Our Lady of the Holy Souls Catholic Church1003 North Tyler Street - Little Rock, Arkansas 72205

“Encounter Jesus, Serve Others.”

Fr. John Marconi, Pastorjmarconi@holysouls.org

Fr. Maraiah Pasala, Associate PastorDeacon John Hall

Deacon Lawrence H. Jegley (Retired)Susej Thompson, Director of Faith Formation & Music

Wendy Floriani, Director of Youth Faith FormationLaura G. Humphries, Parish Life &

Stewardship DirectorSusie Williams, Facilities & Events Coordinator

Shelley Tienken, Business ManagerNan Connell, Accountant

Cindy Stabnick, Pastoral SecretaryStacey Matchett, Church Secretary

Nancy Handloser, Principal

EIghteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time - August 2, 2020

Church Office: (501) 663-8632 • Website: www.holysouls.orgE-mail: office@holysouls.org • Facebook: www.facebook.com/OLHSAR

Church Office Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. School: (501) 663-4513 • Cafeteria: 501) 663-6125 • Extended Care: (501) 663-7438

Saturday, August 8thNormally Taste of Faith, is an in-person dinner held four

to five times a year across Arkansas to raise money forseminarian education. But this year, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, these dinners have been combined into one,live event where everyone can participate online. You canwatch and donate online from the safety of your home.

The seminarians have an exciting event planned for youthat will take the form of a late-night talk show hosted byMsgr. Scott Friend featuring interviews, introduction of ourseminarians and a day in the life of a seminarian at theHouse of Formation. You will even discover one of our guy’ssecret recipes.

All are invited to watch “Taste of Faith: Virtual Edition”live from the House of Formation on Saturday, Aug. 8 at 7p.m. on the Diocese of Little Rock website (dolr.org),Facebook page (facebook.com/cdolr) or YouTube channel(youtube.com/cdolr). For more information, contact DianneBrady, Director of Stewardship and Development, atdbrady@dolr.org or call her at (501) 664-0340, ext. 391.

“Our Deepest Needs”

FIRST READING: Isaiah 55:1-3

“Money Can’t Buy Happiness”

“Love Unfailing”

Written by Paul Turner. Copyright © 2010, Resource Publications, Inc., 888-273-7782, www.rpinet.com. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission fromLectionary Bulletin Inserts, Year A: First and Second Readings.

GOSPEL: Matthew 14: 13-21

Written by Paul Turner. Copyright © 2010, Resource Publications, Inc., 888-273-7782, www.rpinet.com. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission from LectionaryBulletin Inserts, Year A: First and Second Readings.

Reflection on This Sunday’s Readings

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Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

SECOND READING: Romans 8: 35, 37-39

Responding to the Word This Week

*To reflect on this Sunday’s readings online, go towww.usccb.org/bible/readings/080220.cfm

When the disciples cannot feed the crowd,Jesus takes their food and does.What “food” am I offering sothat others can be nourished?

Jesus, help me to generously give . . .

Most people say they could live comfortably if theyhad just a little more income. That would allow them tobuy the pleasures they seek. Surrounded by ads that urgeus to buy, we learn over and again the message that whatwe have is inadequate, and that money will buy happiness.

Isaiah begs to differ. The joyful passage from theprophet that talks about income says money has nothingto do with happiness. Heeding God’s word will produce allthe bliss in the world. Though the prophet, God questionsthose who spend their wages on what fails to satisfy. Ittakes no money to hear and heed God’s word.

Throughout the Scriptures, God asks people to carefor the needy, to think less of themselves and more fortheir neighbor.

The money we would spend on many of the things wethink will make us happy could be given to the poor for thethings they need simply to live.

Think about the purchases you made this week. Whatdo they say about your values? How do they express whatyou think will make you happy? Have you used your timeto find satisfaction in God’s word?

Love is supposed to last forever, so it is horrifying whenit does not. When we love someone, we offer all we haveand are. We give our free time, because love enjoys leisure.We share our money, because love is priceless. We revealour inmost thoughts, because love grows in intimacy. Wetake great risks when we love. We risk sharing ourgoodness and shortcomings. True love accepts what isimperfect because the heart is always good.

