I often make mention in the homily the importance of the bread and win offered for the Celebration of the Eucharist. I point out that wheat doesn't become bread on its own. It takes human participation. Grapes don't merely pop off the vine and become wine. It takes human participation. Such is our presence in the Kingdom of God. We are called to participate.

       When we come to mass, we are more than spectators. We make offerings. These offerings include the prayer intentions we present to God, the life experience and the good that we do, and yes, the financial offering for the support not only of our local community, but Christ's Church as a whole.

       We then invoke the Holy Spirit upon these gifts through the action of the priest and the prayers of the people. This part of the Mass is called the Epiclesis. It is here that we claim that all that is offered is offered to God and nothing is held back. We would never use the name of God in vain by offering less than what is worthy of Him... would we?

       When I arrive at a parish, I am often asked many things from parishioners concerning the priestly ministry to which I was ordained and how I would apply myself to it. One of the most frequent questions was, "Are you going to be constantly asking for money?" My answer to that would be the same as either of the other parts of the offering. I ask for prayers. I ask for witness of Christ in your jobs and your daily activities. And yes, I ask for the support of this parish.

       Our parish has no debt. However, this was not merely good management, but moreover because some very generous people continue to carry the load for others who might not be able to participate as they would like. We are maintaining the property and obligations. However, repairs are always needed - repairs for the parking lot, to the roof, to the exterior of the buildings. We offer all of this to God. But prayer is nothing more than wishful thinking if we are not doing all that we can. We must continually challenge ourselves with this questions: "Is the sacrifice we give individually really worthy of being offered to God?" Are some of us allowing others to take on our individual responsibility when we can really make the effort to offer what is worthy of God? Will the Eucharist remain merely "food for thought?"

     We also are not looking for good looking "real estate." Our material posessions must be used for the glory of the Lord. The members of the Finance Council can also be found doing what they were baptized to do. They not only manage the material assets of the parish. They participate in worship and ministry. If they can do this and spend other time in ministries, a challenge is raised as to what each of us does in the parish.

     All is for the worship and glory of God in thanksgiving for what He has already done for us through the Sacrifice of His only Son and the Presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives.