|
|
WEEKLY BULLETIN July 29, 2007
|
|
|
FROM FATHER RICK SUMMER MASS SCHEDULE Saturday – 4:00 PM Sunday – 8:00 AM & 10:30 AM This Mass schedule will be extended this year to include the weekend after Labor Day, September 8/9.
A HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION AND OUR SUMMER COOKOUT # 2 Cookout #2 – Wednesday August 15 @ 6:30 PM Masses for the Holy Day will be at 12:10 PM and 5:30 PM. The evening Mass will be followed by our second summer cookout. Please RSVP to Irene in the Parish Office before Sunday, August 12. MORE ON WALKING MEDITATION There is a Zen tradition called "walking meditation," which invites us to do exactly what we do all the time: walk! But now we are invited to walk with awareness, slowly, mindfully. Not walking in order to hurry from here to there, but walking for its own sake and to be purely in the present moment, enjoying each step we take. If we transform our daily walks into a meditation, our feet will take each step with awareness. Our breathing and our stepping will be in harmony and our mind will be free to find peace and joy, and to cause peace and joy to flow through us to others. As far back as 1930, Romano Guardini, the great Catholic liturgist, also spoke of the sacramentality of walking: "Walking is the expression of essentially human nobility. The upright carriage of the one who masters one’s self, who bears one’s self along calmly and quietly—that is a human privilege." Walking upright means being a human. But we are even more than just human. Scripture says that we are the "offspring of God, reborn of God to a new life." Imagine! We should walk as though we remembered that Christ lives in us. His body dwells in our flesh; his blood circulates in our veins. For "they that eat my flesh and drink my blood, abide in me and I in them." Guardini goes on to say "The knowledge of this mystery could find its expression in walking rightly, joyfully, with graceful and firm movement. It could be a profound fulfillment of the command: ‘Walk before me and be perfect.’" We can transform our "daily constitutional" into walking meditation. Breathing and stepping in rhythm. Watching the firm, joyful steps we take. Walking in the faith that Christ is formed in us; that all that we do has become part of Christ’s life in us. Copyright © 2001 Archdiocese of Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 1800 North Hermitage Avenue, Chicago IL 60622-1101; 1-800-933-1800; www.ltp.org. Text and art by Gertrud Mueller Nelson. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Have a great week, Pray and work for Peace, Fr. Rick
Imagine being part of an organization that fills your heart and your mind with the joy of giving to others and the feeling that comes with making a difference. Knights are Catholic men, 18 years of age and older, who are committed to making their community a better place, while supporting their Church. Being a Knight is more than camaraderie; it is being involved with your community; it is supporting your local Catholic Church, while enhancing your own faith and setting a good faith example; it is about protecting and enhancing your family life. You can volunteer as much as you like or as little and on your own schedule. If you want to find out more, contact Jim McKain at 978-475-7931 or visit the website at www.kofc.org. August Meeting: there will be one meeting only in August, which will be held on Wednesday, August 22nd, at 7:30 PM in Driscoll Hall. Money Matters On the weekend of July 21/22 Weekly donations $3,291.00 Monthly donations $655.00 Catholic Appeal Goal $39,500.00 Catholic Appeal to Date $53,040.00 Stewardship Reflection "Ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." Luke 11:9 Jesus assures us that if we ask Him, God will take care of what we need. The problem is that in our culture we often confuse what we really need with what we simply want. We need very little. However, we usually want so much more. A good steward only asks God for what he needs. Retreat at the Franciscan Center "The Life of Christ Reflected in the Mysteries of the Rosary," August 24th to 26th. Enjoy an atmosphere of quiet for an integration experience on the Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful, and Glorious Mysteries in the life of Christ. The facilitator for this retreat is Marge Milanese, a spiritual director and retreat facilitator from the diocese of Albany, NY. Cost: $150.00. To register, please call 978-851-3391. Lazarus House Hike for Hope The 8th Annual Hike for Hope to benefit Lazarus House ministries will take place on Sunday, September 30, 2007, rain or shine, at Merrimack College. The five-mile pledge walk (one-mile route also available) begins and ends at Merrimack College and winds its way through downtown Andover. The walk begins promptly at 1:00 PM and ends between 3:30 and 4:00 PM. You can pre-register online at www.hikeforhope.org or by calling Lana at 978-689-8575, ext. 206. This is a very special year for the Hike for Hope, as this year’s participants will be walking and collecting pledges on behalf of the families who will be moving this October into the recently-completed transitional housing complex Capernaum Place. Capernaum Place is a name chosen with much prayer and reflection, drawn from St. Mark, Chapter 2: "When He had come back to Capernaum several days afterward, it was heard that He was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer any room, not even near the door, and He was speaking the word to them. And they came, bringing to Him, a paralytic carried by four men. Being unable to get to Him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Him; and when they had dug an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic was lying. And Jesus seeing their faith said to the paralytic, Son your sins are forgiven." How joyful that the faith of the community removed the roof and helped to give this man new life. In a very real way, Capernaum Place has been built and will be supported by the faith and determination of every past, present, and future walker and supporter of the Hike for Hope. This faith will now offer the residents of Capernaum Place a chance to move beyond their homelessness, restoring their dignity and offering a new life. And just as the paralytic may not have known those who carried him, our guests may never know those who help carry them, bringing them new joy and opportunities in their lives. Religious Education Position Available The Director of Religious Education position is available immediately at St. Augustine Church in Andover, MA. This is a full time job administering a program for approximately 1,300 students, grades one through ten. Salary is commensurate with education and work experience. Please send resume by August 3, 2007 to Anita Zompa, Pastoral Associate, St. Augustine Church, 35 Essex Street, Andover, MA. Mass Schedule and Intentions Saturday, July 28, Vigil, 17th Ordinary Sunday 4:00 pm: People of the Parish Sunday, July 29, 17th Ordinary Sunday 8:00 am: Henry Chemaly 10:30 am: Michael Picardi IV, **Baptism of Lucy Elizabeth Baker Tuesday, July 31, Ignatius of Loyola 12:10 pm Saturday, August 4, Vigil, 18th Ordinary Sunday 4:00 pm: Roger La Frenier Sunday, August 5, 18th Ordinary Sunday 8:00 am: Henry Vetrano 10:30 am: Thomas Lynch Liturgical Ministry Schedule Hard to believe that its time to think ahead to the fall schedule! The current ministry schedule will expire on the weekend of September 1/2. The next schedule will be issued to include the weekend of September 8/9 through the weekend of November 24/25. Please remember that we have extended our summer Mass schedule through the weekend of September 8/9, and that we will be celebrating our Parish Feast Day on the weekend of September 15/16. Please send all schedule exceptions by August 24th to Irene at 978-683-8922 or ibonner@comcast.net. Readings for the Week of July 29, 2007 Sunday: Gn 18:20-32/Col 2:12-14/Lk 11:1-13 Monday: Ex 32:15-24, 30-34/Mt 13:31-35 Tuesday: Ex 33:7-11; 34:5b-9, 28/Mt 13:36-43 Wednesday: Ex 34:29-35/Mt 13:44-46 Thursday: Ex 40:16-21, 34-38/Mt 13:47-53 Friday: Lv 23:1, 4-11, 15-16, 27, 34b-37/Mt 13:54-58 Saturday: Lv 25:1, 8-17/Mt 14:1-12 Next Sunday: Eccl 1:2; 2:21-23/Col 3:1-5, 9-11/Lk 12:13-21 In Service Maj. Kurt O’Rourke Mark DuPont, USCC, Kevin Grace, USA, Lyle Shackelford, Jaime Ray Seluk, USN, Pvt. Alexander Sabu, USA, Lt. Col. Paul Severance, USAF, Gen’l. R. Steve Whitcomb, USA, Lt. Col. Brian P. Bedell, USA, Capt. Lauren Whitcomb, USA, Col. Patrick J. Donahue, USA, Col. Brian P. Donahue, USA, Michael McGaffigan, USA, Beth Carriere, Nurse, USA, Steve Comstock, Pilot, USN, Lt. Jesse Salisbury, USAF, Sgt. Maureen Galvin, USA,SpOps, Lt.J.G. Kevin B. O’Brien, USN, Miko Belonia, Maj. Tony Hoffman, USA, Maj. Ross Coffman, USA, Maj. Garth Howe, USA, USA, Chief Warrant Officer II, Michael Morris, Captain Matthew Mancini, USA, Sgt. Ellen Barnes O’Connor, USA, Pvt. Adam James Mazza, USA, Pvt. Joseph D. Gagnon, USM, Col. Joseph Albanese, USA, Cpt. Eric Eckberg, USA Question of the Week Seventeenth Ordinary Sunday Question for Adults: Jesus teaches us how to pray. When this past week did you take the time to pray, to talk to and listen to God? Question for Youth: Jesus teaches us how important it is to pray. How do you ask God for what you need? How do you listen for his response? Question for Children: Prayer is talking with God and listening to God in our hearts. Where do you talk to God and how do you listen to what God says to you? Bread and Roses—August Prep and Summer Support On Sunday, August 19th, we will prepare the meal for the Bread and Roses hospitality house in Lawrence to be served on Monday, August 20th. We plan to prepare BEEF TACOS with a tossed salad and dessert. Food items needed are: cooked ground beef, soft tacos (large size please), packages of shredded cheese, packages of taco seasoning, jars of salsa, lettuce, tomato, cucumbers, large cans of fruit salad, cookies or brownies. Please use the sign up sheet on the clipboard in the church lobby. Many of our parishioners who regularly donate to this effort will be on vacation during July and August. Please consider contributing some needed food item if you will be here during these months. Any donation would be very much appreciated. Kitchen helpers meet on Sunday at 9:30 AM. All food donations should be received by 10:30 AM. Call Betty Bufano at 978-851-5682 or Lisa Lattari at 978-749-3736 for further information. Caregiver Support Meeting There is a Caregiver Support Group meeting every second Tuesday of the month, from 3:00 to 4:00 pm, at the Nevins Alzheimers Family Care Center in Methuen. For more information, contact Julie Blanchard at 978-682-3582. Summer Mass Schedule Extended We are extending our summer Mass schedule (4:00 PM on Saturday; 8:00 and 10:30 AM on Sunday) to include the weekend of September 8/9. On the weekend of September 15/16, we will return to our winter schedule (4:00 PM on Saturday; 7:30, 9:00, and 11:00 AM on Sunday). Keep in mind that we will also be celebrating our Parish Feast Day on the weekend of September 15/16, with a choir concert on Friday evening, Italian Fiesta following the 4:00 PM Mass on Saturday, Sunday Brunch following the 7:30 and 9:00 AM Masses on Sunday, and our International Food Festival following the 11:00 AM Mass on Sunday. Please plan to join us! Canines and Cars Washing Event Is your dog ready for a bath? Is your car dirty, too? Why not go to a canine and/or car wash!! Stop by the St. Williams parish parking lot in Tewksbury on Saturday, August 4, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Free will offering. Proceeds benefit Catholic Quest. For more information, contact Eileen Wood at 978-851-1304 or info@catholicquest.org. Catholic Quest seeks to provide forums for Catholics to continue to learn about their faith, to more clearly explain and defend those Teachings, and to deepen their spirituality and to give people of other faiths the opportunity to learn more about the Teachings and practices of the Catholic Church. Learn more about their events at www.catholicquest.org. Foster Homes Needed The Lutheran Community Services Unaccompanied Refugee Minor Program is looking for individuals and couples who are interested in becoming foster parents for adolescent refugee youth. These refugee minors have been welcomed into our country. Separated from their parents and guardians, they are in need of safe homes. A stipend is provided for foster parents, and youth receive medical and dental insurance. Since 1980, these refugee teens have entered the United States with dreams of a better life in this country. They have come from Vietnam, Cambodia, Haiti, and Central America. The most recent arrivals come from Sudan, China, Liberia, and Somalia. Consider being part of a team that helps them off to a good start. For more information about this opportunity, call Karen Santella at 781-997-0872. Second Summer Cookout Mark Your Calendar! Hard to believe the summer is halfway through! Our second summer cookout will be held on Wednesday, August 15th, at 6:30 PM, following the 5:30 PM Holy Day Mass. Looking forward to seeing you there! Save the date and please RSVP to Irene at 978-683-8922 or ibonner@comcast.net before Sunday, August 12, if you plan to attend. Fair Trade Coffee Buying fair trade coffee is a tangible way we can put the values of our faith into action. It provides hope for small-scale farmers who have been trapped in poverty by international market forces over which they have no control. It guarantees prices that enable producers to cover their costs of production and provide a decent standard of living for their families. It reminds us there are people behind all the things we consume. St. Roberts participates in the CRS Fair Trade Coffee Program by committing to the use of fair trade coffee for parish functions and by making it available for purchase to the parish community. Our coffee comes from Dean’s Beans, a company that supports the welfare of small-scale farmers and the CRS Fair Trade Coffee Program by donating a percentage of your purchase to the CRS Fair Trade Fund to support CRS’s work with disadvantaged coffee farmers overseas. Bring your values to the marketplace – bring Dean’s Beans Fair Trade Coffee into your homes! Coffee will be available for purchase in the Seton Room after all Masses next weekend, August 4 and 5. Scripture Readings for Next Week—Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time A reading from the Book of Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:21-23 Vanity of vanities, says Qoheleth, vanity of vanities! All things are vanity! Here is one who has labored with wisdom and knowledge and skill, and yet to another who has not labored over it, he must leave property. This also is vanity and a great misfortune. For what profit comes to man from all the toil and anxiety of heart with which he has labored under the sun? All his days sorrow and grief are their occupation; even at night his mind is not at rest. This also is vanity. A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11 Brothers and sisters: If you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Think of what is above, not of what is on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory. Put to death, then, the parts of you that are earthly: immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and the greed that is idolatry. Stop lying to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed, for knowledge, in the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all and in all. + A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke 12:13-21 Someone in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, tell my brother to share the inheritance with me." He replied to him, "Friend, who appointed me as your judge and arbitrator?" Then he said to the crowd, "Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions." Then he told them a parable. "There was a rich man whose land produced a bountiful harvest. He asked himself, ‘What shall I do, for I do not have space to store my harvest?’ And he said, ‘This is what I shall do: I shall tear down my barns and build larger ones. There I shall store all my grain and other goods and I shall say to myself, "Now as for you, you have so many good things stored up for many years, rest, eat, drink, be merry!"’ But God said to him, ‘You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you; and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?’ Thus will it be for all who store up treasure for themselves but are not rich in what matters to God." Copyright 1970, 1986, 1992, 1998, 2001 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc. Washington D.C. All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by an information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner. |
