Purification of Sacred Vessels - A Question Answered

It’s that time of year when our students have returned to campus and we will be training lectors and extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion. One aspect of this that comes up often is the purification of the sacred vessels, especially the chalices with which the EMHCs distribute the Precious Blood. The question has been asked, ‘Can lay persons purify the sacred vessels?’ The short answer is ‘no’. Here’s why:


From “Purification of Sacred Vessels by Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion”:

"On October 13, 2006 Bishop William Skylstad, President of the United
States Conference of Catholic Bishops, informed all Bishop members of
the conference that he had received a response to his request for an
extension of an indult permitting extraordinary ministers of Holy
Communion to assist with the purification of sacred vessels at Mass.

In a recent letter to the Conference President, Cardinal Francis Arinze,
Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the
Sacraments (Prot. no. 468/05/L), reported that he had brought the matter
to the attention of our Holy Father on June 9, 2006 and received a
response in the negative."

Cardinal Arinze’s letter can be accessed here.

In “Seven Questions on the Distribution of Holy Communion Under Both Kinds” it also states:

"5. Who then purifies the sacred vessels?
As ordinary ministers of Holy Communion, the Priest and the Deacon purify the sacred vessels.
The instituted acolyte, by reason of his office, “helps the priest or deacon to purify and arrange
the sacred vessels.”10 In the Dioceses of the United States of America, the ministry of
instituted acolyte, which is open only to men, is primarily made up of those preparing to
receive Holy Orders.11

6. May an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion assist in the purification of sacred
vessels?
In accord with the Holy Father’s recent decision, as reported in Cardinal Arinze’s letter of
October 12, 2006 (Prot. no. 468/05/L), an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion may not
assist in the purification of sacred vessels. This extraordinary ministry was created exclusively
for those instances where there are not enough ordinary ministers to distribute Holy Communion,
due to the consummate importance of assuring that the faithful have the opportunity to receive
Holy Communion at Mass, even when it is distributed under both species. (cf. RS, no. 102)."

So those are some references regarding this issue. Further information can be found in Redemptionis Sacramentum and the General Instruction of the Roman Missal.

Got another question?  Contact Kristen or Fr. Patrick at http://www.ccmin.org/.

They're Baaaaaack!

The invasion of the college students has begun! 

We've started off another great year here at CCM and had a great turn out for last night's Praise & Worship/Adoration evening.  Thirty students came to pray and adore the Lord in the Eucharist and it was a great way to start off our opening activities! 

Don't miss out on our other events:

Thursday, Aug. 26th @ 6:30 - Karaoke & BBQ at the Marquette Center

Sunday, Aug. 29th, 12pm-6pm:  Launch Retreat for new students

Wednesday, Sep. 1st @ 5:30: Love Your Neighbor Service Event - Meet at the Newman Center to carpool to a house to do yard work

Thursday, Sep. 2nd @ 8pm - Outdoor Coffeehouse - don't forget to sign up if you want to perform an act!

CCM Attends Church Teaches Forum 2010

Last weekend Fr. Patrick, Kristen and two students attended the Church Teaches Forum in Kentucky.  Speakers in attendance were Archbishop Raymond Burke, Archbishop Joseph Kurtz, Bishop James Timlin, Fr. Edmund McCaffrey and Fr. Roger Arnsparger.  All gave wonderful presentations and/or homilies.  Below are a few quotes from the Forum along with some photos:

Abp Burke:  "The Heart of Jesus is ever open to receive us in the Eucharistic sacrifice."

Fr. Arnsparger: "Living in the truth always brings the joy for which Jesus prayed." (John 15:10-11: If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.)

Bishop Timlin: "Holiness is the goal of the Christian life."

Abp Kurtz: "Trust in God will lead to an understanding of truth.", "Friendships in their depth will always connect with sacrifice."

Fr. McCaffrey: "To know what is right and not do it is the worst kind of cowardice", "Courage permits valor in doing what is right."

CCM Student Alex greeting Archbishop Burke at the dinner Friday evening.

The CCM group with Bishop James Timlin of the Diocese of Scranton.














On our way back from the Forum we decided to stop by St. Meinrad Archabbey where some of our diocesan seminarians are/will be attending seminary.  What a beautiful place!

 Cory, Fr. Patrick and Alex in front of the Archabbey at the seminary.  Simply beautiful!

We were pleased to run into Fr. Ciprian, Church historian and Benedictine monk, before Vespers began.  It's always uplifting to hear monks chant the Liturgy of the Hours!

