Posted on July 30, 2025 View all Pastor's Letter
Dear Parishioners,
Last week, I touched on some basic points regarding the reception of the Eucharist; today, I would like to discuss modesty and respect when attending church and participating in Holy Mass.
Modesty in the church and respect for the Holy Mass are visible expressions of the love and faith we profess. When we enter a church, we are not in just any place: we are in the house of God, in the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. Therefore, our way of dressing, behaving, and participating must reflect reverence, humility, and gratitude. Modesty is not only about covering the body, but also about recognizing that what is sacred deserves the best of us. Dressing appropriately for Mass is a way of showing, through our presence, that we acknowledge before whom we stand. This means avoiding provocative clothing, low necklines, very short or tight skirts or pants, t-shirts with inappropriate messages, or overly casual attire. It is not necessary to dress luxuriously; it is enough to dress with dignity, cleanliness, and respect.
Out of respect and reverence for God, truly and present in the church: “Give to the LORD the glory due His Name! Enter His presence; worship the LORD in holy attire” (1 Chronicles 16:29). To avoid being a distraction, temptation, or stumbling block to those around us: “The dress of the body should not discredit the good of the soul” (Saint Cyprian of Carthage). The Catechism of the Catholic Church advises: “To prepare for a worthy reception [of Holy Communion]… bodily demeanor (gestures, clothing) ought to convey the respect, solemnity, and joy of this moment when Christ becomes our guest” (#1387). “Modesty is decency. It inspires one’s choice of clothing… It is discreet” (#2522). And also: “Teaching modesty to children and adolescents means awakening in them respect for the human person” (#2524).
But modesty is not limited to clothing. It also includes our behavior inside the church: maintaining silence, avoiding unnecessary conversations, refraining from chewing gum, turning off our cellphones, and adopting an attitude of recollection. Mass is not a show or a social gathering; it is the most sacred moment of our week: the very sacrifice of Christ on the cross made present sacramentally. Arriving on time, or better yet, a few minutes early, allows us to prepare ourselves in prayer. Participating attentively, listening to the Word, responding with faith, singing with devotion, and respectfully observing the liturgical postures (standing, sitting, kneeling) are signs that we understand the importance of what is happening there.
Receiving Holy Communion is a sublime moment: it cannot be done carelessly or with a distracted or sinful soul. For this reason, it is important to confess regularly and receive Communion with reverence, knowing that we do not receive a symbol, but Jesus Himself. In summary, modesty in the church and respect for Mass are a living catechesis: with our body and conduct, we teach others, especially the little ones, that God deserves the best. It is not a matter of cold rules, but of love; whoever loves, honors. Whoever believes, respects. And whoever understands the immense gift of the Eucharist expresses it with their whole being.
Finally, I would like to thank everyone who is supporting the preparations for our summer festival. Some have already returned the tickets sold, and little by little, we are seeing the results.
I invite you to participate in this parish raffle, and at the same time, I ask for your help as volunteers on the day of the festival. On the weekends leading up to the festival, staff members will be selling tickets for the raffle as well as for the food and activities of the festival. If you have not received your tickets, please let us know, and we will be happy to resend them to you.
I appreciate your support; you are in my prayers.
Fr. Alex
