Bulletin Letter, Easter Sunday 4A
Even though it’s unclear when public Masses will be allowed to resume, this would normally be the weekend for the Sunday Mass times to switch between Hoven and Bowdle (every 4 months). Our Confession times will change this weekend to reflect what the Mass schedule will be when we resume, so I’ll be available for Confessions at 4:30 pm on Saturdays in Bowdle, from May through the end of August. In Hoven, I’ll be available from about 8:15 to 8:50 am on Sundays. Keep praying that God would guide our leaders with wisdom and with respect for the Catholic principle of subsidiarity, allowing discernment at more local levels whenever possible.
- What is a vow?
A vow is a solemn promise made to God. Probably the most frequent vows made are those related to what are called the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience. Those who consecrate themselves to God or enter a religious order usually make vows concerning these three ways that reflect how Jesus Himself lived. Poverty (being poor) is often lived out by members of religious orders owning everything in common rather than having personal property. Chastity is lived in celibacy, committing to remain unmarried and striving for a deep intimacy with God. Obedience is vowed to God and superiors of the order, often coming into play when there is a question of where a member of the order should be serving and what his responsibilities involve (like when a priest is moved to a different parish and if he will serve as pastor or priest in residence or chaplain of a school or hospital).
- What is servile work?
The term is usually brought up regarding the commandment to keep the Lord’s Day (Sunday) holy. Servile work refers to work that is unnecessary and burdensome, activity that prevents us from getting to Sunday Mass and experiencing the rest and renewal of body, mind, and spirit through prayer and contemplation of heavenly things. This commandment goes back all the way to when the Israelites were being freed from slavery in Egypt, freed especially to offer right worship to the true God. Jesus tells us not to work merely for earthly “food that passes away but for the food that endures to eternal life” (John 6:27). Certain types of work are obviously necessary even on Sundays. For example, medical personnel can’t just tell the sick and feeble to take care of themselves for the day. But when it comes to other activities, how much priority do we really give to the Holy Mass and time spent with God?
The Word Proclaimed 