ST. LUKE THE EVANGELIST ` 4:00 PM 7:30 AM 11:00 AM Gathering: Out of respect, please remember to silence or turn off your cell phones during Mass. Thank you! MUSIC FOR THE LITURGY Sunday, November 20, 2016 Our Lord Jesus Christ, King Of The Universe To Jesus Christ, Our Sovereign King BB 729 Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 97) The Lord is King, the Lord is King, the most high over all the Earth. Preparation Christ, Be Our Light BB 601 Mass Parts Mass Of Creation Communion: Ubi Caritas BB 337 At The Name Of Jesus BB 734 Recessional: 9:00 AM Gathering: Crown Him With Many Crowns BB 738 To Jesus Christ Our Sovereign King BB 729 Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 97) The Lord is King, the Lord is King, the most high over all the Earth. Preparation Behold The Lamb BB 333 Mass Parts Mass Of Creation Communion: God s Holy Gifts BB 347 Recessional: City Of God BB 385 PARISH TITHING November 13, 2016 Weekly Offering $7,308.59 Saint Luke the Evangelist s budget plan requires $7,000.00 per week in order to fund the Parish s operations and programs. Thank you for your generosity to your parish. Your weekly contribution helps ensure that the parish remains a vibrant community. Please remember to submit your weekly gift even if you will be away. We depend upon your support! Catholic Camp/Human Dev $1,626.00 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- PARISH GIVING Saint Luke the Evangelist Parish has engaged Parish Giving to provide parishioners with an opportunity to make your offertory and other contributions through Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). Parish Giving is a simple, secure, and convenient way to manage your stewardship without weekly envelopes and without worries. It allows you to select contribution amounts and special collections right from your own computer or smart phone. You can be a good steward for the Parish even when you are away from the area on a weekend. Parish Giving allows you to print out a report detailing your contributions for the year. This program is available to parishioners at no cost. Log on to the St. Luke the Evangelist Parish website at http://stlukenh.org, click on the Parish Giving logo, and follow the easy registration instructions. UPCOMING SECOND & SPECIAL COLLECTIONS November 20, 2016 November 27, 2016 December 4, 2016 December 8, 2016 Fuel Property Management Christmas Flowers Immaculate Conception PLEASE HELP US! As you leave church, kindly take your Bulletin with you - or return it to the basket at the entrance of the Church, and return your music book and Mass card to their proper place at the end of the pew. Thank you for your cooperation. Parish Office 382-8324 Parish Prayer Line 382-8324 x 314 St. Vincent de Paul Society 382-8324 x 315 St. Luke s Food Pantry 819-4949 Preschool 382-9783 Presentation of Mary Convent 382-2744 PARISH DIRECTORY Fr. Albert Tremblay Cathy Smith Joyce Szczapa Jackie Tremblay Thomas Kondel Val Barczak Robin Thompson Julie Lamere Parish Council fr.albert@stluketheevangelist.net csmith@stluketheevangelist.net jszczapa@stluketheevangelist,net jtremblay@stluketheevangelist.net tkondel@stluketheevangelist.net mvmbarczak@comcast.net rthompson@stluketheevangelist.net jlamere@stluketheevangelist.net parishcouncil@stluketheevangelist.net page one 957
HOLY IS HIS NAME PARISH NEWS PARISH OFFICE CLOSED In observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday, the Parish Office will close at 12:00 Noon on Wednesday, November 23 and will reopen Monday, November 28. NO ADORATION Please note that there is NO Adoration during Thanksgiving week. FROM THE COOKIE ANGEL Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! Another successful year thanks to all of you who baked, bought, and helped at the Fair!. Special thanks to my heavenly assistants, Jeannie, Kaylin, Joanne, and Nicole - we couldn't have done it without your enthusiasm and constant support of Cookie Heaven. Can't wait to see you all next year. Until then, C is for Cookie - that's good enough for me... CHRISTMAS FAIR THANK YOU! Thank you to each and every person who helped, promoted, donated, participated, came to enjoy and otherwise had a hand in making our 9 th Annual Christmas Craft Fair a success! Please see the bulletin insert for more details. If you took one or more yard signs, please return it/them to church by November 27. Please do NOT remove signs from the stands, unless the stands are broken. Signs should be placed outside the main entrance to the church. Fair elves will whisk them away to the choir loft on November 27. If you have any ideas on how to make next year s Fair on November 4, 2017 even better than this year s, please send an email to Elaine Kindler at stlukenhfair@gmail.com. Thank you! HELP WANTED ADVENT PREPARATIONS Volunteers are invited to help do some rearranging and decorating on Sunday, November 20 following the 9:00 AM Liturgy in Newton and the 11:00 AM Liturgy in. Our tasks include