Bulletin Vignettes
August 1-29, 2010

Evangelization—18th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Where is your Treasure?—July 31-August 1, 2010

Jesus uses a parable of the rich man to teach a lesson of where our true treasure lies.  In this culture of today where we store up treasures of wealth in many diverse ways, it is easy to forget where our true security lies.  It is important to plan for the future but when this involves greed, egotism or keeping up with our neighbors, we are in deep trouble.  Good stewardship is God’s stewardship.  All is gift from the hands of God.  The challenge of the gospel is to put our energy and trust in things that do not perish, and place our security in God, the Giver of all good gifts.  Have you ever be seduced by material goods?  How does the story of the rich man speak of your life or of your experience?  What are the attachments of your life?  Do the poor enter into your discussions about the way in which your money is managed?  Are there provisions for the poor in your portfolios?

Evangelization—19th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Be Prepared—August 7-8, 2010

We have all heard Jesus’ words, “Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour when the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into.  You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come” (Luke 12: 42-43). We do not know the day or the hour when the Son of Man will come.  This gospel is an admonition to watch, pray, and do good.  Jesus exhorts us today as He did the disciples to have this inner disposition, like those servants in the parable who were waiting for master’s return: “Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival” Luke 12:37).  As we profess our faith today, let us be mindful of “the life of the world to come”.  It is an invitation to attend to our destiny with God with prayer, good deeds, and foresight.  We are pilgrims on a journey towards our heavenly home.  As we prepare for the Feast of the Assumption, let us call upon Mary to help us not to forget that we are on earth passing through and will one day encounter the Son of Man, Jesus who is “seated at the right hand of the Father.  He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead.”  This week make a conscious effort to be present to a family in the parish who has just experience the loss of a loved one.

Evangelization—Feast of the Assumption of Mary
Mary Is Taken Up to Heaven—August 14-15, 2010

Mary, full of grace, experienced a privileged and unique relationship with God in the Person of her Son Jesus.  Like all mothers she endured the anxiety of a mother who did not understand all that her Son did as a child as well as in His ministry.  Her joys and sufferings were many.  She was a mother who saw her Son teach, preach and heal many people.  But she also had her sorrows.  She followed Jesus and saw him harassed and humiliated on his way to Calvary.  We learn from Mary that joys and sorrows are part of life.  It was her discipleship, her “Yes” in both the joys and sorrows of life that teach us to go to Mary to help us follow Jesus.  Mary is “our life, our sweetness, our hope”.  Today we celebrate Mary being lifted up to heaven to be with her Son.  Let us pray to Mary to guide our way through the joys and sufferings of life so that one day, we, too, may share in the glory of her Son.  Pray the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary this week for peace in the world.

Evangelization—21st Sunday of Ordinary Time
Who Will Be Saved?—August 21-22, 2010

Jesus answers the question “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” with a challenge “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough” (Luke 13:22-23).  The way through the narrow gate is the way of repentance.  Jesus was adamant about being self-righteous about anyone.  Jesus was clear that the self-righteous and their narrow-mindedness had no place in the kingdom of God.  The Gospel implies that some of those who ate and drank in Jesus’ company may not be able to enter the reign of God because they have not repented.  The Christian life is more than knowing Jesus.  Jesus continues to invite us to a deep personal relationship with Him.  The message is urgent “Repent while you still have the chance.”  Only those who repent will be saved.  Constant conversion is part of the Christian life style.  Pray for a change of heart when it comes to your rejection of anyone in God’s family, especially in your immediate family.

Evangelization—22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Hospitality and Humility—August 28-29

“Humble yourself the more, the greater you are, and you will find favor with God” (Sirach 3:18).  And Jesus gives the same advice, “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will exalted” (Luke 14:11).  The way of hospitality is the way of humility.  Hospitality is the offering of oneself to help the other—the poor, the lonely, the forgotten.  These are the “little ones” who are on the fringes of life.  They deserve respect and honor for they are children of God.  God promised long ago in His covenant relationship that He would care for us, and in return, we would take care of the weaker members of society.  This is God’s will that we care for those who cannot care for themselves and who have no means of repayment.  God desires that all people be saved.  There are no favorites with God.  All are welcome equally.  As disciples in mission, we are all called to go out into the highways and by-ways to welcome all of God’s rejected children.  Who would our society find offensive to invite to the wedding feast?  What kind of folks would you feel most uncomfortable inviting to the wedding feast?  What position at the table will you take?

