Church of Saint Philip Neri

Pennsburg, PA 18073

July 5, 2009

Rev. Robert A. Roncase, Pastor

Deacon Michael J. Franks, Permanent Deacon

Rev. Edmond J. Speitel, Pastor Emeritus

Rev. John J. Scarcia, Retired Pastor

Rev. Raymond W. Smart, Retired, Resident

Shirley Misiak, Office Manager

Mark J. Meinzer, Business Manager

Catherine E. Faust, Director of Music

Patricia A. Schleeweiss, School Principal

Jeffrey W. Daley, Director of Religious Education

Colleen Daley, Parish Youth Minister

Sister Patricia Kelly, M.S.B.T., Parish Outreach

Rectory Phone 215.679.9275

Rectory Fax 215.679.0386

School Phone 215.679.7481

Religious Education Phone 215.541.3120

Religious Education Fax 215.541.1398

Parish Social Hall Phone 215.679.8116

Parish Outreach Phone 215.679.2282

Neri Center Phone 215-679-6490

Church & Rectory Address:

1325 Klinerd Road

Pennsburg, PA 18073

Hours: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Email Address: spnofc@comcast.net

Website Address: www.spnparish.org

School Address:

6^th & Washington Streets

East Greenville, PA 18041

Hours: 8:00 AM – 2:30 PM

Website Address: www.spnelementary.com

Religious Education Center Address

565 Main Street

East Greenville, PA 18041

Hours: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Neri Center Address

6^th & Washington Streets

East Greenville, PA 18041

ROSARY: Prayed in the Chapel

Every Saturday after the 8:00 AM Mass

Every 2^nd Monday at 1:00 PM

SCHEDULE OF MASSES

Saturday – Vigil Mass – 5:00 PM

Sunday – 7:30, 9:30, 11:00 AM

Weekdays – In the Chapel

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday,

Friday & Saturday – 8:00 AM

Wednesday – 7:00 PM

HOLY DAYS:

8:00 AM, 9:30 AM, 7:30 PM

Eve of Holy Days –5:00 PM

CHAPEL OPEN FOR VISITS

The Chapel will be opened Monday thru Saturday

until 7:00 pm for your visits to the Blessed Sacrament.

CONFESSIONS

Saturdays: 4:00 – 4:45 PM

Eve of Holy Days: 4:15 – 4:45 PM

BAPTISMS

Celebrated the 2^nd & 3^rd Sundays of each month.

Please call the Rectory to schedule.

2^nd Sunday Baptisms are held at the

11:00 AM Mass

3^rd Sunday Baptisms are held at 12:30 PM

PRE-JORDAN CLASSES

1^st Monday of every month at 7:30 PM in the

Rectory meeting room.

MARRIAGES

Arrangements should be made at least SIX

MONTHS before the date of the wedding.

NEW PARISHIONERS

Welcome to your new home! Please stop by the rectory between 9:00 am - 3:00 pm to fill out a registration card. We are happy to have you in our parish and want to get to know you.

SHUT-INS

Please call the Parish Outreach Office.

SACRAMENT OF THE ANOINTING

Please call the Rectory.

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

Every 1^st Friday from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM in the

church, followed by Benediction.

FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS

If you wish to have a floral arrangement placed in front of the altar, please call the rectory.

OUR PARISH MISSION STATEMENT

WE ARE THE CATHOLIC PARISH COMMUNITY OF ST. PHILIP NERI, ANSWERING CHRIST’S CALL TO DISCIPLESHIP THROUGH WORD, SACRAMENT AND SERVICE.

WE PROCLAIM GOD’S HOPE AND LOVE TO ALL.

