Father Madden's Sunday Reflection
26th Sunday in Ordinary Time
St. John's Church
September 26, 2021
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- Fr. Madden's Sunday Reflection
- Video Mass
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- Prayers: Parish Needs & Intentions / Additional Prayers
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Father Madden's
Sunday Reflection
Dear Friends in the Lord,
Our Annual Novena in Honor of St. Therese continues through this Friday, October 1st, which is her Feast Day. It began last Thursday with the Feast of St. Pio of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio). The nine days include the Feasts of Cosmas and Damien (not celebrated this year because it falls on Sunday), St. Vincent de Paul, St. Wenceslaus, St. Lawrence Ruiz (the protomartyr of the Philippines), Sts. Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael and St. Jerome. Mystics and Martyrs, Physicians and a Doctor of the Church, Angels and a servant of the poor. Therese of the Child Jesus called it “the Little Way,” and so it is. Her novena reminds us that there are a variety of ways to travel it. St. Therese wanted “to spend heaven doing good on earth.” We continue to honor her and rely on her powerful intercession so that, like the others in her and our communion, we find our path to doing God’s work.
At the Parish Council meeting on Monday, Deacon Ed presented a plan for the implementation of Formed, an evangelization program from the Augustine Institute that provides us with access to a large range of Catholic material. There is information in this bulletin and will be in future ones, as well. We also discussed – and are moving forward with – the sale of both the Ascension campus and St. Casimir’s School. Finally, we are going to begin to reach out to our new neighbors on Green Island and beyond. I hope that having our steeple prominently displayed for those attending Polar Park might be a help, too.
When I was growing up, my parents did everything they could think of to encourage me to behave. Since none of the usual strategies were effective, they turned to Msgr. Romano Guardini, the great German priest and theologian. Whenever I did anything which demanded corrective action, I had to go to my room and read Guardini’s classic, The Lord. I had no idea who he was. Guardini, I mean. And true knowledge of the book’s subject eluded me, as well. Years later, somewhat repented, and a seminarian, I told the Rector about it. He was fascinated. What is more impressive is that Guardini still instructs me. I hope the following quote helps us all:
"When we come into church from the outside our ears are filled with the racket of the city, the words of those who have accompanied us, the laboring and quarreling of our own thoughts, the disquiet of our hearts’ wishes and worries, hurts and joys. How are we possibly to hear what God is saying? That we listen at all is something; not everyone does. It is even better when we pay attention and make a real effort to understand what is being said. But all this is not yet the attentive stillness in which God’s word can take root. This must be established before the service begins, if possible in the silence on the way to church, still better in a brief period of composure the evening before."
In Christ’s Peace,
Fr John Madden
There is no Vigil Mass video again this week
due to technical difficulties
1st Reading: Numbers 11
The LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to Moses.
Taking some of the spirit that was on Moses,
the LORD bestowed it on the seventy elders;
and as the spirit came to rest on them, they prophesied.
Taking some of the spirit that was on Moses,
the LORD bestowed it on the seventy elders;
and as the spirit came to rest on them, they prophesied.
Now two men, one named Eldad and the other Medad,
were not in the gathering but had been left in the camp.
They too had been on the list, but had not gone out to the tent;
yet the spirit came to rest on them also,
and they prophesied in the camp.
So, when a young man quickly told Moses,
"Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp, "
Joshua, son of Nun, who from his youth had been Moses’ aide, said,
"Moses, my lord, stop them."
But Moses answered him,
"Are you jealous for my sake?
Would that all the people of the LORD were prophets!
Would that the LORD might bestow his spirit on them all!"
were not in the gathering but had been left in the camp.
They too had been on the list, but had not gone out to the tent;
yet the spirit came to rest on them also,
and they prophesied in the camp.
So, when a young man quickly told Moses,
"Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp, "
Joshua, son of Nun, who from his youth had been Moses’ aide, said,
"Moses, my lord, stop them."
But Moses answered him,
"Are you jealous for my sake?
