Parish of the Visitation 192 Sandford Street | New Brunswick NJ, 08901
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Welcome Parish of the Visitation 192 Sandford Street | New Brunswick NJ, 08901
From the Pastor’s Desk
Some years ago somebody asked me, why we don’t use little plastic cups for communion like they do in a Protestant church she visited? The real question should have been, why do they use these disposable “shot glasses” for the Precious Blood? Why indeed? It has to do with the real nature of the Most Holy Eucharist. Catholic Christians as well as Orthodox, Coptic, Oriental, Armenian…Churches with Apostolic succession…believe in the Real Presence of Our Lord, body, soul humanity and divinity — the entire Christ — is present in substance in the forms of bread and wine.
If this is so, God, creator of the universe, and our Lord and Savior and the Holy Spirit is present in a little piece of bread and a bit of wine, then we should show these elements the utmost respect and care. That is why you should be free of sin to receive Him prayerfully and with respect. That is why we fast for an hour before receiving communion, that includes chewing gum. That is why we meditate quietly and pray afterwards. That is why the priest and deacon take care in purifying the sacred vessels to make sure that all particles and every drop are consumed properly. That is why we reserve the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle: for communion to the sick and dying and for adoration.
One person said that she thinks that when she goes to the Protestant church that “it’s the same thing”. If so, why don’t they have a tabernacle? Why do they dispose of the “wine” down the drain? Not to say that our friends do not have a significant experience, but is it Real? According to the theology of the Protestant churches it is a symbol or a representation, meaning that it is not real.
The 20th century author Flannery O’Connor defended the Holy Eucharist by saying, “If it’s just a symbol, then I say the hell with it.” She had a point. If it’s just a symbol why bother? But, St Paul reports what he received from Jesus himself, "This is my body that is for you…this cup is the new covenant in my blood.”
Prepare to receive your Lord and Savior properly and devotedly. No gum. Pray and contemplate what you are doing before Mass. Make an intention and ask the Lord to come into your heart and soul and never leave you. ______________________________________________________________ Hace unos años alguien me preguntó ¿por qué no usamos vasitos plásticos para la comunión como lo hacen en una iglesia protestante que visitó? Una mejor pregunta seria, ¿por qué usan esos vasitos de plástico desechables para la Sangre de Cristo? De hecho ¿por qué? Tiene que ver con la verdadera naturaleza de la Santísima Eucaristía. Cristianos Católicos, Ortodoxos, Coptos, Orientales, Armenios ... Iglesias con sucesión apostólica ... creemos que la presencia real de nuestro Señor, cuerpo, alma, humanidad y divinidad, el Cristo entero, está presente en lo esencial en las formas de pan y vino.
Si es verdad, que Dios, el creador del universo, y nuestro Señor y Salvador está presentes en un pequeño trozo de pan y un poco de vino, entonces debemos mostrarle a estos elementos el mayor respeto y cuidado. Es por eso que debes estar libre de pecado para recibirlo en oración y con respeto. Por eso ayunamos durante una hora antes de recibir la comunión, incluyendo chicle de mascar. Es por eso que meditamos en silencio y oramos después. Es por eso que el sacerdote y el diácono se encargan de purificar los cálices sagrados para asegurarse de que todas las partículas y cada gota se consuman correctamente. Por eso reservamos el Santísimo Sacramento en el tabernáculo: para llevárselo a los enfermos y moribundos y para la adoración.
Otra persona me dijo que piensa que cuando va a la iglesia protestante que "es lo mismo". Si es así, ¿por qué no tienen un tabernáculo? ¿Por qué botan el “vino” por el desagüe? No es decir que nuestros amigos no tengan una experiencia significativa, pero ¿es real? De acuerdo con la teología de las iglesias protestantes, es un símbolo o una representación, lo que significa que no es real.
La autora del siglo XX, Flannery O'Connor defendió la Santisima Eucaristía diciendo: "Si es solo un símbolo, entonces digo ¿qué importa?” Ella tenía razón. Si es sólo un símbolo, ¿para qué molestarse? Pero San Pablo nos transmite lo que recibió del mismo Jesús: "Esto es mi cuerpo, que se entrega por ustedes…Este cáliz es la nueva alianza que se sella con mi sangre.”
Prepárate para recibir a tu Señor y Salvador como es debido y con devoción. Sin goma de mascar. Ora y contempla sobre lo que vas a hacer antes de la misa. Haz una intención y pídele al Señor que entre tu corazón y tu alma y nunca te abandone.
Saturday:3:00 PM to 3:45 PM Or by appointment @ St. Mary
Please call the Parish Office for any other questions (Favor de llamar a la oficina parroquial para cualquier inquietud)
Weekday Masses
Monday 12:10 PM English - St. Mary's; followed by St Jude Novena
(M Tu W Th & F) - 12:10 PM (English) - St. Mary's - (Suspended during Summer)
(M, Tu, W, Th, F & Sa) - 8:00 AM (English) -St. Mary's
(M, W, Th, F) - 6:00 AM (Spanish) - St. Mary's
Tuesday 7:00 PM (Spanish) at St. John's
Friday 7:00 PM (Spanish) - St. Mary's; followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament (Adoración al Santisimo)
Weekend Masses
4:00 pm in English – St. Mary’s - Saturday
7:00 pm in Spanish - St. Mary’s - Saturday
5:30 pm in English - St. Theresa’s -Saturday
9:00 am in Spanish –St. John’s - Sunday
8:30 am in English - St. Mary's - Sunday
11:00 am in English -St. Mary’s - Sunday
1:00 pm in Spanish - St. Mary’s - Sunday
6:00 pm in English - St. Mary’s - Sunday
Food for Thought
Candle Offering
The cost of having a lamp lit is $20 for the week.
Please contact the Parish Office for availability. Thank you!
Spreading the Word
Each talent not developed is bud that never opens to reveal its beauty and fragrance. I stand accountable for developing the talents I have been given. How do I return to the Lord the uniqueness that is me through my compassion? My artistic gifts? My organizational ability?
Why Give?
We don't give because we have an abundance of resources and can afford it; we give because of a desire to share what we have with others out of love and gratitude.