17th Sunday of Ordinary Time
July 26, 2020
1 Kings 3:5, 7-12. Romans 8:28. Matthew 13:44-52 or 13:44-46
The wise seek God.
When Solomon asked for an understanding heart to lead his people, he must have known that it was the one gift that opened the door to every other gift. For wisdom (prudence) is the virtue that guides all other virtues, and grounds judgment. The wise seek God, and those who know him seek to know him more, as Solomon, and the parables, demonstrate.
God tells Solomon to ask for anything, and he asks for an understanding heart to lead his people. Saint Paul writes to the Romans that, all things work for good for those who love God. In the Gospel, Jesus uses three parables [buried treasure, pearl of great price, and a full fish net] to explain the kingdom of heaven.
Community Petitions
Heavenly Father we offer to you the following petitions for our loved ones and our community:
- For the health and safe arrival of our new pastor Fr. Mario Lopez in early September.
- Msr. Jaime Barona - may he enrich us with his holiness and experiences in faith and joy.
- Deacon Paul’s mother who is acclimating to a new living senior environment.
- Rita and Larry Casey - continued prayer and healing.
- Carolyn Pierce - (Pat Williams sister-in-law) Complete healing of the Covid-19 virus.
- Beth - Complete healing of breast cancer.
- Adam Chedister - prayers for courage, comfort, and peace.
- Ana Rosa’s family in Mexico - healing of Covid-19.
- Jerry & Madeline Rousseau - healing, strength, and peace. Enjoy friends and family in RI.
- Michael Rousseau - prayers as he recuperates from back surgery.
- James E. - prayers for continued healing following back/neck surgeries.
- Margaret Wischmeyer - prayers for comfort and peace.
- Frank - Alzheimers, and for his wife Anne, strength as caregiver.
- Joan - healing of breast cancer.
- Mary - for peace and joy in her nursing home placement. And all nurses and first line defenders and patients.
- Marilyn and Ray Crock, sfo - prayers for continued healing.
- Ann Cole, sfo - cure of shingles.
- All SFO petitions offered this week.
- Marriage Banns: Ada Thomas and Parker Bradshaw, August 1; Sarah Zaremba and Jeff Crosbie, October 10.
- All our first responders across our country - prayers for encouragement, endurance, continued good health, and our deep gratitude. All our law enforcement professionals and the communities they serve to work effectively together toward shared goals.
- For an end of the Covid-19 virus, a speedy vaccine and cure; complete recovery for all those infected and affected.
- For all those grieving loved ones whom they did not get to say goodbye to. For closure and peace.
- For Jason Burrell’s acceptance into Permanent Deaconate Formation.
- Prayers of thanksgiving for all our visiting priests who have guided us through this period without a priest, may God continue to bless them abundantly. Bless those moving on to new assignments.
- For peace and unity in our country and wise leaders to usher us through these troubled times.
- For the health and safety of our entire community.
- Heavenly Father we thank you for hearing our prayers. We ask you to grant them according to your will and our need, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Saint Vincent DePaul Ministry
Ron Chmiel answered a phone call from St Vincent DePaul for help moving a distraught 77 year old Safe House referral from her prior home in Hayesville to Tanyard Apartments in Blairsville. Ron coordinated three trucks with two trailers and enlisted Bill Lyon, Lew Gebhardt, Steve Smith, and Tommy Orchanian. The move started early last Tuesday and was completed before the afternoon thunderstorms arrived. The woman was overwhelmed with gratitude and impressed by their kindness and efficiency.
Svdp is not typically in the moving business but circumstances and timing required immediate action. Svdp is very thankful these men all answered the call for help. We are not surprised.
Thank you for sharing this witness of Christ’s love and service so prevalent here at St. Francis of Assisi. Praise God.
Holy water weekend. Next weekend we will have a water blessing for all those who wish to have holy water at home. We will have a table set up in front of the ambo to place your water for blessing.
Wednesday Mass will be at noon beginning this week. Hopefully, parishioners will find this a convenient alternative. Adoration from after Mass - 5:45 PM.
Spanish Mass at 6:00, and Holy Hour from after Mass - 7:00 PM
Let us know how this works for you.
On Sunday, the 8:30 Mass will be streamed.
Missalettes for Ordinary Time will be made available for a donation beginning Sunday August 2 at the main entrance There will be one per family.
We are asking for a donation of $5 so that it will have a value, and not be left behind. Put your name on it. The missalettes are yours to bring each week and bring home each week. All the music will be selected from the missalette.
We have a need for help ushering at Masses, or a substitute list of those who can help in a pinch. Please contact Glen Hanrahan: 352-650-3117.
Thank you for those Eucharistic ministers volunteering to distribute Holy Communion. These ministers will distribute Holy Communion in Marion Hall when our streaming operation is complete very soon. We expect overflow eventually as more parishioners return to Mass.
At our Liturgy Commission meeting Wednesday, we added Masses for the Feast of the Assumption, August 15, which falls on a Saturday this year. Mass is at 9 AM. We have also added a vigil Mass in Spanish at 6 PM Friday evening, August 14th. Mark your calendars.
You are up to date.
+God bless.!
DJP