Category Archives: Uncategorized

Abba, Father, watch and guide us. Our world is in a heap of trouble right now. The evil one has taken over the hearts, souls and minds of many, in every attempt to defeat you. Keep us strong, give us courage, keep us steadfast in our faith. Father, it is so hard to pray for those who have been consumed by evil, we want the head of the serpent to be cut off. We want to hate those that have killed our brothers and sisters, and yes, the evil one wants us to let that hate manifest. Fill our minds with you, Father, that the evil one is cast out through our prayer to you. Amen.

written by: Mary Anne O’Shea

November 15, 2015

I don’t go to church.  I have heard so much in the last months on social media, in the news, on the radio: “I am not into religion”, “I don’t need to go to church to be a good Christian”,  “I read the Bible, why go to church?” and on and on and on.

I don’t go to church.  I belong to a church, the Catholic Church.  I go to a building each day, which could be called a church building, but what I actually do is attend and participate in the sacrifice of the Mass every day, and am blessed to receive Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist.  I go because I love my faith, not because I feel I am obligated to go.  I agree with those who say “I don’t need to go to church to be a good Christian”.  Going to church does not prove anything to anyone.  God knows who we are, that is for sure.

Attending Mass is different than ‘going to church’.  It is something I can hardly wait for each day, whether it is the 7:30 Mass, the 9am Mass or the lunchtime Mass at the Basilica.   I’ve learned that when I participate in the Mass, I am the one who receives the blessing, who receives the grace. I’m not attending Mass in order to please others, or to follow any rule book.  I go because I love the Mass and the fact that I can receive my daily bread there.   I never tire of the prayers, I have been saying them since I was a little girl. I love the celebration of the Eucharist, the celebration of the consecration of the bread and wine.  Not symbolic for me – it truly is Christ, right there in our midst.  Just waiting for us to come and receive his gift.