TRUST IN GOD

Life is much more important than food, and the body much more important than clothes. Instead, be concerned with His Kingdom, and He will provide you with these things.
Luke 12:23,31


Friday, August 28, 2009

Sunday Gospel Message - 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
It is nice when we do nice things. It is great for
others and for us when we do them out of a great love for
God and others. The sacred word today reminds us to do
everything from the heart. In our human language, the heart
is the source of our love. When we keep the commandments
or when we pray, we need to put our hearts into it. Also
good and evil come from the heart. We need to put our
hearts in the heart of Jesus in order that good may emanate
from our hearts.
used with permission - Msgr. Bob Lawrence

Family Bible Study - 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel Passage:
Mark 7:1 Now when the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from
Jerusalem gathered around him, 2 they noticed that some of his disciples were
eating with defiled hands, that is, without washing them. 3 (For the Pharisees, and
all the Jews, do not eat unless they thoroughly wash their hands, thus observing the
tradition of the elders; 4 and they do not eat anything from the market unless they
wash it; and there are also many other traditions that they observe, the washing of
cups, pots, and bronze kettles.) 5 So the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why
do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?” 6 He said to them, “Isaiah prophesied rightly about you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; 7 in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines.’ 8 You abandon the commandment of God and hold to human tradition.” 14 Then he called the crowd again and said to them, “Listen to me, all of you, and understand: 15 there is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile.” 21 For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come: fornication, theft, murder, 22 adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, folly. 23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

Question for Discussion:
1) Jesus says that having a clean heart is more important than clean hands. Jesus gives us a list of sins that make a person's heart and soul dirty. How
can you clean your heart? What sacrament did Jesus give us to help you do
this?
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Sunday Gospel Message - 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
To follow Jesus demands a decision in our lives.
Are we with Him or against Him? It is not a matter of our
cafeteria approach to His teachings. If we accept Him, then
we accept all His teachings. Joshua says today: “decide
today whom you will serve. ... As for me and my household,
we will serve the Lord.” Peter responds to the Lord:
“Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of
eternal life.
used with permission - Msgr. Bob Lawrence

Friday, August 21, 2009

Family Bible Study - Sunday, August 23rd, 2009 - 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel Passage
John 6:60 When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?” 61 But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, “Does this offend you? 62 Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 63 It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But among you there are some who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not believe, and who was the one that would betray him. 65 And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father.” 66 Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. 67 So Jesus asked the twelve, “Do you also wish to go away?” 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the
words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy
One of God.”

Questions for Discussion:
1. Many of the disciples didn’t accept Jesus’ teachings on the Eucharist and went away, but Jesus didn’t change the teaching on the Eucharist to satisfy them. They ended up abandoning God’s own Son. Have you known anyone who has abandoned Jesus
because they don’t want to accept one of his teachings?

2. It probably was not easy for the twelve apostles to believe in Jesus’ teaching on the reality of eating His flesh and blood in the Eucharist, but Peter said, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” Do you think Peter sets a good example for us to follow whenever we have questions about the faith? To whom can
you go to get answers that come from God?

3. In order to receive the Eucharist worthily, you have to make sure you have not
committed any serious (mortal) sins since your last confession, and if you have, to go to confession BEFORE receiving Holy Communion. You first must go to Jesus in the
sacrament of confession before you go to Jesus in the sacrament of the Eucharist. Do
you live by this teaching of the Church?
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Monday, August 17, 2009

A Prayer Request...

Please pray with us as we pray for the repose of soul for Ryan Barrett and please keep his family in your prayers.

Eternal rest grant unto Ryan, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

If we die with the Lord, we shall live with the Lord.
If we endure with the Lord, we shall reign with the Lord.
In Christ all our sorrow, in Christ all our joy.
In Him hope of glory, in Him all our love.
In Christ our redemption, in Christ all our grace.
In Him our salvation, in Him all our peace.
Lucien Deiss Copyright 1965 WLP

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Family Bible Study - Sunday, August 16th, 2009 - Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel Passage
John 6:51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats
of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the
world is my flesh.” 52 The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying,
“How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” 53 So Jesus said to them, “Very
truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his
blood, you have no life in you. 54 Those who eat my flesh and drink my
blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; 55 for my
flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. 56 Those who eat my flesh and
drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. 57 Just as the living Father sent
me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of
me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which
your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live
forever.”

Questions for Discussion:

1) Jesus says that the “bread” which he will give for the life of the world is His
flesh. Think about what happens when Jesus says through the priest at Mass the words, “This is my body given for you,” “This is the cup of my blood,... shed for you...."

2) Jesus says that if we eat His flesh, we will live forever. What does it mean to “live because of” Jesus whom we receive in Holy Communion?
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Family Bible Study - The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Saturday, August 15th, 2009

Gospel Passage
Luke 1:38 Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her. 39 In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, 40 where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit 42 and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 43 And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? 44 For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.” 46 And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 50 His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. 51 He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. 52 He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; 53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, 55 according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.” 56 And Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.

Questions for Discussion:
1. We celebrate today the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
into heaven. What does this Feast mean? How did Our Lady's body and soul go up to Heaven?

