Saint Agnes Cathedral 533 S. Jefferson Avenue, Springfield, MO

Transcription

1 February 4, 2018 Saint Agnes Cathedral 533 S. Jefferson Avenue, Springfield, MO

2 Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time St. Agnes Cathedral 533 S. Jefferson Avenue, Springfield, MO St. Agnes Cathedral Parish, a sacramental community, is sent forth with compassion to witness to God s word and loving presence. We recognize our responsibilities to Catholic education. We embrace our diversity and place in the Springfield community to provide service, especially to poor and vulnerable persons. WEEKEND MASS SCHEDULE Saturday 5:00 PM Sunday 7:00-8:30-10:00 AM (Vietnamese) 11:30 AM - 5:00 PM WEEKDAY MASS SCHEDULE 8:30 AM Monday through Friday 8:30 AM Saturday 5:30 PM Monday through Friday RECONCILIATION SCHEDULE 4:45-5:20 PM Wednesday and Friday 3:30-4:30 PM Saturday In Chapel Reconciliation Room (or ask Father for an appointment) Reverend Lewis E. Hejna, Rector Ext: 102 lhejna@saintagnescathedral.org Reverend Joseph M. Stoverink, Associate Pastor Ext: 104 jstoverink@saintagnescathedral.org Reverend Thomas Luu (Truyen) Vu, CRM Chaplain to Vietnamese Parishioners Ext. 106 lvu@saintagnescathedral.org Sister Elizabeth Ann Weiler, ASC, Coordinator of Care Ministry -care of homebound, funerals, Seniors Ext: 103 eaweiler@saintagnescathedral.org Sabrina Schmidt, Director of Faith Formation -PSR coordinator, Baptismal Prep, RCIA Ext: 105 sschmidt@saintagnescathedral.org Judy Rippee, Development & Properties Ext: 107 jrippee@saintagnescathedral.org Connie McNabb, Office of Accounting Ext: 110 cmcnabb@saintagnescathedral.org Helen Rapp, Office Manager Ext: 101 hrapp@saintagnescathedral.org Kevin Otradovec, Cathedral Music Director kotrad@sbcglobal.net Andy Sun, Director of Bell Choir and Youth Choir asun@saintagnescathedral.org Lindsay Paulsell, School Principal: Ext: lpaulsell@scspk12.org Parish Office: FAX: Well of Life (Pantry) 418 S. Kimbrough, ADORATION: The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed in the Chapel on Mondays from 9:00 AM-5:30 PM (Rosary at 5:00 PM, followed by Daily Mass at 5:30). WELCOME! We extend our hands and our hearts in Christian fellowship to you here, whether longtime residents or newly arrived in the parish. If you are not registered, please fill out the form below and place it in the collection basket or mail it to the Parish Office. NAME ADDRESS CITY ZIP PHONE New Parishioner New Address New Phone Moving, please remove from parish census INFANT BAPTISM PREPARATION: When you plan to have your child baptized, please call Fr. Lewis at the parish office to make preparations. You may contact us before the birth of your child if you wish. There is a pre-baptismal class monthly for infant Baptisms. MARRIAGE PREPARATION: In our diocese the regulations for marriage require that the parish be notified usually six months in advance of the date planned for the wedding. The importance of this sacrament requires sufficient preparation in a pre-marriage program. Please contact Fr. Lewis at the Parish Office, SACRAMENT OF THE SICK: When facing serious illness, please call Sr. Elizabeth Ann at the Parish Office, FUNERALS: For funeral arrangements, including condolence meals, please call Sr. Elizabeth Ann at the Parish Office, CATHOLIC CEMETERIES OF SPRINGFIELD: For information, please call Paul Wunderlich at Visit us on the web at Springfield Catholic Schools at

3 February 4, 2018 From the Pastor s Desk, On Saturday of this weekend we celebrated St. Blaise, a bishop and martyr. With his celebration we remember his healing of a choking boy in prison and a special blessing through his name. That blessing falls under the action of a sacramental. The Catechism teaches us that sacramentals are holy things or actions of which the church makes use to obtain for us from God, through her intercession, spiritual and temporal favors. A sacramental is anything set apart or blessed by the church to excite good thoughts and to help devotion. It is through the prayers of the church offered for those who make use of these sacramentals, as well as through the devotion they inspire, that they convey and obtain God s grace and blessings. One difference between sacraments and sacramentals is that they do not produce sanctifying grace, a power that belongs to sacraments alone. Another difference is that sacraments were instituted directly by Christ while sacramentals were instituted by Christ through His church. Sacramentals should never take the place of sacraments. The sacraments are necessary for salvation; sacramentals are not necessary. Nevertheless, the prayers, pious objects, sacred signs, and ceremonies of Mother Church raise our thought to God and eternal salvation. Since they are blessed objects, sacramentals should always be treated with reverence and devotion. The sign of the cross or a genuflection should be made deliberately and prayerfully. Sacramentals should not be thought of as contracts, investments, or good luck charms. To wear the scapular does not give us free reign to commit mortal sin and still be assured of heaven. The scapular is a symbol of Marian devotion and a silent prayer to Our Blessed Mother in heaven for salvation that she most certainly will not ignore. Using holy water is not an infallible wiping away of our venial sins unless we have contrition for our sins when we use it. The power of sacramentals, then, depends greatly on the devotion of both the priest who gives the blessing and the person who is receiving the sacramental. The blessing of St. Blaise is asking God through St. Blaise to be delivered from all ailments of the throat and all other diseases. Ông bà anh chị em mến, trong bài Phúc Âm tuần này, hình ảnh bà mẹ vợ của ông Thánh Simon Phêrô nằm bệnh đau thương trên giường phản ảnh sự đớn đau khổ sở của ông Jop trong bài đọc một. Sự đau thương của hai người đều diễn tả nỗi khổ ải và bi đát của cuộc đời làm người. Sự bi thảm xót xa của hai người nhắc nhở cho chúng ta về sự nguyền rủa đau khổ và cái chết của Ađam sau khi sa ngã (x. St 3:17-19). Nhưng qua bai ca Thánh Vịnh, chúng ta biết Đấng tạo nên đất trời là Đấng sẽ cứu chữa những kẻ giập nát tâm can qua người con là Đức Kitô (x. Is 11:12 và 61:1). Kinh Thánh hôm nay cho chúng ta thấy sự ứng nghiệm của lời hứa của Thiên Chúa qua Đức Kitô khi Ngài cứu chữa không những bà mẹ vợ của Thánh Phêrô mà tất cả những bệnh nhân, tất cả những người bị quỷ ám: và cả thành tụ họp trước cửa nhà. Người chữa nhiều người đau ốm những chứng bệnh khác nhau, xua trừ nhiều quỷ (x. Mc 1:32-34). Điều Chúa Giêsu làm cho mẹ vợ ông Simon Phêrô thì Chúa đã làm cho cả nhân loại, đó là nâng chúng ta ra khỏi cái chết của tôi lỗi (x. Ep 2:5). Qua chính Bí Tích Rủa Tội, Chúa đã nâng chính chúng ta dậy và giải thoát chúng ta khỏi mọi bệnh tật của tội lỗi. Vì vậy như mẹ vợ của ông Simon, chúng ta chỉ có một cách để cám ơn Đấng đã nâng chúng ta dậy, đó là chúng ta phải trỗi dậy phục vụ Chúa và Tin Mừng của Ngài. Điều này các sơ và thầy cô trong lớp Giáo Lý Việt Ngữ của cộng đoàn chúng ta đang thi hành. Xin chân thành cám ơn các sơ và thầy cô đã sãn sàng trỗi dậy hy sinh đủ điều để mang Tin Mưng của Đức Kitô và văn hóa Việt Nam đến cho các em. Nhân dịp Lễ Quan Thầy của trường Giáo Ly Viẹt Ngữ, xin chúc mừng đặc biệt đến các sơ, thầy cô, và tất cả các sinh viên. Cha Thomas Truyền, CRM St. Agnes Knights of Columbus Fish Fry Feb 16 th Come join your St. Agnes family for the first Friday in Lent. The Knights will be serving a fish dinner (baked and fried) on Friday, Feb 16 th from 5-7 pm in the St. Agnes Cafeteria. All you can eat Adults ($10), Kids ($5), Families ($30). Proceeds to benefit the LifeHouse Crisis Maternity Home. CONFIRMATION INFORMATION The last Confirmation session will take place on Sunday, February 4 th beginning at 3pm in the cafeteria. All candidates & their sponsors will need to be in attendance. If the sponsor cannot attend, one of the candidate s parents will need to be present. Candidates must bring their letters for the bishop & Father Lewis to this meeting. All paperwork needs to be submitted before Confirmation on February 17th

4 Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time THIS WEEK IN THE PARISH SUN Feb 4 8:30am CLOW & Dismissal 10:00am PSR & Adult FF 11:15am Vietnamese PSR - C & CL 3:00pm Confirmation Meeting - DR MON Feb 5 1pm Senior games & Pinochle players-c 6:00pm We Are Called - UPR 7:00pm RCIA - DR TUE Feb 6 WED Feb 7 9:15am St Martha s Group - Dining Room 6:30pm Bingo - Knight s Bingo Hall 6:30pm Bell Choir practice - Cathedral THU Feb 8 6:30pm Adult Choir Practice - Cathedral FRI Feb 9 SAT Feb 10 6:30-10:30pm St Agnes School Trivia Night - Gym SUN Feb 11 8:30am CLOW & Dismissal 10:00am PSR & Adult FF 11:15am No Vietnamese PSR 2:30pm Wedding Anniversary Mass - Cathedral 5:00pm Vietnamese New Year - Gym Deadline for Bulletin announcements: Noon Monday Please include contact name and phone number. Priority is given to parish activities. Please send to: stagnesfrontdesk@gmail.com EUCHARISTIC CELEBRATIONS SUNDAY LITURGIES SAT Feb 3 5:00pm Doris Meekins SUN Feb 4 7:00am Open Intention 8:30am Martha Wise 10:00am Vietnamese Mass 11:30am Open Intention 5:00pm Parish MON Feb 5 8:30am Peggy Carney 5:00pm Open Intention TUE Feb 6 8:30am Ed Weiler 5:30pm Mary Kellogg WED Feb 7 8:30am Maria Pham 5:30pm Open Intention THU Feb 8 8:30am Open Intention 5:30pm St Vincent de Paul Society FRI Feb 9 8:30am Open Intention 5:30pm Open Intention SAT Feb 10 8:30am Deceased PCCW members SUNDAY LITURGIES SAT Feb 10 5:00pm Procop & Mary Francka SUN Feb 11 7:00am Parish 8:30am Open Intention 10:00am No Mass 11:30am Open Intention 5:00pm Open Intention 5:00pm Vietnamese Mass - Gym KEY TO ABBREVIATIONS UPR: Upstairs Conference Room C: Cafeteria CLOW: Children s Liturgy of the Word DR: Dining Room PSR: Parish School of Religion BR: Band Room KCB: Knights of Columbus Bingo Emporium LH: Loretto House CL - Classrooms Please turn off cell phones when you come into the Church for Mass. Thank you. Lectors Saturday, February 10 5:00 PM Paul Gray, Teresa Gray Sunday, February 11 7:00am Sr. Jacinta Tran, Sr. Faustina Le 8:30 AM Keith Norton, Elizabeth Schatz 11:30 AM Pat Mithelavage, Carl Rapp 5:00 PM Isy Harter, Arthur Hoogstraet Servers Saturday, February 10 5:00 PM Clayton Eck, Addison Cronkhite, Raegan Morton Sunday, February 11 7:00 AM 3 Volunteers 8:30 AM Ian Morgan, Charles & Dustin Waterhouse 11:30 AM Isabella & Nicholas Gomez, Jared Lobdell 5:00 PM Jacob Nevills, Grace Ray, Catalina Sanchez Ushers Saturday, February 10 5:00 PM Carolyn Roth, Jeff Roth, 2 volunteers Sunday, February 11 7:00 AM Tim Keller, 3 Volunteers 8:30 AM Chris Kollmeyer, Daniel Pham, 2 Volunteers 11:30 AM Susan Hiett, David Hiett, 2 Volunteers 5:00 PM David Eiken, Gretchen Gambon, 2 Volunteers Extraordinary Ministers of Communion Saturday, February 10 5:00 PM Ginny & John Smithberg, Angela & Terry Winton, Jackie Barlow, Dana Carroll, Ellen & Michael Finch Sunday, February 11 7:00 AM Cheryl Wagstaff, Linda Bazyn, Bill Coughenour, Mary Doshier, Bernie Duchinsky, Rose Marie Fellin 8:30 AM Erwin Mantei, Jan McEvoy, Keith Nanneman, Sarah & Michael Pittman, Ashley Rolewicz, Millie Schumacher, Mary & David Seibert 11:30 AM Helen Rapp, Marjory Ray, Iris Bounds, Tish Burlingame, Edie & Ron Enos, Cheryl Flynn, Dianna Lobdell 5:00 PM Gary Momphard, Diana Piccolo, Denee Scruggs, Kris Watt, Allison Halter, Elizabeth Fahey, Shelley & Nick Ferry, 1 Volunteer

5 February 4, 2018 WE ARE CALLED It s only ten days until Ash Wednesday. If you d like to join us for Best Lent Ever, here are a few hints to get you prepared. Be sure to sign up at DynamicCatholic.com/Best Lent Ever. Then call the office ( ) to sign up for the Monday evening group sessions at 6:15pm in the Upper Room each Monday night beginning February 19. The program is based upon Perfectly Yourself, the book we received at Christmas. Reading it, watching the daily videos, and meeting with our parishioners for discussion will make this a great Lent, maybe even the best Lent ever. -Ginny Smithberg MARDI GRAS PAINT PARTY Ladies of the parish! Mark your calendars! PCCW will be sponsoring a Mardi Gras Paint Party on Tuesday, February 13 th from 6:30 to 8:30pm. RSVP Paint will be here to provide a consultant & all the supplies needed to create your own masterpiece on canvas. We do ask that you sign up by February 7 th to make certain we have needed supplies. PCCW will provide drinks & snacks for the evening. Donations to help cover the cost of supplies would be appreciated. Please call the parish office to sign up! We hope to see you there!! HELPING THE HOMELESS If you see any stocking caps and gloves for men and women on sale, you might buy a few and bring them to the office or church vestibule. Also, Grace needs men s clothing for The Closet; if you have some jeans, sweat shirts, etc. to get rid of since Christmas, please bring them as well. I will see that Grace United Methodist church or the Well of Life gets them for distribution. Grace is gathering volunteers to staff the laundry and then will have it up and running. Sr. Elizabeth Ann ATTENTION HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH Now is the time to sign up for Steubenville Steubenville is a national Catholic Youth Conference held every July on the campus of MSU. Last year was the first year that St. Agnes sent a group to the conference. St. Agnes again plans to send a group of high school youth this July. This conference is open to youth who will be entering high school in the Fall of 2018 through students who may be graduating from high school in Youth who attend Catholic schools, public school and those who may be home schooled are welcome. We will have to send in our registration in February. Please contact Iris Bounds at ibounds@saintagnescathedral.org or by calling to sign up or to obtain more information. The Church s teaching on marital sexuality is an invitation to receive the gift of God s love and care, and to let this gift inform and transform us, so we may share that love with each other and with the world. -USSCB, Married Love and the Gift of Life PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR SICK Karen Gray, Rose Harris, Thomas McGuiness, Teresa Smith, Richard Hund, Kathy Burkett, Tom Wagstaff, Mary Ann Horton, John Lipin, Aaron Morton, Diane Kiser, Rosie Francka, Tom and Judy Love, Dan Bounds, Jayden Borges (baby), Doug Boswell, Don Wand, Agnes Wagstaff, Jeff Bazyn, Ben Horton, Willa Garrett, Katie Brooks, Rebecca Tembrook Safe Environment Training This training is required by all who work with children (Volunteers around children, youth helpers, Catechists, etc.) Pre-registration is necessary: and click on registration on left. NEXT VIRTUS SESSIONS: Thursday, Feb. 15, 6-9pm Spfd Catholic High School Saturday, March 10, 9 am-noon, Holy Trinity, Spfd Missourians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty The Springfield Chapter of the Missourians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty will meet on Monday, Feb. 5 at 7:00 pm at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 2818 E Bennett. Join us in our efforts to repeal the death penalty in Missouri. For information call Donna Walmsley at Seniors Unlimited will have their usual Ash Wednesday luncheon on February 14 after the 12:15 Mass. Please call the office if you plan to attend so we have enough food. Seating limited to 56 in the dining room. A donation of $3.00 will be accepted. The money from the Senior s bake sale at the bazaar will pay for the rest. QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Theme: Let us preach the good news to all! Reading I: Job 7:1-4, 6-7 Reading II: 1 Corinthians 9:16-19, Gospel: Mark 1:29-39 Question for Children: What can you do to help your friends and classmates know more about Jesus? Question for Youth: Jesus knew that his mission was for everyone, not just one village or group of people. How can you reach out to others (outside of friends and family) and offer them hope and Good News? Question for Adults: If you were going to pray for healing for any reason, what would it be? What needs to be healed in our world and society?

