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1919 North 2nd Street, Bismarck, ND 58501-1735email: [email protected]: www.corpuschristibismarck.comfacebook: www.facebook.com/CorpusBismarck
Parish Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255-4600Parish Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255-3104Parish Fax. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255-4616
WEEKLY LITURGY SCHEDULESaturday (Vigil of Sunday) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:00 p.m.Sunday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8:30 & 10:45 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.Spanish Mass (3rd Sunday) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:00 p.m.Monday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12:10 p.m.Tuesday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12:10 & 5:30 p.m.Wednesday-Friday . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:00 a.m. & 12:10 p.m.
EUCHARISTIC ADORATIONTuesdays (12:45-3:15 p.m.); Thursdays (7:00 p.m.)
Rev. Paul D. Becker, Pastor . . . . . . . . . . . . 255-4600 (ext. 203)Rev. Raphael Obotama, Parochial Vicar 255-4600 (ext. 211)Rev. Terry Wipf, Parochial Vicar . . . . . . . . . 255-4600 (ext. 218) Tracy Kraft, Parish Manager. . . . . . . . . . . . 255-4600 (ext. 212)
PASTORAL MINISTERS Cindy Anderst, Pastoral Care . . . . . . . . . . . 255-4600 (ext. 205)Jennifer Braun, Music Ministry . . . . . . . . . 255-4600 (ext. 209)Mariah Conner, Faith Formation . . . . . . . 255-4600 (ext. 219)Mary Janusz, Pastoral Care . . . . . . . . . . . . 255-4600 (ext. 220)Sr. Ivo Schoch, Outreach Ministry . . . . . . 255-4600 (ext. 208)Rachel Krueger, Youth Coordinator . . . . 255-4600 (ext. 210)
DEACONS: Michael Fix, Lonnie Grabowska, Rex McDowall
PARISH SUPPORT STAFFLoretta Arntz, Bookkeeper . . . . . . . . . . . 255-4600 (ext. 201) Jane Bosch, Kitchen Manager. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255-4600Viola Bullert, Janitress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255-4600Niel Heinze, Maintenance Technician . . . . . . . . . . . 255-4600Bridget Johnson, Administrative Secretary . . . . . . 255-4600Colleen Reinhardt, Receptionist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255-4600
MISSION STATEMENTAs disciples of Jesus, we live our faith through Word, Sacrament, and Service.
CHURCH OF CORPUS CHRISTI
PARISH BULLETIN DEADLINE: Articles must be received by noon on Wednesdays (typed format).
PRAYER TREE: 255-4600
October 29, 2017SACRAMENTS
Reconciliation - Saturdays at 3:00 p.m., Weekdays: 15 minutes prior to Mass or please call the pastor at 255-4600 for an appointment. If you are homebound and unable to come to the Church and need a priest to come to your home for confession, please call 255-4600 to set this up.
Baptism - The Baptism Preparation Program and Baptism Schedule are by arrangement. Please call the parish office at 255-4600 to register prior to your delivery date and the program director will return your call. Parents must be registered at Corpus Christi or have permission from their parish.
Marriage - Couples planning to be married should call the parish office at 255-4600 at least 9 months in advance. Completion of required paperwork and taking the FOCCUS premarital inventory is also needed this early. November FOCCUS will be on Thursday, November 16th at 7:00 p.m.
Natural Family Planning Classes are offered by the Bismarck Diocese. The methods offered are Billings Ovulation Method, Creighton Model Fertility Care System, Marquette Model and Sympto-Thermal Methods. If you have questions about NFP please contact the Diocese of Bismarck at 222-3035 or www.bismarckdiocese.com/nfp. Persons wishing to learn more about the Catholic faith may call Tracy Kraft at 255-4600.
THIRTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME OCTOBER 29, 2017
CONTRIBUTIONS (GENERAL FUND) - (2,275 households)Adult Envelopes (265) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $11,880.95Youth Envelopes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 142.01TOTAL RECEIVED (October 22) . . . . . . . . . . $12,022.96 1st Sunday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $17,550 .09 Electronic Contributions (146) . . . . . . . . . $14,204 .81
2nd Sunday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $22,038 .47 3rd Sunday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $22,501 .52 Electronic Contributions (99) . . . . . . . . . . . $ 9,236 .81 Spanish Mass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 182 .26 4th Sunday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $12,022 .96
We appreciate your generosity which is part of being faithful stewards of Corpus Christi.
