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Opening Prayer

The Anima Christi

Soul of Christ, sanctify me. Body of Christ, save me. Blood of Christ, inebriate me. Water from the side of Christ, wash me. Passion of Christ, strengthen me. O good Jesus, hear me. Within your wounds conceal me. Do not permit me to be parted from you. From the evil foe protect me. At the hour of my death call me. And bid me come to you, to praise you with all your saints for ever and ever. Amen.

-St. Ignatius Loyola

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Weekly Review

Share successes
Address concerns
Acknowledge celebrations
Prayer requests

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Scripture Reflection

“Not that [Christ] might offer Himself there again and again, as the high priest enters year after year into the sanctuary with blood that is not his own; if that were so He would have had to suffer death over and over from the creation of the world. But now He has appeared at the end of the ages to take away sins once for all by His sacrifice. Just as it is appointed that men die once, and after death be judged, so Christ was offered up once to take away the sins of many; He will appear a second time not to take away sin but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await Him.” -Hebrews 9:25-28

To isolate this verse from the rest of Sacred Scripture and simply take it for face value would lead one to conclude that there could be no other sacrifice– Christ sacrificed Himself, it is over and done with, and that is it period.
In no way do we as Catholics believe that Christ continues to be crucified physically or die a physical death in heaven over and over again.
However, we do believe that the Mass does participate in the everlasting sacrifice of Christ.
The sacrifice of our Lord is inseparably linked to the Last Supper.
The next day, on Good Friday, our Lord’s body hung on the altar of the cross and His precious blood was spilled to wash away our sins and seal the everlasting, perfect covenant.
The divine life our Lord offered and shared for our salvation in the sacrifice of Good Friday is the same offered and shared at the Last Supper. The Last Supper, the sacrifice of Good Friday, and the resurrection on Easter form one saving, life-giving event.

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Catechesis: The Eucharist as Sacrifice

The Mass is not just a meal.

The Mass is a sacrifice.

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Catechesis: The Eucharist as Sacrifice

All ancient (Old Testament) religions had some sort of animal sacrifice

The people took some part of God’s creation and offered it back to God.

This was an act of thanksgiving or reparation.

This was also an act that united God with His people in a covenant.

Sacrifice deepens a relationship.

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Catechesis: The Eucharist as Sacrifice

In a perfect world, sacrifice would have been an effortless and joyful act filled with gratitude, but we all know what happened with Cain and Abel Genesis 4:1-16.

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Catechesis: The Eucharist as Sacrifice

We turned away from God, so this sacrificial act is painful. It is difficult to detach from the goods offered and it is painful for the animal which is offered.

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Catechesis: The Eucharist as Sacrifice

The message from the penitent is this: “The pain which the animal is going through is an indication of the pain I am experiencing as I am trying to realign my life back towards God.”

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Catechesis: The Eucharist as Sacrifice

Because of our broken state of sin, there is no communion with God without a sacrifice.

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Catechesis: The Eucharist as Sacrifice

In the Old Testament people brought animals to the temple and when the animal was killed, the blood was collected. The blood was offered back to God and also sprinkled on the people signifying the attempt to restore the relationship between God and the people. The temple was the center of sacrifice.

The priests offered these sacrifices on behalf of the people.

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Catechesis: The Eucharist as Sacrifice

When John the Baptist identifies Jesus as the “Lamb of God” he is making it clear that this is the one who will be sacrificed for the sake of others.

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Catechesis: The Eucharist as Sacrifice

Then at the Last Supper Jesus tells His closest friends explicitly that He is the Lamb of God that is going to be offered up for the forgiveness of sin.

He clearly states that the New Covenant with God will be everlasting.

He anticipates Good Friday at the Last Supper.

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Catechesis: The Eucharist as Sacrifice

That cross is our cross, the nails are our nails, the Crown of Thorns is our crown of thorns.

“Sinners were the authors and the ministers of all the sufferings that the divine Redeemer endured.” -CCC 598

He endured our punishment for love of us and through this agony He made reparation for our sins and our sins have been forgiven.

