Peter & Paul C AT H O L I C C H U R C H

Transcription

1 Saints Peter & Paul C AT H O L I C C H U R C H 902 East Ninth Street Hopkinsville, KY Established 1872 OUR MISSION STATEMENT We are a Roman Catholic Community of Christians called to be a priestly people, a household of faith, a temple of the Holy Spirit, a beacon of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church shining for Jesus Christ in the heart of Christian County. Rev. Fr. Richard Meredith, Pastor crmeredith@stsppchurch.org Rev. Fr. Basilio Az Cuc, Parochial Vicar bazcuc@stsppchuch.org Permanent Deacon, Mr. Tim Barnes tdbarnes@stsppchurch.org Permanent Deacon, Dr. Bill Sweet wesweet@stsppchurch.org PARISH OFFICE PHONE: (270) PARISH FAX: (270) PARISH WEBSITE: DIOCESAN WEBSITE: VATICAN WEBSITE: OFFICE HOURS: 8 AM - 5 PM Monday Thursday 8 AM - 12 PM Friday (Closed Noon -1:00 Monday-Thursday) SCHOOL TELEPHONE: (270) SCHOOL FAX: (270) SCHOOL WEBSITE: Tru h Radio WSPP 93.5 FM (Local Catholic Radio) Saints Peter and Paul Assistance: Saints Peter and Paul Thrift Store: MASS SCHEDULE Saturday evening... 5:00 PM Sunday... 8:00 AM, 10:30 AM Misa en Español... 2:00 PM, 10:30 PM Monday - Saturday... 8:00 AM Wednesday... 5:30 PM Thursday MISA EN ESPAÑOL... 5:30 PM MEMBERSHIP IN THE PARISH We give a sincere welcome to all new families moving into our Parish. Please register in the Parish Office as soon as possible. Families who plan to move from our parish community are asked to inform us. Bulletin material deadline: Monday at noon in writing or . June 18, 2017 The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

2 2 SS PETER & PAUL CATHOLIC CHURCH, HOPKINSVILLE, KY MINISTRY TO THE SICK Please notify the Parish Office upon admission of a family member into any hospital or nursing home. Any parishioner who is ill or infirm may request anointing by calling the Parish Office, PERPETUAL EUCHARISTIC ADORATION This is a devotion whereby members of the parish unite in taking hours of Adoration before the Most Blessed Sacrament during the day and throughout the night, seven days a week. (Code required for evenings.) There is a regular schedule of adorers but all are welcome to stop in for a visit. Parishioners are encouraged to sign up for a scheduled weekly Adoration time. Please contact Bill & Jenny Rush at , if you are interested in adopting an hour or if you can be a substitute or prayer partner. Available hours: 11 pm Mondays, 4 am & 11 pm Tuesdays, 1am Wednesdays, 11 pm Fridays. Parish Pastoral Council Robin Bilan, Vice-Chair, Education rcbilan@hotmail.com Jim Creighton, Spiritual Life creighton.jim@gmail.com Libby Downs, Pastoral Associate...ljdowns@stsppchurch.org Norma Folz, Worship...nbfolz@gmail.com Gary Harden, Family Life..garyharden@gmail.com Sarah Kranz, Principal...skranz@stsppschool.org Fran Marko, Secretary..franmarko@gmail.com Joe Mezzoni, Chair/Admin... joemezzoni216@att.net Social Concerns.. PARISH STAFF Tom Buehrle (twbuehrle@att.net)...director Of Stewardship Brenda Chaudoin (bchaudoin@stsppchurch.org). Parish Office Mgr. Libby Downs (ljdowns@stsppchurch.org)...pastoral Associate Jennifer Groves (jgroves@stsppschool.org) School Secretary Leigh Ann Johnson Parish Assistance Coordinator Steve Kinnard (skinnard@stsppchurch.org)...maintenance Foreman Sarah Kranz (skranz@stsppschool.org)...school Principal Donna Pfeufer (dgpfeufer@gmail.com)...thrift Store Gen. Mgr. Angie Phillips (abphillips2013@gmail.com)...thrift Store Mgr. Mayra Tirado (mtirado@stsppchurch.org)...hispanic Ministry Asst. Sue Wassmer (swassmer@stsppchurch.org)...parish Secretary Amy Watkins (awatkins@stsppchurch.org)...parish Music Director The Catholic Church teaches that the sexual abuse of any person is a grave moral evil. To report any instance of sexual abuse by any employee of the Catholic Church please call the Office of the Bishop in Owensboro at (270) The Safe Environment Program is now available at the Diocesan website SACRAMENTS Reconciliation: Confessions will be heard Saturday from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM (English and Spanish), Wednesday at 4:30 PM. (ENGLISH and SPANISH). Confessions will be heard any time by appointment. Baptism: Baptismal Preparation Class is usually held the first Sunday of each month. Our next class is scheduled for July 2, 2017 at 4:00 pm. Please call the Parish Office. Registration is required. Marriage: Contact the Office six months prior to the desired date. POPE NAMES BISHOP CHARLES THOMPSON AS ARCH- BISHOP OF INDIANAPOLIS: June 13, 2017 WASHINGTON Pope Francis has named Bishop Charles Thompson, of Evansville, Indiana, as Archbishop of Indianapolis. The appointment was publicized in Washington, June 13, by Archbishop Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States. Archbishop-designate Thompson, was born April 11, 1961, in Louisville. He holds a bachelor of arts degree in accounting from Bellarmine College, a master of divinity degree from St. Meinrad School of Theology, and a licentiate in Canon Law from St. Paul University in Ottawa. He was ordained a priest for the Louisville Archdiocese in 1987 and was ordained and installed as Bishop of Evansville on June 29, As a member of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, he is currently a member of the Administrative Committee, the Committee on Priorities and Plans, and the Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations. The Archdiocese of Indianapolis has been a vacant see since November 7, The Archdiocese comprises 13,758 square miles and it has total population of 2,621,455 people of which 223,815 or nine percent, are Catholic. (USCCB.org) Volunteer Training for Pennyroyal Hospice: Pennyroyal Hospice will be holding a Volunteer Training Session on Monday, June 19 th and Wednesday, June 21 st, 2017 in the Conference Room of the Pennyroyal Hospice building located at 220 Burley Avenue here in Hopkinsville. The class will begin at 9:00 a.m. each day and finishes no later than 3:00 p.m. There is no charge for the training and lunch will be provided. Both days are required to complete the class. To register for the session, of if you have any questions regarding becoming a Pennyroyal Hospice Volunteer, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at (270) or panderson@pennyroyalhospice.com We welcome all our visitors. Please enjoy your time with us and visit often!

