July 23, 2017 Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
THE PARISH of SAINT MONICA
Saint Monica Parish Bulletin — 141
FROM the PASTOR’S DESK…
Last week we revisited the “Jubilee Year of Mercy” which was solemnly proclaimed by Pope Francis. Let's dig a little deeper into this idea of “mercy.” As a trait of God, mercy is the most ineffable. It is overwhelming, breathtaking, awesome, marvelous, wonderful. Yet it is also confusing, utterly beyond reason, it doesn't make sense. It begs an explanation. Let's first look at some key Hebrew concepts of mercy: Get your Bible out. Go ahead, Catholics are allowed to read the Bible now. Take a look at Psalm 136. You will see that every other line ends with the words, “His ‘mercy’ endures forever.” Here's an ironic twist for you. Read Chapter 26 of Matthew's Gospel. It's about Good Friday and describes the last supper, the “Agony in the Garden,” Judas' betrayal, Jesus' arrest and culminates with Peter's denial. Not a lot of good things happening to Jesus here. In Matthew 26:30 we read the line, “When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.” Another translation is, “They went out singing psalms.” Guess what the psalm was? 136. “His mercy endures forever.” Jesus was hearing Judas, Peter, the other disciples (who were going to betray him, deny him, abandon him) singing about mercy. I wonder what was going through his mind? How about “Yeah, right!” Look at this through the lens of marriage or the love of parents for small children and consider the following poem from Lauren Whitfield: “Lord, give me patience when tiny hands tug at me with their small demands. Give me gentle and smiling eyes, keep my lips from sharp replies. And let not fatigue, confusion, and noise, obscure my vision of life's fleeting joys, so when, years later my house is still, no bitter memories its rooms may fill.” “Mercy” in the context of Psalm 136 is translated as “covenant love.” It's not a “you and me” love. It's “you-and-me-together ... and God.” It describes the love of a husband and wife who, following sacred ritual, enter into an intimacy from which a totally new life appears that simply wasn't there before. You don't throw that away easily. THAT kind of mercy. (Cont’d Pg.4)
OUR PARISH PRAYER INTENTION for THIS WEEK
For the success of the Catholic Leadership Program
on Friday, July 28.
THE CHURCH of SAINT MONICA Founded January 11, 1897
Parish Offices (Pastoral Administration; Religious Education; Business & Finance; Worship & Music; Facilities) Saint Monica Rectory 635 First Avenue Berwyn, Pennsylvania 19312 Phone: 610.644.0110 Facsimile: 610.695.0850
Office of Religious Education (Rectory) 610.647.4757
Parish Website www.saintmonicachurch.org
Twitter & Instagram @StMonicaBerwyn
Join Flocknote! Text “Monica1897” to 84576
Parish Staff E-mail FirstInitialLastName@ saintmonicachurch.org
Parish Leadership financecouncil@ saintmonicachurch.org
Mass Schedule Daily Mass 8:30 a.m. (Monday thru Saturday with a Communion Service on Wednesday)
Saturday Vigil 5:00 p.m. Sunday 7:30 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 11:30a.m.
Holy Days 8:30 a.m. of Obligation 12 noon
The Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confessions) Saturday from 4 to 4:45 p.m. Anytime by appointment.
Called by Name; Gifted by God; Committed to Prayer; Driven to Serve… Abiding in Hope
FROM the OFFICE of RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
FROM the OFFICE of WORSHIP and MUSIC
Page 2 The Church of Saint Monica
Saint Monica Parish Bulletin — 141
YOU’RE INVITED: JOIN US! The Parish Choir warmly welcomes singers of all voice types (soprano, alto, tenor, bass) to join us in the fall! We begin rehearsals on Wednesday, 6 September at 7 pm in the Church. The Parish Choir sings each Sunday for the 9:30 AM Mass, and for all principal liturgies of the Parish at Christmas, Holy Week and Easter. Consider becoming involved! Contact Frank Orman, Director of Worship & Music for more information at 610.644.0110, ext. 118 or [email protected].