Weekly Mass Intentions
Monday, Oct. 30- VRose Gabriel (12:10 p .m .)Tuesday, Oct. 31- VJames Duma (12:10 p .m .)
Ethan Archuleta (5:30 p .m .)Wednesday, Nov. 1- VJames Miller (7:00 a .m .)
Phyllis Lentz (12:10 p .m .)Thursday, Nov. 2- VPeggy Schwitchenberg (7:00 a .m .)
Jacob Vetter (12:10 p .m .)Friday, Nov. 3- VTheodore Zander (7:00 a .m .)
VValentine Wangler (12:10 p .m .) Saturday, Nov. 4- People of Corpus Christi (4:00 p .m .)
Sunday, Nov. 5- VRuth McKay (8:30 a .m .)VRaymond & Catherine Walter (10:45 a .m .)
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION. Tuesdays 12:45-3:15 p.m. (private, quiet time, incense free) with the Chaplet of Divine Mercy at 3:00 p.m. All are welcome to spend time in Jesus’ awesome Eucharistic presence. Eucharistic Adoration (Benediction, Rosary and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy) is also available Thursdays with Father Terry from 7:00-8:00 p.m. This year we are celebrating the beginning of the Twenty-Second year of Eucharistic Adoration.
Help Wanted: Part-Time Cook. The Diocese of Bismarck has an opening for an expeienced part-time cook. This position would be responsible for planning, preparation, serving and clean-up of the evening meal 2 days a week and ocassional special events. Please send cover letter, resume and three references to Denise Jordan, Po Box 1575, Bismarck, ND 58502.
Vocation Views: How do you enflesh the great commandment of love? Be aware of how others show this vital commandment. Encourage those who you respect to dedicate their lives to ministry in the Church. (Matthew 22:34-40)
Stewardship Thoughts: All too often, stewardship is presented only with the church support or the funding of other charities as the goal. This is too limiting. Stewardship also involves time and talent.
Your stepping stones back into
life.... Lotus (Looking Onward To Understanding and Serenity) is a group for men, women and young adults who have experienced a death. This group meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of every month September through May, at 10:00 a.m. for men, 1:00 p.m. for women, and 7:00 p.m. for men and women. Grief shared is grief diminished.
SOS (Sounds of Silence) is a support group that meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays for those who have experienced the suicide of a loved one. After a suicide...there are people who understand. LOTUS and SOS will meet for a combined session on Tuesday, November 14th at 7:00 p.m. at the Center for Loss and Healing at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway. The topic will be “Holidays, Schmolidays”.
True Love. Do you ever wonder why, if people have heard and sung and read about love all their lives,
they can’t seem to ever become proficient at it? Could it be that we are convinced love is just about how we feel? Or perhaps that we believe that love comes naturally given the right circumstances. It’s just that circumstances haven’t been too favorable lately. Well, in Matthew 22:34-46, Jesus tells us clearly that love is a commandment not a feeling. It has little if anything to do with how others treat us or if we have had enough sleep. It doesn’t matter how we feel, or who happens to be making life difficult. Love is a product of practice...practice...practice.
Loving leaves no time for complaint. If we spend our lives in loving, we have no leisure to complain
or to feel unhappiness.
All Saints Day MassesTuesday, October 31ST
5:30 p.m. (Vigil Mass)Wednesday, November 1ST
7:00 a.m., 12:10 p.m., 5:30 p.m.This is a Holy Day of
Obligation.There are sign up sheets for liturgical ministers in
the Usher’s Room.
