Ask Deacon Mike

Happy New Year!

Before I say anything else I want to express my gratitude to the entire parish for your many expressions of kindness and affection during the Christmas season. Your cards and gifts (and especially the cookies) are greatly appreciated. I have said it before and I will say it again: This is a great assignment! I cannot imagine myself anywhere except here at St. Philip Neri. Your faith inspires me. Your affection humbles me. I give praise and thanksgiving to Almighty God everyday for allowing me to be part of this parish community. I also want to express my appreciation to the Altar Servers for their diligence and reverence during the Christmas Masses. I also want to personally thank and congratulate our parish choirs and other musicians for their dedication and for sharing their talents with us. Our ministers of hospitality and ushers made our visitors feel welcome, that is important. I must also thank Fr. Bob Roncase for his leadership and most of all his friendship. St. Philip Neri parish is tremendously blessed to have such a good and caring and talented pastor.

I recently received a letter from a parishioner telling me that she had seen a notice in the bulletin about the parish chapel. She did not know we even had one. Well, she is not alone. Our chapel seems to be a well kept secret and I would like to change that.

We have a beautiful chapel. The Catholic Encyclopedia says that a chapel is a “place of worship with a separate altar in a cathedral, a large church, an institution (school, convent, prison, rectory, hospital, etc.). The principal difference between a church and a chapel is that a church is for the use of all of the faithful while a chapel, according to cannon law, benefits some particular community or assembly of the faithful (can.1223).” However, in more recent times that smaller community or assembly also consists of those who attend daily Mass or who seek other opportunities for quiet prayer and reflection. There is also a practical benefit to the chapel beyond what is stated above. The chapel is much easier and less expensive to maintain (heating / air conditioning) than a big church.

Our chapel sits on the left side of the rectory as you go up the drive. It is open every day from 8:00 AM until 3:00 PM (It closes at 7:00 PM during Lent.). Mass is celebrated every weekday (except Wednesday) at 8:00 AM. The Wednesday daily Mass is offered at 7:00 PM in the main church.

Our chapel holds about fifty to sixty people. It is open for those who would like to stop by for prayer and quiet time in the presence of our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. The chapel has a tabernacle where the Eucharist is always held in repose. Just like in any other church the same reverence should be shown in the chapel. One should always genuflect or bow when coming into the presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.

It can also be used for small weddings or funerals and other prayer services. The Stations of the Cross can also be prayed in the chapel. The rosary is prayed in the chapel on Saturday mornings after the 8:00 AM Mass. It is a space that offers a more intimate setting than the cavernous main church. You can enter through the chapel through the front door or through the glass door to the right of the chapel.

We are in the process of renovating the chapel right now. New paint has been applied. The crucifix behind the altar has been highlighted with golden rays hand painted on the cobalt blue front wall. The statures in the chapel will also be highlighted with the same gold rays. New chairs have been ordered for added comfort for those who come to Mass or just want to stop in for a visit.

If you have never seen our chapel, or if it has been a while since you have been in it, please stop by sometime. I think you will be impressed with its simplicity and beauty. While no date has been set for the completion of the renovations I am sure we will hear more about the chapel when all of the work is concluded.

I would like to remind you that I am always looking for questions or topics to discuss in my monthly bulletin piece. Just send them to me at deaconmikefranks@comcast.net or drop a note in the collection basket or send it to the rectory to my attention. Once again, I wish you a very happy New year. I love you all. Deacon Mike.