Special Events
Catholics to Lift up Jesus as King of Piqua May 16-18; Corpus Christi Procession Sunday, May 18
NEWS BULLETIN
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE APRIL 30, 2008
PIQUA—Members of Saint Boniface and Saint Mary Catholic parishes will celebrate Jesus’ gift of salvation and his presence in the world in a special way, May 16-18, 2008.
The focus of the weekend will be the Eucharist: “Catholics believe that as the saving death and resurrection of Jesus are made real in the Mass, so we believe the Eucharist—the bread and wine consecrated at Mass—truly become the Body and Blood of the Lord,” explained Father Martin Fox, pastor of the two Piqua parishes.
“Because we believe the Eucharist really is Jesus, then we adore our Lord in the Eucharist,” Father Fox added. “Lifting up Jesus and begging God’s blessings for our community is our whole purpose in this weekend.”
Beginning with Mass with schoolchildren 8:45 am Friday, May 16, at St. Mary, the Eucharist will be placed with honor on the altar for worship and prayer; the church will remain open for adoration day and night, through Friday and Saturday, interrupted only by normal Masses. “Some remember this as ‘40 Hours’—but it’ll be a little longer,” Father Fox explained. “Anyone who wants to experience Jesus’ presence is welcome.”
The climax, Sunday, May 18, will be a traditional “Corpus Christi” (Latin for “Body of Christ”) procession. The procession will depart St. Mary church, 528 Broadway, around 1 pm Sunday, and proceed to St. Boniface church, 310 S. Downing Street, concluding with prayer and benediction around 2 pm, and a bring-your-own Pot Luck after that. “As far as anyone knows, a procession bringing our Lord from one parish to the other has never happened in Piqua—this will be a first,” Father Fox observed.
Coordinating the events is Thomas Caserta. “We want to include everyone who wants to take part. Not only parishes around the area are being invited and various organizations, but really anyone who wants to honor Jesus Christ. He is our king,” Caserta explained. The city has approved the route for the procession, Caserta said.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE APRIL 30, 2008
PIQUA—Members of Saint Boniface and Saint Mary Catholic parishes will celebrate Jesus’ gift of salvation and his presence in the world in a special way, May 16-18, 2008.
The focus of the weekend will be the Eucharist: “Catholics believe that as the saving death and resurrection of Jesus are made real in the Mass, so we believe the Eucharist—the bread and wine consecrated at Mass—truly become the Body and Blood of the Lord,” explained Father Martin Fox, pastor of the two Piqua parishes.
“Because we believe the Eucharist really is Jesus, then we adore our Lord in the Eucharist,” Father Fox added. “Lifting up Jesus and begging God’s blessings for our community is our whole purpose in this weekend.”
Beginning with Mass with schoolchildren 8:45 am Friday, May 16, at St. Mary, the Eucharist will be placed with honor on the altar for worship and prayer; the church will remain open for adoration day and night, through Friday and Saturday, interrupted only by normal Masses. “Some remember this as ‘40 Hours’—but it’ll be a little longer,” Father Fox explained. “Anyone who wants to experience Jesus’ presence is welcome.”
The climax, Sunday, May 18, will be a traditional “Corpus Christi” (Latin for “Body of Christ”) procession. The procession will depart St. Mary church, 528 Broadway, around 1 pm Sunday, and proceed to St. Boniface church, 310 S. Downing Street, concluding with prayer and benediction around 2 pm, and a bring-your-own Pot Luck after that. “As far as anyone knows, a procession bringing our Lord from one parish to the other has never happened in Piqua—this will be a first,” Father Fox observed.
Coordinating the events is Thomas Caserta. “We want to include everyone who wants to take part. Not only parishes around the area are being invited and various organizations, but really anyone who wants to honor Jesus Christ. He is our king,” Caserta explained. The city has approved the route for the procession, Caserta said.