Ask Deacon Mike

Recently I have been asked several questions about Holy Communion. The Church tells us that the Eucharist is the central sacrament of our faith for it unites us together as disciples of Jesus with the One Whom we serve. But beyond that how well do we understand this great gift which Jesus gave us? Does it really unite us to each other and to God? I am aware of many misunderstandings surrounding Holy Communion, also. Therefore, for the next several months I want to explore this great Sacrament with you and examine some of the Church’s teachings. Along the way I am sure I will interject some personal reflections. Please remember that I am not a theologian and for some my words may not go deep enough. However, I will try my best to present in plain words the teachings of the Church.

We give it many names, Eucharist, Holy Communion, and The Blessed Sacrament. Regardless of what we call it we must first and foremost always remember that we are referring to a person. St. Luke tells us that “… the Word became flesh and lived among us.” The Word – God’s Word – took human form in the person of Jesus. It is through the Incarnation that God entered the human race so that we might be saved. We know that this Person, Jesus, gave His life in exchange for the salvation of our souls.

As a way to remind us of His presence among us Jesus took bread and wine and prayed over it. He said that it is His Body and His Blood and that we should repeat this action in remembrance of Him. The Eucharist is not a reminder of Jesus. It IS Jesus. At every Mass through the words of consecration the bread and wine are changed into the Body and Blood of Christ. It is not done through magic but through faith. Faith is the central element to the Eucharist. Through the faith of the Church handed down through the ages we are given the opportunity to be one with Our Lord. When I speak of the Church I mean the faith of the people – all baptized people who believe true presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.

Some common questions people have concerning the reception of Holy Communion are: When should I go? How often can I receive? Must I receive from the cup if it is offered?

The Church gives us an obligation to receive the Eucharist at least once during the Easter season. However, I don’t know of anyone who waits until just Easter to receive Holy Communion. Most Catholics receive weekly. Some receive daily. We can receive every time we participate at Mass. If you go to two Masses on a Sunday then you can receive at each Mass.

However, we are strictly prohibited from receiving the Blessed Sacrament more than once at the same Mass. Believe it or not that does happen from time to time. Some overly zealous person(s) will go from Communion line to Communion line believing that this gives them extra grace and further sanctifies their soul. Nothing could be further from the truth. God is not something that we receive in quantity. God is Spirit and once we have received His Spirit at Mass there is no further need to receive again at that same Mass. To do so also denies the unity which the Eucharist calls us to share in the name of Jesus, Our Lord. No one is more united than another just because they receive Communion multiple times.

Most churches, including St. Philip Neri, offer the Blessed Sacrament under both forms, that is the Body and Blood of Jesus. We do so because Jesus gave us both His Body and His Blood to share. At our parish we schedule Communion under both forms at the Masses at which there is a deacon assigned to assist the priest. We have a dedicated group of Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion who help us in the distribution of the Blessed Sacrament. Note their complete title: Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. The ordinary ministers are the priests and deacons who by their ordinations are given the primary responsibility to provide the sacraments to the community. In our parish there are only two assigned ordinary ministers, Fr. Roncase and me. We do have the good fortune to have several other priests who serve us part time. They, too, are ordinary ministers.

In the following months I will address in greater detail the Church’s teachings on Eucharist and the manner and disposition that should we receive Communion. We will look at Eucharistic worship. We will take Jesus’ own words and reflect on them and see how they apply to our current day world. If you have any specific questions on the Eucharist or any other aspect of our faith or sacraments please send them to me. I can be reached in several ways. 1) Send me an e-mail at deaconmikefranks@verizon.net. 2) You can drop your question in the Sunday collection basket or send it to my attention at the rectory. As always may God bless you. I love you all.

Deacon Mike.

