A Renewed Personal Encounter with Jesus

Transcription

1 November 15, 2015 A Renewed Personal Encounter with Jesus In his Apostolic Exhortation, The Joy of the Gospel, Pope Francis appeals to all of us to give ourselves to a "renewed personal encounter" with Jesus: I invite all Christians, everywhere, at this very moment, to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ, or at least an openness to letting him encounter them; I ask all of you to do this unfailingly each day. No one should think that this invitation is not meant for him or her, since no one is excluded from the joy brought by the Lord [Paul VI, Apostolic Exhortation Gaudete in Domino]. The Lord does not disappoint those who take this risk; whenever we take a step towards Jesus, we come to realize that he is already there, waiting for us with open arms. There are four elements to this invitation: 1) it is a renewal, 2) which is personal, 3) which is an encounter, 4) and it is with Jesus. (continued inside)

2 (continued from cover) How is my relationship with Jesus now? For many of us, it is not easy to describe our relationship with Jesus. We might find it easier to describe our relationship with God, in general. We might even acknowledge, that though we celebrate Mass each weekend (or perhaps, daily), receiving the Body and Blood of Jesus in an intimate communion with him, we don't feel or experience a day-to-day conversational, personal relationship with him. Asking for the grace of a renewed personal encounter with Jesus. The first grace is a desire something stirring within us which is open to this deeper encounter. As Pope Francis says, it can start with an "openness" to letting Jesus encounter me. "Waiting for us with open arms" is quite a comforting image. We can't let our having been away or distant or preoccupied, or even having been selfish or deeply sinful, get in the way of this renewal. The first part of the joy we long for is the experience perhaps for the first time in our lives of being loved mercifully, with compassion and with open arms. So, with that desire, we simply ask for it. We can start by saying it out loud in some private place: "Dear Jesus, let me begin a renewed personal encounter with you." As the days go by, we will find more and more specific ways of talking with Jesus and asking for this grace in ways that open our hearts more and more. "Jesus, let me experience your presence with me today. Let me know your love, your patience, your comforting peace. I am so grateful you have forgiven me. I want to walk through my day today feeling grateful that you've given me a fresh start." "Lord, Jesus, I want to invite you into more and more places in my life today. I want to let you into my worries and my fears. Instead of just asking you to fix everything in my life, or to change other people, I just want to enjoy your friendship, your accompanying me, your presence with me today." "Dear Jesus, you know what weighs on me the most today. As I reveal my heart to you, I start to understand my own heart's restlessness. I'm so sorry for how complex my heart is. As you comfort and heal my heart, its wounds and pains, I am growing into a sense of how personally you love me. I'm touched by the personal affection you have for me. I'm becoming more at ease with you at the same time that I'm becoming more comfortable with myself being in relationship with you." Developing a habit of encounter "unfailingly each day." Every relationship which grows in depth goes through several stages. Our relationship with Jesus is no different. We first get to know and fall in love with someone by spending time with him or her. We may think we know Jesus well enough, but this "renewed personal encounter" will involve renewing what I know about Jesus. The daily gospels are a good place to start. Each day, I can get a snapshot of what Jesus said and did. The Jesus with whom I want to grow into a greater friendship today is the same person who talked with sinners, who wasn't afraid of embracing marginal people or poor people. The Jesus who was passionate in defending those people against the attacks of the religious people of his day, has the same passionate compassion for me today. Gradually, I can develop a renewed attraction and affection for Jesus. The more attracted I am to Jesus' style, the more I will want to tell him that. And, in our ongoing, brief conversations at various points in the day, I will make the connections between what I'm drawn to in Jesus and what is going on in my life. "Dear Jesus, I really love your amazing tender ways. I feel so harsh in comparison today. I snapped at my spouse this morning, before the day really started. Not much tenderness there. I've already felt sorry for myself and felt jealous and angry at two people today. Not much like your ready openness to be stopped and drawn into a difficult situation with such freedom. I'm growing in the desire to imitate you, even today, Jesus. So, help me be more conscious of how I can do that this afternoon."

