Church of Saint Philip Neri

Pennsburg, PA 18073

July 12, 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.

LET US PRAISE CHRIST TOGETHER

In a recent visit to our parish Cemetery, I was quite upset with the number of graves where bushes have been planted and graves outlined with paving stones, and then, these graves have been neglected. The result is overgrown bushes and graves that are unable to be cut where the weeds are as high as the grave markers. This is resulting in our cemetery beginning to look rather unkept. As a result, I have met with our Parish Cemetery Landscaper this past week and we both walked the cemetery where graves have been allowed to be overgrown because of illegal bush planting and blocked off with pavers.

I have instructed him to begin Monday, July 13^th to begin to remove these items so that our grass can be properly mowed and trimmed. Our cemetery property is a sacred resting placed for our deceased brothers and sisters and should reflect our love and remembrance of them.

The planting of bushes on cemetery property is not permitted; and also the outlining of graves with stones and bricks is also now allowed. Where bushes have been planted and are being maintained, these will be permitted to remain. Where graves are overgrown with bushes and weeds, these will be removed so proper maintenance and the dignity of burial ground will be preserved.

Praise Be Jesus Christ…Now and Forever!

Father Roncase

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

Serving at Mass July 26^th

Extraordinary Ministers Lectors

5:00 pm – Jim Camarata Bob Piccone

Trish Dornisch

Priest

Mark Meinzer

Pat Meinzer

7:30 am – Michele Martin John Gilmore

Peter D’Amico T. Gilmore

Deacon

Priest

Dina Corrado

Lori Brozena

9:30 am – John McHale M. Gehringer

Irene Novelli J. Sakalouckas

Bill Orr

Priest

Ken Mayer

Marilynn Mayer

11:00 am – Maryanne Charlton M. Charlton

Kevin Charlton D. McCausland

Amanda Charlton

Priest

Anita Weilnau

Marlene Leidy

FIFTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

July 12, 2009

Monday, July 13

8:00 am – Theresa Wang, (Sung & Sun He Suh)

Tuesday, July 14, Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha

8:00 am – Rosa Suh, (Sung & Sun He Suh)

Wednesday, July 15, Bonaventure, bishop & doctor

7:00 pm – For all those enrolled in the Memorial Society.

Thursday, July 16, Our Lady of Mount Carmel

8:00 am – Eugene Cressman, (Wife Catherine & children)

Friday, July 17

8:00 am – Laura Cassidy, (Maureen Homan)

Saturday, July 18

8:00 am – William Tarantino, (Stan & Betty Mikanowicz)

5:00 pm – Michael Burgert, (Marlene Burgert & family)

Sunday, July 19

7:30 am – For the living & deceased members o

of the Parish.

9:30 am – Andreas Nicolaou, (Leonette Nicolaou)

11:00 am – Comfort of the Homeless,

(Respect Life Ministry)

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, Mary Conover, Barbara Duklis, Olga Durco, Baby Robert John Riegel, Jr., Kelly Connolly, 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, Joe Johnson, Baby Lucy Littlefield, Charlotte Azarovich, George Bradford, Margie Shelley, Baby Amelia Lyman, Matthew Melcher, Rick DeStefano, Catherine Wlazelek, Viola Kavacky, Lloyd Rothenberger, Debbie Proffit, Elizabeth Hardy, Tom Healy, Kathleen Sturgeon & John Zan.

For those who have died, and in particular for, Giosuelo Liguoro, Jennie Virus & Marybeth Manney, 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

June 29, 2008 June 28, 2009

Envelope: $ 8,658.00 $ 8,206.50

Loose: 1,063.00 1,118.00

Children: 69.35 55.00

Total: $ 9,790.35 $ 9,379.50

Special collection: June 28th

Peter’s Pence: $ 1,178.00

July 6, 2008 July 5. 2009

Envelope: $ 8,402.60 $ 9,333.00

Loose: 1,408.00 1,196.00

Children: 45.50 37.00

Total: $ 9,856.10 $10,566.00

ACTIVITIES - *BINGO*

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

Working Thursday – July 16^th – Team #4

All regular games pay $50

FINAL COVER – ALL SPECIAL PAYS: $500

Bingo: June 25^th: - 57 players

Games: $ 263.50

Kitchen: 209.50

Total: $ 473.00

Bingo: July 2^nd: - 70 players

Games: $ 278.20

Kitchen: 165.35

Total: $ 443.55

BAKED GOODS NEEDED

Baked Goods needed weekly for Bingo and monthly for parish Breakfast.

