From the Desk of Father Nathan

St Gabriel Catholic Church | Pompano Beach
God Bless You All

From the Desk of Father Nathan | September 20, 2020

A Message from Father Nathan

My dearest people who are all close to my heart!

Love and lots of prayers to you.

The Power of Attending Mass

The Sunday – our day of obligation has been inculcated as our duty, as our obligation…in a way, it is right but in a larger way IT IS NOT.

Last week we had a deanery priests meeting. The priests of the deanery were able to discuss the various challenges that we have at this time of the pandemic situations and we discussed the means to reach out to people to bring them back to the church who could and are capable of coming back to the church.

One of the discussions was that we have NOT taught the people the meaning of the Mass. I was in total consent toward it.

Our faithful were taught to keep up their day of obligation which is great. This obligation has inculcated out of fear or as the duty as the obligation…in a way, it is right but in a larger way IT IS NOT.

Sunday Mass, the day of obligation or any Mass for that manner, if you are going to participate after understanding the role of the Mass in our life.

I believe that is what it has to be. The Eucharist or the Mass the center of our faith and the Church circles around the altar. The minute you take away the Eucharist from the Church, the Church would die, because the Church lives by altar the Eucharist.

Understanding The Power of the Mass

The faithful need to understand that at the Mass,

  • our sins are being pardoned, the Lord speaks to us in person
  • we offer petitions to the Lord
  • our life –  we offer ourselves to the Lord which is embodied with joys and sorrows
  • The Lord dies on the altar of the cross and shares His own self to the Church
  • We partake of the great banquet 
  • And finally, after receiving his blessing and strength we disperse to places to meet the challenges as well as to show Christ to the world.

 

Our lives and the life of the Church is celebrated at the Church. Hence, it is best to know Him and enjoy Him. The Mass, if for each and every one of our souls. I am extremely glad that lots of our people do like to come and partake in the great celebration. May God bless you all.

I am extending the invitation for all those who are discerning to come back, please do so. We need Jesus in our lives. Maybe next week I would deal with how we can offer ourselves at the altar.

 

With lots of love and blessing,

Ever at your service.

 

—Fr. Sahayanathan Nathan

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Past Messages from Father Nathan

From The Desk Of Father Nathan | March 28, 2021

From The Desk Of Father Nathan | March 28, 2021

Holy Week is also called “Passion Week” begins on Palm Sunday and continues to Easter Sunday. Holy Week provided an opportunity for all the faithful to reflect on their personal sinfulness and their need for Christ and His sacrifice on our behalf.

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From The Desk Of Father Nathan | March 21, 2021

From The Desk Of Father Nathan | March 21, 2021

This is the year of Saint Joseph December 8, 2020, is the 15th anniversary of the Declaration of Saint Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church. Pope Francis issued an Apostolic Letter entitled Patris corde (“With a Father’s Heart”).

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From The Desk Of Father Nathan | March 14, 2021

From The Desk Of Father Nathan | March 14, 2021

What is Holy Mass?
What we do and why do we do this?

Vatican II, bulletin 1324 said the following: – The Eucharist is “the source and summit of the Christian life.” 136 ‘the other sacraments and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented towards it.

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From The Desk Of Father Nathan | March 7, 2021

From The Desk Of Father Nathan | March 7, 2021

What is the Sacrament of Confession? Why do we need confession? What are the benefits of going to confession? The Sacrament of Confession is one of the most unique and beautiful aspects of Catholicism. Jesus Christ, in His abundant love and mercy, established the Sacrament of Confession so that we as sinners can obtain forgiveness for our sins and reconcile with God, our neighbors, and the Church.

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From The Desk Of Father Nathan | February 28, 2021

From The Desk Of Father Nathan | February 28, 2021

The Mysteries of our Faith. As the Lenten Season has started please make all the efforts possible to participate in the liturgy and other pious activities of the church. These are the ways and means we are able to understand the mystery of Christ…

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