CHURCH OF CORPUS CHRISTI BISMARCK, NDWhat’s Going on Here This Week
Tues. 10/31 Quilting, 9:00 a.m., Community Room Eucharistic Adoration, 12:45-3:15 p.m., Chapel All Saint’s Day Vigil Mass, 5:30 p.m., Church Wed. 11/1 All Saint’s Day Mass, 7:00 a.m., 12:10 p.m., 5:30 p.m. Faith Formation (B), 3:30-5:30 p.m. Children’s Choir, 4:30 p.m., Choir Room Faith Formation (B), 6:00-7:30 p.m. Cantata Choir, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Choir Room Confirmation (1), 6:30 p.m., Conference Room Middle School Faith Formation, 7:00-8:30 p.m. Pre-Confirmation (2), 7:00 p.m., Community Room Confirmation (2), 7:30 p.m., Conference Room Thurs. 11/2 Toastmasters, 6:30 a.m., Community Room Afternoon at the Movies, 1:00-3:00 p.m., Community Room Handbells, 6:30 p.m., Choir Room Eucharistic Adoration, 7:00 p.m., Chapel
Sat. 11/4 Candlelighting Mass, 4:00 p.m., Church Sun. 11/5 Faith Formation 8:30-9:30 a.m. Faith Formation 9:40-10:40 a.m. Children’s Liturgy, 10:45 a.m., Community Room
PLEASE CHECK OUT YOUR WEBSITE www.
corpuschristibismarck.com
You can listen to the homilies under the “Homily Podcast” tab.
MUSIC
MINISTRY
OPPORTUNITIES
WE HAVE OPENINGS FOR YOU!
We have openings on our Sunday 6:30 p.m. Music Ministry Team. If you are a high school teen or adult, like to sing or play an instrument, then this is the place for you!! If you are interested, please email Jennifer
Marriage Moments: November 1st is All Saint’s Day. You know your beloved’s best and worst qualities. Focus on his/her saintliness today and write a paragraph describing the saintly qualitites of your spouse. (sacrifices themself for me, generosity, long-suffering....)Parenting Pointers: “You shall not oppress an alien...nor wrong any widow or orphan.” (Ex. 22:20) Does your familly know any “aliens” (immigrants), widows, or orphans? Discuss how your family might help them. If you don’t know any, figure out a way to meet some. (Susan Vogt....www.SusanVogt.net)
FOOD PANTRY NEEDS FOR
NOVEMBER
CEREAL AND PEANUT BUTTER
World Mission SundayThank you very much for your generous support of World Mission Sunday last week. This support is a blessing for the Priests, Sisters, Brothers and Lay Catechists who depend on this help delivered through the Propagation of the Faith. Please continue to pray for all who serve in mission countries that they may remain steadfast in their vocation to bring Christ’s message of love to those they serve - the world’s most vulnerable.
HIGH SCHOOL RETREATCrystal Springs Ranch-November 11th-12th
Join teens from our parish in a discovery of the Catholic faith! Activities, talks and time
for personal prayer will be available.
Contact Rachel in the Parish Office at 701-255-4600 for more information or to sign up!
There will be no Men’s Spirituality Breakfast for the month of November due
to the Holy Day of Obligation.
The Health, Wellness and Education Fair is coming up on November 9. Flu
Shots will be available along with blood pressure checks and many
information booths.
MORE INFORMATION IN NEXT WEEK’S BULLETIN.
Welcome! Thank you for choosing to worship with us today and we hope you will return often. If you do not belong to a parish, please consider choosing Corpus Christi as your church home. You may call the parish office at 255-4600 to register.
Can you help? The blank spaces mean we need more help in that ministry.Please come to the ushers room and sign in on the schedule to help. Thank You.
The Holy Father Speaks... Pope Francis preached Monday about the idolatry of money, which causes us to ignore those in need, allowing others to go hungry and die while we turn money and worldly possessions into false Gods. Today there are people who are greedy for more money and worldly goods, who have so much but walk by hungry children who have no medicine, who have no education, who are abandoned. This is an idolatry that kills and that makes human sacrifices to the God of money. This idolatry causes so many people to starve, for example the hundreds of thousands of Rohingya people who have been displaced from their home in Burma, also known as Myanmar, due to ethno-religious persecution. There are 800,000 Rohingya people in refugee camps. And, of these 200,000 are children. They are malnourished, without medicine. Even today this happens. Our prayers against idolatry must be strong. We should pray - “Lord, please touch the hearts of these people who worship the God of money. Touch also my heart so I do not fall into the same thing, that I can see everything clearly.” Many men worship money and make money their God. But their life has no meaning. Thus will it be for the one who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich in what matters to God.
ALL PEOPLE SMILE IN THE SAME LANGUAGE.
Date: Nov 4-5 November 4, 2017 November 5, 2017 November 5, 2017 November 5, 20174:00 PM 8:30 AM 10:45 AM 6:30 PM
Hospitality 1 1 Linda Heil 1 Kathy Howe 1 Amy Hornbacher2 2 Brian Steffl 2 Beverly Larson 2 Lauren Hornbacher3 3 Heather Steffl 3 Rita Mastel 3 4 4 Catherine Williams 4 4 5 5 Francis Williams 5 5 6 6 6
Ushers 1 1 Kenneth Heil* 1 Anthony Silvernagel Jr.* 1 Gene Rivinius*
2 2 Mike Hilbert 2 Dan Sauter 2 Bev Rivinius3 3 Ron Torkelson 3 Lonnie Zahn 34 4 Virginia Torkelson 4 Yvonne Richter 45 5 5 6 6 6
Lectors 1 Imelda Long 1 Norita Kress 1 Daryl Wanner 1 Todd Van Orman
2 Lisa Frank 2 2 Steve Braus 2 Emma Konieczka
Servers 1 Meghan Friese 1 Jayden Keller 1 Trevor Zainhofsky 1 Eliza Konieczka2 2 Paige Keller 2 Taylor Howell 2 Edriana Konieczka
3 Nathan Kraft
Eucharistic Min BODY OF CHRIST BODY OF CHRIST BODY OF CHRIST BODY OF CHRIST1-R Terry Fugere 1-R Dominic Volesky R-1 Pamela Vetter R-1 Doug Kostuck2 Les Witkowski 2 Donna Schauer 2 Rose Hollan 23 Phyllis Lentz 3 Gerry Teevens 3 Phyllis Lentz 34 Mary Ann Metcalf 4 Mike Teevens 4 Shirley Bachmeier 4 5 Suzanne Witkowski 5 Joyce Welder 5 Kathy Howe 56 6 Vern Welder 6 Nancy Christensen 67 7 7 Carolyn Heintz 7 Father Raphael8 8 8 Jeff Heintz 89 Father Paul 9 Father Terry 9 Father Paul
10 10 1011 1112 12LG LG LG LG
BLOOD OF CHRIST BLOOD OF CHRIST BLOOD OF CHRIST BLOOD OF CHRIST
1 Carol Thompson 1 Dean Anagnost 1 Kyle Schatz 1 Jim Luptak2 Clyde Thompson 2 Shawn Anagnost 2 Elizabeth Schatz 2 Jane Greer3 Larry Thelen 3 Brenda Bergan 3 Cathy Schatz 3 4 Jerome Volk 4 Debbie Best 4 Janet Spooner 4 5 Elaine Thompson 5 Lynn Best 5 Daryl Wanner 56 Derek Theurer 6 Karen daSilva 6 Jo Kralicek 67 Deacon 7 Deacon 7 Deacon 7 Deacon8 8 Irene Goetz 8 89 9 9
10 10 10 11 11 12 12
Mary - A Biblical Walk with the Blessed Motherby Edward Sri
Prepare, Care, Share and Prayer Women’s GroupThursday, November 9, 2017 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Participants will experience an extraordinary pilgrimage through Mary’s life as we explore “The Visitation.” All women are invited to join us on the 2nd Thursday of each month. Each session is designed so women can join anytime during the year, or miss a session if there is a conflict. No cost or registration. For more information, contact Cindy in the parish office at 701-255-4600.
Afternoon at the Movies
“The Pivotal Players” Michelangelo - The Artist
November 2, 2017, 1:00-2:30 p.m.
Join us for popcorn and a movie, and to learn more about our Catholic faith through the eyes of a wonderful teacher and guide, Bishop Robert Barron. This month the movie is about Michelangelo - The Artist. The master of sculpture and painting is not a saint, but serves as the creative privileged representative. The church professes that beauty is a route of access to God, and through humanity’s creative artistry we glimpse the power and glory of the Lord. In this episode, Bishop Barron and his team travel to Rome, Florence and all of the locations that played a significant role in the formation and vocation of Michelangelo, which in turn formed the life of the Church.
