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 - 21st Sunday of the Year C (Fr. Seno) (Is66:18 – 21; Ps117:1 – 2; Heb12:5-7, 11- 13; Lk13:22 -30)

My dear Children of God, the Lord wants a harvest of souls, the “offering” of our brothers and sisters to Him. To appreciate this “offering” it is important to go to its roots. It is derived from the Psalms, “How can I repay the Lord for all the good done for me? I will raise the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord” (Ps 116:12 - 13). Clearly, it anticipates the Eucharistic fulfillment. The Eucharist means, “Thanksgiving.” As Catholics, therefore, we are not just thanking God with our lips. Through the Eucharist, it is Jesus Himself (the Eternal High Priest) making an offering of thanksgiving to the Heavenly Father on our behalf; we only anchor ourselves in union with him. This thanksgiving is irreplaceable because only God (Jesus Christ) can sufficiently THANK God according to God’s Greatness, Splendor, Majesty, Glory and Power. That is why Jesus gave us the Eucharist as a perpetual THANKSGIVING. In our Gospel passage today (Luke 13:22-30), someone asked Jesus, “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” This question shows the importance of evangelization, to offer our brothers and sisters to God. There is so much ignorance and confusion in the world. People do not know God’s name; they do not know God’s glory. God wants to send us as His messengers to gather all to Him. In gratitude for all his blessings, we must be willing to be his instruments. Jesus says, “In my Father’s house are many rooms” (John 14:2). Today, he adds, “You [will] see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God…. And people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at table in the kingdom of God.” Accordingly, many will be saved. Our job is to guide them and us to enter through the “narrow gate”. Jesus says, “many will try to enter but will not be strong enough”. Now, what is this “Narrow gate?” It is the gate of the Cross of Jesus. St. Thomas Aquinas says, “In the cross of Jesus is summarized all our Christian virtues – patience, humility, spirit of poverty, forgiveness, obedience and love. So the “narrow gate” is the sacrifice we make in all patience, humility, obedience and love for the salvation of souls. In this respect, St. Paul declares, “I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some” (1Cor 9:22). He will “gladly spend and be spent” for souls (2Cor 12:15). He calls himself “a prisoner for the Lord” (Eph 4:1). The question then is, “Will you and I be strong enough to enter through this narrow gate, to be prisoners for the Lord, to be willing not only to spend but to be spent for the salvation of souls? To evangelize as Jesus did is not easy; it is very challenging. It is a way of the Cross. You could be called names and you could face harsh conditions. You may not have enough time for your own personal business or investments. Nevertheless, the Lord’s work is not only mandatory, it must also be first. To attend Mass and receive Holy Communion at the table of the Lord is not enough. Jesus indicates this by saying, some may cry out, ‘Lord, open the door for us … We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets’, and he will answer, ‘I do not know where you are from.’ On the whole, it is important to show the “Eucharistic Commitment” in all its totality as Jesus did. The Eucharist is Christ’s evangelizing sacrifice, not just a mere agape meal. St. Paul declares, “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes” (1Cor 11:26). This means that the Eucharist is the center of evangelization. Jesus commanded, “Do this in remembrance of me.” We must evangelize; we must be one with Jesus through his suffering and cross so that we can share in his resurrection and glorification. Finally, our Second Reading (Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13), encourages us not to disdain discipline. “Endure your trials as ‘discipline.’ Discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it.” In addition, it emphasizes the importance of persistent prayer in order to succeed, saying, "So strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees.” May God give us the grace never to relent in prayer for the success of evangelization through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Pastor’s Corner My dear friends, in our Gospel passage of today (Luke 13:22-30), someone asked Jesus, “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” Surely, many will be saved, because: “In my Father’s house are many rooms” (John 14:2); and “people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at table in the kingdom of God.” Accordingly, Jesus clarified we should not worry about how many people would go to heaven; rather we should be preoccupied with how to get in and how to lead others in: “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.” Wow! We need to be SPIRITUALLY STRONG ENOUGH. What then is the “Narrow gate?” It is the gate of the Cross of Jesus – patience, humility, spirit of poverty, forgiveness, obedience and love (the summary of our Christian virtues – St. Thomas Aquinas). The point is, it’s not just about suf-fering for suffering sake; it is about making sacrifices for the glory of God’s name and for the salvation of all. As evident in First Reading (Isa 66:18-21): God saying, “I will send fugitives to the nations…that have never heard of my fame, or seen my glory…. They shall bring all your brothers and sisters from all the nations as an offering to the LORD.” No wonder St. Paul declared, I will “gladly spend and be spent” for souls (2Cor 12:15). Wow! That was a radical embrace of the cross for salvation of people. Our Second Reading (Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13), encourages us not to disdain discipline (Cross) necessary for salvation: “Endure your trials as ‘discipline’ … At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it.” Christ cautions that we should not presume to have all the time (cf. Isa 49:8; 2Cor 6:2; 2Pet 3:15). For “After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and saying, ‘Lord, open the door for us… We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets’, and he will answer, ‘I do not know where you are from.’” BIBLE VERSE OF THE WEEK: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me” (Rev 3:20). 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. Today we are having a Second Collection for our Catholic Appeal and with this collection we will wish 2019 Catholic Appeal Goodbye. Please support us and I encourage those that have pledged to redeem their pledges in due time. NEW MASS TIMES BEGINNING FROM NOVEMBER 3RD 2019 Beginning from November 3rd 2019, our Sunday Masses will be 8am and 10:30am.

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. 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. Thank you for your consideration and generous response. .

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 11, 2019 $2,030.00 with 103 envelopes $785.51 loose cash and checks

Total $2,815.51 Poor Box $180.16

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 Monday, August 26th 8:30am Tuesday, August 27th 8:30am Wednesday, August 28th 8:30am John “Jack” and Maureen Taylor+ By Martin and Virginia Sweeney Thursday, August 29th 8:30am Friday, August 30th 8:30am Saturday, August 31st 4:00pm Sunday, September 1st 7:30am 9:00am 11:00am Daniel and daughter Marianne Pawlik+ by Wife/Mother

Weekly Readings Monday: 1 Thes 1:1-5, 8b-10; Ps 149: 1b-6a, 9b; Mt 23:13-22 Tuesday: 1 Thes 2:1-8; Ps 139:1-6; Mt 23:23-26 Wednesday: 1 Thes 2:9-13; Ps 139: 7-12ab; Mt 23:27-32 Thursday: 1 Thes 3:7-13; Ps 71:1-4a, 5-6ab, 15ab, 17;Mk 6:17-29 Friday: 1 Thes 4:1-8; Ps 97:1, 2b, 5-6, 10-12; Mt 25:1-13 Saturday: 1 Thes 4:9-11; Ps 98:1, 7-9; Mt 25:14-30 Sunday: Sir 3:17-18, 20, 28-29; Ps 68: 4-7, 10-11; Heb 12:18-19, 22-24a; Lk 14:1, 7-14

SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES

Sunday: Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time Tuesday: St. Monica Wednesday: St. Augustine Thursday: The Passion of St. John the Baptist Saturday: Blessed Virgin Mary

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.

The Week Ahead Monday, August 26th 8:30am Daily Mass 12:00pm Bingo in s/h Tuesday, August 27th 8:30am Daily Mass Wednesday, August 28th 8:30am Daily Mass Thursday, August 29th 8:30am Daily Mass Friday, August 30th 8:30am Daily Mass 9:30am Zumba in s/h Saturday, August 31st 9:30am Zumba in s/h 4:00pm Vigil Mass Sunday, September 1st 7:30am Mass 9:00am Mass 11:00am Mass

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

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, September 18th 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.

We would like to start having BINGO on Friday nights from 5pm-8pm. We need help to run the BINGO. Volunteers: Sell packets Call back the BINGO numbers Head Chairperson BINGO callers Snack Bar– cook, sell snacks & drinks If you are interested in helping, please call the parish office at 352-687-4031.

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.

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 on Sunday, August 25th after the 9am and 11am Masses in the lobby.

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.

There will be a Respect Life meeting on Monday, September 9th at 6:30pm in the marian center. Everyone is welcome to come and plan all the events that Respect Life puts on.

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.

Hospital patients, Nursing Homes & Rehabilitation Patients

If you know you are going into the hospital, nursing home or a rehabilitation center for awhile, please call the office. If it is an emergency, ask a family member or friend to call. When the office is closed and you need Fr. Seno, please call 352-687-82474

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 Fri-day. 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.

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

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 & grillcheese, snacks, and soda at the snack bar. Coffee is free.

The parish office will be CLOSED Monday, September 2nd for Labor Day.

Welcome New Parishioners...we would like to extend a warm welcome to all those who are visiting our parish for the first time. If you are new to the area and are looking for a parish to call home, we would love to have you join us. In the pews are welcome envelopes, return the envelope in the offertory or stop by the office during the week.