Advent decorating, pew missalette change-overs in preparation for the Advent season. All are welcome to lend a hand Many Hands Make Light Work! AMAZON SMILE You can help our Parish every time you shop Amazon! AmazonSmile.com is the same market platform as Amazon.com, but with the added benefit of allowing customers to donate 0.5% of the price of items purchased to a charitable organization. Visit www.amazonsmile.com and register to start shopping and donating today! Be sure to choose: St Luke the Evangelist Parish,. THE BOOK OF THE NAMES OF THE DEAD Throughout November, a special Book of the Names of the Dead will be opened near the Baptismal Font & Paschal Candle for the faithful to record the names of the faithful departed. It is a visible sign that the faithful departed remain with us as part of the Church. You are welcome to record names of loved ones and the dates of their death. ST. LUKE THE EVANGELIST FOOD PANTRY Food or care items are always needed donations can be dropped off at Church or are welcome at the Parish Office during regular business hours. Cash donations for food are always welcome make checks payable to St. Luke the Evangelist Food Pantry. All donations to the Food Pantry go toward helping the needy of our communities. FOOD PANTRY HOURS Wednesday from 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon Thursday from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM Friday from 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon For more information, call the St. Luke Food Pantry at 603-819-4949. WHILE AWAY THIS FALL We appreciate all of you who remember to send in your Parish Offertory during the Fall even when on vacation or visiting other parishes. Thank you for remembering that our expenses also continue through the Fall months. We invite others to consider doing the same before or even after you return home. page two 957
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, KING OF THE UNIVERSE WEEKLY CALENDAR Sunday, November 20 9:45 AM Religious Ed 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 6:00 PM Confirmation I & II Monday, November 21 4:00 PM Religious Ed 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 6:30 PM Religious Ed 6, 7, 8 Wednesday, November 23 PARISH OFFICE CLOSES AT 12:00 NOON NO ADORATION Thursday, November 24 PARISH OFFICE CLOSED NO ADORATION NO DAILY MASS NO INTERCESSORY PRAYER Saturday, November 26 3:00 PM Sacrament of Reconciliation Sunday, November 27 9:45 AM Religious Ed 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 4:00 PM Parish Pastoral Council Meeting 6:00 PM NO Confirmation I & II 6:00 PM Vespers Newton 6:30 PM Reconciliation Newton Your Dropped Dollar Hard At Work Your Dropped Dollar at Work - thanks to your continued support with your "Dropped Dollar," we've been able to provide a client with fuel assistance. We're also providing rides to physical therapy for a client who is unable to drive. Our phones have been kind of quiet lately, so if you know anyone who could use a "hand up," please give them our phone number. We're here to help our friends and neighbors! Our next meeting on Wednesday, December 21 at 7:00 PM. We meet downstairs in the Church Hall in. New members are always welcome! If you seek assistance or need information about the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Please call 603-382-8324 x315. Hear, OH LORD, and answer me for I am poor and needy. MASS INTENTIONS Saturday, November 19 ~ Vigil / Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe 2 Sm 5:1-3; Col 1:12-20; Lk 23:35-43 4:00 PM Geraldine Miele by her family Sunday, November 20 ~ Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe 2 Sm 5:1-3; Col 1:12-20; Lk 23:35-43 7:30 AM William Cooks by Janice Bettencourt Newton 9:00 AM Bill Lueders (Birthday & Wedding Remembrance) by his wife, Carole Newton 11:00 AM Howard E. Foster (Birthday Remembrance) by his family Monday, November 21 ~ The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Rv 14:1-3, 4b-5; Lk 21:1-4 8:00 AM Gina Bordieri by Noreen Graham Newton Tuesday, November 22 ~ Cecilia, Virgin & Martyr Rv 14:14-19; Lk 21:5-11 8:00 AM Thanksgiving for Favor Recieved Wednesday, November 23 ~ Clement I, Pope & Martyr; Columban, Abbott; Bl. Miguel Agustin Pro, Priest & Martyr Rv 15:1-4; Lk 21:12-19 6:30 PM Mass of Thanksgiving Thursday, November 24 ~ Andrew Dung-Lac, Priest and Companions, Martyrs Rv 18:1-2, 21-23, 19:1-3, 9a; Lk 21:20-28 No Mass Friday, November 25 ~ Catherine of Alexandria, Virgin & Martyr Rv 20:1-4, 11 21:2; Lk 21:29-33 No Mass Saturday, November 26 ~ Weekday Rv 22:1-7; Lk 21:34-36 (Daytime) Is 2:1-5; Rom 13:11-14; Mt 24:37-44 (Vigil) 4:00 PM Cecile DiPirro by Philip Consentino Sunday, November 27 ~ First Sunday of Advent Is 2:1-5; Rom 13:11-14; Mt 24:37-44 7:30 AM Edward DeMarco by Alex & Joyce Szczapa Newton 9:00 AM Clifford Gaudet Newton 11:00 AM Ann Foyle by Bill & Lillian Walsh ST. LUKE THE EVANGELIST WEBSITE: http://stlukenh.org page three 957
