Father Madden's Sunday Reflection
18th Sunday in Ordinary Time
St. John's Church
July 31, 2022
What's in this email?
- Fr. Madden's Sunday Reflection
- Video Mass
- Sunday Mass Readings
- Prayer: Parish Needs & Intentions / Additional Prayers
- Schola Cantorum
- Parish Resources
- Online Giving
Fr. Madden's
Sunday Reflection
Dear friends in the Lord,
Though I would prefer to never think of or speak about the situation with our Food for the Poor ministry over these past months, there are two important reasons why I cannot act on that preference. The first reason is, of course, God. As my statement professed, throughout these months, we at St. John’s have become more aware that God is living with us here on Temple Street. God has provided us with the grace and strength needed to carry on. As always has been the case with all of us, on some days we stumble on more than carry on. Still, onward we do go – thanks be to God. The second reason is, of course, all of you. I cannot begin to express how grateful I am for all the support I and St. John’s received through the months of the investigation and, principally, since the report was released. The cards, notes, emails, texts, FB messages, phone calls and personal greetings have been much appreciated and tremendously uplifting.
Providentially, the past couple of weeks have been especially busy at the meal. Plus, we could always use more help and especially during the summer months. The meal is served beginning at 7:00 a.m. Monday through Friday. If you would like to volunteer, we would love to have you. The daily shift is 6:30 – 9:30 a.m. and whatever time you could spare would be welcomed. To join us either call the rectory or go to the volunteer page on the Food for the Poor website. The guests are not always grateful or kind, but it is the work Jesus has called us to do.
Finally, on this subject, I ask for your continued prayers for the Food for the Poor ministry. Prayers, first for our guests as well as our volunteers and all who participate. Prayers for a specific intention, as well. We are beginning a search for a new Director. At the same time, as you may know, the Parish Council has been discussing ways of reaching out to our neighbors, especially young adults, who have moved into the Green Island neighborhood in the past few years. It would be a true blessing if we could find a pastoral associate who could take on a role both with the Food for the Poor and with the evangelization effort. Please pray that we receive this blessing.
Lastly, you might notice that the fans on the church ceiling are much whiter than they had been. They were painted this week. We have a few other projects in the works, too, such as resetting the granite wall along Temple Street, replacing the carpet in the rectory. The best plan, though, is to add a statues of St. John to the pollination garden behind the rectory and one of the Pieta at the shrine area on the rectory side of the church. They will be two great additions.
In Christ’s Peace,
Fr John Madden
1st Reading: Ecclesiastes 1
Vanity of vanities, says Qoheleth,
vanity of vanities! All things are vanity!
Here is one who has labored with wisdom and knowledge and skill,
and yet to another who has not labored over it,
he must leave property.
This also is vanity and a great misfortune.
For what profit comes to man from all the toil and anxiety of heart
with which he has labored under the sun?
All his days sorrow and grief are his occupation;
even at night his mind is not at rest.
This also is vanity.
vanity of vanities! All things are vanity!
Here is one who has labored with wisdom and knowledge and skill,
and yet to another who has not labored over it,
he must leave property.
This also is vanity and a great misfortune.
For what profit comes to man from all the toil and anxiety of heart
with which he has labored under the sun?
All his days sorrow and grief are his occupation;
even at night his mind is not at rest.
This also is vanity.
Responsorial: Psalm 90
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
You turn man back to dust,
saying, “Return, O children of men.”
For a thousand years in your sight
are as yesterday, now that it is past,
or as a watch of the night.
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
saying, “Return, O children of men.”
For a thousand years in your sight
are as yesterday, now that it is past,
or as a watch of the night.
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
You make an end of them in their sleep;
the next morning they are like the changing grass,
Which at dawn springs up anew,
but by evening wilts and fades.
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Teach us to number our days aright,
that we may gain wisdom of heart.
Return, O LORD! How long?
Have pity on your servants!
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Fill us at daybreak with your kindness,
that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days.
And may the gracious care of the LORD our God be ours;
prosper the work of our hands for us!
Prosper the work of our hands!
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
2nd Reading: Colossians 3
Brothers and sisters:
If you were raised with Christ, seek what is above,
where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
Think of what is above, not of what is on earth.
For you have died,
and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
When Christ your life appears,
then you too will appear with him in glory.
Put to death, then, the parts of you that are earthly:
immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire,
and the greed that is idolatry.
Stop lying to one another,
since you have taken off the old self with its practices
and have put on the new self,
which is being renewed, for knowledge,
in the image of its creator.