Serving at Mass July 12^th

Extraordinary Ministers Lectors

5:00 pm – Dianne Kennedy Mark Meinzer

Pat Kennedy

Priest

Anna Murphy

Gerald Murphy

7:30 am – Joan Varallo Michael Lynch

Wally Varallo Ernie Quatrani

Pat Scheerbaum

Priest

Paul Moser

Maureen Moser

9:30 am - Anthony Pongia Terry Benner

Joan Pongia Wendy Benner

Colleen Daley

Priest

John Nash

Monica Nash

11:00 am – Doug DiTondo D. Tarantino

Linda DiTondo Bob Piccone

Deacon

Priest

Sarah Franks

Anna Kells

Serving at Mass July 19^th

Extraordinary Ministers Lectors

5:00 pm – Jim Quigley Bob Ellis

Annemarie Quigley

Dawn Ellis

Priest

Linda Benko

Catherine Cahill

7:30 am – Michael Duka Pete Frank

Michael Heveran Joan Wieder

Jim Michels

Priest

Chuck Rodgers

Maria Rodgers

9:30 am – Marianne Peters Sue DiMarco

Priest Matt Horvath

Deacon

Priest

Mary Ellen Paulk

Rose Anderson

11:00 am – Tina Evans Luke Verna

Priest Adam Canigiani

Deacon

Priest

DJ Williams

Sandy Williams

FOURTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

July 5, 2009

Monday, July 6 – Maria Goretti, virgin & martyr

8:00 am – Gordon Heckler, (Mae Gerhart)

Tuesday, July 7

8:00 am – Mary Jean Mikanowicz, (Jennie Virus)

Wednesday, July 8

7:00 pm – Maddalena & Vincent Pongia,

(Joan & Anthony Pongia)

Thursday, July 9, Augustine Zhao Rong, priest & martyr

8:00 am – George Dykie, (Eugene & Colleen Carmichael)

Friday, July 10

8:00 am – Lila & Paul Smith (Estate)

Saturday, July 11

8:00 am – Clifford Rothenberger, (Nancy & family)

5:00 pm – Marie & Salvatore Sarbocca,

(Mark & Pat Meinzer)

Sunday, July 12

7:30 am – For the living & deceased members

of the Parish.

9:30 am – Ida M. Streeper, (Daughter Nancy & family)

11:00 am – Philip Gold, (The Patterson Family)

THIRD QUARTER 2009 SCHEDULE

Attention all Liturgical Ministers (Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and High School Altar Servers): The 3^rd Quarter 2009 schedule is now available on line at our parish website: www.spnparish.org. Just follow the link: Liturgical Ministers of the Altar.

If you do not have computer access, you may pick up a copy in the small room off the vestibule. This new schedule goes into effect next Sunday, July 4^th & 5^th.

WE INVITE YOUR PRAYERS

For the sick, those in hospitals, nursing homes, and also for their caregivers.

Please pray in particular for:

Rev. John J. Scarcia, Jack Conlen, Mary Conover, Barbara Duklis, Olga Durco, Baby Robert John Riegel, Jr., Kelly Connolly, Jennie Virus, Robert Rukstalis, Mary Ann Bencie, Frances Cannon, Josh Frumnecht, Steven Gebhardt, Ann Bowdren, Jack Cahill, Dianna Rynkiewicz, Ethel Buck, Gary Lester Keller, Michael Andrusko, Betty Risko, Christine Keer, Robert Joseph Drelick, Hilda Stine, Donald Abramo Sr., James Abramo, Delia Grim, Joe Johnson, Baby Lucy Littlefield, Gesse Liguoro, Charlotte Azarovich, George Bradford, Margie Shelley, Baby Amelia Lyman, Matthew Melcher, Rick DeStefano, Catherine Wlazelek, Florence Stump, Viola Kavacky & Lloyd Rothenberger.

For those who have died, grant them eternal rest and peace.

PARISH ORGANIZATIONS

Knights of Columbus – Fr. Leo J. Letterhouse Council #6614 meets every second Sunday of the month in the Council Meeting Room at the rectory. Consider joining us by calling Duke Doherty at 215-679-0660.

St. Philip Neri Craft Guild - Please note: No Craft Guild Meetings for the month of July. Our next meeting will be: Tuesday, August 4^th. For more information, please call Connie Marks: 610-287-9829.

