The obligation to attend Sunday Mass is dispensed until November 1, 2020. Please visit our website, www.stmartha.org for a complete list of Guidelines for Masses at St. Martha Church
From Our Pastor, Fr. Fausto … The epidemic is persistent, but our two schools are open
and running nice. Happy Labor Day Weekend! Enjoy it, and remember, if
you drink, do not drive! Have a designated driver who does not drink, and leave the driving to her/him. Our Parish Office will be closed Monday, September 7. Mass times on Monday will be 7:30 a.m., 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
As St. Paul remarked: “Those who do not work, should not eat.” We Catholics uphold the command that God gave to Adam and Eve, to work “by the sweat of your face,” and to “fill and subdue the earth.” God then wants us to work for our sustenance, and also to share our surplus. “It is acceptable (to give to the needy) according to what one has, not according to what one does not have; not that others should have relief while you are burdened, but that as a matter of equality, your surplus at the present time should supply their needs” (2 Cor 8:12-14).
Labor-work is then the noble vocation of all creatures of God! Let us celebrate today this vocation with gratitude for the job we have, with joy at the blessings God has given us through our job, and with shared generosity, toward the truly needy people of God. Pray also for the unemployed that they may find work!
Sunday, September 20, the St. Martha Religious Education classes will begin. Please be sure to take the time to register your little ones for this important part of their religious formation. This year we will offer two options for families: In-person option (in the classroom) or Synchronous/Asynchronous (online) option.
Families need to be registered parishioners of St. Martha and need to complete the Religious Education registration form each year. Registration forms can be found online at stmartha.org or in the parish office. If you are new to the area or your children are now old enough (kindergarten and up) to begin their faith formation, contact Patty Sileo, Director of Religious Education at 366-4210 ext. 3236 or email her at [email protected].
Please say a prayer for the staff, catechists and children for a successful and blessed year.
Today’s reading shows us how to deal with the command of Jesus to love everybody, including our enemies, as St. Paul remarked in the second reading: “Anyone who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.”
“To Love” in accord with Jesus’ command doesn’t imply just a good “feeling” of our emotions, but involves our entire being: emotions, brains and actions! And among one of the most difficult tasks in loving our neighbor is the loving correction of our faults. We are so much afraid of rejection that we correct little, letting things go beyond reason and prudence. And, on the receiving side of correction, our pride resists every little correction, as if we were perfect human beings. So any member of Jesus’ people should try to bring back, to the Good Shepherd, any stray sheep. This is done privately, so that the offending sister or brother doesn’t get humiliated. Sadly, because of our fear of rejection, we say nothing to the stray sheep, but behind his or her back, we
many times gossip endlessly, even if the sin is hidden! The reason we can share our concern with someone else
is, according to Jesus’ command, only to have someone to add weight to the reproval, which can be done only by sharing it. Failure to heed this second warning demands that the process be brought to the assembly of Jesus’ people (Church), and notice that the whole assembly, and not just the office-holders, has the power to bind and to loose as Peter alone received by Jesus in Matthew 16:19.
To love our neighbors, then, doesn’t mean to accept scandalous people, but to correct and pray for the sinners; and
how powerful prayer is can be seen by the last words of today’s gospel: “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in their midst.” Be Christ-correct, not just politically correct! We are approaching the 19-year anniversary of the horrific attack on our country by the Islamic terrorists. Next weekend, September 12 and September 13, “Taps” will be played at all Masses. On Friday, September 11 we will have a special time of silence at all Masses to remember those who died on that day. God bless America! Tuesday, September 8, we celebrate Mary’s Birthday. When I give my weekly Catechism
lessons to our St. Martha School children, they ask me questions about Blessed Mother Mary’s age, last name, birthday and age at death. Although on Tuesday we have the Feast of the Nativity of our Blessed Mother, we cannot assume that Mary was born on September 8 of the Imperial Roman Calendar. This date celebrates the dedication of a Basilica dedicated to Mary in the Fifth Century within Jerusalem’s walls.
Poor people had no last name and their lives were so insignificant to the Romans that we know almost nothing of their anagraphic data…and Mary was poor!
This Sunday is Caritas Sunday. A collection box will be at the exit door after Mass. Your donations help them to continue to assist the needy of our area. Any help we can give these poor unfortunate souls is an act of charity on our part, and worthy of us as messengers of God!
Smile, God loves you and so does Fr. Fausto
with your St. Martha clergy: Fathers Patrick, Jan, Chris, John, & Jerry
Deacons Bill, Patrick, Robert, Vern and Kevin Brothers Lawrence & William and Sister Cathy
S 6, 2020 23 S O T P W III
"FATIMA" On August 28, the movie "Fatima" opened at select theaters and on streaming sites such as Apple iTunes and Amazon Prime. It is based on the true story of the Blessed Virgin's appearances before three children in Fatima, Portugal in 1917. “This depiction of the miraculous events that took place 103 years ago is a moving and inspiring account of Our Lady of Fatima. Don't miss it.”- Bill Donohue
Don’t forget your mask!
The Diocese of Venice Catholic Center will continue live streaming Daily and Sunday Masses at 9:15 a.m.
on their Facebook page: Diocese of Venice in Florida
Sarasota Laps For Life goes Virtual!
Join us for this special cause by completing a timed distance of 5K (3.1 miles) in your neighborhood,
park, or other favorite outdoor location, anytime between
September 12th - October 3rd
Submit you results and tag us in your pictures #SarasotaLapsForLife
Life is NOT cancelled: Be Safe, Run Virtual!
