Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you.

Transcription

1 Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you.

2 Every child has a right to a great education. Sadly, the average child going to a public school has less chance of getting a good education than their parents did. Times have changed. Back in the 1950 s and 1960 s even public schools had prayer, Christian values, and the Ten Commandments as the background of school life. 65% of Catholics who had children in Religious Education (CCD) in those days regularly attended church services. (75% for Catholics who had children in Catholic Schools.) We now live in an anti-god culture. Years of ridicule in comedy shows from the 1980 s on regarding Christian values as well as vigorous vocal attacks from the media on any public-figure Christian who falls short of these ideals made it feel awkward for the average Christian to even admit one s faith. I know Jesus told us we would be blessed when we are persecuted for the sake of His name, but the promise doesn t make the experience easier. People who embrace living the Christian faith are bullied and humiliated by media and people who claim to be open minded. Christian is generally a punch line, an accusation or an insult. Professors who are paid by the state to educate indoctrinate our young people by their comments during lectures about the ignorance of people of faith. (Professing religion is evil? Professing God is a superstition to control people? I thought communism was defeated in the 80 s but this sounds like Karl Marx s followers dominate some fields of the academia today.) On top of this we had some Catholic Bishops definitely poor and perhaps sinful (in some cases bordering criminal) judgement (from the 1960 s through 1990 s) in dealing with protecting our children. I still hold anger in this area as I have known victims and their families who should not have had to endure this cross. Needless to say, this scandal also damaged many people s trust in church, priests and God. I am thankful our church s efforts now make Catholic churches and schools arguably the safest place in America for children, but am ashamed that previously there were exceptions to this. It would have been better if a milestone had been tied around a few From Fr. Bill peoples necks than the scandal it caused many of the little ones. This self-inflicted wound on the Body of Christ has made religion, faith and church an even easier target for those who want to convince others of the non-existence of God. In this toxic culture I guess we shouldn t be too surprised that national surveys today say only 2% of Catholics who have children in Religious Education regularly attend church services. (29% for Catholics who have children in Catholic Schools.) Catholic Schools do help shape lives. As a proud graduate and as a teacher of twenty-four years I know this. Catholic schools promote the formation of the whole person including the spiritual and moral. Students are trained to live knowingly as children of God. They are formed in Catholic values and are trained to discern regarding American culture and seeking truth. They are taught how to take an active part in living our values in the world. They learn that the integration of faith and life is a life-long process of conversion and growth. Our students live in an atmosphere permeated with encounters with Christ and the Spirit of Gospel love. Our children s consciences are formed in a way that they know they are called to be living witnesses of God s love by the way they act, to learn to recognize what is good (discernment) and how to integrate what is good into their lives. Graduates of Catholic elementary schools are more than six times as likely to regularly attend mass. They are twice as likely to consider vocations to the priesthood and religious life. They are 42% more likely to graduate from high school and 250% more likely to graduate from college. Every child has a right to a great education. Saint Jerome is a great school, a home away from home and a place where God s family is visibly present. If you have a child or grandchild who might benefit from our school, speak to me and let s see what we can do to make it happen. August 2nd through 5th Mass will be in the Parish Hall due to parking lot resurfacing.

3 St. Jerome Going On Pilgrimage To celebrate the Jubilee year of Mercy and to gain the PLENARY INDULGENCE, please join fellow parishioners as we pilgrimage to the Los Angeles Cathedral of the Angels! There will be a guided tour of the Cathedral, Prayers and more information about entering the Holy Doors to gain the indulgence. We will provide an airconditioned bus and the cost is $20. Space is limited, sign ups coming soon. Save the Date: Monday, August 15 th from 9am-3:30pm. SIGN UP ON JULY 30th & 31st. PLEASE NOTE: Due to the church parking lot project, there will NOT be First Friday Adoration nor Confessions this coming Friday, August 5th. Mission Co-Op Collection Since 1959, Mission Doctors Association has made it possible for Catholic Doctors and their families to share their gifts and live faith at Mission hospitals in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Pacific. Last weekend Tom and Margaret Liatuaud, (Tom, President of the Board of Directors of Mission Doctors Asso., and Margaret with Mission Doctors Auxiliary) spoke at every mass to share the work of this nearly 60 year old organization. Tom and Margaret have been involved with MDA for more than 30 years, and have worked with doctors who have served at hospitals and clinics in Cameroon, Ecuador, Guatemala, Peru, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. If you missed this collection and would still like to contribute, please find Mission Co-op (yellow) envelopes located in the pews and at the church entrance. Thank you for your generous donations! Restorative (Detention) Justice Ministry Have you ever visited anyone in prison? You are invited to join the Restorative Justice (Detention) Ministry to visit kids in Central Juvenile Hall. It will be an eye-opening experience for you! After the visit, if you like the experience and want to be of service to these kids, you can then become a member of St Jerome Detention Ministry. Volunteers are needed to visit, talk, and listen to these kids. The first Sunday of the month we invite those who wish to visit Central Juvenile Hall for the first time to join us. For more information, please contact Donatus or Murglen Muoneke at , or by ing dmuoneke@gmail.com Catholic Charismatic Prayer Meeting, SCRC The St Jerome Catholic Charismatic Group meets at 7:00pm on Fridays for fellowship and prayers. You are invited to join us in the Religious Education Center. For more information, please contact Donatus or Murglen Muoneke at or dmuoeke@gmail.com Senior Center Mon, Aug. 1st: 12-4pm, Rosary, Cards and Social Wed, Aug. 3rd: 12-4pm, Cards and Social. (Aug. birthdays will be celebrated with Sept. birthdays) For more information call the Senior Center at Congratulations! We offer our congratulations to Vincent Arinzechukwu Aghadi who will be baptized into the Christian Community this weekend. May God bless you! Tuesday Morning Summer Scripture Study Come join us every Tuesday morning, 10:15am to 11:15am in the Senior Center. Break open the Readings for the upcoming Sunday Mass. No experience necessary. Prayers for the sick and special intentions follow after the Study. Religious Education Registration!!! It is that time again, Registration for Religious Education Classes. We will begin accepting Applications for Religious Education, First Communion and RCIY beginning Sunday, August 20, Our First day of Class will be Sunday, September 25, 2015 at 9:30 am. Registrations will take place on the following Sundays: August 7, 14, 21, 28, 2016 September 11, 18, 2016 Where: Religious Ed Center Time: 9-1 pm Practicing the Presence of God You are invited to join the St. Jerome Young Adult Ministry, YAM, for an hour filled with ideas to help reacquaint yourself with the beauty and fruitfulness of the Holy Mass. We will meet on August 8th at 7pm in the Senior Center which is on the second floor of the hall. All young adults are invited. The Ignatian Volunteer Corps (IVC) is looking for a few good people! Are you 50+ with time to spare and a desire to deepen your faith? IVC matches your interests and talents with the needs of children, adults and seniors who are poor or marginalized. Volunteers serve 1 or 2 days a week in community agencies, schools, food pantries, hospitals and social service centers. If you are looking for a meaningful way to volunteer, share your skills and compassion, IVC is for you. In addition to service, IVC volunteers meet monthly to reflect in the Ignatian tradition. This Jesuit affiliated ministry invites you to assist those in need, work for a more just society and grow deeper in your faith. The benefits are priceless! For further information: Please check or contact: Anne Hansen at ahansen@ivcusa.org or Arminda Au at aau@ivcusa.org,or call

4 Mass Intentions Sat. 07/30 5:30pm (M) Shirley Colin Sun. 07/31 7:30am (SI) St. Jerome Parishioners 9:00am (M) Mr. & Mrs. Jules Parisien 11:00am (SI) John & Juanita Wiemken 5:30pm (M) Rod Rodman & Darian Week Day Masses Mon. 08/01 8am (M) Mary Roseamelin Tues. 08/02 8am (SI) Louise Meehan & Family Wed. 08/03 8am (M) Elbert Purcell Thurs. 08/4 8am (M) Nancy Ryan Fri. 08/05 8am (M) Marie McDonough Sat. 08/06 8am (M) Peggy Moran Memorial (M) Special Intention (SI) Thanksgiving (T) Prayers for the Sick Helen Allain Julie Bash Glen Bordenave Cheryl Bordenave Hubert Bordenave Leticia Bustillo Jeffrey Carol Celeste Cross Anthony DeAngelis Bren Fitzpatrick Merv Hughes Robin Robert Bozena Syslo Caesar Ventura Celerina Vallejo Donna Williams Lance White Deacon Gary Mucho Baby Landon Moore Mary Lou Lansberry Kara Fitzpatrick Lucio Quevedo Alyssa Downer Rosary Invitation You are invited to pray the Holy Rosary after each 8am morning Mass, and Sunday evening 5:30pm Mass. Padre Pio Prayer Group Gerard Majella Catholic Church, located at 4439 Inglewood Blvd. Los Angeles, 90066, invites you to join them every 3rd Tuesday of the month, from 7-8pm for reflection on St. Padre Pio s writings and veneration of first class relics. For more information call or Gaby Gomez at godgiverofgrace@gmail.com Listen to a 24 hour Catholic Radio Station on AM Station 930 Immaculate Heart Radio Phone: Garage Sale for Charity Catholic Daughters, Court St. Michael, will hold their annual garage sale on Sat. Oct. 15th, at 8117 Yorktown Ave., (Conner of 82nd and Yorktown) We appreciate all donations you make. So please, look around your house, garage, and ask neighbors and friends, for gently used items that we can resell. (85% of the funds raised will be donated to our charities, and 15% will be used for administrative purposes). If you have questions or need pickup, call Kathy Fitzpatrick at (310) St. Jerome Church info: 5550 Thornburn St, Los Angeles, CA Phone # Fax # Website:

5 St. Jerome School News St. Jerome School is accepting applications for Pre-K, Transitional K and Grades K thru Grade 8. Applications may be downloaded from our website or you may visit the school office to pick one up. Please call or visit us at St. Jerome Monthly Soup Kitchen St. Jerome Church Soup Kitchen serves hot meals to the needy in our parish once a month. Our next meal will be served on Saturday, August 20, 2016, from 10:30am to 12 noon. If you would like to contribute by donating funds, kindly leave your donation at the Rectory, or send a check to St. Jerome, 5550 Thornburn Street, Los Angeles, CA Please note Soup Kitchen Funds in the memo section of your check. Thanks for your support! Save The Date Come again and join the St. Jerome Family Picnic. Mass, food, games, prizes, fun and much more! Saturday, September 24, 2016 Westchester Recreational Center 10:00am Mass followed by food and fun at our green picnic until 4:00pm. For reservations please stjeromepicnic@gmail.com OR CALL St. Jerome 2016 Holiday Craft Faire The St Jerome Holiday Craft Boutique will take place on the weekend of Nov.12th * 13th, If you would like to reserve a table as a vendor or know of someone who would be interested to reserve a table, please call Joyce at or Joan Hoffman at !