|
This Sunday we graduate the 8th Graders from our school. This will be the last class graduating from St. Bernadette School since on July 1st our new name of St. Bernadette Catholic Academy takes effect. The Class of 2010 has been a wonderful group of children and given good example and leadership in its 8th Grade year to all the younger students. The Class also has been a joy to its teachers. I wish them well and all of God’s blessing in the students’ years of continuing education. I am certain that each of them will be excellent and contributing members of the high schools and universities in which their learning will continue. The big buzz in Church circles in the Catholic Church in the English speaking world is the recognition recently given by the Vatican to the English translation of the 3rd Edition of the Roman Missal. The Missal is the official prayer book used at Mass. In the United States it is usually divided into two smaller books: the Sacramentary (the prayers) and the Lectionary (the Scripture readings). We have had the new translations of the Lectionary for a number of years. The new translation of the Sacramentary will significantly alter the wording that priest and people will say and sing. While no absolute date for implementation has been set, it is being guessed that it will be the First Sunday of Advent in 2011 (a year and a half from now). The 3rd Edition of the Roman Missal in Latin was issued in 2002. News rules of translation from Latin to English made it necessary to retranslate many of the prayers with which we had all become so familiar. The work of learning the new English wording with which we will pray as Christ’s Church will begin in January, 2011. In the parish I will be working with Staff and Parish Council to create time lines and methodology to give as many parishioners as possible the opportunity to become familiar with the new translation. During this summer we will begin with some remote preparation. Our bulletin will present a review of the way the Mass is structured and how this structure helps us to enter into the relationship that God desires us to have with Him. It is my hope that by the time we reach December, 2011 our faith will be deepened and Mass celebrated more prayerfully
*************************************************************************** Little Company of Mary apologizes for any inconvenience that the construction may cause as they improve their campus. For the most up-to-date information on LCM’s Campus Transformation Project, log onto www.LCMH.org/transformation. For any additional questions, please feel free to contact the Hospital’s marketing director Kelly Cusack at 708.229.5049 or kcusack@LCMH.org. These projects, to the extent that they concern our parish or involve church property (including property we lease to them) has been reviewed by the Archdiocese.
***************************************************************************
A REFLECTION ON GRATITUDE To be grateful is to recognize the Love of God in everything He has given us -- and He has given us everything. Every breath we draw is a gift of His love, every moment of existence is a grace, for it brings with it immense graces from Him. Gratitude therefore takes nothing for granted, is never unresponsive, is constantly awakening to new wonder and to praise of the goodness of God. For the grateful person knows that God is good, not by hearsay but by experience. And that is what makes all the difference. Thomas Merton
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Silence is important in our liturgical worship. The Church specifies moments of silence at Mass—after the Scripture readings, the homily, between invitation to pray and the prayer itself, after all have received Holy Communion. These silent times are not meant to be passive, but to allow each of us as individuals and members of our community to grapple with what we have heard God say to us in the Scriptures and how we can best respond to His initiative of grace in us. Periods of silence assist us in enduring the frenetic hassles of life. There are so few moments when silence is available to us. Perhaps this Advent you will be able to indulge just a little in this most precious of gifts you can give yourself.
 *********************************************** *********************************************
Now, if someone can start doing that, a next easy step is to add the four types of prayer (Praise, Thanksgiving, Contrition and Petition at the end of Jesus' name. Here's something I came up with -
Jesus, I worship you as our Savior and the true Son of God. (Praise) Jesus, I thank you for the gift of your cross and for my salvation.. (Thanksgiving) Jesus, I am sorry for my sins and ask for your forgiveness. (Contrition) Jesus, I pray for eternal life with you and the angels and saints. (Petition)
****************************************
Prayer for Unity Lord, make us... One with our brothers and sisters here in love And one with saints that are at rest And one with angel hosts above And one with You, forever blest.
****************************************** Many thanks to Linda and Walter Kosary of Kosary Funeral Home for once again this year sponsoring our parish calendars, available beginning today.
********************************************
Please, if you need to bring a phone to church, remember to turn it off or to silent “ring”.
********************************************
If
you wish to send a note or card to Bob Sutton, his new address is: 1620 W 2nd St. Cresson, PA 16630
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Daily prayer for life Heavenly Father, as the author of life, touch with compassion the hearts of those women and men who, with your help, have conceived human life and now think of abortion, not parenthood. Help them to understand that their newly created child and all children are made in your image and likeness, made for eternal life. Dispel their fears and helplessness and give them true and generous hearts to love their babies and give them birth and all the needed care that a parent alone can give. And when your children turn away from you through abortion, penetrate their hearts to seek your loving forgiveness and healing power. Finally, Lord, soften the hearts of the abortionists, and enlighten all elected officials to accept your loving grace and to recognize and protect the inviolability and sanctity of all human life from conception to natural death. Amen.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
I would also like to take this opportunity to encourage you to patronize the various businesses and services that advertise in our bulletin. They make this weekly publication possible.
-------------------------------------------------------------
If Sunday Mass is the “source and summit of our
spiritual life”, I’ll
be happy to speak with anyone, or attempt to answer any questions,
regarding the annual report. Give me a call, send me an e-mail, or talk to
me after Mass. And, please, if there is someone you know who has quit
coming to Sunday Mass, invite them to come with you and rediscover the
richness of the Lord. A PRAYER TO THE SPIRIT Holy
Spirit, Is
someone you love serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Afghanistan, or elsewhere?
Please send me his/her name and assignment for inclusion in the prayers of our
community.
|