Sometimes love fails. We stop loving the person weloved, or the one we loved stops loving us. Imperfectionscome to light. Differences of opinion cannot be resolved.People who confused the warmth of love with love itselfdiscover deceit in the other person or in the cravings oftheir own heart. The loss of love is a painful lesson inbetrayal, misjudgment, and sorrow.

The question St. Paul asks the Romans, then, is fraught

The word of God serves up a tremendous feast for ustoday. Isaiah beckons all who hunger and thirst to come tothe Lord for satisfaction. The psalmist cries out, “The handof the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs” (Psalm145:16). Saint Paul tells us that nothing can separate usfrom the love of God. Finally, in the Gospel, we hear thestory of the miraculous feeding of over five thousand peoplefrom a mere five loaves and two fish. Most of us have ourmaterial needs met on a day-to-day basis. These scriptures,nevertheless, have much to say to the contemporary believer.We must ask ourselves, “Where are my deepest hungers?Where are my thirsts?” After material needs are satisfiedand, in some cases, over-satisfied, many people stillexperience a deep longing for spiritual balance and well-being. As the loaves and fish are multiplied in today’s Gospel,perhaps our prayer can be a longing for the satisfaction of thedeepest needs that only God can fill.

with risk. “What will separate us from the love of Christ?”Oh, my. Is this possible? We know from experience thatlove may depart. In human love, many things may causeseparation: polit ical opinions, selfish actions, lostopportunities for mutual sharing, or the attraction of anotherperson. Love is strong, but other forces can be stronger.

Not so with Christ. Nothing can separate us from thelove of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. God’s love remainsperfect and lasts forever, no matter where our heart bends.We sometimes love God less, but God never loves us less.God’s love lasts forever.

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Holy Souls Parish received the following people into the Catholic faith during weekend Masses in June and July.Welcome to Our New Catholics!

~ Reception of the Sacrament of Initiation ~

~ Profession of Faith ~

Joe SallingJune 14, 2020

Andrew DeanJuly 11, 2020

Bliss DeanJuly 11, 2020

John DeanJuly 11, 2020

Ryan ElkinsJune 13, 2020

Tim HarperJune 13, 2020

Gabbie McPheetersJune 14, 2020

Tripp SandersJune 14, 2020

Jarrod YatesJuly 12, 2020

Shelley YoungJuly 19, 2020

Becca EffreinJuly 25, 2020

Allison LordJuly 25, 2020

Anesty HuynhJune 14, 2020

John TaylorJune 14, 2020

Danica OrdonezJuly 11, 2020

~ Confirmation & First Communion ~ ~ Confirmation ~

Jonathan YoungJuly 19, 2020

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“”Is My Heart Freely Given to God?”of us? Having an understanding heart, from the Holy Spirit,will help us to be conformed to the image of Jesus and notjust “play the game” but to be totally His. Finally let us dareto be radical and counter-cultural and embrace our CatholicFaith like never before. Then we will obtain riches, pearls andthe Kingdom of Heaven. Simply give it all to Jesus and it willbe given unto you.

This is what God’s words tells us. As we sacrificeeverything in life to do the will of God, it is the equivalent ofdiscovering and possessing the most valuable treasure orthe pearl of great price. In other words, keeping a personalrelationship with Christ and sharing his view of life are themost beautiful, the most precious things in the world. Paulreassures the Christians of Rome, that “all things work forgood for those who love God, who are called according to Hispurpose.”

Even as we pray today thy kingdom come, thy will bedone, we know God’s kingdom must reign in our hearts, inour lives, in our homes, in our society, and in our world. Onlythose who develop a searching mind and a heart willing togive up everything for the great treasure of God’s Kingdomwill be rewarded. We should live every moment in view of ourprecious goal. Let us always remember that Heaven is withinthe reach of all of us who try to do the will of God.

We need to take all precautions to keep our greatesttreasure safe. We will be able to keep safe the treasure of ourpersonal relationship with Jesus by accepting him every dayas our God and Savior, by allowing him to have total controlover our lives through our loving obedience to his will, by askinghim daily for the strengthening and guidance of His Holy Spirit,by talking to him daily in prayer, by listening to him in ourmeditative reading of the Bible, by getting reconciled to himand others every day, asking pardon and forgiveness for oursins, by offering Him our lives on the altar during the HolyMass, and by allowing Him to nourish our souls frequently,and by receiving Jesus in Holy Communion, even spiritualcommunion.

