Join in OUr Communal Day of Prayer—August 21, 2017

Monday, August 21, is the feast of St. Pius X, our patronal feast day. Pius was the pope who brought back the custom of frequent communion. He moved the Church from regarding the Eucharist as a prize for being good to the food we need for spiritual growth.


We want to be disciples who are growing spiritually, who are bringing Christ to others by the way we live our lives. But in our fast-paced, electronics-filled world, it can be a challenge to take the time needed to be quiet with the Lord. The Eucharist is a gift to feed us and help us do that. The community is also the Body of Christ which sustains and supports us as we struggle to grow.


We would like to bring these elements together on our feast day with a communal day of quiet with the Blessed Sacrament. Join us as we begin with the 8 am Mass in the main church, followed by exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, which will remain exposed all day until a 7 pm closing service. Everyone is invited to drop in during the day and spend some quiet time with the Lord. Stop in once or multiple times. Talk with the Lord and listen quietly.


Finally, all are encouraged to come together as a community for Evening Prayer and Benediction at 7 pm. Those who are not able to be at the closing service physically are asked to pray during that time, wherever you might be, in solidarity with the community in prayer. All of us will be praying at the same time, no matter where we are!


St. Pius X had as his motto “to restore all things in Christ.” As baptized Christians, we have committed ourselves to bring Christ and His love into the world by what we say and do. On his feast day, we unite as a community to pray for our parishes (cluster parishes, neighboring parishes, sister parishes). We pray for each member and especially for our councils, commissions, committees, and leaders, that we may be energized and grow in our ability to bring Christ to the world around us.


By coincidence, on August 21, we will have a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the splendor of God’s creation in a solar eclipse. Every day we have the opportunity to experience the wonder of Christ’s love in the Eucharist. Please keep this endeavor in your prayers and plan to participate. Watch for more information in the coming weeks.

--Paul James Portland, SDS