Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church

Sunday, September 23, 2018 – Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Address 708 First Street, South Birmingham, AL 35205

Contact Information Rectory: (205) 322-1205

Fax: (205) 714-5056 Email: olf@josephite.com

Website: olfbirmingham.org

Sacraments Baptism: Parents desiring Baptism for their children are encouraged to contact the Rectory to arrange for the required preparation class for parents and Godparents Funeral: Please contact the Rectory for Funeral Arrangements. Funerals are not permitted on Sundays or Holy Days of Obligation. Anointing of the Sick: If you or a family member is Sick or Shut-in, please inform the Rectory so that we may arrange to bring the Sacraments to your home, hospital or nursing home. Marriage: For Marriage Arrangements, please contact the Rectory at least 6 months before intended marriage date. Confessions: 30 minutes before weekend Masses or by appointment.

Mass Schedule Weekends Saturday Vigil 6:00 P.M. Sunday 7:00 A.M. & 11:00 A.M. Weekdays Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 7:00 A.M. Holy Days of Obligation: As announced Eucharistic Adoration: 1st Monday of the month 6-7 P.M.

Parish Ministries Parish Council

Peggy Polk (205) 655-4424

Finance Council Melanie McNary (205) 908-4885

Eucharistic Ministers Billy Shepherd (205) 640-5490

Lectors Melanie McNary (205) 908-4885

CCD Theresa Nalls (205) 567-3123

Altar Servers Greta Chapman (205) 902-0429

Ushers Keith Boykin (205) 222-2011

Music Ministry Erma Hinton (205) 620-0787 Rubie Moore (205) 821-2370

Tanisha Jones (205) 936-0048 Jillian Johnson-Rogers 205-531-1641

Grounds & Maintenance Garry Cauthen (205) 901-9792

Church Membership There are levels of Church

Membership. Anyone living within the boundaries of our Parish for at least 6 months is

automatically a member. Those who live inside or outside our

boundaries and choose to “register” are members.

“Contributing members” are those who choose to use the

envelopes on a regular basis and are entitled to regular financial

reports from the Rectory.

Parish Ministries Season Stars {Seniors Club} Constance Smith (205) 591-4087

Bereavement Lenora Bolling (205) 251-3903

Bettye Kelly (205) 942-2576

Ladies Sodality Juanita Harris (205) 856-0515

Photographer George Mauldin, Sr. (205) 566-3349

Bible Study Doug Coutee (Men) to (205) 352-3533 Mary Shepherd (Women) (205) 640-5490

Knights of Peter Claver John Bolling

KPC Ladies Auxiliaries Lenora Bolling

RCIA Rev. Mr. Douglass Moorer

Liturgical Dance Louise Purdue (205) 821-4362

Pastor Father Godwin Ani, SSJ

Deacon Rev. Mr. Douglass Moorer, (205) 427-7885

Mission Statement

Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church is committed to proclaiming our belief in the

Message and Mission of Jesus Christ. Also, the members are committed to sharing our time, talent, and treasure

through Sacramental, Educational and Pastoral ministry, Service to those in need and working for Social

Justice.

Whose glory do you seek? There can be no share in God's glory without the cross. When Jesus prophesied his own betrayal and crucifixion, it did not make any sense to his disciples because it did not fit their understanding of what the Messiah came to do. And they were afraid to ask further questions! Like a person who might receive a bad verdict from the doctor and then refuse to ask further questions, they, too, didn't want to know any more. How often do we reject what we do not wish to see? We have heard the good news of God's word and we know the consequences of accepting it or rejecting it. But do we give it our full allegiance and mold our lives according to it? Ask the Lord to fill you with his Holy Spirit and to inspire within you a reverence for his word and a readiness to obey it.

