Worship Jesus & Praying the Mass with Fr. Ben

Hello everyone!

Father Mike and I were recently at the annual clergy congress, when all the priests of our diocese gather for a few days to pray and reflect upon how we can best continue serving you, the Body of Christ, as your priests.

For a few years now, the parishes of our diocese have collectively embarked on a journey of renewed discipleship. This unique four-phase journey began back in 2016 (I was still a seminarian!) with the “Discover Jesus” phase. During this time we engaged some of the most basic elements of our faith—like “who is Jesus,” “what did he teach and do,” and “why does that matter to me as an individual?”

Then, in 2018, we began the second phase, “Follow Jesus.” During this phase, we went into the nitty gritty of “what does it look like to take up one’s cross and follow Jesus?” The third phase was originally supposed to begin in 2020, but as you know, 2020 was a very… uniquely difficult year, which posed very unexpected challenges.

Now, having weathered the storm together, the time is right to engage phase three, “Worship Jesus,” a phase which Fr. Mike and I are very excited to share with you. During this time, we will focus on the centrality of the Eucharist and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, which is our main point of contact with Christ’s Paschal Mystery, the most marvelous, mystical, and important event in all of history—yes, even eclipsing Creation itself!

During this time, we will focus on how to truly pray the Mass and render rightful worship to our Eucharistic Lord, entering deeply into the core and purpose of our very being.

The road ahead fills us, your priests, with great eagerness and zeal! We consider it a privilege and blessing to make such a journey with you all!

See you around,

Fr. Ben