3 "My dear friend, Jesus, as I'm driving home from work, I'm so happy to just turn the radio off and to talk with you about my day. Wow. It was packed. I feel good about parts of it. You know the parts where I choose work over people, or chose what was best for me over working with others. So now, as I get closer to home, let me shift gears and enter my home with my heart connected with yours. I know how I can tend to treat my family. And I use my crazy day as an excuse to do that. Let me leave the day behind and come home with a desire to be more like you in my availability, my patience, and my giving myself to be a healer and a consoler in my family. Thanks for your friendship. I feel that you are at my side and I'm not doing all this alone. I simply couldn't experience this renewal of our relationship without your grace." Letting a daily personal encounter grow into a deeper relationship which transforms my life. Once we get into the habit of having these very ordinary, but personal, conversations with Jesus, we will find ourselves enjoying them very much. And with them will come several powerful graces. The first is what Pope Francis calls joy, which is itself evangelical. That is, when we are joyful at the loving relationship we have with Jesus who became one of us and died for our sins and was raised to set us free from sin and death it shows. The easiest "good news" to believe in is when we see it in the lives of others. As we grow in our relationship with Jesus, our lives become more attractive and inspiring. And the more we are with Jesus in this day-to-day encounter, the more we become like Jesus. We care much less about being like everyone else in the world. We care about the people he cares about. We hear the cry of the poor. We give ourselves in loving others and even to working together with other friends of Jesus in dismantling unjust social structures. Not just "saying prayers" but praying which becomes a personal encounter. When speaking to the youth in Brazil, Pope Francis said: "Father, are you asking us all to pray? I ask you all but reply in the silence of your heart, not aloud: Do I pray? Do I speak with Jesus, or am I frightened of silence? Do I allow the Holy Spirit to speak in my heart? Do I ask Jesus: What do you want me to do, what do you want from my life? This is training. Ask Jesus, speak to Jesus, and if you make a mistake in your life, if you should fall, if you should do something wrong, don t be afraid. Jesus, look at what I have done, what must I now do? Speak continually with Jesus, in the good times and in the bad, when you do right, and when you do wrong. Do not fear him! This is prayer. And through this, you train yourselves in dialogue with Jesus, in this path of being missionary disciples. By the sacraments, which make his life grow within us and conform us to Christ. By loving one another, learning to listen, to understand, to forgive, to be accepting and to help others, everybody, with no one excluded or ostracized." In one of his daily homilies, talking about the Mary and Martha story, about how Mary chose the better part, Pope Francis said: And the Lord tells us: the first task in life is this: prayer. But not the prayer of words, like a parrot; but the prayer [of] the heart: gazing on the Lord, hearing the Lord, asking the Lord. A number of times, the Holy Father reminds us that praying is not simply saying words. It involves a personal encounter. We can ask for that grace and practice it. It is the encounter Jesus wants to give us and if we ask for it and open the door, he will surely help us and meet us with open arms. (Taken from Creighton's Online Ministries Web site: onlineministries.creighton.edu/collaborativeministry/ online.html. Used with permission.)