Do you compare yourself with others? How ashamed the disciples must have been when Jesus overheard them arguing about who among them was the greatest! But aren't we like the disciples? We compare ourselves with others and desire their praise. The appetite for glory and greatness seems to be inbred in us. Who doesn't cherish the ambition to be "somebody" whom others admire rather than a "nobody"? Even the psalms speak about the glory God has destined for us. You have made them a little lower than God, and crowned them with glory and honor. Jesus made a dramatic gesture by embracing a child to show his disciples who really is the greatest in the kingdom of God. What can a little child possibly teach us about greatness? Children in the ancient world had no rights, position, or privileges of their own. They were socially at the "bottom of the rung" and at the service of their parents, much like the household staff and domestic servants. Who is the greatest in God's kingdom? What is the significance of Jesus' gesture? Jesus elevated a little child in the presence of his disciples by placing the child in a privileged position of honor. It is customary, even today, to seat the guest of honor at the right side of the host. Who is the greatest in God's kingdom? The one who is humble and lowly of heart - who instead of asserting their rights willingly empty themselves of pride and self-seeking glory by taking the lowly position of a servant or child. Jesus, himself, is our model. He came not to be served, but to serve. Paul the Apostle states that Jesus emptied himself and took the form of a servant. Jesus lowered himself (he whose place is at the right hand of God the Father) and took on our lowly nature that he might raise us up and clothe us in his divine nature. God wants to fill us with his own glory If we want to be filled with God's life and power, then we need to empty ourselves of everything which stands in the way - pride, self-seeking glory, vanity, etc. God wants empty vessels so he can fill them with his own glory, power, and love. Are you ready to humble yourself and to serve as Jesus did?

Lord Jesus, by your cross you have redeemed the world and revealed your glory and triumph over sin and death. May I never fail to see your glory and victory in the cross. Help me to conform my life to

your will and to follow in your way of holiness." -Amen

Sunday, September 23, 2018

Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Stewardship Update

Last Week—September 15th & 16th Attendance: 102 (6 P.M. & 7 A.M. Mass)

************** “What shall I give to the Lord for all His bounty to

me?” Psalms 116:12

Serving This Week Sept. 22nd & 23rd Saturday 6:00 P.M. Eucharistic Ministers: Wilbur & Delores Johnson Lectors: Lisa Humes, Natalie Brown Greeters: Bettye Kelly Sunday 7:00 A.M. Eucharistic Ministers: Roderick & Phyllis Palmer Lectors: Beverly Beacham, Eddie Russell Greeters: John Jenkins Sunday 11:00 A.M. Eucharistic Ministers: Laurelia Caldwell, Juanita Harris, Debbie Washington, Elizabeth Harris Lectors: Debbie Washington, Iris Williams Greeters: Deborah Poe, Jetaun Murrell

Serving Next Weekend Sept. 29th & 30th Saturday 6:00 P.M. Eucharistic Ministers: Fani Hasberry, Patricia Ross Lectors: Erik & Josetta Craig Greeters: Linda Jolicouer, Devin & Donovan Peoples Sunday 7:00 A.M. Eucharistic Ministers: Brenda Browder, Carol Prince Lectors: Katie Riggins, Olivia Hill Greeters: Alfreda Kincaid Sunday 11:00 A.M. Eucharistic Ministers: Greta Chapman, Mary Shepherd, Mary Russell, Rosalind Crowder Lectors: Adrienne Kalamba, Deanna Minard Greeters: Mary Shepherd, Iris Williams

Daily Readings for the Week Monday: Proverb 3:27-34 Luke 8:16-18 Tuesday: Proverbs 21:1-6, 10-13 Luke 8:19-21 Wednesday: Proverbs 30:5-9 Luke 9:1-6 Thursday: Ecclesiastes 1:2-11 Luke 7:9:7-9 Friday: Ecclesiastes 3:1-11 Luke 9:18-22

Prayers for Sick & Shut-In Lenora Bolling Gwendolyn Brooks, Albert Carson

James Collins, Mildred Hunter, Jacob, Kangah, Claudette Lewis, Jessie Nelson, Lucille Meeks, Leroy Willis, Katherine Willis, Naulbert Nolan, Ronald Greene, Yolanda Collins, Annie White,

**If you know of anyone who is very ill and confined (at home, in a nursing home or in the hospital), please contact

Father Ani at the Rectory or one of these members who serve with the Pastoral Care to the Sick Ministry:

Bettye Kelly, 205-942-2576, Lela Flood. 205-798-6355, or Elizabeth Harris, 205-8338412

You are remembered in our prayers!

Birthday Wishes!!!! Amber Anderson 9/13

Omari Emil Bayles 9/4 Calvalene Burnett 9/20

Natalie Brown– Kelly 9/9 Annie Bryant 9/25

Rosalind Crowder 9/9 Valencia Curry 9/21

Quadarius Harris 9/3 Nathaniel Henderson 9/3

Arthur Hill 9/10 Jeremy Hilson 9/20 Martin Hinton 9/3 Fannie Hasberry 9/18

Paige Juzang 9/29 Mamie Johnson 9/20 Natalie Meeks 9/14

Wilma Norris 9/6 Naulbert Nolan 9/21 Mary Russell 9/20 Edward Russell 9/23

Darrah Ashley Sims 9/12 Barbara Sizemore 9/18 Allen Small 9/30 Pat Simpson 9/21

Tyrone Webb 9/17

Brent & Dawn Patterson married on September 27th David & Nefertari Brown married on September 11th James & Erica Prewitt married on September 12th

Charley & Dora Robinson married on September 28th Sammy & Deborah Woods married on September 1st

Larry & Lisa Cooper married on September 4th *Birthday, and anniversary greetings are extended to all parishioners who are celebrating this month. (Dates are

generated from the parish registration forms)

Words of Wisdom We grow up when we see our life and our role from God’s perspective; when we thank God for the role he has assigned us and begin to see our cup as a

gift instead of a cross; when each morning we ask, “God, how can I glorify you today in my given

role?”

General Announcements & Church Updates

The Seasoned Stars of Our Lady of Fatima will have a bingo luncheon in the Family Life Center on Thursday, October 4, 2018. The bingo luncheon will include Mass at 11:00 A.M. , lunch at 12:00 Noon and bingo 1:00 P.M. - 2:00 P.M. The cost is $7.00 per person. This includes playing cards, lunch and prizes. Please be sure to place your name on the sign-up sheet in the vestibule so that a headcount will be available for food preparation purposes. Please contact Conni Smith at 213-7558 if you have any questions.

For those members who have made transportation & hotel accommodations, please sign your name on the sign-up sheet located in the vestibule so that we can tabulate the number of banquet tickets to be purchased. Tickets will be sponsored by Our Lady of Fatima. Posted below are the options for your meal.

Take the Holy Land Pilgrimage, November 2-November 10, 2019. See the Bible come to life, see where Jesus was born, baptized and performed His first miracles. For more details, please contact Charles or Dorothy Dorsey at dorothy@europeanflavorstravel.com or call from 6-9pm, 205-568-1593.

The MALE CHORUS will sing on the 5th Sunday, September 30, 2018 ONE REHEARSAL REMAINS on September 26th from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. We invite men of all vocal ranges and musical talents to join us in rehearsal

We are in need of more donations for altar flowers. Please consider donating flowers in honor or memory of a loved one. Donation Request Forms are located in the lob-by. Cost for flowers is $110.00.

The Greeters Ministry will hold it's next class soon and we are looking for smiling faces and WILLING WORKERS. We are starting a new division to include our youth. Parents please encourage your children to get involved (ages 7 and up). Sign-up sheets will be available in the vestibule this weekend. The Greeters Ministry will also sponsor our BLANKET PROJECT this year. We will do a Make and Take blanket, the blanket you make you will keep and we will be taking donations for material to make blankets for members on the sick list. A sign-up sheet will be available in the vestibule. For additional information contact Bertha Randall @ 205-202-5143.