tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81153520980055829112024-03-05T01:00:55.050-08:00Holy Rosary AnnouncementsHoly Rosary Missionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18211089551919279444noreply@blogger.comBlogger166125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8115352098005582911.post-57014300274387346662016-08-19T09:20:00.003-07:002016-08-19T09:22:49.455-07:0021st Sunday Ordinary Time, Year C, 2016ANNOUNCEMENTS, HOMILY, READINGS, INTERCESSIONS<br />
<br />
<b>ANNOUNCEMENTS:</b><br />
<br />
1. I will be traveling to Bethesda, Maryland the week of September 12-20, 2016. I will be doing mission talks at all the masses at Saint Bartholomew.<br />
<br />
2. Please let me know if there is anyone who needs to be confirmed.<br />
<br />
3. There is a priest retreat in Anchorage from September 5-9, which I will be attending. It is a yearly retreat help at the Holy Spirit Retreat House in Anchorage.<br />
<br />
4. A new website is underway. It will use the name holyrosaryalaska.org. There will be a link to this blog from the website, but this blog will have a different name.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>HOMILY</b><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">21 Ord C
2016 Gate Is 66:18-21, Heb 12:5-13; Luke 13:22-30<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">NO FENCES
SHIP DIVIDED<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The Air
Force sent me to Iceland for a year. In
Iceland all the sheep freely roam the island.
There are no fences. At the end
of the year, all the shepherds get together on their horses and round up the
sheep. The sheep are divided up. Each owner receives an equal number.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">HEARD
THROUGH NARROW GATE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">In order to
divide them, they have to drive them through a narrow gate into a corral. The shepherds whoop and holler to get them
through. They might even kick a sheep to
keep it going. The sheep bock, bleat
loudly, and struggle to avoid going through the gate. After the sheep are divided up, their wool is
shaved. The Icelanders make beautiful
wool sweaters, hats, and gloves. Then
the sheep are set free for another year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">NARROW VS
WIDE GATE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The Gospel
talks about a narrow gate. The narrow
gate is tougher to go through than the wide one. The choice of gate we go through is up to
us. Entrance to the narrow gate involves
sacrificial love and leads to life.
Entrance to the wide gate involves self-satisfaction and leads death.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">SHEEP NO CHOICE-WE HAVE CHOICE OF GATE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The
Icelandic sheep sacrificed a few hours of roaming free time to be shaved of
their wool. The wool helped the
community. The sheep did not have a
choice to go through the narrow gate, but we do. Jesus gives us a choice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">DISCIPLINED SELF-SACRIFICE <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">To drive us
through the narrow gate Jesus teaches us about Disciplined self-sacrifice and
suffering.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Self-Sacrifice
might mean giving up a couple hours a week to volunteer your time to the
church. Disciplined Sacrifice is a long
term giving of ourselves for the good of the church. Sacrifice will light up the path leading to
the narrow gate like the yellow brick road.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Through
sacrifice, we learn to love effectively; we find God in a more intimate
way. That closer relationship with God also
helps us to find the narrow gate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">HOPE/ADVICE
FOR ENTERING NARROW GATE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The gospel
gives us hope and advice for finding the narrow gate. Luke’s states, “For behold, some are last who
will be first, and some are first who will be last.” Loving others and being last involves
suffering and sacrificing. Those
approaching the Narrow Gate know how to love and let others love them. They realize that submitting to the
discipline of the Narrow gate leads to eternal life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">WHO WILL BE
SAVED? WRONG FOCUS<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Just who
will be saved? Jesus does not speculate
about who will be saved. He commands us,
“Strive to enter the narrow gate.” Don’t
focus on who will be saved, but on the discipline of the narrow gate. It is the struggle of resisting the wide gate
that leads us into the narrow one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">CHOOSE THE
NARROW GATE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">If we choose
to run with the crowd through the wide gate, Jesus is standing there like an
aircraft marshal, whooping and hollering, corralling us toward the narrow
gate. If we are stumbling toward the
narrow gate, Jesus is encouraging us forward with open arms (484 Words).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b>READINGS</b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Isaiah 66:
18-21: I come to gather nations of every language; they shall come and see my
glory. I will set a sign among them;
from them I will send fugitives to the nations: to Tarshish, Put and Lud,
Mosoch, Tubal and Javan, to the distant coastlands that have never heard of my
fame, or seen my glory; and they shall proclaim my glory among the
nations. They shall bring all your
brethren from all the nations as an offering to the LORD, on horses and in
chariots, in carts, upon mules and dromedaries, to Jerusalem, my holy mountain,
says the LORD, just as the Israelites bring their offering to the house of the
LORD in clean vessels. Some of these I
will take as priests and Levites, says the LORD.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Hebrew 12:
5-7, 11-13: You have also forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as sons:
"My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord or lose heart when
reproved by him; for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines; he scourges every son
he acknowledges." Endure your
trials as "discipline"; God treats you as sons. For what
"son" is there whom his father does not discipline? At the time, all discipline seems a cause not
for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness
to those who are trained by it. So
strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees. Make straight paths for your feet, that what
is lame may not be dislocated but healed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Luke 13:
22-30: He passed through towns and villages, teaching as he went and making his
way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him,
"Lord, will only a few people be saved?" He answered them, "Strive to enter through the narrow
gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong
enough. After the master of the house
has arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and
saying, 'Lord, open the door for us.' He will say to you in reply, 'I do not
know where you are from.' And you will
say, 'We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.' Then he will say to you, 'I do not know where
(you) are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!' And there will be wailing and grinding of
teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the
kingdom of God and you yourselves cast out.
And people will come from the east and the west and from the north and
the south and will recline at table in the kingdom of God. For behold, some are last who will be first,
and some are first who will be last."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"><b>INTERCESSIONS</b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 16.0pt;">Celebrant<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 16.0pt;">The Lord who
prepares the banquet for all will not turn away from our petitions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 16.0pt;">Deacon/Lector<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 16.0pt;">That Holy
Scripture and the sacraments nourish and strengthen all believers, let us pray
to the Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 16.0pt;">That
students and teachers starting a new school year make Christ and his truth the
center of their studies, we pray to the Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 16.0pt;">That our
community not lose heart under the Lord’s discipline but learn humility and
patience through it, we pray to the Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 16.0pt;">For those of
our community who have died (especially …………………………): and for comfort to those
who mourn, we pray to the Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 16.0pt;">In Silence
let us now add our own intentions for our families, our community, our country,
and the world…………………...………..We pray to the Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 16.0pt;">Celebrant<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 16.0pt;">God of
Abraham, you know our works and our thoughts.
Gather our prayers and shower down your blessings. We ask this through Christ our Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Holy Rosary Missionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18211089551919279444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8115352098005582911.post-20036952522579734022016-08-19T09:20:00.002-07:002016-08-19T09:22:02.207-07:0021st Sunday Ordinary Time, Year C, 2016ANNOUNCEMENTS, HOMILY, READINGS, INTERCESSIONS<br />
<br />
<b>ANNOUNCEMENTS:</b><br />
<br />
1. I will be traveling to Bethesda, Maryland the week of September 12-20, 2016. I will be doing mission talks at all the masses at Saint Bartholomew.<br />
<br />
2. Please let me know if there is anyone who needs to be confirmed.<br />
<br />
3. There is a priest retreat in Anchorage from September 5-9, which I will be attending. It is a yearly retreat help at the Holy Spirit Retreat House in Anchorage.<br />
<br />
4. A new website is underway. It will use the name holyrosaryalaska.org. There will be a link to this blog from the website, but this blog will have a different name.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>HOMILY</b><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">21 Ord C
2016 Gate Is 66:18-21, Heb 12:5-13; Luke 13:22-30<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">NO FENCES
SHIP DIVIDED<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The Air
Force sent me to Iceland for a year. In
Iceland all the sheep freely roam the island.
There are no fences. At the end
of the year, all the shepherds get together on their horses and round up the
sheep. The sheep are divided up. Each owner receives an equal number.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">HEARD
THROUGH NARROW GATE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">In order to
divide them, they have to drive them through a narrow gate into a corral. The shepherds whoop and holler to get them
through. They might even kick a sheep to
keep it going. The sheep bock, bleat
loudly, and struggle to avoid going through the gate. After the sheep are divided up, their wool is
shaved. The Icelanders make beautiful
wool sweaters, hats, and gloves. Then
the sheep are set free for another year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">NARROW VS
WIDE GATE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The Gospel
talks about a narrow gate. The narrow
gate is tougher to go through than the wide one. The choice of gate we go through is up to
us. Entrance to the narrow gate involves
sacrificial love and leads to life.
Entrance to the wide gate involves self-satisfaction and leads death.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">SHEEP NO CHOICE-WE HAVE CHOICE OF GATE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The
Icelandic sheep sacrificed a few hours of roaming free time to be shaved of
their wool. The wool helped the
community. The sheep did not have a
choice to go through the narrow gate, but we do. Jesus gives us a choice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">DISCIPLINED SELF-SACRIFICE <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">To drive us
through the narrow gate Jesus teaches us about Disciplined self-sacrifice and
suffering.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Self-Sacrifice
might mean giving up a couple hours a week to volunteer your time to the
church. Disciplined Sacrifice is a long
term giving of ourselves for the good of the church. Sacrifice will light up the path leading to
the narrow gate like the yellow brick road.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Through
sacrifice, we learn to love effectively; we find God in a more intimate
way. That closer relationship with God also
helps us to find the narrow gate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">HOPE/ADVICE
FOR ENTERING NARROW GATE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The gospel
gives us hope and advice for finding the narrow gate. Luke’s states, “For behold, some are last who
will be first, and some are first who will be last.” Loving others and being last involves
suffering and sacrificing. Those
approaching the Narrow Gate know how to love and let others love them. They realize that submitting to the
discipline of the Narrow gate leads to eternal life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">WHO WILL BE
SAVED? WRONG FOCUS<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Just who
will be saved? Jesus does not speculate
about who will be saved. He commands us,
“Strive to enter the narrow gate.” Don’t
focus on who will be saved, but on the discipline of the narrow gate. It is the struggle of resisting the wide gate
that leads us into the narrow one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">CHOOSE THE
NARROW GATE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">If we choose
to run with the crowd through the wide gate, Jesus is standing there like an
aircraft marshal, whooping and hollering, corralling us toward the narrow
gate. If we are stumbling toward the
narrow gate, Jesus is encouraging us forward with open arms (484 Words).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b>READINGS</b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Isaiah 66:
18-21: I come to gather nations of every language; they shall come and see my
glory. I will set a sign among them;
from them I will send fugitives to the nations: to Tarshish, Put and Lud,
Mosoch, Tubal and Javan, to the distant coastlands that have never heard of my
fame, or seen my glory; and they shall proclaim my glory among the
nations. They shall bring all your
brethren from all the nations as an offering to the LORD, on horses and in
chariots, in carts, upon mules and dromedaries, to Jerusalem, my holy mountain,
says the LORD, just as the Israelites bring their offering to the house of the
LORD in clean vessels. Some of these I
will take as priests and Levites, says the LORD.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Hebrew 12:
5-7, 11-13: You have also forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as sons:
"My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord or lose heart when
reproved by him; for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines; he scourges every son
he acknowledges." Endure your
trials as "discipline"; God treats you as sons. For what
"son" is there whom his father does not discipline? At the time, all discipline seems a cause not
for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness
to those who are trained by it. So
strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees. Make straight paths for your feet, that what
is lame may not be dislocated but healed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Luke 13:
22-30: He passed through towns and villages, teaching as he went and making his
way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him,
"Lord, will only a few people be saved?" He answered them, "Strive to enter through the narrow
gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong
enough. After the master of the house
has arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and
saying, 'Lord, open the door for us.' He will say to you in reply, 'I do not
know where you are from.' And you will
say, 'We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.' Then he will say to you, 'I do not know where
(you) are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!' And there will be wailing and grinding of
teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the
kingdom of God and you yourselves cast out.
And people will come from the east and the west and from the north and
the south and will recline at table in the kingdom of God. For behold, some are last who will be first,
and some are first who will be last."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"><b>INTERCESSIONS</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 16.0pt;">Celebrant<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 16.0pt;">The Lord who
prepares the banquet for all will not turn away from our petitions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 16.0pt;">Deacon/Lector<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 16.0pt;">That Holy
Scripture and the sacraments nourish and strengthen all believers, let us pray
to the Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 16.0pt;">That
students and teachers starting a new school year make Christ and his truth the
center of their studies, we pray to the Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 16.0pt;">That our
community not lose heart under the Lord’s discipline but learn humility and
patience through it, we pray to the Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 16.0pt;">For those of
our community who have died (especially …………………………): and for comfort to those
who mourn, we pray to the Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 16.0pt;">In Silence
let us now add our own intentions for our families, our community, our country,
and the world…………………...………..We pray to the Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 16.0pt;">Celebrant<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 16.0pt;">God of
Abraham, you know our works and our thoughts.
Gather our prayers and shower down your blessings. We ask this through Christ our Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Holy Rosary Missionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18211089551919279444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8115352098005582911.post-43677279946114153122016-08-19T09:20:00.001-07:002016-08-19T09:21:24.857-07:0021st Sunday Ordinary Time, Year C, 2016ANNOUNCEMENTS, HOMILY, READINGS, INTERCESSIONS<br />
<br />
<b>ANNOUNCEMENTS:</b><br />
<br />
1. I will be traveling to Bethesda, Maryland the week of September 12-20, 2016. I will be doing mission talks at all the masses at Saint Bartholomew.<br />
<br />
2. Please let me know if there is anyone who needs to be confirmed.<br />
<br />
3. There is a priest retreat in Anchorage from September 5-9, which I will be attending. It is a yearly retreat help at the Holy Spirit Retreat House in Anchorage.<br />
<br />
4. A new website is underway. It will use the name holyrosaryalaska.org. There will be a link to this blog from the website, but this blog will have a different name.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>HOMILY</b><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">21 Ord C
2016 Gate Is 66:18-21, Heb 12:5-13; Luke 13:22-30<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">NO FENCES
SHIP DIVIDED<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The Air
Force sent me to Iceland for a year. In
Iceland all the sheep freely roam the island.
There are no fences. At the end
of the year, all the shepherds get together on their horses and round up the
sheep. The sheep are divided up. Each owner receives an equal number.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">HEARD
THROUGH NARROW GATE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">In order to
divide them, they have to drive them through a narrow gate into a corral. The shepherds whoop and holler to get them
through. They might even kick a sheep to
keep it going. The sheep bock, bleat
loudly, and struggle to avoid going through the gate. After the sheep are divided up, their wool is
shaved. The Icelanders make beautiful
wool sweaters, hats, and gloves. Then
the sheep are set free for another year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">NARROW VS
WIDE GATE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The Gospel
talks about a narrow gate. The narrow
gate is tougher to go through than the wide one. The choice of gate we go through is up to
us. Entrance to the narrow gate involves
sacrificial love and leads to life.
Entrance to the wide gate involves self-satisfaction and leads death.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">SHEEP NO CHOICE-WE HAVE CHOICE OF GATE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The
Icelandic sheep sacrificed a few hours of roaming free time to be shaved of
their wool. The wool helped the
community. The sheep did not have a
choice to go through the narrow gate, but we do. Jesus gives us a choice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">DISCIPLINED SELF-SACRIFICE <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">To drive us
through the narrow gate Jesus teaches us about Disciplined self-sacrifice and
suffering.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Self-Sacrifice
might mean giving up a couple hours a week to volunteer your time to the
church. Disciplined Sacrifice is a long
term giving of ourselves for the good of the church. Sacrifice will light up the path leading to
the narrow gate like the yellow brick road.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Through
sacrifice, we learn to love effectively; we find God in a more intimate
way. That closer relationship with God also
helps us to find the narrow gate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">HOPE/ADVICE
FOR ENTERING NARROW GATE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The gospel
gives us hope and advice for finding the narrow gate. Luke’s states, “For behold, some are last who
will be first, and some are first who will be last.” Loving others and being last involves
suffering and sacrificing. Those
approaching the Narrow Gate know how to love and let others love them. They realize that submitting to the
discipline of the Narrow gate leads to eternal life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">WHO WILL BE
SAVED? WRONG FOCUS<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Just who
will be saved? Jesus does not speculate
about who will be saved. He commands us,
“Strive to enter the narrow gate.” Don’t
focus on who will be saved, but on the discipline of the narrow gate. It is the struggle of resisting the wide gate
that leads us into the narrow one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">CHOOSE THE
NARROW GATE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">If we choose
to run with the crowd through the wide gate, Jesus is standing there like an
aircraft marshal, whooping and hollering, corralling us toward the narrow
gate. If we are stumbling toward the
narrow gate, Jesus is encouraging us forward with open arms (484 Words).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b>READINGS</b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Isaiah 66:
18-21: I come to gather nations of every language; they shall come and see my
glory. I will set a sign among them;
from them I will send fugitives to the nations: to Tarshish, Put and Lud,
Mosoch, Tubal and Javan, to the distant coastlands that have never heard of my
fame, or seen my glory; and they shall proclaim my glory among the
nations. They shall bring all your
brethren from all the nations as an offering to the LORD, on horses and in
chariots, in carts, upon mules and dromedaries, to Jerusalem, my holy mountain,
says the LORD, just as the Israelites bring their offering to the house of the
LORD in clean vessels. Some of these I
will take as priests and Levites, says the LORD.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Hebrew 12:
5-7, 11-13: You have also forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as sons:
"My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord or lose heart when
reproved by him; for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines; he scourges every son
he acknowledges." Endure your
trials as "discipline"; God treats you as sons. For what
"son" is there whom his father does not discipline? At the time, all discipline seems a cause not
for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness
to those who are trained by it. So
strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees. Make straight paths for your feet, that what
is lame may not be dislocated but healed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Luke 13:
22-30: He passed through towns and villages, teaching as he went and making his
way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him,
"Lord, will only a few people be saved?" He answered them, "Strive to enter through the narrow
gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong
enough. After the master of the house
has arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and
saying, 'Lord, open the door for us.' He will say to you in reply, 'I do not
know where you are from.' And you will
say, 'We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.' Then he will say to you, 'I do not know where
(you) are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!' And there will be wailing and grinding of
teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the
kingdom of God and you yourselves cast out.
And people will come from the east and the west and from the north and
the south and will recline at table in the kingdom of God. For behold, some are last who will be first,
and some are first who will be last."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"><b>INTERCESSIONS</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 16.0pt;">Celebrant<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 16.0pt;">The Lord who
prepares the banquet for all will not turn away from our petitions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 16.0pt;">Deacon/Lector<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 16.0pt;">That Holy
Scripture and the sacraments nourish and strengthen all believers, let us pray
to the Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 16.0pt;">That
students and teachers starting a new school year make Christ and his truth the
center of their studies, we pray to the Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 16.0pt;">That our
community not lose heart under the Lord’s discipline but learn humility and
patience through it, we pray to the Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 16.0pt;">For those of
our community who have died (especially …………………………): and for comfort to those
who mourn, we pray to the Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 16.0pt;">In Silence
let us now add our own intentions for our families, our community, our country,
and the world…………………...………..We pray to the Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 16.0pt;">Celebrant<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 16.0pt;">God of
Abraham, you know our works and our thoughts.
Gather our prayers and shower down your blessings. We ask this through Christ our Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Holy Rosary Missionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18211089551919279444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8115352098005582911.post-24574266183138799892016-08-11T10:21:00.001-07:002016-08-11T10:22:36.017-07:0020th Sunday Ordinary Time Year C, 2016ANNOUNCEMENTS, HOMILY, READINGS, INTERCESSIONS<br />
<br />
<b>ANNOUNCEMENTS</b><br />
<br />
There will be a Potluck after Mass this Sunday, August 14, 2016. We will also discuss the painting of the Church.<br />
<br />
I will be training children for First Communion and Altar Serving after Mass as well.<br />
<br />
Please let me know if there is anyone needing to be confirmed or baptized.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>HOMILY</b><br />
<br />
20 Ord C 2016 On Fire, Jer 38:4-6&8-10; Heb 12:1-4; Luke 12:49-53<br />
<br />
In the Gospel, Jesus proclaims that he has come to “set the earth on fire.” Jesus is burning with zeal. He is on fire with love for God. For Jeremiah in the first reading being on fire for God meant martyrdom. He did not care if he was killed for preaching about God. <br />
<br />
For us being on fire with love for God might lead to family conflicts, trouble with our neighbors, humiliation, sacrifice, and even death.<br />
<br />
One day while on fire with love for God, I flew my Cherokee Warrior II to Clarks Point, a small Yupik Village of about 48 people. I was humiliated terribly. I had to say mass on Louise Gardener’s kitchen table because it was in winter and we had no heat in the small church. I spread my arms for the opening prayer and hit something. I heard a crash. I knocked Louise’s favorite coffee cup off the wall. She started crying.<br />
<br />
Flying out in the Alaskan Bush can mean death. Father Kelly was on fire with love for God. He started our mission in Bristol Bay. He crashed into a mountain in severe weather and died. It was on Palm Sunday. I took his place.<br />
<br />
Being on fire with love for God involves sacrifice. The Christan life aint always easy. Jesus sacrificed. Hewbrews tells us that "For the sake of joy Jesus endured the cross." The Gospel of love is signed with the cross; and if we are followers of Jesus then we too will be signed with that cross. When Jesus walked this earth he was attacked by people who loved only when it was convenient. They were willing to sacrifice nothing! These people never linked love to sacrifice. They were never really on fire with love for God.<br />
<br />
Being of fire with the love of God is life-giving. Life-giving fire clears out layers of undergrowth, built up over time, that smother the soil and prevent new growth. A blazing fire is a beacon that gives guidance and attracts everyone to its light, warmth, and power.<br />
<br />
When we are on fire with love for God, we attract others to our Christian religion through gentle power and warmth. Our old thinking is purged and fresh new ideas of kindness and generosity fill our thoughts. Fire helps us guide others to our Catholic Church.<br />
<br />
As Catholic Christians we are striving for that prize at the finish line. Our prize is a life living with God forever. We get there when we burn from within with the love of God. We get there when we are not afraid to sacrifice a little of ourselves to love another.<br />
<br />
Pope, Benedict the XVI helps us prioritize our sacrificial love, “Our first task is to preach the Gospel of Jesus. Our second task is to bring the FIRE of God’s love to the world (482 Words).”<br />
<br />
<b>READINGS</b><br />
<br />
Jeremiah 38:4-6&8-10<br />
"This man ought to be put to death," the princes said to the king; "he demoralizes the soldiers who are left in this city, and all the people, by speaking such things to them; he is not interested in the welfare of our people, but in their ruin." King Zedekiah answered: "He is in your power"; for the king could do nothing with them. And so they took Jeremiah and threw him into the cistern of Prince Malchiah, which was in the quarters of the guard, letting him down with ropes. There was no water in the cistern, only mud, and Jeremiah sank into the mud. and Ebed-melech went there from the palace and said to him, "My lord king, these men have been at fault in all they have done to the prophet Jeremiah, casting him into the cistern. He will die of famine on the spot, for there is no more food in the city." Then the king ordered Ebed-melech the Cushite to take three men along with him, and draw the prophet Jeremiah out of the cistern before he should die.<br />
