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TRANSCRIPT
18th Sunday in Ordinary Time
02 August 2020
Immaculate Conception Parish
Fairbank, Iowa 50629
Today’s Readings Isaiah 55: 1-3
Psalm 145:8-18
Romans 8:35-39
Matthew 14:13-21
Welcome to the "The Deacon's Door"
Multiplication of the Loaves and Fish The picture on the right is of a special Mass I was able to attend at the sight of the “Sermon on The Mount” and the great miracle of the “Multiplication of the Loaves and Fish.” The sight is on the Mount of Beatitudes near Tabgha, Israel, at the foot of the Mount of Beatitudes, about 3km southwest of Capernaum on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee.
The Gospel this weekend is a great reminder of God’s caring and generosity. Think not only about the power of Jesus’ act of sharing what little they had and still feeding the 5,000, but also consider His overabundance. After everyone eats, there were twelve baskets of leftovers. Jesus’ compassion for those present is obvious in this story. This Gospel is a wonderful example of how God’s compassion and love is the golden thread that leads us all to the Gates of Heaven.
The poet, William Blake, comes to mind when I take time to reflect on the love and compassion that Jesus demonstrated:
I give you the end of a golden string, Only wind it into a ball, It will lead you in at Heaven’s Gate Built in Jerusalem’s wall.
I think about that golden string as God’s example of love and compassion leading us to our eternal salvation. How often do we find ourselves grieving our loses? Consider these: the loss of our health, the loss of our youth, the loss of what we felt was a goal or opportunity, the loss of a loved one. When we grieve the many loses of our lives, we need to hold on tight to the golden thread of love and compassion, knowing that our Lord and Savior is right there with us in our time of struggle. He not only will provide for our needs, but does so in abundance.
I heard a story of a young boy fishing with his father that
seemed to bring the meaning of this love and compassion home for
me. The boy looked for every opportunity to spend time fishing
with his father. Now his father was an expert fisherman and was
able to teach his son much about not only fishing, but about life
during their time together. On occasion the dad’s line would come
off the reel when he was casting. The result would be the line
hopelessly snarled. When he brought it home, the boy and his
father would spend time getting all the kinks out to make the yards
of mono filament line usable again for the next fishing trip. That
golden string we follow through life, likewise, needs to be free of
tangles. It is important to hold on tight to the love and compassion
that Jesus provides for each of us every day of our lives. When we
end up with a tangle, we need to work it out and just like the boy
and his father, get ourselves ready for the next challenge.
Ma
Waverly, IA 5
Lord, We Lift Up to You in Prayer…. LeRoy and Norma Westemeier Marci Willey,
Doreen Bixeman, Ron Babinat, Lindsey Ernst,
Scott McMahon (Jill Heinz brother), Michael McDonough,
Carole Levendusky, Leo Wickman, Mary Ellen Youngblut
Pat Miller, Don Reiter (Angie Auel’s father) Jim Kaufman
Sr., Sherry Duffy, Don Brandt, Mary Ann Ryan, Melvin
Sadler, Dianna Snyder victims of hatred, racism, violence,
natural disaster; terrorism, and all in our parish, our
community, and our hearts who are suffering and in need of
Christ’s healing touch May they know His loving Presence
in the eyes, hands and hearts of those who give them care. May our prayers for help and healing rise like incense
to our God of hope, love and mercy.
Communion To Our Sick Or Homebound Ministry: contact Michelle Weepie 319-635-2428 or Bob Byersdorfer 319-635-2330
I C Parish Prayer Chain Hotline: Please contact
Dorothy E. Duffy (Mrs. Jack) at 319-929-4788
Sacrament Of The Sick ~ Anointing for the seriously ill
or dyng, call the Sacred Heart Parish Center 319-283-3743, or if having surgery speak with Father Atwood in the Sacristy before or after Mass
Baptism Class For Parents: All parents who wish to
have their child baptized at Immaculate Conception parish are required to attend a baptism class prior to scheduling the baptism. Please contact Deacon Jim at 319-509-1210 for scheduling details.
I C Cemetery – contact the parish office
Funeral Dinners: Group #1 Jan, Feb, March, Apr
We provide desserts & serve a catered meal
I C STAFF ~ Fr. Ray Atwood, Pastor ~
IC Parish Office Wednesday Mornings after 8AM Mass Office at Sacred Heart Parish Center 319-283-3743
Sacred Heart Rectory 319-283-9577 email: [email protected]
~ Deacon Jim Patera ~ Office at Sacred Heart Parish Center 319-283-3743
Cell phone 319-509-1210
~Glenda Kleitsch IC Secretary/Bookkeeper~
I C Parish Office PH: 319-635-2211 located at 405 Fairbank St I C Parish Office hours:
Mon-Thurs 8AM – 3PM Closed Friday Mailing address: P O BOX 505 Fairbank IA 50629
email: [email protected] website: http://icfairbank.weebly.com/
Archdiocesan website: www.dbqarch.org
~Dan & Lynda Cutsforth, DRE & Youth Ministry~ DRE Office PH :319-635-2211
located in the Parish Center at 405 Faribank St Mailing address: P O Box 505, Fairbank IA 50629
Dan email: [email protected] Lynda email: [email protected]
Bob Nuebel and Mrs. French for their contribution of flowers to the church altar.
August 2020 Calendar Aug 1 Can redemption resumes Wed Aug 5 4:30pm CEMETERY CORPORATE MTG 5:00pm FINANCE CORPORATE MTG 5:30pm PASTORAL/FINANCE MTG Aug 10-14 – Parish Office closed
Sept 2020 Calendar Sun Sept 13 CCD Class resumes
During these days of pandemic, as well as so much
civil unrest, depression and struggle we may feel that our lives
are just a tangled mess. Remember that in His love and
compassion for us, Jesus gave us that golden line to guide us in
the right path. We can find that line leading us to the ways to
remove those tangles in the gift of celebrating the Mass, as
well as in the Sacraments of Reconciliation and The Eucharist.
We bring to God our struggles and our losses. He takes us by
the hand and guides us back to the path of salvation. We only
need to hold tight to that golden string and our knowledge and
faith in our eternal reward that is at the end of the tight line.
As you face those burdens that are pulling you down,
remind yourself of the blessings that God has put in your lives,
as well as the struggles. In the face of an impossible task,
Jesus took the gifts of only a few fish and loaves that were
offered to Him to help feed the five thousand, and
accomplished the miracle of love and compassion that not only
accomplished the task, but did so in abundance. God lifts all
of us from our struggles and carries us to more than what we
can possibly imagine. He is leading us all to the reward of
Heaven’s Gate! Get rid of the tangles in your life and rejoice
at the golden string God provides for you.
Pax et bonum” (Peace and Goodness) Deacon Jim Patera 319-509-1210 [email protected]
Sun Aug 2 8:30 AM IC Carol Brandt Sun Aug 2 10:30 AM SH For the People
Mon Aug 3 8:30 AM SH Betty Henshaw
Wed Aug 5 8:00 AM IC Deceased members of Trimble Family Thurs Aug 6 8:30 AM SH Joe & Bertha Wingert Fri Aug 7 8:30 AM SH Anthony Scheckel Sat Aug 8 4:30PM SH James Frazer James & Sarah Russo Sun Aug 9 8:30 AM IC For the People Sun Aug 9 10:30 AM SH Doug Pagel Daily Mass being offered on SH Facebook Page - 8:30AM EMHC: Dan Cutsforth Organist: Roxanne
Ask Father:
Answer:
The Stations or Way of the Cross are a traditional Lenten practice in which the faithful walk in the footsteps of Jesus. Stations will be offered after Wednesday Mass in Fairbank (ca. 8:20AM) and after 5:30PM Mass in Oelwein on Fridays (ca. 5:50PM). Please note that this is an extra daily Mass for Lent in Oelwein.
August Congratulatory Celebrations Celebrating 80+Birthdays!! Ronald Pouk on the 14th Mary Lou Weepie on the 20th Jean Galleger on the 31st Celebrating 50+ Anniversary!! Terry & Janet McGrane on the 24th
Parish Financial $upport July 26-30 Budget $1748 Offertory $14 Building Fund $25 Prayer Garden $5 Pledge Installment $277
July Capital Campaign Donations $135 Memorial(Carol Brandt) $25 Pledge Installment $1733
July 2020 Online Giving
Budget $1535 Building Fund $20 Catholic Char $100 Pledge Install $83
Total $1738
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Background on the Gospel Reading Matthew 14:13-21 Today we jump ahead in our reading of Matthew's Gospel to Chapter 14. Last week we heard Jesus
conclude his discourse with the crowds about the Kingdom of Heaven. In Matthew's narrative,
Jesus then leaves the crowds and returns to Nazareth, where he is rejected. Matthew then recounts
the story of John the Baptist's arrest and execution at the hands of Herod. Today's Gospel reading
begins at this point.
Upon hearing the news of the death of John the Baptist, Jesus seeks to withdraw, but the crowds
follow him. Jesus reaches out to them in compassion and heals the sick. At the end of a long day,
the disciples encourage Jesus to send the crowds away so that they might find provisions for
themselves. Jesus again responds with compassion for the crowd. Jesus tells his disciples to
provide food for the crowd. The disciples reply with a report of the meagerness of their own
provisions—five loaves and two fish. The result is the very familiar miracle of the multiplication
of the loaves and fish. Matthew's Gospel tells us that 5,000 men were fed, and this number does
not even include the women and children.
Jesus' blessing brought abundance from the meager provisions of the disciples. In this action, Jesus
offers us a sign of the Kingdom of Heaven that he has been teaching about in the parables. A feast
results from the smallest of portions—remember the mustard seed and the yeast. In this miracle we
witness an example for Christian life and ministry. Even the smallest of offerings can produce
abundant results when placed in the service of the Kingdom of Heaven.
We find the story of Jesus' multiplication of the loaves and the fish in each of the four Gospels. In
the Gospels of Mark and Matthew, Jesus performs this same miracle on two separate occasions.
The story of this miracle is an anticipation of the Eucharist in which we are fed by the abundant
grace of God. The importance of the Eucharist has been a defining element of Christian life from
the very beginning.
Taken from Loyola Press Sunday Connection
Homily Notes: What did I hear that I would like to remember or think about later???