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I want to thank all of you here at Holy Family for welcoming me as a new priest to your parish. It has been great getting to know you and give you the Sacraments. Something that has come up in more than a few conversations over the past month has been the topic of holy water. There are many prayers and traditions (with a lower case ‘t’) that we as Catholics have available to us that are not Sacraments but that still welcome God into every corner of our lives. We call these things sacramentals.
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Holy water is a sacramental, so it is not as powerful as a Sacrament, but it is still a help that has been given us by the Church for the sanctification of all its members. Whenever holy water is used, it is a prayer unto itself and asks God to make holy what we use it on. Holy water is made with salt and water. The priest exorcizes salt to drive any evil influence out of it and then blesses it, which replaces or gives it God’s grace to help those who use it. He then does the same things with water. Afterwards he adds the two together in the Sign of the Cross and says another prayer of blessing. The newer rite simply blesses water with a prayer.
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You might ask the question, “How do I use holy water?” The answer is you use it in any way that you use normal water. It might surprise people but you can cook, wash clothes, bless yourself, your house, and your children and even your pets with it. What we usually see is it used in churches when you walk in. You dip you fingers in and bless yourself with it as a reminder of your Baptism and as a way to ward off evil – since you don’t want to be distracted during Mass. In both a physical and spiritual way, it washes you and strengthens you in the battle of overcoming sin in your lives. The only thing you are not allowed to use it for is to throw it away. Anything blessed must be used for the purpose it was made for, so holy water must be used as regular water is used and the same goes for blessed salt or oil. If you do have blessed objects that are either broken or old, you should say a little prayer of thanks to God for the gift of whatever it is and then either burn or bury your blessed objects.
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Holy water is not meant to be an object of superstition. It is another way to pray, to wash away evil from your lives, and ask God to be with you. It is powerful stuff and you should take some for your own homes. If you take some with you, you can bring it back to church and bless yourself when you walk in.
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The obligation to attend Sunday Mass is being RESTORED. Starting the weekend of June 19 and 20 (Father's Day weekend), all Catholics in the Diocese of Springfield will once again be required to attend Sunday Mass and Holy Days of Obligation. Please read Bishop's letter here.
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We are in need of Altar Servers and Lectors - especially altar servers as we are losing two of our veterans to college in the fall. Please contact the office if you have any questions or are able to assist with either of these ministries.
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Father's Day Mass Remembrance Envelopes are located at the doors of the church. Envelopes will be placed in the sanctuary for the Masses on Father's Day weekend.
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There will be an electronics recycling event at Holy Family on Saturday June 12, 2021 from 9am - 2pm.
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Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on Wednesdays 12pm, concluding with Benediction at 6pm.
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Confessions are held on Wednesdays at 5pm; Saturdays at 3pm and by appointment.
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There is a new Coffee With FJ episode this week! See below:
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Support Holy Family
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when you shop at Amazon with Amazon Smile!
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Click the image below to set Holy Family as your charity!
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Holy Family Roman Catholic Church
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