4 READINGS FOR THE WEEK MON 1 Mc 1:10-15, 41-43, 54-57, 62-63; Ps 119; Lk 18:35-43 TUE 2 Mc 6:18-31; Ps 3; Lk 19:1-10 WED 2 Mc 7:1, 20-31; Ps 17; Lk 19:11-28 THU 1 Mc 2:15-29; Ps 50; Lk 19:41-44 FRI 1 Mc 4:36-37, 52-59; 1 Chr 29; Lk 19:45-48 SAT 1 Mc 6:1-13; Ps 9; Lk 20:27-40 SUN Dn 7:13-14; Ps 93; Rv 1:5-8; Jn 18:33b-37 ARE YOU GOING TO BE APART FROM FAMILY THIS THANKSGIVING? Monsignor King extends an invitation to join him in the Parish Center on Thanksgiving Day at 1:00 PM for an informal gathering. Bring a covered dish to pass and share with everyone else. It won't be turkey with all the trimmings, but it will be a thanks-filled time spent in the company of others from our StEAS family. Questions? Contact Pastoral Assistant Donna Nebistinsky (dnebistinsky@steas.net, ). FAITH MATTERS MORNING: In his book, Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis wrote that "Jesus is the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. Come find out more about the biblical and historical evidence for the divinity of Christ in Lesson 5 of The Mystery of God: Exploring the Trinity, Wednesday, November 18 at 9:30 AM in the Bayley Conference Room. PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR RCIA CANDIDATES who will be entering into full communion with the Catholic Church next Sunday, The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. These candidates have been meeting in morning sessions under the direction of Deacon Hall. CHAPLET OF DIVINE MERCY: The Chaplet of Divine Mercy will be prayed this Sunday, November 15, at 3:00 PM. If you haven t ever participated in this devotion, you are invited to join those who regularly attend. This devotion can be prayed on regular rosary beads. In His revelations to Saint Faustina, our Lord asked for a special remembrance of His Passion at the "Hour of Great Mercy" three o'clock in the afternoon, recalling the time of Christ s death on the cross. (Icon by parishioner Peggy Gaizauskas.) LECTOR WORKBOOKS for lectionary Cycle C, for the liturgical year beginning the first Sunday of Advent, are available in the sacristy. Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish welcomes through the sacrament of Baptism: Lillian Joyce Finkenbinder STEWARDSHIP COLLECTION NOVEMBER 8 $ 12, BULLETIN DEADLINES: Please submit items for the December 6 bulletin by Wednesday, November 18, to bulletin@steas.net Also, because of holiday printing schedules, there will be ONE COMBINED BULLETIN FOR THE WEEKENDS OF DECEMBER 27 AND JANUARY 3. SPONSOR OF THE WEEK We wish to thank Mechanicsburg Dental Associates for sponsoring an ad in our weekly bulletin. + M A S S E S + SATURDAY NOVEMBER 14 VIGIL, 32ND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 5:30 PM Henry Aschenbrenner SUNDAY NOVEMBER 15 32ND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 7:15 AM People of the Parish 9:00 AM Barbara Keane * 11:30 AM Sandra L. Woods MONDAY NOVEMBER 16 9:00 AM All Souls Intentions TUESDAY NOVEMBER 17 MEMORIAL OF SAINT ELIZABETH OF HUNGARY, RELIGIOUS 7:00 AM All Souls Intentions WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 18 7:00 AM All Souls Intentions 9:00 AM John Savage THURSDAY NOVEMBER 19 7:00 AM Kenneth & Dorothy Willson 9:00 AM All Souls Intentions FRIDAY NOVEMBER 20 7:00 AM Gail Frangione 25th Wedding Anniversary of 9:00 AM LaDawnna and Chad Clancy SATURDAY NOVEMBER 21 MEMORIAL OF THE PRESENTATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY 8:30 AM Michael Vajdic, Sr. VIGIL, THE SOLEMNITY OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, KING OF THE UNIVERSE 5:30 PM People of the Parish SUNDAY NOVEMBER 22 THE SOLEMNITY OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, KING OF THE UNIVERSE 7:15 AM Jenison and Cavanaugh Families * 9:00 AM Nicholas Lencioni 11:30 AM Tyler Mangus * Adult Choir singing at Mass ALTAR SERVERS NOVEMBER :30 PM Paul Cavada, Anna Juba, Rebecca Ritts, Calvin Cavada 7:15 AM Catherine Arke, Cassie Courtney, Erika Eshleman 9:00 AM Laura Weiss, Trevor Diehm, Noah CONTACTS OFFICE: /parish_office@steas.net Monsignor King, Pastor Father Swamy, Parochial Vicar Deacon Hall, Pastoral Associate Religious Education Pastoral Assistant Deacon Hall (cell)

