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The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity
Ninth Week of Ordinary
Time. Use
your green candle!
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Start with the
Basics
(Click
here to learn more) |
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Prayer of the Week
We are in the middle of a family vacation, so this prayer to St.
Christopher is dear to our hearts. Grant
me, O Lord, a steady hand and watchful eye. That no one shall be
hurt as I pass by. You gave life, I pray no act of mine may take
away or mar that gift of thine. Shelter those, dear Lord, who bear
my company, from the evils of fire and all calamity. Teach me to
use my car for others' need; nor miss through love of undue speed the
beauty of the world; that thus I may with joy and courtesy go on my
way. St. Christopher, holy patron of travelers, protect me and lead
me safely to my destiny. Amen NOTE:
After Vatican II St. Christopher was removed from the yearly
calendar of saints. This does not mean he is no longer a saint. It
just means that his feast is not a major celebration of our
liturgical year. The primary focus of our liturgical year is the
weekly celebration of the Mass. |
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Living Our Faith
We are returning to Ordinary Time, so it is ideal
for a review of the basics - the practical application of the Ten
Commandments. This week we'll review the first commandment:
Honor God
This first commandment tells us to have faith in
God, hope in God, and to love God. Faith, hope, and love - sounds
familiar! (click
here to learn more) |
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Celebrate All Year Long!
(Click here to learn more) |
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Saints to Celebrate
- Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday use your
green candle for Ordinary Time
- Sunday, June 3 use a white candle for the
solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity.
- Tuesday, June 5 use a red candle for the
memorial of St. Boniface, bishop and martyr. St. Boniface
was chosen to be the abbot of a monastery, but asked to be sent to
preach to non-Christians instead. He chose missionary work over a
comfortable position with power. Apparently he was successful
converting people to Christianity - his enemies killed him.
A solemnity is a day of greatest importance. The
celebration starts the evening before the actual solemnity. Easter is our most
important solemnity. A feast is the next most important day. It commemorates
Mary, the apostles, martyrs and other saints, and the events associated with
them. Mass readings often reflect the special feast day. A memorial is
a special day, but often an optional
celebration. The scripture readings for Mass may or may not be specially
selected for the memorial.
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Devotion of the Month
It is already time to prepare for our next devotion celebrated June 15, 2007.
Devotion to the
Sacred Heart of Jesus
It is through Christ's Sacred Heart that we enter into God's
kingdom. The Sacred Heart of Jesus contains the total divine and total human
love for God and for all mankind. It is no wonder devotion to the Sacred
Heart of Jesus is so popular. (Click
here to learn more)
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Keep Building that Faith!!
(click
here to learn more) |
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Start the Week off Right
(prepare for the Sunday Scriptures)
| Proverbs 8:22-31 |
Romans 5:1-5 |
John 16:12-15 |
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This week we celebrate the Holy Trinity. It took many years for
Church fathers to communicate this divine doctrine in human terms.
The scriptures this Sunday are an essential component of our
understanding of how God has revealed Himself to man. They also
encourage us to celebrate the joy our life brings us every single
moment.
The Book of Proverbs is poetry which is designed to
teach wisdom to the young, the inexperienced, and those who want to
enhance their learning. Sunday's reading expresses the joy of
creating and the joy of Creation. We hear of divinity, beauty, and
even the playfulness of God the Father. This reading reminds us that
poetry can evoke understanding that evades literal language.
Paul's letter to the Romans is a basic summary of
our faith - from the Father, through the Son, continued by the Holy
Spirit, in the glory of the Father. It is a lovely circle that
celebrates the unity of the Trinity.
As is typical with Paul, the letter is not just a
celebration of the Trinity, It is also a celebration of life, both
good and bad, because everything we are and everything we do should
be in the glory of God. How can we ever stop celebrating?
Our Gospel tells us that Jesus was well aware of the
difficulty of defining God in human terms. Even His own followers
could not understand the concept of the Trinity prior to the
Resurrection. However, Jesus gave His followers comfort and
reassurance; that comfort and reassurance continues to help us grow
in holiness and understanding.
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Daily Dose of Scripture (our
picks of the week)
Lectionary
readings for the 9th Week of Ordinary Time:
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday |
Tb 1:3, 2:1a-8
Tb 2:9-14
Tb 3:1-11, 16
Tb 6:10-11, 7:1, 9-17, 8:4-9a
Tb 11:5-17
Tb 12:1, 5-15, 20 |
Mk 12:1-12
Mk 12:13-17
Mk 12:18-27
Mk 12:28-34
Mk 12:35-37
Mk 12:38-44 |
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- Tb 1:3, 2:1a-8
Tobit is considered one of the historical books of the Old Testament,
although it is more an historical novel than a biography
of the hero. It was written to teach important lessons of faith,
including the power of angels, purity of marriage, and the value of
prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
We recommend reading the entire book of Tobit this week. It is a story
of faith, love, and adventure, and definitely worth the time. We've
chosen to concentrate on this passage, however, because it describes
the importance of caring for the dead, which is something we
occasionally forget. We've gone to a number of funerals, many of which
were sparsely attended. A friend of ours even chose to have his wife
cremated, and never had any sort of memorial service. We found this
neglect saddening.
Caring for the dead is one of the works of mercy. All human beings
have inherent dignity in life and in death. All human beings deserve
care throughout life, and an acknowledgement of that life when it is
done.
Next time someone in your parish dies, consider attending the funeral.
Even if you did not know the person in life, it is a duty of all
members of the community to pray for the dead and support the friends
and family in a time of grief.
- Mk 12:28-34
We're continuing the Gospel of Mark where we left off just before the
beginning of Lent. At this point in Mark's Gospel each incident more
fully reveals the humanity and divinity of Jesus.
We are spending the next 10 weeks learning the meaning of the Ten
Commandments, so this reading fits in nicely. A scribe is impressed
with Jesus' answers to trick questions, so asks Jesus which
commandment is the best. Jesus responds with what we call the "Great
Commandment" or "Golden Rule" - love God and love your neighbor. This
simple rule beautifully summarizes the commandments, and reminds us
that everything we do is as a witness to God. When we keep God in our
minds, hearts, and souls, we cannot help but love Him and His people.
Open that Catechism!
The Book of Proverbs helps us explain the Trinity with figurative
poetic language. The
Catechism of the Catholic Church summarizes the Trinity in
academic and philosophical terminology. Try reading paragraphs #261-267
for more information on the Holy Trinity.
We're on vacation, so will continue with Bible
Study soon!
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