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 and Homebound and Pastoral visits to the Homebound and Hospitals. Fr. Bob Stone 816-353-2184 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 Emergency Assistance Contact St. Mary s Food Pantry and Clothes Closet - 816-252-8649 Youth Ministry Debbie Page, Parish Office School School, Early Childhood and Extended Care Carmen Wolfgeher, school office Sacrament Preparation Baptism, First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, Confirmation, Adult Initiation (RCIA), and Matrimony Contact the parish office for information Music Ministry Maria Milazzo, parish office 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
MAY 28, 2017 - THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD MASS INTENTIONS READINGS FOR MAY 29 - JUNE 4, 2017 Sat., May 27 - The Vigil of the Ascension of the Lord 4:00PM + Bill & Nadine Eckstein Sunday, May 28 - The Ascension of the Lord 8:00AM + Pott, Penyock & Berislavich Families 10:30AM + Paul, Lucy & Angela Lamb Monday, May 29 - Memorial Day 8:30AM COMMUNION SERVICE Tuesday, May 30 8:30AM Intentions of Paula Cassity Wed., May 31 Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary 8:30AM Nativity Parish Thursday, June 1 - St. Justin 8:30AM + Vera Mosbauer Friday, June 2 - Sts. Marcellinus & Peter 8:30AM + Keith Clark Sat., June 3 - Vigil of Pentecost 4:00PM + Gerry Zeikle, Rose Miller & Richard Girffin Sunday, June 4 - Pentecost 8:00AM + Noah Coram 10:30AM + John & Celine Pirog PLEASE PRAY FOR: Vern/Margaret Ault Mike Guthrie Mike Rooney Maxine Breunig Cynthia/Dennis Jones Jeromy Rothove Judy Brown Paula Kienberger Justin Rothove Carolyn Bernhardy Clarence Kinney Dave Seigler Paula Cassity Lucas Locascio Bernice/Norm Steffen Steve Christensen George Lambros George Timko, Jr. John Clarke Betty Mascal Annette Torbert Melissa Costello Jack McEnroe Margaret Trigg Florence Dawson Peggy Mynatt John Tuccillo Mary Enyart Mary Danforth Pappas Daniel Wheeler Erica Gonzales Juan/Mary Perez Ayden Wright Steven Grant Carlos/Eva Pinon Monday: Acts 19:1-8; Ps 68:2-3ab, 4-5acd, 6-7ab; Jn 16:29-33 Tuesday: Acts 20:17-27; Ps 68:10-11, 20-21; Jn 17:1-11a Wednesday: Zep 3:14-18a or Rom 12:9-16; Is 12:2-3, 4bcd-6; Lk 1:39-56 Thursday: Acts 22:30; 23:6-11; Ps 16:1-2a, 5, 7-11; Jn 17:20-26 Friday: Acts 25:13b-21; Ps 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20ab; Jn 21:15-19 Saturday: Acts 28:16-20, 30-31; Ps 11:4, 5, 7; Jn 21:20-25 Sunday: Vigil: Gn 11:1-9 or Ex 19:3-8a, 16-20b or Ez 37:1-14 or Jl 3:1-5; Ps 104:1-2a, 24, 35c, 27-28, 29bc-30; Rom 8:22-27; Jn 7:37-39 Day: Acts 2:1-11; Ps 104:1, 24, 29-31, 34; 1 Cor 12:3b-7, 12-13; Jn 20:19-23 TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION If you could somehow transport a third-century Christian into your twenty-first-century Sunday Mass, once the initial shock wore off he or she would be more or less at home with the structure of the first part of the liturgy, the Word. The second part might be more difficult to comprehend. The stumbling block would be the book. We have a book, a missal that is set down on the altar with a very precisely prescribed set of words for the priest to say and the people to sing at the Eucharistic Prayer. In the early days of the church, there were no set "formulas" for this prayer. The ancients would have raised eyebrows at our "bookishness" since they preferred to let the prayers roll forth from a gifted leader of prayer. There was a basic shape to the prayer of thanksgiving, and almost general agreement that the words of Christ at the Last Supper ought to be included. By the second century, Justin Martyr wrote that the presider "gives thanks at some length... and when he has finished the prayers and the thanksgiving, all the people present give their assent by saying 'Amen.' " In the world before books, people could memorize long passages of prose and poetry, and so it is easy to see how particular phrases or expressions passed from church to church. --Rev. James Field, Copyright (c) J. S. Paluch Co.
MAY 28, 2017 - PARISH NEWS DID YOU KNOW The Parish Office will close at noon on Fridays, beginning June 2nd. CATHOLIC CEMETERIES OF KANSAS CITY - ST. JOSEPH In loving memory of family and friends that have died and gone before us marked with the sign of faith, a Mass will be celebrated at each cemetery on Memorial Day, Monday, May 29, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. Mount St. Mary s Cemetery 2201 Cleveland Avenue Kansas City, MO Celebrant: Rev. Thomas Ludwig Peter s Pence Collection, June 3-4 The Peter s Pence Collection has ancient Christian roots, linking back to the New Testament times when people would provide material support to those preaching the Gospel to distribute to those in need (see Acts 4:34-35, 11:29). Today the collection is the way we as members of the Catholic Church unite ourselves to the concerns of the Holy Father. Donations to this collection support the charitable works of Pope Francis for the assistance of those most in need. Thank you to all who bought carnations to help support Missouri Right-to- Life. The funds collected will be used to help educate people on the sanctity of all human life. NATIVITY OF MARY CONTRIBUTION REPORT 5/13/2017 & 5/14/2017 Envelopes $ 9,555.50 Plate $ 571.00 Worship Space $ 1,840.00 Pisces Fund $ 804.00 Utility Fund $ - EFT $ - Credit Card $ - Online Giving $ 532.72 Poor Box $ 372.00 Total $ 13,675.22 Tuition/Registration Fees 16-17 $ 10,663.85 Tuition/Registration Fees 17-18 $ - Mount Olivet Cemetery 7601 Blue Ridge Blvd. Kansas City, MO Celebrant: Rev. Sean McCaffery Resurrection Cemetery 5001 NE Cookingham Road Kansas City, MO (I-435 @ Exit 45) Celebrant: Rev. Michael Roach Mt. Olivet Cemetery 26th & Lovers Lane St. Joseph, MO Celebrant: Bishop James V. Johnston, Jr. If you need additional information or have questions, please feel free to call the Kansas City office at 816-353- 1900 or our St. Joseph office at 1-816-279-5005 Gluten-free hosts are available. Talk to Fr. Bob before Mass. We have 2 wheelchairs and hearing assist devices available for your use during mass. Please contact an usher. 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.
CALENDAR 2017 Sunday 28 8:00AM Mass 10:30AM Mass Monday 29 Communion Serv. Parish Office Closed Tuesday 30 9AM - Quilters Wednesday 31 June 1 7PM - Altar Society Meeting 7PM - Book Club Friday 2 9AM - Noon Eucharistic Adoration Saturday 3 3:00PM Confession 4:00PM Mass 8:00AM Mass 10:30AM Mass 1:00PM Confirmation Practice 4 5 Communion Serv. 7:00PM 9AM - Quilters 6 7 7PM - Ministry Council Meeting 8 9 3:00PM Confession 4:00PM Mass 10 8:00AM Mass 10:30AM Mass 1PM - Youth Group 11 12 Communion Serv. Noon - 2:00PM 9AM - Quilters 13 7PM - Theology On Tap 14 15 16 3:00PM Confession 4:00PM Mass 17 Maria and Katia Milazzo have started a Nativity Nighthawks Team for the Outpace Poverty 5K benefitting Catholic Charities on the morning of Saturday, June 10th. Catholic Charities of Kansas City-St. Joseph works to reduce poverty in families throughout Missouri. Your support helps transform lives and communities by providing hope-filled care and services to reduce poverty for thousands of families each year. Community is a strong Nativity value and what a better way of living that value than helping those in our own Kansas City community! Visit the following webpage to sign up and join the Nativity Nighthawks team: https://www.outpacepoverty.org/. If you are unable to join us on June 10th, you may still participate by making a donation to the cause! Email Maria Milazzo at mmilazzo@nativityofmary.org with any questions! Lets Outpace Poverty, one step at a time! Nativity Nighthawks - lets represent and do our part!
June Ministry Schedule June 2017 4:00 PM Mass 8:00 AM Mass 10:30 AM Mass Lectors Penny Baylie Mike Fetters Barbara Garrett Joe Foley Joe Harris Eucharistic Ministers Ushers Servers Loretta Bates *Chuck Denton Sherri Eaton Katie Smith Loretta VanBibber Theresa Walter *Denotes Captain Ed Bruehl Marilyn Mineart Sue Reiser Bernie Schulte Erica Eaton Mike Fetters Jeff Rosenberg *Margaret Ruiz Vanessa Wiegman *Denotes Captain Charlie Bellman Ron Galvan Mary Ann McClure Pete Quiroga Isabella Wiegman Vincent Wiegman Becky Adkins Lisa Dec Barbara Garrett Diane Locascio *Sam Locascio Anne Reilly Ardith Scheer *Denotes Captain Donnie Duffey Karen Miller Mike Monley Elijah Cook
MAY 28, 2017 - THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD Today we celebrate the ascension of Jesus into heaven, his departure after the Crucifixion, the Resurrection, and all the appearances to the disciples. Acts and Ephesians look back at the time just before Jesus leaves and then at its immediate aftermath, still trying to understand what has happened and what is expected of those who were left behind. The readings remind us that the disciples are still not certain what all this means to them. But one thing is certain: Jesus is gone and they are struggling with what to do next. Matthew tells us that even as they believed in Jesus, they doubted. Jesus responds to their doubt with a call to work. He tells them to "make disciples of all nations." UP, UP AND AWAY The reading from Acts gives us a pretty complete description of the Ascension. Jesus was lifted up and taken from their sight but not before the disciples ask lots of questions about what will happen. The disciples are still thinking that the kingdom of Israel will be restored. Jesus answers them with a promise of power from the Holy Spirit and a commission that they be witnesses not just to Israel but to the ends of the earth. But the disciples are still thinking small. Jesus knows that the meaning of his death and resurrection is not small. Ephesians offers a glimpse of the great gifts of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. The disciples cannot even imagine what this means for them as they stand staring into the sky. Jesus tells them one more time that their work is to tell everyone about his life and work, to baptize them, and to teach them his commandments. NEVER CAN SAY GOOD-BYE The disciples still thought this was just about their life and their world. They are reminded by Jesus that what they have lived through with him, his life, death, and resurrection, is greater and more far-reaching than they can yet imagine. This is not just about the kingdom of Israel. This is about all nations. This is not just about witnessing in Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria. This work will take them to the ends of the earth. It is an enormous undertaking that we and the disciples have been given. It seemed impossible to the disciples then and it seems impossible to us now. But it is not. It is possible because we are not alone in this work. Jesus is with us not for a day or a week or even our lifetime. Jesus is with us always, until the end of the age. Copyright (c) J. S. Paluch Company Bishop Robert Barron - Gospel Reflection 5-17-17 (John 15:1-8) Friends, our Gospel passage today is from the beautiful, evocative, and challenging fifteenth chapter of John s Gospel. Jesus declares that he is the vine and we are the branches. He is the power and energy source in which we live. This image is closely related to Paul s metaphor of the body of Christ. The point is that we live in him and he in us. Jesus is the source of supernatural life in us, and without him, we would have none of it. If, therefore, you are separated from the vine, you will die spiritually, you will stop living a supernatural life. What does this look like concretely, to be attached to the vine? It means a steady immersion in the prayer of the Church. It means steady communion with God, speaking to him on a regular basis. It means an immersion in the Scriptures, soaking in the truth of the Bible. It means engaging in the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. And, of course, it means you must participate in the sacraments especially confession and the Eucharist. By the sacraments, we stay close to the Christ who forgives our sins and who enlivens our spirits. The Ascension of the Lord In today s second reading, we hear it proclaimed that we are blessed if we share in the sufferings of Christ. What then does it mean to share in His sufferings in this context? Most of us do not live in a part of the world where we could be killed for being a follower of Jesus. But we could face or suffer mockery, ridicule and disapproval from others. Far too often, and for various reasons, those who profess faith in Christ act as though they are ashamed of him. But to act ashamed is the same as a denial. Stewards of the Good News are never ashamed to reveal their love for the Lord. How do you reveal to others that you are a follower of Christ each day? ICSC@ Catholic Stewardship May 2017 e-bulletin
Foundations for Living Stones A Faith Formation Program for interested Adults Come to him, a living stone...chosen and precious in the sight of God, and, like living stones, let yourself be built into a spiritual house... (1 Peter 2:4-5) St. Sabina, a Catholic faith community committed to total and lifelong faith formation, offers an adult faith formation program titled, Foundations for Living Stones. The program explores in greater depth and knowledge the basics of our faith. All the sessions focus on the ministry that we are called to in and through our baptism. Communication skills, group development, leadership skills, bible study, church history, prayer and sacraments are some of the many areas explored and examined in depth. Adult methods of learning and reflection are employed throughout. The sessions are scheduled on Tuesday evenings, from 7-9:30 PM, beginning in early September and ending in early June. This is a 9-month commitment to deepen one s skills and knowledge so as to become a more effective and engaged disciple and minister. We work collaboratively with neighboring parishes, inviting them to be part of this mutual learning process. For more information, please call or e-mail either Kris or Biagio at: Biagio Mazza 816-979-3153; e-mail biagio@stsabinaparish.org or Kris Larkey 816-979-3151; e-mail kris@stsabinaparish.org A LETTER FROM BISHOP JOHNSTON I am happy to support and encourage this year s Marian Conference in the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph. This year s conference will take place on June 23-24, 2017 at St. Robert Bellarmine Parish in Blue Springs and will follow the theme: Mary s Triumph Through Jesus. The conference will provide an opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, attend Holy Mass, and take part in Eucharistic Adoration. Additionally, there will be the opportunity to hear several speakers, music, and enjoy good food. Several vendors will also make available books and other resources. During this Centennial Year of Our Lady s appearances at Fatima, Portugal, it is timely that this year s conference will highlight the role of Mary leading us to the Sacred Heart of her Son, Jesus. During our early pilgrimage Mary accompanies us with her love, presence and intercession. May God Bless you and may Our Lady, Mother of Mercy, intercede for us! James V. Johnston, Jr. Bishop of Kansas City-St. Joseph