The movie will be held in the Community Room. All are welcome. For additional questions, contact Cindy Anderst in the parish office at 701-255-4600.
NOVEMBER: A MONTH OF REMEMBRANCEDuring the month of November, we are called in a special way to remember and pray for “our brothers and sisters who have fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection.”
On Saturday, November 4th at the 4:00 p.m. Mass we are having a special Candlelighting to remember all the members of the Church of Corpus Christi who have died from October 1, 2016 - September 30, 2017. Please join us in praying for these deceased members and offer your sympathy to their loved ones who join us for this mass.
We have placed “A Book of Eternal Light” at the entrance of the church in which we list all members of the Church of Corpus Christi who have gone before us since our beginning on August 1, 1965. There is another book at the entrance of the church in which you can write the names of your beloved family and friends who have died and we will remember them in prayer this month.
Sunday, Oct 29, 2017THIRTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME; PRIESTHOOD SUNDAYPriests need our prayers tooNo two priests are alike, yet all are commissioned to be a sign ofChrist and bring the gospel to God’s people. The fact that priestscome in all shapes and sizes says a lot about the breadth anddepth of Christ. Christ is reflected in all those who dedicate theirlives to God’s mission. Faithfulness, not perfection, is all that isrequired. Priests remind us that our salvation, which comesthrough Christ, isn’t out there somewhere but right here standingat our side, accompanying us on our journey. Offer priestsstrength and encouragement in their roles as you hope they willoffer you in yours.
TODAY'S READINGS: Exodus 22:20-26; 1 Thessalonians 1:5c-10;Matthew 22:34-40 (148). “I love you, O LORD, my strength, OLORD, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer.”
Monday, Oct 30, 2017Healing leads to praiseStop to notice the content of your prayers. According to the earlyChristian thinker Origen, the noblest form of prayer we can makeis praise. But so often, it is the one feature missing in ourcommunication with God. We find in the gospels that praise is thesong of the healthy creature—what one gives after healing. Whenyou do not praise, it may mean you need to be healed. Look forailments in your life, whether of the mind, body, or soul. Tend toyour needs and ask for the healing grace of the Holy Spirit. Praisewill follow.
TODAY'S READINGS: Romans 8:12-17; Luke 13:10-17 (479). “WhenJesus laid hands on her, immediately she stood up straight andbegan praising God.”
Tuesday, Oct 31, 2017Break some bread todayBaking bread requires the holy virtues of patience and attention. Itis hard work wrapped in warm smells and a tremendous sense ofaccomplishment when the job is done. The process seemsundeniably spiritual to anyone who has attempted to bake bread.Why? Because preparing and sharing food is a fundamental act offaith. It is the essence of Christianity and of Jesus himself. Whowill receive nourishment from you today? Remember, a littleleavening goes a long way.
TODAY'S READINGS: Romans 8:18-25; Luke 13:18-21 (480). “Thekingdom of God is like yeast that a woman took and mixed withflour until all of it was leavened.”
Wednesday, Nov 01, 2017SOLEMNITY OF ALL SAINTSYou can do thisIn Sister Wendy’s Book of Saints, art historian Sister WendyBeckett writes about us: “Holiness can so easily appear assomething remote from us, to be read about or . . . gazed at, butfrom afar. Yet to be a saint is a wholly practical and realisticgrowth into our own truth. It is what we are all meant to become,it is our deepest fulfillment, our own personal realization of whatwe have been potentially from birth. There is no play aboutsanctity. It starts from where we are and what we are.” Movedeeper into the saint you were born to be.
TODAY'S READINGS: Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14; 1 John 3:1-3; Matthew
5:1-12a (667). “They will be called children of God.”
