Ss. Philip & James Church

12/24/2025

Christmas Mass will be at 6 pm tonight at Ss. Philip and James.

10/09/2025

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE FINAL BLESSING AT MASS🤔✝️

______________________
The silence after Communion fades.
The tabernacle is closed.
The people stand.

And the priest, who once stood at the altar as Christ the Victim,
now turns as Christ the Shepherd…

And lifts his hand.

“The Lord be with you…”

THIS IS NOT A FAREWELL, IT’S A COMMISSIONING

The final blessing is not the end of something holy, It is the beginning of something divine.

It is Christ saying:
“You have received Me.
Now go carry Me to the world.”

✝️ “AS THE FATHER HAS SENT ME…”

Jesus once said:

“As the Father has sent Me, so I send you.”
— John 20:21

At the end of every Mass, that command is fulfilled.

You came to Mass as a hungry beggar.
You leave as an ambassador of Heaven.

✝️ THE BLESSING IS REAL POWER

When the priest extends his hand in blessing,
it is not symbolic.

He blesses in persona Christi, in the Person of Christ.

Through him, Christ blesses you:

To strengthen your soul

To guard you against temptation

To preserve the grace you just received

And to send you forth in peace

✝️ “GO FORTH, THE MASS IS ENDED…”

These words are not a dismissal.
They are a mission statement.

“Go forth in peace.”
“Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord.”
“Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.”

Each one says:

You have encountered the Lamb.
Now become His witness.
You have received Christ.
Now become Christ to the world.

✝️ YOU BECOME A LIVING ALTAR

After the final blessing, the Church does not say,
“Now return to your normal life.”

No.

She says:

“Take this Light.
Take this Fire.
Take this Jesus…
into your conversations, your job, your family, your streets.”

You are now the living altar,
the mobile tabernacle,
the walking Gospel.

✝️ SO,

Next time the priest lifts his hand and says:

“May Almighty God bless you…”

Don’t just bow your head.

Receive it like armor.
Wear it like glory.
Live it like fire.

Because that final blessing is not a goodbye…

It is the launch of saints.

You were fed by Heaven
so that you could feed the hungry.
You were loved by Christ
so you can go love like Christ.

📌 NB: This is an excerpt from my book on the Mass. Get a copy of my book "The Mass Unveiled: Encountering Heaven on Earth", and get a sweet and mind blowing explanations on the Mass. Reach me on WhatsApp with +2348135055980

God bless you 🙏

________________

07/29/2025

Ss. Philip and James Annual Picnic
August 14th following the 5:30p Mass
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Hotdogs, burgers and rolls will be supplied; Also iced tea, lemonade and water will be provided but feel free to bring your favorite beverage.

There are sign up sheets at the back of the church to sign up your family and indicate what dish you will be bringing.

Looking forward to seeing you all.

06/08/2025

A blessed Pentecost Sunday

05/11/2025

12/22/2024

The church has been decorated for Christmas with the help of our Confirmation Students. Join us for Christmas Eve Mass at 6 pm.

12/16/2024

Be sure to stop and see our beautiful display at Lights on the River which was set up with the help of our Confirmation students. Lights on the River will be on until Dec. 23 🎄

08/16/2024

Today we celebrated our 150th Anniversary. We were very blessed to have Bishop LaValley preside at the Mass and join us for a picnic afterwards at our parish center. What a beautiful day for a beautiful celebration.

07/25/2024

06/11/2024