Dear brother priests, seminarians, Sisters, brothers and sisters in Christ,

Introduction:

       Through the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, one can see the fullness of vitality of the parish and its organizations. In the past three years, the Catholic Church in Taiwan promoted the “New Century New Evangelization” as a resolution using “Forming Parishes in Faith, Hope and Love Family Evangelizers” as a goal. Last year, the theme was “The Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist and Forming Parishes in Faith, Hope and Love Evangelizers” which fitted the “Year of the Eucharist” of the Universal Church. According to the reports of each diocese, the faithful in general have improved in their understanding and veneration of the Holy Eucharist. For this year, CRBC has decided to continue the fruitful results of last year. To continue to deepen one’s realization and ardent love for the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, it shall be again the theme for the activities in the parishes and organizations. Let the parishes and organizations be full of life and vitality by doing their mission in pastoral work and evangelization. During the Synod of Bishops in October last year, the theme was “The Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist is the Source and Summit of the Life and Mission of the Parish and Church Organizations”.

The Source of Life

       Jesus said: “I am the living bread which has come down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live for ever; and the bread that I shall give is my flesh, for the life of the world.” (Jn 6:51)

       We are situated in a society of pluralism and commercialism. All walks of life struggle for existence. Not one is not using all the possibility to stimulate the desires of man, thus making life more nervous and pressured. When confronted with various possibilities, on the contrary, he is so dazzled that he loses clear vision and does not know how to make decisions. In spiritual life, it is also similar. Some people say that this is a world of knowledge explosion. All sorts of theories emerge in an endless stream. The newly risen religions grow rapidly like bamboo shoots after a spring rain. With a wide variety of spirituality, it is still more difficult to satisfy one’s emptiness each passing day.

       Confucius said: “A man of virtue attends to the fundamentals, his principal stand and way” (The Analects of Confucius). We believe that man was created in the likeness of God. God gave man the deepest desire which is to know Him and to find rest only in Him. Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, became man in order to save humankind, to restore to man the life of grace that was lost due to sin. His way was to establish the Eucharistic Sacrifice through the paschal mystery. By receiving his holy body and blood, man shares in his life. Beginning from the existence of the Church, the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist was the center of life. The early Church was a universal form of Church. “They remained faithful to the teaching of the apostles, to the brotherhood, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers” (Acts 2:42). Henceforth, the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist was also the center of the development of the Church. The Vatican Council II states that the Eucharistic Sacrifice is “the source and summit of the whole Christian life”.

Continue the achievements of the Year of the Eucharist

       In the CRBC pastoral letter last year, we clearly explained the important relationship between the “Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist” and “Forming Parishes in Faith, Hope and Love”. Through the Eucharist, our life is renewed; through the catechetical instructions on the Holy Eucharist, the Eucharistic celebrations are more lively and meaningful. Through the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament done outside the Mass, many people and organizations have been transformed which is expressed through a more ardent faith. With more meaningful and proper celebrations of the Eucharist, community gatherings and belongingness were developed. Thus, it has achieved a moving force in the work of evangelization establishing a “Eucharistic culture”, “community gathering culture”, “dialogue culture”, a “unity of culture”. For the society in Taiwan, it has brought harmony and forgiveness. The Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist also demands from us to show concern to the weak and little. In the increasing misery in society, advocate life education and value life because life is the greatest gift God has bestowed upon us.

        We have noticed that the enthusiastic faithful have received many benefits during the Year of the Eucharist. But there is still a big number of faithful who have lost contact with the Church or those who only come for big celebrations, who have not received similar kind of benefits. There are also those who do not belong to the Church. There is still much work to do. Therefore for this year, we are willing to emphasize once again the “Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist” as the source and summit of Christian life and mission.

Proper celebration of the Mass

       In this striving to be a perfect era, although we all know that it is impossible to be perfect, but in order to touch people and bring about a delightful result, we should do our best to have satisfactory results in whatever responsibility given to us. Therefore, we hope that all the parishes in the country will exert efforts in celebrating the Mass properly. Aside from the teachings of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, celebrating the Mass as proper as possible, may more efforts be exerted in the singing and sharing of the Word of God. The formation of choir leaders is what the Bishops’ Conference is trying its best to develop this year. We hope that each diocese will cooperate in making the sacred music be more appreciated and touch the heart of the listeners. People helping in the liturgy should also prepare beforehand. It is necessary to know that to help in the preparation of the liturgy is a great honor. The liturgy should not be done haphazardly. Readers should learn how to proclaim the word of God and preferably use a microphone. Like this, listeners need not look at the missal but can just listen clearly to the readings and be deeply touched. The Prayer of the Faithful should pray for the needs of the local Church and not according to any prepared prayers. The Prayer of the Faithful should really express the heartfelt wishes of the local people and touch the heart of the participants. The officiating priest has a role that cannot be replaced. Therefore, there is a real need for preparation especially for Sunday homilies.

        We hope that through the force of community organizations, the faithful will actively prepare and participate in Eucharistic Celebrations. It should be remembered that our faith is not an individual affair, facing God alone. But it is in the Church community that we support each other, develop and mature. The advantage of having a community organization is that there is a more intimate fellowship among the members, mutually helping each other and giving assistance. If the organizations prepare together the Eucharistic Celebrations, there will be a cohesive force and will intensify the respective missions of the different organizations.

