A reading from the Book of Isaiah

Transcription

1 Since October 30, Christ the KING Kampala UG PARISH PRIEST Msgr. Gerard Kalumba ASSISTING PRIESTS Msgr. Joseph Mugambe Rev. Fr. John Bosco Ssembatya Rev. Fr. Richard Arthur Muwonge LEAD CATECHIST Evaristo Mary Baguma CHAIRPERSON LAITY Rogers Semakula If you should ask me what is the way of God, I would tell you that it is humility. Not that there are no other precepts to give, but if humility does not precede all that we do, our efforts are fruitless. -- St. Augustine FIFTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A The optional memorial of Our LADY of Mount Carmel is not celebrated this year. FIRST READING: Isaiah 55:10-11; The rain makes the earth fruitful. Sunday, 16th July 2017 SECRETARY LAITY John Baptist Ssemitego PARISH EXEC. SECRETARY Mrs. Euphemia Kiwuwa SUNDAY MASSES 07.00am: Luganda 08.00am: English 09.00am: Luganda 10.00am: English 11.15am: English 05.00pm: English (Charismatic) SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION Monday - Friday 07.45am (after 7.00am Mass) 12.15pm (before 01.00pm Mass) 01.45pm (after 1.00pm Mass) Saturday 07.45am (after 7.00am Mass) 05.15pm (before 06.00pm Mass) First Saturday of the Month (dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary) Additional Mass: 09.00am A reading from the Book of Isaiah Thus says the LORD: as the rain and the snow come down from Heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my Word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I intend, and prosper in the thing for which I sent it. The Word of the LORD. DAILY MASSES: Monday to Friday: 06.30am; 07.00am; 01.00pm Saturday: 07.00am; 06.00pm (for Sunday)

2 RESPONSORIAL PSALM: Ps. 65:10-14; R. The seed that fell into the good soil yielded a hundredfold. You visit the earth, give it water; You fill it with riches. God s ever-flowing river brims over to prepare the grain. R. And thus You provide for the earth; You drench its furrows; You level it, soften it with showers; You bless its growth. R. You crown the year with Your bounty. Abundance flows in Your pathways; in pastures of the desert, it flows. R. The hills are guarded with joy, the meadows clothed with flocks. The valleys are decked with wheat. They shout for joy; yes, they sing! R. SECOND READING: Romans 8:18-23; All creation is waiting for the revelation of the sons of God. A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans. Brethren: I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of Him Who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself will GOSPEL ACCLAMATION: be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the glorious liberty of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning with labour pains together until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. The Word of the LORD. V. Alleluia R. Alleluia V. The seed is the Word of God, and the Sower is Christ; all who find Him will abide forever. R. Alleluia 2 Remember, Rejoice, Renew

3 GOSPEL: Matthew 13:1-23 (or Matthew 13:1-9); A sower went out to sow. A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew. *That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. And great crowds gathered about Him, so that He got into a boat and sat there; and the whole crowd stood on the beach. And He told them many things in parables, saying: A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they had not much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched; and since they had no root they withered away. Other seeds fell upon thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear. * understand, and you shall indeed see but never perceive. For this people s heart has grown dull, and their ears are heavy of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should perceive with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and turn for me to heal them. But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. Truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it. Hear then the parable of the sower. When any one hears the Word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in his heart; this is what was sown along the path. Then the disciples came and said to Him, Why do you speak to them in parables? And He answered them, To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For to him who has will more be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away. This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. With them indeed is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah which says: `You shall indeed hear but never As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is he who hears the Word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the Word, immediately he falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is he who hears the Word, but the cares of the world and the delight in riches choke the Word, and it proves unfruitful. As for what was sown on good soil, this is he who hears the Word and understands it; he indeed bears fruit, and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty. The Gospel of the LORD. Remember, Rejoice, Renew 3