Summer 2010 = CCM Wedding Extravaganza!

Congrats to John and Christy (Spencer) Moore on their wedding last weekend!  This is the summer for CCM weddings!

CCM Weddings for 2010:
Travis & Michelle
Justin & Sarah
John & Christy
Anthony & Chelsea (upcoming!)

I didn't realize that we are apparently also running a dating service! haha!

Another southeast Missouri native professes religious vows!

Congratulations to Sr. Libby Beussink, T.O.R. on her temporary profession of vows with the Franciscan Sisters, T.O.R., of Penance of the Sorrowful Mother!  We love the T.O.R. Sisters!

More CCM students featured in SEMO's "Southeast Spotlight"

CCM students continue to be recognized by the university on the Southeast Spotlight area of the university website.  Check out these CCM students and graduates who have been featured recently:

Hannah Korte
Jamie Litteken
Denise Schmidt
Rita Jo Dirnberger
Joseph Ramos
Kelli Foster

Congrats to all our students!  It is quite a testament to all our students who continue to be featured in this and other publications - we are so blessed to have such wonderful students at CCM who are striving to become the people God has made them to be!

CCM on Life on the Rock

Thanks to everyone who tuned in to Life on the Rock for our appearance!  If you missed the show be sure to check it out below.  Also, the show can be purchased on DVD or audio CD from the EWTN Religious Catalogue here. 

Announcing Mr. and Mrs. Justin Moore!

Congratulations to Justin and Sarah (Orlovsky) Moore!  What a beautiful Nuptial Mass last Saturday and a rockin' reception!  We pray that God will bless your marriage abundantly!  Feel free to name your first daughter "Kristen" and your first son "Patrick"! 

Attention Theology of the Body enthusiasts!  You can keep up with what is happening at the Theology of the Body Congress this week by following their posts on Twitter here! You can find out info about the TOB Congress at http://www.tobcongress.com/

AMDG - For the Greater Glory of God

These college students share how they use their talents to glorify God and which saints inspire them in doing so:


Saints from Cory Heimann on Vimeo.


LikableArt

CCM to Appear on EWTN's Life on the Rock

CCM just returned from a trip to EWTN to tape an episode of Life on the Rock!  Our show will air on August 5th at 7pm central time.  Check it out and let us know what you think! Here are some photos from the trip:

Fr. Patrick, Kristen and three of our students (Stephanie, Stacie and Kelli) with Fr. Mark Mary and Doug Barry after taping our episode of Life on the Rock.

The girls at the entrance to the network.

CCMers with Chelsea Zimmerman, the guest for the live airing of Life on the Rock following our taping on July 8th.   Chelsea was paralyzed several years ago following a car accident and currently runs a blog about her life and her opposition to embryonic stem cell research.  You can check out her blog at http://reflectionsofaparalytic.com/

The girls with Mother Angelica... ok, ok.... The girls with a picture of Mother Angelica.

The girls at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville, AL. It was absolutely beautiful!  This is where our former students, Sr. Kateri and Sr. Edith live a life of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.  What a blessing! 














It was a great trip!  Thanks to everyone at Life on the Rock and EWTN!  We especially thank Jill for inviting us on the show!  Be sure to tune in to EWTN on Thursday, August 5th at 7pm central to watch our episode! 

FOCUS Conference 2011

Some of our students attended the National Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) Conference last January in Florida.  All reported having a great time!  We want to encourage more students to attend one of the FOCUS Conferences again next January!  This time around FOCUS will be having four conferences throughout the month of January spread throughout the country:  one in Denver, St. Paul, Nashville and Baltimore.  Obviously the closest one for our students to attend would be in Nashville the weekend of January 28-30.  You can find out more info such as speakers and entertainment, registration cost, etc. at this website:  http://focusconference.org/nashville
I definitely encourage you to attend if you can!  It's a great weekend to pray, learn and meet awesome new friends! 

Defend Marriage!

The USCCB has added a new website about marriage.  Check it out!  It has great information, a well-written FAQ page, videos, documents, etc.  Lots of info to help you understand the Church's teaching on marriage - it's beautiful, builds up the human person and the common good, and teaches us who we are as male and female!
USCCB: Defense of Marriage
USCCB - Marriage: Unique for a Reason

Demand Your Dignity - Don't Believe the Lies

Great message  - guys telling girls that they're beautiful just the way they are; that they deserve better than to be treated like an object - very Theology of the Body!:


Thanks to Sr. Helena!

