During this parish phase of the Eucharistic Revival, we will be enhancing our liturgical worship in different ways. Two aspects and parts of the liturgy which are given to us by Holy Mother Church that will be incorporated into our Sunday liturgies later this month are the Entrance Antiphon and the Communion Antiphon. These Antiphons are little scripture verses which prepare us for the liturgy about to be celebrated and are said or sung before the Processional hymn. You can find them on the pages where the readings for the Sunday begin. At St. James, we will have the Cantor sing them and then we will stand for the Processional hymn. These are beautiful scriptures which capture the essence of the readings and prayers for that particular day.
We will also be including some Eucharistic centered hymns each Sunday. By the end of the year, some of them will be part of our Catholic hymn knowledge and prayer. I hope that each of us, through exposure to these beautiful hymns, will deepen our love and devotion for Jesus in the Eucharist. Enhancing our liturgy brings out more of what the Church has given us through the centuries and today – bringing forth from the storeroom both the old and the new. (cf. Matthew 13:52)
HEALTH UPDATE
Last week I had a PET scan which showed that the cancer in my abdomen had not spread and that it was stable. While I was praying and hoping that it would be completely eradicated and no trace would be found, the news that we received was excellent and encouraging! The chemotherapy regimen is doing what it is supposed to be doing – keeping the cancer at bay and not allowing it to spread! Thank you for your prayers! They are working! I am still here and the side effects have been tolerable! Your prayers offer me great support and encouragement!
My present chemotherapy regimen is a three week cycle. At the beginning, I have an infusion and then I take oral chemo twice a day for two weeks. The third week is off. Then, I start the three weeks again. This is what is called palliative chemotherapy because there is really no end in sight right now. I’ll go through this cycle as long as the good Lord gives me!
THANK YOU!
Thank you for the many birthday wishes this past week! I am so happy to be alive and to be here with you at St. James! My whole being is filled with gratitude to Almighty God for keeping me here and giving you to me and me to you! I love you!
May you and your families have a wonderful week and may the blessings of Almighty God be showered upon you!
~ Fr. Daniel Firmin