Would that all the people of the LORD were prophets!
Would that the LORD might bestow his spirit on them all!"
Responsorial: Psalm 19
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul;
the decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
refreshing the soul;
the decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever;
the ordinances of the LORD are true,
all of them just.
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
enduring forever;
the ordinances of the LORD are true,
all of them just.
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
Though your servant is careful of them,
very diligent in keeping them,
Yet who can detect failings?
Cleanse me from my unknown faults!
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
very diligent in keeping them,
Yet who can detect failings?
Cleanse me from my unknown faults!
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
From wanton sin especially, restrain your servant;
let it not rule over me.
Then shall I be blameless and innocent
of serious sin.
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
let it not rule over me.
Then shall I be blameless and innocent
of serious sin.
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
2nd Reading: James 5
Come now, you rich, weep and wail over your impending miseries.
Your wealth has rotted away, your clothes have become moth-eaten,
your gold and silver have corroded,
and that corrosion will be a testimony against you;
it will devour your flesh like a fire.
You have stored up treasure for the last days.
Behold, the wages you withheld from the workers
who harvested your fields are crying aloud;
and the cries of the harvesters
have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts.
You have lived on earth in luxury and pleasure;
you have fattened your hearts for the day of slaughter.
You have condemned;
you have murdered the righteous one;
he offers you no resistance.
Your wealth has rotted away, your clothes have become moth-eaten,
your gold and silver have corroded,
and that corrosion will be a testimony against you;
it will devour your flesh like a fire.
You have stored up treasure for the last days.
Behold, the wages you withheld from the workers
who harvested your fields are crying aloud;
and the cries of the harvesters
have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts.
You have lived on earth in luxury and pleasure;
you have fattened your hearts for the day of slaughter.
You have condemned;
you have murdered the righteous one;
he offers you no resistance.
Alleluia
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Your word, O Lord, is truth;
consecrate us in the truth.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel: Mark 9
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Your word, O Lord, is truth;
consecrate us in the truth.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel: Mark 9
At that time, John said to Jesus,
"Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name,
and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us."
Jesus replied, "Do not prevent him.
There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name
who can at the same time speak ill of me.
For whoever is not against us is for us.
Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink
because you belong to Christ,
amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward.
"Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name,
and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us."
Jesus replied, "Do not prevent him.
There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name
who can at the same time speak ill of me.
For whoever is not against us is for us.
Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink
because you belong to Christ,
amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward.
"Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin,
it would be better for him if a great millstone
were put around his neck
and he were thrown into the sea.
If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.
It is better for you to enter into life maimed
than with two hands to go into Gehenna,
into the unquenchable fire.
And if your foot causes you to sin, cut if off.
It is better for you to enter into life crippled
than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna.
And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out.
Better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye
than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna,
where 'their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.'"
it would be better for him if a great millstone
were put around his neck
and he were thrown into the sea.
If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.
It is better for you to enter into life maimed
than with two hands to go into Gehenna,
into the unquenchable fire.
And if your foot causes you to sin, cut if off.
It is better for you to enter into life crippled
than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna.
And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out.
Better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye
than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna,
where 'their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.'"
