St. Agnes St. Agnes St. Agnes Catholic Community A Perpetual Adoration and Stewardship Parish PARISH OFFICE 3966 Chestnut Ave. Concord, CA 94519 Tel: (925) 689-0838 Fax: (925) 689-7899 Office Hours: 9:00am - Noon * 1:00pm - 4:30pm, Monday-Thursday Website: www.stagnesparish.net * E-Mail: [email protected]Instagram: stagnesparishconcord * Twitter: @stagnesparish July 30, 2017 July 30, 2017 17th Sunday in ordinary time 17th Sunday in ordinary time 17th Sunday in ordinary time
Secretary: Ana Kelley [email protected] Website: www.stagnesconcord.com
SCHOOL OFFICE
What is your “treasure?”
Jesus understood that “treasure” was a key understanding to unlocking the hearts of his listeners. (“For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be. Mt 6:21.) That passage occurred earlier in Matthew’s gospel (and was also recorded by Luke at 12:34). Today’s gospel opens with a parable of finding the treasure of heaven.
“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field…” (Mt 13:44) It might sound a bit strange for us to hear this. We might imagine walking the beach with a metal detector. But Jesus was speaking to people who went about everyday plowing of land—a land that might have seen conquering armies and reason to hide your valuables before capture or destruction.
As an army approached, people would try to bury their valuables in a place that was secret so that they might return to recover it after the dust settled. This was a frequent experience to those who settled and resettled in parts of war-torn lands.
But let’s go back to the “treasure finders”—it wasn’t because they were combing the ground with metal detectors. They were likely going about the business of everyday farming: plowing, turning the earth, removing obstacles to planting.
The point of understanding this parable begins with realizing that treasure is often right in front of us, yet somehow hidden from view. I’m writing this reflection on July 22nd, and I cannot overlook Mary Magdalene. In 2016, Pope Francis elevated her memorial to a feast day on the Roman calendar—giving her the same level of celebration as the male apostles. Found: the treasure of St. Mary Magdalene!
Mary Magdalene was one of the original Galilean disciples of Jesus. Little is known of her background. She is referred to as the “woman from whom seven demons had gone out,” but there is no biblical evidence for calling her a penitent prostitute. Hollywood helped take care of that—tawdry details can sensationalize movies.
In the Eastern Church, she has been revered for generations—but underappreciated in the West. In the Gospels of John and Matthew (and the longer ending of Mark) Mary is the first to the tomb, first to see the Risen Lord. She brings this news to the Twelve, and thus is now truly revered as the “Apostle to the Apostles.”
Mary might enlighten us to seeing the treasure of Faith more clearly. If we look more closely, who among our friends and family (in faith) might now inspire us? Are we afraid that a deeper piety or spirituality is beyond our reach?
As an apprentice bartender in college, the owner told me to ask customers: “what’s your pleasure?” Do we approach our faith life this way? Jesus is asking us today “what’s your treasure?” Without hesitation, we may answer “our family.” Who doesn’t treasure family? But perhaps the key to our gospel reflection is to savor our membership in God’s family. Through Baptism we are “children of God.” Today let us try to ensure that the divine life offered through faith occupies an ever-growing place in our heart—that’s where our real treasure belongs.
Deacon Bill
SUNDAY COLLECTION FOR JULY 23: $10,344.00 Includes Faith Direct Giving
We thank you for your Stewardship.
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DAILY MASS IN THE CHAPEL Monday - Saturday at 8:00 AM. (Communion Service on Wed.)
PERPETUAL EUCHARISTIC ADORATION - Chapel Contact Sumner or Veronica Peery at 827-0916 for scheduling.
FOR ADULT LEARNING:
SCRIPTURE SHARING - Currently on summer break.
FOR MINISTRY:
PRAYER TREE - A ministry of people who pray specifically for those who are ill. Please notify the parish office if you or a member of your family are in, or going into, the hospital.
MARTINEZ SHELTER MEALS: Plan a meal for 35 residents. Purchase & prepare food; serve dinner at the shelter. Please contact to volunteer: Anne Kurylo, 925-876-7510 or [email protected].
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL MINISTRY Please contact the St. Vincent de Paul Hotline at (925) 689-0838, Ext. 250.
MINISTRY TO THE SICK: Please call Naomi (925) 768-3587.
CARING HANDS-JOHN MUIR HEALTH: Contact Stacy Appel by e-mail at [email protected].
Faith and Spirituality
PRAYER CAN CHANGE EVERYTHING! PLEASE PRAY FOR HEALING FOR:
Ron Artale April Azucena Mary Brennan Amalia Bunge Ana Bunge Trinity Cereghino George Conlow Marie Costa William Cumins Anthony Davi
Kevin Dever Dave Dewan Stephen Dixon Jim Farrington Le-Chi Feng-Hsiang Judy Guarina Anna Hennessy Maria Hills Sharie Hunter Ken Klovee
Camila Koven Travis Lash Joel Manalang Jean McCarthy Marv McKean Joshua Monitz Tom Mullegue Edward Nettelman Mary Perez Natalie Petrini
Micah Pilkerton Diane Pollard Phyllis Ray Ellie Rowe Gina Rubin Jack&Maureen Ryan Greg Scaletti Connie Schulte Margaret Scott Rick Smith
Barbara Buscaglia Strihlitz Linda Taylor Petti Thall Carolyn Thompson Yvonne Egter Van Wissekerke Pat Weisinger Catherine Werner Brenda Woodshed
If you need to add or delete a name to the above list, please call the church office.
