Saint Pius X Catholic Parish, dedicated to renewing all things in Christ, is committed to evangelization through prayer, service, sacrificial giving, faith formation, and community.
STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Adoramus Te
the Latin words for “We adore you”

a reflection by Robby Kiley, Director of Religious Education
We open each Station of the Cross with a simple prayer called the Adoramus Te , the Latin words for “We adore you.” It is a beautiful prayer, rich with meaning. But because this prayer is repeated so often, we might be tempted to overlook it during our reflections. Instead of breaking open one of the stations this week, I’d like to take a few minutes to sit with this little prayer and allow it to be a means of transformation for us.

The Adoramus Te originated with Saint Francis. He was a man of deep faith, who was passionate in his care for the poor and vulnerable. He also had great love for the Church, and his friars recount that when he would pass a church, he would kneel and pray this prayer:

We adore you O Lord Jesus Christ, in this church and in all churches of the world, and we praise you, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.  

My CCD students should be able to tell you that it was Fransiscan missionaries that first developed the devotional practice of the Stations of the Cross. The Via Dolorosa , the physical trail that Jesus followed, has long been maintained in Jerusalem, and pilgrims would travel to Jerusalem to follow this path. This practice peaked after the Crusades in the 1300s, but in 1686, Fransiscan Friars were given permission by Pope Innocent XI to erect stations in their own parishes. Suddenly, pilgrims no longer had to journey to Jerusalem to pray with Jesus during his passion - they could do it at their own parishes.

As an order for worship formalized, the Adoramus Te of Francis became the call to prayer at each station. The prayer itself is a beautiful encapsulation of our faith. It reminds us that we LOVE (adore) and offer our PRAYERS (praise) to Jesus, because Jesus suffered and died for each one of us. We remember this suffering and death when we pray the stations, but it is the end of the prayer that is most beautiful to me.
Jesus didn’t undergo his passion without meaning. His suffering had purpose, and that purpose was to “redeem the world.” At this point, I usually stop and quiz my CCD students to see if they know what the word “redeem” means. To redeem isn’t just to tidy up or to make nicer - it means to make new . The cross of Christ makes new all that came before, and all that has come since.

During this last week of Lent, we should stop and wonder: what in our life needs to be redeemed? What in our families, our community, our world, needs to be made new? As you pray the stations this week, recall what this prayer offers, and ask God to make new those things which are damaged, hurt, destroyed. May this be our prayer, not just this Friday evening, but every day.

We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Though we cannot be together for Friday night stations at Saint Pius X this year, we invite you to embrace this touching prayer with your family by following along with the video (click HERE or the image below), narrated by Fr. Bill Schooler. God bless all, until we meet again.
A NOTE ABOUT HOLY WEEK


PALM SUNDAY -Mass will be available online as noted below. Unfortunately, at the direction of the Vatican, palms will not be blessed and distributed this weekend.

HOLY WEEK -We are finalizing the plans for Holy Week, and will send that information as soon as it is available.
MASS
All options to "attend" Mass online are listed below.
Online Mass at Saint Pius X:
Monday-Saturday,  8:45 a.m.
Saturday , 5:00 p.m.
Sunday , 10:00 a.m.

After the 5:00 p.m. Mass on Saturday, a link will be available on the parish website ( HERE ) to "attend" Mass anytime. Scroll down below the Worship Aid section.

View on the parish website  HERE   or the parish Facebook page  HERE .

Sunday , 12:00 p.m. (pre-recorded Mass at Saint Pius X)
Broadcast on local TV WMYS, My Michiana
antenna TV channel 69.1
Comcast/Xfinity channels 15, 194 HD, or 1034 HD
AT&T U-verse channel 69
Dish Network channel 16)
DID YOU KNOW?
THE ROSARY
We pray the Rosary every day of the week on the parish Facebook page , at 3:00 p.m. Guess where priests and seminarians are praying each day, while joining a community of almost 200 strong who pray every day while we are in this time of isolation.


THE ANGELUS
We will pray the Angelus, Monday through Friday at noon. Learn more about the seminarians who are "home" during the pandemic and pray this beautiful prayer with them each day on the Facebook page .

CHAPLET OF DIVINE MERCY
A perfect way to pray mid-week. Seminarian Sam Martinez and Director of Youth Ministry, Brittany Tull, share an opportunity to sing and pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.

Join them every Wednesday at 6:00 p.m., on the parish Facebook page
AND OTHER NOTES

Resources on the Website
Visit StPius.net/AtHome to access a vast library of resources including recommended books, videos, news articles, and more for adults, families, kids, and teens.

Facebook Live Events
(Reminder: A Facebook account is NOT needed to join us on Facebook.) Whether it's a regularly scheduled event or a special feature, anyone can access our events by accessing our Facebook page (@StPiusGranger) or on the internet with this link:


Submission Request
We want to know what you are doing at home to "keep the faith"; how you are celebrating Mass, new prayer rituals, etc.

Send your photos, videos, or whatever you like so we can re-share with the parish community: Kim Mauch, kmauch@stpius.net .
Trouble Access Mass Online?

Before trying to access Mass:

  • Ensure that other devices are not using your home WiFi when trying to access.

  • If the Mass "freezes" while you're watching an event, try refreshing the page.

  • Try a different browser (Google Chrome, Firefox, Explorer, etc.)

A recorded version will be posted on the parish website ( StPius.net ) shortly after the Mass.

Having trouble finding the Mass on the website?
Go to StPius.net
Scroll down and look for an image like the one below.

Still having trouble?
Contact us at 574-272-8462 or kmauch@stpius.net and we will try and assist.
COVID PRAYER

The following prayer will replace the parish stewardship prayer at Mass until further notice.

Mother of Divine Love, we entrust to you our nation and world, our families and loved ones, that we may be spared the worst of this illness.

In this time of trial and testing, hear the cries of those who are vulnerable and fearful.

For those already afflicted, obtain the grace of healing and deliverance.

For those working to help the sick and bring an end to this crisis, obtain the strength to continue their work.

Shelter us under the mantle of your protection, conform us to the will of the Father, remind us always of the love of your Son, Jesus, and bring his peace to our land and to our hearts.

Amen.

Saint Rocco, protector against the plague and all contagious diseases, pray for us!

We don't know what financial challenges lie ahead for you, or for our parish. Despite the fact that we cannot gather together for Mass, Saint Pius X continues to embrace our mission  to renew all things in Christ  thanks to your ongoing generosity and commitment.     
Saint Pius X Catholic Church | 574.272.8462 | kmauch@stpius.net | StPius.net