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 May 28, 2017 May 28, 2017 The ascension of the lord The ascension of the lord The ascension of the lord
Secretary: Ana Kelley [email protected] Website: www.stagnesconcord.com
SCHOOL OFFICE
May 28, 2017 – It’s the Season of Ascencion! Acts 1:1-11; Ephesians 1:17-23; Matthew 28:16-20
Our liturgy is still very much in the Easter Season with a different set of readings for the Seventh Sunday. But as I write this reflection, my head and heart are caught up with the image of Ascencion. We are preparing to host a graduation party for our granddaughter, Amber. She is graduating from St. Francis High School in Mt. View. Like the disciples of Luke’s account, we can only look up to God for where the future will take her.
I recall when our granddaughter was born and the challenges she faced. Like all family, we are always interested in whatever helps our children ascend through learning and removing as many obstacles as possible. Then there comes a “time of passage” when you see them much less as they make their way in life. This “passage moment” is a similar setting for the disciples as they prepare to see Jesus no more. St. Luke gives us the only scriptural account of Jesus’ ascension. Luke’s story captures the tension between looking heavenward and getting down to earth.
We can celebrate the Ascension as an invitation to imagination that leads us to ask for such a blessing. We are invited to stand with the disciples who heard the promise, who knew they wouldn’t see Jesus anymore, but who were still charged with carrying on his mission. Like them, we must face the strange events of our times, the circumstances that send us to prayer. We may share their desire to look heavenward for a solution, but we walk by faith and not by sight.
When we turn to the sacramental life within the Church, our faith is constantly refreshed by the Holy Spirit. Soon it will be time to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation for our high school confirmandi. They are also ascending. Following their catechetical study, they are seeking the Holy Spirit’s seven gifts of wisdom, understanding, knowledge, counsel, fortitude, piety and reverence (fear of the Lord).
In the same way that graduation from high school is not the end of a student’s learnings and growth in life, I pray that our new confirmandi will not stop growing in faith. Sadly, some may see it as graduation from the Church. May it not be so. May they seek the Holy Spirit daily!
The Ascension calls us to ascend in our faith. For the disciples, seeing Jesus disappear from their midst was symbolic of his bequeathing his Spirit to them. For us, it’s like growing in faith. In the beginning, it is the knowledge of God that comes from the discernment of an open heart. At the end, we all seek the same blessing of eternal life: that we not lose our way along the path of life and that the faith community be brought into union with God through Jesus Christ.
Deacon Bill
SUNDAY COLLECTION FOR MAY 21: $11,514.00 Building Fund: $1,734.00
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 - Thursday 9:30 a.m. in the Ministry Ctr.
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.
HELPING HANDS: Please call Chris Artale: 827-3713.
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
PLEASE PRAY FOR HEALING
Norm Andrews Ron Artale April Azucena GinaMarie Balbuena Amalia Bunge Ana Bunge Trinity Cereghino George Conlow Marie Costa
William Cumins Anthony Davi Kevin Dever Dave Dewan Stephen Dixon Le-Chi Feng-Tsai Judy Guarina Maria Hills Sharie Hunter
Ken Klovee Camila Koven Joel Manalang Joshua Monitz Edward Nettelman Natalie Petrini Micah Pilkerton Phyllis Ray Gina Rubin
Jack&Maureen Ryan Greg Scaletti Connie Schulte Margaret Scott Rick Smith Linda Taylor Petti Thall Carolyn Thompson
Yvonne Ester 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.
MOUNTAIN VIEW HOUSE IN MARTINEZ
Mountain View House is an emergency shelter to get homeless families with children off the streets and into a safe temporary home. It is operated by SHELTER, Inc., and St. Agnes helps to support their mission by providing meals several times a year.
Our Shelter Meal Ministry is looking for cooking teams to prepare a dinner for the shelter for the week of September 4th through 8th, and again for December 4th through the 8th. We are looking for teams (or groups) of people who can purchase, prepare and serve dinner at the shelter for approximately 35 people.
In addition, there is a need for many items in the shelter—perhaps you could help with the following:
Toilet Paper Paper Napkins Ziploc Bags (gallon size) Paper Towels Garbage Bags (33 & 44 gal.) Laundry Soap Paper Cups (hot & cold) Paper Bowls Paper Plates (dinner size) Bottled Water Multi-Purpose Cleaner 3-fold Multi-Purpose Towels
CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE EAST BAY SAYS THANK YOU!