Sunday Small Group and Religious Education is looking for Adult Volunteers! The Sunday program begins at the 9:30 a.m. Mass and then moves to the school building for Small Group discussions until 11:45 a.m. We are looking for parental and/or parishioner volunteers as Small Group Leaders to facilitate the Sunday program for children in grades 1 thru 6. Our hope is to get enough adult volunteers to be able to have two adults per group, so that volunteers can either co-facilitate or share the experience by alternating Sundays. The Monday night session is in need of an adult aide who can help on a regular basis. This is an ideal way to test
the waters of volunteering! Please contact Jason Carter at [email protected] if you'd like to volunteer. Attention Parents of 1st Graders. If your child will be entering 1st grade in September, it is time to register them for Religious Education. Sunday and Monday classes begin September 10th and 11th. Please It’s very important for planning purposes, to register now. To register, please visit the parish website at www.saintmonicachurch.org. Questions or concerns, contact Diane Pealer at dpealer@saintmonicachurch. org.
The Registration deadline for either program is August 1st.
FAMILY and YOUTH MINISTRY FAMILY and YOUTH MINISTRY
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Saint Monica Parish Bulletin — 141
June 2017 $60,210 47% Electronic June 2016 $69,072 44% Electronic June Budget 2016-17 $69,072
June YTD 2017 $788,561 45% Electronic June YTD 2016 $833,350 45% Electronic June YTD Budget 2016-17 $831,993
SUNDAY COLLECTIONS for JUNE 2017
SUNDAY COLLECTIONS
Sunday, July 16, 2017 Sunday Collection $6,530 Electronic $5,580 Total $12,110
We have 177 families contributing electronically.
SPECIAL COLLECTION There will be a Special Collection next weekend for the Saint Monica Saint Vincent DePaul Fund for the Needy of the Parish. God bless you for your continued generosity.
The Fiscal Year 2017 budget for Saint Monica Parish is available on line at www.saintmonicachurch.org under the Parish Information tab in the Parish Leadership section.
Welcome to Father Jan Hanssens, C.I.C.M. Every year, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia invites men and women who are in foreign mission work to come to our parishes and talk about the work that they do for the Lord in foreign countries. This weekend Saint Monica will be offering hospitality to Father Jan Hanssens, C.I.C.M. Father Hanssens, a priest of the Congregatio Immaculati Cordis Mariae, or the “Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” - a Roman Catholic missionary religious congregation of men established in 1862 by the Belgian Catholic priest, Theophiel Verbist (1823–1868). Father Hanssens is currently living and working in Port-au-Prince Haiti where he has been working for more than 40 years. He arrived in Haiti at the end of the Duvalier dictatorship in 1973 and, at that time, was involved with his confreres in catechetic and literacy programs. He was later in charge of Church leadership and catechetical training in the diocesan training center of Papaye in the diocese of Hinche. Later Fr. Hanssens was named Provincial Superior in Haiti and, for a term, General Councilor of Missionhurst in Rome. Back in Haiti in 1994, Fr. Hanssens became Secretary General of the Conference of Religious Men and Women and for many years, was National Director of the Bishops Commission on Justice and Peace. Since 5 years now, he has been acting as a Councilor to the Commission and, for the past 2 years, has been involved with IHDOSOC, the Haitian Institute for the Christian Social Doctrine. Indeed we are convinced that Christian value education is the key to social change and liberation of human being. The social doctrine of the Church is, as was said by Peter Henriot, SJ, Our Best Kept Secret. Please warmly welcome Father Hanssens to our wonderful Parish of Saint Monica!
NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
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Saint Monica Parish Bulletin — 141
FROM the PASTOR’S DESK… (Continued from Page 1)
Take a look at Exodus Chapter 34. “The LORD came down in a cloud and stood with him there and proclaimed the name, “LORD.” So the LORD passed before him and proclaimed: The LORD, the LORD, a God gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in love and fidelity.” Ok, but what about justice? Justice is not “contrary to” mercy. Let’s examine this word Justice. Aquinas once defined justice as “giving someone what is their due.” Justice is also defined as “the restoration of ‘right relationship.’” Ways that we offer “what is due” are through the “Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy.” Augustinian priest Father Gus Esposito spoke to the priests of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia about this. He asked, “How much is my heart really invested in the Corporal Works of Mercy? Do we see the Corporal Works of Mercy as a task, a duty, a bother, a “source” of my priesthood?” This is not about holding up a spiritual and pastoral measuring stick and convincing yourselves that we're doing a lousy job. Nor is it about thinking about how much more you need to do or how many more activities you need to schedule. It’s not “What else can I do?” The danger of measuring what you are doing is that you could end up being “too” busy doing “godly stuff” instead of doing the “stuff of God.” This can lead to saying “it's enough.” Then you'll stop. You'll cease progressing. You won't become what you could have become. You will not only neglect the needs of our brothers and sisters, you neglect our own needs. “Nemo dat, quod non habet”- You cannot give what you don't have. It's not just giving “some” help, to “a” person with “a” particular need. It's giving to Christ. So what does it look like? As I outlined in my homily last week, it’s about doing what you like doing, what you do well and what you do easily. I once heard the story about a Spanish-speaking seminarian who was a woodworker and carpenter. He was stationed at a poor, inner-city parish. He would go door-to-door with a hammer in his hand, speaking Spanish to people coming to the door. He asked if they needed anything repaired and if they needed any food. People were delighted that someone just asked – and asked in their native language. What helps me to do this? Detachment of self. Not counting consequences. Not asking “who is responsible for this?” If we can detach from the circumstances, opinions, rules, reputations and our needs (cont’d)
FROM the PASTOR’S DESK… (Continued)
at a particular moment and ask, “What's really going on” in this person's life. Also, check your emotions. Some-times God pulls at our heartstrings. Consider Luke 24 when Jesus was walking with the disciples on the road to Emmaus. They later recounted, “Were our hearts not burning…”realizing we were walking with Christ and didn't know it. This is known as “restlessness” (“Our hearts are restless .....”) and can be addressed when heart, mind reasoning and will are all pointed to works of mer-cy. How can we improve? We need M – E – R – C – Y: Mary. Why can’t I go directly to God? Consider what is written in Lumen Gentium – the Vatican II Docu-ment on the Catholic Church: “Mary has proceeded us successfully in the journey of faith.” She's a guide, path-finder, spiritual consultant, an expert on “how to get to Christ.” For guidance we always speak to someone who has done it previously and done it well. She was given to us for this purpose - by Christ! Eucharist - Gives us first the sentiment - then the motivation - and then the desire for heroism. St. Peter Jullian was a French Catholic priest, founder of two reli-gious institutes – the Congregation of the Blessed Sacra-ment Fathers and Brothers and the Servants of the Blessed Sacrament. He was known for “Works of Mer-cy” of love and a strong love for Christ in the Eucharist. However, his Eucharistic spirituality – and those heroic works - did not spring full-grown from some mystical experience, but progressively over years. Reconcilers in Reconciliation. You can’t do this without regularly partaking in the Sacrament of Confes-sion (More on this next week). Charity. This is about living, in a natural and human (“incarnational”) way the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy. It is rarely easy and never convenient. People in need don't say, “Gee, today I think I'll starve and go hungry and then go to visit the church.” It's not about inconvenience, it's about detachment. Yes to God or it’s fluff and fleeting popularity. Our actions must be personal and correspond to what the Father (not the pastor, not the bishop, not the parishion-ers) is asking of us. A closed heart keeps us from experi-encing ourselves (first) before we can experience others. And the key that unlocks this dark cell is charity." (St. John Paul II)
NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Page 5 Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Saint Monica Parish Bulletin — 141
FIRST GRANDPARENTS CONFERENCE at SAINT CHARLES SEMINARY, OVERBROOK Are you a grandparent who is concerned about the spiritual life of your grandchildren, great-grandchildren (and maybe even your children?). Here's an opportunity to channel your faith in support of them. Saturday, August 26, 2017 at Saint Charles Seminary
100 Wynnewood Road, Wynnewood Registration opens at 8:30 AM
Holy Mass at 4:15 PM Cost: $35 per person, $65 per couple (Includes lunch). Registration is limited. Register on-line at www.catholicgrandparentsassociation.org or call 888-510-5006. For more information, contact Dottie Lammer at 610-644-0599.
OUTREACH Saint Gabriel’s Food Cupboard Monthly Collection is this weekend after all Masses. No time to shop? Cash and donations payable to St. Gabriel’s Food Cupboard are most welcome and can be left in the
designated box in the gathering space. Canned goods and donations can be left through Tuesday, July 25 at 8:00 a.m. Please remember that hunger does not take a summer vacation.
A MEN’S WEEKEND WITH FRIENDS AND JESUS TOO! Since 1999 I have enjoyed the company of a fine and friendly group of men and Jesus Christ too during the first weekend after Labor Day at the Malvern Retreat House. I look forward to this weekend every year as an ideal way to wind down summer, kick off fall and get closer to myself by getting closer to God. You are invited to join us on September 8th-10th for the annual Nativity BVM retreat. Go to: http://malvernretreat.com/?event=nativity-bvm or call me, Jack Warnock, at 610.722.2673. See you at Malvern! INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES AND AUTISM HELP-LINE Do you need help accessing services and support for someone with an intellectual disability or Autism? This Help-Line can assist families and caregivers to connect to services and programs provided by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, as well as other community resources available to provide needed help and support. To reach the Help-Line call 484-472-5041, or email [email protected].
WEEK-AT-A-GLANCE for July 23
DAY TIME EVENT LOCATION
Monday 9:15am-4:30pm Eucharistic Adoration Church
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday 7:00-9:00 pm WWP Book Club Cafeteria
Friday 9:15-10:45 am Legion of Mary Rectory
Saturday 4:00-4:45 pm Confession Church
YOUR HELP IS NEEDED A S a i n t M o n i c a p a r i s h i o n e r , A n n Luebbert, approached me recently about starting a much needed Art Program for the Richard Wright Elementary School in Philadelphia. Wright Elementary is in North Philadelphia, in the Strawberry Mansion neighborhood which is a very economically distressed part of the city. With significant economic challenges facing their schools, the children have not had an art program in over 15 years. This is unfortunate since art in the elementary schools has been shown to improve children’s competency in language, science, and math. Ann is acting as a volunteer to assist the school and will be starting from scratch with supplies and wanted to appeal to Saint Monica for assistance. We will be doing three things to assist her in this endeavor: (1) On his website (FrZlock.com) Fr Zlock has provided a sample of the materials that are needed. Take a look at the list, acquire some of the materials and then deposit them in the bins in church. She will be putting out 2 donation bins in the church lobby for the week of July 22-23 and 2 weeks in August (12-13 & 19-20). (2) A "wish list" has been created on Amazon where you can go and donate materials on-line The link is on FrZlock's website (FrZlock.com). If you go through Amazon, it will eventually ask you for an address. Enter: 560 Kromer Avenue, Berwyn, Pa. 19313 (3) Call Ann directly if you would like to get involved on a more intentional level. She can be reached at 215-518-2935 or by email at [email protected]. Thank you and God bless you for your generosity to those less fortunate than ourselves.
Remember Fatima.
Pray the Rosary
PARISH LEADERSHIP
FINANCE COUNCIL
Robert Carden
Dennis Connell
Richard Deak
Kathleen Keough
Michael McCabe
Peter Lynch
Gerald O’Brien
Giulio Perillo
Michael Vadner
Lawrence Wieser
PARISH PASTORAL STAFF
Reverend Charles Zlock, M.Div, M.A., M.B.I.S., Pastor
Reverend Allan Fitzgerald, O.S.A., Ph.D., Pastoral Assistance
The Norbertines of Daylesford Abbey, Pastoral Assistance
Frank K.J. Orman, Director of Worship & Music
Jason Carter, Director of Family & Youth Ministry
Theresa Carey, Business Manager
Catherine H. Levine, Parish Administrative Assistant
Diane Kirsch Pealer, Religious Education Assistant
Elizabeth P. Tenaglio, Cemetery Administration
Frank Pantano, Facilities Manager
Saint Monica Parish Bulletin — 141
THE SICK AND THOSE IN NEED OF PRAYER Sonia Altirman, Drew Brazer, Michael Byrne, Phyllis Campbell, Lina Cappelli, Terri Carson, Lilly Ciocca, James DiAntonio, Rico DiGuiseppe, Gavin Duffy, Rita Dunn, Joseph Erwin, Kelly Glacken, Mary Hartley, Karen Hastings, Jenna, Maya and Eva Izzi, Faith Johnson, Libby Judge, Anne Maas, Jackson MacTaggart, Mark Maholick, Eugene Matta, Susan McDonnell, Melanie Mizenko, Dr. Mark Nardone, John Neff, Rita Reilly, Joel Rivera, John Robinson, Mary Rose, Cathy Russell, Gary Smith, Tallon Family, Helen Triolo, Bob and Mildred Walsh, Stephanie Walsh Beilman
THOSE WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE US Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord and may Your perpetual light shine upon them.
May their souls and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the Mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
H.O.P.E. — HELPING OTHER PEOPLE IN EMERGENCIES Leader for this week: Joanne Rogers at 610-889-0963
THE CHURCH of SAINT MONICA WWW.SAINTMONICACHURCH.ORG
SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook The Church of Saint
Monica, Berwyn
Twitter @StMonicaBerwyn
@StMonicaBerwyn
FATHER ZLOCK
Website Frzlock.com
Fr. Charlie Zlock
Twitter @FrZlock
FAMILY & YOUTH
MINISTRY Edge: Middle School Youth Group Lifeteen: High School Youth Group
Facebook CSMEdge
CSMLifeteen
Twitter @CSMEdge
@CSMLifeteen
Instagram @CSMEdge
@CSMLifeteen
BULLETIN SUBMISSIONS
The Saint Monica Parish Bulletin is published weekly and is available both on the parish website and distributed to the assembly after Sunday Worship. Submissions are due each Monday by noon and should be e-mailed to [email protected] with formatting left to a minimum. Please include a contact name and phone number with your submission. In the case where announcements must be submitted handwritten, please make sure the text is legible.
BULLETIN INSERTS All inserts must be submitted to the Rectory Office for approval a minimum of two weeks before you would like it to appear.
MASS INTENTIONS for July 23 – July 30
MASS TIME INTENTION PRESIDER MUSIC MINISTRY
NOTES
5:00 pm + Kitty Borzillo Dowds Fr. Fitzgerald Cantor Special Collection: Saint Monica Saint Vincent DePaul Fund
7:30 am + Ann Walsh Fr. Avicolli Quiet
9:30 am + David Mikowychok Fr. Zlock Cantor
11:30 am People of the Parish Fr. Zlock Cantor
Monday, 24th + Dominic L. Coyle Fr. Zlock
Tuesday, 25th Seiler and Helmlinger Families Fr. Zlock
Wednesday, 26th Communion Service
Thursday, 27th + A. Bruce Niccolo, Sr. Fr. Krautsack
Friday, 28th + Deborah Horstman Fr. Avicolli
Saturday, 29th + A. Bruce Niccolo, Sr. Fr. Zlock
5:00 pm + Father George Hagenbach Fr. Zlock Cantor
7:30 am + Teresa O’Neill Fr. Zlock Quiet
9:30 am + David Mikowychok Fr. Fitzgerald Cantor
11:30 a.m. People of the Parish Fr. Fitzgerald Cantor