PASTORAL LETTER
ADVENT 2004
Dear Reverend Father,
As we enter into a new Liturgical Year with First Sunday of Advent I think it is appropriate to bring to your mind the fact that the Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, has declared this year a special one dedicated to the Eucharist. He has written to the whole Church a special Apostolic Letter inaugurating this special year, entitled Mane nobiscum, Domine ('Stay with us, Lord'). I am happy to send you, herewith, a copy of that letter, together with a document from the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments with some helpful suggestions as to how we might live out, in pastoral terms, the spirit of this year of grace.
I would be most grateful, Father, if you would do everything possible during this year to catechise, harness and enthuse your faithful by establishing programmes at parish level so that all may come to a greater understanding of the mystery of this wonderful sacrament and may prepare the Sunday Liturgy as a fitting community celebration where all may feel engaged and committed. The Holy Father in his Letter, while encouraging us all to celebrate the Sunday Liturgy in a fitting manner and to engage, with our People, in Eucharistic Adoration, writes: "If the only result of this year were the revival in all Christian communities of the celebration of Sunday Mass and the increase in Eucharistic worship outside Mass, this Year of grace would be abundantly successful. At the same time, it is good to aim high, and not to be content with mediocrity, since we know we can always count on God's help" (M.N.D. 29).
As I send this letter of the Holy Father to you, Father, let it be for you and the faithful of your Parish my Advent Pastoral Letter. May this Advent period be one of great grace in the Lord for you and may your priestly ministry always draw strength and inspiration from your daily encounter with your Eucharistic Lord