Here there is not Greek and Jew,
circumcision and uncircumcision,
barbarian, Scythian, slave, free;
but Christ is all and in all.
If you were raised with Christ, seek what is above,
where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
Think of what is above, not of what is on earth.
For you have died,
and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
When Christ your life appears,
then you too will appear with him in glory.
Put to death, then, the parts of you that are earthly:
immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire,
and the greed that is idolatry.
Stop lying to one another,
since you have taken off the old self with its practices
and have put on the new self,
which is being renewed, for knowledge,
in the image of its creator.
Here there is not Greek and Jew,
circumcision and uncircumcision,
barbarian, Scythian, slave, free;
but Christ is all and in all.
Alleluia
Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Gospel: Luke 12
Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Gospel: Luke 12
Someone in the crowd said to Jesus,
“Teacher, tell my brother to share the inheritance with me.”
He replied to him,
“Friend, who appointed me as your judge and arbitrator?”
Then he said to the crowd,
“Take care to guard against all greed,
for though one may be rich,
one’s life does not consist of possessions.”
Then he told them a parable.
“There was a rich man whose land produced a bountiful harvest.
He asked himself, ‘What shall I do,
for I do not have space to store my harvest?’
And he said, ‘This is what I shall do:
I shall tear down my barns and build larger ones.
There I shall store all my grain and other goods
and I shall say to myself, “Now as for you,
you have so many good things stored up for many years,
rest, eat, drink, be merry!”’
But God said to him,
‘You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you;
and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?’
Thus will it be for all who store up treasure for themselves
but are not rich in what matters to God.”
“Teacher, tell my brother to share the inheritance with me.”
He replied to him,
“Friend, who appointed me as your judge and arbitrator?”
Then he said to the crowd,
“Take care to guard against all greed,
for though one may be rich,
one’s life does not consist of possessions.”
Then he told them a parable.
“There was a rich man whose land produced a bountiful harvest.
He asked himself, ‘What shall I do,
for I do not have space to store my harvest?’
And he said, ‘This is what I shall do:
I shall tear down my barns and build larger ones.
There I shall store all my grain and other goods
and I shall say to myself, “Now as for you,
you have so many good things stored up for many years,
rest, eat, drink, be merry!”’
But God said to him,
‘You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you;
and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?’
Thus will it be for all who store up treasure for themselves
but are not rich in what matters to God.”
Prayer
St. John's Parish:
Prayer Needs & Intentions
Please remember the following needs and intentions in your prayers:
- God to bless my finances, teaching job for the fall, spouse's left foot Surgery, and safe return of missing person's relative named Kathleen. (TRICIA K)
- Prayers for the soul of Joshua Peter. Please pray also for Justin and Latisha as they grieve for the loss of their newborn. (Sophie K)
- For my son and his issues, for my employment in the Fall, and for our housing situation, healing for my brother’s mental health (Kassandra R)
- Prayers for my family please. (Katie D)
- Please pray for the health and intentions of Jeff Parson and my own personal intentions. (Steve S)
- For a special intention (George V)
- For my father that his last months with us be filled with peace. For my children that they be healthy. (Bronwyn T)
- Please pray for my special intention ~ thank you. (Carol H)
- Prayers for special intentions and for healing ! 🙏 (Kathleen L)
- For the reunification of OS and his family through the immigration of his wife and children. (Pamela J)
- Prayers for my family's good health and special intention. Thank you (Anne L)
- Please pray for Henry. He is now on a ventilator and will need an operation Monday to have a feeding tube implanted. This 5 week old little guy is a warrior and we thank everyone who is praying for him. (Brian M)
- Praying for the repose of the soul of Thomas Lawler. May his soul Rest In Peace. (Donna W)
- Praying for healing for Cathy L, Bob and MaryAnn H, Ann Marie L, Sharon R, Frank R, Martin O and Katherine L and Jo-Anne C. (Donna W)
- Please pray for Isabella and Anthony, especially for Isabella. Please pray for our entire family. Please pray for the souls of George and Jean Vancelette. (Zandra V)
To share a prayer request or intention in the Sunday Reflection, please click the REPLY button at the bottom of the Saturday morning Prayer Intentions 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 (Updated)
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, trusting in your loving protection
we might see the end of this pandemic
and rejoice 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 spiritual 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
Deus in adiutorium
Communio
Panem de caelo
Parish Resources
For our St. John's family
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