the life defender —y jeff meyer
TRANSCRIPT
4100 Lyell Road
Rochester, New York
14606
Mission Statement
The Parish of the Holy Family is devoted to sharing the kingdom of God: making disciples through word, worship, fellowship, service and love. Weekday Mass Times
Monday 9:00AM Tuesday 9:00AM Wednesday 9:00AM Thursday 7:30AM Friday 9:00AM
Weekend Mass times
Saturday 4:00PM
Sunday 9:00AM 11:30AM Vietnamese 5:00PM
Office Phone Numbers:
585-247-4322
585-429-5111 (Fax)
Office Hours:
Monday—Friday from 9AM-3PM
(or by appointment)
Website:
www.theparishoftheholyfamily.org
E-Mail Address:
theparishoftheholyfamily@
rochester.rr.com
Confession-Saturday 9-10AM or
BY APPOINTMENT 247-4322
If you are seeking the following
Sacraments, please call the office.
Reconciliation
Baptism
Marriage
RCIA
Follow us on Facebook:
Parishoftheholyfamily
October 3, 2021
The Life Defender—By Jeff Meyer Do you remember a time in your life when you felt excluded, or perhaps left out? What did that feel like? So, get this: how about being on the outside looking in because you deserved it? How did that feel? As a child, we’d often have moments where we battled not only with our inner self, but also pretty much everyone around us because we think we are better off without their help. What does this mean? Think of a time where you’ve been sent to your room while having dinner because of what you said or did to your mom or dad? How did that feel? Angry? Regretful? Sad?
“When the people heard the thunder and the loud blast of the ram’s horn, and when they saw the flashes of lightning and the smoke billowing from the mountain, they stood at a distance, trembling with fear. And they said to Moses, ‘You speak to us, and we will listen. But don’t let God speak directly to us, or we will die!’” – Exodus 20:18-19
It is important to understand that in this context, the people of Israel had just been rescued and delivered out of Egypt in a miraculous way. On their journey into the wilderness, God protected and defended the Israelites by providing water from the rock for them to drink, and raining down manna for them to eat. In order for God to continue to defend and protect His people, as a new community, He gave them standards and instructions to live by. God did this because He wants His people to belong, not to be excluded, not to be left out, not to be on the outside looking in, which is caused by sins. Our Sin Leaves Us Excluded Here’s the truth: our sinful actions and conditions, or even the lack of actions, lead us to the outside looking in because it is not what God has designed us to be. We know our God is holy. Therefore, He cannot just look the other way. Because of the sins that we committed, He needed mankind to be punished. So, there’s no wonder why the Israelites were trembling with fear at the foot of the mountain. The Truth Here’s THE Truth: Jesus, the holy Son of God is our defender. He is the one who made sure that we were not excluded. He is the one who came and took our place to make the payment for the things that we have done that keeps us on the outside looking in. Ultimately, Jesus is the presenter and the mediator of the new covenant. He endured the just and right punishment of God for the sins mankind committed. In the same breath, Jesus took our place. His death and resurrection became a proclamation of grace and love. That’s why when God looks at us, He sees Jesus, and He affirms and welcomes us into belonging, no longer excluded, no longer looking on the outside looking in. Jesus is the one who unlocked the door and says, “I love you. You belong.” He bridged the gap to let us out of our room and let us sit back at the dinner table. God Longs to Defend Every Life As the body of Christ, we have to become Jesus’ community of defenders – a community that’s always ready to lend a hand for the broken, unseen, and unheard. Our mission is to help them realize that they are loved, and that they don’t have to be excluded despite how ugly they think their pasts are. That may be easier said than done, but just as Jesus displayed the ultimate declaration of love on the cross, we, too, could embody His love and bring His light just by being there for those who need us most.