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Catechesis: The Eucharist as Sacrifice

“This divine plan of salvation through the putting to death of ‘the righteous one, my Servant’ as a mystery of universal redemption, that is, as the ransom that would free men from the slavery of sin.” -CCC 601

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Catechesis: The Eucharist as Sacrifice

The enemies of Jesus, in particular Caiaphas, prophetically advised the Sanhedrin, in John 11:50 that, as Jesus was not the Messiah, (in their opinion), an insurrection by the people now could end only in disaster; so it was better, he argued, to do away with him.

“you do not understand that it is expedient for you that one man should die for the people, so that the whole nation should not perish”

He was not aware of the deeper meaning of his words, namely that one man, Jesus, must die for the salvation of all men.

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Catechesis: The Eucharist as Sacrifice

On the Cross Jesus truly is the Lamb of God whose Blood is poured out.

Through this perfect sacrifice the rift between humanity and divinity is finally reconciled.

“Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” -John 15:13

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Catechesis: The Eucharist as Sacrifice

With the Eucharist, we are no longer sprinkled with the blood of the lamb, but we consume it.

With the Eucharist, we no longer look at the sacrificial lamb, but we eat Him and assimilate Him into our own body.

We participate in the Sacrifice that reconciled God and man!

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Catechesis: The Eucharist as Sacrifice

Since we cannot sacrifice ourselves completely like Jesus did, we unite ourselves with Christ’s Perfect Sacrifice.

Jesus has bound Himself so closely to the Church! The Church is the Mystical Body of Christ! The Church is the Bride of Christ.

We, as the Church, can offer our lives to the Father through Him, with Him, and in Him.

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Catechesis: The Eucharist as Sacrifice

The Eucharist is the Sacrifice of the Son to the Father by the Church.

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Catechesis: The Eucharist as Sacrifice

A Catholic priest wears the temple robes, because at each Mass he performs a sacrifice.

We, like the children of Israel, do not go to worship with empty hands. We bring with us to every Mass our offerings of prayers, works, joys and sufferings to lay at the foot of the altar. In that way our imperfect gifts are made perfect and holy when offered with Jesus to the Father (more on this in sessions 15,16 and 17).

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Catechesis: The Eucharist as Sacrifice

The effects of receiving the Eucharist:

We become MORE united with Christ. (CCC 1391)
The Eucharist strengthens us for the spiritual battle we must endure all the days of our earthly life. (CCC 1393)
Our venial sins are LITERALLY wiped away. (CCC 1394)
Our communion with other Christians is strengthened. (CCC 1396)
We are reminded of those less fortunate than us. Our compassion is expanded. (CCC 1397)

CCC= Catechism of the Catholic Church

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Adult Discussion: The Eucharist as Sacrifice

1. In what ways has sacrifice been a part of your marriage? A part of raising a family?

2. What are you willing to sacrifice for the sake of the well being (physical, emotional, spiritual) of your own family?

3. What is the connection between the lamb at Passover and Jesus on the Cross?

4. How can we teach our children about uniting their sacrifices to the Perfect Sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross?

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The Eucharist as Sacrifice

Teaching Your Children: K-2nd

Highlights from the lesson to share with your children this week:

When we love someone, our friendship with that person oftentimes requires selfless acts of love.
When a friend comes over to play, we share our toys and we play games they like to play too.
When we share what we have with another, we are making a sacrifice for the love of that person. These little acts of sacrifice tell the person how much you love them.
Jesus loves you more than you can imagine! He wants you to go to Heaven some day and so He has made it possible by making a sacrifice of love for you.
Last week we learned that the Jewish people who were slaves of Pharaoh had to sacrifice a lamb in order to escape from the slavery to Pharaoh. The blood of the lamb was a sign that the angel of death would Passover them.

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The Eucharist as Sacrifice

Teaching Your Children: K-2nd (continued)

This week we learn that Jesus was called the Lamb of God by His cousin, John the Baptist.
Jesus was sacrificed on the cross so that we can escape from the slavery to sin.
Even though that happened almost 2,000 years ago, God wants US to be a part of that tremendous act of love so He gave us the Mass.
At Mass we go to the foot of the cross and offer our little sacrifices to God through Jesus’s sacrifice.
God’s angel carries that sacrifice up to God the Father in heaven and that makes God very happy.

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The Eucharist as Sacrifice

Applying Your Faith: K-2nd

Activities to do at home to reinforce understanding of the lesson:

Read from the St. Joseph First Communion Catechism: Lesson 11, pages 47-53 (this is a review of Session 12).
Make a list of small age appropriate sacrifices that your child can make. For example: draw a picture for grandparents, clean up toys, make bed and the bed of siblings or parents, set or clear the table, pray for parents, priests, the pope, go without a snack, drink only water, etc.
Teach your child to say simple aspirations as they make these sacrifices, “All for the love of You, Jesus.” or “Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I love you!”
When you are driving to Mass this week, talk about a sacrifice that your child made in the past week and remind your child to offer those sacrifices to God at the Mass during the consecration.
Have your child color The Lamb Victorious and teach your child that Jesus is the lamb who died, but conquered death and that is why He has the victory flag.

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January Assessment: K-2nd

Help your child complete the JANUARY ASSESSMENT (K-2nd).

This should be completed by Friday, January 29.

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The Eucharist as Sacrifice

Sacramental Preparation: First Holy Communion

1st year Sacramental Prep (1st Grade):

Do the Victorious Lamb craft for Week 14.
Practice the Grace Before Meals prayer. Practice the Morning Offering Prayer. Your child should now know the following prayers: Sign of the Cross, Angel of God, Hail Mary, Glory Be, and the Our Father.

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The Eucharist as Sacrifice

Sacramental Preparation: First Holy Communion

2nd year Sacramental Prep (2nd Grade):

Complete Spirit of Truth pages 72-79. These pages will be handed in at the end of the month. For the lesson on page 72, please use this reference sheet.
By now your child should know The Sign of the Cross, the Angel of God, the Glory Be, the Hail Mary, the Our Father, the 10 Commandments, and an Act of Contrition. Keep practicing these every night.
The following should have already been turned in. They can be found in your white FHC folder. Please turn these documents into your family folder as soon as possible!

Letter of Intent
Data Form
Baptismal Certificate (if not baptized at Holy Trinity)

Here is the First Holy Communion Mass Sign-up.
If you want your child to receive FHC at the Latin Mass, please use this sign-up.

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The Eucharist as Sacrifice

Teaching Your Children: 3rd-5th

Highlights from the lesson to share with your children this week:

Review the slides for this lesson ‘Teaching Your Children: K-2nd.’
Acts of self sacrifice make friendships stronger if they are done for love of God.
Jesus did the ultimate act of self sacrifice when he gave His life for us on the cross.
His sacrifice is called the Perfect Sacrifice because He was 100% innocent, and He chose to be the sacrifice that was needed to free us from the slavery to sin.
The animals of the Old Testament did not have a choice. Jesus chose to offer Himself on the altar of the Cross.
Jesus is called the Lamb of God because through His sacrifice, we were all saved from the slavery to sin.
At each Mass we can offer our imperfect sacrifices with Jesus’s Perfect Sacrifice.

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The Eucharist as Sacrifice

Applying Your Faith: 3rd-5th

Activities to do at home to reinforce understanding of the lesson:

Read from The New St. Joseph Baltimore Catechism: Lesson 27, pages 168-171.
Make a list of small age appropriate sacrifices that your child can make. For example: draw a picture for grandparents, clean up toys, make bed and the bed of siblings or parents, set or clear the table, pray for parents, priests, the pope, go without a snack, drink only water, etc.
Teach your child to say simple aspirations as they make these sacrifices, “All for the love of You, Jesus.” or “Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I love you!”
When you are driving to Mass this week, talk about a sacrifice that your child made in the past week and remind your child to offer those sacrifices to God at the Mass during the consecration.
Watch The Veil Removed with your child. It is BEAUTIFUL!
Have your child do the Sacrifice of the Mass Worksheet to check for comprehension.
Read the poem Little Lamb and look at the sacred art with your child. Emphasize Jesus’s title of Lamb of God.