5 S U NDAY 1 5 GIVING TREE-- TAKE TAGs or RETURN 8:45 AM CCD Grade 1 9:00 AM CCD Preschool/Kindergarten 10:15 AM CCD Grades 2 to 6 10:15 AM NO EDGE (See bulletin note) 12:30 PM Youth Choir Rehearsal 3:00 PM Chaplet of Divine Mercy 5:00 PM Life Teen 6:00 PM Eucharistic Adoration 6:00 PM Let s Play Cards! M ON DA Y 16 6:30 PM CCD Grades 1-6 6:45 PM CCD Penance Service T U E SD A Y 1 7 7:30 AM Gospel Reflection 11:30 AM That Man Is You! 6:20 PM Rosary Knights of Columbus 7:00 PM RCIA Commitment & Growth 7:00 PM Knights of Columbus W E D N ES D AY 18 9:30 AM Faith Matters Morning 6:30 PM Edge Grades 7 & 8 6:45 PM CCD Penance Service 7:00 PM Faith Matters: Bible Timeline T H UR SD A Y 19 9:30 AM Consoling the Heart of Jesus 6:30 PM Respect Life Ministry 6:30 PM Life in the Spirit 6:30 PM Pilgrimage to Italy Info. Session 7:00 PM Choir Rehearsal F RIDAY 2 0 S A TURDAY 2 1 MATTHEW 25 COLLECTION GIVING TREE GIFT RETURN BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENING 6:30 AM That Man Is You! 3:30 PM Confessions S U NDAY 2 2 MATTHEW 25 COLLECTION KNIGHTS PANCAKE BREAKFAST GIVING TREE GIFT RETURN BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENING 8:45 AM CCD Grade 1 9:00 AM CCD Preschool/Kindergarten 10:15 AM CCD Grades 2 to 6 10:15 AM Edge Grades 7 & 8 12:30 PM Youth Choir Rehearsal 4:00 PM Life Teen Road Trip 6:00 PM Eucharistic Adoration 6:00 PM Let s Play Cards! NOTES ON CCD PENANCE, INCLUDING EDGE: There is no Edge class Sunday, November 15 at 10:15. Sunday Edge students, their siblings in Sunday CCD grades 3-6 classes, and their families are invited to attend the Religious Education penance service on Monday, November 16, 6:30 to 8:00 PM. Wednesday Edge students with siblings in grades 3-6 on Monday are also invited to attend on Monday. All other Sunday CCD students in grades 3-6, and Wednesday Edge students, and their families are invited to attend on Wednesday, November 18, from 6:30 to 8:00 PM. Class time will also take place. LIFE TEEN: Rejoice always, pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-17) There is a spiritual war going on, and we need to share how to be free and protected. There is strength in numbers you are not alone! But it s not just you and Jesus; we all need to invite others to share the joy of the victory of Christ over death and our hope in eternal life. Life Teen concludes our semester on The Battle, Sunday@5 with Love Wins. All High School students are welcome to share food, faith, and fellowship in the Parish Center and the Bayley Room. Bring a friend! Share the Good News! NEXT WEEK: Life Teen Road Trip to Life Teen Mass, Dinner, and XLT at St Patrick s in Carlisle. Cars leave Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton at 4:00pm, and we will return by 8:45pm. Permission slips are required, and can be picked up at Life Teen, or Stephanie (stanguay@steas.net). XLT is a praise and worship adoration experience like no other. Come see Jesus as you never have before, along with other teens! THAT MAN IS YOU! Saturday, November 21, 6:30 AM, and Tuesday, November 24, 11:30 AM. Session 11--The Death of the West: The atheistic Western model. Culture shaped by education and media. Education and media affect marriage, faith, and fertility. Secularization of Europe as a case study. When men are given a pass, society suffers. John Paul II s warning to the West. T H E M A T T H E W 2 5 COLLECTION was inspired by the verse from the Gospel of Saint Matthew: Whatever you did for the least of my brothers and sisters, you did for me. This local collection provides funding for those in need of food, clothing and shelter. 25% remains at the parish to meet the needs of specific parishioners and 75% goes to grants for diocesan or local community agencies to meet larger needs. Learn more or donate on-line at w w w. h b g d i o c e s e. o r g / matthew25. Please give prayerfully.

