am Brother Alan Zodda rus, and transmission seems rarer still; and the vaccines appear 11:30am Marge and Al Lopinot to be effective against all known variants of the coronavirus.” The Governor of the State of Illinois has aligned state protocols Monday, May 24, The Blessed Virgin Mary accordingly. However, vaccinations are not universally availa- 7:00am August Demma ble, especially for children, and concerns about solidarity with the unvaccinated and potential infection are warranted in a Tuesday, May 25, Weekday place of worship animated by Christ’s commandment of love. 7:00am Robert Beyers To balance the current vaccination picture and the revised guidelines that emphasize personal freedom and responsibility, Wednesday, May 26, Saint Philip Neri, Priest Epiphany“Our Lord parish reveals has adjusted saving its covid-19 protocols. Bear in 7:00am Judy Stevens mindand thatsacred worship truths from to home his remains an option, as the parish willApostles continue which, to livestream at the the 7:30am Sunday Mass with drive Thursday, May 27, Weekday up Communion until 8:30am. time they hear them, are 7:00am Thomas and Margaret Kelley Family not Covidfully -comprehensible19 Protocols remain in force at the 7:30am and – they11:30am must Sunday simply Masses. ac- Masks are required. Greeters Friday, May 28, Weekday ceptwill his assist words with and social have distancing and seating. 7:00am Geraldine and Jim Becker faith Covid in -19their Protocols truthful- relax at daily Mass and at the 4pm ness.and” 9:30am Sunday Masses. Masks are optional for fully Sunday, May 30, The Most Holy Trinity vaccinated churchgoers and others with acquired immun- 4:00pm Tom Van Deven ity. Churchgoers will seat themselves and observe social 7:30am Susan Heller Goforth distancing on their own. 9:30am Taimooraz Taimoorazy Among many people of good will, vaccine creation and distri- 11:30am Patricia Schroeder bution are areas of deep concern. Pope Francis and our bish- ops endorse the morality of using some vaccines to fight the pandemic. Those who choose to avoid vaccinations for reasons Confession Times of conscience, however, “must do their utmost to avoid, by other preventative means and appropriate behavior, becoming 3:00pm Saturday in the Parish Hall. Please enter from the vehicles for the transmission of the infectious agent. In particu- Corridor and depart out the South Door onto the Parking lar, they must avoid any risk to the health of those who cannot Lot. be vaccinated for medical or other reasons, and who are the most vulnerable.” (Note on the morality of using some anti- Adoration Chapel News Covid-19 vaccines, Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, December 21, 2020) Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament has returned to the St.
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