IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH 10670 SE Maricamp Road, Ocala FL 34472

P.O. Box 310, Candler FL 32111 Parish Office: 352-687-4031 Fax: 352-687-1811 After Hours: 352-687-8247 (Emergency Only)

Emails: office@ihmcatholicchurch.com frseno@ihmcatholicchurch.com Website: www.ihmcatholicchurch.com

Facebook: Immaculate Heart of Mary or go through website

Homily 20th Sunday in Year C (Fr. Seno) (Jer38:4 – 6, 8 – 10: Ps 40:2 – 4, 18; Heb12:1 – 4; Lk 12:49 – 53)

My dear children of God, we need to understand the paradoxical terms used by Jesus in today’s text properly. The first image fire, connotes purification. Fire is a powerful purifier.

Metal is not as strong or useful when it contains impurities. Impurities in metal or other substances are to be expected. Before these impurities are separated from metal, it must go through the furnace. In this way, too, God’s word purifies us. Fire was seen as a purifier by Prophet Zechariah when he said that, “… and I will refine them as silver is refined, and I will test them as gold is tested...” (Zechariah 13:9). Prophet Malachi likens the Messiah to a refiner’s fire “He will sit refining and purifying (Silver), and he will purify the sons of Levi…” (Malachi 3:2-3). In the same in the Old Testament, fire was closely associated with the presence of God. When God first appeared to Moses, he did so in fire flaming out of a bush (Ex 3:2). Fire was associated with the word of God. In Jeremiah (23:29) God asks’ “is not my word like fire says the Lord, like a hammer shattering rocks?” We also recalled that before prophet Isaiah started to proclaim God’s word, his lips were first cleansed by a burning ember (Is 6:6-7). The image of fire associated with Jesus as a Messiah, the word of God, the agent of God and the refining instrument of God.

The second image involving discord and division, Jesus, whom Prophet Isaiah prophesied would be a Prince of Peace (Is 9:5), announces as he came, not to have come to establish peace but to sow division. What does Jesus mean? In the light of his consistent call for charity, starting with the sermon on the plain in which he commands love of one’s enemies (Lk 6:27) and continuing through the parable of the Good Samaritan in which he extols differences for setting aside national prejudices and animosities to help another in need (Lk 10:29-37). Jesus clearly does not intend to be taken literally here. He is using irony to shock his audience and capture their full attention.

The coming of Jesus as Simeon has foretold, would indeed, cause serious division among people and families. Jesus, however, never intended the breakage of society among families. He came, precisely to bring unity, to save all the people of the earth and to unite them as children of God. But people varied greatly in their reception of Jesus and it was the differences in their response that actually led to the divisions among family members and friends. For example, in the family where the children are God fearing and the parents are not, there will be serious division and tension in that family. The same thing goes with a situation where the wife has accepted Jesus while the husband has not. That house is always on fire, full of accusation and counter accusation. Whenever one decides to live a holy life, he or she becomes a living and practical judgement on those around him or her. Some people readily accepted Jesus and whole-heartily adopted their life-styles to follow Him and His teaching. Others proved hostile or indifferent to Jesus and his teaching, and felt threatened or abandoned by those who changed their ways to conform to Christianity.

The peace that Christ came to bring is not the worldly peace as some people may define it, but the peace of God. The difference is that human peace is basically superficial, a matter of trade-offs and compromises, but the peace of God is basically a matter of truth, integrity and love that always provides inner harmony. God’s peace is that loving communion with Him, with one’s neighbor, and with one’s self which comes from living the message of the beatitudes.

It is that kind of peace that Maximilian Kolbe had, when in the Nazi concentration camp during the second World War, gave his life to save another inmate and was starved to death; the kind of peace that the Japanese martyrs in Nagasaki had when they sang hymns of praise to God as they were being crucified; the kind of peace that the Uganda martyrs had when they were being burnt alive.

My dear friends, regardless of what the world says, or names given to us, we must give testimony to all the demands of God’s love “while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of our faith” (Heb.12:2). The Christian life is all about being at peace with everyone. We should not focus our attention only on what it will cost us because the reward is far greater than the suffering we will encounter in championing the cause of peace in our world.