4 THE PARISH PRIEST S REFLECTION Isaiah 55:10-11 Romans 8:18-23 Matthew 13:1-23 WE ARE GROANING WITH LABOUR PAINS AS WE AWAIT THE REDEMPTION OF OUR BODIES As long as we are wearing our bodies still, we face very many Msgr. Gerard Kalumba painful and challenging situations, which can be compared to a traditional farmer s experience of planting seeds in the various types of soils and the anxiety of waiting for the rains. WE ARE GROANING WITH LABOUR PAINS AS WE AWAIT THE FRUITS OF OUR WORK. A traditional farmer who does not enjoy the modern skills and facilities of farming suffers a lot of anxiety and can be compared to the farmer in Jesus parable. Our life in Christ is a life of pain and expectation: it is a life of Faith and hope. Look at the different scenarios of the sower: some seeds fell along the path and because they were not covered by the soil the birds ate them. Some fell on rocky ground and they did not have much soil and because they did not have root, they were scorched by the sun and they withered away; and some fell upon thorns and the thorns grew up and choked them. These first samples are source of pain and cause sentiments of loss and anxiety and sometimes loss of faith and hope. It is only the last sample that fell on good soil that can bring a smile on the Farmer s face. They produced fruits. As the First Reading puts it, the rain came down from heaven and watered the seeds making them bear fruit and sprout and giving food to the eater. 4 Remember, Rejoice, Renew Christ is aware that His message is going to meet resistance, in some members of the community but He is sure that there are people who will receive it and bear fruit and yield. Christians are the people struggling in the different challenges of life which cause some kind of labour pains. While we are in the flesh still, we have all the samples of the soils mentioned in the parable we go through a lot of pain and challenges to produce Christ like fruits. It is painful to be a HOLY PERSON. It is hard work to become a saint. We experience the different samples of soil before we bear fruit of saintly lives. That s why Saint Paul can assert in the Second Reading to the Romans that: Consider that the SUFFERINGS of this present time (the time we are in the flesh still) are not worth comparing with the GLORY that is to be revealed to us. We are waiting eagerly for the time when we can be judged holy and saintly or sons and daughters of God. We must feel the pains before we are delivered: creation will be set free from its bondage of decay and obtain the glorious LIBERTY of the children of God (Holy people). We are going through labour pains as we struggle to be liberated from our present sorrows. LET US BE BRAVE, JESUS HAS CONQUERED THE WORLD (OR THE FLESH)! Msgr. Gerard Kalumba Christ the King Parish, Kampala

5 FILL IN THE CORRECT ANSWERS ACCORDING TO TODAY S GOSPEL Remember, Rejoice, Renew 5

6 HISTORY A scapular is a garment worn by religious over the shoulders (scapula), and hanging down in front and back, usually to about the bottom of the habit. It developed as a practical garment, protecting the habit during work, and was in time invested with spiritual significance, consecration or dedication to God. By analogy to the scapulars of religious, there are small scapulars that are derived from them which represent a particular devotion or spirituality, usually associated with a particular community. Such a scapular is two pieces of cloth (generally about an inch square), connected by cords and worn over the head. It often has a picture or a particular colour, depending on the spirituality it stands for. THE BROWN SCAPULAR OF OUR LADY OF MT. CARMEL The best known and most highly esteemed scapular, and the one most favoured by the Church, and by the Blessed Virgin in many of Her apparitions, is the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. It is adapted from the scapular of the Carmelite Order and represents a special Consecration to Our Lady under the title of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. Those who wear it practice it a special devotion to Mary. In the past this was the Little Office of Our Lady, but today this can be commuted by any priest to the Rosary. In addition, the person has a special entrustment of themselves to Mary for their salvation. This, in fact, has been promised to those who faithfully wear the scapular: Those who die wearing this scapular shall not suffer eternal fire. This must not be understood superstitiously or magically, but in light of Catholic teaching that perseverance in faith, hope and love are required for salvation. The scapular is a powerful THE BROWN SCAPULAR or Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Normally, we would imagine the frequent request by Our LADY to recite the Rosary and wear the Scapular. It is a gift to you from your Heavenly Mother. WHOSOEVER DIES IN THIS GARMENT SHALL NOT SUFFER ETERNAL FIRE. ~~ promise of Our Lady to St. Simon Stock on July 16, 1251 reminder of this Christian s obligation and of Mary s promise to help those consecrated to Her obtain the grace of final perseverance. INVESTITURE Conferral with the Scapular indicates a special devotion and consecration to Mary. No one should undertake it who is not spiritual prepared to live in accordance with it. The short form of investing or conferral consists of a priest or deacon taking a blessed scapular and while placing it over their head reciting with the person any Marian prayer (e.g. Hail Mary, Memorare, Salve Regina). The person is now invested. They don t have any lists to join, though they are henceforth members of the Scapular Confraternity and share in its spiritual benefits (the prayers of the members). No special daily practices are obliged, though someone consecrated to Mary, of which the scapular is THE sign, should live chastity according to their state and recite the Rosary daily. There is also a long form in the Book of Blessings, chapter 46, which is very fitting for group investments. Every parish should have this ritual book. For some years the Carmelite Order had permission from Rome to grant laity the Indult to enrol people. This permission is no longer given, but those who received the Indult in the past still have it. So, while laity may not bless a scapular, there are some lay people who can invest others, with a scapular previously blessed by a priest or deacon. One final note, investing MUST be done with the cloth scapular. Those who wish to wear the medal can do so after investment. The scapular blessing attaches to each subsequent scapular. A new blessing is NOT required. This is not true of the medal, each of which must be blessed by a priest or deacon. Communication Offfice 6 Remember, Rejoice, Renew

7 MISSIONARY CHILDHOOD OR HOLY CHILDHOOD French Bishop Charles de Forbin-Janson founded the Missionary Childhood Association (MCA) in Deeply affected by a mission trip to the United States, he was convinced that children, rich in faith and love, were capable of playing their own part in the Church s mission and even of stirring adults to show the same generous spirit. Missionary Childhood or Holy Childhood today celebrates its 174th anniversary in Today there are millions of little missionaries distributed throughout parishes, schools and movements of the five continents. The MCA helps students in Catholic schools and parish Faith Formation programs to Learn, Pray, and Give through their faith for their brothers and sisters in the developing world. We are happy to share the wonderful reality of the Pontifical Society of the Missionary Childhood or Holy Childhood, in order to know and take advantage of it more in our own communities. Bishops, missionaries, animators and children, God is helping children to achieve evangelizing wonders in their families, with other children and for the sake of universal evangelization. We also observe with immense gratitude that this Society is constituting a special way for children s Christian and missionary maturation. Each parish, each Diocese and the universal Church can feel that this Society of Missionary Childhood is its own. Concretely, the Pontifical Society of Missionary Childhood proposes to: Help educators to progressively awaken in children a universal missionary conscience. Help children to develop their missionary protagonism. Move children to share their faith and material OR PONTIFICAL MISSION Last Sunday, this day was celebrated throughout the Diocese of Kampala and officially at Namugongo. means, especially with the children of the neediest regions and Churches. Promote missionary vocations. To be integrated into the overall pastoral program of Christian education, to which it will contribute its missionary projection. In order to achieve its objectives, Missionary Childhood lends two services to children: the first and principal one is missionary education; the second is missionary cooperation with the neediest children and the missions of the whole world. Therefore, the Pontifical Society of Missionary Childhood or Holy Childhood, which is a Society of the universal Church and of the local Churches, is animating and forming children (up to 14 years of age) from a missionary viewpoint and their educators so that they will live in ecclesial missionary communion and carry out their local mission and their missionary cooperation with universal evangelization, especially of children. The boys and girls belonging to Missionary Childhood, accompanied by their animators, propose to be missionaries in their communities and to help the children of the whole world. They are friends of Jesus and they make friends for Jesus. Educators, parents, catechists, young people, religious sisters and priests can participate in this Society as animators of Missionary Childhood. The animators help and guide the children while letting them take on their own responsibilities and accompanying them in carrying out everything that they themselves must do. The universal Church asks all the ecclesial Institutions and Movements to collaborate with Missionary Childhood in its life and service to the children of the whole world. By Michael Nuwagaba Communications Office Remember, Rejoice, Renew 7

8 WEEKDAY SAINTS AND READING OF THE WEEK READINGS Monday 17th July 2017 Ordinary Weekday (Mass of choice): First Reading: Exodus 1:8-14, 22; Responsorial Psalm: Ps 124:1-8; Gospel: Matthew 10:34-11:1. Tuesday 18th July 2017 Ordinary Weekday (Mass of choice): First Reading: Exodus 2:1-15a; Responsorial Psalm: Ps 69:3,14,30, 31, 33, 34; Gospel: Matthew 11: Wednesday 19th July 2017 Ordinary Weekday (Mass of choice): First Reading: Exodus 3:1-6, 9-12; Responsorial Psalm: Ps 103:1-4, 6-7; Gospel: Matthew 11: Thursday 20th July 2017 Friday 21st July 2017 Saturday 22nd July 2017 Ordinary Weekday (Mass of choice): or: St. Apollinaris (optional memorial) First Reading: Exodus 3:13-20; Responsorial Psalm: Ps 105:1, 5, 8-9, 24-27; Gospel: Matthew 11: Ordinary Weekday (Mass of choice): or: St. Lawrence of Brindisi, priest and doctor (optional memorial) First Reading: Exodus 11:10-12:14; Responsorial Psalm: Ps 116:12-13, 15-18; Gospel: Matthew 12:1-8. St. Mary Magdalene, feast First Reading: Songs of Songs 3:1-4a; Second Reading: 2 Corinthians Responsorial Psalm: Ps. 63:2-6, 8-9; Gospel: John 20:1-2, Vigil Mass of the Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time A. Sunday 23rd July 2017 SIXTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A: First Reading: Wisdom 12:13, 16-19; Responsorial Psalm: Ps. 86:5-6, 9-10, 15-16a; Second Reading: Romans 8:26-27; Gospel: Matthew 13:24-43 (or Matthew 13:24-30) Other Masses are not permitted, except funeral Masses The optional memorial of St. Bridget is not celebrated this year ANNOUNCEMENT Christ the King LECTORS ASSOCIATION will celebrate their day today Sunday, 16 JULY 2017 here at Christ the King Parish starting with Mass at 11.15am and there after a get-together and Lunnch at Cardinal Wamala Hall in the Community Centre. Announced by Chairman (Mr. Ovua Roger). Christ the King Parish, Kampala Tel: Plot 3 Colville Street, P. O. Box 2551, Kampala - Uganda info@christthekingkampala.org