Boy Scouts – Tuesday evenings in Social Hall from 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm. Join our Boy Scouts by calling Joe Smith at: 610-754-6316.

Cub Scouts – Thursday evenings in the Neri Center – East Greenville. Join our Cub Scouts by calling Alicia Tryon at: 215-679-4193 or email to: Cubpack591@yahoo.com.

CYO Sports – For more information, please contact Kevin Loose at: 215-679-5481.

Parish Youth Ministry – For more information, please contact Colleen Daley at: 215-541-1716.

SUNDAY COLLECTIONS

Due to the holiday schedule, the bulletin had to go to the publisher a few days earlier. The Sunday collection for June 28^th will be published in next week’s Bulletin.

ACTIVITIES - *BINGO*

Kitchen opens 5:00 pm – Bingo – 6:30 pm

Working Thursday – July 9th Team #3

All regular games pay $50

FINAL COVER – ALL SPECIAL PAYS: $500

Baked Goods needed weekly for Bingo and monthly for Breakfast. Anyone willing to donate baked goods, please call Rita at: 679-7009 or the rectory office: 679-9275

BUILDING MEMORIALS

Give a St. Philip Neri Memorial Gift!

For a donation of $25 or more, there is a beautiful folder recording the gift and donor to be presented to the family. A Mass is offered each month.

We also have “Living Memorials” for those special occasions in life.

MEETINGS AND EVENTS THIS WEEK

Sunday, July 5^th – Children’s Liturgy of the Word at the 9:30 am Mass.

Sunday, July 5^th – Men’s 30 & over Basketball – gym – 8:00 pm

Monday, July 6^th – Pre-Jordan Baptismal Class – rectory – 7:30 pm

Tuesday, July 7^th – Adult Choir and Cantor Practice - in Church at 6:30 pm

Tuesday, July 7^th – Garden Club – Church grounds – 5:00 pm

Tuesday, July 7^th –Hoagie Sale – gym – 12 noon until 6:00 pm

Thursday, July 9^th – Pennsburg Manor Nursing Home Mass – 10:00 am

Thursday, July 9^th – Bingo – gym – 6:30 pm

Sunday, July 12^th – Children’s Liturgy of the Word – during the 9:30 am Mass.

Sunday, July 12^th – Knights of Columbus General Meeting – rectory -7:30 pm

Sunday, July 12^th – Men’s 30 & over Basketball – gym – 8:00 pm

UPCOMING MEETINGS

Car Show Committee Meeting – Tuesday, July 13^th in Social Hall at 7:00 pm. (Goodie Bag Stuffing)

Respect Life Ministry Meeting – Wednesday, July 15^th – at the rectory – 7:30 pm

Cub Scout Parent Meeting – Wednesday, July 15^th – at the Neri Center – 6:00 pm

Car Show Stand Erection and Placement – Monday, July 20^th – Church parking lot at 6:30 pm; rain date set for: July 21^st at 6:30 pm

SCHOOL NEWS

St. Philip Neri Grade School News

Don’t miss out on a great opportunity to provide your son or daughter with a Catholic School education at St. Philip Neri School! Our school provides a safe, nurturing value-centered learning environment for students in Preschool through Eighth Grade.

The Hop Ahead Preschool has a program Tuesdays and Thursdays for 3 year olds and Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for 4 year olds from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Our Kindergarten program is a full day program along with our First through Eighth Grade which begins at 7:45 a.m. and ends at 2:25 p.m. An after school program, C.A.R.E.S., is also available for students in Kindergarten through Eighth Grade. If you would like any additional information on our school or would like to register your child, please call the school office at 215-679-7481. When registering your child for Preschool, please have a copy of your child’s immunization records. If registering for Grades K through 8, please have the following at registration: original birth certificate, copy of baptismal certificate, and current immunization record as required by the State of PA at the time of registration. Hurry, as we need to prepare for the upcoming 2009-2010 school year! School begins on September 8th for Grades 1 to 8, September 11th for Kindergarten, September 14th for Pre K-4s, and September 15th for Pre K-3’s.