Registration packets have been mailed to last year’s students. Please register by August 31. If you are new to our parish or have not yet enrolled and wish to receive registration information, please call the parish office at 925-689-0838, Ext. 210. Additional packets are available in the church office.
BISHOP’S APPEAL UPDATE
Thank you to our parishioners who have added to the contributions to the Bishop’s Annual appeal. As of mid-July, 47 St. Agnes parishioners have contributed or pledged $21,030, which means we have reached 60.6% of our goal of $34,73.50.
It is never to late to contribute. A few envelopes still remain in the pews. Every donation helps the following: schools in need, pastoral ministries and services, clergy formation and retirement, and religious education and formation. Thank you.
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Calendar for the Week Mass Intentions
Saturday, July 29, 2017 5:00 p.m. Catherine Audry-Quinn — Repose Ramona U. Dela Cerna—Repose Yvonne Egter Van Wissekerke—Spec Int.
Sunday, July 30, 2017 7:00 a.m. Ray Asselin—Repose
9:00 a.m. Jean McCarthy—Special Intention Nathaniel Simisin—Special Intention
10:45 a.m. Fr. Peter Loffredo—Repose Johanna Sherly Wewengkang—Repose Yvonne Egter Van Wissekerke—Spec Int.
5:00 p.m. For the People of St. Agnes, Living and Deceased
Monday, July 31, 2017 8:00 a.m. John Newton—Repose
Tuesday, August 1, 2017 8:00 a.m. Dustin Davis—Repose
Wednesday, August 2, 2017 8:00 a.m. Communion Service Only
Thursday, August 3, 2017 8:00 a.m. Ramon Santos—Repose
Friday, August 4, 2017 8:15 a.m. Ray Asselin—Repose Loreto Santos—Repose
Saturday, August 5, 2017 8:00 a.m. Ramon Visperas—Repose
5:00 p.m. Vilma Capitule—Repose Deceased Members of the Lee Family Deceased Members of the Nguyen Family
Sunday, August 6, 2017 7:00 a.m. For the People of St. Agnes, Living and Deceased
9:00 a.m. Ray Asselin—Repose Liam McDougal—Repose Carol Urban—Special Intention
10:45 a.m. Roberto Icaza—Repose Deceased Members of the Grewis Family Jean McCarthy—Special Intention
5:00 p.m. William Bolanos—Repose
Parish Events and Meetings
Sunday, July 30, 2017 Monday, July 31, 2017 8:00 a.m. Daily Mass—Chapel Tuesday, August 1, 2017 8:00 a.m. Daily Mass—Chapel 7:00 p.m. St. Vincent de Paul—A.R. Wednesday, August 2, 2017 8:00 a.m. Communion Service—Chapel 10:30 a.m. Rosary Makers—G.P. Thursday, August 3, 2017 8:00 a.m. Daily Mass—Chapel Friday, August 4, 2017 8:15 a.m. Daily Mass—Chapel 5:30 p.m. First Friday Dinner—Church Hall 6:45 p.m. Divine Mercy Chaplet—Chapel Saturday, August 5, 2017 8:00 a.m. Daily Mass—Chapel 8:30 a.m. Lector Practice—Church SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES Sunday: Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Monday: St. Ignatius of Loyola Tuesday: St. Alphonsus Liguori Wednesday: St. Eusebius of Vercelli; St. Peter Julian Eymard Friday: St. John Vianney; First Friday Saturday: The Dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary Major; First Saturday; Blessed Virgin Mary READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Ex 32:15-24, 30-34; Ps 106:19-23; Mt 13:31-35 Tuesday: Ex 33:7-11; 34:5b-9, 28; Ps 103:6-13; Mt 13:36-43 Wednesday: Ex 34:29-35; Ps 99:5-7, 9; Jn 11:19-27 or Lk
4 1st Friday Dinner, 5:30 pm, Church Hall 12 Luau Dinner/Dance, 6:00 pm, Hall 15 The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary: 8:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m. (Holy Day of Obligation) 17 First Day of School (St. Agnes) 19-20 Fair Trade after all Masses 19-20 Hospitality after all Masses 26 Anointing Mass, 10:30 a.m., Church 27 Jubilee School Mass, 10:45 a.m. 27 School 50th Anniversary BBQ, noon 28 StARS Lunch, 11:00 a.m.
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS FIRST FRIDAY FISH FRY
August 4 at 5:30 p.m.
The Knights of Columbus will be hosting a First Friday Fish Fry in the Church hall on August 4 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.
Menu: Fried Fish, French Fries, Salad and Cole Slaw
Cost: $7.00 (free for kids 3 and under)
Beverages are available for an additional cost.
Get out of your own hot kitchen and let someone else do the cooking and cleanup!
ROSARY MAKERS
The Rosary Makers will meet on August 2 and August 16.
With a Hail Mary in our hearts, we Rosary Makers fashion a variety of colored rosaries for the Missions to spread the rosary for peace in this world as Our Lady of Fatima requested. Come and visit our meetings to see our work in progress and pick up a rosary of your choice to pray for peace.
Please pray for our ministry. Thank you.
The next meeting of the St. Agnes Retired Seniors will take place on Tuesday, August 29, in the Church Hall. Gathering time is at 11:00 a.m., and the luncheon begins at 11:30. This is a potluck luncheon, and all St. Agnes seniors and guests are welcome to attend. Just bring your choice of either a main dish, a side dish, a salad or a dessert (enough for 6 servings). A very special program is planned for this meeting. For further information, inquire at the Welcome Table after weekend Masses, at the church office on weekdays, or call Bob or Sandi Rigor at 925-682-0387.
Please join us as we celebrate St. Agnes School's 50th Anniversary!
St. Agnes School's 50th year celebration will kick off with 10:45 a.m. mass on Sunday August 27 and a BBQ lunch reception to follow.
Tickets are available to purchase at St. Agnes School's Office, at St. Agnes' Church Office and online.
Tickets are $20 per person, ages 11 and older. **This also includes one free child (10 and under). Additional child ticket(s) are $10 (Meal includes one drink and dessert).
There will be activities for kids, Anniversary tile cre-ation and a chance to share memories of St. Agnes.
Please contact Rachelle Daco or Holly Joaquin with any questions: [email protected].
We look forward to seeing all of you there!
ST. AGNES LUAU DINNER DANCE
Thank you to all who have purchased tickets for the Luau Dinner Dance. It appears to be a popular event as dinner tickets have sold out at this time. However, raffle tickets are still available at the Ministry Center.
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PLENARY INDULGENCE—VENERATION OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA
Our Lady of Fatima will be exposed every 13th of the month (i.e., August 13, September 13) until October 13 (to coincide with her apparition dates) in the Perpetual Adoration Chapel from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
“To obtain the plenary indulgence, the faithful must also fulfill the ordinary conditions: go to Confession and Communion, be interiorly detached from sin, and pray for the intentions of the Holy Father.” Source: Diocesan News 100th Anniversary of Our Lady of Fatima, Plenary Indulgence – Diocese of Oakland
It is recommended that you pray the rosary to include the Fatima prayer and pray for the intentions of the Holy Father (i.e., before you start the rosary say “for the intentions of the Holy Father and for an increase in Faith, Hope, and Charity.”)
An Excerpt from Pope Francis: The Joy of Love, On Love in the Family
Chapter Seven: Towards a Better Education of Children
259.Parents always influence the moral development of children, for better or for worse. It follows that they should take up this essential role and carry it out consciously, enthusiastically, reasonably and appropriately. Since the educational role of families is so important, and increasingly complex, I would like to discuss it in detail.
Where are Our Children? 260.Families cannot help but be places of support, guidance and direction, however they may have to rethink
their methods and discover new resources. Parents need to consider what they want their children to be exposed to, and this necessarily means being concerned about who is providing their entertainment, who is entering their rooms through television and electronic devices, and with whom they are spending their free time. Only if we devote time to our children, speaking of important things with simplicity and concern, and finding healthy ways for them to spend their time, will we be able to shield them from harm. Vigilance is always necessary and neglect is never beneficial. Parents have to help prepare children and adolescents to confront the risk, for example, of aggression, abuse or drug addiction.
261.Obsession, however, is not education. We cannot control every situation that a child may experience. Here it remains true that “time is greater than space.” In other words, it is more important to start processes than to dominate spaces. If parents are obsessed with always knowing where their children are and controlling all their movements, they will seek only to dominate space. But this is no way to educate, strengthen and prepare their children to face challenges. What is most important is the ability lovingly to help them grow in freedom, maturity, overall discipline and real autonomy. Only in this way will children come to possess the wherewithal needed to fend for themselves and to act intelligently and prudently whenever they meet with difficulties. The real question, then, is not where our children are physically, or whom they are with at any given time, but rather where they are existentially, where they stand in terms of their convictions, goals, desires and dreams. The questions I would put to parents are these: “Do we seek to understand ‘where’ our children really are in their journey? Where is their soul, do we really know? And above all, do we want to know?”
262.Were maturity merely the development of something already present in our genetic code, not much would have to be done. But prudence, good judgment and common sense are dependent not on purely quantitative growth factors, but rather on a whole series of things that come together deep within each person, or better, at the very core of our freedom. Inevitably, each child will surprise us with ideas and projects born of that freedom, which challenge us to rethink our own ideas. This is a good thing. Education includes encouraging the responsible use of freedom to face issues with good sense and intelligence. It involves forming persons who readily understand that their own lives, and the life of the community, are in their hands, and that freedom itself is a great gift.
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We welcome into our church family:
Vicengo Rowell, Carlo Bustillos and
Joshua Mecum who were baptized on July 16. Thank you to
Fr. Arnold Heredia who was visiting from Australia
