Ciborium

(Photo taken in Rome, May 2010 by Sharon Willoughby)

Saint Peter's Basilica High Altar, Rome Italy
The Baldachino Altar
Where Masses are offered by Pontiff throughout the Year
Saint Peter's Basilica, Rome, Italy

~The Ciborium~

A sacred cup-like vessel that holds the Hosts once they have been consecrated.
It is similar to the chalice but covered and larger,
used to distribute Holy Communion to the faithful.
It is also used to keep the consecrated particles
of the Blessed Sacrament in the Tabernacle.
Like the chalice and paten,
it must be made of a precious metal and consecrated by a bishop.
The interior is commonly gold or gold-plated.
Its distinguishing feature from the chalice is that it is raised in the middle,
so that the remaining blessed particles may be removed easily.
Also synonymous with the baldachino
as the dome shaped permanent canopy over a high altar,
supported by columns and shaped like an inverted cup.
Modern Catholic Dictionary
Fr. John A, Hardon, S.J.

DOVES and Father Vaccaro September 3rd, 2011 Workshop

"The Privilege of Being DOVES"

September 3rd, 2011 First Saturday
Workshop with Father Vaccaro

Father visited us with an important talk entitled,
"The privilege of being DOVES"

"The most important work we can do is the work of DOVES",
Father began to a very attentive group of daughters,
who were so eager to answer his questions about what it is the DOVES exactly do.

Meghan responded that we 'prepare for the Mass'.
Theresa added that 'we get the chalice ready for Mass'.
Father reminded us to remember to place the Tabernacle key
on his chalice so that he is able to open the tabernacle before Holy Communion.
Father impressed upon us that the work of the DOVES is the work of being close to our Eucharistic Lord and serving His real presence before, during and after the Holy Mass.

Marianna mentioned how 'we clean and iron the linens for the Mass'.
Father reviewed with the daughters why the names are so special for each of the linens.
The corporal is the larger cloth placed on the altar where the bread and wine are consecrated. The purificator is the cloth placed over the chalice.
Father asked why the linens are cared for differently and in such a special way.
Marianna answered that our Lord may be on them because He is there,
'Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity'.

Avila offered that 'DOVES pray!'
Father added that when DOVES pray before and after Mass together,
we model to the parish community the importance of preparing our hearts and minds
before the Mass; as well as, offering thanksgiving after Mass, for the gift of our Eucharistic Lord. He reminded us of that we should 'pray the Mass', to come early and to leave late.

Father mentioned the importance of coming to Mass dressed to see our King.
When he mentioned dressing modestly, the daughters agreed enthusiastically.
Marianna mentioned how sometimes we may have an emergency that prevents us
from dressing well, but that is not very often.
Father encouraged DOVES to not serve if they are ever faced with such an emergency
that would keep them from preparing and dressing in dignity for Mass.
DOVES dress DOVELY!

Kaitlyn also offered how 'we clean the Adoration Chapel' once a week.
So many mothers and daughters have been gathering all summer on Fridays to clean the chapel and replace the sanctuary candles that surround the Monstrance.

Most importantly, Father spoke about how DOVES work with the holiest of things,
because what we handle and serve are the closest materials that are near to our Lord.
The Chalice only holds the Consecrated Species of our Lord.
The duties of the DOVES express our interior love of God.
All that we do is based on our love of God.

Before Father completed his talk,
he invited the us to consider three important ways of serving and growing as DOVES:

Firstly, when we come forward to offer our thanksgiving after Mass, invite other daughters from other families who are not DOVES to come up and pray the 'Anima Christi' with us.
Remembering to bring our 'prayer companions' so other daughters may read along with us would be helpful. Also, we are hoping to make little, 'Anima Christi' cards to give to any daughters we invite.

Secondly, when we go to the sacristy to assist after our prayers, to remember to move purposefully and silently. Leading others by example will help keep the sacristy quiet so that the priest may complete his time in prayer, while we serve.

And most especially, when we offer our prayers before Mass, we should offer a special intention for that Mass. If we do not have any we can think of, we may ask him and he will give us an intention for the Mass. Kaela offered that her 'mother is going to have a baby so that is going to keep her busy for a while', as a prayer intention.

Our time together ended with the Angelus, lead by Father at noon.
The daughters shared their Oreo cookies with him, and he in turn, practiced removing the center perfectly without effort! We all had such a blessed time together hearing from our good shepherd, Father Vaccaro. He promises to come each First Saturday, as his schedule permits.

Mass of the Sacred Heart
First Friday, September 2nd, 2011
DOVES offer the Anima Christi prayer of Thanksgiving after Mass

Mass of the Sacred Heart
Altar Sons

August 28, 2011

Commitment Sunday
Inviting parish mothers and daughters to join the DOVES

DOVES Workshop First Saturday August 6th Holy Water Fonts

First Saturday August 6th, 2011

~Catechesis~

~Sacramental~

Objects or actions that the Church uses after the manner of sacraments,

in order to achieve through the merits of the faithful certain effects,

mainly of a spiritual nature.

They differ from sacraments in not having been instituted by Christ

to produce their effect in virtue of the ritual performed.

Their efficacy depends not on the rite itself, as in the sacraments,

but of the influence of prayerful petition;

that of the person who uses them

and of the Church in approving their practice.