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The Eucharist as Sacrifice

Applying Your Faith: 3rd-5th (continued)

PRAYERS: Keep working on those prayers! Be sure you have memorized:

Guardian Angel Prayer
Glory Be
Our Father
Hail Mary
10 Commandments

Continue memorizing the Apostles’ Creed.

Continue memorizing the Act of Contrition. It can be any version that your family prefers.

Continue memorizing the Acts of Faith, Hope, and Love.

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January Assessment: 3rd-5th

Help your child complete the JANUARY ASSESSMENT (3rd-5th).

This should be completed by Friday, January 29.

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The Eucharist as Sacrifice

Teaching Your Children: 6th-8th

Highlights from the lesson to share with your children this week:

Review the slides for this lesson ‘Teaching Your Children: 3rd-5th.’
Jesus did the ultimate act of self sacrifice when he gave His life for us on the cross.
His sacrifice is called the Perfect Sacrifice because He was 100% innocent, and He chose to be the sacrifice that was needed to free us from the slavery to sin.
The animals of the Old Testament did not have a choice. Jesus chose to offer Himself on the altar of the Cross.
Jesus is called the Lamb of God because through His sacrifice, we were all saved from the slavery to sin.
The Cross is the FINAL altar on which the final sacrifice was offered. There is never a need to offer another animal sacrifice to God.
Our lives were purchased by Jesus’s sacrifice. We now belong to God and are no longer a slave of sin.
That cross is our cross, the nails are our nails, the Crown of Thorns is our crown of thorns.
At each Mass we can offer our imperfect sacrifices with the Perfect Sacrifice of Jesus.

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The Eucharist as Sacrifice

Applying Your Faith: 6th-8th

Activities to do at home to reinforce understanding of the lesson:

Read from The New St. Joseph Baltimore Catechism: Lesson 27, pages 168-171.
Make a list of small age appropriate sacrifices that your child can make. For example: draw a picture for grandparents, clean up toys, make bed and the bed of siblings or parents, set or clear the table, pray for parents, priests, the pope, go without a snack, drink only water, etc.
Teach your child to say simple aspirations as they make these sacrifices, “All for the love of You, Jesus.” or “Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I love you!”
When you are driving to Mass this week, talk about a sacrifice that your child made in the past week and remind your child to offer those sacrifices to God at the Mass during the consecration.
Watch The Veil Removed with your child. It is BEAUTIFUL!
Listen to What A Beautiful Name by Hillsong Worship with your child and consider all that Jesus has done for us. Gratitude will help expand our ability to love.

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January Assessment: 6th-8th

Help your child complete the JANUARY ASSESSMENT (6th-8th).

This should be completed by Friday, January 29.

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The Eucharist as Sacrifice

Sacramental Preparation: Confirmation

1st year Sacramental Prep (7th Grade):

Complete the Weekly Saint Form for Week 14.
Read Prove It God pages 100-104. Have your child use a highlighter to show information they think is important.
Continue to practice an Act of Contrition and the Apostles Creed.
Pick up the January monthly assignment from your family folder. Turn in December’s monthly assignment. If you have not been picking up these weekly assignments, the links to the assignments are below for you to print. Please turn them in to your family folder when they are complete. Please DO NOT submit them electronically.

Sept Assignment: Parent Interview
Oct Assignment: To My Sponsor Worksheet
Nov Assignment (does NOT need to be turned in): Charles Lwanga and Companions; you will also need Charles Lwanga Story and Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Dec Assignment: Enter By The Narrow Gate; you will also need How and Why to Return to Mass.

