Around the Parish
Catholic Connection
Seven Books Every Catholic Should Read
Recently, the You Tube show, “The Catholic Talk Show”, had a guest on named Brandon Vogt. He is the host of the “Word on Fire Show” with Bishop Robert Barron. Brandon is a convert to Catholicism and an avid reader. He was asked to talk about what he thought were the top seven books every Catholic should read. Those seven books are listed below. In the video, he goes into detail about each book and why it was one of his choices. There are also seven honorable mention books listed near the end of the video. If you are interested in reading one or more of these books to enrich your faith, here is Brandon’s list and the link to the You Tube video.
1. Early Christian Writings
2. Confessions - St. Auqustine (Frank Sheed translation recommended)
3. Summa of The Summa (St. Thomas Aquinas) - Peter Kreeft
4. Orthodoxy - G. K. Chesterton
5. Lord of the Rings - J.R.R. Tolkien
6. To Know Christ Jesus - Frank Sheed
7. Catholicism: A Journey to the Heart of Faith - Bishop Barron
https://youtu.be/jL3W9Xv4eV4
Recently, the You Tube show, “The Catholic Talk Show”, had a guest on named Brandon Vogt. He is the host of the “Word on Fire Show” with Bishop Robert Barron. Brandon is a convert to Catholicism and an avid reader. He was asked to talk about what he thought were the top seven books every Catholic should read. Those seven books are listed below. In the video, he goes into detail about each book and why it was one of his choices. There are also seven honorable mention books listed near the end of the video. If you are interested in reading one or more of these books to enrich your faith, here is Brandon’s list and the link to the You Tube video.
1. Early Christian Writings
2. Confessions - St. Auqustine (Frank Sheed translation recommended)
3. Summa of The Summa (St. Thomas Aquinas) - Peter Kreeft
4. Orthodoxy - G. K. Chesterton
5. Lord of the Rings - J.R.R. Tolkien
6. To Know Christ Jesus - Frank Sheed
7. Catholicism: A Journey to the Heart of Faith - Bishop Barron
https://youtu.be/jL3W9Xv4eV4
Outreach
Our Daily Bread
It's time for casseroles again!
Casserole pans will be made available for pickup after each Mass (while supplies last) on the weekend of January 8-9.
Since we need to limit our number of casseroles, please only use these pans.
Please understand the importance of returning the frozen casseroles so that we can help ODB to serve their clients.
We will be depending on everyone who takes a pan to return the frozen casseroles to the Parish freezer by Sunday, January 16.
You can find the recipes on the ODB Recipes 2017.doc link that is available in St. Mary's weekly Newsletter.
Just choose a recipe, follow the recipe as it is written, double wrap the casserole with foil, label it with the type of casserole and the date, and freeze it.
If you choose to do a mac + cheese casserole, please be sure to follow ODB's mac + cheese recipe. Please do not include ham or any meat.
The frozen casseroles must be placed in the Parish freezer by January 16.
We'll also collect any homemade face masks that you'd like to donate.
If you have any questions, please contact Bob at crhoopert@zoominternet.net.
Prevention and Recovery Ministry
Here's some good news in the fight against our ongoing drug abuse epidemic. As stated in the article below, when The Clubhouse fully opens in early 2022, "It will provide after-school care for teens ages 12 to 17 (or 18 if still in high school) who have dealt with or are at an increased risk of developing substance-use disorders. It also will offer services to families in an effort to create strong support systems". Helping students to not use or drink now is easier and less expensive than helping them through treatment and recovery later. Here's the link:
If you have any questions or if there are any SUD-related subjects that you are interested in learning more about, please contact Bob at crhoopert@zoominternet.net.
Food Pantry, Saturday January 15, 10-11:30 AM. Snow date, January 22.
The food pantry received almost 500 items from the future farmers of America FFA, North Harford high school. We are so grateful for the donations!!
For more information contact Sue Pardo
410 456 7882
Youth Ministry
Event Update. Please note that due to the rise in Covid and updated guidance from the Archdiocese, there will be no in person Youth Ministry events in the months of January and February.