Pastor - Fr. Steven Lape
x101 [email protected]
Parochial Vicar ~ Fr. Martin Truong
x143 [email protected]
Deacons
Deacon Binh-Yen Nguyen 247-4322
Deacon Patrick Shanley 329-2046
Director of Faith Formation
and Youth Ministry
Rose Dunning
x140 [email protected]
Music
Rebecca Kemp
x137 [email protected]
Office Staff
Sandy Bleier, Business Manager
x104 [email protected]
Peggy Brown, Part-time Secretary
& Cemetery Coordinator
x100 [email protected]
Susan Hosie, Bookkeeper
x108 [email protected]
Kathy Osterberg, Finance Director
x109 [email protected]
Debbie Sumner, Admin. Assistant
x107 [email protected]
Parish Office Hours Monday through Friday
from 9AM-3PM
If you are not vaccinated, we request
you wear a facemask.
CONFESSION
Confessions heard Saturdays
from 9-10AM
or by appointment.
MASS INTENTIONS
Parish Staff
Saturday/Sunday, October 2/3 8:00AM Vietnamese Mass 4:00PM Alex Drexel by Drexel Family Jim Allison by Ann Gionta & Linda Adamski Idolo Madau by Jim & Carolyn Bauman 9:00AM Our Parishioners 11:30AM Vietnamese Mass 5:00PM Pat Bovenzi by POTHF Men’s Club Monday, October 4
9:00AM Beverly Longbine by Estate
6:00PM Vietnamese Mass
Tuesday, October 5
9:00AM Tom & Lena Castle by Daughters
Charles E. Werner by Estate
6:00PM Vietnamese Mass
Wednesday, October 6
9:00AM Wedding Anniversary of
Deacon Jay & Peggy Brown
by Jim & Sharon Chiumento
Paul Campanaro Sr.
by Paul & Marie Campanaro
Thursday, October 7
7:30AM Pat Bovenzi by Son, Dom
Mary L. Alazaus by Estate
6:00PM Vietnamese Mass
Friday, October 8 9:00AM Paul Ford by Family 6:00PM Vietnamese Mass Saturday/Sunday, October 9/10 8:00AM Vietnamese Mass 4:00PM Salvatore Inglima by Wife & Family Birthday Remembrance for Nellie Cerra by Family Mary Donnelly by Brian & Diane McConnell 9:00AM Leo Klein by Jim & Sue Darby Catherine Regnier by Theresa Smith 11:30AM Vietnamese Mass 5:00PM Our Parishioners
Let us not forget . . .
Gerald & Gail O’Connor Please hold all our mass intentions and
their families in your prayers this week.
Sanctuary
Lamp
In Loving Prayer for
Our School Children & Teachers
Rosary after Morning Mass When we pray the Rosary, we approach Christ through Mary -- His Mother and our Mother -- because of her special connection with Him and with us. The rosary is just one of the beautiful devotions to Mary that we as Catholics practice. We will pray the Rosary after our 9AM Morning Mass. Please join us. All are welcome.
Saturday Before Mass On Saturday, before the 4PM Mass, we will pray the Rosary to prepare our spirit and mind for the liturgy - starting promptly
at 3:15PM. We will meet in the Chapel. If the Chapel cannot accommodate us, we will move to a section of the Church. All are welcome to come and pray.
2021 Rochester Catholic Men’s Conference
St. Joseph - A Man of God
Saturday, October 23, 2021
at The Parish of the Holy Family
7:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Doors open at 7:00AM
8:00 AM Mass with
The Most Reverend Bishop Salvatore Matano,
Featured Speaker: Dr. Mark Miravalle
Online simulcast available
$15 Livestream
$25 In-person
$30 at the door
Information and Registration available online:
www.exultrochester.org
For questions or information call Bob Capellazzi at 738-8846 [email protected]
The October POTHF Men's Club dinner meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 13th. Dinner will start at 6:15PM and the cost for dinner will remain at $10 for a delicious meal made by Jim Commercial.
Please notify Greg Westbrook by Sunday, October 10th, if you plan to attend. Greg's phone number is 426-1287, and his e-mail is: [email protected]
The Spoon Man is Coming!
Get ready for lots of laughs, music and a meaningful message of faith, as nationally known Catholic comedian and musician Jim “The Spoon Man” Cruise is giving a free performance at our parish! It’s happening on Sunday, Nov. 7th, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall. For over 30 years, Jim has been enthralling audiences across the U.S. with his unique brand of talents. It’s fun for all ages, so mark your calendars and join us for his energetic show! Although the event is free, we kindly ask that your call to RSVP at our Parish Office, so that we can ensure proper seating and refreshments. We hope to see you there!
Sisters in Christ Ministry This spiritual and faith filled women’s group meets once a month. We pray
together, discuss women’s issues (what our roles are in our workplace, home, and church), offer outreach to our community, and have of laughs and fun together. Our next meeting will be Tuesday, October 12th, at 6PM in the lower level meeting room of the Parish Office. If you would like more information or have questions, contact Debbie Sumner: [email protected].
Start children off on the way they should go, and even when
they are old they will not turn from it.
~Proverbs 22:6
Participation in Baptism Preparation Class is
necessary before your child is baptized. Please
contact the office at least three months before the
date you would like to celebrate this sacrament.
Contact Sue Hosie at 247-4322 x 108 or
Pro-Life Reflection
“You are the light of the world. A city
built upon a mountain cannot be
hidden.”
~Matthew 5:14
Reflection: In elections, each of us has but one
vote. Yet we can all influence thousands of votes.
And we should start with the people who need the
least amount of urging—those who already agree
with us on the key issues of the day, and who
would probably support the candidates we support.
Let’s reach for the “low-hanging fruit,” thereby
getting more results for the energy we expend.
Prayer: Lord, let me not miss the opportunities You
give me to mobilize Your people to do good!
20th ANNUAL BABY SHOWER WILL TAKE PLACE THE
WEEKEND OF OCTOBER 16th & 17th BEFORE & AFTER ALL
MASSES!
Our 20th Annual Baby Shower, this year for the Focus Pregnancy
Help Center, will take place the weekend of October 16th
and 17th.
Donations of new or gently used and clean baby layette, toddler
and children’s items, formula, diapers, as well as, baby equipment
(except cribs) and check donations made out to Focus Pregnancy
Help Center, are greatly needed and appreciated. Donations can
be dropped off before or after all weekend Masses on Saturday,
October 16th, and Sunday, October 17th. If you have any further
questions or would like to volunteer to help receive donations at
the Masses or with the sorting, cleaning and delivery needed,
please call Susan Hosie at 247-4322, ext. 108. Thank You!
Do you or someone you know have difficulty walking up to receive Communion? Please let an usher know when you come into church and a
Communion Minister will be glad to bring it to you after everyone is served. Also, it would be helpful if you were to raise your hand towards the end of Communion, so we can locate you in the church.
The 2021-2022 RCIA process has begun. Please call the parish for more information or contact Deacon Binh via: [email protected].
Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed. Proverbs 19:17
WEEKLY EVENTS
October 3-10, 2021
SUNDAY 3 10AM Jr/Sr High Faith Formation-PLC
9:15AM RCIA-LIB
MONDAY 4
TUESDAY 5
7PM Bible Study - LIB & Zoom
WEDNESDAY 6
6:30PM Choir - CH
THURSDAY 7
1PM Women’s Faith Sharing-LLMR
6:30PM Liturgy Team Meeting-LLMR
7PM Blue Army-CH
FRIDAY 8
SATURDAY 9
9AM Second Saturday Devotion-CH
SUNDAY 10 10AM No Jr./Sr. High Faith Formation
9:15AM RCIA-LIB
Parish Life Center-PLC
Parish Life Center/Library—LIB
Office Building-Upper Level
Conference Room—ULCR
Office Building-Lower Level
Main Conference Room—LLMR
Office Building-Lover Level
North Room—LLNR
Office Building-Lower Level
South Room—LLSR
. . . provides the very best Catholic content from more than 60 organizations. It helps parishes, families and individuals explore their faith anywhere. It has thousands of movies, children’s programs, eBooks, audio, parish programs and studies, sent directly to your browser, mobile or connected device.
Register by visiting:
https://formed.org/
(Parish Code: Z8ZDVH)
THE FOOD CUPBOARD
The food cupboard is in place to help when
needed. Your generosity is
what helps us help others.
This Week’s Needs: Jell-o
Jelly
Soup
Body Wash & Bar Soap
Cupboard hours:
Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday
from 10AM to Noon
Totes are provided in the hallway of the
Gathering Area for your donations.
Lord, hold our troops in Your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless
them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of
need. Amen.
Aiden Bertino, Army James Calamita, Army
Anthony Calamita, Army Daniel Davis, Army
Martin DeBock, Army Antonio Garbanzo, Marines
Russell Montante Jr., Air Force Aimee Muscato-Bateman, Army
Michael Rigoni, Navy Michael Shott, Army
Ethan Stott, Army Evan Stott, Navy
Jason Bosch, Navy Andrew Zani, Army
Christopher Decker, Navy Anthony Gionta, Army
If you have someone in the Military, please send their
name to Debbie Sumner at [email protected] and
they will be added to our list.
Everyone can use more prayer. Anyone, regardless of
age, can request a prayer for any purpose - spiritual,
physical, emotional health, loss of a loved one, or family
problems. To activate the Prayer Tree, call the parish
office at 247-4322 with the person’s first name and a
brief description of their need. Soon, many people will be praying for your
concern. Anyone who would like to be a part of this ministry, please call
Debbie Sumner at ext. 107.
Mercy Spirituality Center is a retreat center for people of all faiths, committed to the belief that each of us needs time apart to find, deepen, or refresh our connection to what matters most in life. Located just one block from Highland Park, Mercy Spirituality Center is an affordable place to host meetings, workshops and retreats. We invite your group or organization to experience time apart in our serene environment to reflect, learn, and share.
New Fall Programs— October 5 — Creative Meditation in Color-Joyce Martelli Creative Meditation in Color is a program that will help you be more creative in your meditation. We will learn ways to increase and strengthen your meditation to be more meaningful and alive for you. This 6-week session will start with a meditation on passages from the Bible or other spiritual writings. To extend your meditation we will use Lectio Divina, Visio Divina, and different forms of art media to open your mind to God’s Word. No art skills are needed! Just bring an open mind, heart and a childlike spirit. We will go back to those childlike days when your coloring and drawing were all beautiful, back to that freedom time to create and think without worries! Dates: Tuesday, October 5, 12, 19, 26, November 2, and 9 / Time: 1 – 2:30PM VIA Zoom Fee: $120 for the series October 14 — A Day to Call Your Own-Sr. Gert Erb RSM Come be refreshed! Spend a day nourishing your spirit in this place of peace and quiet. We provide a private room, simple lunch, and our beautiful house and grounds to explore as you wish! Dates: Thursdays, Oct. 14, Nov. 18, and, Dec. 9, 2021 / Time: 9AM-4PM 9:30 am: Morning Prayer (optional) / Fee: $25
October 21 through 24 — Directed Retreat Weekend-MSC Team Come immerse yourself for a long weekend of spiritual enrichment using imagery, art and media to help you connect with Jesus’ life experiences and see your own call to discipleship at a more contemplative pace. Individual Spiritual Direction will be available. Dates: Thursday, October 21, 9AM through Sunday October 24, after brunch Fee: $325 Resident / $250 Commuter
65 Highland Avenue (585) [email protected]
Beginning Experience Weekend - October 8-10, 2021
Notre Dame Retreat House, Canandaigua, NY
The BE Weekend is designed to be a “Real Awakening”. It is a powerful experience of hope and moving on to the next stage of life. The Weekend is filled with your personal reflection.
The dialogue is in small confidential groups, which are warm and supportive and tend toward a genuine community and real fellowship. You can anticipate a quiet, peaceful and reflective Weekend. The leaders of the program and groups are divorced or widowed individuals who have attended the Weekend program as a participant in the past. The Weekend is designed to be a time of closure on the past and a new beginning in the present. Check-in begins at 6 pm on Friday and the weekend concludes with Mass around 3 pm on Sunday. Cost is $200 (shared room) or $245 (single room). Cost includes lodging, all meals and materials. Use the online Registration Form to enroll. For questions, email: [email protected] or call our information line at (585) 987-1750.
FAITH FORMATION FOR CHILDREN & TEENS 2021-2022
Junior and Senior High Meeting times for October October 17th 10:00AM-11:30AM Parish Life Center October 24th 10:00AM-11:30AM Parish Life Center October 31st 10:00AM-11:30AM Parish Life Center
JUNIOR AND SENIOR HIGH
November 7th 10:00 am.-11:30 am Parish Life center
November 14th 10:00 am-11:30 am Parish Life center
SENIOR HIGH NCYC
NCYC November 18th 6:00pm- 9:30pm Parish Life center
NCYC November 19th 6:00pm- 9:30pm Parish Life center
NCYC November 20th 8:00am- 5:00pm Parish Life center
December 5th 10:00 am.-11:30 am Parish Life center
December 12th 10:00 am.-11:30 am Parish Life center December 19th 10:00 am.-11:30 am Parish Life center
FAITH-FILLED NEWSLETTER
TO BUILD YOUR DOMESTIC CHURCH AND SUPPORT
YOUR HOUSEHOLD DURING OUR TIME AT HOME
Check it out: https://oec.dor.org/evangelization/
the-family-zone-newsletter/
Link to latest Family Zone Issue:
https://www.smore.com/c0xak
Ban Tin Công Đoan Chua Phuc Sinh/ Vietnamese Community News!
+ Chua Nhật ngày 10 tháng 10:
PICNIC (Potluck) cho cac em giup lê va gia đinh,
cac em Trương Viêt Ngư va gia đinh, Thây cô giao
trương Viêt Ngư va gia đinh, Cac em nhom dâng hoa
va gia đinh, cac em nhom Youth va gia đinh, cac vi
trong Ban Châp Hanh cua Công Đoan va gia đinh. Cac
em thuôc nhom Youth Group phu trach cac tro chơi.
+ Chua Nhật 24 / 10 luc 1 PM to 3 PM:
Cùng với nhom Youth Group đến thu dọn
Cementary để chuẩn bi bước vao thang câu nguyên cho
cac Linh Hồn. (Công đoan sẽ phuc vu Pizza va Soda)
+ Chua Nhật ngày 31 tháng 10: HOLYWEEN
Cùng với Nhom Youth Group tổ chức Holyween
cho Công Đoan ngươi Mỹ va Công Đoan ngươi Viêt
chung ta.
Chương trình những ngày tháng tới:
KINH KÍNH MỪNG - Lời Kinh Cao Siêu Vô Cùng
(Thanh Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort)
44. Lơi chao kính cua Thiên thân rât cao siêu đến nỗi chân
phước Alain de la Roche tin rằng không môt thu tạo nao co
thể hiểu được, ma chỉ co Chua Giêsu Kitô,
Đâng được Đức Trinh Nư Maria sinh ra, mới co
thể giải thích được điều đo ma thôi.
Lơi chao kính cua Thiên thân rut tỉa sự tuyêt
diêu cua no, chính yếu la từ Đức Trinh Nư Rât
Thanh, Đâng ma lơi chao kính nhắm tới, rồi từ
muc đích cua viêc Nhập thể cua Ngôi Lơi. Lơi
chao kính nay được mang xuống từ trơi để chao
mừng biến cố Ngôi Lơi nhập thể lam ngươi, lân
đâu tiên được Tổng lãnh thiên thân Gabriel
tuyên bố.
Lơi chao kính cua Thiên thân tom tắt trong bản
đuc kết ngắn gọn nhât cua tât cả nền thân học
Kitô giao về Đức Trinh Nư. Chung ta thây
trong đo môt lơi khen ngợi va môt lơi kêu xin. Lơi khen
ngợi chứa đựng tât cả nhưng gi lam nên sự vĩ đại đích thực
về Mẹ Maria; con lơi kêu xin chứa đựng tât cả nhưng gi ma
chung ta phải câu xin với Đức Mẹ, va tât cả nhưng gi chung
ta co thể mong chơ về long tốt cua Mẹ đối với chung ta.
Thiên Chua Ba Ngôi chí thanh đã mặc khải nơi phân thứ
nhât cua Lơi chao kính; ba thanh Êlisabét, được Thanh Thân
soi sang, đã thêm phân thứ hai; con Giao Hôi, trong công
đồng Ephêsô thứ nhât, diên ra vao năm 430, đã đưa ra phân
kết thuc, sau khi đã lên an sai lâm cua Nestoriô va đinh tín
rằng Đức Trinh Nư thật sự la Mẹ Thiên Chua. Công đồng ra
lênh rằng chung ta sẽ kêu câu Đức Trinh Nư dưới tước hiêu
vinh quang cua Mẹ bằng nhưng lơi nay: Thanh Maria, Đức
Mẹ Chua Trơi, câu cho chung con, la kẻ co tôi, khi nay va
trong giơ lâm tử.
45. Đức Trinh Nư Maria la ngươi được Lơi chao kính từ trơi
gửi tới để hoan tât công trinh vĩ đại nhât va quan trọng nhât
cua thế giới, Cuôc nhập thể lam ngươi cua Ngôi Lơi vĩnh
cửu, binh an giưa Thiên Chua va loai ngươi va ơn cứu đô
cua toan thể nhân loại. Sứ giả cua tin mừng trọng đại nay la
tổng lãnh thiên thân Gabriel, môt trong nhưng hoang tử
đứng đâu cua triều đinh thiên quốc. Lơi chao kính cua sứ
thân chứa đựng niềm tin va niềm hy vọng cua cac tổ phu,
cac ngôn sứ va cac tông đồ. Lơi chao kính nay la sự kiên
tâm va sức mạnh cua cac vi tử đạo, khoa học cua cac bậc tri
thức, long kiên tri cua cac cha giải tôi va la
sự sống cua giới tu tri (chân phước Alain).
No la bai ca mới về lề luật ân sung, la niềm
vui mừng cua cac thiên thân va loai ngươi,
nỗi kinh hoang va bối rối cua ma quỷ.
Qua Lơi chao kính cua thiên thân, Thiên
Chua lam ngươi, môt Trinh Nư trở thanh Mẹ
Thiên Chua, cac linh hồn cua nhưng ngươi
công chính được giải thoat khỏi nguc tối,
nhưng tan tích cua thiên đang được phuc hồi
va nhưng ngai toa trống rỗng được lâp đây,
tôi lỗi được tha thứ, ân sung được ban tặng
cho chung ta, bênh nhân được chưa lanh,
ngươi chết được sống lại, kẻ lưu đay được
nhớ lại, Ba Ngôi chí thanh được tôn vinh, va
loai ngươi đạt được sự sống đơi đơi. Cuối cùng, Lơi chao
cua thiên thân la câu vồng trên trơi, dâu hiêu cua long
thương xot va cua ân sung ma Thiên Chua ban tặng cho thế
giới (chân phước Alain).
Linh muc Phanxicô Xavie Trân Kim Ngọc, OP. chuyển ngư
từ bản tiếng Phap:
“Le Secret Admirable du Très Saint Rosaire pour se
convertir et se sauver” – Bí quyết diêu kỳ cua Kinh Mân Côi
để được hoan cải va được cứu đô” cua thanh Louis-Marie
Grignion de Montfort; nguồn: https://livres-mystiques.com/
partieTEXTES/Montfort/rosaire.html
Budget: $12,000
Collection for 9/26/21: $10,542
Variance: $(-1,458)
Attendance: 857
YTD: $156,000
YTD Actual: $152,958
Variance: $(-3,042)
FINANCIAL UPDATE
If you or someone you know
would like to receive emails from
The Parish of the Holy Family,
please email: [email protected]
with an updated address.
REGISTRATION REQUEST FORM
It is always a great joy to welcome new members to our Community.
Are you interested in becoming a member of the Parish of the Holy Family Community or would you like further information on our parish? Please cut out this coupon and put it in the collection box. We will then have a member of our Welcoming Committee contact you to complete the Registration Form and/or share information with you.
Name __________________________________ Address __________________________ __________________________________ Phone __________________________________ E-Mail __________________________________
Generosity is a state of the heart, not of one's wallet. We rest
in the knowledge that God is the provider of all things. He is
gracious and loves to bless His children. Confident in His provision,
we give liberally out of it. We are generous because God has been
and continues to be generous with us.
Bob? . . . I never knew you were a
Christian.
Someone has observed that if you put a penny close enough to your eye, you can block out the sun. So it is with many good things in life, including money and possessions. In and of themselves, money and possessions are not bad or evil. In fact, God is the source of them as gifts to us, “for all that is in the heavens and on the earth is yours; yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all.” (1 Chronicles 29:11b,12a) Man’s problem with possessions and riches comes from grasping them so close to our heart that they replace the Son as the center of our vision, the apple of our eye. I believe that the point of this week’s Gospel reading, is Jesus’ warning about “trusting in riches.” As long as we are in this world, we still need to relate to possessions and money, but they should be a means of life, not an end. True peace and happiness are enhanced when we recognize that possessions and money are simply tools that enable us to live as God desires. They are a means, not an end. This leaves us with the question, “What should be the end or the goal of our existence?” Is it not the same issue with which Jesus confronts the rich young man? Namely, abandon anything in your life that is hindering your commitment, and come, follow Me. The rich young ruler did much for which he could be commended. Many would say he “had his heart in the right place.” Yet his response to Jesus’ challenge and invitation to sell all and come, follow Him, indicated a hesitancy to put the call of Christ ahead of his life of financial security. Surprisingly, it is often not just wealthy people who are beset by the problem of trusting in riches. Often, we who have little are equally preoccupied with concern about acquiring more money, and our preoccupation blocks out the reality of Jesus Christ and His call to righteous living. Actually, concern about acquiring more possessions and money is simply another way of saying we are trusting in them. Why are we concerned? Because deep in our heart we believe (trust) that they are the key to security, comfort, freedom, peace, and a host of other inner desires. The Scriptures do not tell us how the rich young man ultimately responded, but only indicated the emotional turmoil the decision was obviously causing. As we grow in discipleship and commitment, we often experience a similar initial sorrow as we decide to abandon some attachment we love, for someone who we choose to love more, Jesus. But it is a short sorrow, and as Jesus goes on to teach in this passage this brief sorrow is replaced by surpassing joy which is a hundredfold in comparison, and eternal in value. “Maria Cristina of Savoy, the young, pretty, and cultivated queen of Naples, said…’Although I am healthy, rich, beautiful…What then? And I possess gold and silver…What then? Almost unique in wit and learning…What then? Even if I were to enjoy the world for a thousand years…What then? Soon we die and nothing remains: Serve your God and you will have everything then!’” *
This week’s first reading says, “Therefore I prayed, and understanding was given me.” Today’s materialistic secular world is rampant with false advice and seductive entrapment to believe that the person who has the most toys wins. Having been bombarded by these messages, it will be very difficult to change the way we relate to possessions and money. Perhaps the very first application we should make is to pray daily, consistently asking God for understanding and a spirit of wisdom similar to Maria Cristina of Savoy. Then we might realize that he who has the most toys really loses, and he who serves God, wins. * Illustrissimi: Letters from Pope John Paul I, by Albino Luciani (page 127).
READINGS FOR: October 10, 2021 – Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time 1st Reading: Wisdom 7:7-11 / 2nd Reading: Wisdom 4:12-13 / Gospel: Mark 10:17-30
Pistachio Cake From “Taste & See” Cookbook
submitted by Elizabeth Polaikis
1 box Duncan Hines
yellow cake mix
1 box pistachio pudding mix
1/3 C oil
1/3 C cream de menthe (green)
4 eggs, beaten
1 C sour cream (regular)
1 (6oz.) pkg. chocolate chips
Grease a tube or Bundt pan with cooking spray. Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl. Mix by hand for 200 strokes. Pour into pan and bake at 350 for 50-55 minutes. It is done when a toothpick comes out clean.
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Editor: Debbie Sumner
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