FROM FATHER STEVE
On this 31st Sunday in
Ordinary Time, we hear the familiar story about Zacchaeus in the
Gospel (Luke 19). You will remember that Zacchaeus was a tax collector.
He was most likely a lonely and isolated and despised man. In the story
it says he went “out on a limb” to see Jesus. And Jesus went to his
house. We know that any real encounter with Jesus is life-giving and
life-changing. Zacchaeus’ story reminds us of that. We are presently
being challenged through our Capital Campaign to go “out on a limb” for
Jesus as well. We are challenged to make a “sacrificial gift”—to allow
God to “stretch us” more. It’s not easy to make a sacrificial gift. It
involves risk. It involves shifting our priorities. It requires that we
trust the Lord more—that he will provide what we truly need. A
“sacrificial gift” is life-changing—not only for ourselves, but for
others as well.
I want to thank all of you
who attended one of the Advance Commitment Gatherings for our
Legacy for Our Mission Capital Stewardship Campaign. I am grateful
to Murray and Sara Pride, Joe and Jackie Baumann, and the others who
hosted these events. We have asked those invited to these Advance
Commitment Gatherings—along with the “pacesetters”—to return their
commitment cards by November 7th (if possible). I will be
sending commitment cards to the rest of the parishioners this week. All
are asked to bring their completed cards to one of the Masses on the
weekend of November 17-18.
Next Sunday our children, as
a part of their religious education classes, will have a lesson plan on
stewardship. At 10:15 a.m., all the children will gather in the narthex
for a special Children’s Activity. You adults may also want to
check this out!
All parishioners are invited
and warmly encouraged to attend one of the Special Events to be
held after all of the Masses on Commitment Weekend, November 17 and 18
(posters about this are displayed in the narthex). Over food and drink,
we will have the opportunity to enjoy our parish family and to rejoice
in God’s many blessings to us. Reservations are not required.
Don’t forget that our annual
Memorial Service for our departed loved ones will be held this
Wednesday, November 7 in the church. The service begins at 7:00 p.m.
(This is not a Mass). Everyone is welcome whether your loss is recent or
happened long ago. Refreshments will be served in the narthex following
the ceremony.
I received a wonderful
greeting and gift last week for Pastor’s Appreciation Day. I do
not know the donors but I am grateful for your thoughtfulness!
Father Steve
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Prayers for Priests
This week
please pray for: Fr. Joseph Pesola, Fr. Martin Peter, Fr.
George Plaster, Fr. Stanley Pondo, Fr. Jack Porter, Fr. Donald
Quinn and Fr. Stephen Jarrell, and for the following
seminarians; Jerry Byrd, Victor Neff, Oscar Vasquez, David
Proctor, Andy Proctor, Adam Sullivan, and Aaron Thomas.
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DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET
3:00 P.M. on SUNDAYS
All are welcome to attend.
Please pick up prayer sheet in narthex at the podium
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Readings for the week of:
November 05, 2007
05th
Rom11:29-36;Ps69:30-31,33-34,36;Lk14:12-14
06th
Rom12:5-16ab;Ps131:1bcde,2,3;Lk14:15-24
07th
Rom13:8-10;Ps112:1b-2,4-5,9;Lk14:25-33
08th
Rom14:7-12;Ps27:1bcde,4,13-14;Lk15:1-10
09th
Eze47:1-2,8-9,12;Ps46:2-3,5-6,8-9;1Cor3:9c-11,16-17;
Jn2:13-22
10th
Rom16:3-9,16,22-27;Ps145:2-3,4-5,10-11;Lk16:9-15
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There will be a memorial service
Wednesday,
November 7 at 7 p.m.
at St. Paul’s.
It is open to everyone who wishes to
remember and honor someone they loved who has died. This could have
happened in the recent past or a long time ago. There will be a simple
ritual, including candle lighting and naming ceremony. It does not
include a Mass. Refreshments will be served in the Narthex following
the ceremony.
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Knights
of Columbus
Meetings are
on the 3rd Thursday of every month at 7:00 p.m. Meeting are
held in one of the downstairs classrooms of the Narthex.
Dates to remember:
 November 9th
7:00 p.m. Meeting @ St. Paul
November 23rd
7:00 p.m. Meeting @ St. Paul
If you are
interest in becoming a Knight of Columbus or just have
questions, please feel free to fill out an intention card
located in back of church near the baptismal font or call Andrew
Miller at 765.795.6484.
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