At Midnight Mass I found out that our pastor Fr. Leon had collapsed at an earlier Mass and was in the ICU. He had previously been receiving chemotherapy for cancer and had returned t work. So I would ask my readers to pray for Fr. Leon who is truly a humble and holy priest who has fully given of himself for the care of souls.
That announcement was a rather bittersweet way to start Mass, but still the celebration of the Feast of the Incarnation can not truly be dampened. I am able to love Fr. Leon because Christ first loved us and it is his imitation of Christ that so draws my love.
The Mass was still quite beautiful as once again we had members of the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra there to accompany our choir as the performed Missa in C – Trinitatis. Mass is always beautiful, but there is a special joy in celebrating this feast. It is also nice to see the Church totally packed – which is pretty good for a downtown church. I was also glad to see that our assistant pastor informed people about Communion and that only Catholics could receive. Too bad though that I then saw several groups of people just leave. Though that is the sad indicator that the Body of Christ is still fragmented and a reminder to pray for the union that Jesus prayed for.
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My daughter’s church had recently cut down on masses, so was probably not expecting what they had – a church so packed with people at the Christmas Vigil mass that we, along with about 50 other people, had to stand in the aisles – both sides, and about 2/3 of the way up the center aisle. The pews were crammed with parishioners, even though most parents held under 5’s in their laps.
Reminded me of the old days.
Is it so common for non-Catholics to attend mass there and attempt to receive communion that they have to make special mention before mass? I’ve never seen that before outside of a wedding.
Dear Jeff,
It was a privilege for me to pray for Father Leon to God our Father in Jesus’ name — and to ask Mary His Blessed Mother and ours to pray for him also.
Thank you, and may you be blessed with a holy and happy Christmas!
Jeff,
I will add Fr. Leon to my prayers today. It is such a bittersweet thing as you said. May Jesus’ love during this season truly be with him and with your parish. We too understand the guilt and sadness of a pastor being sick. Ours too is away receiving treatment and healing. The priest we have in the mean time is a very worthy replacement. 🙂 God is good.
Thank you so much for the update. I knew that Fr. Leon wasn’t doing well (we are also parishioners at the same church), but as my family and I are out of town for Christmas, I hadn’t heard the latest. My family and I will certainly add him to our prayers.
I will pray for him too, Jeff. He is indeed a holy man. May Jesus heal him.
Jeff – Merry Christmas to you sir and I will pray also for Father Leon – thanks for your inspiration and your good humor – I too was an athiest and have come home to the Catholic church and was receivd into the church this month because of ill health- I have said this before but never tire of sayng it – I never thought I could fall in love with a church but the miracle has happened and it still staggers me – LOL – I love this church and her reason for the season – Jesus Christ – Christmas this year is a life changing event for me and I see it in a compltely new way – thank you for your presence here –
hugs and God bless you
Melinda
I will pray for him, and ask St. Peregrine to add his own prayer for him at tonight’s Mass.