3rd June 2018 - Why do we go to Mass with Fr Pat Seaver - Solemnity of Corpus Christi

On this weeks programme John has a chat with Fr Pat Seaver about why we go to Mass reflecting on the nature of the Sacrifice of the Mass which Fr Pat has worked on explaining to children in a new graphic novel. We have our regular reflection on the Sunday gospel as well as other liturgical odds & ends.

You can listen to the podcast of this weeks programme HERE.

Why do we go to Mass? - Fr Pat Seaver

On this weeks programme we are joined by Fr Pat Seaver to reflect on Why we go to Mass? and the publication of his graphic book for children explaining what Mass is about which is a timely interview given the feast which we celebrate today.

Peter Costello reviews Fr Pat's book in this weeks Irish Catholic also:

Having to sit on so many Sundays to sit beside families with their small children, even some of communion age, are running around the aisles, inattentive and uninterested in the service they are attending, this is a book many will have longed for.

Once upon a time small children were never taken to Mass – they had not reached the age of reason after all. They stayed at home with Granny or an elder sister. But when the extended family seems to have vanished, along with a series of Sunday morning masses, things are different.

There is nothing comic about the mass. Fr Seaver should perhaps have not used the Americanism “comic book” for his little pamphlet- the correct European term is “graphic book” might have been better. But he has written a book many parents will want to have. In the simplest but clearest terms he can mange he explains to a young readership what the mass and the Eucharist are about.

Observation suggests that some may have been schooled in the right movement and actions, such as going up to receive, but their minds are not engaged with the Mass as a kind of feast, a source of nourishment. Their parents hush them, but are so intent on their own devotions that they neglect their children. Whether this is a sort of mild “child abuse” is something to think about.

Fr Seaver wrote an earlier book with a similar intent but found it was just too academic. This book is a further effort to reach out to what seems to be a neglected cohort of Catholics, the Catholics of the future. What surprises one is that the Catholic publishers that exist have not taken up his idea. Maybe with a bit of promotion now they will, and so reach even more families.

Why We Go to Mass, a comic book by Fr. Pat Seaver & Hugh McMahon (€5.99 postage included; for copies contact Paul Flynn at Kyle House, Henry St, Limerick, tel: 061-313377).

You can listen to the interview with Fr Pat excerpted from the main programme podcast HERE.

Gospel - Mark 14:12-16, 22:26

On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread,
when they sacrificed the Passover lamb,
Jesus’ disciples said to him,
"Where do you want us to go
and prepare for you to eat the Passover?"
He sent two of his disciples and said to them,
"Go into the city and a man will meet you,
carrying a jar of water.
Follow him.
Wherever he enters, say to the master of the house,
'The Teacher says, "Where is my guest room
where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?"'
Then he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready.
Make the preparations for us there."
The disciples then went off, entered the city,
and found it just as he had told them;
and they prepared the Passover.
While they were eating,
he took bread, said the blessing,
broke it, gave it to them, and said,
"Take it; this is my body."
Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them,
and they all drank from it.
He said to them,
"This is my blood of the covenant,
which will be shed for many.
Amen, I say to you,
I shall not drink again the fruit of the vine
until the day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God."
Then, after singing a hymn,
they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Reflections on this weeks gospel

Word on Fire
Centre for Liturgy
English Dominicans
Sunday Reflections

Vatican News - Reflections for the Feast of Corpus Christi

Liturgical odds & ends

Liturgy of the Hours - Psalter week 4, 8th week of Ordinary Time

Saints of the Week

June 4th - The Ugandan Martyrs, also St Kevin
June 5th - St Boniface
June 6th - St Jarlath of Tuam
June 7th - St Colman of Dromore
June 8th -  Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
June 9th -  St Columcille also Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Pope's Intention
That social networks may work towards that inclusiveness which respects other for their differences.