The variety of sacramentals spans the whole range of times and places,

words and actions, objects and gestures that, on the Church's authority,

draw not only on the personal dispositions of the individual

but on the merits and prayers of the whole Mystical Body of Christ.

~Holy Water~

Sacramental blessed by a priest,

invoking God's blessing on all who use it.

Blessed water is a symbol of spiritual cleansing,

and its use is advised in moments of physical danger

and against temptations from spiritual enemies.

It is common practice to dip one's fingers in holy water

and reverently make the Sign of the Cross

as one enters a Catholic church,

and it is recommended for use in the home.

Holy water is used in all blessings.

These are, besides ordinary holy water, baptismal holy water,

used with chrism in the conferring of public baptism,

and Easter water specially blessed for use during the paschal time.

Modern Catholic Dictionary

John A. Hardon, S.J.

Servant of God

DOVES Duties

When the DOVES clean the Holy Water fonts,

they may pour the old water down the sacrarium.

If the holy water is depleted in the cistern,

the sacristan may fill it before Mass,

and remind Father to bless it before Mass.

The True Face of Jesus~The Volto Santo in Manopello, Italy

~Thanksgiving~

'Thank God it's Friday' is a phrase we often hear, in the acronym, T.G.I.F.
In our life of prayer, we accompany our Lord every Friday,
especially when we ponder
His Passion and Death by the Stations of the Cross.
That First Friday on Calvary,
Saint Veronica's veil became our Lord's gift to us.
Perhaps He gifted us with His image
so that we would remember Him always.
When we spend time in Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament,
it is not possible to forget Our Lord
or the promise He made to remain with us always until the end of time.
It is possible to return our thanksgiving to our Lord,
in the small ways of sacrificing every Friday.
When the DOVES gather to clean the Adoration Chapel on Fridays,
we are offering thanks to the Lord
for the life He gave,
and the hope of the eternal life with Him to come.

Sharon
†A.M.D.G.†

July 12th, 2011 Feast of Saint Veronica One Year Anniversary

The National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa

The National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Doylestown, Pa

Fr. Frank Pavone incenses the altar during Mass

The Rowley DOVES

Dr. Gianna Emanuela Molla Speaks

On This Feast of Saint Veronica, we traveled to Pennsylvania
for the celebration in honor of
the first United States visit of Dr. Gianna Emanuela Molla.
Fr. Frank Pavone offered the Mass at the Shrine in honor of her visit.
Many of the DOVES have a special devotion to Saint Gianna, as she is
the Patron Mother Saint of our Home School Group.

It is with an expression of gratitude to our parish priests
that we celebrate our first anniversary of the DOVES ministry.
We continue to grow in our prayer life daily
and when we come to Mass together.

Our work as apprentices to the sacristan ministry has fostered
our desire to grow in our understanding of the Mass, as we serve.
Meeting on Fridays to clean the Adoration chapel
and servicing the linens provides us opportunities
to also serve our parish, in small, hidden ways.
Our First Saturday workshops
continue to enable us to gather for prayer,
catechesis and the polishing of the patens and candle stick holders.

We move into our next year with the joy that comes
from knowing, loving and serving our Lord,
through the patronage of Saint Veronica.

I am providing the website where you may
read about the Veronica Veil
that is venerated in Manopello, Italy.
The image on the veil is especially captivating.

Prayer to Saint Veronica

St. Veronica, you gave Christ a towel on His way to Cavalry

Which He used to wipe the Precious Blood from His Holy Face.

In return for this great act of kindness He left you His most Holy image on the towel.

Pray for us to Our Lord that His Holy Face may be imprinted

on our hearts so that we may be always be mindful of the Passion and Death

of Our lord Jesus Christ, through the same Christ our Lord,

Amen.

D.O.V.E.S. Paten Gifted to our Parish

D.O.V.E.S.
Engraved on the Underside of the Standing Paten

Welcome New DOVES

First Saturday June 4, 2011

Our First Saturday was a blessing to those who were able to attend.
Father Duesterhaus came to receive the paten
that the daughters have gifted to our parish.
The daughters continue to care for all that surrounds our Eucharistic Lord,
including the patens.
The daughters shared how the paten is there to
receive any small particles of our Eucharistic Lord
during Communion.

We then polished the other patens
and chipped the wax off the candle holders.
During our time together,
we discussed the Prayer Companion
and why we are working
on our daily prayers and examination of conscience.
This is a gradual work that mothers and daughters share with family time,
whenever that may be.
We discussed how we use the opportunities to pray
when possible in the life of the family.
Whenever two or more are gathered in His name,
He is in our midst.
Even in the car, that prayer may happen!
One mother has her prayers
taped on the dashboard in her car,
for her children to learn while they
make their commitments outside of the home.
We have learned from the Saints
the importance of prayer
to grow in the life of faith and works in the Lord.
Mother Theresa of Calcutta teaches us:
"The fruit of our work, as well as the ability to carry it out, comes from prayer.
The work we accomplish is the fruit of our union with Christ."

Blessings, in †heir Hearts,
Sharon
†A.M.D.G.†

Washing the Mass Linens~Corporals, Purificators, Finger Towels

The very special work involved in preparing the linens
for the Mass may take place in our homes.
First, we rinse the linens with distilled water to preserve the life of the cloths.
We dispense of the rinse in our potted plant,
since we are not able to access the sacrarium.
After laundering, we iron them and return them to the sacristy.
Marianna enjoys doing this with me whenever possible.