Fr. Nate's Letter - August 4, 2024

Some folks joked with me last weekend that it didn’t take me long to break something! It has only been a month since Fr. Simon left, and last weekend – in the middle of summer – our air conditioning went out! It certainly was a stark reminder of the fragility of our HVAC system, and the fact that we have a serious problem. Fr. Simon had already been working to address this significant and extensive issue before I came to Queen of All Saints. This weekend was a reminder of why he sees the needed work as pressing. 

I feel grateful for all of you who were here and persevered through the heat, and yet sorry in a special way for the families of the children being baptized last weekend. By the time the baptisms began we had reached the warmest point of the day, and it was a little hard on the infants and families. 

We are currently applying some temporary yet cost-effective solutions that will help us limp along until a permanent solution is implemented (which will begin later this year with a major electrical upgrade). I will keep you informed of our progress. In the meantime, I’ll try not to break anything else, I promise!

Every three years, when we come to this point in the summer, our readings invite us to reflect, and maybe even rediscover, what’s at the heart of who we are as followers of Christ: the Eucharist. It is called the source and summit of the Christian life, but do we truly understand what that means? Last weekend I found it striking, and maybe you did too, that one of the verses of the opening hymn began, “We pray for those who’ve wandered from the fold, oh bring them back Good Shepherd of the sheep.” Hearing all those gathered in Church singing that prayer as one, the prayer of each and all, was uplifting.

I found myself thinking back to one of the Eucharistic Revival speakers who shared a reflection during Mass a few months ago. It was interesting to learn that statistics show that belief in the Lord’s Real presence in the Eucharist, the belief that what the Lord says is true, has increased—and that is always something good to hear. Yet at the same time, I was disturbed to hear that the statistics showed that Mass attendance has actually decreased. How can that be?

We probably all know someone who has wandered from the fold; perhaps that person doesn’t realize or has forgotten the importance of coming to Mass. Sadly, even perhaps members of our own families don’t prioritize attending Mass. The perpetual question is, of course, how can we encourage them to come back?

The answer is found in our own example of keeping the Eucharist at the center of our lives. When you get in your car, or ride your bike, or walk, or however it is you come here to Church, you remind those around you of the importance of going to Mass. I remember a neighbor from when I was growing up who spoke of how my folks packed us all in the car every Sunday and headed off to Church. It reminded them of what they knew they should also be doing. They remarked that sitting at home Sunday morning and going about their business was not the same as going to Mass, and it made them feel guilty knowing that while they were staying home, others were making an effort to go to Mass. 

Maybe we could encourage someone with an invitation to come back, and remind them that they are missed. And certainly, we should also pray for them. If what Jesus says is true - and we believe it is - there is no possible way to get closer to him, this side of heaven, than in the Holy Eucharist. Jesus tells us that we have no life apart from him in the Eucharist.  What a gift the Lord gives us, as he reminds us in the Gospels in the coming weeks, by remaining with us in the Holy Eucharist. 

“We pray for those who’ve wandered from the fold, oh bring them back Good Shepherd of the Sheep!” It’s a beautiful prayer. 

Wishing you all God’s blessings this week! 

Keeping you in prayer, and say one for me! 

- Fr. Nate