Thank you to everyone who contributed so generously to our Annual Appeal. Your contributions enable the Catholic Church to be the largest provider of social services in the East Bay. Thank you for walking with us. If you would like to learn more or do more with Catholic Charities, contact Steve Mullin, Director of Engagement, at 510-768-3150 or e-mail [email protected].
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Calendar for the Week Mass Intentions
Saturday, May 27, 2017 5:00 p.m. Evelyn S. Bianchi—Repose Angelo Villasenor—Repose Beatrice Villasenor—Repose
Sunday, May 28, 2017 7:00 a.m. For the People of St. Agnes, Living and Deceased
9:00 a.m. Ida Lombardi Azzolino—Repose Lukose Abraham—Special Intention
10:45 a.m. Fr. Peter Loffredo—Repose Maria & Pablo Palomo—Repose Betty Toth—Repose
5:00 p.m. Leland Eller—Repose Yvonne Ester Van Wissekerke—Spec Int.
Monday, May 29, 2017 8:00 a.m. Lukose Abraham—Special Intention
Tuesday, May 30, 2017 8:00 a.m. Mila Jante—Repose Yvonne Ester Van Wissekerke—Spec Int.
Wednesday, May 31, 2017 8:00 a.m. Communion Service Only
Thursday, June 1, 2017 8:00 a.m. Dustin Davis—Repose Yvonne Ester Van Wissekerke—Spec Int.
Friday, June 2, 2017 8:00 a.m. Ramon Santos—Repose George Conlow—Special Intention
Saturday, June 3, 2017 8:00 a.m. Eduardo Joaquin—Repose
5:00 p.m. Maria Dina Sanjuan—Repose Deceased Members of the Lee Family Deceased Members of the Nguyen Family
Sunday, June 4, 2017 7:00 a.m. Lisette McCarthy—Special Intention
9:00 a.m. For the People of St. Agnes, Living and Deceased
10:45 a.m. Barbara Arena—Repose Roberto Icaza—Repose Rolf & Josefina Stolz—Repose
5:00 p.m. Yvonne Ester Van Wissekerke—Spec Int.
Parish Events and Meetings
Sunday, May 28, 2017 Monday, May 29, 2017 Ministry Center Closed for Memorial Day 8:00 a.m. Daily Mass—Chapel Tuesday, May 30, 2017 8:00 a.m. Daily Mass—Chapel Wednesday, May 31, 2017 8:00 a.m. Communion Service—Chapel 7:30 p.m. Jim Gill Band Practice—Church Thursday, June 1, 2017 8:00 a.m. Daily Mass—Chapel 9:00 a.m. 8th Grade Baccalaureate Mass—Church 6:30 p.m. Children’s Choir Practice—Church 7:00 p.m. Stewardship Meeting—G.P. 7:30 p.m. Adult Choir Practice—Church Friday, June 2, 2017 8:15 a.m. First Friday Mass—Church 1:30 p.m. School Mass—Church 7:00 p.m. 8th Grade Graduation—Church Saturday, June 3, 2017 8:00 a.m. Daily Mass—Chapel 8:30 a.m. Lector Practice—Church 9:00 p.m. Work Party Stewardship Gratitude Weekend— Hospitality after all Masses St. Vincent de Paul Bundle Weekend SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES Sunday: Seventh Sunday of Easter; World Communications Day Monday: Memorial Day Tuesday: Shavuot (“Weeks”), the Jewish festival of the giving of the Law, begins at sunset Wednesday: The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Thursday: St. Justin Friday: Ss. Marcellinus and Peter; First Friday Saturday: St. Charles Lwanga and Companions; First Saturday
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CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS
JUNE 1 8th Grade Graduation Mass—9:00 a.m. 2 8th Grade Graduation—7:00 p.m. 3-4 Stewardship Gratitude Weekend - Hospitality served after all Masses 3-4 St. Vincent de Paul Bundle Sunday 6 StARS Luncheon—11:00 a.m. 9 Last Day of School 9 Dinner, Knights of Columbus, 5:30 p.m. 11 Confirmation, 10:45 a.m. 17-18 Fair Trade after all Weekend Masses 18 Father’s Day 18 Breakfast “Parents Eat Free” After 9:00 and 10:45 a.m. Masses 24 Kalayaan, 10:30 a.m.
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL BUNDLE SUNDAY
Finish your spring cleaning, and bring all of your clothing to the St. Agnes St. Vincent de Paul Bundle Sunday next weekend. There will be a trailer in the parking lot behind the church to collect your donations of clothing before and after Masses. If you wish to donate large items, such as furniture or automobiles, please call St. Vincent de Paul at 925-439-5060 and arrange for a pick up. Your continued generosity in assisting our mission of helping those in need is very much appreciated. If you or anyone you know could use help, call the St. Agnes office at 925 689-0838 and leave a message for “St. Vincent de Paul” x250.
The Italian Catholic Federation, Branch 214
Invites you to our Wine Tasting Event at Viano Winery, Martinez Saturday, June 3, 2017
1:00 -3:30 P.M.
5 selections of wines Olive oil tasting
Delicious appetizers Raffle
$25 Per person RSVP by May 28
For ticket info, contact M.J. Murray, 925-705-3513.
“INDOOR PICNIC’ LUNCHEON Tuesday, June 6, 2017, 11:00 a.m.
The next meeting of StARS is an “Indoor Picnic” Luncheon on Tuesday, June 6, 2017. Everyone is welcome, but reservations are required as this is a catered luncheon. The menu is through “Chez Costco” and includes a variety of croissant sandwiches, potato salad, chips and dessert, all for only $9.
Reservations are required by Wednesday, May 31. Please mail your payment to Patricia Vizcay, 1462 Davis Ave., Concord 94518. For more information, call Patricia at 925-689-2701.
StARS invites all retired seniors to join in. There are no dues and no fees. Guests are always welcome.
Gathering time is 11:00 a.m., and lunch begins at 11:30 a.m. in the Church Hall.
ST. AGNES SCHOOL
PRESCHOOL
It's time to register your preschool child at St. Agnes! We welcome children that are 3, 4 and 5 years old and potty-trained. We offer a half-day program that will nurture your child's academic, social, emotional, and spiritual development. Please call 925-689-3990 for more information.
SHARE: All nourishing food donations are appreciated. No glass, please. June’s focus is: powdered milk and vegetable oil. Collection baskets are at each door of the church. Thanks so much for your donations.
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Community Activities STEUBENVILLE NORCAL
YOUTH CONFERENCE
First time in our Diocese—the Steubenville Youth Conference will be happening at CSU East Bay Hayward July 28th to 30th. The Conference is designed for incoming freshman through
outgoing seniors. It's like a retreat, but for 1500 high school teens! Music, talks, praise and worship, small groups, games and more!
For more information visit the website at http://lifeteen.com/events/steubenville-norcal/ or contact Linda at [email protected] for information and a Registration Form. Early bird reservations are due prior to June 1. Don't delay, sign up today!
CALLING ALL WOMEN! Magnificat SOTI, a Ministry for Women, invites all to join them at a Prayer Breakfast on June 24, 2017, from 9:30-12:30 at the Crowne Plaza, 45 John Glenn Drive, Concord, CA
Please join us in welcoming Fr. Jim Sullivan as our speaker! Father Sullivan was raised in northern California and since 1992 has been involved in catechesis and teen ministry. He is the chaplain at Bishop O’Dowd High School, an author and a witty and engaging speaker! Men are always welcome to attend! Tickets are $33/$40 after June 17th. Go to www.magnificatsoti.org for more information about our guest and tickets or call Jennifer at 503-709-8449 for reservations.
THANK YOU TO ST. AGNES STEWARDS! GRATITUDE WEEKEND JUNE 3-4
We are so very grateful for all of our St. Agnes stewards and the many contributions you make throughout the year in donating your time, talent and treasure in support of our parish and local community. Please plan on spending some extra time after Mass next weekend as the Stewardship Committee hosts its annual Gratitude Event after all Masses on June 3-4. This parish is a vibrant community because of you!
FIX-IT CHITS
The Buildings & Grounds Committee’s job is to keep the parish facilities in good condition as every-thing is getting older and needing more repairs. If you see something that you think should be looked at, please take a minute and fill out a FIX-IT CHIT. The CHITS are available at the table in the back of the Church or at the Ministry Center. Just leave them on the table or at the Ministry Center. Thank you!
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Bishop John, Father Emmanuel, parishioners and guests
at the Flowers of May Festival on May 13th. The procession was the culmination of the Flowers of May Novena.
