Dear Friends, I am very happy to welcome Bishop James Thoppil of the Diocese of Kohima, India to St. Agnes for mission preaching.

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1 Catholic Community Our Mission Statement: To know Christ and make Him known by welcoming all, teaching and sharing the Faith, and providing worship and spiritual growth opportunities and serving those in need July 15, 2018 PARISH OFFICE 3966 Chestnut Ave Concord, CA Tel: (925) Fax: (925) Office Hours: 9:00am - Noon * 1:00pm - 4:30pm, Monday-Thursday Website: wwwstagnesparishnet * stagnesoffice@comcastnet Instagram: stagnesparishconcord * 1

2 MASS SCHEDULE Saturday Vigil: 5PM Sunday: 7AM, 9AM, 11AM & 5PM Daily Mass in the Chapel at 8AM Monday - Saturday (Communion Service on Wed) Adoration in the Chapel Daily 6:00 am to 9:00 pm Confessions: Saturday 3:30PM PASTORAL STAFF Pastor Rev Fr Johnson Abraham chemans@gmailcom Deacons Bill Drobick deaconbill3@gmailcom Tony Reyes deacontonyr@gmailcom Business Manager Marlene McCann marlenestagnesparish@gmailcom Confirmation/Life Teen Coordinator Deacon Bill Drobick deaconbill3@gmailcom Religious Ed/Liturgy Coordinator Linda D Souza lindastagnes@gmailcom Secretary-Religious Education Donna Cassianos donnastagnesparish@gmailcom Director of Music Ministry Pete Frevele petefrev@mecom Liturgical Musician Lily Melendrez Lilystagnesparish@gmailcom Bulletins Please submit your articles to: donnaroberts1956@gmailcom Pastoral Council Chair Linus Farias linusfarias@sbcglobalnet Dear Friends, I am very happy to welcome Bishop James Thoppil of the Diocese of Kohima, India to St Agnes for mission preaching The mission diocese of Kohima is situated in the extreme corner of the Northeast India, bordering Myanmar in the East, the states of Manipur in the south, Assam in the west and Arunachal Pradesh in the north The diocese covers the entire state of Nagaland The people belong to sixteen different major Mongoloid tribes, who are collectively known as Nagas Each tribe has its own dialect, traditions, music, custom and costumes It has a population of 1,978,502, of which 95% of the population is Christian, and about 60,000 are Catholic The rest belong to different protestant denominations, of which the vast majority is American Baptist Even today Nagaland is one of the most economically backward states in India Most people do not have the basic amenities like roads, a regular steady supply of electricity, safe drinking water, postal service, schools, health care centers, etc 95% of the population practice the most primitive and eco-destructive method of cultivation called Jhum or shifting cultivation Rice is their staple food There are no industries or factories in the state The diocese of Kohima-Imphal was established in 1973 with the Bishop Abraham Alangimattathil, SDB, as its first bishop Bishop James Thoppil was named bishop on 16 th June 2011 He began shepherding the diocese with his motto Do Everything for the Gospel At present there are 105 diocesan priests, 76 religious priests, 321 religious sisters, 9 full-time catechists and 181 part-time catechists actively engaged in the work of evangelization What is most encouraging is the fact that vocation to priesthood and religious life has taken strong roots, and presently they have 43 diocesan priests and 190 religious sisters from the different tribes of Nagaland The future for the church is indeed very bright Bishop James will share with us his vision and mission for his diocese at all the masses this weekend Let us assure Bishop James and his diocese of our prayers and support Fr Johnson SCHOOL OFFICE 3886 Chestnut Ave, Concord Tel: (925) Office Hours: 7:30-4:00 M-F Principal: Jill Lucia jlucia@csdoorg Secretary: Ana Kelley akelley@csdoorg Website: wwwstagnesconcordcom SUNDAY COLLECTION FOR JULY 8: $12,48600 Includes Faith Direct Giving We thank you for your Stewardship 2

