Nativity of Mary Church and School 10017 E 36th Terrace Independence, MO 64052 Parish: (816) 353-2184 School: (816) 353-0284 Web: www.nativityofmary.org My attitude must be Christ s. - Philippians 2:5 Parish Staff Rev. Robert Stone, Pastor Mrs. Mary Parrish, Principal Melissa Clancy, Business Manager New Parishioners If you are new to our parish and would like more information please contact the Parish Office. Pastoral Care Sacraments for the Sick. Fr. Bob Stone, 353-2184, ext. 404 Mass Schedule Monday: 8:30 a.m. Communion Service Weekday: 8:30 a.m. Tuesday - Friday Saturday: 4:00 p.m. Sunday: 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Holy Day: 8:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Confessions Saturday: 3:00 p.m. or by Appointment Pastoral visits to the Homebound and Hospitals. Paula Cassity, 353-2184, ext. 401 Emergency Assistance Contact St. Mary s Food Pantry and Clothes Closet - 252-8649 Youth Ministry Debbie Page, 353-2184, ext. 408 School School, Early Childhood and Extended Care Carmen Wolfgeher, 353-0284 Sacrament Preparation Baptism, First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, Confirmation, Adult Initiation (RCIA), and Matrimony Contact the parish office for information Music Ministry Maria Milazzo, 353-2184, ext 407 Parish Ministry Council Chris Walter - Chair Diocesan Victim s Advocate Kathleen Chastain 816.392.0011 or chastain@diocesekcsj.org Ombudsman Jenifer Valenti, 816-812-2500 or JeniferValenti@att.net
OCTOBER 15, 2017 - THE TWENTY-EIGHTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME MASS INTENTIONS Sat., Oct. 14 - Vigil of 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time 4:00PM + Donald & Ruth Gordon Sunday, Oct. 15 - The 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:00AM + Velma Pott & Josefina Guzman 10:30AM + Douglas Leopold Mon., Oct. 16 - Sts. Hedwig & Margaret Mary Alacoque COMMUNION SERVICE Tuesday, October 17 - St. Ignatius of Antioch COMMUNION SERVICE Wednesday, October 18 - St. Luke COMMUNION SERVICE Thur., Oct. 19 - Sts. John de Brebeuf &Isaac Jogues COMMUNION SERVICE Friday, Oct. 20 - St. Paul of the Cross COMMUNION SERVICE Sat., Oct. 21 - Vigil of 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time 4:00PM + Rose Helen Hodes & Charles & Anne Bates Sunday, Oct. 22 - The 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:00AM + Pete Quiroga & Josefina Guzman 10:30AM + Carolyn Bernhardy PLEASE PRAY FOR: Vern/Margaret Ault Clarence Kinney Justin Rothove Maxine Breunig Lucas Locascio Grace Rottinghaus Carolyn Bernhardy George Lambros Patrick Singleton Steve Christensen Dan Mangold Bernice/Norm Steffen John Clarke Betty Mascal George Timko, Jr. Mary Enyart Jack McEnroe Annette Torbert Erica Gonzales Mary Pappas Margaret Trigg Barbara Garrett Juan/Mary Perez John Tuccillo Mike Guthrie Carlos Pinon Carol Byrd Weaver Vicky Hohlbaugh Steve Reasoner Alyssa Webb Cynthia/Dennis Jones Mike Rooney Daniel Wheeler Paula Kienberger Justin Rothove Ayden Wright READINGS OF THE WEEK FOR OCTOBER 16-22, 2017 Monday: Rom 1:1-7; Ps 98:1-4; Lk 11:29-32 Tuesday: Rom 1:16-25; Ps 19:2-5; Lk 11:37-41 Wednesday: 2 Tm 4:10-17b; Ps 145:10-13, 17-18; Lk 10:1-9 Thursday: Rom 3:21-30; Ps 130:1b-6ab; Lk 11:47-54 Friday: Rom 4:1-8; Ps 32:1b-2, 5, 11; Lk 12:1-7 Saturday: Rom 4:13, 16-18; Ps 105:6-9, 42-43; Lk 12:8-12 Sunday: Is 45:1, 4-6; Ps 96:1, 3-5, 7-10; 1 Thes 1:1-5b; Mt 22:15-21 TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION In 1971, the Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship completed a survey of the presidents of the national liturgical commissions around the world. How were children doing in the liturgical reform? Probably to their surprise, the cardinals learned of special weekday Masses for children designed to teach them how to participate on Sunday, Masses with separate components for children. The decision was made quickly to develop adaptations for Masses where children were a majority of the assembly. Changes would include a simpler structure, understandable texts, a simplified Lectionary, more active participation, and most surprisingly, new Eucharistic Prayers. By 1973 the work was done, and with very specific advice from Pope Paul VI, including the need for two new Eucharistic Prayers, the Directory for Masses with Children was published on December 20, a timely Christmas gift for the children of the world. The prayers are the first to be written fresh in a modern language--not Latin, but French and German--then translated into English, Italian, and Spanish. With a sense of caution, these new prayers were approved for three years, until 1977, but it soon became apparent that they had truly been embraced. -Rev. James Field, Copyright (c) J. S. Paluch Co. We have 2 wheelchairs and hearing assist devices available for your use during mass. Please contact an usher. Gluten-free hosts are available. Talk to Fr. Bob before Mass.
OCTOBER 15, 2017 - PARISH NEWS Did You Know Nativity of Mary Parish now has a Facebook page! Have you liked our Church and School pages on Facebook? Have you written a review for our School? You may do so by visiting our Facebook pages - Nativity of Mary School AND Nativity of Mary Parish. Please share with friends and family! Our school is also on Instagram as nativitynighthawks and Twitter as @NativityofMary. Follow us and share! Social Media is a great marketing tool for our school. Thank you for showing our community the best Nativity of Mary has to offer! Serendipity Market (Antiques/Collectibles/Vendors) Friday, Oct. 20 th, 12 noon to 6:00 PM Saturday, Oct. 21 st, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM Nativity Parish Hall Come browse, shop & enjoy a treat from our CONCESSION! We ll have a variety of items (new & old)! Business vendors to include Eskew Jewelry, Pampered Chef, Tupperware, LuLaRoe, Mary Kay, Grace & Heart etc. Great time to start your Christmas shopping! DOOR PRIZES hourly!!! For more information please contact Terry Carroll 816 737-2327. NATIVITY OF MARY CONTRIBUTION REPORT 9/30/2017 & 10/1/2017 Envelopes $ 11,354.50 Plate $ 582.00 Worship Space $ 1,061.50 Pisces Fund $ 695.00 Utility Fund $ 50.00 EFT $ - Credit Card $ 425.00 Online Giving $ 293.86 Poor Box $ 720.00 Total $ 15,181.86 Tuition/Registration Fees 17-18 $ 14,400.71 2nd Collection for Hurricane Maria $ 3,816.00 A reminder that cinnamon buns and sticky buns are available this Sunday, October 15th, after the 8am mass until sold out. Stop by the cafeteria for some delicious homemade buns. Also, mark your calendar now for November 18th when our Nativity bakers will be baking cinnamon bread and raisin bread. You will want to stock up with this homemade bread to use during the holidays. The bread freezes very well so you can use it whenever you want. Knights in Action For the next 2 weekends you will see a poster in the back of church showing the ongoing reclamation of the Ministry Center Basement. This space is used by the school children at times; the Over 55 has their monthly gathering there; the Altar Society has their meetings there; & many funeral dinners are held there. Due to storm water runoff and other issues the space had become unusable. The Knights of Columbus has committed to reclaiming that space for our parish. We approved $2000 for the project, however, upon closer examination there turned out to be more work needed than appeared at first. There are a couple of events upcoming to raise funds, so watch the bulletin for these opportunities. As you look at the poster, you will have an opportunity to make a free will donation to the rehab. Please consider helping financially and if you would like to physically help with the task call Rich Carroll 816-914-8297. Nativity is hosting a Flu Vaccine Clinic on Monday, October 23rd from 3:30-5:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall. The clinic is open to all students, school families and parishioners. Insurance plans that are accepted: Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna/Aetna Medicare, Cigna, Coventry of Kansas/ Advantra, Humana/Humana Gold, United Healthcare/UMR, All Savers, Medicare Part B (must be primary), Medicare Advantage Plans. For those without accepted insurance the cost is $30. No on -line registration. RSVP to saddison@nativityofmary.org or call the school office, 353.0284.
OCTOBER 9-28, 2017 CALENDAR Sunday 15 8:00AM Mass 10:30AM Mass 9:00AM Choir Rehearsal Monday 16 Tuesday 17 9AM - Quilters 5:30PM - Liturgy Committee Mtg. Wednesday 18 5:30PM - Finance Council Mtg. 6PM - CPR/AED Training Thursday 19 Friday 20 Noon - 6:00PM Serendipity Market Saturday 21 3:00PM Confession 4:00PM Mass 9AM - 3PM Serendipity Market 8:00AM Mass 10:30AM Mass 9:00AM Choir Rehearsal 22 23 3:30-5:00 p.m. Flu Shot Clinic 24 9AM - Quilters 25 7:00PM Theology on Tap 7:00PM Choir Rehearsal 26 Ministry Center Closed for Staff Retreat Day 6:00PM Ancora Choral Rehearsal 27 3:00PM Confession 4:00PM Mass 28 8:00AM Mass 10:30AM Mass K of C Breakfast 29 30 Mass 9AM - Quilters 31 Mass 6:30PM Mass All Saints Day 1 Mass All Souls Day 7PM - Altar Society Meeting 2 Mass 9AM - Noon Eucharistic Adoration 3 3:00PM Confession 4:00PM Mass 4 1PM - Ancora Concert CPR/AED TRAINING THERE IS STILL TIME TO SIGN UP! The 2nd CPR/AED training classes is Wednesday, October 18th, 6:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall Worship Space Debt There is still time to sign up for the 2nd class that will be offered on October 18th. Please RSVP to Susie Addison at saddison@nativityofmary.org or call Mary Jo Nafus at the Ministry Center, 353-2184. Upon completion of the training you will receive a 2 year certificate from the American Heart Association. The fee for the class is $18. If this is a burden for anyone who would like to be trained please contact the parish office so we can work something out. If you are currently certified please call the Ministry Center and let us know, 353-2184. RELIGION DEFINED I do not know how philosophers may ultimately define religion; but from Micah to James it has been defined as service to one's fellow human rendered by following the great rule of justice and mercy, of wisdom and righteousness. --Theodore Roosevelt
OCTOBER 15, 2017 - SCHOOL The middle school Helping Hands explore group worked hard with some expert gardeners on our school garden! Mrs. Carolyn Bernhardy, our former fifth grade teacher, has passed away due to complications from cancer. Carolyn s dream was to teach in a Catholic School, and she was so happy that this dream was fulfilled for a short time. Her son Keegan is a kindergarten student at Nativity. Please pray for the Bernhardy family, especially Keegan. We have a established a scholarship fund for Keegan. If you would like to contribute please put your donation in an envelope marked Keegan Bernhardy Scholarship Fund, and put in the collection basket or send to the church or school office. Thank you! KIDS THAT KARE Our Kids That Care Campaign to benefit Bishop Sullivan Center runs from Oct. 16 thru Oct. 27. We will collect gently used hats, gloves or mittens, coats, blankets and other warm winter clothing. If you bring any of these items please drop them off in the front hall of the school. Parishioners may drop their donations off in the back of church. This project is sponsored by our Jr. High Service Group. TRUNK OR TREAT Saturday, October 28 th SAVE YOUR CHANGE!! The junior high students will be hosting a Halloween Carnival on Tuesday, Oct. 31st with proceeds going to the Heifer Project. There will be game booths for the children to enjoy. Games cost a dime. Children will receive prizes at all booths. This will take the place of classroom parties. The carnival will begin at 1:45 p.m. and end at 2:15 p.m.. Parents are welcome to attend. We will need trinkets and candy (please NO peanut or peanut processed products) to use as prizes. If you can help us with this, please send to the office marked Carnival. Hope to see all of you at Trunk or Treat on Saturday, October 28 th. The event is a safe activity for all to enjoy. Cost is $5.00 and bags of candy to hand out to the trick-or-treaters. The parking lot gates will open at 5:30 p.m. for people to enter and park and then shut promptly at 6:00 so that our trick-or-treaters can have the opportunity to move safely around the area. The gates will reopen at 7:00, at the conclusion of the event. If we run out of room in the parking lot, families are welcome to bring their lawn chairs and walk up to join the festivities a $5 admission will be charged for this as well.