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The Eucharist as Sacrifice

Sacramental Preparation: Confirmation

2nd year Sacramental Prep (8th Grade):

Continue practicing the Apostles’ Creed. Practice your Act of Contrition nightly.
The Prove it Prayer book should be complete now. Start working on the Prove It Prayer Assignment due 3/1/21.
Turn in Saint Report that was DUE Jan 8. Please put in your family folder!
Turn in “Walking Together” sponsor interview that was DUE Jan 8. Please put in to your family folder!
The sponsor should be giving HT the ORIGINAL eligibility form from his/her parish. It has to have the 3D seal. This is a legal document in the Church and sending us a copy or a picture is not going to work. Please tell your sponsor that we need the original paper.
The Holy Hour is scheduled for 1/25 at 7pm. This is not a drop off event. Parent or sponsor must come along. If you cannot come due to health concerns, here is an Alternative Holy Hour.
Confirmation is May 29th! Here is the Confirmation Mass Time Sign-up. Please note that Father Vander Woude has requested two more Masses for Confirmation for our parish. We will update you when we know more.
Here is an updated Confirmation Checklist of all that is required and when it is due.

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Family Activities For All Ages

Family Faith Formation Meetings and Important Dates

Eat, Pray, Play (refer to Session 1 directions)
Teach your children some traditional Eucharistic hymns such “Sweet Sacrament” or “O Sacrament Most Holy” or one of the more modern songs, “I Am the Bread of Life”
Here is list of books that will help kindle a fire of love for the Eucharist.
Make a visit to the Blessed Sacrament chapel at the parish, or if you are trying to avoid people, come and visit the Lord hidden in the tabernacle in the main church.
Come over to the parish and show your children the hallway display of the Eucharistic Miracles.

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Celebrate the Church!

January- Dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus

January 28- St. Thomas Aquinas

Watch t his video!
He wrote Tantum Ergo, a beautiful hymn that we use for Benediction.
This is a prayer he wrote that you can teach your student.

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Celebrate the Church!

January- Dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus

January 31- St. John Bosco

Watch this video!
Try to make it through the whole day being joyful to all you meet.
St. John Bosco’s guardian angel was a dog! Be sure to pray to your guardian angel daily for guidance and protection.

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A fellow parishioner will be delivering a small black pouch with gifts for you and your family.

This will be a contactless drop-off, but because these are sacramentals, they will ring the doorbell once to alert you they have been there. If any of you would like more of the Epiphany water and/or salt, please reach out and let us know. We have plenty more to share!

Exorcised Epiphany water and salt

"Epiphany water is considered the most potent of holy water, because it is blessed once a year on the vigil of Epiphany and blessed using an extensive liturgy, similar to vespers. It is mixed with exorcised salt, and the exorcism over the water is lengthier. Hence it (has been) deemed more potent by many, especially exorcists." To learn more about these sacramentals, click here.

Father Vander Woude blessed gallons and gallons of water and many containers of salt on January 5th this year, the vigil of the Epiphany. In each puch you will find a small glass container of Epiphany water and a small bag of exorcised salt.

A blessing for your home and land using these powerful sacramentals

And in these uncertain times, it's wonderful having tools such as these to use to bring about a greater sense of peace for our families.

I apologize the bottle may be hard to open with the cork. It may work best to use a needle to make a small hole to access the water.

A family blessing to the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts of Jesus and Mary

There is also a small picture of them that you can place somewhere for the family to see on a regular basis (refrigerator, family bulletin board, etc.).

The blessing entrusts the safety and well-being of your family to Our Lord and Our Lady.

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Closing Prayer

Here I am good and gentle Jesus, kneeling before You. With great fervor I pray and ask You to instill in me genuine convictions of faith, hope, and love, with true sorrow for my sins and a firm resolve to amend them. While I contemplate Your five wounds, with great love and compassion, I remember the words which the prophet David long ago put on Your lips: “They have pierced my hands and my feet, I can count all my bones.”