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Dear Friends,

There are still spaces available to join us for Mass tomorrow Sunday, October 18, 2020 at 9:00am. A reservation is required to attend. Please click on the button below to make a reservation.

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This email came out later than usual today to accommodate the timing of an additional announcement about Renew My Church. Please read the announcement at the bottom of this email.

The remainder of this email is the Your Sunday Connection prayer guide. Please pray with your household and draw comfort from our God who is ever near to us.

Opening Prayer

Almighty ever-living God, grant that we may always conform our will to yours and serve your majesty in sincerity of heart. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. AMEN.

The Readings

Reading 1 IS 45:1, 4-6

Thus says the LORD to his anointed, Cyrus, whose right hand I grasp, subduing nations before him, and making kings run in his service, opening doors before him and leaving the gates unbarred: For the sake of Jacob, my servant, of Israel, my chosen one, I have called you by your name, giving you a title, though you knew me not. I am the LORD and there is no other, there is no God besides me. It is I who arm you, though you know me not, so that toward the rising and the setting of the sun people may know that there is none besides me. I am the LORD, there is no other.

Reading 2 1 THES 1:1-5B

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: grace to you and peace. We give thanks to God always for all of you, remembering you in our prayers, unceasingly calling to mind your work of faith and labor of love and endurance in hope of our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father, knowing, brothers and sisters loved by God, how you were chosen. For our gospel did not come to you in word alone, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with much conviction. Alleluia

Gospel MT 22:15-21

The Pharisees went off and plotted how they might entrap Jesus in speech. They sent their disciples to him, with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. And you are not concerned with anyone's opinion, for you do not regard a person's status. Tell us, then, what is your opinion: Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?" Knowing their malice, Jesus said, "Why are you testing me, you hypocrites?
Show me the coin that pays the census tax." Then they handed him the Roman coin. He said to them, "Whose image is this and whose inscription?" They replied, "Caesar's." At that he said to them, "Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God."

Homily

Please click on the video link below to watch the homily for this week.

Prayers of the Faithful

For the Church, that we may continue to recognize God’s work in the world today and point to God as the ultimate source of all that we have. We pray to the Lord. LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER

For missionaries around the world, that their efforts may yield an abundant harvest as they bear witness to God’s love and mercy. We pray to the Lord. LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER

That we may grow in appreciation for all that we have as we repay to God what belongs to God. We pray to the Lord. LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER

For vulnerable children and teens, especially young women, who suffer abuse, exploitation, or worse, that they may receive help and hope in the darkness. We pray to the Lord. LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER

For those impacted by the wildfires, help heal their pain. We pray to the Lord. LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER

For all who have been affected by COVID19, May God’s healing presence be comfort to them and bring health and well-being. We Pray to the Lord. LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER

For the departed, who remain with us in our prayers and our memories, and for the promise of a joyful reunion, and especially for: Loretta Ferenzi. We pray to the Lord. LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER

For all who are receiving First Holy Communion today, especially: John Ross, Adele Sullivan, Lilie Sullivan and Quin Sullivan, that as Jesus welcomes us to His Table, He may fill us with many blessings and spiritual gifts. We pray to the Lord. LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER

Submit a Special Intention

Parish Offertory

Stewardship of Saint Andrew Parish is the responsibility of us all. Consistently throughout the year, we remind parishioners about stewarding the gifts of Time, Talent, and Treasure to support the mission of Saint Andrew Parish.

During this pandemic, there are many urgent needs, among those needs are caring for the financial obligations of Saint Andrew Parish. If you do not regularly contribute electronically ether weekly or monthly, please consider making a Sunday Offering online through Give Central through the link below.

Give Your Sunday Offering

Spiritual Communion

In many places in the world receiving Holy Communion is not possible. Catholics in these areas are encouraged to make "Spiritual Communion." St.Teresa of Jesus wrote about this practice: "When you do not receive communion and you do not attend Mass, you can make a spiritual communion, which is a most beneficial practice; by it the love of God will be greatly impressed on you"

You can make Spiritual Communion by the bringing this prayer to your heart...

"My Jesus, I believe that you are in the Blessed Sacrament. I love you above all things, and I long for you in my soul. Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. As though you have already come, I embrace you and unite myself entirely to you; never permit me to be separated from you. Amen."

Closing Prayer

Grant, O Lord, we pray, that, benefiting from participating in heavenly things, we may be helped by what you give in this present age and prepared for the gifts that are eternal. Through Christ our Lord.

Announcements

Parish Town Hall Meeting

The office of Renew My Church has prepared several scenarios to discuss restructuring of parishes in our geographic region. To begin the dialogue about their impact on Saint Andrew Parish, there will be a Town Hall Meeting next Sunday, October 25, 2020 at 3:00pm. (This time has changed from previous announcements). To find out more about how you can join the meeting read more...

Join the Live Stream

In addition to Your Sunday Connection provided by Saint Andrew Parish, the Sunday 9:00am Mass will be live streamed. Join the broadcast.

Please click on the button below to see a copy of the Sunday Bulletin.

Read the Parish Bulletin for October 18, 2020

Please Let Us Know If You Need Assistance

Call the parish office at 773-525-3016 or email at info@standrew.org