3 JUNE 18, 2017 THE MOST HOLY BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST 3 The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (also known as Corpus Christi ) originated in France in 1246 and extended to the entire Church by Pope Urban IV in This Feast is celebrated on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday and is a Holy Day of Obligation. In the United States, this Feast is celebrated one week after Trinity Sunday. (Every Sunday is a Holy Day of Obligation.) The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ calls us to focus on two manifestations of the Body of Christ: the Holy Eucharist and the Church, as the Body of Christ. At every Mass our attention is called to the Eucharist and the Real Presence of Christ in it. The secondary focus of this feast is upon the Body of Christ as it is present in the Church. The Church is called the Body of Christ because of the intimate communion that Jesus shares with his disciples. He expresses this in the Gospels by using the metaphor of a body in which He is the head. This image helps keep in focus both the unity and the diversity of the Church. St. Thomas Aquinas composed the official prayers for this Feast day at the request of Pope Urban IV. These prayers are considered among the most beautiful in the traditional Roman Breviary (the official prayer book of the Divine Office). This is also the source of two of our most beloved Eucharistic hymns: Pange Lingua Gloriosi and Tantum Ergo Sacramentum. Ordination Reception for Deacon Byron Macias: As we have discussed in previous bulletins and announced at Mass, the following is planned: Thursday, June 29 th 5:00 p.m. Ordination Celebration with Bishop William Francis Medley with a catered meal following the Mass in the gym. The meat pork dishes and chicken are provided by the parish Hispanic Community and other parish families. Sunday, July1 at 10:30 a.m. Fr. Byron Macias will have his First Mass here at Saints Peter and Paul in English followed by a reception in the narthex. Sunday, July 1 st at 2:00 p.m. Fr. Byron Macias will have his First Mass here at Saints Peter and Paul in Spanish followed by a meal in the gym provided by our Hispanic Community. Items still needed: 1. People to help decorate on Wednesday, June 28 th 2. People to help with the kitchen replenish food, organize and help food line to go smoothly, etc 3. Clean-up crew If you are interested in any of the above, please call the parish office, Donations to Aaron McNeil: As we strive to put the gospel message into our everyday lives we look to the Aaron McNeil Center. Aaron McNeil helps many in our community with basic food items. During the summer months, more children are at home and the request for food items needed increases dramatically. Therefore, during the months of June and July we will be asking, if you are able, to bring food donations and place them in the barrel in the coat closet. This week the food item for the Aaron McNeil Center is Canned beef stew We thank you for your continued support and generosity. Faith and Family Night at the Hoptown Hoppers: United Southern Bank has bought out Tiger Field for Faith and Family Night with the Hoptown Hoppers. So we are invited to be their special guest on Wednesday, June 21 st. We are asked to bring our family, our Bible Study Group or church group to cheer on the Hoppers at 7:00 p.m. Admission is free. Vacation: Please remember that, when going on vacation, the obligation to be in Church for Mass remains. Locating a Catholic Church and becoming familiar with its schedule is just as important as all the other preparations that go into a trip that takes us out of town. God first! Check out the website to help you locate a church for your vacation destination.) Sympathy: Tragedy has hit two families in our parish and so we offer our heartfelt sympathy and our promise of continued prayers for their families. First we pray for Imelda Gorman s family at the loss of her granddaughter, Brittney Gorman Parrish. Brittney, a young mother, was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia on Monday, May 22 nd at the Medical Center in Bowling Green and passed away on Thursday, May 25 th at the age of 28. Brittney is survived by her husband, Terris Allen Parish and their 10 month old daughter Emery Rose Parrish. Also surviving are her parents Doug and Michelle Gorman and Siegrid Fulkerson Gorman, along with brothers Joseph Michael Gorman and Austin Leo Disney and sisters Christina Rose Gorman and Kelli Elizabeth Disney, all of Bowling Green. Also surviving is her Paternal grandmother, Imelda Gorman of Hopkinsville and maternal grandmother Helga Fulkerson of Louisville. Funeral services were held on Sunday, May 28 th in Bowling Green. We also keep in prayer Pat and Mike Groves and Angie and Scottie Craig. Pat and Mike s nephew, David Briesacher, lost his wife Jennifer Jen Briesacher on Friday, June 9 th at the age of 34. Jen was expecting their third child when unexpectedly Jen suffered a seizure from complications of a brain aneurism. The baby, Maren Therese, was delivered 6 weeks early, weighing 4 pounds and 6 ounces at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. Jen is survived by her husband, David Briesacher (his parents Dave and Jane Briesacher) and their three

4 4 SS PETER & PAUL CATHOLIC CHURCH, HOPKINSVILLE, KY children: Ronan, Evelyn and Maren. Also surviving are her parents, Michael and Dawn Caveny of Springfield, Illinois, one brother, Denis Caveny and grandmothers, Billie Caveny of Gillespie, Il and Mary Eck of Houston Texas as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins. Jen was a former youth minister and served on the Vocations committee. Her Funeral Mass was held on Thursday, June 15 th at St. Boniface Catholic Church with Bishop Kevin Vann, Bishop of Orange County California presiding. May we keep these two families in our prayers this week as they mourn their loss and may we as a church pray: May their soul and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen. We also pray for the Diocese of Nashville at the loss of Bishop David R. Choby who passed away on Saturday night, June 3 rd at St. Thomas West Hospital where he was undergoing treatment for injuries that he sustained in a fall at his home on February 7 th. Bishop Choby was born on January 17, 1947 in Nashville and baptized in the Cathedral of Incarnation where he was later ordained a bishop. He served a number of assignments in the Diocese of Nashville, held a Canon Law degree from the University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome and worked at the diocesan tribunal throughout most of his priesthood. He was on the faculty of The Pontifical College Josephinum, a seminary in Columbus Ohio from 1984 to Bishop Choby was elected as diocesan administrator for the Diocese of Nashville by the diocesan College of Consultors in 2004 after Bishop Kmiec was installed as the Bishop of Buffalo. Bishop Choby was installed fourteen months later as the 11 th bishop of Nashville on February 27, He was only the second priest of the diocese s 169-year history to become its bishop; the others have all come from outside the diocese. He is the first bishop of Nashville to die while in office since Bishop Alphonse J. Smith in Please pray for the repose of the soul of Bishop Choby and for his family. Congratulations: Virginia Garnett! In the picture you will see Lynn Garnett sending her daughter, Virginia, off to New York for her summer internship. Virginia will be working for a designer named Courtney Moss. Her label is Glamourpuss. She sells to Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue. Her store is on Madison Avenue. Virginia will be living with Billy's Aunt who has an apartment in Manhattan. Virginia will stay through August. We are so very excited for Virginia and we know Lynn and Billy will miss her. Congratulation College Students Western Kentucky University has published their Spring 2017 Dean s/president s List and so we congratulate the following students. Dean s List are those full-time undergraduate students with a semester grade point average of 3.4 to We congratulate: Christina Ligibel, daughter of Dawn and Greg Ligibel Marlee Thomas, daughter of Melodie and Chris Thomas Jonathan Kinnard, son of Vicki and Steve Kinnard Rebecca Schroeder, daughter of Anita and Marty Schroeder Ryan P Pool, fiancée of Jennifer Hanks President s List To be eligible for the President s List, students must have at least 12 hours of coursework during the semester and have a GPA of 3.8 to 4.0. We congratulate: Joseph Baxter, son of Nicola and Michael Baxter Jose Rodriguez, son of Diana and Jose Rodriguez. (4 of these college students are graduates of Sts. Peter and Paul School.) First Communion Pictures: If your child received their First Holy Communion this past April, their certificates and pictures are available to be picked up after all Masses in the sacristy. The pictures are precious. Confirmation Pictures: If your young person received the Sacrament of Confirmation this past May, their certificates and pictures are available to the picked up after all Masses in the sacristy. Holy Matrimony: We congratulate Tatianna Behn and Noah Nicanor who were united in the Sacrament of Matrimony here at Saints Peter and Paul last Saturday, June 10 th. May Christ be the center of their married life. Pastoral Council Update: We congratulate Morgan Murray and Hilda Linares who were the top two names drawn to serve our parish as members of our Parish Pastoral Council. This is a three year commitment and their service begins July 1, Remaining names drawn were Ana Traceski and Roberto Cruz. These parishioners will join the council if, for some reason, current Pastoral Council Members cannot complete their term. We give thanks to Joe Mezzoni who has served you on the Pastoral Council during the last three years. Trip to Bardstown, Kentucky Don t forget if you want to be a part of our trip to Bardstown on Wednesday, July 12 th and Thursday, July 13 th, to call the parish office and sign-up. Don t miss this opportunity.

5 JUNE 18, 2017 THE MOST HOLY BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST THIS WEEK IN OUR PARISH JUNE Mon: BLT Meeting 12 pm, OA Stained Glass Window Comm.-5:15 pm, OA Tues: Choir Practice-6:30 pm Wed: Rosary Makers-8:45 am, HFR Choir Practice 6:30 pm Thur: Finance Comm. Mtg.-Noon, OA Choir Practice-6:30 pm Sat: Sun: Wedding, 2 pm Ultreya-3:30 pm, OA Parish Holy Hour 4 pm Readings for the Week of June 18, 2017 Sunday: Dt 8:2-3, 14b-16a/Ps 147:12-15, 19-20/ 1 Cor 10:16-17/Jn 6:51-58 Monday: 2 Cor 6:1-10/Ps 98:1, 2b, 3-4/Mt 5:38-42 Tuesday: 2 Cor 8:1-9/Ps 146:2, 5-9a/Mt 5:43-48 Wednesday: 2 Cor 9:6-11/Ps 112:1bc-4, 9/Mt 6:1-6, Thursday: 2 Cor 11:1-11/Ps 111:1b-4, 7-8/Mt 6:7-15 Friday: Dt 7:6-11/Ps 103:1-4, 6-8, 10/1 Jn 4:7-16/ Mt 11:25-30 Saturday: Jer 1:4-10/Ps 71:1-6, 15, 17/1 Pt 1:8-12/ Lk 1:5-17 Next Sunday: Jer 20:10-13/Ps 69:8-10, 14, 17, 33-35/ Rom 5:12-15/Mt 10:26-33 Liturgical Publications Inc Special Collection: Peter s Pence Collection will be the weekend of July 1 st and 2 nd. Each year, the annual Peter s Pence collection, in support of the works of the Holy Father, is held in parishes throughout the world. The proceeds from this collection fund emergency relief assistance to those who suffer from war, oppression, disease, and natural disasters. Through works of charity, Catholics provide a powerful witness of love and deeds to empower the weak, the defenseless, and the voiceless, and to sustain those who suffer. Please give as you can. Saints Peter and Paul Thrift Store - June 9, 2017: We are pleased to let you know that the Thrift Store made a donation of $ to Saints Peter and Paul Assistance on June 6, This donation amount is determined by profits over the $6, the Store is required to maintain in the bank balance to cover three months expenses. Your support is greatly appreciated! Donna Pfeufer, Thrift Store General Manager Parish Office Summer Hours: Please be aware that during the summer months (when school is not in session) the parish office hours are: Monday thru Thursday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Fridays: 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon. Making daily Mass a part of your routine: Did you know we have daily Mass here at Saints Peter and Paul at 8:00 a.m. Monday thru Saturday as well as Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. While it is not possible for everyone, if you can fit it into your schedule the graces and perspective that it brings to your daily routine are irreplaceable! Monday, June 19 8:00 AM EWALD FUHRMANN Tuesday, June 20 St. Romuald 8:00 AM Wednesday, June 21 DAVID TRACESKI St. Aloysius Gonzaga 8:00 AM BETTIE & ROBERT WILLIAMS 5:30 PM BOB VIALL Thursday, June 22 Sts. Paulinus, John Fisher, & Thomas More 8:00 AM CATHERINE AMARO 5:30 PM Spanish KENDRA & ZEK EDWARDS Friday, June 23 The Most Sacred Heart Of Jesus 8:00 AM JOSE NICANOR Saturday, June 24 The Nativity of St. John The Baptist 8:00 AM SKYLAR ANNE HEFFNER 5:00 PM NORMA FRANCES SOYK Sunday, June 25 8:00 AM ELLEN STITES 10:30 AM MICHAEL CASSIDY 2:00 PM Spanish GENOVO ANGEL 10:30 PM Spanish FOR ALL PARISHIONERS Indicates Requiem Mass SANCTUARY LAMP IN HONOR OF ALL FATHERS ADORATION CHAPEL CANDLES NO INTENTION Special Donations towards Past Due Bills/Insurance Payments June 11, 2017: $39,200 This $ 39,200 is included in the Weekly Parish Collection in the bulletin- This fund is our operational fund. This week we will pay the remainder of our past due bills and make a payment towards bills due to the Diocese. Thank you for your continued assistance to our parish operations. Stewardship News.. The Scriptures today remind us that we, many though we are, are one body for we all partake of the one loaf. How are we using our gifts of time and talent to build up the Body of Christ? Budget News Weekly Parish Collection... $48, Weekly Parish Budget Needs... $17, Diocesan Assessment 2016/17 ($69,161.00)...Paid In Full Diocesan Assessment 2017/18 (advance giving).. $7, Weekly Capital Improvement Donations... $32.00 Capital Improvement Fund Balance... $19, Weekly A Legacy of Faith Fund Pledge Payments... $1, A Legacy of Faith Fund Balance... $11, Diocesan Construction Loan to date $2,115, Stained Glass Window Donations... $ Stained Glass Window Fund Balance... $406,

6 6 SS PETER & PAUL CATHOLIC CHURCH, HOPKINSVILLE, KY In Need of Prayers Bradford Heights Melnora Altshuler Covington Convalescent Pat Chesnut, Karen Logsdon, Teresa Mathieu Western State Nursing Facility- Arnold Borders, Debbie Dickerson, Ellen Jones Christian Health Center- Lillian Cotthoff, Norma Downs, Barbara Holubecki, Friendship House- Christine Mills Others. Clarence & Helen Allard, Trudy Anhalt, Diane Bailey, Jean Baker, Garrett Blue, Norma Boyd, Madison Boren, Fred Chapman, Marie Chandler, Alice Chuhralya, Richard Chuhralya, Sam Chesnut, Jimmy Cook, Mary Curtsinger, Bonita Fitzgerald, Connie Fowler, Martha Fowler, Gant Golladay, Ron & Janice Godot, Scott & Stacey Godot, Jim Gorman, Beth Hancock, Debbie Harden, Mary Jean Hester, Jason & Monica Jefcoat & Family, Carol Johnson, Anita Jones, Jacob & Lindsay Jones & Family, Joe Kukral, Hannelore Kumpfmuller, Larry Lytle, Margie Meredith, Carlo & Lucia Mereu, Joe Mezzoni Sr., Juan Nicanor, Bill Nichol, Theresa Pazin, Larry Puckett, Diana Quarles, Martha Reed, Tara Rush, Emma & Gabriela Schiller, Kristian Shouse, Mike & Marylyn Stocker, Georgiann Svestka, Ken Swicicki, Jerry Thomas, Rose Ann Tobin, Ron Todd, Hannelore Vanderklok, Helen Winstead, James Wittschack ATTENTION - Playground: Please be aware that our Playground up near the old school building is not available at this time due to construction and other improvements. Please help us to encourage others not to use the playground until further notice. Thank you. Anointing of the Sick: The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick will be offered during all weekend Masses of June 24 th and 25 th. Anointing of the Sick is the sacrament that is received by those who are ill or suffering. By the anointing and the prayer of the priest, the whole Church commends those who are sick to Christ. The sick person receives the Holy Spirit s gifts of strength, faith, peace, and courage, and his or her suffering is united with the suffering of Christ for the building up of the Church. (Catechism of the Catholic Church [CCC], nos ). The sacrament may be administered to those who are chronically ill, who are facing major surgery, the elderly, to those who suffer from depression and anxiety, those in danger of death or to anyone who truly feels a deep need for the gifts and grace of the Holy Spirit. This is a wonderful opportunity for yourself or to assist a friend or relative who may be in need of this sacrament. Consider inviting and if necessary brining a fellow parishioner who would like to receive this Sacrament of Healing. Sophia Award: Sophia Award Nominations are now being accepted by the Diocese of Owensboro. The nominees must be 65 years of age or older, they can be single, divorced, widowed, a priest or religious, married people can be nominated as a couple or singularly. The nominee should be an outstanding example of their Catholic faith whether they are involved in one or all parish ministries. The nominee can be homebound, can be nominated based on past outstanding LAY MINISTERS JUNE 24/25 TWELFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Saturday, 5:00 pm Altar Servers... Piper Davis, Sarah Sargeant, Cross Bearer... Josh Groves Commentator... Fran Marko Lectors:... Imelda Gorman, Libby Downs Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers:... Robin Bilan,... Mary Ann Keel, Earl Combs, Regina Combs Choir Loft... JoAshley Hall, Julie Tiell Ushers...Pat Puckett, Ken Tiell... Bob Marko, Todd Hall Vocational Cross... Charlie Keel Family Sunday, 8:00 am Altar Servers... Eva Blankenberger, Ashleigh Stevens Cross Bearer... Cole Stevens Commentator... Stephanie Blankenberger Lectors... Jenny Rush, Heidi Wheeler Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers:... Lana Bastin,... Carolyn Spurr, Jim Creighton, Maria Creighton Choir Loft... Ann Williams, Bob Stites Ushers... Bill Rush, Alvin Schmitt... Philip Garnett, Jon Pace Vocational Cross...Alvin Schmitt Family Sunday 10:30 am Altar Servers... Vy Nguyen, Martin Nguyen Cross Bearer... Thieng Nguyen Commentator... Vicky Barnes Lectors... Libby Downs, Kelly King Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers:... Wendy Anderson,... Dee Dailey, Donna Dunham, Jennifer Hanks Choir Loft... Marlee Thomas, Theresa Garnett Ushers... Kelly King, Andrew King... Franco Cincotti, John Soldo Vocational Cross... Dee Dailey 2:00 PM MISA EN ESPAÑOL Comentarista: Lupita Rosas 1-2 Lectura:.....Carmen Huertas, Ángeles Hernández Ministro E:... María Soriano Hospitalidad:.....Miguel Magaña, Tomas Macario Monaguillos:..Irvin Juárez, Bryan Linares Please Pray for our Deployed Soldiers & Families: Olin Harrington, Richelle Goodin, Bryan Yoder contributions, or nominated posthumously. Sophia Award nomination forms are available in the parish office. The Sophia Awards Mass will be held on Sunday, September 10 th at St. Stephen Cathedral in Owensboro at 2:00 p.m. with a reception following in the Undercroft. The deadline to submit your Sophia Award Nomination is Saturday, July 15 th.

7 JUNE 18, 2017 THE MOST HOLY BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST 7 PASTOR S GREETING: THE SOLEMNITY OF THE MOST HOLY BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus et Sanguinis Christi) is a return to the Holy Thursday evening of the Paschal Triduum from the perspective of Easter and Pentecost. In the Triduum the liturgy of the Evening Mass of the Lord s Supper was followed immediately by a shift to the Good Friday events. Now, after the conclusion of the Easter season, the context is the Victory of the Cross and Resurrection and our participation in it through the Gift of the Holy Spirit and Eucharist. We return to the Table of the Lord which offers us a participation in the Paschal sacrifice of the New Covenant in Jesus Christ. Assembling for the Mass, we bring ourselves as oblations to become part of Christ s own oblation to the Father. He gives us a participation, a communion, in himself and takes us in himself to the Father. Christ and the Father together unite us in the very life of God by pouring out the Holy Spirit into our hearts. This sets us up for a Christian life: a one Body union in Christ and a vital sharing in the Holy Spirit of God. God draws us into the Trinity even now, leading us step by step to eternal life. The deepest motive for our coming to the Eucharist is our being drawn or summoned to Jesus Christ by the Father. The attitude of a Catholic going to Mass is that of a disciple of Jesus being summoned to God. We bring ourselves to Sunday Mass so that Jesus Christ will convey us through his own prayer and sacrifice to the Father in himself as he surrendered himself once and for all on Calvary. Daily life in Christ is that way too. I give my day to, present myself before, God in Christ. My prayer is, Here I am. Equip me and send me as you wish. In that attitude then I am open to accepting the moment by moment gifts of the Holy Spirit as a fruitful branch on the Vine who is Jesus Christ. One who loves acts on behalf of the good and the truth of the beloved. Love is not self-seeking. It is true that we are needy, dependent, even pitiable people. As Jesus says, the Father knows what we need even before we pray for God s help. The Lord s direction is that we should seek God s Kingdom first and that our needs will be met by God. It is necessary that we confront the motive of seeking to have our needs met first. If I have come to Mass to have my needs met I am not seeking God s Kingdom first and will likely miss the gift and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Self-seeking is the direct opposite of worship. Going to church to meet my own needs amounts to using God as a vendor of personal happiness. It s an attempt to use God. But this doesn t work. No human being likes to be used and most rebel against it. But when a human being is loved, she or he tends to respond by spontaneous return giving in love. There are some similarities here with God. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit do indeed offer the gift of themselves to us. God is, after all, love. But God s gift would draw each of us out of self rather than fill the list of selfdetermined needs. It is only in giving of ourselves after the example of God, such as we see modeled in Jesus, that we are even open to the gifts God has in store for us. Here s the paradox: in order to receive any new gift from God it is necessary to present ourselves as gifts to God after the example and measure of Jesus Christ. If I am bereft, empty, poor, and wretched, I give or present myself bereft, empty, poor, and wretched to God in Christ and I am able to receive the gift of God within. It is how I begin to seek the Kingdom of God. If you notice, this is the very language of the prayers of the Mass. Listen for the word oblation. It refers to the Lord s self sacrifice and to ours in him. The Catholic comes to Mass as a gift or oblation to God in Christ. From Communion in faith, word, and sacrament, the Catholic becomes both gift from God and gifted by God. I grant that you and I are beggarly gifts of ourselves and our needs are great to the extreme. Those needs go unmet except you and I offer our paltry selves, needs, sins, and weaknesses to God as we are in Christ. Then in Christ, the Father accepts us and equips us for life in Christ. A practical term for this Christian attitude in practice is stewardship. I see all that I am and do as a response and gift to God in Christ. I am grateful for all that God has entrusted to me in Christ, all of which I gratefully return to God in Christ at Mass. This distinguishes two attitudes: For me and For Christ. Jesus himself taught that whoever seeks self first will lose everything, but the one who seeks Christ or God s Kingdom first will find everything. When I preside at Sunday Mass as the monetary offering is presented to me I pray: Father, bless, receive, and multiply these humble offerings of your people to the accomplishment of your purposes through Christ our Lord. The one who loves is fulfilled as the indirect, not the direct, object of the love. The risen Body and Blood of Jesus Christ is real pledge of God s faithful love, whole now and to be completed eternally. [I highly recommend Dr. Brant Pitre s book: JESUS and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist: Unlocking the Secrets of the Last Supper, Doubleday, It makes for a rich personal study and is equipped with study questions at the end for the purposes of a group shared study. Faith sharing and scripture study groups would find it very rewarding.] Fr. Richard Gasper River Camp Registration has begun! Don t miss out. Please go to to see their 2017 Schedule and to register online or download a form and send it in. June Made for More (High School boys) June 28-July 1 Camp Identity(9-12 th Graders) June 25-June 30Camp Life II (High School) July 2-7 Camp Life III (High School) July 9-14 Expedition III (5 th -6 th Graders) June 9-14 Quest II (7 th -8 th Graders) July Explorer II (3 rd -4 th Graders) July Camp Life IV (High School) July Expedition IV (5 th -6 th Graders) July Quest III (7 th -8 th Graders) July 30-Aug 2 Explorer III (3 rd -4 th Graders) July 30-Aug 4 Quest IV (7 th -8 th Graders)