Hosted by the Knights of Columbus
To sign up or donate visit: srqlapsforlife.net
St. Martha Church is now on Instagram
Follow Us!!!
POPE FRANCIS PRAYER INTENTIONS SEPTEMBER 2020
We pray that the planet's resources will not be plundered, but shared in a just and
respectful manner.
PATRIOT DAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2020 In remembering the fateful events of September 11, 2001,
may we resolve to put aside our differences and join together in the task of renewing our nation and world. Let us
make our own the prayer of Pope Benedict XVI when he visited Ground Zero in New York in 2008:
O God of love, compassion, and healing, look on us, people of many different faiths and traditions,
who gather today at this site, the scene of incredible violence and pain….
God of understanding, overwhelmed by the magnitude of this tragedy,
we seek your light and guidance as we confront such terrible events.
Grant that those whose lives were spared may live so that the lives lost here
may not have been lost in vain. Comfort and console us,
strengthen us in hope, and give us the wisdom and courage
to work tirelessly for a world where true peace and love reign
Do You Need Help? Catholic Charities is available if you need assistance for food, financial assistance or tele-mental health counseling. Please call the number for your area listed below between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday to Friday:
Year of Saint Joseph On the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, March 19, Bishop Frank J. Dewane consecrated the Diocese of Venice to the care and protection of Saint Joseph in the context of the Coronavirus and announced a "Year of Saint Joseph" beginning March 19, 2020 through March 19, 2021. Saint Joseph, often referred to as the Protector, can be our protector too during this
time of the pandemic. To pray a Novena to Saint Joseph please visit the Year of St. Joseph page on the Diocesan website: https://dioceseofvenice.org/a-year-of-st-joseph/
S .M R E 2020‐2021Registrationisnowopenforthe2020/2021ReligiousEducationclasses.ClassesbeginSunday,September20andareavailableforchildrenGradesK‐12.Wewillofferin‐classandonlinelearningthisyear.ForclassinformationandtoregisteryourchildpleasecontactPatriciaSileo,DirectorofReligiousEducationat366‐4210ext3236,[email protected].
Pero si quieres dejar de beber el problema es nuestro. Alcoholicos Anonimos
941-355-3399 — www.aasrq.org
Have you considered a
Charitable Gift Annuity?
In conjunction with the Catholic Community Foundation, parishioners can name St. Martha as the beneficiary of a Charitable Gift Annuity. A Charitable Gift Annuity is a great way to support St. Martha, while at the same time, generating a guaranteed life-long income for you, the donor. A Charitable Gift Annuity is a contract between the donor and the Catholic Community Foundation, whereby the donor receives a partial tax deduction with fixed payments for the rest of their life in exchange for a gift of cash or securities. The money remaining in the account at the end of their life is given to St. Martha. The annuity contract uses rates based on age, life expectancy and assumed investment returns, which are intended to produce a final gift to St. Martha of 50% of the original funding amount. If you are interested in more information about a Charitable Gift Annuity, please contact Teressa McCoy in the Parish Office at 941-366-4210 or [email protected].
Thank you for your support of St. Martha Parish.
Our parishioners are our only source of funds and your contributions keep the lights on, enable parish ministries,
and support our outreach to the poor.
Spiritual Adoption Program During this difficult time, please consider spiritually adopting an unborn baby. You can choose a name for your child and pray the simple prayer by Venerable Fulton J. Sheen each day through Christmas: “Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I love you very much. I beg you to
spare the life of the unborn baby that I have spiritually adopted who is in danger of abortion."
Visit https://dioceseofvenice.org/wp-content/uploads/SPIRITUALADOPTIONS-.pdf for monthly fetal
development information and Scriptures. For a prayer card in English, Spanish or Creole, contact
1661 Main St, Sarasota, FL 34236 (Food pantry located on Adelia Ave)
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays 10:00 a.m. - Noon
If your family is in need of food due to Covid-19, please visit the Caritas Food Pantry. The food pantry window is located on Adelia Ave. The volunteers will distribute the
packages of non-perishable food items through the window.
Witness to Love Retreats
September 12, 2020 ● December 5, 2020 ● March 20, 2021
ZOOM Retreat on line - Features Great Videos and Speakers
To register Please email : Jim and Agnes Rutushni at [email protected]
WTL - Ambassadors, Advisors and Mentors wanted. WTL Mentors and Senior Advisors always needed.
Be a Buddy Couple to a newly engaged couple. Share your marriage love recipe that works for you.
Visit our WTL website at https://witnesstolove.org/
Thank you all...and thank you Jesus!
Position Available
Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School is seeking a maintenance/custodial technician. This position
is available immediately, is full time (40 hours per week) with benefits. Applicants must be able to lift 30+ pounds and pass a background check. Interested applicants should email a resume to [email protected].
OUTREACH MINISTRIES Altar Servers Dn. Bob Gaitens 941-350-2634
Altar Society Janet Cocco 941-366-4210
Archivist 941-366-4210
Arimathean Ministry Geri Roberts 941-600-8479
Bethesda House Colleen McMenamin 941-366-1886
Catholic Charities Joan Pierse 941-355-4680
Community Pregnancy Clinics 239-262-6381
Casa Santa Marta Paula Jaramillo 941-366-4448
Choir/Cantor Virginia Bray 941-366-4210
Council of Catholic Women Marcia Stokes 334-648-4328