Pastor’s Corner My dear Children of God, the Mystery of the Cross, the cost of discipleship, is central in today’s readings. The Second Reading (Heb 12:1-4) presents JESUS AS OUR ULTIMATE MODEL: “Persevere in running the race that lies before us… keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith. For the sake of the joy that lay before Him He endured the cross, despising its shame, and has taken His seat at the right of the throne of God.” Wow! Great words of encouragement! Hence, it adds, “In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood.” Wow! What an expectation of the level of commitment we should have! Nothing short of the willingness to die for the faith. How passionate are you about your faith and about Gospel values? Hear the words of Jesus in the Gospel Passage (Luke 12:49-53): “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing! There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished!” Wow! That is passion! That is zeal! Today, our culture increasingly rejects the Word of God, instead of yielding and trusting in God’s mercy (cf. Rom 7:14-25). WHAT SHOULD WE DO? Simply “get-along” at the expense of the Gospel? Jesus says, “NO!”: “Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three….” Surely, Jesus didn’t come to wreck families and healthy associations or to polarize our society; rather He came to set us on fire with love of God and His Church. So, we can’t help it if some of our family, friends and neighbors don’t feel the same way. They shouldn’t pull us back. We can get along with everyone: non-believers, Buddhists, Islamists, and others but never at the expense of the Gospel. The First Reading (Jer 38:4-6, 8-10) shows Prophet Jeremiah was persecuted for preaching the truth. What did it serve? Perhaps, if they had repented, God would have spared them (cf. Jonah 3:4-10). Stand your ground! BIBLE VERSE OF THE WEEK: “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Rev 2:10). INVITATIONS FOR WORSHIP: Please, in this spirit of the New Evangelization, always be keen to invite family and friends to our parish. Tell them, “Come and see!” (John 1:39, 46). Try and say “Only ONE Positive” Thing about IHM to a friend or neighbor this week. BLESSING OF HOMES AND VISITATION. Do you want to know your Pastor well? Invite him to your house. I am open to any parishioner who wants me to visit or bless their homes. Call the Parish Office: 352–687-4031 and schedule for the visit. It is good to have your priest at your home and you get to know him better that seeing him from afar. OUR CATHOLIC APPEAL: Thanks to everyone for your support with our Catholic Appeal. Next Sunday, August 24th and 25th we will have Second Collection for our Catholic Appeal and with that we will wish 2019 Catholic Appeal Goodbye. Please support us and I encourage those that have pledged to redeem their pledges in due time.

Our Catholic Appeal- Our parish goal is $47,062.00. Our total is $44,517.78 with 200 families. We still need $2,544.22. Once we achieve our goal, the majority of the additional funds will be returned to our parish to support our own special needs. Thank you for your consideration and generous response. OCA envelopes are in the lobby of the Church and the side doors. On August 24th & 25th we will have 2nd Collection to Our Catholic Appeal .

Mission Statement As a community of believers, we center our life and faith on the Eucharist, through which we are nurtured, nourished, sustained and transformed into faithful witnesses and disciples of Christ.

Stewardship Offertory

August 4, 2019 $2,505.00 with 111 envelopes

$2,166.60 loose cash and checks Total $4,671.60

Poor Box $170.20

Saturday, August 17th 4:00pm Stanley Post+ by Joann Post Sunday, August 18th 7:30am Connie Lopresti+ by Eleanor Dorr 9:00am Leonard Belanger+ by Knights of Columbus Happy Anniversary Chuck and Mary Odders 11:00am James Quigley+ by Connie Quigley Monday, August 19th 8:30am Tuesday, August 20th 8:30am Wednesday, August 21st 8:30am John “Jack” and Maureen Taylor+ By Martin and Virginia Sweeney John Schneider+ by Tom and Jane Broedel Thursday, August 22nd 8:30am Friday, August 23rd 8:30am Saturday, August 24th 4:00pm Sunday, August 25th 7:30am Gloria Ambrosecchia+ by Eleanor Dorr 9:00am Leonard Belanger+ by Knights of Columbus 11:00am Daniel and daughter Marianne Pawlik+ by Wife/Mother

Weekly Readings Monday: Jgs 2:11-19; Ps 106:34-37, 39-40, 43ab, 44; Mt 19:16-22 Tuesday: Jgs 6:11-24a; Ps 85:9, 11-14; Mt 19:23-30 Wednesday: Jgs 9:6-15; Ps 21:2-7; Mt 20:1-16 Thursday: Jgs 11:29-39a; Ps 40:5, 7-10; Mt 22:1-14 Friday: Ru 1:1, 3-6, 14b-16, 22; Ps 146:5-10; Mt 22:34-40 Saturday: Rv 21:9b-14; Ps 145:10-13, 17-18; Jn 1:45-51 Sunday: Is 66:18-21; Ps 117:1-2; Heb 12:5-7, 11-13; Lk 13:22-30

SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES

Sunday: Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time Monday: St. John Eudes Tuesday: St. Bernard Wednesday: St. Pius X Thursday: The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary Friday: St. Rose of Lima Saturday: St. Bartholomew If you are having a Mass said for

a loved one and would like to bring up the gifts, please notify the usher before Mass.

This weekend’s altar flowers are in memory of James Quigley by Connie Quigley.

The Week Ahead Monday, August 19th 8:30am Daily Mass 12:00pm Bingo in s/h Tuesday, August 20th 8:30am Daily Mass 10am-12pm Food Pantry open 6:30pm CRHP Men’s meeting in m/c Wednesday, August 21st 8:30am Daily Mass 3:00pm Choir Rehearsal 7:00pm K of C meeting in s/h Thursday, August 22nd 8:30am Daily Mass 6:30pm CRHP Women’s meeting in m/c Friday, August 23rd 8:30am Daily Mass 9:30am Zumba in s/h Saturday, August 24th 9:30am Zumba in s/h 10:00am Fall Festival Meeting in Church 4:00pm Vigil Mass—Our Catholic Appeal 2nd Collection Sunday, August 25th 7:30am Mass—Our Catholic Appeal 2nd Collection 9:00am Mass—Our Catholic Appeal 2nd Collection Faith Formation Registration after Mass 11:00am Mass—Our Catholic Appeal 2nd Collection Faith Formation Registration after Mass

We will have a 2nd Collection for our Maintenance Fund this weekend, September 14th & 15th.

We have BINGO every Monday from 12:00-3:00pm in the social hall. Packets are $12, $20 and $30. You can purchase hamburgers, hotdogs, egg salad & grill cheese, snacks, and

soda at the snack bar. Coffee is free.

Announcements

The Knights of Columbus of Immaculate Heart of Mary Council 13676 If you would like to join the Knights of Columbus please contact Rick Mills, Grand Knight at 352-817-0879. Next meeting will be on Wednesday, August 21st at 7pm in s/h.

SAVE THE DATE Saturday, October 12th

We will be going to The Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche in St. Augustine. 8:00am– leave IHM parking lot 10:30-11:30am– tour the museum 11:30-11:45am– Confession 12:00-1:00pm– Mass, Fr. Seno will help celebrate Mass 1:00-3:00pm– Lunch and sightsee 3:00pm– Leave St. Augustine and will be back by 5:00pm Cost is $30 per person includes: -transportation to The Shrine -donation to The Shrine -T– shirt -Drinks and Snacks If you would like to go, please call the parish office at 687-4031. Seats are limited. Deadline is Friday, September 27th.

Parish Council In the Spirit of Christ Discipleship

We are calling all parishioners who are interested in helping to move the parish forward, to join the Parish Council. You are invited to our next meeting on Wednesday, September 11th at 6:30pm in the marian center.

Confessions: Saturday at 3:15pm 1st Thursday of each month after Mass and appointments Anointing of the Sick: The last Sunday of every month after 11:00am Mass or upon request.

Baptism, Communion, Confirmation and Marriage: Call the Parish office. First Friday Devotion: First Friday of every month at 8:30am Mass and Adoration until 10:00am. First Saturday Devotion: First Saturday of every month, Mass at 8:30am. Our Lady of Perpetual Help Novena: Every Wednesday after 8:30am Mass.

Men and Women Serving in the Armed Force Please offer a prayer for our loved ones serving in the armed forces and their families…

John Benigno, Navy Shaisia Fredericks, Fort Bliss, El Paso, TX Ryan Hudson, Navy Chicago, IL William Knorr III, Air Force, Afghanistan Allison Kirk, Air Force, San Antonio, TX Matthew Mills, Air Force, Grand Forks, ND Alex Rodgers, South Korea Devon Smith, Navy Corpsman, Lemoore, CA Sergeant, Timothy Watkins, , Marines, Japan Rebecca Uhlir, Coast Guard, Memphis, TN

Faith Formation Classes– Faith Formation Classes will start on Sunday, September 8th from 10:30-11:30am in the marian center. Classes are for children grades Kindergarten to 8th grade. We will have registration Sunday, August 18th and Sunday, August 25th after the 9am and 11am Masses in the lobby.

Walking In A New Life Death: Rose Rios, August 4, 2019

Religious Article Store Our religious article store is open before and after the 4pm Saturday Vigil Mass and Sunday 9:00am Mass. We would like to have the religious article store open for ALL Masses. If you are interested in volunteering please call the parish office.

FOOD PANTRY Thank you for your continued generosity and loving support. Food pantry is open the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month from 10:00am to 12:00pm. We need the following: canned vegetables, tuna & mayo, peanut butter & jelly, instant mashed potatoes, spaghetti sauce, macaroni & cheese, tomatoes products, canned pork & beans/beans, cereal, cookies, crackers and Jell-O.

Fall Festival Meeting Reminder that there will be a Fall Festival meeting on Saturday, August 24th at 10am in the Church.

Come and Spend One Hour with Our Lord

The Chapel is located in the parish office. Chapel is open Monday-Thursday 8am-4pm and Friday 8am-12pm.

Did you know…? Your gifts to Our Catholic Appeal renew the human spirit. Staffed by Franciscan Friars amidst beautiful scenery, San Pedro Spiritual Development Center is a place set apart for human, intellectual, spiritual and pastoral development. Whether it’s hosting a Cursillo retreat, a Marriage Encounter Weekend, a parish or school retreat, or a summer scripture camp, this peaceful sanctuary provides a haven for spiritual renewal. As a ministry of the Diocese of Orlando, San Pedro is partially funded through gifts to Our Catholic Appeal. Because of this generous support, individuals and families throughout our diocese have access to a variety of programs, retreats and workshops – or just a quiet place to sit with the Lord. Please visit www.sanpedrocenter.org for more information on San Pedro Spiritual Development Center. Please visit www.cfocf.org/OCA/give to make a gift online.

During the summer months we have volunteers that go back north and some of our year round volunteers take vacations in the summer. So it is very difficult for us to make sure we have enough people to help, so we can serve our customers the 5 days we are open. Hours are 9:30am-3:00pm, Monday thru Friday. PLEASE consider helping us, only if it is 3 hours at a time. We especially need help on Tuesday and Thursday. It is not difficult and you will enjoy helping our customers, Thank you and God Bless. To volunteer call the office at 687-4031.

Christ Renew His Parish– Women’s Meeting We will have a meeting for Christ Renew His Parish for women on August 22nd at 6:30pm in the marian center. Christ Renew His Parish– Men’s Meeting We will have a meeting for Christ Renew His Parish for men Tuesday, August 20th at 6:30pm in the marian center.

Catholic Charismatic Conference in Orlando 2019 September 20th, 21st & 22nd

Keynote Speakers: Sister Marilyn Minter, Fr. Bill Halbing, Bob Valiante, MC, Mr. Jesse Romero To register go to www.ORLANDOCHARISMATIC.net Direct hotel booking link: https://cariberoyale.reztrip.com/extpromoteRateproperty=1515&mode=b&pm=true&sr=32075&vr=3 Pre register $30 At the door $35 Saturday ONLY $28