NOVEMBER 20, 2016 FAITH FORMATION & PARISH INFORMATION Come join us on Friday, December 2, 2016 at 7:00 PM in the Church Hall for Ultreya. The format of the Ultreya is designed to create an atmosphere of sharing with each other our life as a Christian and witnessing to each other how Christ is working through us in our families, neighborhood, and other environments. The Ultreya provides the ongoing conversion process that started in the three-day Cursillo weekend. If you have any questions about Ultreya or Cursillo, please call Cathy Smith at 603-382-8324, ext. 305 or email her at csmith@stluketheevangelist.net. ADULT CONFIRMATION Are you an adult who has been Baptized and received Eucharist, but has not celebrated the sacrament of Confirmation? The adult Confirmation process is an opportunity to complete the Sacraments of Initiation. If you would like to prepare for Confirmation, or if you have questions, call Cathy Smith at 603-382-8324, ext. 305 or email her at csmith@stluketheevangelist.net. RCIA The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is the process by which people become members of the Roman Catholic Church. RCIA is intended to serve: ADVENT EVENING PRAYER Join us on Sunday evenings of the Advent season for sung Evening Prayer at 6:00 PM at Mary, Mother of the Church in Newton. The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available following Evening Prayer. Those not Baptized who would like to learn more about the Catholic religion. Those Baptized in another religion who think they might like to become Catholic. Those Baptized Catholic but have not been raised in the Faith. If you or someone you know is interested in inquiring about becoming a member of the Roman Catholic Church, call Cathy Smith at 603-382-8324, ext. 305 or email her at csmith@stluketheevangelist.net. MASS OF THANKSGIVING A Mass of Thanksgiving will be celebrated on Wednesday, November 23 at 6:30 PM in. Please note that there will be NO Mass in Newton on Thursday, November 24. PARENTS BAPTISM PREPARATION SESSION The monthly preparation session for infant Baptism will be held after the 11:00 AM Liturgy on Sunday, December 4 in the Parish Office living room. All parents planning to celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism are welcome. Families wishing to celebrate Baptism in the Church must be registered (according to Church Canon Law) and practicing (attending Sunday Mass) for 3 full months before a Baptism can be scheduled. The use of the envelope system is always optional; however, it does guarantee a manner of accountability. For most families, the Pastor or staff can easily verify attendance during these three months. Church Canon Law also regulates baptismal sponsors (godparents). Sponsors must be at least 16, fully initiated (having received Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation), and be practicing Catholics living Christian lives consistent with the Church s teaching. Please see Fr. Albert with questions. ADORATION We are truly blessed to have times for Adoration of Our Lord in our Parish. This time of prayer and intercession is not only a source of great grace for the individual, but it is a great source of grace for us as a parish family, as well. We have many who have made the commitment to spend an hour each week with our Eucharistic Lord, but we need more people so there will be at least two people at each hour. We are also looking for people who would be able to substitute. Wednesday 9:30 AM 6:30 PM Newton Thursday 8:30 AM 8:30 PM If you can commit to one hour a week in Adoration of our Lord, or if you can be a substitute, please contact Cathy Smith at 603-382-8324, ext. 305 or email her at csmith@stluketheevangelist.net. PRAYER LINE St. Luke s offers a prayer line as a resource for those seeking prayer assistance. Submit your prayer request via email to csmith@stluketheevangelist.net or call Cathy Smith directly at 603-382-8324, ext. 314. page four 957
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, KING OF THE UNIVERSE Parish News ~ Youth News ~ Around The Diocese WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER By your perserverance you will secure your lives. Let us persevere in the love of God as manifested by our marriages by attending a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend. The next Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekends are December 2-4, 2016 and January 20-22, 2017 in Duxbury, MA. For more information, call Stephen and Michelle O Leary at 800-710-9963 or visit us at www.wwmema.org. GIVING TREES Giving Trees are located in the back of both churches. Please take an ornament, buy the item(s) listed, and return it - with the ornament attached - to the church or the parish office no later than December 11. Thank you for your generosity in helping those in need! CREMATION & THE CHURCH On October 25, 2016, the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith published a new instruction on the burial of the dead and on the conservation of the ashes in cases of cremation. The instruction reiterated the long held view that the Church is not opposed to the practice of cremation, though it continues to recommend that the bodies of the deceased be buried in cemeteries or other sacred places. However the new document insists that ashes should not be kept in private homes, and that the scattering of ashes in the air, on land or at sea is not permitted. The instruction also insisted that cremains may not be divided among various family members, nor may they be preserved in mementos, pieces of jewelry or other objects. Please contact Father Albert in the Parish Office with any questions. Brochures about the Rite of Christian Funerals are available at the Church entrances. COLD AND FLU SEASON Feeling a little sniffle coming on? Everyone should have a sense of prudence about safe health practices at all times of the year. If someone is truly ill, the obligation to participate in Sunday Liturgy does not apply. Those who are sick should refrain from receiving from the cup at communion remembering that the Risen Lord is truly and completely present in both the host and cup. While precautions and practices are a necessary part of the cold and flu season, it s always important to be reasonable and prudent when we are ill. Our care for each other also extends to making sure everyone is attended to in the best way possible. And remember bed rest and chicken soup can sometimes be a sacramental experience! Please pray for the repose of the soul of Alfred Dennis Brooks 2016 CHRISTMAS LIGHTS at La Salette of Enfield Opening Weekend: November 26 & 27 Saturday, November 26 4:15 9:00 PM 4:15 PM Plainfield Chimers 4:45 PM Service & Manger Blessing Sunday, November 27 Children s Day 3:00-5:00 PM Children s Activities 5:00 PM Lights On Open Nightly: December 2 - December 31 5:00 to 9:00 PM Santa & the Christmas Story Pageant for Children every Friday and Saturday at 7:30 PM until Christmas Concert on December 3 at 3:15 PM & 5:15 PM For more information, call 603-632-7087 or go to www.lasaletteofenfield.org AN ADVENT TO LENT ADVENTURE: JOURNEYS WITH THE MAGI Come, journey with the three wise men and find out who they were. What is their back story? Why did they choose the gifts they did? They were led by a star; we ll be led by the words of familiar Christmas Carols. When preparing for pilgrimage, we usually take what we think we ll need, but we come home with what the Lord has prepared for us; the same is true of these first Christian pilgrims. Join us Wednesday mornings beginning November 30 from 9:00 AM to 11:00AM at St. Thomas Aquinas Church Hall, in Derry NH. Please call the Parish Office to register at 603-432-5000 so that enough books may be purchased. HOLY ANGELS CEMETERY CLOSED With the end of the Fall season and the coming of the Winter months, Holy Angels Cemetery in will be closed from December 1, 2016 until Spring 2017. This decision comes as result of the real dangers of snow and ice in the Cemetery and the costs to Parishioners to inter during the winter months. Please contact the Parish Office with any questions. Fr. Albert page five 957
The Solemnity of Christ the King is a relative latecomer to the liturgical calendar of the Roman Church. The Solemnity was instituted in 1925 by Pope Pius XI, and was specifically designated to be a spiritual weapon against what the Pope saw as two forces destructive of that time: secularism and atheism. The early 1900 s were a time where industrial development saw people living in tenement housing and other inhuman conditions without hope (remember the Child Labor Laws of the U.S. and other social reforms are all products of the post-depression years). The Church also recognized that the world was still reeling from the awful reality of the war to end all wars, (!) and the consequences of the rise of national and political movements such as communism, nazism, and fascism which were gaining popularity in Europe. The Church saw a great need to point to another reality - the reality and power of Christ as King and Savior of the world. The notion of Christ as King refers to Jesus human royalty as a Son of David and to his royalty as the divine Son of God. Matthew, who s Gospel we have heard all this year, implicitly unfolds Jesus Kingship as he describes the Kingdom of God and those faithful disciples who act in the world to bring that Kingdom to fulfillment. This day also marks the end of the liturgical year in the Church. The Solemnity of Christ the King, capping the whole year, encourages us to look back to find signs of God s grace and power, while looking forward to his coming again in glory, while at the same time looking around to see where Christ s Kingship shows itself in the world today. Join us at 6 PM tonight, Sunday, November 20 in Newton For Evening Prayer and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament as we honor Christ our King.
Once again this year our Saint Luke the Evangelist Parish Food Pantry will provide Thanksgiving Food Baskets to needy families in our area. The cost of purchasing items for all of the baskets typically runs to well over $1000.00, and with hard times facing so many, we anticipate the need to be even greater than previous years. If you would like to contribute towards the cost of Thanksgiving Baskets, please place your contribution in an envelope marked THANKSGIVING BASKETS, and place it in the offering basket. You may also visit the Parish Offices and make a contribution in person. Thank you for your support of the poor among us.
CHRISTMAS FAIR THANK YOU! Thank you to all who helped, donated, promoted, participated, came to enjoy & otherwise helped our 9 th Annual Christmas Fair be a success! We re grateful to our fabulous vendors & the companies who donated splendid items to the Fair. But our Fair would not happen without the whole-hearted support of the women and men who serve as plate spinners parishioners who take responsibility for a particular part of the Fair -- & their supportive families & friends: Collette Ferrandi Volunteer Coordinator Ceara Hunt & Trisha Mainella Silent Auction Carole Burke & Julie Lamere Vendor Coordinators Sr. Doris Ducharme & Justine Caron Wine Raffle Joyce Szczapa & Jeannette Wuerdemann - Penny Sale Grace Bukowski & Marge Anderson Theme Basket Raffle Jeanne Marcinkowski & family - Country Store & Thrift Store Danielle Kelly Jewelry Marie Farren & Rudy Ferrandi Café Trisha Mainella & Jeannie Hennessey Cookie Heaven Barbara Lawrence Quilt Raffle Rory Lajoie & Bonnie Lajoie Children s Corner Robin Thompson UNO Dough Rai$er Janice Bettencourt Santa Photos Susan Swanwick Live Entertainment Dan Lane - MC Elaine Kindler - Publicity & Cash Raffle Ray Viglione Hall Layout & Parking Mike Tremblay, Joe Thompson, Dan Sullivan & Glenn Hughes Hall set-up Cathy Cronin Parish Center Decorations Jack Cote Cash Boxes & Fair Accounting Our thanks also to all parishioners who helped cheerfully in many ways promotion, donations, time & talent, prayers. Special thanks to Paul Caron, Robin Thompson, the Knights of Columbus, Jackie Tremblay, Bill Lawrence, Sr. Marylyn Pelletier, Jim & Marie Foley, the Boroski Family & our promoter in chief, Fr. Albert Tremblay. We are especially grateful for each person who -- when asked to help -- stepped up to the plate -- particularly on Thursday, Friday & Saturday. Without each & every volunteer, we wouldn t get off the start line. God blessed our efforts. We re very thankful! Save the date: November 4, 2017! Thank you for the Fair s success!
PARISH INFORMATION GLUTEN INTOLERANT? The Parish now provides an option for receiving Holy Communion for anyone suffering from gluten intolerance or celiac disease. We have obtained special altar breads that are fully certified for use at Mass by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and laboratory tested to contain only.001% gluten. Please see the Pastor or the Sacristan before Mass about receiving Communion using one of these special hosts. PLEASE HELP US! As you leave church, kindly take your Bulletin with you or return it to the basket at the entrance of the Church, return your music book and Mass card to their proper place, and pick up after yourself as you leave. Our Ushers are wonderful and diligent, but they should not have to face a Foxboro aftermath as each Mass ends! Thanks for being attentive and respectful! F. Albert. Altar Flowers are a special opportunity for remembering a departed loved one or offering thanksgiving for a blessing or family event. A floral arrangement placed in front of the altar for the Sunday Liturgy can be purchased for an offering of $85 (increase is due to change in size of arrangement and deliver charge), with an accompanying announcement in the weekly bulletin. Availability is limited according to the Liturgical Calendar. Offerings can be reserved on a first-come basis by contacting the Parish Office at 382-8324. SANCTUARY CANDLES The Sanctuary Candles in both Newton and may be offered in memory or honor of a loved one. The suggested offering is $10.00. Please call the Parish Office 382-8324. PARISH POLICY ON GROUPS SEEKING SUPPORT After consultation with the Parish Pastoral Council, and taking into account the many groups that desire the community s support, it has been decided that the following policy be put into place: 1. Only Parish groups will be allowed to solicit support for their projects in our churches. This includes groups from within the Parish itself or groups which are based within our Parish. 2. Groups from outside the Parish community will be allowed to solicit support from the community only by rare exception and with the express consent of the Pastor and Parish Council. 3. No group of any kind will be allowed to solicit until the conclusion of the Liturgy. Publicity and other materials may be displayed in the entrances of the Church, but no actual solicitation may occur until after Mass has ended. 4. No more than one (1) Parish group may seek the support of the community at one time. This means that there are not to be multiple support efforts on the same weekend. The Pastor will be the sole arbitrator of scheduling for Parish groups seeking community support. Parish groups should contact the Parish Office to determine availability for scheduling any support event. Thank you for your continuing support for the mission of St. Luke the Evangelist Parish. ST. LUKE S WEBSITE! Visit our website to view our Weekly Church Bulletin and Upcoming Parish Events: http://stlukenh.org! PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL A Parish Pastoral Council is primarily charged to assist in the development of mission-focused Parishes rather than programmatic or finance-driven ones. Pastoral Councils attempt to place at the heart of the Parish a consciousness of a zeal for the mission of Jesus Christ. When there is a clear awareness of this larger vision proposed by the Gospel and taught by the Church, a Parish finds itself energized by a sense of mission and directed to matters that foster the mission of the Parish, grounded in the mission of Christ (Diocese of Manchester, Guidelines for Parish Pastoral Councils, 2002). Our Parish Pastoral Council provides invaluable advice to the Pastor and Staff of the Parish through consultation, dialogue and ongoing learning. Our Council generally meets on a monthly basis to discuss Parish life and issues and to assess our ongoing mission as a Catholic community. The members of the Parish Council can be accessed through the Parish Office, or by email at parishcouncil@stluketheevangelist.net. Janice Bettencourt Sr. Doris Ducharme Mark Hammond Robert Harb Elaine Kindler Mary Massi Sr. Marylyn Pelletier Susan Ronan Cathy Smith Michael Tremblay
Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, November 20, 2016 Last Words By Janel Esker The following retelling of the crucifixion from the viewpoint of a criminal crucified with Jesus is based on Luke 23. Someone once said we should say things like I m sorry and thank you and I love you before we die things that will ensure all is well. I m not sure which category my words to Jesus fell into; heck, I m not sure why I spoke up at all. I guess the criminal who was mocking Jesus irritated me. How could he challenge an innocent man? I d overheard Jesus trial he d done nothing wrong. But Jesus didn t get Sunday Readings 2 Samuel 5:1 3 And the Lord said to you: You shall shepherd my people Israel. Colossians 1:12 20 In [his beloved Son] we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Luke 23:35 43 Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. angry; he merely looked sad. I didn t know much about Jesus. I d heard about his healing, his miracles, his life-changing words. If I d known him before the cross, maybe my life would have turned out differently. There was so much noise so much jeering and mocking. I don t know where I got the courage to speak, and I wasn t sure what to say. I just wanted one quiet moment with this holy man. Was he the Son of God? Was he a king? I didn t know for sure, but I wanted to believe so I whispered quietly, Remember me when you come into your kingdom. His response blew me away Today you will be with me in Paradise. Paradise? Me? Lowly, evil, crucified me? Then I caught his eye and I saw love. And peace like I d never known before. Yes, he was a king a crucified king. Yes, I would be with him in paradise. And yes, as I took my last breaths, all was indeed well. Paradise? Me? Lowly me? Evil me? Liguori Publications l Liguori.org A Word From Pope Francis Hear Jesus words as though they were addressed to you...be ever more docile to the Lord s word; it is he, it is his word, it is following him that brings to fruition your commitment to witnessing. When your efforts to reawaken faith in your friends seem to be in vain...remember that with Jesus everything changes. The word of the Lord...makes the missionary work of his disciples effective. Following Jesus is demanding, it means not being satisfied with small goals of little account but aiming on high with courage! Meeting with young people at Largo Carlo Felice, Cagliari, Italy, September 22, 2013 If you were on the cross next to Jesus, what would your last words to him be? This week, think about the last words you ve said to friends, coworkers, or family members. If they were truly your last, would all be well?
Understanding Sin Today By Richard M. Gula, SS There was a time when Catholics thought that living morally was mostly a matter of obeying the law. Sin was like a crime, a transgression of the law. The law was what made an action sinful. Where there was no clearcut law, there was no questions of sin. Catholic theology has since come to realize that the legal model for understanding the moral life and sin is deficient. Laws cannot possibly cover all the decisions that we have to make. The legal model of the moral life too easily makes moral living a matter of repeating the same old behaviors even though we have changed. The root sense of sin means to be disconnected from God through the failure to love. In sin, we simply don t bother about anyone outside ourselves. Because loving God and loving our neighbor are all tied together, sin will always be expressed in and through our relationships. In order to rise above the power of evil, we need to open ourselves to the presence of redeeming love. This love comes to us through others witnessing to justice, truth, and peace. While the presence of original sin may make responsible moral living a demanding task, the presence of redeeming love makes it possible. One thing that hasn t changed in how we talk about sin is our concept of God s love and mercy. We do not believe that God wants us to be weighed down with a distorted sense of guilt and responsibility. Rather, we believe that we are called to participate more fully in the creative power of God calling us to reconciliation, to reconnect with our best selves, with others, with the world, and with God. Source: Catholic Update, January 1997 Admonishing Sinners By Andrew L. Minto, PhD The parking lot was void of lines to delineate parking spaces, and my car was the only one in the lot. Yet under the wiper blade on the driver s side was a note. Inelegant curses informed me that my parking skills were inferior and that future infractions would not be tolerated. If only admonishing the sinners that all of us are could be addressed so simply...so anonymously. But of course, in reality, this spiritual work of mercy appeals to none of these characteristics. Rather it is the flip side of the obligation to forgive all offenses. While the concept seems easy enough to grasp, the logistics and conditions that come into play require discernment and mature virtues. This work of mercy is an expression of divine justice. In the case of any resolution of conflict, the clear promulgation of the law or expectation placed upon the parties involved must be forthcoming. Moreover, the communal context that binds both offender and admonisher in a well-defined relationship also must be spelled out. The admonishment must contain a clear declaration of what the offense is and why it is wrong. Finally, the correction must be unencumbered by self-righteous indignation. The messenger and message should not get in the way of the penitent s response to the divine call. As with any human activity, there are bound to be differences of opinion, offenses against charity, and violations of moral law. If the inevitable strains on human relationships are treated with charity, justice, and prudence, then the unity of the community is ensured. Admonishing the sinner often has less to do with the people involved than it does the divine presence that unites and works through them. It is not so much about our satisfaction and demand for justice as it is about what God demands and what satisfies his rights that bind us all. Source: Liguorian, December 2015 Lord, I am grateful for your gentle presence. Remember me even when I forget you. From Grateful Meditations for Every Day in Ordinary Time, Rev. Warren J. Savage, Mary Ann McSweeny WEEKDAY READINGS November 21 26 Mon. Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Revelation 14:1 3, 4b 5 / Luke 21:1 4 Tue. St. Cecilia: Revelation 14:14 19 / Luke 21:5 11 Wed. Weekday: Revelation 15:1 4 / Luke 21:12 19 Thu. Thanksgiving: Sirach 50:22 24 / 1 Corinthians 1:3 9 / Luke 17:11 19 Fri. Weekday: Revelation 20:1 4, 11 21:2 / Luke 21:29 33 Sat. Weekday: Revelation 22:1 7 / Luke 21:34 36 November 20, 2016 2016 Liguori Publications, One Liguori Drive, Liguori, MO 63057. 1-800-325-9521. Liguori.org. Designer: John Krus. Scripture quotations in this publication are from New American Bible, revised edition, 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, DC. Pope Francis quotation is used with permission and copyright 2016 Libreria Editrice Vaticana. For licensing information, call 1-800-488-0488. All rights reserved. Distribution rights granted only to license holders. BHW001