6 Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time SPRINGFIELD CATHOLIC SCHOOLS The Springfield Catholic School System is seeking applicants for the position of Director of Springfield Catholic Schools. The Director must be a practicing Catholic, have a Master s degree or higher in Educational Administration, hold a current Administrator s Certificate and possess excellent communication, organization, business/finance and interpersonal skills. He/she must be a leader committed to a team approach to school administration, and have a strong record of achievement that predicts success in leading the development and growth of the system. The Director is accountable to the Diocesan Superintendent of Catholic Schools for implementation of Diocesan policies and Springfield Catholic School policies. Employment Opportunities ALL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND APPLICATIONS are available on the Springfield Catholic School System s website at For more details on these positions, please visit click on the About tab at the top and scroll down to Employment Opportunities. Welcome to the Springfield Catholic Schools System! The Springfield Catholic Schools System is made up of three (3) elementary schools (preschool thru 8 th grade) and one (1) high school. For a tour, enrollment information or to check availability at various grade levels, please contact the school(s) in which you are interested: Immaculate Conception: (417) ; St. Agnes: (417) ; St. Elizabeth Ann Seton: (417) ; and Springfield Catholic High School: (417) We have a strong Tradition of Faith, Service and Academic Excellence! ONLINE BIBLE STUDY This online Lenten course will invite ten people to walk the five weeks before Holy week together using Scripture and Stephen Binz as guides in our discussion. The first to apply will be sent further information from Sister Frances (fwessel@ssndcp.org) or biblebeltstudies.sqooltools.com. Sign in as guest and decide, me with your decision or questions. Thank you for supporting this online faith formation effort, sponsored by the Diocesan Lay Endowment fund. WOMEN OF THE PARISH St. Martha s PCCW group is again sponsoring a weekend retreat - an opportunity to relax, spend time in quiet prayer, hear inspirational talks, and reflect on your relationship with God. The retreat is at King s House in Belleville, Il, April We will carpool, leaving from St. Agnes at noon on Friday. The retreat ends on Sunday following 11:00 Mass and lunch at noon. The theme is Called By Name. Suggested cost is $175, their actual cost to provide the retreat. It is given as a freewill, anonymous offering by envelope at Mass. If you re able to give more, they appreciate it, but they accept any offering you are able to give. Reservations are on a first come, first serve basis. If interested in attending, or for more information, call Mary Seibert at SENIOR GAMES Senior Games will be held in the cafeteria every Monday at 1:15pm in good weather, but please consider them cancelled when there is snow/ice on the ground or very cold weather. Sr. Elizabeth Ann Catholic Campus Ministry TRIVIA NIGHT Saturday, February 10, 7-10 PM 847 S. Holland Teams of 8 are $80 and individual registration is $12 (payment can be made at the door.) There will also be a 50/50 raffle. All proceeds will help Catholic Campus Ministry help college students grow in faith and leadership. Sign up at ccm847.org/trivia-night or call Bev Franklin at ST AGNES SCHOOL TRIVIA NIGHT Join the fun! St Agnes Home & School is hosting Trivia Night on Saturday, February 10 in the gym. 8 people per table, $100/table. Doors open at 5pm, Social Hour 6-6:45, House Rules 6:45-7pm, Trivia starts at 7! Register your table now, forms available in school office. Prizes for Trivia Winners, Best Theme and Best Spirit. Thông Cáo Cộng Đoàn Đức Mẹ Hồn Xác Lên Trời (Announcements of the Vietnamese Community) Chúc Mừng Bổn Mạng Trường Giáo Lý Việt Ngữ Xin chúc mừng các sơ, thầy cô và các em trong Trường Giáo Lý Việt Ngữ nhân dịp mừng bổng mạng Thánh Quan Thầy Đon Boscô Tết Nguyên Đán Mậu Tuất 2018 Tết Nguyên Đán Mậu Tuất 2018 của cộng đoàn sẽ được tổ chức vào chiều ngày 11 tháng 02. 5g chiều Thánh Lễ tại nhà Gym giáo xứ và sau đó là vui xuân của cộng đoàn. Mọi chi tiết Ban Hành Giáo sẽ thông báo sau. Không có lớp Giáo Lý Việt Ngữ ngày 11 tháng 02. Thứ Tư Lễ Tro (Ngày 14/02) Ngày 14 tháng 02 lúc 7:30g tối sẽ có Thánh Lễ Việtnam vào Thứ Tư đầu mùa Chay Thứ Tư Lễ Tro/Ash Wednesday..