6 CHILDREN S CHRISTMAS PAGEANT: Please register your child for the Children s Christmas Pageant in the Parish Center after the 9:00 AM and 11:30 AM Masses next Sunday, November 22, or Sunday, November 29. More information concerning practices will be available on the registration forms. Volunteers are needed and welcomed in helping with practices and the pageant. Child musicians are also needed. Please direct questions to Kristen Morrow ( ). GIVING TREE: During the month of November, we are sharing our love and generosity by providing gifts to: United Methodist Home for Children; The Bair Foundation (children in foster care); families at St. Francis Church, Harrisburg; families being treated at the York Cancer Center; local Senior Citizens and those in need within our own parish. Everyone is invited to select a tag from our Giving Tree in the Parish Center to fulfill a Christmas wish. FOOD DRIVE: We are also conducting a food drive for cancer patient families. Drop off non-perishable items in containers by the Giving Tree. HOW TO PARTICIPATE: Select a gift tag ornament from the tree and sign out your tag in the appropriate color-coded folder. Please list your name and phone # in the field next to the Gift Tag # selected. Please bring all gifts for the Giving Tree no later than Sunday, December 6, prior to the 9:00 AM Mass for sorting and delivery. Please place UNWRAPPED gift(s) in a gift bag with the gift tag securely attached. The suggested gift value is approximately $ You are invited to take more than one tag if you wish. Questions or lost tags? Please call Cyndy Shaul ( ). Thank you for your continued generosity and support! LEARN ABOUT NEXT FALL S SHRINES OF ITALY PILGRIMAGE WITH MONSIGNOR KING: This inspirational journey visits some of the most ancient sites in the world. Learn more by attending a free, informational presentation from Matthew D Eramo of Collette, a major U.S. tour operator, Thursday November 19, at 6:30 PM in the Parish Center. RSVP: Stephanie Tanguay, ( , stanguay@steas.net). TRIVIA NIGHT DECEMBER 5! Download the registration form at under News. And don t forget to take advantage of our traditional Apple Festival raffle. The drawing will take place this year at Trivia Night. Get your raffle tickets back to Chris Uvick, or drop in the collection basket! LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH: Our parish will continue the tradition of lighting the Advent Wreath at the weekend Masses during Advent. A sign-up sheet will be available this weekend in the main entrance of the church. ORDERS FOR CHRISTMAS GREENERY are being taken the weekend of November in the Parish Center. Support our Knights of Columbus! This will be the last opportunity for ordering this year. You can download order forms at under News.. 25TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY MASS AND SOCIAL: Couples celebrating 25 years of marriage any time during 2015 are invited to a Mass and social at 2:00 PM on Sunday, November 22, at Saint Katharine Drexel Parish. Please contact Stella (SKulp@SKDParish.com, ) for more information. THE PARISH S HOLIDAY BAKE SALE will be held the weekend of December after all Masses. We would greatly appreciate any and all homemade Christmas goodies for the sale. Watch the bulletin for further information.

7 8 T H A N N U AL V ETERANS RECOGNITION BRUNCH: A fine turnout and very meaningful time together. With gratitude to Father Swamy for his beautiful opening prayer and thanks to Mary Brenner and her volunteer staff for all of their efforts in honoring our veterans and their families! A-TEN-SHUN! WANTED! Any and all veterans who have ever served in any capacity are cordially invited to join fellow StEAS veterans in forming an informal group to meet for general discussions and camaraderie to tell old stories and lies! If interested, please drop off your name and contact information at the parish office, or contact Pete Fludovich ( ) or Gene Castle ( ). YES! I m interested in the new informal group for veterans. Name: Phone: