When I was 22, I entered St. Peter’s Basilica for the first time. It floored me. I could hardly take it in, its grandeur, majestic arches, vibrant colors, and the light that danced through its high windows. Somehow, amidst such splendor, I felt an overwhelming sense of belonging, as if I had finally come home.
Jesus reorients how we Catholics see sacred buildings. In today’s Gospel he says, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up” (John 2:13-22). His riddle implies, shockingly, that his own body is now the fundamental dwelling place of God and humanity. The temple in Jerusalem has been superseded.
In our churches today — whether they mirror the basilica’s grandeur or embrace humble simplicity — we experience architectural symbols of Christ’s risen body. It is no accident we call them “churches”: they make visible in brick-and-mortar Christ’s body which is made up of the living stones we call Christians. Each church building, like St. John Lateran in Rome, or St. Peter’s, or any other, is meant to be a vibrant sign of Christ’s resurrected body. We should cherish and protect our churches as places where heaven touches earth, where we, as a community, are raised to the fullness of life in Christ. — Father John Muir ©LPi
General Mass Notes
Welcome
Welcome to our Eucharistic Celebration on this Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome.
The intentions of this Mass are for all those in our special intention basket and...
Please stand for our procession.
Mass Intentions
Universal Prayer (Petitions)
A. For the Church, that we may continually commit to carrying out Christ’s mission, and channel God’s grace like a flowing stream to the entire world, let us pray to the Lord.
B. That those in leadership positions in government may work to build a society in which the hungry are fed, the stranger is welcomed, and the forgotten are cared for, let us pray to the Lord.
C. For those who have served in the armed forces in times of war, that they may be treated with respect and dignity all their lives, let us pray to the Lord.
D. For those who design and construct church buildings, and all those who care for them from generation to generation, let us pray to the Lord.
E. For all the prayers that we hold in the silence of our hearts; for all our intentions spoken and unspoken, and for (read all intentions from 1st page), let us pray to the Lord.
Announcements
1. Today we have a second collection for the Archdiocese for the Military Services. These funds are used for a Co-Sponsored Seminarian Program, Vocation Discernment, Veteran Affairs Chaplaincy, meet the pastoral needs of Military families, and young adults. We thank you for your generosity.
2. Today the St. Vicent de Paul truck will be in the school parking lot from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. or until their truck is filled with your donations. Due to our limited storage space, we ask you not to leave your donations at the parish office. We appreciate your generosity.
3. We invite you this Friday, November 14 at 7:00pm to Father Gustavo's Installation Mass, which will be presided by Bishop Marc. During this Mass, Father Gustavo will do his profession of Faith and take an oath of fidelity as our new Pastor. After Mass, we'll have light refreshments in the Redahan Hall.
4. Our teen ministry, Soldiers of Christ, is having their food sale today in the Madonna Plaza, we thank you for your support.