3 Faith and Spirituality FOR SPIRITUALITY: DAILY MASS IN THE CHAPEL Monday - Saturday at 8:00 AM (Communion Service on Wed) Friday morning at 8:15 AM EUCHARISTIC ADORATION - Chapel daily from 6 am 9 pm Contact Sumner or Veronica Peery at for scheduling FOR ADULT LEARNING: SCRIPTURE SHARING - Summer break until Sept 6 FOR MINISTRY: PRAYER TREE - A ministry of people who pray specifically for those who are ill Please notify the parish office if you or a member of your family are in, or going into, the hospital HELPING HANDS: Please call Chris Artale, MARTINEZ SHELTER MEALS: Plan a meal for 35 residents Purchase & prepare food; serve dinner at the shelter Please contact to volunteer: Anne Kurylo, or Annekurylo@gmailcom ST VINCENT DE PAUL MINISTRY P lease contact the St Vincent de Paul Hotline at (925) , Ext 250 MINISTRY TO THE SICK: Please call Naomi Holt at (925) CARING HANDS-JOHN MUIR HEALTH: Contact Stacy Appel by at StacyAppel@johnmuirhhealthcom CHILDREN S LITURGY OF THE WORD (CLW) St Agnes will re-introduce Children's Liturgy of the Word (CLW) during the school year (September through May) at the 9:00 am Mass Children's Liturgy of the Word (CLW) will be provided to help children preschool through 3rd grade better understand and take heart the meaning of the Sunday scripture readings After opening prayer, children will be excused to hear the scriptures proclaimed and illuminated through storytelling and activities They will return to their families and Mass at the Offertory * Volunteer Leaders and Aides are needed* All materials will be provided and the commitment will be one Sunday a month If enough interest is generated, CLW will be offered at 11:00 am as well For more information or to volunteer, please call Linda in the Ministry Center at (925) or her at lindastagnes@gmailcom A meeting for volunteers will take place in August CHILDREN'S FAITH FORMATION AND EDGE Registration packets are available for the 2018/2019 school year for Children's Faith Formation (K - 5th grades) and EDGE (6th - 8th grades) in the vestibules, at the Welcome Table and on the parish website New this year, we are offering an "Early Bird Discount" Register and pay by August 1st in order to take advantage of the discount After August 1, standard fees will apply For any questions, please contact the Faith Formation Office at (925) PLEASE PRAY FOR HEALING FOR: Alice Alimurung Dianna Andrews Norm Andrews Jim Armstrong Ron Artale Terry Brophy Kathryn Cases Trinity Cereghino Iman Chang Gil Chavez Rich Cotter Anneke Cronander-Ford William Cummins Anthony Davi Franca Del Ponte Stephen Dixon Paul Duffy Marie Frisbie Karen Gee Merv Hammond Tony Hennessy Doug Hieb Maria Hills Earl Koski Joseph Mallon Aisling Morgan Susan Noard Anne O Neill Anna Mae Parcja Barbara Peters Ellie Rowe Jaden Ruybalid Maureen Ryan Greg Scaletti Betty Sullivan Carolyn Thompson Bill van Hattem David Vizcay Judy Wiget Paul Wiget Betty Wilson 3

4 Mass Intentions Saturday, July 14, :00 pm Daniel Do Rosario Repose Jose & Priscilla Manalac Repose Sally Mijares Repose Sunday, July 15, :00 am For the People of St Agnes, Living and Dceased 9:00 am Our Lady of Mt Carmel Special Int 11:00 am Bromeo A Ang Repose Margaret Archuleta Repose Andres & Brigida Maniti Repose 5:00 pm Sally Mijares Repose Monday, July 16, :00 am Telesfora Legaspi Repose Tuesday, July 17, :00 am Joe Cornella Repose Tomas Legaspi, Jr Repose John Ryan Repose Wednesday, July 18, :00 am Communion Service Only Thursday, July 19, :00 am Carmen Santos Repose Friday, July 20, :15 am Paul Miran Special Intention Saturday, July 21, :00 am John Sevieri Repose 5:00 pm Mark Ayres Repose Sunday, July 22, :00 am Dominga & Ramon Garcia Repose 9:00 am Rudolfo Lozano Repose 11:00 am For the People of St Agnes, Living and Deceased 5:00 pm Mary Perez Repose Hal Baltalzor Special Intention Calendar for the Week Parish Events and Meetings Sunday, July 15, 2018 Monday, July 16, :00 am Daily Mass Chapel 6:00 pm Knights of Columbus Church Hall 6:30 pm Centering Prayer Group EX Tuesday, July 17, :00 am Daily Mass Chapel Wednesday, July 18, :00 am Communion Service Chapel 7:00 pm St Vincent de Paul AR Thursday, July 19, :00 am Daily Mass Chapel Friday, July 20, :15 am Daily Mass Church Saturday, July 21, :00 am Daily Mass Chapel 8:30 am Lector Practice Church 9:00 am Work Party SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES Monday: Our Lady of Mount Carmel Wednesday: St Camillus de Lellis Friday: St Apollinaris Saturday: St Lawrence of Brindisi; Blessed Virgin Mary READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Is 1:10-17; Ps 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21, 23; Mt 10:34 11:1 Tuesday: Is 7:1-9; Ps 48:2-8; Mt 11:20-24 Wednesday: Is 10:5-7, 13b-16; Ps 94:5-10, 14-15; Mt 11:25-27 Thursday: Is 26:7-9, 12, 16-19; Ps 102:13-14ab, 15-21; Mt 11:28-30 Friday: Is 38:1-6, 21-22, 7-8; Is 38:10-12abcd, 16; Mt 12:1-8 Saturday: Mi 2:1-5; Ps 10:1-4, 7-8, 14; Mt 12:14-21 Sunday: Jer 23:1-6; Ps 23:1-6; Eph 2:13-18; Mk 6:

5 Parish News and Activities The Pilgrim Cross is Almost Here! In just a few days, we will welcome the visit of the Pilgrim Cross to St Agnes on July 20 th to August 3rd We invite all parishioners to join the two weeks of prayerful service in our parish The schedule of events is listed in the Calendar of Upcoming Events The visit of the Pilgrim Cross and the Patron Saint of the Year is an invitation to be on a pilgrimage, share our common Catholic Faith and be inspired to live it meaningfully in our time, right here in our parish and the Diocese of Oakland During these two weeks, let us feel the presence of Christ in the same way that He was first made known to the aborigines and the natives of the Philippines when Christ was first introduced nearly 500 years ago As a community here at St Agnes, let s make this celebration a hallmark of our faith in response to the vision of our Bishop to know Christ and make Him better known by many BRING THE MUSIC HOME WITH YOU Don t forget to Like us on Facebook at St Agnes Parish Choir You can see the music that s coming up for the next weekend or view music that we ve done from the past It s a great way to stay connected and bring some joyful noise into your home with you CALLED BY GOD Today s scriptures invite us to listen to two calls The first is the call issued by the L to the prophet Amos, the shepherd and a dresser of sycamores (Amos 7:14) The second is the call the Lord Jesus issued to the Twelve, whom he sent out two by two (Mark 6:7) These faithful people responded to the call, prophesying and preaching to the people to whom they had been sent Each of us received a call when we were baptized The second reading invites us to ponder that call as we are reminded that we are chosen in Christ and that, in love, God destined us for adoption (Ephesians 1:5) As adopted daughters and sons of God we are called to bring the presence of Christ into our marriages, families, schools, and places of work Let us be inspired today to say yes to the call we hear once again through God s living word Copyright J S Paluch Co, Inc St Vincent DePaul Conference St Agnes Parish St Vincent DePaul lived during the 1600 s in France, and he became very active in meeting the needs of the poor during his life Two hundred years later, a young French college student named Frederic Ozanam, along with several close friends, founded the Society of St Vincent DePaul in order to follow the precepts of Vincent s life, in love and service to our Lord in the person of the poor Our current Conference of St Vincent DePaul was established in 2010 We meet twice a month to discuss our activities Meeting accomplishments for 7/3/18: Our ministry this month is concentrating on Homeless Outreach and requests we have received from various charitable arenas within Contra Costa County We also are joining in to contribute stuffed backpacks for Project Ready-to-Learn, which begins in Contra Costa County July 18 this year We were able to help several people in our area with their past due utility bills If you are interested in helping us help our neighbors, please consider attending our next Conference meeting We meet the first Tuesday and the third Wednesday of every month in the St Agnes Ministry Center at 7pm and generally close our meetings by 8:30pm CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS JULY 21 Welcome the Pilgrim Cross, 5 pm Mass Santo Nino Novena, Chapel, 7:00 pm Fatima Rosary Novena, Chapel, 7:00 pm Divine Mercy Novena, Chapel, 7:00 pm AUGUST 1-2 Divine Mercy Novena, Chapel, 7:00 pm 3 Farewell to Pilgrim Cross, 8:15 am First Friday Dinner, 5:30 pm, Church Hall 11 Anointing Mass, 10:30 am, Church Fair Trade/Hospitality Weekend 5