Anyone willing to donate baked goods, please call Rita at: 679-7009 or the rectory office: 679-9275.

PARISH BREAKFAST

Our parish Breakfast was held on Sunday, June 28^th and 491 people were served. Thank you so much to our volunteers who came out and worked so hard! Our next breakfast is July 26^th; so mark your calendars and save the date.

Breakfast profit: $2,323.00

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.

In memory of Giosuelo Liguoro, requested by:

Silvene Bracalente, Pete & Linda Frank,

Gerald & Joan McMahon & Guy & Robin Piza.

In memory of: Jennie Virus, requested by:

Stan & Betty Mikanowicz & Jim & Ann Michels.

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

MEETINGS AND EVENTS THIS WEEK

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

Monday, July 13^th – Car Show Committee Meeting – gym – 7:00 pm

Tuesday, July 14^th – Adult Choir and Cantor Practice – in Church at 6:30 pm

Tuesday, July 14^th – Garden Club – Church grounds – 5:00 – 7:00 pm

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

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

Thursday, July 16^th – Bingo – gym – 6:30 pm

Sunday, July 19^th – Children’s Liturgy of the Word – at the 9:30 am Mass

Sunday, July 19^th – Men’s 30 & over Basketball – gym – 8:00 pm

UPCOMING MEETINGS

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

Parish Car Show – Friday, July 24^th – Church grounds – 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Parish Breakfast set-up – Saturday, July 25^th – Parish Social Hall – 7:00 am – 1:00 pm

Parish Breakfast – gym – 7:00 am – 12:30 pm

SCHOOL NEWS

St. Philip Neri Grade School News

St. Philip Neri School

Honor Roll

June 2009

Grade

Distinguished Honors

First

Honors

Second Honors

Danilo Perez

Ashley Serafin

Matthew Souder

Laura Vetter

Kate Ferdock

Nora Myers

Ben Tryon

Madison Wood

Cooper Wright

Richard Smith

Hannah Mattaliano

Hayley Martin

Sara McMahon

Emily Beck

Keira Koch

Patrick Souder

Nick Camarata

Allison McCausland

Elizabeth Mullaney

Brynn Shrom

Morgan Tielemans

Lauren Pera

Lauren Serafin

Charlie Stoll

Patrick Vetter

Isabel Perez

Joshua Williams

Philip Myers

Chris Malantonio

Zachary Washko

Tia Camarata

Jacqueline Smith

Regina Souder

EJ Wahl

Austin Jaman

Emilia Lowe

Leah Williams

Christopher Hillegass

Starla Lata

Graduation –

June 11, 2009

Congratulations to the following students who have successfully completed the course of study prescribed by the Office of Catholic Education of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia:

Tia A. Camarata, Rhiannon L. Domalewski, Christopher A. Hillegass, Austin P. Jaman,

Sarah J. Johnson, Starla M. Lata,

Emilia C. Lowe, Danielle C. Marinelli,

Joseph A. Marinelli, Emily K. Nash,

Jacqueline L. Smith,

Regina A. Souder, Catherine M. Stoll,

Brandon M. Undorfer, Eric J. Wahl &

Leah C. Williams

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.

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.

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.

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 APPLIANCE

One (1) Upright Freezer for the Carnival Kitchen. Anyone wishing to donate, 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

YOUTH MINISTRY CAR WASH

Saturday – July 25th

9:00 am – 2:00 pm

St. Philip Neri School Parking Lot

Come by to have your car washed, have a cold drink and a bake sale item!

