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Pastoral Messages

Rights and Responsibilities

As we continue our journey of learning about Catholic Social Teaching, this month our focus is on the principle of Rights and Responsibilities.

This principle teaches us that, because every person, created in the image and likeness of God, possesses inherent dignity, they have fundamental rights that must be respected and protected.

These include the right to life, food, clothing, shelter, healthcare, education, meaningful work, and religious freedom. These rights are not earned or granted by society; they flow directly from our God-given worth.

At the same time, rights cannot be separated from responsibilities. Catholic Social Teaching reminds us that we are not isolated individuals, but members of families, communities, and a global human family. Therefore, we have responsibilities to respect the rights of others, care for the vulnerable, contribute to the common good, and act with justice and charity in our daily lives. Our responsibilities extend to our families, our workplaces, our parish, our nation, and the wider world.

Living out this principle calls us to both advocate for just structures that protect human rights and to examine our own choices and attitudes. As disciples of Christ, we are invited to promote a society where everyone’s dignity is honored and where love of neighbor guides both our rights and our responsibilities.

For more information, visit the USCCB site here.

Blessings this week,

~Deacon Jim

An Introduction to the Sunday Scriptures - June 7, 2026

“Whoever Eats My Flesh And Drinks My Blood Remains In Me And I In Him”

This Sunday celebrates our communion (participation) in the Body and Blood of Christ. It is commonly known as the Feast of Corpus Christi. It celebrates the real presence of Jesus in the gift of His body and blood that is the “source and summit of our Christian life.” (ccc 1324).

In our first reading (Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14-16), we hear Moses reminding the Israelites how God provided real food and real drink to sustain them in their sojourn through the desert. This bread and drink foreshadowed the true food and drink Jesus gives us through His Body and Blood. This is an association between the physical nourishment of the Mana with the spiritual nourishment we receive in the Eucharist.

In our Epistle reading (1 Corinthians 10:16-17), St. Paul reminds us that the cup we bless and the bread we break in the Mass is real participation (communion) in the Body and Blood of Christ. And in that participation, we become part of that one body—we are all one in Christ.

In our Gospel reading (John 6:51-58), we hear in Jesus’ own words what He means when He says that in order to have eternal life, we must eat His flesh and drink His blood. The Jewish crowds asked, “How can this be?.” For the people of Jesus’ day, it was certainly a very hard and disturbing thought. But Jesus doubled down and even used the word “eat” that corresponded with animal eating of flesh and not human consumption of food. Jesus didn’t mince His words; He meant what He said, “the one who feeds on me will have life because of me.”

The Body and Blood of Christ in the Eucharist, like any blessing, can be taken for granted and at times, seem routine. How often do we ponder the awesome gift and blessing in this Communion with God? How often do we give thought to the real, true presence of Jesus entering into and nourishing our bodies and our souls? Some people think it would be impossible for bread and wine to contain the true presence of Jesus. To this, we might ponder two questions: First, could Jesus, if He wanted to, transubstantiate bread and wine into His Body and Blood? The answer is, of course He could, He is God. Secondly, would Jesus want to do this? Again, the answer is, of course He would, He loves us beyond all measure and wants us to be like Him.

bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/060726.cfm

Women Enjoying Rediscovering Our Catholicism - Tuesdays at 9:00 am in Room 1
Sensory Friendly Mass - Sunday, June 14 at 5 pm
Men's Faith Group - Monday, June 15 at 7 pm in Room 1
Companions in Grief - Thursday, June 18 at 6:30 pm

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