6 IMMIGRATION MYTHS Part 2 As mentioned last week, the Faith in Action/Social Justice Ministry will be presenting myths obtained from the Catholics United for Justice (CUJ) about undocumented immigrants In this week s bulletin is the second of the series of myths The myths are being published to inform and educate you on the issue of undocumented immigrants as seen by the JustFaith Ministries It is our hope that you will find the time this week for reflection upon the myth presented For questions or comments about these myths you may contact JustFaith at wwwjustfaithorg or Myth #2: They drain the system Undocumented immigrants do not qualify for welfare, food stamps, Medicaid, and most other public benefits Most of these programs require proof of legal immigration status and under the 1996 welfare law; even legal immigrants cannot receive these benefits until they have been in the United States for more than five years Non-citizen immigrant adults and children are about 25% less likely to be signed up for Medicaid than their poor native-born equivalents and are also 37% less likely to receive food stamps, according to a 2013 study by the Cato Institute Citizen children of illegal immigrants -- often derogatorily referred to as "anchor babies" -- do qualify for social benefits Also, undocumented immigrants are eligible for schooling and emergency medical care Currently, the average unlawful immigrant household costs taxpayers $14,387 per household, according to a recent report by The Heritage Foundation But in its 2013 "Immigration Myths and Facts" report, the US Chamber of Commerce says most economists see providing these benefits as an investment for the future, when these children become workers and taxpayers A Congressional Budget Office report on the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007 concluded that a path to legalization for immigrants would increase federal revenues by $48 billion Such a plan would see $23 billion in increased costs from the use of public services, but ultimately, it would produce a surplus of $25 billion for government coffers, CBO said Community Activities Free Human Trafficking Training in Oakland Want to know more about human trafficking in the East Bay? Don't have time for a lengthy training series? Feel like you don't have a good grasp on the issue? Want more details in order to develop an informed opinion/stance? Wish you could train but don't have childcare? Come to a one-time Day Star Training, they're happening each Monday night this July and August! We have info and snacks and childcare! Seating is limited Register to attend FREE Human Trafficking Information Session at tinyurlcom/y7v4spd7 Adults Need Summer Camp Too! San Damiano Retreat in Danville invites you to come away and contemplate during these dog days of summer: July 22-27: The World Will Be Saved by Beauty, Silent Contemplative Retreat with Fr Dan Riley July 27-29: The Beatitudes: Jesus 8-Step Program for Happiness, Silent Retreat with Fr Patrick Foley July 28: Christian Meditation Day with Claire LaScola, Donna Lack, and June Pangelinan For more information and to sign up, please visit wwwsandamianoorg or call

7 The St Agnes FilAm celebrated Kalayaan 2018 for the 23rd year since the inception of the FilAm community Parishioners and guests got a taste of Filipino hospitality during the reception Fun was had by all 8