June 26, 2008

Mass and Healing Service Offered in Jackson

In anticipation of the beginning of the Pauline Year, the Catholic Charismatic Renewal of the Diocese of Memphis is hosting a Mass followed by a Healing Service at St. Mary Church in Jackson, Tennessee. Mass will begin with Praise and Worship at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 28 at the church, located at 1665 Highway 45 By-Pass in Jackson. The celebrant will be Father Tom Kirk, pastor of St. Mary Church. assisted by Deacon Edward Kutz from Sacred Heart Church in Humboldt. There will be a reception after Mass and a 30-minute video will be shown on the history of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal.

Pope Benedict XVI has proclaimed a year dedicated to St. Paul, in preparation for the 2,000th anniversary of the apostle's birth. The Pauline Year will run from June 29, 2008, to June 29, 2009. This commemorative year will include symposiums and special publications devoted to the writings of St. Paul. During this year, Catholics are asked to rekindle a love for the Eucharist and the Church in the Year of Saint Paul.

One of the classic Pauline images is that of the Body of Christ as a communion of individuals with specific charisms and talents which build up of the Body. Paul shows that the Eucharist is the source of unity, harmony and communion in the Body. As Catholics, the reception of the Eucharist is the great spark of missionary activity that leads us, like Saint Paul, to the ends of the earth to bring the Good News and heal the hurting and wounded.

Jesus continues to heal the Church today as He did 2000 years ago. At the Healing Mass, participants bring needs and infirmities to the Lord through the Eucharist. We believe that Jesus is present in the Eucharist and we ask for His healing to come upon us as we say before Communion, "Lord, I am not worthy to receive you but only say the word and I shall be healed."

When we think about it, every Eucharist is a healing celebration. In it we receive the Lord Jesus. We are transformed by Him, and we let Him meet us in our needs. In every Mass, we celebrate God's love for us. With the priest we offer ourselves in sacrifice, giving thanks to the Father, through Jesus, our great High Priest, in the power of the Holy Spirit. It is He who makes us a community who worships God in Spirit and Truth.

The leaders of the Charismatic Renewal invite everyone to "come and experience God's Healing Love." For further information about the Catholic Charismatic Renewal of the Diocese of Memphis, please contact Carlene Inzer at 901-545-4256 or 901-327-3627, or visit our website at www.catholicstuff.org. - - Submitted by Jan Courtney, Communications Chair, Catholic Charismatic Renewal of the Diocese of Memphis