All proceeds will benefit Youth Ministry.

Donations of baked goods are welcome.

Any questions or to pick up donations, please call Mrs. Daley at: 215-541-1716.

SUMMER DRIVE

The Open Line, located in Pennsburg, is in need of a Summer Drive…specifically requesting the following products: Paper towels, toilet tissue, Kleenex & detergents. This Summer Drive will take place on the weekend of July 25^th & 26^th after all Masses.

Our Youth Ministry Group will be there to assist and work the collection.

THANK YOU

Thank you so much to the St. Philip Neri Craft Guild for their generous donation of $3,000 to Saint Philip Neri Church!

We truly thank you for all of your hard work and dedication to St. Philip Neri!

BIBLE TIMELINE

Evening session: Monday, August 10^th – 7pm

Day session: Friday, August 14^th – 9am

All sessions held in rectory meeting room

(next to Chapel)

This session will be seven (7) weeks starting with Lesson 18 (Messianic Fulfillment).

For those who have been with us for the entire Bible Timeline, welcome back.

For anyone wishing to join the group, please contact Joan Lampart: 215-529-5686.

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

NEWLY REGISTERED FAMILIES

JUNE 2009

We welcome the following new parishioners into our parish Family here at St. Philip Neri!

The Eustice Family

The Lara Family &

The Sturgeon Family

ARCHDIOCESAN NEWS

RESPECT LIFE BULLETIN BRIEFS

“If we don’t enact laws and work tirelessly to change human hearts so that life is forever reverenced and protected, we have not fought the good fight which is our charge as the Church Militant.”

(Most Rev. Robert W. Finn,-

Bishop of Kansas – St. Joseph, April 18, 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.

Office of the Cardinal

June 30, 2009

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

In Pope Benedict XVI’s encyclical Deus caritas est, our Holy Father wrote that “within the community of believers there can never be room for a poverty that denies anyone what is needed for a dignified life.”

The lives and futures of 37 million Americans who are living in poverty are at stake. For nearly forty years, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development has stood with poor and low-income peoples, helping to create permanent solutions to poverty. One by one people are joining local community groups to break the cycle of poverty – and Catholics across our country are part of that change.

In the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, the annual collection to support this domestic anti-poverty program of the Church will take place on the weekend of July 11-12, 2009. Through the collection, contributions of the faithful become tools of self-reliance, self-sufficiency and self determination as anti-poverty projects are implemented across the country and in the communities and neighborhoods of our own Archdiocese. The annual collection also raises consciousness about poverty and the Church’s social mission.

The Catholic Campaign for Human Development is committed to helping people find permanent solutions to the problem of domestic poverty. On behalf of literally thousands of citizens and neighbors whose lives will be offered hope through this program, I thank you for your response to this appeal.

May God bless you for your generosity.

Sincerely in Christ,

Cardinal Justin Rigali

AREA NEWS

St. Philip Neri – East Greenville

Students excel at:

Lansdale Catholic High School

Our parish recently received notification of the performance of our high school students on the End of Year Report.

We are particularly proud of those who demonstrated academic excellence!

Among those earning second honors were the following students from our parish:

Alexander D. Hetzel ’11 & Julia C. Young ‘12

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:

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 12, 2009

Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

“It’s a miracle!”

When something good happens but we don’t know how, we often say it’s a miracle. The word derives from the Latin mirari, “to wonder at.” The earliest believers in Jesus were in wonder at the healings he performed, healings that were inexplicable except through divine power. Not only that, Jesus called the believers themselves to heal others. And they did! They were ordinary people, just like you, doing the extraordinary. Jesus’ power of miracles attracted many people to his ministry. People likely were drawn by the sheer magnificence of Jesus’ deeds, then discovered how deeply fulfilling it was to be of service to humanity. Small wonder that the Latin word for miracles is also related to the word “smile.”

Today’s readings: Amos 7:12-15;

Ephesians 1:3-14 or 1:3-10; Mark 6:7-13

“He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits.”

Monday, July 13

Feast of Henry

Serve God right here, right now

Henry was Holy Roman Emperor from 1002 until his death in 1024. During his reign he founded schools, protected borders, worked to establish peace throughout Europe, helped to reform the church, and was unfailingly kind and generous to the poor. After the death of his wife, Henry decided to become a monk. The abbot of the monastery declined his application, however, noting that Henry could do the most good for God and humanity by remaining emperor. Sometimes we think we have to move—to another job or even to another country—to live a life of service. It’s not true. Opportunities abound wherever we are.

Today’s readings: Exodus 1:8-14, 22; Matthew 10:34-11:1

“Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.”

Tuesday, July 14

What floats your boat?

You know the story: Pharaoh ordered all the male Hebrew children to be cast into the Nile to check the burgeoning Israelite population. One mother followed his command but with a twist: Trying to save her little boy, she floated him out onto the river in a basket. Pharaoh’s daughter, at the river to bathe, saw the little boat, gave the baby back to the mother, whom she paid to nurse and raise the child, until she was able to adopt the child as her own. She called him Moses, which means “drawn out.” A tragic tale for the rest of the unlucky babies, but also one that shows how God’s care shows itself in small ways. Where are the little signs of God’s love floating through your life?

Today’s readings: Exodus 2:1-15a;

Matthew 11:20-24

“She named him Moses, ‘because,’ she said, ‘I drew him out of the water.’ ”

Wednesday, July 15

Feast of Bonaventure, bishop, doctor of the church

Useful gifts

So gifted with knowledge, wisdom, and understanding, our saint of the day has numerous colleges and high schools named after him, plus a starship, the USS Bonaventure (NCC-2977), in Star Trek: The Animated Series. Is it any wonder that we’ve still got his right arm and hand that he used to write his famous Commentary on the Four Books of Peter Lombard on display at his home parish in Bagnoregio, Italy? But all those smarts are simply the gifts of the Holy Spirit, given to all for the sake of all. Saint Bonaventure put his to work for the church. What are you doing with yours?

Today’s readings: Exodus 3:1-6, 9-12; Matthew 11:25-27

“All things have been handed over to me by my Father.”

Thursday, July 16

Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Protect yourself

The Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is also known as the Feast of the Scapular, in honor of the protection the Virgin Mary is said to have given the Carmelite order in a vision to one of its early leaders, Saint Simon Stock. Scapulars, whether in the form of a religious habit, a neck ornament, or even a simple pin, are outward signs of the truth Jesus speaks in today’s gospel: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” The protective comfort Jesus provides is not through barriers he builds up around us but rather through the ways of meekness and humility he teaches us. Get some rest today.

Today’s readings: Exodus 3:13-20;

Matthew 11:28-30

“I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves.”

Friday, July 17

Image matters

The Bible is replete with various images of God, from God as a judge and executor (Exodus 12:12) to God as a woman baking bread (Matthew 13:33). Often these images seem contradictory—a violent God killing firstborn children versus a God who nourishes with patience and care. Frequently these likenesses are used to describe some kind of attribute of God or the experience of a people’s encounter with God. How do we understand God in the 21st century? What images might we use to describe our experience of God? In a world more interconnected and interdependent than ever before, how does what happens in the Middle East or India affect us and our experience of God? What about the beauty and plight of God’s earth and creatures?

Today’s readings: Exodus 11:10-12:14; Matthew 12:1-8

“ ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ ”

Saturday, July 18

Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Ready or not!

There are few things more Jewish than matzo, and nothing more Catholic than the Eucharist. In both cases it’s odd to remember that the unleavened bread was purely unintentional. The bread was flat on the day of the great Passover because there was simply no time for it to rise. God doesn’t mind making use of what’s available, no matter how untimely it seems to us. So God later chose a young girl, Mary, not yet married, to be the mother of the world’s great passover from sin, Jesus. When it comes to salvation, there’s no time like the present.

Today’s readings: Exodus 12:37-42; Matthew 12:14-21

“The dough . . . was not leavened, because they were driven out of Egypt and could not wait.”