7 February 4, 2018 STEWARDSHIP of TREASURE January Income Report January Income Weekly Envelopes Week 1-4 January Budget Still Needed 28, , , ADDITIONAL JANUARY DONATIONS Latin America Tuition Assistance St. Vincent de Paul/Pantry.....2, Total $3, Plate 3, , , Maintenance 6, , Utilities 3, , This Week s Stewardship Message I do all that I do for the sake of the gospel in the hope of having a share in its blessings. THE MIRROR SUBSCRIPTION It s that time of year again! The diocese will send us a bill in the coming weeks for each St. Agnes parishioner to receive this weekly newspaper. Each subscription is $ Please be sure to use your Mirror envelope and if possible include gift subscriptions for parishioners who may not be able to afford theirs. TRUE WEALTH Measure wealth not by the things you have, but by the things you have for which you would not take money. --Anonymous Hospitalized? Call the Parish Office Due to HPPA regulations, parish staff are not able to obtain information about our parishioners who are hospitalized. If you or a family member is admitted to the hospital, please call the Parish Office at This is especially important if you would like to receive Communion and/or a pastoral visit. Join us every Wednesday at the K of C Bingo Emporium 2340 W. Grand, 2nd parking lot Horse Races and Bingo Sales begin at 4:30 PM Bingo begins at 6:30 PM Like us on Facebook! Bingo Springfield Missouri Wednesday St. Agnes The Diocesan Perpetual Adoration, which takes place at Holy Trinity s Chapel, will be having an Adoration Celebration Appreciation Please join us for celebrating the first anniversary of Perpetual Adoration, sharing testimonials, and planning for the future. It will be held at Holy Trinity Parish Social Hall on Monday, January 29 th at 10am or 7pm. Chose which time works best for you. Please RSVP to Dana (417) / dana6045@att.net KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS SCHOLARSHIPS The Knights of Columbus Council 698 of Springfield, Missouri will award three educational scholarships for the school year. The scholarship guidelines and application may be downloaded by going to and clicking the button News & Announcements. Number of scholarships: Two $ traditional scholarships to a 2 or 4- year college payable in installments of $ per semester. One $ non-traditional scholarship to a Trade/ Tech/Vocational school. If the $ non-traditional scholarship is not applied for, it will be used to supplement the two $ scholarships. Scholarship applications should be postmarked by Friday, March 9, GIFT/PURCHASE CARDS St. Agnes Cathedral has gift/purchase cards (SCRIP) available in the parish office during business hours Monday through Friday. These cards are full value and good up to two years or longer. Proceeds go toward our tuition assistance program for deserving children in Catholic grade or high school. There is no extra cost when you purchase a card. We have cards for several restaurants, businesses, and some hotels. Buy them for gifts or purchase for your own use. Cards we don t have in our inventory must be ordered by Mondays at 8:30am to receive that same week. Contact our front desk volunteers with any questions.

8 Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time St. Agnes Catechetical Review Volume 9 Issue 8 February CLOW, Dismissal, PSR, Adults 5 RCIA 6 Baptism Class 11 CLOW, Dismissal, PSR, Adults 12 RCIA 17 Confirmation 18 CLOW, Dismissal, PSR, Adults, Catechist Meeting, Rite of Election 19 RCIA 25 CLOW, Dismissal, Family Review Morning, No Adults, Faith Fair 27 Penance Service Contents 1 = From Sabrina s Desk 1 = Holy Humor 2 = From the Catechism 2 = Come to the Feast 3 = Out of the Mouths of Popes 3 = Mystical Meanderings 3 = Vibrant Virtues 4 = VIRTUS From Sabrina s Desk Life is about four kinds of relationships: 1) with God, 2) with the Church, 3) with self, and 4) with others. God should always be at the foundation of our lives. If you want to be truly happy, you need to build this relationship. Without it, you will simply flounder. The evils we see in our world exist because people aren t working on this bond. We let commercials tell us what we should eat, drink, wear, drive, etc. The news highlights the evils in our world. God is the foundation of all true happiness and good news. This foundation should be nurtured in a variety of ways, which I will talk about here in the months ahead. First, though, you need to ask yourself a question: Do you love yourself, have a good self-esteem? The answer to this question will Holy Humor From A Prairie Home Companion Pretty Good Joke Book: A woman got free airplane tickets for her five babies under the airline s free quint flier program. There was once a horse who was a genius. It mastered math and physics and history, but it couldn t master philosophy, which proves you can t put Descartes before the horse. determine other relationships. If you like yourself, you can see that God loves you and made you to be very important. This isn t egotistical. You re acknowledging that God is the energy behind your importance. The sad reality is that so many people do not see themselves as good people. The news is full of stories that reflect this truth. We need to practice humility: Being before God what we are, no more and no less. In other words, love yourself as God loves you. Then you will be able to love the Church and others in a genuine way. If you don t love yourself, it will be your task to work on this starting now. God wants you for himself. Self-hatred keeps us from getting closer to him. Spiritual progress in our lives is about growing more A farmer is milking his cow and as he is milking, a fly comes along and flies into the cow s ear. A little bit later, the farmer notices the fly in the milk. The farmer says, Hmph. In one ear, out the udder. This duck walks into a drugstore and he says, Gimme some Chapstick and put it on my bill. Two boll weevils grew up in and more mature in him. Work at healing from the hurt and forgive the people that helped to bring on the self-hatred. You can t change what they did to you, but you can love and forgive them anyway. This is the ultimate freedom. Once you do this, nothing is impossible for you. God wants you free to live a happy life. If he didn t, he wouldn t have sent Jesus to die such a horrid death so that we could be free from the condemnation of sin. You are wonderful. You have stayed with the Church because our faith fits you. Let God be the center of your life. Give him your heart and let him shape you as he wishes. The Church supports you! South Carolina. One went to Hollywood and became a famous actor. The other stayed behind in the cotton fields and never amounted to much. The second one naturally became the lesser of two weevils.

9 FROM THE CATECHISM February 4, 2018 Justice is the moral virtue that consists in the constant and firm will to give their due to God and neighbor. Justice toward God is called the virtue of religion. Justice toward man disposes one to respect the rights of each and to establish in human relationships the harmony that promotes equity with regard to persons and to the common good (#1807). Fortitude is the moral virtue that ensures firmness in difficulties and constancy in the pursuit of the good. It strengthens the resolve to resist temptations and to overcome obstacles in the moral life (#1808). Temperance is the moral virtue that moderates the attraction of pleasures and provides balance in the use of created goods. It ensures the will s mastery over instincts and keeps desires within the limits of what is honorable. The temperate person directs the sensitive appetites toward what is good and maintains a healthy discretion (#1809). Christ s gift of salvation offers us the grace necessary to persevere in the pursuit of the virtues. Everyone should always ask for this grace of light and strength, frequent the sacraments, cooperate with the Holy Spirit, and follow his calls to love what is good and shun evil (#1811). Faith is the theological virtue by which we believe in God and believe all that he has said and revealed to us, and that Holy Church proposes for our belief, because he is truth itself (#1814). COME TO THE FEAST! February 4 is the fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Readings: First: Job 7:1-4, 6-7 Psalm 147 Second: 1 Corinthians 9:16-19, Gospel: Mark 1:29-39 Do you share the Gospel and our Catholic teachings with others? How do they respond? How do you answer their responses? February 11 is the sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Readings: First: Leviticus 13:1-2, Psalm 32 Second: 1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1 Gospel: Mark 1:40-45 Does everything you do give glory to God? What might you change? February 14 is Ash Wednesday: Readings: First: Joel 2:12-18 Psalm 51 Second: 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2 Gospel: Mark 6:1-6, Think of some things you d like to do to help prepare you for Easter. Be faithful to your Lenten plan. February 18 is the first Sunday of Lent: Readings: First: Genesis 9:8-15 Psalm 25 Second: 1 Peter 3:18-22 Gospel: Mark 1:12-15 Think of times you were tempted by the devil. Did you give in? Reflect on how Jesus handled temptations. How could that help you conquer them? February 25 is the second Sunday of Lent: Readings: First: Genesis 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, Psalm 116 Second: Romans 8:31b-34 Gospel: Mark 9:2-10 Think of a time when God tested you. Did you pass? Prayer Before Reading Scripture Lord, inspire me to read your Scriptures and to meditate upon them day and night. I beg you to give me real understanding of what I need, that I in turn may put its precepts into practice. Yet, I know that understanding and good intentions are worthless, unless rooted in your graceful love. So I ask that the words of Scripture may also be not just signs on a page, but channels of grace into my heart. Amen. (Origin, AD) - Bookmark used by Holy Name of Jesus Bible Study in Minnesota Volume 9 Issue 8 Page 9

10 Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF POPES From Centesimus Annus by Saint Pope John Paul II: In effect, to teach and spread her social doctrine pertains to the Church s evangelizing mission and is an essential part of the Christian message, since this doctrine points out the direct consequences of that message in the life of society and situates daily work and struggles for justice in the context of bearing witness to Christ the Savior. This doctrine is likewise a source of unity and peace in dealing with the conflicts which inevitably arise in social and economic life. Thus it is possible to meet these new situations without degrading the human person s transcendent dignity, either in oneself or in one s adversaries, and to direct those situations toward just solutions (5.5). Work thus belongs to the vocation of every person; indeed, man expresses and fulfills himself by working. At the same time, work has a social dimension through its intimate relationship not only to the family, but also to the common good, since it may truly be said that it is not by the labor of working men that States grow rich (6.1). A person who is deprived of something he can call his own, and of the possibility of earning a living through his own initiative, comes to depend on the social machine and on those who control it. This makes it much more difficult for him to recognize his dignity as a person, and hinders progress toward the building up of an authentic human community (13.1). MYSTICAL MEANDERINGS Excerpts from Self- Abandonment to Divine Providence by Caussade: Yes, dear souls, God asks for your heart only; if you are seeking this treasure, this Kingdom in which God reigns alone, you will find it. For if your heart is wholly devoted to God, it forthwith becomes this treasure, this very kingdom that you are desiring and seeking. From the moment that we desire God and his will, we enjoy God and his will, and our enjoyment corresponds to the ardour of our desire (101). The simple soul practices no other devotion than the order of God (103). You do well to devote yourself vigorously and, as it were, uniquely to the excellent practice of a complete selfabandonment to the will of God. Therein lies for you the whole of perfection; it is the easiest road and leads soonest and most surely to a deep and unalterable peace; it is also a sure guarantee of the preservation of that peace in the depth of our soul through the most furious tempests (109). If you wish to be perfect, strip yourself of all your own views, of all pretensions, of all selfseeking, of all thoughts of yourself, of all that you can call yours, and abandon yourself without reserve and once and for all to the direction of the good pleasure of God (110). VIBRANT VIRTUES Besides our mystics, there are others, some Protestant, who have written about the virtues. Here are some of their thoughts: Someday, after mastering winds, waves, tides, and gravity, we shall harness the energy of love; and for the second time in the history of the world, man will have discovered fire (Tielhard de Chardin). Fear is a darkness where Volume 9 Issue 8 negatives develop (Usman Asif). A friend is someone who gives you total freedom to be yourself (James Morrison). Happiness is pleasure without repentance (Leo Tolstoy). The worst sin towards our fellow creature is not to hate them, but to be indifferent to them; that s the essence of inhumanity (George Bernard Shaw). The darkest places in hell are reserved for those who maintain their neutrality in times of moral crisis (Dante). The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing (Edmund Burke). Maturity begins when we re content to feel right about something without feeling the necessity to prove someone else is wrong (Sydney J. Harris). Page 10

11 February 4, 2018 Knowing the Other Warning Signs By Sharon Doty, J.D., M.H.R. In the previous article, which reviewed the warning signs of potential predators, we were reminded of the behaviors that are visible to an attentive observer. In this article, we will look at those warning signs that are not so easy to see in public interactions. Noticing these warning signs will take more than casual observation. It will be important to identify triggers that can raise awareness about these additional warning signs. Among the signs that are less visible are the following: Allows children to engage in activities their parents would not allow. In order to recognize that an adult is doing this, parents and other caring adults need to pay close attention and listen carefully. Often children will give away the fact that they were allowed to do something against or outside the rules Mom and Dad have established. For example, a child might suddenly be familiar with a movie the parents refused to allow the child to see, or they may make a comment about seeing someone at the mall during a time when they were not allowed to go. Other adults may observe children somewhere and suspect the parents did not approve. In any case, take time to gently inquire about what happened. If you see something you think might be against the rules set by the child s parent and the parent is not around, call and ask. Check it out. In many ways, in today s high tech environment, it does take a village to raise and keep a child safe. Uses bad language or tells dirty jokes to children. Many times the inappropriate or bad language used by a potential offender makes its way into the vocabulary of children. Once again, listening becomes important in the effort to create safe environments. Parents often talk to their children about bad or dirty language and jokes, and they let their children know that this is unacceptable. As a result, children may be left with the concern that if they tell what happened or what they heard, they will be in trouble. Parents and caring adults should let children know that if someone else uses this language around them or tells them dirty jokes, it is okay to tell parents; reassure your children and let them know they will not be in trouble. Children need to know that it is the adult who behaved badly and the adult who will have to answer for the bad language and jokes. Shows children pornography. Again, it is unlikely that a parent will see a potential perpetrator showing any child pornography. Therefore, parents must work hard to keep the lines of communication open and consistently remind children that just because someone shows them something the child should not see does not mean the child is in trouble. Let children know that the adults who offer or show them pictures or video, that they know they are not supposed to see, are not their friends and that parents need to know what is happening so they can protect the children from harm. Keep photo albums, journals, and/or mementos. Pay attention to adults who seem to be taking photos of other people s children all the time. Note and interrupt anyone taking pictures of your child without your permission. Listen when your child tells you that someone has an awesome album with everyone s picture in it. Most perpetrators keep a record of their conquests. The record often includes a photo album or journal. Taking note of those who are collecting these mementos can help you identify the risky adults in the environment. Never forget that a perpetrator can be anyone someone you know well, someone with whom you are barely acquainted, or a stranger. Never take for granted that the risky behaviors exhibited by adults in the environment are simply errors in judgment. Intervene and interrupt. Be proactive in creating safe environments by remaining alert and never ignoring any inconsistencies. Knowing the warning signs is the most important aspect of protecting our children. Perpetrators show up in all areas of life. If you know and trust the warning signs, you will keep children safer.