Integration of the Veneration of the Eucharist in one’s life

       The veneration of the Eucharist which is done outside of the Eucharistic Celebration is a continuation of the Mass. At the same time, it is the best preparation for the Eucharistic Celebration. It is a big help towards the spiritual life of the person as well as to the organizations. To be close to Jesus, just like his beloved disciple who leaned on Jesus’ chest, and to feel his infinite love for us, is a very blissful thing. It makes us have a longer contact with the source of all grace. It is like entering a room of irises and orchids, after a long time, one gets contaminated with its fragrance. If with this enthusiasm one venerates the Eucharist and silently beholds the face of Jesus, the life style of the person is transformed as well as that of the organization. Thus, one can deeply share in the eternal life of Christ. Due to the intimate relationship with Christ, one will realize the will of God and will submit to whatever has been arranged by God in life. Then, he will become more blessed.

       We hope that more parishes can set a time for the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, have a “holy hour” and blessing of the Holy Eucharist. If the organizations can altogether organize this veneration of the Eucharist, there will definitely be a cohesive force among the organizations. Request one organization to be responsible for the liturgical activities.

The mission that the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist bestows upon the faithful

       We get spiritual strength from the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. In our daily lives, we become witnesses and instruments for evangelization. Just like the two disciples in Emmaus, when the two recognized Jesus after the breaking of the bread, they returned to Jerusalem in order to spread the good news that Christ is risen. The early Church deeply experienced what St. Paul said in his words: “If I did not preach the gospel, I should be punished!” (1 Cor. 9:16) So, because of the efforts they exerted: “Day by day the Lord added to their community those destined to be saved” (Acts 2:47). In order to give emphasis to the mission to evangelize, the Bishops’ Conference has this resolution: after saying “The Mass is ended”, the priest should add: “Go and spread the Good News!” This very little change is reminding us the significant mission entrusted to us during the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. The gospel according to John has put into writing the Last Supper. It does not mention the establishment of the Eucharist, but gives emphasis to Jesus washing the feet of his disciples, at the same time telling his disciples to mutually wash each others’ feet: “I have given you an example so that you may do what I have done to you” (Jn 13:15). This becomes part of the Eucharistic Rite : “Do this in memory of me”, a reciprocal response, making the Eucharist transform us to have the force to serve, to go and practice our mission to spread the Good News.

The gathering after the Mass

       In several parishes, after the Mass, the faithful or organizations continue to stay in the church courtyard or meeting room. Some take care of the offertory collection or some talk with each other regarding the homily or their life experiences. In some parishes, Sunday Schools were opened for children or there are meetings for the youth . This is a very good practice. We hope that the faithful will make good use of this precious time and not to disperse in a hubbub. If activities for further studies could be organized, it is more ideal. In this fastidious about lifelong learning society, if the faithful does not go for advance studies, how can he deal with this changing society? Sometimes even towards one’s personal faith, he becomes suspicious. So, how can one talk about the gospel to non-Christians? If exchange visits among families can be arranged and family prayers, this can increase the unity and force between the parish and organizations, dealing together the needs in the work of evangelization.

Go towards to the society

       “After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them out ahead of him, in pairs, to all the towns and places he himself was to visit” (Lk 10:1). Taiwan society is now more and more giving importance to the protection and management of its communities. In particular, the government authorities are exerting more efforts in promoting integral construction in the society: the passing on of history, the interaction between people, and the preservation of natural environment. All these are important concerns of the society. But for us, what is still more important is the growth in spiritual life. The Gospel of Christ is a spirit that should be present in building the society. To give oneself for the service of the society means Christ wants us to have the “love each other” gospel spirit. To make a society harmonious and prosperous , make the small and the weak all receive appropriate care. The Church herself has this mission to serve the society.

       The society in Taiwan is developing fast in economy and people want to earn more money. Many times, the banking crises give a big impact to man’s form of life. In addition, there is an increasing desire for political power and disharmony among ethnic groups. The beautiful island now becomes an avaricious island. There are new demands, new yearnings to continuously produce. When we exit from the ivory tower of the church, we need to show concern to the people in society. With the Christian spirit, render service to them and be a witness of love. Use a forgiving heart to cure wound and to relieve pain. Establish a harmonious society. Only then can the work of evangelization discover a new stronghold in this pluralistic society, and will prepare the way for the coming of the grace of the Lord.

Conclusion

        Jesus said: “I tell you most solemnly, if you do not eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you will not have life in you.” Proper reception of the Holy Eucharist is the source of life for the parish and organizations. In order to properly receive the Holy Eucharist, aside from the Sacrament of Reconciliation, there is still a greater need to properly celebrate the Mass. Like this, the summit of the true, the good, and the beautiful can be attained. In addition the result of the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, in consequent, demands from us to do good to others. In the society that we live in, we do the three missions that Christ has entrusted to us: as priest, prophet and King. “Mary set out at that time and went as quickly as she could to a town in the hill country of Judah in order to help her cousin Elizabeth.” (Lk 1:39). We also need through the spirit of service to achieve satisfactorily the mission that is given to us by Jesus Christ in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.

       Hope that the Holy Eucharist in this New Year will bring us abundant life and grace. We hope that the work of evangelization will produce abundant fruit.

       Happy New Year!

                                                             All the Bishops from the Chinese Regional Bishops’ Conference                                                              January 15, 2006