Pastor's Weekly Message

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Dear St. Agnes Parishioners
 
The following are a few reminders offered by our Pastor,
Father Dennis Hayes III, of certain protocols that ought to be observed by all who belong
to the one Body in Christ in our Catholic Christian Church:
Sunday Mass and Holy Days of Obligation
We are called by God, Our Father, to attend mass on the Sabbath and on Holy Days
of Obligation, as designated by the Liturgical Calendar.
Sabbath is a 'Day of Rest' with the sole intent that we are called to avoid anything
that would keep us from attending mass where we, as one community of believers,
join in communion with one another, to raise our voices, in praise and worship and
are called to share in the Heavenly Banquet where Christ is not only present, but
gives of Himself to us in a most personal and intimate way.
Please do not allow anything: not parades, festivals, etc. to act as a deterrent to your
commitment and obligation to give back to God in gratitude for all He has and will
continue to do for your good. As in anything in our earthly life, there can be
exceptions: illness, lack of mobility, to name a few. Christ calls us to be in
communion with one another and with Him, and attending mass is one of the most
blessed and personal ways to commune with Him and with one another. Do not
waste this blessed gift to give back to our God who is all deserving of our love!
Protocol to be followed by all at the conclusion of Mass
It is respectful and reverential to remain in our pews until the end of the liturgy/Mass
Early departure is not only - disrespectful to our God who is so glad to see you,
but is also disrespectful and a distraction
to the remaining worshipers who are aware of the following"
Mass does not formally end until the 'final blessing' is given, followed by the
departure of the Celebrant (Recessional) from the Sanctuary.
In truth, all are called to 'go' and bring Christ to all - that is a mandate by
God Himself: to proclaim Him to all the nations. The Celebrant gives the
congregants a 'BLESSING' as a much-needed aid to help us to do as God is
asking of each of us. When you choose to leave before the blessing is given to
all, you are missing (refusing) a gift that He wishes to share with you; one that
will help you 'go into the world' and bring Him to all you meet. Do not refuse
this 'divine gift' by choosing to leave mass before its conclusion.
Equally as disrespectful and denying all that God wants to give you, is when you
leave right after receiving Communion. Stop and imagine how it must hurt Him
to have called and invited you to His Banquet and you once again choose to leave
without properly saying 'Thank You'. There is nothing more important than to
say a reverent 'goodbye' to God - a 'goodbye that shows reverence to Him who is
due 'your time and gratitude' for all He does for you and yours.
Let us all put Him first in our lives and it is by our actions:
words and deeds that we live what we profess:
Submitted by B. Miller at the request of Father Dennis, April 30, 2026

 
Sincerely in Christ, 
     Fr. Dennis J. Hayes, III

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