2. What is Mary doing in Heaven right now? How does she help us?

3. What does Mary’s Assumption into Heaven mean for us?
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Sunday Gospel Message - Sunday, August 16th, 2009 - Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

TWENTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Jesus is the bread of life. When Jesus made the
promise of the Eucharist, there was no doubt in the minds of
His listeners what He meant. He was going to give us His
flesh to eat and His blood to drink. This was to be real food
and real drink. The Eucharist was to be the food for the
journey that would lead to a never-ending life of happiness.
used with permission - Msgr. Bob Lawrence

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Go Cooking, Moms! - Easy Pizza Bake

This is a great dinner for busy weeknights. It's quick to prepare, very easy to make, and you can mix and match ingredients to what you have available. Whatever you use, you would just want to make sure to drain everything well so it's not too moist.

Ingredients:
For the Filling:
2lbs. Ground Turkey
1 C. Onion
1 C. Green Pepper
2 C. Spaghetti Sauce
1 tsp. Basil
1 tsp. Garlic Powder
1/4 tsp. Black Pepper
20 slices Pepperoni
3 C. shredded Mozzarella Cheese

For the Crust:
2 Eggs
1 C. Skim Milk
2 T. Olive Oil
1 1/4 C. Flour
1 C. Grated Parmesan or Romano Cheese

Directions:
Preheat over to 400 degrees. Saute ground turkey until cooked thouroughly, drain all liquid, and then set aside to drain even more. Then saute the vegetables until tender and add the turkey back into the pan. Add sauce and spices and cook together until heated through and mixed well. Add into a greased 9 x 13 baking dish and place the pepperoni slices on top and sprinkle a layer of mozzarella over the pepperoni.
Next, make the crust. Beat eggs in a large bowl until frothy. Add the milk and oil and beat together. Slowly add the flour until everything is combined well.
Smooth the crust mixture over the pizza filling and sprinkle the grated cheese on top. Bake uncovered about 20 - 25 minutes until done and let rest for about 15 minutes before serving.

Friday, August 7, 2009

Family Bible Study - Sunday, August 9th, 2009 - 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel Passage
John 6:41 Then the Jews began to complain about him because he said, “I
am the bread that came down from heaven.” 42 They were saying, “Is not
this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he
now say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?” 43 Jesus answered them, “Do
not complain among yourselves. 44 No one can come to me unless drawn
by the Father who sent me; and I will raise that person up on the last day.
45 It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’
Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me. 46 Not
that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen
the Father. 47 Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes has eternal life. 48 I
am the bread of life. 49 Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and
they died. 50 This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one
may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from
heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will
give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

Questions for Discussion:

1. The people complained because Jesus told them the truth and they didn’t
like it. Have you ever met someone who complains against God because they
don’t like living as God wants?

2. Think about the relationship between Joseph and Jesus and talk about how Jesus can say 'I have come down from Heaven'.

3. Jesus says if we eat him we will live forever? Does this mean that no matter
what we do after receiving holy Communion, we’re automatically going to get
to heaven, or does it mean that if we go to Holy Communion we should become more and more like Jesus and learn to love others more — and that will help us get to Heaven?
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Sunday Gospel Message - August 9th, 2009 - Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

NINETEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
The Eucharist is the special gift of Jesus that gives
us eternal life. It is the bread that nourishes us on our
journey here in this life. When we are discouraged, as Elijah
was, it strengthens us that we may continue. Jesus is the
bread of life, the food that brings eternal life and the
foretaste of the heavenly kingdom. What a gift that
promises eternal life! What a gift that feeds us on our daily
journey! Savor this special food!
used with permission - Msgr. Bob Lawrence

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Sunday Gospel Message - 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time

EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
God gave the Israelites manna in the desert and took
care of them each day. This gift from God would be a
foreshadowing of the special gift that Jesus would give us in
the Eucharist. Jesus, the Son of God, promised that He
would give the bread that would give life to the world. Jesus
foretold that He would be the “bread of life; whoever comes
to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will
never thirst.”
The Israelites asked the question about the manna.
Moses responded that it was the bread that the Lord had
given them to eat. If we asked that same question, Jesus
would tell us that this is the bread that He has given us to
eat. We ask that the Lord to help us realize what a
tremendous gift that Jesus has given us in the Eucharist.
used with permission - Msgr. Bob Lawrence

Family Bible Study - 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel Passage
John 6:24 So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they
themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum looking for Jesus. 25 When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” 26 Jesus answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. 27 Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.” 28 Then they said to him, “What must we do to perform the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he
has sent.” 30 So they said to him, “What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? 31 Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” 32 Then Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34 They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” 35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be
hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

Questions for discussion:
1) Jesus said to the crowd that they were following him not because they
believed in Him as God but because they thought they could get a free meal
from him. Sometimes people follow Jesus not because he’s God, but because
they want a miracle, they want him to do favors for them. Has there ever been a time that you've treated Jesus this way?

2) Jesus tell us not to work for the food that perishes, but for the food that
endures for eternal life. What is this food?

3) Jesus said, “I am the bread of life?” What does this mean?
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry