Bible Study for the Ordinary Week 13
  • 6/28 – John 16:4-15 – In what instances have I felt comfort and solace as those close to me asked me to proclaim Gospel values? Prayer starter: Spirit of truth and freedom, lead us to a deeper understanding of what Jesus has revealed to us from the Father as our guide and our advocate.
  • 6/29 – John 16:16-24 – What in the Gospel have I come to discover and understand more fully with the help of the Holy Spirit? Prayer starter: Come, Holy Spirit, and guide me to a better understanding of and greater commitment to the Gospel of Christ.
  • 6/30 – John 16:25-33 – Have there been times when I have been tempted to give up because of the presence of evil in the world? Prayer starter: Give me a part, Lord Jesus, in your victory over the world, by a victory over the evil in me that needs to be transfigured by your Resurrection.
  • 7/1 – Psalm 51 – In dealing with my own sinfulness, what prevails: guilt or trust in God’s mercy? Prayer starter: Lord of mercy, whenever we fail and sin may we never doubt the life-giving power of your forgiveness.
  • 7/2 – Psalm 53 – What ultimately makes my say: “I believe in God?” Prayer starter: O God, help me to trust in your presence no matter what and to keep seeking after you.
  • 7/3 – Psalm 54 – What were the times in which prayer proved to be a matter of life or death for me? Prayer starter: Lord, you are my help and my salvation. Blessed are you for the many times you have delivered me from trouble and from distress.
  • 7/4 – Psalm 55 – How can prayer help me cope with surrounding violence? Prayer starter: Lord, you see the violence around us, against us, and within ourselves. May your mercy help us to overcome violence and convert it into peace.

Bible Study for the Ordinary Week 12
  • 6/21 – John 16:4-15 – In what instances have I felt comfort and solace as those close to me asked me to proclaim Gospel values? Prayer starter: Spirit of truth and freedom, lead us to a deeper understanding of what Jesus has revealed to us from the Father as our guide and our advocate.
  • 6/22 – John 16:16-24 – What in the Gospel have I come to discover and understand more fully with the help of the Holy Spirit? Prayer starter: Come, Holy Spirit, and guide me to a better understanding of and greater commitment to the Gospel of Christ.
  • 6/23 – John 16:25-33 – Have there been times when I have been tempted to give up because of the presence of evil in the world? Prayer starter: Give me a part, Lord Jesus, in your victory over the world, by a victory over the evil in me that needs to be transfigured by your Resurrection.
  • 6/24 – John 17:1-26 – How often do I pray for the unity of all disciples of Christ? Prayer starter: Make us realize how much you care about the mission of your disciples in the world. Together we pray with you “that they all may be one.”
  • 6/25 – John 18:1-14 – When have I been tempted to get angry over a religious matter? Prayer starter: Blessed are you, Lord, for redeeming our human violence with your loving nonviolence. Make of each one of us an instrument of your peace.
  • 6/26 – John 18:15-27 – Have there been instances in which I didn’t dare to speak out and proclaim my faith in Jesus? Prayer starter: You are the true and faithful witness and you never feared to speak openly of your Father. Lord Jesus, give us the courage to stand up for your Gospel.
  • 6/27 – John 18:28 -19:16 – Have I ever found myself ambivalent and unable to abide by the truth spoken by Jesus? Prayer starter: Lord Jesus, you testified to the truth and never tried to gain power from this world. Make of each one of us true witnesses of this kingdom where only love and service are allowed to rule.

Bible Study for the Week of Corpus Christi
  • 6/14 – John 16:4-15 – In what instances have I felt comfort and peace to speak to those who needed me to proclaim Gospel values? Prayer starter: Spirit of truth and freedom, lead us to a deeper understanding of what Jesus has revealed to us from the Father as our guide and our advocate.
  • 6/15 – John 16:16-24 – What in the Gospel have I come to discover and understand more fully with the help of the Holy Spirit? Prayer starter: Come, Holy Spirit, and guide me to a better understanding of and greater commitment to the Gospel of Christ.
  • 6/16 – John 16:25-33 – Have there been times when I have been tempted to give up because of the presence of evil in the world? Prayer starter: Give me a part, Lord Jesus, in your victory over the world, by a victory over the evil in me that needs to be transfigured by your Resurrection.
  • 6/17 – John 17:1-26 – How often do I pray for the unity of all disciples of Christ? Prayer starter: Make us realize how much you care about the mission of your disciples in the world. Together we pray with you ”that they aIl may be one.”
  • 6/18 – John 18:1-14 – When have I been tempted to get angry over a religious matter? Prayer starter: Blessed are you, Lord, for redeeming our human violence with your loving nonviolence. Make of each one of us an instrument of your peace.
  • 6/19 – John 18:15-27 – Have there been instances in which I didn’t dare to speak out and proclaim my faith in Jesus? Prayer starter: You are the true and faithful witness and you never feared to speak openly of your Father. Lord Jesus, give us the courage to stand up for your Gospel.
  • 6/20 – John 18:28-19:16 – Have I ever found myself ambivalent and unable to abide by the truth spoken by Jesus? Prayer starter: Lord Jesus, you testified to the truth and never tried to gain power from this world. Make of each one of us true witnesses of this kingdom where only love and service are allowed to rule.

On the faithful reception of the Holy Communion

When the faithful considers his numerous weaknesses and the grievous temptations, which assail him, and recalls that Jesus invites and commands him to receive Holy Communion, he is filled with a holy confidence because he knows that he will receive the necessary help from this Celestial Food.

The frequent and daily reception of Holy Communion withdraws one from evil and comforts one in good. It is food not only for the strong, but also the weak. It is food necessary to recuperate, conserve, increase and fortify the sanctity of our soul.

Knowing the necessity of preparing ourselves well to receive Holy Communion, let us ask Jesus to give us a lively faith, simplicity of heart, peace, zeal, fervor, confidence and especially humility and love of God. If we receive Holy Communion with these dispositions, our mind will be refreshed and illuminated, and our souls will be enriched with many graces and celestial favors.

Every day Jesus descends upon the altar at the words of the priest. All the faithful are, in a certain sense, priest, because they are members of the mystical Body of Christ and they are participators in offering, in union with the priest, with Jesus Christ and the Church, the Holy Sacrifice of Mass. Let us unite ourselves to this offering and meditate on the necessity to bear our cross as Christ did.

The best preparation for Holy Communion is to elect Jesus as King of our heart. That is, make Him absolute ruler of us and make ourselves obedient to Him in all and never refuse Him anything. — Thomas à Kempis

Father’s Day – Holy Mass and Breakfast (keep it a secret)

gc065-happyfathersdayFathers Day will once again be marked by the honor we give to our Fathers, Grandfathers, and Godfathers at a special breakfast that is being prepared for them and for all to attend worship that morning. We thank those that have stepped up to continue this ministry of honor and hospitality.

Please remember to attend Holy Mass with your Father, Grandfather, or Godfather on Sunday, June 21st and honor them with your love and prayers.

And please… keep this surprise, and that new tie, a secret!

Preparing the next generation of soldiers for Christ

ConfirmationTo prepare the next generation of soldiers for Christ, we need to begin our next formation program for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Therefore, on the eve of June 18th, at 7pm, we invite those that had been previously contacted, as well as all our youth who have completed 8th grade, to meet in preparation for this important sacrament.

During this kick-off meeting schedules will be discussed, we will introduce the scope of the program, and answer any questions you may have.

Our congregation is asked to add those of this group to its prayer list. It shall be our responsibility to provide good models of Catholic Christian lifestyles that we would want these young people to emulate.

Note: As always, those adults who have not as yet received this sacrament shall be summoned in a separate meeting and the procedure for their instruction will be addressed at that time.

The Solemnity of Corpus Christi/Boże Ciało/The Body of Christ

The Solemnity will be observed on its feast day, Thursday, June 11th. At 7pm in the evening, a eucharistic procession shall be conducted signifying the presence of the Body of Christ in all the four corners of the world. A homily and the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament conclude the liturgy for this day. Please take some time to adore and worship Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament on this special feast day.

Corpus ChristiJust a word about this liturgy to be conducted this coming week: The Church realized around the eighth century that a proper observance of the Lord’s presence to us in the Sacred mystery of the Bread of the Altar needed to be developed.

You remember that the observance of the truth of the Holy Eucharist comes during the Paschal Triduum (Maundy Thursday) in a solemn time in the liturgical year. A separate celebration noting the presence of the Body of Christ around the world (hence, the four altars) was developed and began to be practiced widely around the ninth century. The Thursday following Trinity Sunday was chosen as a celebration properly placed after the close of the Easter season.

The four altars will be placed in each corner of our parish church and processed to each in a simple procession. Special Gospel readings are assigned at each altar. The litany of the Blessed Sacrament is an ancient prayer of the Church.