A Note From Our Pastor: September 13, 2026

Years ago, a parishioner explained to me that she and her family had gone to Mass while on vacation in another state. She said that at some point in the Mass (perhaps the homily), the priest explained something like this: “I remind you, that if you are not in a state of grace (meaning, currently bearing the burden of mortal sin) that you are encouraged to not receive Holy Communion until you confess your sins and amend your life (meaning that you intend to stop committing that sin)”.

The parishioner who explained this to me was a lifelong Catholic and based upon my observations, a faithful Catholic who loves Jesus and his Church. At the same time, she was offended by what she considered to be a rather severe judgment by that priest and his intention to separate people from Communion.

I can appreciate how she felt and that those words may sound severe. But it begs the question: Are there sins that we could (or do) commit that put us in conflict with the gift of the Holy Eucharist?

I think of St. Paul’s words to the Christians of Corinth: “As often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes. Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will have to answer for the body and blood of the Lord. A person should examine himself, and so eat the bread and drink the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body, eats and drinks judgment on himself” (1 Cor 11:26-29).

Regarding that priest’s words, I asked myself: As one who is called to be a shepherd of God’s people, am I really loving them and guiding them, if I simply ignore the fact that some sins we commit may be grave in nature and put us in such a state that our hearts cannot even receive the grace our Lord would wish to give us in the Holy Eucharist?

I’ve received comments from parishioners, curious about having noticed at Spanish Mass that many adults do not receive Holy Communion. As I explained, those folks have self-evaluated that they are not ready to receive our Lord in Communion. I appreciate that humility and would want those individuals to know of God’s love for them, despite whatever sin they might be struggling with.

Contrary to that way of thinking, perhaps some of us can see the Eucharist as something to which we are entitled, and that pride can impel us to ignore whatever way we may be best served to abstain until we can amend our lives. May God’s enduring love and mercy be our strength and the medicine against pride.

Yours in Christ,

Father Todd O. Strange