Last letter posted on website by pastor: June 27, 2010

 

Letter from the Pastor - June 27, 2010

The People of St. James: Defenders of the Most Blessed Sacrament!

The people of St. James showed their love for the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist in a way in which I will never forget. I am so proud of our people and their faith in Our Lord. Here is what happened.

During Mass last Saturday evening, June 19th a man entered the church with an evil intention: he came to steal the Most Blessed Sacrament during the Mass. Several parishioners saw him place the Sacred Host in his pocket after receiving in the communion line. They approached him telling him they saw his desecration and told him to consume Our Lord. He refused and became belligerent causing a scene in church. Many parishioners (including a few teenagers!) approached him and told him to consume the Most Blessed Sacrament.

Officers from the Belvidere Police Department arrived to assist our people with the disturbance. I asked him if he did indeed have the Holy Eucharist in his pocket. He lied and said he did not have the Host. After many minutes of lies and agitation toward the very patient and kind police officers he was given a choice: give us the Holy Eucharist and walk away or be arrested and searched. He further lied and treated the officers shamefully. He was then arrested, searched and the Holy Eucharist was retrieved and consumed by me on the spot. Further sacrilege and desecration was prevented that evening by the faith-filled and vigilant people of the parish.

The faith of the people of St. James was incredibly inspiring to me. Our Lord is the greatest treasure we have as Catholics and the people of the parish were ready to defend Our Lord's dignity in the face of danger and threats. Dozens of parishioners remained after Mass witnessing to their desire that Our Lord Jesus Christ be kept from desecration. It was the best Father's Day gift I could ever have received.

God bless you,

Fr. Geary