The Administration, Faculty and Staff of St. Philip Neri Grade School would like to wish everyone a happy and safe summer!

Please check out our website for any information about the 2009-10 school year at: www.spnelementary.com.

PARISH NEWS

FROM THE PARISH OUTREACH OFFICE

H.O.P.E.

The H.O.P.E. Ministry is part of Outreach and services our Church Community. H.O.P.E. provides FREE transportation for medical appointments, errands, respite care, light housekeeping and to mass.

Our volunteers are parishioners who are willing to serve and answer your needs.

Please call Kathy or Bob Talbot–Coordinators - at: 215-541-0250 or the Outreach Office: 215-679-2282.

CHARISMATIC PRAYER GROUP

Every Monday at 7:00 pm in the Chapel. Come to grow closer to God and experience the power of the Holy Spirit through prayer, praise, song, scripture reading, teaching, witnessing, and use of the charisms.

Discover the love of God in a more profound way. Call Rich at: 610-323-1127.

Please note: The Charismatic Prayer Group will NOT meet on Monday, July 6^th.

St. Philip Neri Grade School Tuition Assistance

Did you know that Tuition Assistance is available for your child to attend St. Philip Neri Grade School?

Tuition Assistance is available to those showing a real need. Address your request to:

St. Philip Neri Tuition Assistance Program

1325 Klinerd Road

Pennsburg, PA 18073

You will receive a letter asking for some information and you will be notified of any decision before the school year starts.

Guidelines for:

TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Minimal Criteria

1. Tuition Assistance will apply only to students in grades K-8 who are enrolled at Saint Philip Neri Elementary School.

2. Parent or legal guardian must be a registered parishioner of St. Philip Neri Parish.

3. Must demonstrate financial need, subject to review and approval of Tuition Committee.

4. Must be active and volunteer in parish activities.

5. Tuition Assistance will be applied towards tuition as credit.

ST. PHILIP NERI CHURCH

HOAGIE SALE PICK-UP

TUESDAY – JULY 7, 2009

12:00 NOON – 6:00 PM

CAR SHOW COMMITTEE DATES

Monday – July 13^th:

Goodie Bag Stuffing in Social Hall at 7:00 pm

Monday – July 20^th:

Stand erection and placement in the Church Parking Lot at 6:30 pm with the RAIN DATE set for Tuesday – July 21^st at 6:30 pm.

Any questions, please call Pete Frank:

215-679-6942.

ST. PHILIP NERI CHURCH

SEVENTH ANNUAL CAR SHOW

CHURCH GROUNDS (OFF ROUTE 663)

Friday – July 24^th- 6:00 – 10:00 PM (registration begins 5:00 pm)

$10 Registration Fee

RAIN or SHINE!

People’s Choice Awards,

Dish Plaques for first 100 pre-registered

Great Food, Door Prizes,

Music by Hodge Podge

COME-N-GO-BINGO

Last day of Garage Sale & MUCH MORE!

ADVANCED SALE FOOD TICKETS will be available for purchase at the script table starting June 27th until July 19^th. Food tickets will also be available at the rectory from June 29^thto July 20^th. For every $5 purchased, you receive $6.00 in food tickets.

VOLUNTEERS will be needed for security, parking, tickets sales, bingo, kitchen and food stands. If you would like to volunteer you can fill out a volunteer form, (see page 13) call Maureen at 679-8039, Shirley at 679-9275 or e mail Doris at gmomdecker@yahoo.com.

For information: call Shirley at 215-679-9275 (daytime) or Pete at 215-679-6942 (evenings)

SILVER SPIRITS

CASINO TRIP – August 8^th

The Casino Trip is now filled; however, there will be a “WAITING LIST”. If cancellations are reported, the names on the list will be contacted in the order that they were received.

