Most Blessed Sacrament (MBS), Bally will celebrate a special Priesthood and Vocations Week, Sunday, May 4 through Friday, May 9, with a different focus each day, including the parish’s 40 Hours celebration over three of the six days.
Sunday, May 4 will focus on “Priests of the Holy Mass.” Father Aaron Scheidel will celebrate the Opening Mass at 10:15 a.m. Father Scheidel was ordained last June and is Assistant Pastor of the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown.
The Opening Mass will feature the Angelorum Choir of the Diocese of Allentown. Preludes will begin at 9:30 a.m. The group is a choir from the Cathedral, brought together by their strong faith and love for God, and directed by Beverly McDevitt, Director of Music at the Cathedral. The choir’s name is from a Latin word meaning “from the angels,” because they are said to sound like angels.
Monday, May 5 will focus on “Priests of Mission.” In a talk at 7 p.m., Father Richard James, Pastor, will inspire listeners with the history of MBS, the first Catholic Church in the Diocese of Allentown. The story centers on Father Theodore Schneider and the mission he established in 1741, and Father Augustine Bally and his ministry a century later.
Father Schneider brought his passion for education to the mission and established the first Catholic school to be found in the colonies. Father Bally became pastor in 1837, when the town was called Churchville, and was so beloved that after his death it was renamed Bally in his memory.
40 Hours will be observed Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, with Eucharistic Adoration every day from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. 40 Hours is a devotion of continuous prayer before the exposed Blessed Sacrament in remembrance of the 40 hours from Jesus’ burial until His Resurrection, and His 40 days of fast in the desert.
On Tuesday, May 6, at 7 p.m., “Priests of Prayer” will feature Benediction and a presentation on local priest hero and Servant of God Father Walter Ciszek, S.J. A native of Shenandoah, Father Ciszek was imprisoned for 23 years in the Soviet gulag, where he continued to celebrate Mass and minister to other prisoners. He is now a candidate for sainthood and his cause is under consideration by the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints.
The presentation will be offered by Father Eugene Ritz, Co-Postulator for the Cause of Canonization of Father Ciszek. He also serves the Diocese as Vicar for Clergy and Judge on the Diocesan Tribunal, and resides at St. Joseph the Worker, Orefield.
Prayer and Confessions will highlight “Priests of Mercy” on Wednesday, May 7. Confessions will be heard all day from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., with Rosary for Vocations at 6:30 p.m. and Benediction at 7 p.m., followed by Veneration and Blessing with a glove of St. Padre Pio.
Padre Pio led a life devoted to his work on the Altar and in the Confessional, embracing his role as a spiritual teacher to all. His glove is considered a second-class relic because it was used to cover wounds on his hands, which he bore due to stigmata. He was canonized on June 16, 2002 by Pope John Paul II.
Thursday, May 8 will focus on “Priests of Worship,” with Solemn Vespers and Closing of 40 Hours Devotions at 7 p.m. Guest preacher will be Father Shaun Mahoney.
A priest of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Father Mahoney was a professor of dogmatic theology and later rector of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Philadelphia. More recently he was the chaplain to Temple University’s Newman Center for many years, and a Pastor.
The week will end Friday, May 9 with “Priests of Healing.” Mass for the Sick and Caregivers will be celebrated at noon, with the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. Anointing of the Sick is for anyone who is undergoing a health challenge, a psychological challenge, or a spiritual challenge.
No RSVP is required for any of the week’s events. For more information, go to www.mbsbally.org or contact info@mbsbally.org or 610-845-2460.
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