Congrats, Sr. Edith Marie!

Many congrats to Sr. Edith Marie of Our Lady, Ark of the Covenant (Thuy Ha) upon receiving the habit!  We're very proud of both of our former students who are currently novices with the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration in Hanceville, AL!  Above is a photo of Sr. Kateri and Sr. Edith following Sr. Edith's investiture.

Following is the reflection presented to Sr. Edith Marie at the investiture:

You have received the holy habit of the Poor Clare Nuns of Perpetual Adoration.

With this habit, you have taken on a journey in faith.  Like Abraham, you have left home and family in obedience to God's call, and you travel now toward an unseen land of promise, flowing with all good gifts.  Like St. Paul, you strain forward toward Christ, your goal. 

With this habit, you have taken on publicly the life and responsibility of this community before God an all who are here to witness and celebrate this joyful event in anticipation of the day when you will profess the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience for which you now prepare.

• By the grace of God, you have undertaken to live the life set down by the Rule of St. Clare, the Constitutions of the Poor Clare Nuns of Perpetual Adoration, and the customs of this house.

• By the grace of God, you have undertaken a life of adoration, of prayer and of penance for the sake of the world for which Christ died and rose, and for which he lives to make intercession at the right hand of the Father.

The life you have undertaken is one you share with those who have lived it before you and those who will live it with you.  You now wear the habit of your Sisters, the community of the Poor Clare Nuns of Perpetual Adoration at Our Lady of the Angels Monastery. 

• Like these, your Sisters, you have left home, family, possessions, to journey in Christ, to Christ, and for Christ. 

• With these, your Sisters, you have accepted His invitation to live a life in common, to work in common, to pray in common. 

• From these your Sisters, you will receive the help and support of prayer, of love, and of the example of fidelity to this life, which some here have lived for a short time, some for many years.

• We are here with you, and we will not leave you to travel alone.

• With you, we all journey in the company of a great cloud of witnesses - St. Francis and St. Clare, the Franciscans of all ages, Mother Marie Claire and all her Poor Clare Nuns of Perpetual Adoration in many lands.  They are our inspiration, our guides and our companions on the way.  Look to them for help. 

In a moment, you will receive the new names by which God has chosen to call you.  With His cloud of witnesses, visible and invisible, around you, may you journey in peace and in joy, under the protection of your new patron saints, and with Mary, the Mother of Christ, and your Mother to show you the way.

Being Good Stewards of the Gifts We Have Received

This is a great article by Fr. Michael Monshau, O.P. about responsible use of the education one has received.   Definitely check it out - especially all you recent grads and soon-to-be grads!
I loved this line: "It is sometimes said that Dominican superiors, whose role finds them frequently welcoming community members back to the priory with newly acquired academic degrees, remind their returning scholars 'You were not sent to study so that another diploma can grace your office wall. You were sent to study so that you will be better equipped to place yourself in service to the Church.'"

Yes, priests are cool...

This is awesome.  This video is of a priest skydiving in his cassock! How cool is that!?  He is the chaplain to the paratrooper brigade of the French Foreign Legion:

Thanks to Marcel.

Sr. Thuy receiving Franciscan Habit

Sr. Thuy Ha, a CCM alumn, will be receiving the habit of the Poor Clares in Hanceville, Alabama this Saturday.  Please keep her in your prayers as she takes this next big step in her life. 

Come with Us to the Church Teaches Forum 2010!

The Church Teaches Forum 2010

Friday, August 13 & Saturday, August 14 

Speakers include:

Archbishop Raymond L. Burke.

Fr. Roger Arnsparger

Bishop James C. Timlin

Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz

Fr. Edmund McCaffrey

The Forum will be held at Fern Valley Conference Center in

Louisville, Kentucky.

If any CCM students are interested in attending please contact Fr. Patrick or Kristen.

At left, Archbishop Burke celebrates Mass in Rome with Fr. Patrick and CCM students during our pilgrimage to Italy in the summer of 2009.

Soccer Star Studying for Priesthood

Several students who are planning the upcoming Awakening Retreat were in town this weekend to get a head start on retreat details, but one thing they did (particularly the guys) was to watch a soccer game on Saturday.  So in honor of their soccer hysteria and the recently concluded Year for Priests, check out this interview with Chase Hilgenbrinck, a pro soccer star turned seminarian: