CORPUS CHRISTI CATHOLIC CHURCH

Transcription

1 November 19, 2017 Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time CORPUS CHRISTI CATHOLIC CHURCH 6300 McKenna Drive, Mobile, Alabama Website: TELEPHONE NUMBERS Parish Office: Fax School Office: , ext. 1 Fax Rel. Ed. Office: , ext. 7 Fax Full-Day Care: Fax Youth Ministry: Fax PARISH OFFICE HOURS Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PASTORAL STAFF Very Reverend James F. Zoghby, V.F. Reverend John S. Boudreaux Deacon Arthur W. Robbins Mrs. Kristy F. Martin, School Principal Mrs. Diane M. Stoyka, Parish Catechetical Leader Mrs. Judi B. Ankiewicz, R.C.I.A. Coordinator Mr. Peter J. Stoyka, Youth Ministry Director Mr. Thomas C. McKee, Gym Manager TO REGISTER AS A MEMBER OF THE PARISH Please fill out a Census Form. Census Forms are available in the church vestibule and parish office. COMMUNITY CENTER RENTALS & SERVICES For rental information and kitchen services, please call the parish office at or SUNDAY MASSES Vigil: 5:30 p.m. Saturday Morning: 7:00, 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. WEEKDAY MASSES 6:30 a.m.: Monday through Friday 8:15 a.m.: Monday through Saturday SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION Saturday: 5:00 p.m. and by request, particularly after the 6:30 & 8:15 a.m. weekday Masses. BAPTISM, MARRIAGE, ANOINTING OF SICK Please call the parish office ( ) or information and scheduling baptism, marriage, anointing of sick. ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (R.C.I.A.) Please see published schedule for specific dates and times, or call the parish office ( ). SUNDAY SCHOOL (C.C.D.) Grades K 12, Sundays during school year, 10:05-10:55 a.m. in school bldgs. SCHOOL, SACS-accredited for Grades PreK3 through 8. To register, or to obtain further information or to arrange for a personal tour of our school, please call the school office, , ext. 1, or send an to kmartin@corpuschristiparish.com.

2 v THIRTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Today, November 19 3 rd Sunday 5:30 p.m. Mass Father Mark Mossa, S.J. Spring Hill College s Director of Campus Ministry will be the Presider/Celebrant During the school year, we have an extra Sunday Mass the 3 rd Sunday each month. Corpus Christi Youth Ministry students serve in various liturgical roles. Above all, let your love for one another be constant; for, love cancels a multitude of sins. Put your gifts at the service of one another. 1 Peter 4:8, 10 Stewardship Tithing Commitments for 2018 Tithing proclaims that all blessings are from God, and, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, a portion of those blessings are freely given to support God s work in our parish family, fulfilling the Lord s command that we love one another. The tithing commitment, of course, is not legally binding, but all are invited to complete a tithing commitment envelope as a tangible expression of a prayerful, planned tithe given in faith, gratitude and love. ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Continuing Ed for Catholic and other Adults To learn more about and/or to join the Catholic Church The 1 st and 3 rd Wednesday of each month, 7 to 8 p.m. In the Adult Ed. Room in the Community Center Presented by Fr. James F. Zoghby Info: or Church@CorpusChristiParish.com Current Topic: THE BIBLE How to select a Bible: The difference between Catholic & Protestant Bibles; English translations; various editions. How to understand the Bible. An examination of specific scriptural passages, illustrating the use of commentaries, footnotes, cross references and introductions to the biblical books in various editions of the Bible to obtain a more enlightened understanding. Our Church Bulletins are also Online: Visit DiscoverMass.com or CorpusChristiParish.com/Church Thanksgiving Day Mass Thursday, Nov. 23, at 8:15 a.m. A collection will be taken up for our St. Vincent de Paul Society. Friday, Nov. 24: One Communion Service at 8:15 a.m. No 6:30 a.m. Mass. Smoked Ham & Turkeys Just in time for Thanksgiving $30 each. Cooked evening of Nov. 21. Pickup/delivery on Nov. 22. KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS Next K of C Meeting: 4 th Mon., Nov. 27, 7 p.m., The Parish House. Info: Chad Pugh, Grand Knight, or chad.pugh34@gmail.com. Jazz Brunch in the Banquet Hall With Jazz Musicians Performing Live! 2 nd Sunday of the Month (Every month except June, July, August) Buffet Served from 12 Noon to 1:30 p.m. $10.25 for Adults! $4.25 for Children (Age 12 & under) Corpus Christi Youth Ministry Every 3 rd Sunday: Middle school (6th, 7th, 8 th ), 4:00-5:15 p.m.! 5:30 p.m. Sunday Mass! High School (9th-12th), 6:30-8:00 p.m. Join us for lessons on faith, fellowship, and fun! Stay in the know Check out our new youth table in the vestibule for flyers and reminders before or after Mass. We're on Facebook at Corpus Christi Youth Ministry. There is a page you can "like" as well as a private group you can join. We're also on Instagram Lastly, you may sign up for reminders via . Check out the youth ministry table for more info on how to get set up. Info: Peter Stoyka, YM Director, pstoyka@corpuschristiparish.com Wednesday Night Dinner 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Banquet Hall $9.25 for Adults! $4.25 for Children (Age 12 & under) Nov. 22: No Wednesday Night Dinner [Thanksgiving Day holiday]. Nov. 29: Mexican Dinner ~ Chicken Enchiladas, Beef Taco's, Chicken Quesadilla's, Beef Nachos, Mexican Corn & Black Beans, Beans & Cheese, Spanish Rice, Garden Salad, Tres Leches Cake.. Iced Tea, Lemonade, Coffee. Kids Optional Menu on request: Chicken Tenders/Fries.) Must RSVP no later than TUESDAY EVENING Return an RSVP Card, or call or WedNightDinner@CorpusChristiParish.com Church Decorating Committee Please sign up on the Sign-up sheet in the vestibule Volunteers wanted to assist in decorating the church for Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter. Some heavy lifting and climbing on tall ladders will be part of it. Men and Women of any age are welcome to help create beautiful settings for the liturgy. Main source of contact will be . Coordinator is Becky Sheffield. Thanks for your contribution of Time & Talent!

3 CORPUS CHRISTI CHURCH, MOBILE, ALABAMA NOVEMBER 19, 2017 SUNDAY SCHOOL No Classes Nov. 19 & Nov. 26. [Thanksgiving holidays]. Classes resume Sunday, Dec. 3. Info: at or , ext. 7. Sing with the Choir at the 11 a.m. Sunday Mass Practice in the church on 2 nd & 4 th Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. First Reconciliation Monday, Dec. 4, at 7 p.m. All are welcome: Children and Adults Children s 1st Reconciliation & 1 st Eucharist Mon., Dec. 4, 2017: 1 st Reconciliation Service, 7:00 p.m. Mon., Feb. 19, 2018: First Eucharist Parent Meeting, 6:30 p.m. Sun., Feb. 25, 2018: 1 st Eucharist Enrollment Mass, 9 a.m., followed by 1 st Eucharist Mini Retreat, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Sat., April 14, 2018: First Eucharist Practice, 10:00 a.m. Sun., April 15, 2018: First Eucharist Mass, 1:00 p.m. Info: Diane Stoyka, DianeStoyka@yahoo.com or , ext. 7. High School Confirmation Schedules H.S. Senior Class of 2019: Sun., Jan. 21, 2018, Confirmation Luncheon, 12:00 to 2 p.m., in the Conference Room on the 2 nd Floor of the Community Center. Sun., Jan 21, 2018, Sponsors must be present with their Confirmation candidates for the Confirmation Practice from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. Tues., Jan. 23, 2018, Confirmation, 6:00 p.m. Candidates: Report to the Adult Ed. Room by 4:45 p.m. to meet with the Archbishop. H.S. Senior Class of 2020: Sat., Jan. 27, 2018, Confirmation Retreat, at Visitation Monastery, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Lessons 2/3/4. H.S. Senior Class of 2021: Sun., Feb. 18, 2018, Spirit Day, at Corpus Christi, 2:00 to 6:30 p.m., Lessons 5 & 7. AA Alanon OA CODA AA: Sun., 7 p.m., and Wed., 7 p.m., Cougar Den. Alanon: Sun., 7 p.m., and Wed., 7 p.m., Arts & Sciences Bldg. OA: Sat., 9 a.m., Arts & Sciences Bldg. CODA: Tues., 6:45 p.m., Arts & Sciences Bldg. Volunteer to sell SCRIP after weekend Masses For more info, please contact the Parish Office, or Church@CorpusChristiParish.com. SCRIP is for sale in the atrium after the 9:00 a.m. Mass every Sunday. SCRIP gift cards provided by our parish school include grocery stores, department stores, restaurants, gas stations and many more retailers. Cards are available in $5, $10, $15, $20, and larger amounts. For more detailed information, please contact our SCRIP office at , ext or SCRIP@CorpusChristiParish.com. Thanksgiving Baskets for the Needy Deadline: This Tuesday, Nov. 21. All are invited to bring non-perishable Thanksgiving Dinner food items to the church vestibule and/or to make a monetary donation. The baskets will be distributed Tuesday, Nov. 21, from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. Society of St. Vincent de Paul Poor Box, Food, Clothing donations and In-Need Drop Box at the SVDP table in the vestibule. Join the Society of St. Vincent de Paul by attending a meeting on the 1 st & 3 rd Mon. of the month, 6:30 p.m.,parish House. To seek help, call ; leave name & phone no. Widowed Persons Support Group For information call parishioner Glen Porter at Women of Mary Wednesdays, 7 to 8 p.m. Room 3 (2 nd Floor, Community Center) All women are welcome to meet for prayer, reading the Gospel, and discussion. Info: Sr. Deborah Kennedy, R.S.M., Men of St. Joseph Tuesdays, 7 to 8 a.m. in the Family Room Also Wednesdays, 7-8 p.m. in the Parish House All men are welcome to meet for prayer, reading the Gospel, and discussion. Info: Damian Bell, or or Damian@rockbwm.com. Wed Evening Info: Walter Bracewell, or walter.bracewell@gmail.com Tuesday Night Bible Study Meetings are at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays in the Parish House. The Bible Timeline, a Catholic study with a series of 24 videos. Info: Dave Burchette, or davebur1955@gmail.com. Tuesday Women s Bible Study 10: a.m., Room 3 (2 nd Flr, Com. Ctr). The book of Exodus: Moses, Joshua, the Migration to the Promised Land. All women are welcome. No previous Bible study required. Please bring your Bible. Info: Judi Ankiewicz, Please leave name and number. Thursday Women s Bible Study 9:15-10:45 a.m..,com Ctr Conference Rm. Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist by Brant Pitre, The 1 st. 2 nd & 3rd Letters of John and the book of Revelation. Ignatius Catholic Bible Study. All women are welcome. For info, or to sign up, please contact Joanne Donaghey, or joannekd@alo.com. Nursery is available. Please support the advertisers on the back of the bulletin Their ads enable us to have our bulletins printed by Diocesan Publications at no cost to the parish. Ads are purchased from Diocesan Publications. For information about placing an ad, contact them at or Welcome New Parishioners Jeremy & Kayla Ford

4 CORPUS CHRISTI CHURCH, MOBILE, ALABAMA NOVEMBER 19, 2017 BAPTIZED IN CHRIST Michael Coulter Zoghby (son of George Michael Zoghby & Lindsay Leann Coulter Zoghby) REST IN PEACE Francis Lynwood Cayton, Sr. Nellie Saloom Zoghby Christ the King Celebration Next Sunday, November 26 10:30 a.m. Procession from Bienville Square 11:00 a.m. Mass at the Cathedral All are invited to the annual archdiocesan Christ the King Celebration, starting at 10:30 a.m. in Bienville Square, downtown Mobile. All may join in the Christ the King Procession, reciting the Holy Rosary while processing west on Dauphin Street to the Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. Mass will begin at 11 a.m. Archbishop Rodi will confer the annual Christ the King Medal to a member from each parish in recognition of their exemplary service. We are very grateful this year to have Chris Knight as Corpus Christi s recipient of the Christ the King Medal. As a generous, longtime parishioner of Corpus Christi, and for all those many years, Chris Knight continues serving as a cantor and choir member at weekend Masses and other liturgies, while also giving his time to cantor for numerous funerals. As a member of the pastoral council, he has been faithfully serving as a consultor, always with a positive spirit, and generously supporting God s work at Corpus Christi. FIRST COLLECTION TODAY: Tithing Offerings. SECOND COLLECTION TODAY: Campaign for Human Development NOV. 5 TH BUILDING FUND ONLINE & COLLECTION: $3, NOV. 5 TH TITHING ONLINE & COLLECTION: $28, Thank You and God Bless You Receive a detail listing of your contributions by mail, or fax at any time: Call or Church@CorpusChristiParish.com. God bless all for tithing, contributions, bequests, remembrances in wills in support of God s work here at Corpus Christi Parish. To make a donation of stock, ask your financial manager, or call Selena Hemphill at Morgan Stanley at or To receive Offering Envelopes: Please contact the parish office at or at Church@CorpusChristiParish.com. To set up Online Giving: Please go to click Church ; then click the green Online Giving icon on the left side of the church s homepage. Follow the instructions to contribute to tithing or building fund or school annual fund or other special collections. For assistance, call , ext 1, or the parish office, Give Thanks To The Lord! Some years ago, a 20 th century pilgrim journeyed to America. His name was Karol Wojtyla, a native of Poland we know him now as St. John Paul II. His words to us bring into sharp focus the blessings we take for granted and they also serve up some challenges along with the Thanksgiving turkey! Although it is not possible for me to enter into every home... still, I feel close to all of you, and you are in my prayers. And may the peace of the Lord be with you always America! Arrival in the U.S., 1979 May I recall what one of your founders told his fellow settlers as they were aboard ship en route to their new home in America: We must love one another with a pure heart, fervently, we must bear one another s burdens. Boston, 1979 Everyday the farmer is reminded of how much he depends on God. Surely it was this awareness that prompted the early pilgrims to America to establish the feast which you call Thanksgiving. Iowa, 1979 And so I encourage you, be men and women of deep and abiding faith. Be heralds of hope. Be messengers of joy. Be true workers for justice. Let the Good News of Christ radiate from your hearts. Harlem, 1979 Your ancestors came from many different countries over the oceans to meet here. In every generation, the process has been repeated: New groups arrive to settle here and become a part of something new. The pattern repeats itself over and over: E Pluribus Unum the many form a new unity. Chicago, 1979 In expressing gratitude for the many blessings you have received, you also become aware of the duty you have toward the less favored in your own midst and in the rest of the world a duty of sharing, loving, serving. This is the way America was conceived, and what she was called to be. And for this, we offer thanks to the Lord! Chicago, 1979

5 FAITH EXPRESSED THROUGH LOVE Galatians 5:6 May the Holy Spirit guide you in this and in all things. Give as God Has Given To You Generously According To Your Means Once you have analyzed your income and expenses and prepared a budget, place this issue in prayer before God. All are invited to give a portion of what they have been given. In the Bible, the portion offered to God is called a tithe. The tithe literally means a tenth actually, the first tenth. Today, the tithe, the portion given, usually represents 5% to the parish church and 5% to other worthy causes, such as Catholic Charities, special collections, etc. Each person should pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit in determining what portion to give. The First Fruits for God By planning ahead, one can make the portion offered truly the first portion the First Fruits for God rather than the Leftovers. The chart at right is a guide for offering a percentage. Annual Income A Guide for Offering a Tithe 1% Monthly Tithe 3% Monthly Tithe 5% Monthly Tithe $30,000 $25 $75 $125 $40,000 $34 $100 $167 $50,000 $42 $125 $209 $60,000 $50 $150 $250 $75,000 $63 $188 $313 $100,000 $84 $250 $417 $200,000 $167 $500 $834 $500,000 $417 $1,250 $2,084 $700,000 $584 $1,750 $2,917 Give as the L o r d h a s given to you, generously, according to your means. Faith expressed through love. Lord, accept the sacrifice from our hands for the praise and glory of your Name, for our good and for all your Church.

6 One cannot take individual biblical quotes or passages and say each one is literally true... In May, 2011, a commission of biblical scholars met at the Vatican to continue discussion about Inspiration and Truth in the Bible. Pope Benedict XVI sent some comments to the Commission. In his message, the Pope said clearer explanations about the Catholic position on the divine inspiration and truth of the Bible were important because some people seem to treat the Scriptures simply as literature, while others believe that each line was dictated by the Holy Spirit and is literally true. Neither position is Catholic, the pope said. While Catholic believe the Bible is inspired by the Holy Spirit and that it is true, one cannot take individual biblical quotes or passages and say each one is literally true. It is possible to understand the sacred Scriptures as the word of God only by looking at the Bible as a whole, a totality in which the individual elements enlighten each other and open the way to understanding. It is not possible to apply the criterion of inspiration or of absolute truth in a mechanical way, extrapolating a single phrase or expression. Catholic News Service The Book of Revelation is one of the most misunderstood and abused books of the Bible. It is easily misunderstood because it is filled with symbolism whose meaning is often lost on today s audience. It is abused because some people take advantage of the mysterious symbols in the book and assign their own meanings to them in order to frighten others into thinking that the end of the world is near. So, why is the Book of Revelation written in such a strange and unique style? It s actually a form of literature called apocalyptic literature which deals, not with a catastrophic event (as the word apocalypse is understood today) but with a revelation intended to provide encouragement and hope for people who are suffering through trials and tribulations. In the Old Testament, the Book of Daniel is an example of apocalyptic literature. When the Book of Revelation was written (around the year 100 AD), the early Christian Church was suffering many persecutions. For many, it seemed as though the end was near and, for some, it indeed was. The Book of Revelation was written to speak to this struggle and to offer hope in the midst of what seemed like a lost cause. Some of the symbolism in the Book of Revelation is indeed a coded language so as to protect Christians who practiced their faith illegally in the Roman Empire. For example, it is believed that the numbers 666 are a code or symbol to represent the Emperor Nero who was seen as the epitome of evil to Christians. In essence, the Book of Revelation tells the story of the eternal struggle between good and evil a struggle in which evil often seems to have the upper hand. In every age, this seems to be true from time to time. Like the early Christians, we are in need of hope in the face of seemingly desperate situations when all hope seems lost. Despite the many frightening images in the Book of Revelation, the story climaxes in the ultimate triumph of good. The Book of Revelation does not predict anything for the future except for one event: the glorious victory of Jesus Christ at the end of the world. The overall message of Revelation is: Be patient and persevere. God will bring everything out all right. We do a great disservice to the Bible when we try to make it a series of predictions for our own times. Pope Benedict XVI said in 2006 that The Book of Revelation (also called the Apocalypse) has come to be mistakenly identified with the idea of an imminent catastrophe about to befall the world. Instead, the pope said that the images of Revelation should be understood in the context of the dramatic suffering and persecution of the Christians in the first century. In 2012, Pope Benedict said that Jesus does not describe the end of the world, and when he uses apocalyptic images, he is not predicting the future. On the contrary, he wants to stop his disciples of every age from being curious over dates and forecasts, and wants to give them the key to the right road to walk today and tomorrow and enter into eternal life.

7 The Fear of the Lord The Fear of the Lord, the gift of the Holy Spirit, doesn t mean being afraid of God, since we know that God is our Father who always loves and forgives us. It is not servile (cringing) fear, but rather joyful awareness of God s grandeur and a grateful realization that only in him do our hearts find true peace. When the Holy Spirit lives in our heart, he instills consolation and peace in us. Those who place all their trust in God feel protected, like a child with his or her father. Like little children, we must trust in the goodness and the protection of our heavenly Father. Pope Francis The phrase Fear of the Lord should be understood in terms of awe, rather than dread. In contemplation of the Almighty, the Christian does not experience servile fear, but a sincere and serious respect that prompts genuine and active adherence. People should not fear God, thinking he is always ready to punish, but rather they should love him because he is always ready to forgive. God is not a relentless sovereign who condemns the guilty, but a loving father whom we must love not out of fear of punishment, but because of his goodness. The Lord is a God who is just, but always ready to reveal himself as merciful and compassionate. Pope Benedict XVI There is no fear in love. Perfect love drives out fear. Fear implies punishment. Whoever fears has not yet come to perfection in love. 1 John 4:18 It is a great mistake to be afraid of God and to act in His presence like a timid and craven slave, trembling with fright before his master. No one whether friend or brother, father or mother, lover or spouse loves you more than God. St. Alphonsus Liguori Brothers and sisters: What will separate us from the love of Christ? I am certain neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor powers, neither height nor depth nor any other creature, will be able to separate us from the love of God that comes to us in Christ Jesus, Our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 For me to be happy and confident, it is sufficient to know with assurance that in Jesus is my life and my death, that in spite of my sins, I have placed my trust in him, and I shall not be disappointed. Archbishop Oscar Romero St. Paul explains that Christ came to forgive sin, and his love is greater than any sin, stronger than all my personal sins or those of anyone else. This is the faith of the Church. This is the Good News of God s love that the Church proclaims, and that I proclaim to you today: God loves you with an everlasting love. St. John Paul II How great a joy it is to think that God is just; that, in other words, he makes allowances for our weaknesses, and understands perfectly the frailty of our humanity. St. Teresa of Lisieux God is not only a Supreme Being of omnipotence, but Love itself. He is Love which did not stop loving us even when we sinned and turned away from Him. He is Love which cannot stop loving us. Archbishop Thomas Rodi