Father Madden's Sunday Reflection
19th Sunday in Ordinary Time
St. John's Church
August 9, 2020
What's in this email?
- Fr. Madden's Sunday Reflection
- Video Mass
- Sunday Mass Readings
- Prayers: Parish Needs & Intentions / Additional Prayers
- Schola Cantorum
- Parish Resources
- Online Giving
Bishop McManus's
Sunday Reflection
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
As baptized Christians, we are called to care for our brothers and sisters in need. This personal mission of each disciple of Jesus Christ is also reflected in the mission of the Church, including our parishes and our diocese. We are reminded daily of our mission to serve one another just as the world has been challenged to protect and preserve human life in the face of this Coronavirus.
In our own diocese, we are responding to people in need, in large part, through the 25 agencies and ministries supported by Partners in Charity. Donors who make a pledge or gift recognize that they, too, are responders by enabling others to do this work, whether specialized during this crisis, or simply made more poignant due to the pandemic. Consider for example,
- A special COVID team of 20 priests has been assembled and trained by the Office for Divine Worship to be available to give the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick to those critically ill with the virus across our diocese.
- A team representing various ministries including Worship, Communications, Catholic Schools and Fiscal Affairs developed COVID Response procedures to keep our parishes and schools up-to-date and informed regularly about the ever-changing realities of COVID – from following health guidelines to re- opening for public liturgies including funerals for our deceased loved ones
- Catholic Charities and Pernet Family Health Service responded to families facing hunger or other needs. Catholic Charities also continued its programs in Worcester and Leominster with recovery programs for men and women dealing with substance abuse, as well as shelter services for homeless families.
- The Development Office and the Fiscal Affairs Office have been offering ongoing guidance to parishes and schools and assisted in accessing PPP loans through the CARES Act.
- Religious Education, Youth and Young Adult Ministry and Marriage and Family all adapted their programs for online support to keep people engaged, informed, and on track with sacramental preparation.
- TV Ministry expanded programming when churches were closed and continues to bring the Sunday Mass in English and Spanish as well as Daily Masses to homebound and quarantined parishioners via cable TV and the internet.
These ministries, and so much more, are made possible thanks to the thou- sands of annual donors to Partners in Charity. If you are one of the 11,025 donors who have made a pledge or gift toward the 2020 appeal, please accept my sincere thanks.
If you have NOT yet made a pledge or gift, now is the time. With only a few weeks left, we need your help. I cannot imagine what it would have been like these past few months if these agencies and ministries had not been able to respond. This crisis isn’t over. We need every gift to assure that we can continue to respond after September 1 when our new fiscal year begins.
As Christians, we give out of gratitude to God so that we can be witnesses of God’s love to others in need. In last Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus challenged his disciples to share their five loaves and two fish in order to feed thousands of people. As Christian stewards, when we share our treasure in thanksgiving we too can respond to the needs of others in miraculous ways for, with God’s help, all things are possible. Whether you make a pledge or gift of $50 or $5,000, today is your chance to offer relief to those in need. Please use the attached card or go online to partners- charity.net and be counted as a Partner in Charity.
Please be assured of my prayers for your health and safety and that of all your loved ones during these challenging months to come.
With every prayerful best wish, I remain
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Robert J. McManus, Bishop of Worcester
1st Reading: I Kings 19
At the mountain of God, Horeb,
Elijah came to a cave where he took shelter.
Then the LORD said to him,
“Go outside and stand on the mountain before the LORD;
the LORD will be passing by.”
A strong and heavy wind was rending the mountains
and crushing rocks before the LORD—
but the LORD was not in the wind.
After the wind there was an earthquake—
but the LORD was not in the earthquake.
After the earthquake there was fire—
but the LORD was not in the fire.
After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound.
When he heard this,
Elijah hid his face in his cloak
and went and stood at the entrance of the cave.
Elijah came to a cave where he took shelter.
Then the LORD said to him,
“Go outside and stand on the mountain before the LORD;
the LORD will be passing by.”
A strong and heavy wind was rending the mountains
and crushing rocks before the LORD—
but the LORD was not in the wind.
After the wind there was an earthquake—
but the LORD was not in the earthquake.
After the earthquake there was fire—
but the LORD was not in the fire.
After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound.
When he heard this,
Elijah hid his face in his cloak
and went and stood at the entrance of the cave.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 85
R. (8) Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
I will hear what God proclaims;
the LORD — for he proclaims peace.
Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,
glory dwelling in our land.
R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
the LORD — for he proclaims peace.
Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,
glory dwelling in our land.
R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
Kindness and truth shall meet;
justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and justice shall look down from heaven.
R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and justice shall look down from heaven.
R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
The LORD himself will give his benefits;
our land shall yield its increase.
Justice shall walk before him,
and prepare the way of his steps.
R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
2nd Reading: Romans 9
our land shall yield its increase.
Justice shall walk before him,
and prepare the way of his steps.
R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
2nd Reading: Romans 9
Brothers and sisters:
I speak the truth in Christ, I do not lie;
my conscience joins with the Holy Spirit in bearing me witness
that I have great sorrow and constant anguish in my heart.
For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ
for the sake of my own people,
my kindred according to the flesh.
They are Israelites;
theirs the adoption, the glory, the covenants,
the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises;
theirs the patriarchs, and from them,
according to the flesh, is the Christ,
who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.
I speak the truth in Christ, I do not lie;
my conscience joins with the Holy Spirit in bearing me witness
that I have great sorrow and constant anguish in my heart.
For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ
for the sake of my own people,
my kindred according to the flesh.
They are Israelites;
theirs the adoption, the glory, the covenants,
the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises;
theirs the patriarchs, and from them,
according to the flesh, is the Christ,
who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.
Alleluia: Psalm 130
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I wait for the Lord;
my soul waits for his word.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel: Matthew 14
After he had fed the people, Jesus made the disciples get into a boat
and precede him to the other side,
while he dismissed the crowds.
After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray.
When it was evening he was there alone.
Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore,
was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it.
During the fourth watch of the night,
he came toward them walking on the sea.
When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified.
“It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear.
At once Jesus spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”
Peter said to him in reply,
“Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”
He said, “Come.”
Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus.
But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened;
and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught Peter,
and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
After they got into the boat, the wind died down.
Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying,
“Truly, you are the Son of God.”
and precede him to the other side,
while he dismissed the crowds.
After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray.
When it was evening he was there alone.
Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore,
was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it.
During the fourth watch of the night,
he came toward them walking on the sea.
When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified.
“It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear.
At once Jesus spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”
Peter said to him in reply,
“Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”
He said, “Come.”
Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus.
But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened;
and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught Peter,
and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
After they got into the boat, the wind died down.
Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying,
“Truly, you are the Son of God.”
Prayers
St. John's Parish:
Prayer Needs & Intentions
Please remember the following needs and intentions in your prayers:
- For enlightenment in what it means to exercise freedom. May everyone cooperate and be disciplined to observe safety practices to prevent the spread of CoViD19. (Pamela J)
- For the repose of the soul of Angelita N. May she rest in peace. May her family be consoled. (Pamela J)
- Please pray for the repose of the soul of Ken Bullen. (Linda L.)
- Please help people understand how important their role is in stopping this pandemic. And Lord, please bring peace to those affected by this terrible disease.(Wiley O)
- Please pray for a full recovery from a stroke for Slavek. (Jane Horuzek)
- For Warren Perry and Chris (George M)
- Please pray in memory of Joshua Peter. (Sophie K)
- Good health for my family and employment for my son. Thank you. (Anne L)
- For Josepha and Brian on their wedding day, health and blessings, peace and joy. (Virginia L)
- Please pray for Tommie Balac, Chrissy Albin, James Benoit and Jack Gallagher. (Lori K)
- For the bereaved family, relatives and friends of Angelita. May they find comfort in the promise of eternal life and in God's Divine mercy. (Pamela J)
- For the health and Intensions of Jeff Parson. (Steve S)
- For resolution to fertility for Steph and Donny and Katie and Albie (Judy J)
- A positive result Tuesday for Sarah. (Christopher P)
- Please pray for my brother George in hospital that he feels the comfort of Jesus. And my sister Laurie that she feels the hope to go on. Thank You. (Cathy D)
- Continued prayers for a difficult situation...(Karen H)
- For the truth to be brought to light in all things politics, so people can make a decision based on fact and truth, and most importantly God's Holy Will over man's. (Tina A)
- For my brother. For God to help him. (Karen S)
- For the repose of the soul of Jack Greco, for those who are homeless and struggling in our community, and for a special intention. (Dan S)
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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.
Schola Cantorum
Introit
Respice Domine
Motet
Benedicta sit Sancta Trinitas
Communio
Panis Quem Ego Dedero
Motet
Ave Verum Corpus
Parish Resources
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