OCTOBER 15, 2017 - THE TWENTY-EIGHTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Our readings this week speak of God's promises and their fulfillment, all in different ways. Isaiah presents a feast set in the future and hosted by God. Here the participants witness the astonishing generosity of God. At the feast, God gives the ultimate gift, the destruction of death itself. Saint Paul, confident in the fulfillment of God's abundant promises, urges the Philippians to live in gratitude and patience. Today's Gospel, however, is more challenging for us to hear. While announcing God's generous invitation, Jesus also describes, in dramatic imagery, how people may reject the invitation. Matthew reminded the early church of the need to recognize God's summons and be prepared to participate fully in God's banquet. This complex and unsettling parable invites our reflection on the nature of God's invitation and our response. A STARK CONTRAST The parable in today's Gospel is like a political cartoon or graphic novel. It uses exaggerations and odd plot twists to convey its message. There is little attempt to be "realistic." Jesus compares the rejection of him by the chief priests and elders to an outrageous imaginary scene. To its audience, it would be deeply offensive that anyone summoned to a royal wedding banquet would violently reject the invitation. This would indicate a full revolt against the king. The parable was a blunt accusation against the religious leaders. In comparison, the people found on the streets who go to the banquet are like those who accepted Jesus during his ministry. They are the "unimportant" people who are surprisingly receptive to him. Matthew draws a stark contrast to accuse the priests and elders and to uplift ordinary people who recognize the presence of God in Jesus. RECEIVING GOD S JOY The final scene introduces the unacceptably dressed banquet guest. Matthew is concerned here about the full readiness of those who accept God's invitation. A superficial assent or participation is not enough. God wants our whole selves invested here. Jesus' followers are to be prepared for the banquet, as suggested by the wedding garment. The meaning of the garment is not clearly explained. It's helpful to recall that a wedding banquet, then and now, is a profoundly joyous event. Being dressed appropriately means being ready to celebrate. Our hearts must be ready to receive God's joy. Indeed, it can be difficult to be receptive to joy when we have been hurt in many ways during our lives. Our pain may cause us into close up, pulling away from others and away from God. It helps to remember that our God overflows with joy and is eager to share the fullness of joy with us. In our times of suffering, God actively invites us to receive this joy, and in turn to share it with others. Copyright (c) J. S. Paluch Company There are certain Bible verses Christian stewards have memorized. One of them is in Saint Paul s letter to the Philippians found in today s second reading I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (4:13). Most people define themselves either by their problems or their possibilities. Fearful people wake up each morning ensnared by their problems. Christian stewards wake up reflecting on their possibilities with confidence and hope. Some stewardship reflection questions for the week: What challenges do you back away from because you doubt that you are up to them? What would you attempt tomorrow if you were sure God would help you? Catholic Stewardship October 2017 e-bulletin The Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph is committed to combating sexual abuse in the Church. If you are a victim of sexual abuse, or if you observe or suspect sexual abuse: 1. Call the Missouri Child Abuse Hotline at 1.800.392.3738 (if the victim is currently under the age of 18), and 2. Contact your local law enforcement agency or call 911, and 3. After reporting to these civil and law enforcement authorities, report suspected sexual abuse of a minor or vulnerable adult to the Diocesan Ombudsman, Jenifer Valenti, at 816.812.2500 or JeniferValenti@att.net, if the abuse involves a priest, deacon, employee or volunteer of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph. The Diocese has a sincere commitment to providing care and healing resources to victims of sexual abuse and their families. Please contact Victim Advocate, Kathleen Chastain, at 816.392.0011 or chastain@diocesekcsj.org for more information.
OCTOBER 15, 2017 - THE TWENTY-EIGHTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Priesthood Sunday October 29th Blessed John Paul II established that on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus the Church will observe the World Day of Pray-er for the Sanctification of Priests. What else can you do? Pray for the Holy Father in a very special way, that he may have the health and strength to guide our church for many years to come. Attend the Holy Mass and pray for priests worldwide. Spend a holy hour in Eucharistic Adoration for our priests. We are also encouraging people around the world to stop whatever they are doing at 3pm local time which is the hour of Divine Mercy and spend a quiet moment praying in thanksgiving for our priests and contemplating the gift of Priesthood. Pray the rosary for priests, in particularly the Luminous Mysteries and meditate on the Institution of the Eucharist the fifth mystery. - REMEMBER CEMETERY SUNDAY NOVEMBER 5, 2017 This year we again ask you to join us in remembrance and prayer as we observe Cemetery Sunday. The Catholic Cemeteries of Kansas City ~ St. Joseph Diocese invites you to a Day of Faith, Remembrance, Prayer and Visitation at each of our four cemeteries. The Prayer Service will begin at 2:00 p.m. at each of our four Catholic Cemeteries. In Kansas City Mt. Olivet - 7601 Blue Ridge Blvd. Resurrection 5001 NE Cookingham Rd. St. Mary s 2201 Cleveland Avenue In St Joseph Mt. Olivet 26 th & Lovers Lane Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen. Not willing to let go of your marriage? Many couples continue to struggle in a marriage, but are not willing to give up on each other. There is hope. Retrouvaille is a program designed to help struggling marriages regain their health. It helps a husband and a wife rediscover or re-awaken the love, trust and commitment that originally brought them together. The program is highly successful in saving hurting marriages, even bringing reconciliation to couples who have already separated or divorced. Retrouvaille is a peer ministry of volunteer couples that can help you learn the tools of healthy communication, build intimacy and heal, just as they have done in their own marriages. Next Kansas City Retrouvaille Weekend is October 27-29, 2017. For more information about upcoming Retrouvaille Weekend programs for couples, contact registration team: Kansas City Telephone @ 800-470-2230 or visit our website: HelpOurMarriage.com or RetroKC.com St. Theresa the Little Flower K. of C. Aux. #4962 is hosting their Fall Card Party & Luncheon on Friday 10-27-2017, lower level of the hall 5101 Blue Ridge Cutoff, Kansas City, Mo. 64133. 10:00 a.m. / 3:00 p. m. $12.00 prepaid reservation is due by Wed. 10-25-17. Contact Joanne at 816-769-0833 for more info & tickets. The Cure' of Ars Singles OCTOBERFEST SINGLES DANCE Saturday, October 21, 2017 7:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. 9401 Mission Road, Leawood, KS The cost is $20 at the door and includes meat hors d'oeuvres, snacks, desserts, wine, beer, soda and water. Drive around to the lighted parking behind the school. If you have questions please call (913) 649-5770.