May 20, 2018 Pentecost Sunday CORPUS CHRISTI CATHOLIC CHURCH 6300 McKenna Drive, Mobile, Alabama 36608 Email: Church@CorpusChristiParish.com! Website: www.corpuschristiparish.com TELEPHONE NUMBERS Parish Office: 342-1852 Fax 342-6313 School Office: 342-5474, ext. 1 Fax 380-0325 Rel. Ed. Office: 342-5474, ext. 7 Fax 380-0325 Full-Day Care: 342-2424 Fax 343-3119 Youth Ministry: 342-1852 Fax 342-6313 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 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 342-1852 or 342-1420. 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 (342-1852) for 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 (342-1852). 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, 342-5474, ext. 1, or send an email to kmartin@corpuschristiparish.com.
PENTECOST SUNDAY Corpus Christi s 2018 Wedding Anniversary Celebration Celebrating Wedding Anniversaries in 5-year increments from 5 years to 50 years and every single year after 50. Congratulations to all Wedding Anniversary Couples renewing their Wedding Vows at this weekend s 5:30 pm. Vigil Mass All parishioners and visitors are cordially invited to the Reception in the Banquet Hall after Mass. Resumes in September! Jazz Brunch in the Banquet Hall With Jazz Musicians Performing Live! 2nd 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) Deacon Gilbert T. Pierre will be ordained to the priesthood on Saturday, June 2, at 10:00 a.m. at the Cathedral-Basilica downtown. All are invited. The following Sunday, June 3, at 2:00 p.m. Father Gilbert T. Pierre will celebrate his First Mass here at Corpus Christi Church. A reception will follow in the Banquet Hall. All are invited. KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS Next Meeting: 4th Mon., June 25, 7 p.m., The Parish House. Resumes August 22 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) 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 1-800-292-9111 or www.diocesan.com. Info: Chad Pugh, Grand Knight, 232-0648 or chad.pugh34@gmail.com. Tuesday Night Bible Study Meetings are at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays in the Parish House. Info: Dave Burchette, 251-367-6660 or davebur1955@gmail.com. Tuesday Women s Bible Study Resuming in September 10:00-1130 a.m., Room 3 (2nd Flr, Community Center). Info: Judi Ankiewicz, 251-344-0321: Leave name & no. Thursday Women s Bible Study Resuming in September 9:15-10:45 a.m..,com Ctr Conference Rm. Info:Joanne Donaghey, 251-554-6753 or joannekd@alo.com. Nursery is available.
CORPUS CHRISTI CHURCH, MOBILE, ALABAMA MAY 20, 2018 Vacation Bible School 201 8 June 18-22 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon Venture onto an uncharted island where kids survive and thrive. Anchor kids in the truth that Jesus carries them through life s storms. Each day at Shipwrecked VBS, kids travel through faith-building rotations that reinforce relevant Bible Points and immerse kids in new adventures. Online Registration! To register, visit vbspro.events/p/corpuschristi Fees: Participant Registration Fees Kindergarten through 5 th Grade $45 Crew Leaders (Middle School) $45 Assistant Station Leaders (High School) $45 Participant Registration Fees include T-Shirt, snacks for the week, Kona Ice and VBS activities & materials. Middle & High School students also receive a VBS Shipwrecked bandana. Volunteer Registration Fee Adult Station Leaders (high school graduates & up) $10, includes T-Shirt. Please make checks out to Corpus Christi Church. Please drop off checks with your child s name to the parish office. Who wants to be an Altar Server? All 3 rd thru 8 th Graders Welcome! Questions? Contact Mike Martin, Director of Altar Servers at 251-391-8666. 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, 639-2522 or 367-4486 or Damian@rockbwm.com. Wed Evening Info: Walter Bracewell, 599-1650 or walter.bracewell@gmail.com Women of Mary Resuming August 22 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., 753-4872. 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 251-510-8166. Widowed Persons Support Group For information call parishioner Glen Porter at 666-8977. 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. BAPTIZED IN CHRIST Robert Easton Anderson (son of Robert Bradley Anderson & Lori Venice Worring Anderson) REST IN PEACE Linda Montgomery (mother of Michael Montgomery) Flowers The flowers before the altar this weekend have been placed in memory of Harry Breeland on the 9 th anniversary of his death. Given by his wife, Diana Breeland. Around the Archdiocese: Living Well Alabama offering a free 6-week health education program for caregivers and people with chronic health conditions. Must register to attend the free workshop being held at Corpus Christi Community Center, 9:00-11:30 a.m. Fridays, May 18, 25, and June 1 & 8. To register, call Peggy Gomez, 348-7802, or Silvia Vaca Diez, 544-4481. St. Vincent de Paul Spring Festival, Sunday, May 20, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Silent Auction, Dinners, Games, Cash Prizes, Country Store, Car Show, Fire Truck, Needle in a Haystack, Escape Game Adventure, Basket of Cheer, Azalea Trail Maids. Most Pure Heart of Mary High School Alumni Reunion: Memorial Day Weekend, May 25-27. Hosted by the last Holm graduation class of 1968. Contact Leonard Still, 251-463-3612, or Barbara Kneels Smith, 251-342- 7663, or email 2018homreunion@gmail.com.
CORPUS CHRISTI CHURCH, MOBILE, ALABAMA MAY 20, 2018 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 1-800-292-9111 or www.diocesan.com. Our Church Bulletins are also Online: Visit DiscoverMass.com or CorpusChristiParish.com/Church FIRST COLLECTION TODAY: Tithing Offerings. SECOND COLLECTION TODAY: Catholic Communications. MAY 6 TH BUILDING FUND ONLINE & COLLECTION: $3,423.51 MAY 6 TH TITHING ONLINE & COLLECTION: $31,378.25 Thank You and God Bless You 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 470-1084 or 800-624-7814. Receive a detail list of your contributions by mail, email or fax. Call 342-1852 or email Church@CorpusChristiParish.com To set up Online Giving: Please go to www.corpuschristiparish.com; click Church ; then click the green Online Giving icon on the left side of the church s homepage. Follow the instructions to either make a one-time contribution, or set up a recurring withdrawal, from a checking, saving or credit card account to tithing or building fund, school annual fund or other special collection. For assistance, call 800-348-2886, ext 1, or the parish office, 342-1852. Offering Envelopes If you wish to use Offering Envelopes, just notify the parish office (342-1852). An initial set will be sent to you right away, and then, every two months, you will receive a two-month s supply of envelopes. It is not that the Gospel has changed; it is that we have begun to understand it better. Pope John XXIII Unity is not Uniformity Pope Francis said that valuing the rich variety of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, we should not fear diversity. Unity is not uniformity. Being united in Christ and in the Church does not necessarily mean doing everything together or thinking in the same way. Unity in diversity involves the joyful recognition and acceptance of the various gifts which the Holy Spirit gives to each one for the service of all. Accepting the Holy Spirit s diversity while allowing the Spirit to forge unity means knowing how to listen, to accept differences and having the freedom to think differently and express oneself with complete respect toward the other, who is my brother or sister. The Letter of the Law Commenting on Luke 14:1-6, Pope Francis said that the Pharisees and scribes in the Gospel accounts, represent those who are obsessed with uniformity and with following the letter of religious law so much so, that they considered healing on the Sabbath as a violation of the law of the Sabbath Rest. So, Jesus asks them if it is forbidden to do good on the Sabbath. Pope Francis said that in their attachment to the letter of the multiple religious laws, the Pharisees neglected love, but the path Jesus taught is one where love of neighbor leads to discernment about how to best fulfill God s law which is summed up in Treat others as you would have them treat you. (Matt. 7:12) The entire law is summed up in this one command: Love your neighbor as you love yourself. (Gal. 5:14) All the commandments, and whatever commandment there may be, are summed up in the single command, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Love does no harm to the neighbor, therefore, love is the fulfillment of the entire Law. (Rom. 13:9-10). Pope Francis said the Pharisees in the Gospel accounts did not offer people hope and life-giving love. They were closed-minded men who are so attached to the letter of the Law that they were always closing the doorway to hope and love. They are men who only know how to close doors. Jesus said to the Pharisees and scribes, You shut the gates of the kingdom of heaven up in people s faces, not entering yourselves, and keeping out those who are trying to enter. (Matt. 23:13) The letter of the Law kills, but the Spirit of the Law gives life. (2 Cor. 3:6)
PENTECOST: The Fire of God s Love I shall ask the Father and he will give you another Advocate to be with you for ever, the Spirit of Truth. The word pentecost means fifty days. It originated from the Jewish harvest feast called Shavuot, or the Feast of Weeks, fifty days after Passover. In the Church, Pentecost is celebrated fifty days after Easter, concluding the Easter Season. Pentecost celebrates the over-whelming experience of God s pouring out the Spirit upon the first community of believers, transforming the first members of the Church from frightened, bewildered and confused people into people of courage, conviction and love. The Holy Spirit comes to us, too, with the tenderness of a true friend and a protector and guide. The Spirit strengthens the virtues of faith, hope and love in each of us. The Spirit teaches and enlightens us. The Spirit strengthens us in times of trouble, and helps us to bear the burdens of life which we all face. The Spirit guides us in applying the commandment of Jesus to love one another in our everyday lives. The color of vestments for Pentecost is red. It symbolizes the intense love and fire of the Holy Spirit. Other symbols of the Holy Spirit are the dove, the tongues of flames, and wind. Spirit or Ghost? Q. Why and when was the name of the Holy Ghost changed to Holy Spirit? A. Over time, words often change in meaning. Take the word apology, for example. It comes from the Latin apologia, meaning a defense of the truth. St. John Henry Newman used it in this sense in his famous work Apologia pro vita sua. Today, the word apology has an almost opposite meaning: an admission of error or regret. When the Scriptures were translated into English in the 17th century, the Latin Spiritus was translated into the common English of that time as Holy Ghost ghost meaning a spirit that was good and helpful. In time, the word ghost came to mean a spook that could haunt people and cause harm. About the middle of the 20th century, new translations into English began to appear, both Catholic and Protestant. The translators used the current, modern, English and dropped Holy Ghost, and used Holy Spirit. The new translations were used at Mass, and, thus, Holy Spirit passed into general usage. Some may prefer the old 17th century English usage, particularly people who hold the old King James or Douay Bibles as the only acceptable translations. From OUR SUNDAY VISITOR Grace is more important than all the bureaucracy. Many times we people of the Church are like a factory creating obstacles so people can t arrive at grace. Those in the Church who are in charge of administering the sacraments must leave room for God s grace, and not put bureaucratic obstacles in the way, making it hard for people to get close to God. Pope Francis What is needed is more emphasis on rolling out the red carpet rather than creating red tape. We are often more interested in making everyone follow a stated number of specific classes and performing a stated number of hours of community service than we are at making the sacraments available to people. Father Joseph Champlin, Writer, Lecturer, Pastor
From Babel to Pentecost The Church must always become anew what she already is. She must open the borders between peoples and break down the barriers between class and race. In her, there cannot be those who are forgotten or looked down upon. In the Church there are only free brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ. The wind and fire of the Holy Spirit must continually break down those barriers that we men and women continue to build between us. We must continually pass from Babel (confusion and disharmony) being closed in on ourselves to Pentecost (wisdom and unity). St. John Paul II The Holy Spirit Is Love At Pentecost, the Spirit unites and transforms confusion into communion. Human pride and egoism always create divisions, build walls of indifference, hate and violence. The Holy Spirit, on the other hand, makes hearts capable of understanding the languages of all, as he re-establishes the bridge of authentic communion between earth and heaven. The Holy Spirit is Love. The Holy Spirit illuminates the human spirit, and indicates the way to become more like Christ, that is, to be the image and instrument of the love which flows from him. Pope Benedict XVI O merciful God, fill our hearts, we pray, with the graces of your Holy Spirit: with love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, humility and self-control. Teach us to love those who hate us and to pray for those who despitefully use us so that we may be the children of your love, our Father, who makes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. In adversity grant us grace to be patient. In prosperity keep us humble. May we guard the door of our lips. May we lightly esteem the pleasures of this world, and thirst after heavenly things. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. St. Anselm Compassionate God, with great expectation we look to your Holy Spirit to work in our world, empowering us to serve you as Jesus did. May we listen for your word and respond generously to your call. Renew in us the grace of our baptism. Strengthen married couples, single men and women, deacons, priests, and sisters and brothers as they seek to serve you by sharing their love and compassion. Grant wisdom to those who are discerning their own call. With gratitude may we all proclaim the Good News of Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Loving God, Creator of all, we recognize that life is a gift from you. Open our hearts to your Holy Spirit and renew in us a deep respect for all persons: the family, children, the unborn, the sick, the disabled, the abused, the imprisoned, the aged, the dying, the poor, the homeless, the unemployed, the victims of war, and all who are oppressed in any way. Bless all of us, and instill in us a deep love for one another. Through the intercession of the Blessed Mother Mary, may our words and actions foster reverence for every human person. May we be true witnesses to the truth that all life is precious and has sublime dignity. Lead us to this understanding so that we may be a people dedicated to the protection of all your sons and daughters. We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ, the Word who took on our human nature and lived among us. Amen.
There is no one who cannot discover and find a place in God s love. From it flows our Christian hope. There exists no one so bad, so brought down, so broken down, that he cannot find a place in that love. God loves us not because we have merited it or are worthy of it; rather, God s love for us is freely given and unearned, surpassing all we could ever hope for or imagine. The relationship between God and those who believe in him is one of warmth and love, not cold formality. The relationship is not cold like that between an emperor and his subjects, but is one of deep affection like that which develops between two friends, between spouses, between parents and children. God s faithful love will never lessen and will never abandon us to ourselves, or to the darkness of nonsense, blind fate, emptiness or death. St. John Paul II The Holy Spirit tells our hearts: God is love. He s always waiting for us. He is a father who loves us like a real dad. Pope Francis Living as children of God lets people see others as brothers and sisters to respect and love. If people were to listen to the Holy Spirit, they would hear him say, God loves you. Let us be guided by the Holy Spirit, allow him to speak to our hearts, and he will tell us this: that God is love, he s always waiting for us, he is a father who loves us like a real dad, and only the Holy Spirit can tell our hearts this. We have to listen to the Holy Spirit who is inside us! What does he tell us? That God is good, that God is a father, that he loves us and always forgives us. Pope Francis God, our Father, in our ignorance we have wrongly imagined you to be our enemy; we have wrongly thought that you take pleasure in punishing us for our sins; and we have foolishly conceived you to be a tyrant over human life. But since Jesus came among us, he has shown that you are loving, and that our fear of you was groundless. St. Augustine Listen to the Holy Spirit because he is giving people the good news that God loves them and can renew, purify and transform their lives. St. Paul affirmed in his Letter to the Galatians that the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, selfcontrol. The Holy Spirit brings people into divine life as children of God where they can live as true children, in a relationship of intimacy, freedom, and faith in the love and mercy of God.