Thursday, Nov 02, 2017COMMEMORATION OF ALL THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED (ALL SOULS’ DAY)At the hour of our deathA few years ago a church document had this to say about death:“Death, while starkly real and total, is the vehicle of that finaloffering of self which calls for the supreme act of faith in the Lordof Life.” Yes, death is final; we will never know the dead in theway we knew them on earth, and that is sad. Death alsochallenges us. Do we really believe it is not the end, a terrifyingabyss? Or do we see it as rebirth to new life and entrance into thepeace of spirit that awaits resurrection? On this day, pray forthose who have died. Pray also for the faith to see in death thefinal passage into full union with Christ.
TODAY'S READINGS: Wisdom 3:1-9; Romans 5:5-11 or Romans 6:3-9;John 6:37-40 (668). “If we have died with Christ, we believe that wewill also live with him.”
Friday, Nov 03, 2017MEMORIAL OF MARTIN DE PORRES, RELIGIOUSLook deeply for dignitySaint Martin de Porres (1579-1639) was a barbershop surgeonwhen he joined a Dominican monastery at 15. Soon his successwith medicinal herbs and miraculous healings earned him greatfame as a healer. But Martin was famous for tending to smallthings, too. Once, he solved the monastery’s pest problem bynabbing a mouse and respectfully asking it to leave, along with itscountless cousins. Recognizing the dignity in all God’s creaturesis no small thing. How can we show others that we see theirdignity?
TODAY'S READINGS: Romans 9:1-5; Luke 14:1-6 (483). "Who amongyou, if your son or ox falls into a cistern, would not immediatelypull him out on the sabbath day?"
Saturday, Nov 04, 2017MEMORIAL OF CHARLES BORROMEO, BISHOPShaping up is an ongoing processSaint Charles Borromeo was an instrument of the Holy Spirit inhelping to keep the church on course through needed reforms inthe 16th century. Had he been a participant in the SecondVatican Council rather than the Council of Trent, he may havecontributed to Vatican II’s similar insight on the need for reform:“Christ summons the church, as she goes her pilgrim way, to thatcontinual reformation of which she always has need.”
TODAY'S READINGS: Romans 11:1-2a, 11-12, 25-29: Luke 14:1, 7-11(484). “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but theone who humbles himself will be exalted."
Invest just five minutes a day, and your faith will deepen and grow—a day at a time©2017 TrueQuest Communications. TakeFiveForFaith.com; [email protected]. All rights reserved. Noncommercial reprints permittedwith the following credit: Reprinted with permission from TakeFiveForFaith.com. Scripture citations from the New American Bible RevisedEdition. For more information about TAKE FIVE and our regular contributors, go to PrepareTheWord.com. Free daily email and appavailable online at TakeFiveForFaith.com/subscribe.
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Do what Jesus did
Why do Catholics honorsaints in our churches?
Discovering hope and joy in the Catholic faith. November 2017
Saints are spiritual role models whose examples we can follow to Heaven. Viewing statues and images of them in our churches helps us to recall their heroic virtue and faithful love for God. The statues, and the saints
themselves, are not meant to be objects of worship. Instead, we recognize the good these holy people did
and honor their examples. Just as in praising a painting we honor the painter, in praising the saints, we honor God who made them.
It is hard to imagine how wonderful Heaven is or the joy that awaits us there. Jesus’ mission of salvation while on Earth made Heaven possible for us, if we live a life of holiness and grace as he did. Jesus hoped we would do what he did ... Service. While on Earth, Jesus’ purpose was to serve God and others. He even performed servant tasks such as serving food and washing feet. He asked that we model his servant’s heart. Love. When he walked among us, Jesus reached out to those who felt unloved, comforted those who were suffering, and helped people draw closer to his Father. Try to show love in
these ways every day. Detach. Jesus sent his disciples out
to preach with almost nothing. He didn’t want them (or us) distracted. He knew that the more stuff we have to think about, the less we’ll think about God. Give away whatever you don’t absolutely need. Pray. Jesus drew strength from time alone with God. Spending quiet time with God
each day will help keep you on the path to
Heaven. Sacri�ce. The most
perfect sacri�ce offered to God was Jesus’ death on the Cross. Yet, when we give up time, effort, or something we value out of love for God and others, we imitate Jesus’ generosity.
St. Catherine LabouréBorn the
ninth of eleven children to
a French farming family, St. Catherine eventually joined the Daughters of Charity. Shortly after, the Blessed Mother appeared to Catherine and asked to have a medal engraved with her image and the words, “O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee” engraved on it. The devotion spread quickly, but no one knew St. Catherine’s involvement until soon before her death. She was canonized in 1947.
Counting Blessings How do we handle inconveniences like an irritating coworker, a last-minute schedule change, or occasional miscommunication? God allows us trials so we can grow in virtue, to encourage us to trust him and open ourselves to his grace. The next trial you face, thank God for his “blessings” and pray for his patience, humility, and grace.
“‘The Mass is long,’ you say, and I reply: ‘Because your love is short.’”—St.
Josemaría Escrivá
November 2017 Page 2
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An indulgence is “the remission before God of the temporal punishment due to
sin whose guilt has already been forgiven” (Catechism of the
Catholic Church). In other words, after certain conditions have been met, the Church prays that the punishment for one’s sins – either on Earth or in Purgatory –
will be reduced or eliminated. Jesus’ sacri�ce on the Cross and the prayers and good works of the saints during their lifetimes make indulgences possible. The Catechism compares this idea to something like an in�nite bank account. The Church draws from the “treasury” of spiritual goods – prayers and sacri�ces – of the saints and applies the bene�ts to those completing the indulgence (CCC #1476). To gain an indulgence, certain requirements must be met, including attending Confession, receiving Holy Communion and praying for the intentions of the pope. Indulgences are only effective for sins that have already been forgiven in the Sacrament of Confession. Otherwise, we could be in danger of presuming on God’s mercy or assuming God’s forgiveness without true contrition.
Nov. 1 – All Saints Day – a Holy Day of Obligation. In the early Church, there was a desire to celebrate saints and martyrs by assigning each a feast day. However, the Christian persecutions were so horrible that there weren’t enough days in the calendar for individual commemorations. Pope Gregory IV designated Nov.1 as All Saints Day. Nov. 14 – St. Lawrence O’Toole (1180). St. Lawrence was born in County Kildare, Ireland. When he was twelve, he was dedicated to God’s service. St. Lawrence became Dublin’s
second archbishop and a papal legate. He was canonized in 1225. Nov. 16 – St. Margaret of Scotland (1093). Queen Margaret of Scotland was dedicated to caring for the poor. She washed beggars’ feet and gave them alms. She fed orphans and destitute adults before eating her own meals. Nov. 26 – Solemnity of Christ the King. God promised his people a king who would triumph over their enemies. Jesus is our King. In Baptism and Con�rmation, we are brought under his kingship.
Most of us care about how we come across to other people. Choices about how we live, work, or dress can be in�uenced by a desire for others’ approval. While it is only human to want to be liked, it’s important to remember that God’s opinion matters most. The best part? God always loves us. His love never changes. Human standards change over time. Someone considered “in” today, can be “out” in no time. God’s love is unchanging and unending. Friends come and go. Sooner or later,
friendships change or friends may move on. But Jesus said, “... behold, I am with you always, until the
end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). God never leaves.
He loves us for who we really are. There’s nothing God doesn’t know about us, and he adores us anyway. Go �gure.
If God likes you, others may, too. To please God, we have to �ll ourselves with
love for him and other people, and that makes us even nicer to be around.
Matthew 25:31-46, Judged on love
In this Gospel reading, Jesus describes the coming of the Son of Man, that is, his glorious return on the last day. Jesus will appear at the end of time as the King of the Nations and the Judge of History. Everyone who has ever lived, from the �rst to the last, from the greatest to the least, will stand before Christ. All of us will be judged on how we loved, especially how we loved those who suffered among us. The speci�c criteria for judgment is the basis for the Seven Corporal Works of Mercy,
which are: feed the hungry and give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked
and welcome the stranger, care for the sick and imprisoned, and
bury the dead. In the end, we will be judged on our response to the suffering of others. Do we, like the “blessed,” respond with compassion and
mercy? Or do we, like the others, turn a blind eye and do nothing? The goal is to see Christ in others and to minister to their needs as he did.
God loves us as we are
What are indulgences?
