Many faithful wrestle with this question, amid the latest news on the coronavirus. But perhaps answering the question, “Why should I go to Mass?” and understanding the blessings of encountering the real presence of Christ will offer the compelling reason to attend Mass in person.

Announcing: Be Renewed: a Eucharistic Initiative from the Diocese of San Diego

To help promote the understanding of the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, the diocese is launching a seven-week program to re-introduce the gifts received when attending Mass.

 “It is my deepest hope that these weeks will be for us all a time to grow in our love for and understanding of this most beautiful sacrament and, in doing so, come closer to the God who has bestowed upon us every blessing we know in this world,” Bishop Robert McElroy says. You will be able to hear his message next weekend starting at the Saturday vigil and then for all Sunday Masses on Sept. 11-12.

The first phase of the Bishop’s program will begin Saturday, Sept. 11th, and continue through Oct. 3.

On three consecutive weekends, recorded homilies will be presented at every parish on the following themes:

• Sept. 11-12: “The Eucharist is a direct personal encounter with Jesus Christ”
• Sept. 18-19: “The Eucharist is the sacrificial memorial of Christ’s passion, death and resurrection by which we have been redeemed”
• Sept. 25-26: “The Eucharist is the sacred meal that nurtures us, bonds us together and sends us forth to transform the world” (Sept. 26).

On the weekend of Oct. 2-3, our pastor will continue this focus in his homily, addressing the elements of the Eucharist that are important to our community at this moment.

In the second phase, our parish will hold “teaching Masses” during three weekends in October: 9-10, 16-17 and 23-24. At key moments in these Masses, the meaning and history of the rituals will be explained.

The recorded homilies will be available on the webpage sdcatholic.org/eucharist at noon on each of the Sundays they are presented, along with other resources. Please share them with fellow parishioners, friends, and family.