Theology of the Body, Tuesdays, 7 PM. For the next three months, we are offering the Theology of the Body/Created to Love curriculum for our 9th Grade HSFF Students. If anyone in High School would like to attend but is not currently registered in one of our High School Faith Formation classes, you are welcome to join us. Parents, please contact Mrs. Rachel Bittner at rbittner@stmaryspylesville.org for more information.
Catholic Heart Work Camp Deadline Extended. North Haledon, New Jersey, July 17-22, 2022. Work Camp is open to students ages 14 -17 in Middle or High School and Young Adults. Students must have Worthy of the Call Training to volunteer. Anyone 18 or over must complete the online Virtus Child Protection Training w/substantial contact. Dare to Care Forms are available online, in the vestibule of Church or Youth Ministry Bulletin Boards in the Hall and Youth Room. To reserve your spot you need to return a completed Dare to Care Form with a $100 non-refundable deposit due by Feb. 1. The total cost is $300.00. Any questions? Please contact Mrs. Rachel (rbittner@stmaryspylesville.org)
Respect Life
"Abortion is a contradiction to baptism. Consider what the Church does in the celebration of baptism. A child is brought into the congregation, and is welcomed by all who are present as a brother, a sister. Despite the fact that all but a few of the gathered Christians do not know this child, and did not know the child’s name, they declare before God that they now accept the child as one of them. Baptism expresses God’s unconditional welcome of His people, His call to them to share His life. Baptism expresses the hospitality of God’s Church, and the responsibility incurred by the fact that God has entrusted us to the care of one another.” (priestsforlife.org)
The 2022 session of the Maryland General Assembly convenes January 12 through April 11. Please pray for the Governor and all the members of the General Assembly that they will submit to God’s holy will and promote policies that provide a fertile environment for a culture of life.
Third Month (size: about 3 inches) The baby can now squint, swallow and move his tongue. He sleeps and awakens. Fingernails and toenails form. He now has his own unique set of fingerprints. Sensitive to touch, he will tightly grasp an object placed in the palm of his hand. He breathes amniotic fluid to help develop and strengthen the respiratory system, but he gets the oxygen he needs through the umbilical cord.
Blessing of Expectant Parents: January 8-9, during all Masses
March for Life Prayer Vigil, Tuesday, January 18 in the church
The 49th annual March for Life will take place on Friday, January 21, 2022 in Washington DC. The theme for the 2022 March for Life is “Equality Begins in the Womb.” If you would like to attend, contact St. Ursula or St. Margaret to reserve a space on one of their buses.
Join the Respect Life Ministry. If you are interested in joining the St. Mary’s Respect Life ministry, please email Deborah Brocato at debbrocato@aol.com.
News from the Archdiocese of Baltimore
Sacraments, Funerals, and Contact Information
Weddings and Funerals
Masses for weddings and funerals are arranged through the parish office. Contact the parish staff for further guidance.
Other Sacraments
Contact the Parish Office to arrange for Baptisms and the Sacrament of the Sick (Anointing).
Volunteering for the Parish
Volunteers are the backbone of the parish and we welcome new volunteers with open arms. However, in the world today we must do everything we can to protect all people of all ages, the church and also yourself.
If you are ready and willing to give of your time and talent to be a part of one or more of our many ministries, please contact Barbara Sadler, Extension 22 or bsadler@stmaryspylesville.org for the information and guidance of the required Virtus training. The training will provide insight for the protection of all age groups and the responsibilities. DON’T WORRY!! It is an easy procedure.
Contact Information
Parish Office: 410 879-4015
410 838-7471
410 452-5166
www.stmaryspylesville.org
1021 St. Mary's Road
Pylesville, MD 21132
Email Addresses for Parish Staff
Pastor, Fr. Henry Kunkel hkunkel@stmaryspylesville.org
Administrative Assistant, Diana Weidner
dweidner@stmaryspylesville.org
Business Manager, Barbara Sadler
bsadler@stmaryspylesville.org
Coordinator of Religious Education, Karen Dietz kdietz@stmaryspylesville.org
Youth Ministry/Confirmation and Contemporary Music Coordinator Rachel Bittner rbittner@stmaryspylesville.org
Maintenance Larry Glos lglos@stmaryspylesville.org
Choir/Cantors
Nicholas Zurowski
nzurowski@sjpray.org
Submission Deadline: Thursday 12 Noon