FIRST SUNDAY OF THE "YEAR OF FAITH"............

Catholics throughout the World are being asked to experience the papally declared "Year Of Faith", which is beginning today, by drawing closer to Jesus Christ in the deepening of their understanding of the Sacraments celebrated by the Church.  The Most Reverend David L. Ricken, Bishop of the Diocese of Green Bay, in Wisconsin; Chairman of the U.S. Bishops Committee for Catechesis and Evangelization, wrote in an October 4th letter to his brother American Bishops, "The Seven Sacraments continue the saving work of Jesus until he comes again and form the center of the celebration of the Christian Mystery".  Bishop Ricken also explains it is by means of the Church's Ministry, that - "All are invited to hear the Goof News, follow Christ and share in the saving mysteries".  A Year Of Faith resource put together by the Bishops' Catechesis and Evangelization Committee entitled, "Sacramental Catechesis : An Online Resource For Dioceses And Eparchies", underpins the focus on Sacramentality Catholics are asked during this year of grace to wholeheartedly embrace is specifically the Holy Eucharist.  The online resource states the Eucharist is, "Foundational to sustain the faithful union with the very life of the Trinity and to strengthen them for the rigors of living their Faith as committed Disciples", writes Bishop Ricken.  Coming with the 50th Anniversary of the opening of the Vatican II Council; the start of the Year Of Faith; and the Synod of Bishops on the New Evangelization; this online resource will be used by American Bishops and Cathechetical Leaders as a means of better and further explaining, 'The aithful are called not only to proclaim the Gospel to those who have never heard it, but also to re-propose the Good News to those who are Baptized members of the Church, but who have lost a Living sense of the Faith".  As we celebrate this first Sunday of the Year Of Faith Pope Benedict XVI has proclaimed for the Universal Church may we place our hearts and minds in the Lord's welcoming presence and reinvest in our Disciple of Jesus The Christ, by pondering how to increase our witnessing to all the Seven Sacraments bring to the fulfillment of our lives and the Redemption of Humankind............Fr.  Troy