Prayers
St. John's Parish:
Prayer Needs & Intentions
Please remember the following needs and intentions in your prayers:
- For Alec & Pam as they marry. May they know a lifetime of God's love and happiness. (Wiley O)
- For my mother's health and recovery ❤ (Rhonda F)
- Prayers 🙏 for healing of fertility and for healthy children. I have reached peri-menopause+ and it is a big desire of my heart to have a family of my own! God blessed Sarah and Elizabeth in the Bible with a family & nothing is impossible with God! (Luke 1:37) I am believing God for answers in my favor of my many prayers. 🙏 (TRICIA K)
- Please -pray for my sisters Peggy and Roberta in rest homes where some residents have tested positive for COVID..thank you (Jacqueline T)
- For the health and intentions of Jeff Parson and for Cassie Stewart, may her soul Rest In Peace. (Steve S)
- Prayers for my family’’s health (Andrea D)
- Prayers for the soul of Joshua, Pawel and Maciej. (Sophie K)
- That in the public hearings this Friday, our legislators may see that assisted suicide is not good medicine and that the bills are not voted out of committee. (Sandra K)
- For the families and friends of those afflicted with Covid 19 that God grant them peace in their suffering. (Sandra K)
- For a special intention (George V)
- Pray for my Sister in Law, MaryAnn, for a speedy recovery after falling down the stairs at Church. (Barbara K)
- My family’s good health and for those who have no one to pray for them. Thank You, God Bless 🙏 (Anne L)
- For my brother in law, Bill M., who will be undergoing surgery on October 1st. May His surgical team be given the skills and knowledge for a successful procedure.(Susan M)
- For Cindy T. Whose already fragile health has been impacted by a brain bleed. May she have the strength to go through another recovery period. (Susan M)
- Prayers for the homeless, prayers for the sick and suffering, prayers for the St. John's community, prayers for Richard Swift, prayers for my mother Cynthia on her birthday. 🙏💜(Sarah T)
- For the people of our parish community, that we would grow in our faith and be effective witnesses of the gospel to those around us. (Dan S)
To share a prayer request or intention in the Sunday Reflection,
please click the REPLY button at the bottom of any
"St. John's Church (General)" email and post it in the comments.
Additional Prayers:
Spiritual Communion - Pandemic Prayer - Prayer to St. Michael
Act of Spiritual Communion
by St. Alphonsus de Liguori
My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.
Prayer in Time of Pandemic
from Bishop McManus
O God, whose Only Begotten Son bore the weight of human suffering for our salvation, hear the prayers of your Church for our sick brothers and sisters and deliver us from this time of trial.
Open our ears and our hearts to the voice of your Son:
"Be not afraid, for I am with you always."
Bless all doctors and nurses, researchers and public servants; give us the wisdom to do what is right and the faith to endure this hour, that we might gather once again to praise your name in the heart of your Church, delivered from all distress and confident in your mercy.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
"Be not afraid, for I am with you always."
Bless all doctors and nurses, researchers and public servants; give us the wisdom to do what is right and the faith to endure this hour, that we might gather once again to praise your name in the heart of your Church, delivered from all distress and confident in your mercy.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel
by Pope Leo XIII
St. Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
defend us in battle.
Be our defense against
the wickedness and snares of the Devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou,
and do thou,
O Prince of the heavenly hosts,
by the power of God,
by the power of God,
thrust into hell Satan,
and all the evil spirits,
who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls.
and all the evil spirits,
who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.
PRAYER PLEDGE
Join the team of St. John's parishioners pledging to pray daily
for the religious education and formation of our young people
In this challenging time our commitment to praying for our youth is more necessary than ever. Without prayer we cannot hope to transmit the riches of our Catholic faith to the next generation; join us as we lift our voices to God and ask for His blessing upon our efforts to teach our young people to become disciples of Christ.
We welcome you to pray a daily prayer of your own choosing, or to use the "Prayer for St. John's Religious Education" below. 👇
Prayer for St. John's Religious Education
Most gracious Lord, we ask your blessing upon the Religious Education program of our beloved parish of St. John’s. Please allow Your love and grace to flow freely and permeate the hearts and souls of our students and their families. Holy Spirit allow your gifts of Wisdom, Knowledge, and Piety to flourish in our Catechists as they pass on the teachings of Your Church to our students. Bless our volunteers for their generosity and loyalty which keeps our program operating properly. St. Joseph, intercede for our parents in this time so that they will recognize and accept their role as leaders of the Domestic Church.
We praise and honor you our Triune God, Father, Son and Spirit. Amen
St. Charles Borromeo, patron of catechists, pray for us.
St. Gemma Galgani, patron of students, pray for us.
Schola Cantorum
Introit
Omnia quae fecisti
Communio
Memento verbi tui
Motet
O Sacrum Convivium
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