ALL monies are due ASAP!

Reservations will not be confirmed until ALL payments are received.

Any questions, please call Kathy Kulp: 269-923-5173 or Kathy Talbot: 215-541-0250.

NEEDED: USED APPLIANCES

One (1) Upright Freezer for the Carnival Kitchen and one (1) Refrigerator for the Parish Social Hall. Anyone wishing to donate one or both of these appliances, please call the rectory office: 215-679-9275.

2009 CARNIVAL RESULTS

INCOME

Beer / Wine $ 1,532.37

Bingo $ 2,146.74

Food $ 14,012.08

Games $ 3,466.02

Garage Sale $ 3,278.10

Parking $ 2,433.00

Poker / BJ $ 1,966.20

Raffle $ 10,546.76

Rides $ 18,577.26

TOTAL INCOME $ 57,958.53

EXPENSES

Beer / Wine $ 141.31

Bingo $ 0.00

Food $ 5,694.51

Games $ 809.21

Garage Sale $ 240.88

Parking $ 1,703.10

Poker / BJ $ 7.50

Raffle $ 8,681.75

Rides $ 12,821.50

Entertainment $ 2,724.00

Advertising $ 1,507.18

Miscellaneous $ 1,368.51

TOTAL EXPENSES $ 35,699.45

TOTAL PROFIT $ 22,259.08

SAVE THE DATE!

Friday, October 9

Third Annual St. Philip Neri Golf Outing

Macoby Run Golf Course,

Green Lane, PA

18 Hole 4-golfer Scramble,

1:00 pm Shotgun Start

Food, Beer, Prizes, $60 per golfer

To register your foursome or to volunteer, contact: Andrew Souder, 215-804-0845; or andrew@rafind.com

ARCHDIOCESAN NEWS

RESPECT LIFE BULLETIN BRIEFS

“As Catholics, we can never cease to work for the correction of gravely unjust laws. Law is the fundamental expression of our culture and implicitly teaches citizens what is morally acceptable…we are never justified in abandoning the work of changing legislation and of reversing decisions of the courts which are anti-life and anti-family.”

Most Rev. Raymond L. Burke, May 8, 2009)

FOSTER FAMILIES NEEDED

You can change the future…be becoming a Foster Parent! Foster families provide temporary homes to children of all ages, races and religions whose families are in crisis. The love, service and example of Catholic Social Services foster parents, has a lasting and positive effect on the children whose lives they touch.

For more information on how you can become a foster parent, please call Melissa at: 215-587-2458!

MIRACULOUS MEDAL SHRINE

500 E. Chelten Avenue

Philadelphia, PA

215-844-1010

New This Summer

NOVENA OF HOPE

July 10, 2009 – July 18, 2009

Novena, Sermon, Mass at 9:00 am; 12:05 pm & 7:30 pm.

Confessions heard thirty minutes prior to Mass.

AREA PARISH NEWS

SOCIETY of ST. VINCENT de PAUL

CLOTHING DRIVE – July 25, 2009

St. Mary of Delphi

40 Spring Mount Road

Schwenksville, PA 19473

9:00 am – 2:00 pm

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Philadelphia serving the underprivileged of the Philadelphia five-county area since 1851, is collecting donations of usable men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing. We will also be accepting small household goods (bed and bath linens, pots & pans, dishes, cooking utensils, shoes and books). We also accept small appliances in good working order.

No baby equipment – only clothing.

Individuals are invited to take all donations to the location listed above.

CELEBRATING THE 85^TH ANNIVERSARY

Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Bridgeport, PA

ITALIAN FESTIVAL – 2009

July 10^th, 11^th & 12th

Italian Food, Refreshments,

Dancing, Games of Chance,

Visit our NEW TENT AREA –

Union Avenue & Bush Street

Comfortable for our festival guests

AREA NEWS

FATIMA DAY IN DOYLESTOWN

The National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa located at 654 Ferry Road, Doylestown, invites you to come and pray with us for peace in the world! Join us on the 13^th of every month from now until October at 7:00 pm. We begin with Holy Mass followed by a candlelight procession, Holy Rosary recited in different languages and Act of Reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Your prayers and presence are needed!

For more information, please call the Shrine at: 215-345-0600.

RETROUVAILLE OF DELAWARE VALLEY

Marriage Help – Rtrouvaille is a Catholic based program to help marriages that are stressed or in trouble. Retrouvaille has helped countless married couples in all stages of disillusionment or misery in their marriage. Retrouvaille can help your marriage, too. The next program will be held at t. Joseph’s in the Hills Malvern Retreat Center from August 14-16. All calls are confidential. This is the last program for the year, so please register early. For more information, call: 800-470-2230 or 302-832-8044 or visit our website: www.HelpOurMarriage.com.

BINGO VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

We are in need of Bingo Volunteers for BOTH the kitchen, and working the floor, checking winning Bingo cards.

You only work one each month on Thursday evenings. We have 4 teams for both the kitchen and floor and are in need of help on each team.

CAN YOU HELP?

NOT EVERY WEEK –

JUST ONE WEEK, ONCE A MONTH!

If you can help, please check the area you are interested in.

PLEASE PRINT AND RETURN IN THE COLLECTION BASKET OR TO THE RECTORY.

_____BAKED GOODS

_____KITCHEN

_____FLOOR WORKER

Name: _________________________

Phone:_________________________

Breakfast Volunteers NEEDED

Our Parish Breakfast is a major fundraiser for our Parish and a tremendous Community and Parish Social Event. We are in need of more parishioners to help with this monthly event. Our breakfast is held the 4^th Sunday of each month (excluding November & December).

CAN YOU HELP?

Not the entire morning…

but only a few hours each month!

Please print and return in collection basket or to the rectory:

Donate baked goods:

Cooks: Line Servers:

___6am-9am ___6:45 am- 9:00 am

___9am-11am ___9:00 am – 11:00 am

___11am-1pm ___11:00 am – 1:00 pm

Dishwashers: Cleaning the gym:

___7:30am-10:00 am ___12:00 pm – 2:00 pm

___10:00 am – 12noon

___12noon – 2:00 pm

Washing Trays Dessert table, coffee

___8am-10am ___7:00 am – 9:00 am

___10am – 12noon ___9:00 am – 11:00 am

___12noon-1:30 pm ___11:00 am – 12:30 pm

Name: _________________________

Phone: ________________________

Invest just five minutes a day, and your faith will deepen and grow—a day at a time.

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Practicing faith

Did you ever go searching all over the house for your car keys only to find them right where you left them on the kitchen table? We tend to expect what we believe. When we’re looking for those keys, there’s a little voice in our heads chanting the mantra: I have to find my keys, I have to find my keys. And so it is. Faith is to believe despite all evidence to the contrary. Our single task as Christians is to practice our faith, to train our minds to believe, even when the evidence suggests otherwise. “I will find my keys” is a good start.

Today’s readings: Ezekiel 2:2-5;

2 Corinthians 12:7-10; Mark 6:1-6a

“And he could do no deed of power there . . . . And he was amazed at their unbelief.”

Monday, July 6

Feast of Maria Goretti, virgin, martyr

Forgiveness lives on

One of the marks of sanctity is that it inspires radical change in the lives of those who encounter it. Such was the case with Maria Goretti, murdered in 1902 by a would-be rapist when she was only 11 years old. She forgave her killer, Alessandro Serenelli, on her deathbed. Serenelli, however, was unrepentant until he had a dream in which Maria gave him lilies that immediately burned his hands. After his release from prison decades later, Serenelli visited Maria’s mother and begged her forgiveness. They attended Mass together the next day, receiving Communion side by side. On June 24, 1950 the repentant Serenelli was present for Goretti’s canonization. Change someone’s life today through forgiveness.

Today’s readings: Genesis 28:10-22a; Matthew 9:18-26

“My daughter has just died. But come, lay your hand on her, and she will live.”

Tuesday, July 7

Wrestlemania

When you think of an encounter with God, what’s the first image that comes to mind? Wrestling? Maybe not, but it’s a powerful biblical image. Think of Jacob, who grappled with the angel of God. At the time, Jacob feared for his life because he was in dangerous territory. Would God remain with him in his hour of need? For Jacob, a crisis of faith followed. So did a wrestling match. How often do we wrestle with God? In illness, financial hardship, and other troubles, we may wonder if God is with us. Jacob reminds us that holding fast to God in a crisis can be difficult. We may feel bruised and battered but also emerge with greater self-knowledge and stronger faith.

Today’s readings: Genesis 32:23-33; Matthew 9:32-38

“But Jacob said, ‘I will not let you go, unless you bless me.’ ”

Wednesday, July 8

Hardly your dream job

We tend to think that the word apostle—which means “one who is sent”—appears only in the gospels, yet the term is also used in Saint Paul’s letters to mean “one who has seen the risen Lord and has been commissioned to proclaim the resurrection.” However they are defined, the 12 apostles had no easy task before or after Christ died. They were scoffed at, scolded, beaten, and tortured for delivering a message that frightened and confused many even as it liberated and heartened a few. Try spreading a little Good News yourself, but be prepared to be reviled more often than embraced.

Today’s readings: Genesis 41:55-57; 42:5-7a, 17-24a; Matthew 10:1-7

“Jesus sent out these twelve after instructing them.”

Thursday, July 9

Feast of Augustine Zhao Rong, priest, martyr, and companions, martyrs

God’s ways are mysterious

Grace doesn’t move in a straight line. It’s more like the Yellow Brick Road to spiritual success, winding through both friendly cornfields and haunted forests and adding companions to the journey along the way. So Joseph, Jacob’s favorite son, was sold into slavery by his brothers and later rescued his family from famine as a result. Evil intent turns to good in God’s hands. So Chinese soldier Augustine Zhao Rong once accompanied a bishop to his execution. As a result of that encounter, the soldier became a Christian, priest, and martyr himself—later on down the road.

Today’s readings: Genesis 44:18-21, 23b-29; 45:1-5; Matthew 10:7-15

“And now do not be distressed . . . for God sent me before you to preserve life.”

Friday, July 10

Lead us into temptation?

The third-century theologian Origen once asked a very important question about the Lord’s Prayer: “How is it that our Savior commands us to pray not to enter temptation, since God somehow tempts everyone?” Indeed temptation appears to be the hallmark of many biblical trials, coming even to Jesus himself. If being put into the midst of harm can be a sign of God’s loving will, we can understand that entering into temptation means to become part of it. So Origen says that what one prays for is the strength and discipline to withstand temptation without sinning. Consider what temptations are before you today.

Today’s readings: Genesis 46:1-7, 28-30; Matthew 10:16-23

“See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves.”

Saturday, July 11

Feast of Benedict, abbot

A good rule to follow

Saint Benedict’s famous Rule was originally written as a guide for those living in monastic communities he had founded or had gathered around him. Ever since, though, the Rule of Benedict has been a source of guidance and inspiration for many kinds of people seeking to live a better and more faithful Christian life. “To you,” Benedict wrote in the Prologue to the Rule, “. . . my words are now addressed, whoever you may be, who are renouncing your own will to do battle under the Lord Christ, the true King, and are taking up the strong, bright weapons of obedience.” Many paths can lead to holiness. Which path are you on?

Today’s readings: Genesis 49:29-32; 50:15-26a; Matthew 10:24-33

“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.”