It is challenging to commit one’s life to God. And yet wemust realize that God does not ask us to do anything that Hehimself was not willing to do. Give us His all. Remember thePrecious Moments poster? Look at it this way: the Lamb isJesus, the character is God-Father, and He didn’t hesitate togive us His all. God is committed to us, for God who hasgiven Himself completely to us, He has not held back any ofHimself, He has given us His heart, His son Jesus.

During weddings I like using this story. An explorationship was discovered off the coastline of Spain, the ship havingoriginated from Ireland. On the ship they found many treasuresbut the one artifact that touched the men the most was aman’s wedding band. The ring was carved with an image of ahand holding a heart. The inscription inside the ring said, “Ihave nothing more to offer you.” A fitting image and words fora couple who pledges their life to each other and God. I remindthe couple, that God’s hand and heart are here with you, Ihave nothing more to offer you, I give you my heart. And nomatter what, God never returns his hand and heart, it is alwaysextended out, to us. Always. I invite the couple to alwaysremember this. Today it would be good for all of us to rememberthat God’s hand holding His heart is extended out to us, aseach Mass, saying I have nothing more to offer you. I offeryou my heart. As God offers his heart to us, we do have tolook into our own and say, is my heart freely given to God? Ismy all on this altar today?

Fr. John’s Homily from 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time, July 26, 2020

Precious Moments figurines and cards at one time werevery popular with a chapel in Carthage, Missouri, which is aninteresting place to visit. While I was in Northwest Arkansas,I saw the Precious Moments characters on everything: hats,shirts, cups, pens, cards and posters. Someone gifted me aposter of a figurine of a small child holding a lamb. You couldtell the lamb was very dear to this child, like a pet. The childholding the Lamb was standing before an altar of Sacrifice.Below the image read, Is your all on the altar? You couldtell from the expression on the face of the figurine that thelittle child had a very difficult decision to make. It was going tobe a decision for this little character to literally give what wasmost precious to them, their greatest treasure, that whichthey held dear to their heart, and give it to God as a sacrifice.It was an image that made you think about yourself and ask,“Is my all on the altar?” Have I given myself completely, andwith all my heart, to God?

Being a Christian is difficult and challenging enough inordinary daily life. I think about our brothers and sisters thathave to deal with persecutions and prejudice just for being aChristian, just for being a Catholic. I have mentioned theChristians in the first 300 years of the churches existence,and marvel at their commitment and dedication to God. Youwere either totally committed to Christ or you were not. Therewere no halfhearted Christians in the early years of the growingchurch.

So here we are in this year of 2020, dealing with apandemic, social unrest, economic downturn, questions aboutour future with no answers, and learning to survive and takecare of ourselves and our families the best we can. I hope youare like me, asking God to heal us, to be with us, to help us,to guide us, to speak to us, and to show us the way. In thesetimes, we like many of the early Church, continue to remainfaithful, be steadfast, persevere, and as I have said many times,to wait on the Lord.

As we learn to grow in Faith and trust in the Lord, Jesusis always inviting us to give our all to Him. Jesus does notwant only a little bit of you - He wants All of You! He wants allof me. No holding back, no halfhearted attempts. He wantsyou to give everything to Him; and in return, He will give usgraces, blessings, and the very Kingdom of God, which wefocus on today. Realizing that once we do give our all, wehaven’t given up anything because we gain everything, a sharein the kingdom of God.

We hear about King Solomon and how he pleased Godby not asking anything for himself. He asked for anunderstanding heart so that he could be a wise King. He didnot ask for riches or wealth, yet he became one of the wealthiestKings who ever lived. He did not ask for power, yet his kingdomspread far and wide. Instead, he asked for an understandingheart to judge the people and determine right from wrong. Wetoo need to ask God to fill us with the Holy Spirit so that wetoo can have an understanding heart, especially in dealingwith others, and learning to cope during these challengingtimes.

In our Gospel passage we have the parables of Jesuswhich is all about the Kingdom of Heaven. They speak oftreasure and of a pearl of great price, but notice what is required.You must give up everything to obtain these treasures. Notjust 10% or 50% or even 90%, but everything, then you willget riches beyond compare. It forces us to ask ourselveshow dedicated to our God and to His Church are we?

Are we playing the “percentage game” or does He have all

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Laura Humphries,Parish Life & Stewardship Director

Grateful Stewardsof God’s Gifts . . .

Mass attendance, July 4 & 5 156Mass attendance, July 11 & 12 240Mass attendance, July 18 & 19 286Mass attendance, July 25 & 26 182

Diocesan Collections – Peter’s Pence $ 1,271

Weekend Collections – July 4 & 5 $ 15,498 July 11 & 12 $ 22,523 July 18 & 19 $ 21,011 July 25 & 26 $ 39,267Total July Collections $ 98,299Total July Budgeted Collections $ 90,000

Actual Collections (7/1/19 -6/30/20) $ 1,266,418Budgeted (7/1/19 - 5/30/20) $ 1,500,000Amount in deficit of Budget $ (233,582)

Maintenance Fund $ 1,821

COLLECTIONS/STEWARDSHIP UPDATE

Thank you for supporting our church.

Have I been with you so long a time and you stilldo not know me? John 14:9

LIVE STREAMED MASSESIf staying home is a better option, the 4pm Mass is livestreamed on Saturdays. You may watch it live at 4pm oranytime after the end of the recording (after 5pm). Go towww.Facebook.com/OLHSAR - click on Videos.

MASS SCHEDULEMonday: No MassTuesday: 7:00 a.m.Wednesday: 5:30 p.m.Thursday: 7:00 a.m.Friday: 7:00a.m.Saturday: 8:00 a.m. (1st Saturdays only)

4:00 p.m. (Vigil Mass)*Sunday: 8:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., & 5:30 p.m.*

*Reservations are required forSaturday Vigil Mass and all Sunday Masses.

CHURCH VISITSYou may visit Holy Souls Church for private prayer time: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday:

7:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.(enter Church through Handicapped Door or Choir Door)

Wednesdays: 7:30 a.m. - 5:15 p.m.

We pray for all those who work and livefrom the sea, among them sailors,

fishermen and their families.

Petitions of theMinistry of Praise

August 2020Pope Francis’ Intentions:

It may be difficult for some to find God in everythingthat is going on in our world today. But He is right here withus. The excerpt above does a very good job of giving usexamples of God in our everyday life. We can also see Godin the sunset, we can feel His touch in a breeze on a warmsummer night, and we can hear Him in the thunder of summerstorm. God is always with us no matter what we think. Wemust never lose sight of that. Sometimes fear needles itsway in and we let doubt creep into our lives. That is normalbut that is when we must put our faith into action. That iswhen we have to pray and surrender once again to Jesusand let Him take care of us. He will, if we let him.

I continue to pray the Surrender Novena and I promiseyou it works. If we truly surrender to Jesus and let Him bein charge and we stop trying to play God, everything worksout much better. Oh my Jesus, I surrender to you, you takecare of it. Amen. The ability to trust is a tremendous giftfrom God, we must utilize it, and trust in God always.

God can be hard to see. It can seem that God hides. Ihave sometimes found myself pleading for God to come outof hiding and become obvious. But the God I read about inScriptures isn’t the sort to hide, so where is God? Whereare the miracles? The only answer I can come to is thatmiracles are all around us, and we can’t see them becausethey are just so ordinary. To remind myself how miraculousordinary existence is, I look at the trees taking in carbondioxide, sunlight, water, and a few nutrients to grow. It’s thecarbon from the air that forms the structure of the wood. Sothe trees are using sunlight and water to make wood out ofair! God surely can’t be far away!

An excerpt from Living with Christ

Encounter Jesus, Serve Others

You may make reservations by either emailingsmatchett@holysouls.org. or call 501-663-8632. Pleaselet us know which Mass time you would like to attendand the names of the members of your family (who areliving in your household) who will be attending.

(all Church Doors open)

CONFESSIONSWednesdays: 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.Saturdays: 2:30 - 3:30 p.m.

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REGISTRATION FOR NEW MEMBERSRegistration for new members is completed in the church officeor online by visiting our web page, www.holysouls.org. Pleasecontact the church office or go online at www.holysouls.org ifyou have moved, changed your telephone number, movedfrom your parent’s home or graduated from college.

RCIAIf you are interested in becoming Catholic, please contact SusejThompson at 501-663-8632 or sthompson@holysouls.org.

RETURNING CATHOLICSIf you are interested in returning to the Catholic Church, pleasecontact Susej Thompson at 663-8632 or sthompson@holysouls.org.

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATIONSaturdays from 2:30 to 3:30pm and Wednesdays from 4:00 to5:00pm or call the church office for an appointment.

CHURCH VISITSThe Church is open for private prayer time on Monday, Tuesday,Thursday, & Friday from 7:30am-3pm; time; and on Wednesdayfrom 7:30am -5:15pm. Please enter through the chapel door orhandicapped door.

BAPTISMBaptisms are scheduled on an individual basis. Please callthe church office for more information.

SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGEContact the church office a minimum of six months in advance.

OUR PARISHIONERS -- Sherry Wortsmith; Becky Price; Robert Carter; Joe &Pat Kirchner; Lillian Henriquez; Mary Adney; Rob Mondy; Bob Skarda; RosieSearle; Jessica Remsing; Kate Evans; Benjamin Stuart; Charlie Baker; MickiFitzpatrick; Judy Caldarera; Glennabell McCumpsey; Rita Williams; Kay Loss; TinaPinter; Henry Schulte; Pat Keogh; Janet Davis; Dorothy Ehlebracht; Andy Gentry;Nick Kirchner; Annette Wahlgreen; George Loss; Alice Henry; Pearl Gentry;David Smith; Annabelle Giardina; Sally Place; Judy Sims; Pat Kirchner; PhilMarks; Pat King; Coleman Liles; Andrew Marra; Don Jones; Gary Flynn; BettyBaker; and Leann Hatley.

OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS -- Carl Calhoun; the JonathanForte Family; the Petty Family; Katie Ehemann; Alice Humphries; ClemEgleston; Ronny Troillett; Jim Hollowell; Kathleen Stafford; Lindsay Newsom,Jerry Hall; Michael Taylor; Theresa Carle; Suzanne Hawkins; RosemaryKraft; Anne Peterson; Chris Ashcraft; Dorothy Pumphrey; Mary Phillips;JoAnne Krisko; Gretchen Golden; Sylvia Crawford; Jamey Coyle; LucilleMarconi, Betty Morris; Marion Deaton; Natalie Miller; Laura Lamps, LiamBrooks; Pat Glover; Lauren & baby Medlock; John Barnett; Dianna Davidson;and Mitch Marconi.

THOSE WHO HAVE DIED -- Paul Campbell, brother of Linda McNutt.

OUR SEMINARIANS -- especially Colton Ketter and Tuan Do.

In order to keep our bulletin prayer list up-to-date for the sick, names will remain onthe list for four weeks. Then their name will be written in the Book of Intercessionwhere they will be remember during every Mass. To continue for another four weeks,please call the church office.

“Keeping Our Greater Treasure Safe”Notes from Fr. Maraiah’s Homily

from July 26, 2020

Today’s readings teach us that Faith in Jesus as ourGod and Savior and sacrificing everything in life to do thewill of God are equivalent to discovering and possessingthe most valuable treasure or the pearl of great price. Inother words, keeping a personal relationship with Christand sharing his view of life are the most beautiful, the mostprecious things in the world.

The first reading tells us how the young King Solomonopted for the great treasure of accepting God to rule his lifeby doing God’s will. That is why he requested of God forthe gift of prudence, “an understanding heart to distinguishright from wrong, so that he might govern God’s peopleproperly. Yahweh was pleased with his request and grantedhim a wise and discerning heart which enabled him tosurpass everyone in wisdom.

In the second reading, Paul teaches that wisdom toperceive God’s grace and use it, is essential for those whowant to follow Him and to do His will, thus remaining in HisKingdom. He assures Rome’s Christian community that“all things work for good for those who love God, who arecalled according to His purpose.”

