19 AUGUST 2025
Last Sunday at the aloha hour many of you spoke about how moving the high mass was. Many said high mass replenishes their soul each week. One person mentioned how when they are traveling, they truly miss high mass. Others said that in our turbulent society, they depend on Sundays at 11:00 am to ground them in God.
It was also on Sunday at the Aloha Hour that many of you were still relishing the beautiful Assumption BVM High Mass from last Friday. Others were disappointed they missed the Assumption due to secular obligations, and they resolved to not let that happen again. Thanks are due to the choir, servers, altar guild, flower guild, and reception hosts for their hard work in making our Assumption celebration rich in meaning.
Parishioners were also talking about the Saturday Vigil Mass at the Aloha Hour. Earlier this summer we resumed the Saturday Vigil Mass, but in a different way from the past. On Saturdays, Vespers is now chanted at 4:30 pm, and the Sung Vigil Mass with Benediction follows at 5:00 pm. The music is led by our organist and choirmaster, and incense is employed along with a full complement of acolytes. It is not as fulsome as the Sunday 11:00 am High Mass, but it is a close second choice. The conclusion of the Vigil Mass with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament crowns the evening.
This Saturday after the Vigil Mass and Benediction, there will be a drinks reception hosted by our Guild of St. Benedict. The St. Benedict’s Guild comprises those who are dedicated to praying the Liturgy of the Hours. The Guild commits to praying Vespers together on the Eve of Sundays, and at this Saturday’s reception the discussion will focus on the guild’s practice. All are welcome to attend.
As Christians, not only do we want numerical growth, but we desire growth that deepens faith and discipleship. I mentioned in the homily this past weekend that our wider society will not support us as we seek to deepen our faith, and that is why we need the church and each other. This is why we have the daily masses, theology colloquies, Bible Studies, the Rosary, Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, high masses on holy days, Latin Masses, and other offerings in addition to the Sunday masses.
Our faith calls us to increasingly engage God through prayer and study, and we are fortunate that we are able to offer multiple formation offerings. Many churches can only offer the minimum of Sunday worship. From the comments at the Aloha Hour last Sunday, it is obvious that many feel blessed by the multitude of ways St. Mark’s invites them to grow and deepen their faith in Jesus Christ.
Father Paul Lillie +