Why Catholic? Vignettes
Sign-Up Sunday
September 5-26, 2010

Why Catholic?  23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time
Cost of Discipleship—September 4-5, 2010

“Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26).  To carry the cross of Christ is always a daily endeavor.  This requires prayer, steadfast faithfulness to one’s vocation and duties in life, and accepting whatever unfolds from the hands of God.  Luke uses the word “hating” one’s father and mother.  The word seems harsh but Luke wants to stress that God is the most important in our lives and He desires that He be the center of all our daily actions.  The way to a deeper call to discipleship is build the relationship with our God through prayer.  Following Jesus as a Christian is costly, but the reward to eternal life is priceless.  The Why Catholic? sessions on prayer will soon begin in October.  Sign-Up Sunday and Prayer Commitment Sunday is September 25-26.  Consider joining a small faith-sharing group to deepen your own experiences of God in prayer.  This can be a way to strengthen your own family prayer.

Why Catholic? 24th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Jesus Welcomes Sinners—September 11-12, 2010

Notice the first line of the Gospel, “Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus” (Luke 15:1).   The stories that Jesus tells about welcoming sinners and then eats with them are found only in Luke’s Gospel.  These parables speak of the compassionate and merciful love that God has for everyone, especially the sinners.  What is our image of God who moves heaven and earth to welcome sinners?  These stories invite us all to act like God—to go to any lengths in welcoming and loving all people.  Is there someone you know who needs your welcoming and inviting them to come to church with you or to receive the Sacrament of Penance?  Learn more about how to pray by joining a Why Catholic? Small Community Group on Sign-Up Sunday and Prayer Commitment Sunday on September 25-26 in your parish.  The Fall sessions for Christian Prayer: Deepening My Experience of God will begin in October.  The topics are:  Vocal Prayer and Meditation, Contemplative Prayer, Difficulties in Prayer and The Lord’s Prayer.

Why Catholic? 25th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Responsible Stewardship—September 18-19, 2010

Creative and responsible stewardship is important today as we face economic difficulties.  The Parable of the Dishonest Steward is a difficult parable to understand.  The unjust steward was clever and seemingly did not pay a price for his unjust ways.  But a price is paid whenever we are not trustworthy towards one another.  However, Jesus was exhorting his disciples to be as clever as the steward in securing their future in the reign of God.  If the steward managed to provide for his future by his clever manipulation of his wealth, how much more will we do the same by using our resources to build up the kingdom of God?  What are the implications of the challenge for you to be generous with your financial and/or material resources?  How will you respond?  Come and share your faith experiences in the upcoming Why Catholic? faith-sharing sessions.  Sign-Up Sunday and Prayer Commitment Sunday is next Sunday, September 25-26.  The sessions that will be covered are:
            Session 7         Vocal Prayer and Meditation               Session 9         Difficulties in Prayer
            Session 8         Contemplative Prayer                          Sessions 1-12   The Lord’s Prayer
           
Why Catholic?  26th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Who Are the Poor?—September 25-26, 2010

Who are the poor who may come to our doorstep?  Just who are the poor?  Our country and the world-at-large are filled with people who are so poor. The poor are those who lack the necessities of life and the means to obtain them.  It includes education, acceptance, self-respect, etc.  Many of us are comfortable and have enough to take care of our own needs and our family’s needs.  How many are poor in their faith?  How many need our support to reach out to provide for the material needs?  How can we reach out to those who need to reconnect with their faith?  What are being called to do?  We are called to open the doorsteps of our heart and to be generous with our time, prayer, and talent.  This Sunday is the Why Catholic? Sign-Up Sunday and Prayer Commitment Sunday.  Please consider joining one of the Faith Sharing Groups to learn more about prayer, especially The Lord’s Prayer.  The Lord’s prayer is “the summary of the whole gospel”.  Come and see how the Lord works in our own hearts.

(Taken from: A Time to Listen…A Time to Heal)

COME HOME
General Intercessions—Inactive Catholics

• That God will guide us as we invite inactive Catholics to return to the Church, we pray to the Lord

• That the Holy Spirit will open the hearts of those who receive the invitation to return to the Church  and encourage them to respond, we pray to the Lord

• That the Holy Spirit will inspire all our parishioners to be welcoming and inviting to all who visit our parish, we pray to the Lord

• That the power of God’s mercy and compassion will touch the hearts of those away from the Church to Come Home, we pray to the Lord

• That our community of faith will be a sign to others of  our warm hospitality of welcoming new members to our parish, we pray to the Lord

• That during this Lenten season that the Church’s invitation to Come Home will not be a stumbling block but a welcome home to all Catholics to experience authentic Christian hospitality, we pray to the Lord