In the Gospel, using three mini parables and oneconcluding parable or simile, Jesus teaches us that God’sKingdom (the rule of God in us, accepting Jesus as ourGod and Savior, putting our Faith in God and doing Hiswill), is something of extraordinary value, like a hiddentreasure or a costly pearl, and that possessing it calls for atotal commitment to preserve it. The Kingdom of God isGod’s reign in our hearts, in our lives, in our homes, in oursociety, and in our world. Only those who develop asearching mind and a heart willing to give up everything forthe great treasure of God’s Kingdom will be rewarded.Through the first and second parables of the treasure andpearl, Jesus teaches us that identifying God’s will and livingaccording to the Gospel (both with His grace), are the mostprecious and worthwhile things in life. Through Jesus andhis Gospel, we come to know and understand the realmeaning of life, the will of God for us each day, and the mostimportant things we must do to secure our eternal life.

We should live every moment in view of our preciousgoal. Most of the time, we are chasing false treasures suchas money, social status or worldly pleasures. Thus, thereally valuable “pearl” of sharing in God’s life through Jesushere on earth and later in Heaven, is never found. Let usalways remember that Heaven is within the reach of all ofus who try to do the will of God, following the ordinaryvocations of life and enjoying this world’s joys and pleasureswithin the framework of God’s Commandments. When wedo this, we are already living in the Kingdom of Heavenwhile we are still on earth. We need to take all precautions to keep our greatesttreasure safe: We will be able to keep safe the treasure ofour personal relationship with Jesus by accepting him everyday as our God and Savior, by allowing him to have totalcontrol over our lives through our loving obedience to hiswill, by asking him daily for the strengthening and guidanceof his Holy Spirit, by talking to him daily in prayer, bylistening to him in our meditative reading of the Bible, bygetting reconciled to him and others every day, askingpardon and forgiveness for our sins, by offering Him ourlives on the altar during the Holy Mass, and by allowingHim to nourish our souls frequently, by receiving Jesus inHoly Communion.

To read the daily reading online, go to www.usccb.org/nab/today.shtml

Monday, August 3 Jer 28:1-17; Ps 119:29, 43, 79, 80, 95, 102; Mt 14:22-36No Mass

Tuesday, August 4 ST. JOHN VIANNEY - Jer 30:1-2, 12-15, 18-22; Ps 102:16-21, 29, 22-23; Mt 14:22-36 or Mt 15:1-2, 10-17:00 a.m. Mass Tim Boe by Anne Thomisee

Wednesday, August 5 THE DEDICATION OF THE BASILICA OF ST. MARY MAJOR - Jer 31:1-7; Jer 31:10-12ab, 13; Mt 15:21-285:30 p.m. Mass Frances Bovick Jansen by The Seven “Bovick” Cousins and famliy

Thursday, August 6 THE TRANSFIGURATION OF THE LORD - Dn 7:9-10, 13-14; Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 9; 2 Pt 1:16-19; Mt 17:1-97:00 a.m. Mass The Pawlowski & Guzik Famliies by Elzbieta Pawlowski

Friday, August 7 ST. SIXTUS II & COMPANIONS, ST. CAJETANK -Na 2:1, 3; 3:1-3, 6-7; Dt 32:35cd-36ab, 39abcd, 41; Mt 16:24-28

7:00 a.m. Mass Fr. James West by Holy Souls ParishSaturday, August 8 ST. DOMINIC - Hb 1:12 — 2:4; Ps 9:8-13; Mt 17:14-2

4:00 p.m. Vigil Mass Elsie Rhein by John & Christine Bohannon and Chuck & Deborah JohnsonSunday, August 9 19TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - 1 Kgs 19:9a, 11-13a; Ps 85:9-14; Rom 9:1-5; Mt 14:22-33

8:00 a.m. Mass Wayne Thomisee by Holy Souls Men’s Club10:30 a.m. Mass Intentions of Parishioners5:30 p.m. Mass Delores Grace Moellers by Ginger & Brian Quinn

Mass Intentions may be offered for the Repose of the Soul of a deceased loved one or for healing, a special occasion,or a special intention for yourself, a family member, or friend. Please contact Cindy in the Church Office for more information.