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Hebrews 12:1-4<br />
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith. For the sake of the joy that lay before him he endured the cross, despising its shame, and has taken his seat at the right of the throne of God. Consider how he endured such opposition from sinners, in order that you may not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood.<br />
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Luke 12:49-53<br />
"I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing! There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished! Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three; a father will be divided against his son and a son against his father, a mother against her daughter and a daughter against her mother, a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law."<br />
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<b>INTERCESSIONS</b><br />
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Intercessions: Twentieth Sunday Ordinary Time Year C<br />
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Celebrant<br />
In our brokenness we come before God, trusting that our prayers will be heard.<br />
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Deacon/Lector<br />
For the prophets and martyrs of this age, that they may persevere in the path of Jesus, let us pray to the Lord.<br />
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For nations divided in ancient conflict, that their divisions may be healed, we pray to the Lord.<br />
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For divided and quarreling families, that Christ may bless them with healing and reconciliation, let us pray to the Lord.<br />
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For those of our community who have died (especially …………………………): and for comfort to those who mourn, we pray to the Lord.<br />
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In Silence let us now add our own intentions for our families, our community, our country, and the world…………………...………..We pray to the Lord.<br />
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Celebrant<br />
God of power and might, we perish without your mercy. Hear the heartfelt prayers we offer. We ask this through Christ our Lord.<br />
Holy Rosary Missionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18211089551919279444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8115352098005582911.post-38860641014163430242016-08-02T10:34:00.000-07:002016-08-02T10:40:56.723-07:0019th Sunday Ordinary Time Year C 2016SAINT PAUL MISSION INCLUDES BRISTOL BAY AND THE ALEUTIAN CHAIN.<br />
Pastor: Father Scott Joseph Garrett<br />
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There are three actual church buildings in the Alaskan Saint Paul Mission, Holy Rosary in Dillingham, Saint Theresa in King Salmon/Naknek, and Saint Peter the Fisherman in Clarks Point. There are some 30 other villages in the surrounding area. All of these make up the Saint Paul Mission. Saint Paul wanted to take the Gospel to the "Ends of the Earth."<br />
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Here is my homily for this weekend, the readings follow:<br />
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19th Ord C 2016 Watch & Ready, Wis 18:6-9;Heb 11:1-2&8-19;Lk 12: 32-48<br />
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In basic training at Lackland AFB, Texas, in August of 1975, we had to pull door guard duty in the middle of the night. One tends to get a little bored, sleepy, and tired. Nothing ever happened. One morning I was leaning up against the door, starched uniform, canteen, half asleep, and something happened. Someone beat on the door and aroused me into a state of immediate attention.<br />
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Through a six by six window the first lieutenant was yelling at me. “Open the door now!” he shouted. He acted like a madman. He had an emergency and needed to get in NOW! I was 17 years old, standing at attention behind a locked door, and scared. Fortunately Sergeant Beranger, my drill instructor, advised me to: be alert at all times, watch, and check for ID.<br />
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Finally the Lieutenant quieted down a bit. I asked, “Sir, may I please see your ID.” This request infuriated him. He yelled and screamed some more; I was insistent; finally the irate lieutenant pulled out his ID. I was about to let him in when I noticed something. On his official military ID card was transplanted a picture of Mickey Mouse.<br />
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My dorm guard experience could have been worse. Luckily I paid attention in class and was somewhat alert and ready. But the servants in the gospel were wide-awake. They were ready for their master’s return. Their lamps were lit and shining brightly.<br />
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Spiritually it is not easy to be ready all the time. We get tempted and sidetracked. We get bored and distracted. The gospel this weekend tells us that we can only be ready if we are prepared properly. We need instruction. We need experience. We need practice. We need Faith.<br />
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What being ready means is this: Faithful obedience to God’s commands and values. Faithful obedience means to be consistent in prayer. It means loving our neighbor and enemies every chance we get.<br />
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Being ready means doggedly searching for opportunities to help people in need. It means making sacrifices on a regular basis, such as volunteering our time to the church or another good organization. It means being ready for God’s coming by praying every day, going to confession, and getting involved in the church’s ministries. Most importantly, it means putting Jesus before money, material positions, and well, everything else.<br />
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Being ready means participating in the Eucharist every Sunday. There are 168 hours in a week. God is asking for .006% of that time to attend Sunday Mass. That is a small sacrifice to make for thanking God for our lives and all the blessings he has given us.<br />
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CHALLENGE – BE WATCHFUL BE READY<br />
This week, I challenge all of you to be a little more watchful for opportunities to love one another. Be a readier by prioritizing your spiritual life. For, should he come in the second or third watch and find them ready, blessed are those servants (480 Words).<br />
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Wisdom 18:6-9<br />
That night was known beforehand to our fathers, that, with sure knowledge of the oaths in which they put their faith, they might have courage. Your people awaited the salvation of the just and the destruction of their foes. For when you punished our adversaries, in this you glorified us whom you had summoned. For in secret the holy children of the good were offering sacrifice and putting into effect with one accord the divine institution, That your holy ones should share alike the same good things and dangers, having previously sung the praises of the fathers.<br />
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Hebrews 11:1-2&8-19<br />
Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen. Because of it the ancients were well attested. By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; he went out, not knowing where he was to go. By faith he sojourned in the promised land as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs of the same promise; for he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and maker is God. By faith he received power to generate, even though he was past the normal age--and Sarah herself was sterile--for he thought that the one who had made the promise was trustworthy.<br />
So it was that there came forth from one man, himself as good as dead, descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sands on the seashore. All these died in faith. They did not receive what had been promised but saw it and greeted it from afar and acknowledged themselves to be strangers and aliens on earth, for those who speak thus show that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of the land from which they had come, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better homeland, a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was ready to offer his only son, of whom it was said, "Through Isaac descendants shall bear your name." He reasoned that God was able to raise even from the dead, and he received Isaac back as a symbol.<br />
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Lk 12: 32-48<br />
Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your belongings and give alms. Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach nor moth destroy. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be. "Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master's return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival. Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself, have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them. And should he come in the second or third watch and find them prepared in this way, blessed are those servants. Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour when the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come." Then Peter said, "Lord, is this parable meant for us or for everyone?" And the Lord replied, "Who, then, is the faithful and prudent steward whom the master will put in charge of his servants to distribute (the) food allowance at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master on arrival finds doing so. Truly, I say to you, he will put him in charge of all his property. But if that servant says to himself, 'My master is delayed in coming,' and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, to eat and drink and get drunk, then that servant's master will come on an unexpected day and at an unknown hour and will punish him severely and assign him a place with the unfaithful. That servant who knew his master's will but did not make preparations nor act in accord with his will shall be beaten severely; and the servant who was ignorant of his master's will but acted in a way deserving of a severe beating shall be beaten only lightly. Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.<br />
Holy Rosary Missionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18211089551919279444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8115352098005582911.post-29220547207585561642011-07-26T07:28:00.000-07:002016-08-02T10:38:36.467-07:00Announcements: 18th Sunday Ordinary Year A<span class="Apple-style-span">Dear Holy Rosary Mission Parishioners: Here are a few announcements.<br /><br /><b>Fantastic Send Off</b>: Thank you all for raising money for an airplane ticket for me to fly back to Holy Rosary in the future. I was so happy to see everyone at Mass and to partake in the wonderful potluck afterward. Jacob Belleque knew I was leaving and asked his grandmother if I was going to Heaven! I hope so Jacob, I am definitely leaving Heaven on Earth.<br /><br /><b>Finances</b>: Angie Venua will be taking care of the finances, i.e. paying bills and keeping an electronic check book in Quicken. Diana Swaim will continue to count the Sunday collection and make the deposit. Fr. Nelson (with help from parishioners) will count, collect, and deposit the water money.<br /><br /><b>Telephone</b>: The parish phone number is forwarded to our parish cell phone. Angela Clark has volunteered to answer the phone while Fr. Nelson and I are in transition. She will be answering calls and returning messages from July 26 to August 16, 2011.<br /><br /><b>My Schedule</b>: I hope you visit me in Wasilla at Sacred Heart. There will be a few weeks when I will be traveling and will be having Fr. Stan fill in for me. Fr. Stan is retired and an IFR and commercial rated pilot and lives in the Sacred Heart Rectory.<br /><br />July 26: Leave for Anchorage<br />July 27-29: Work on Canon Law cases for Fairbanks, Juneau, and Anchorage dioceses.<br />August 1: First Day at Sacred Heart in Wasilla<br />Sep 5-15: Wilmington, North Carolina vacation<br />Nov 7-17: Oregon, my cousin's wedding and visit family<br /><br />When you come to Anchorage please come and visit me!!!<br /><br /><b>Gospel</b>: The readings point to the importance of charity. Please see homily and readings below.<br /><br />Have a fantastic week and thank you for letting me serve you for the past six years (August 5, 2005 to July 31, 2011).<br /><br /><b>Homily and Readings</b>:<br /><br />18th Ord A DLG 2011 Charity, Isaiah 55::1-3; Romans 8:35&37-39; Matthew 14:13-21<br /><br />When I go into a village, someone always meets me and picks me up on a 4-wheeler. During the summer, Karen brings fresh flowers and puts them below the Mary statue. When my mechanic changes the oil on my airplane, he usually donates it. Pat goes out and mows the cemetery.<br /><br />These are all acts of charity. Saint Paul tells us that when it comes to faith, hope, and charity, the greatest is charity.<br /><br />Charity resonates through the readings. Isaiah says, “All you who are thirsty, come to the water. You who have no money, come receive grain and eat.” The second reading from Romans tells us that we can never be separated from God’s charity.<br />All through history god has been charitable.<br /><br />To help the Israelites reach the Promised Land, God showered them with, mana, which was bread from heaven.<br /><br />Through God’s help, the prophet Elijah multiplied flour and oil to save a widow and her son from starvation.<br /><br />Elisha did a bit better than his master, multiplying 20 barley loaves so as to feed 100, with some even left over.<br /><br />According to our Catechism, “The fruits of charity are joy, peace, and mercy” (Catechism 1829).<br /><br />“Charity is the theological virtue by which we love God above all things for his own sake, and our neighbor as ourselves for the love of God (Catechism 1822).<br /><br />The Apostle Paul also wrote that beautiful quote from Corinthians, "Charity is patient and kind, charity is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude.<br /><br />Charity does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right.<br /><br />Charity bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things (Catechism 1825).<br /><br />Today’s gospel gives us several examples of charity. After hearing about the death of John the Baptist’s death, Jesus wants to be alone. He wants to get away and just make sense of it all. Have you ever felt like that...get away, leave me alone! But that does not stop him from being charitable.<br /><br />In a state of grieving, Jesus performed three acts of charity. While still grieving, Jesus (1) healed the sick, (2) preached all day, and (3) fed 5000. The Little boy (4) gave up loaves and fish.<br /><br />Today God is charitable. He will continue to be charitable in the future. He does that through the Eucharist.<br /><br />Here are a few quotes about charity. I ask that you all try to perform one act this week.<br /><br />Pope Saint Clement I: “Charity unites us to God. There is nothing mean in charity, nothing arrogant. Charity knows no schism, does not rebel, and does all things in harmony. In charity all the elect of God have been made perfect.”<br /><br />Bob Hope: “If you have not got any charity in your heart, you have the worst kind of heart trouble.”<br /><br />Mother Theresa: “In this life we cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love” (Words 507).<br /><br />Isaiah 55::1-3<br />All you who are thirsty, come to the water! You who have no money, come, receive grain and eat; Come, without paying and without cost, drink wine and milk! Why spend your money for what is not bread; your wages for what fails to satisfy? Heed me, and you shall eat well, you shall delight in rich fare. Come to me heedfully, listen, that you may have life. I will renew with you the everlasting covenant, the benefits assured to David.<br /><br />Romans 8:35&37-39<br />What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword? No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.<br /><br />Matthew 14:13-21<br />When Jesus heard of it, he withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself. The crowds heard of this and followed him on foot from their towns. When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, and he cured their sick. When it was evening, the disciples approached him and said, "This is a deserted place and it is already late; dismiss the crowds so that they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves." (Jesus) said to them, "There is no need for them to go away; give them some food yourselves." But they said to him, "Five loaves and two fish are all we have here." Then he said, "Bring them here to me," and he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking 5 the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up the fragments left over twelve wicker baskets full. Those who ate were about five thousand men, not counting women and children.</span>Holy Rosary Missionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18211089551919279444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8115352098005582911.post-90960713227727523082011-07-17T08:08:00.001-07:002011-07-18T08:08:51.644-07:00Announcements: 17 Sunday Ordinary Time Year A<span class="Apple-style-span" >Dear Holy Rosary Mission Parishioners, here are a few announcements:<br /><br /><b>Last Trip to Clarks Point</b>: Since the Cherokee is parked in Wasilla, I hopped on VanAir, Friday, July 15, for my last Mass in Clarks Point, Alaska. I baptized one year old Jack Thomas Slattengren in the Saint Peter the Fisherman Church.<br /><br />Here is a picture after my last Mass at Saint Peter the Fisherman in Clarks Point.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNDFVhleOgZENraiJw-7-2mS5mXER5IefM3ufnX1gyHc315xwQCKRM_metx1TzBEudW19MxIuF6CxiLjJMTyDL6DCTWZVojNpyrGQkKycW0zTrRo43OrAdZTtuwbNf5LSfou7pYw7A8bI/s1600/CLP+Grief+007.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNDFVhleOgZENraiJw-7-2mS5mXER5IefM3ufnX1gyHc315xwQCKRM_metx1TzBEudW19MxIuF6CxiLjJMTyDL6DCTWZVojNpyrGQkKycW0zTrRo43OrAdZTtuwbNf5LSfou7pYw7A8bI/s400/CLP+Grief+007.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630707920140113170" /></a><br /><b>37 Baptisms</b>: During my six year term (August 2005 to August 2011) at Holy Rosary Mission I have baptized 37 infants, children, and adults. The late Father Kelly baptized 85 infants, children, and adults during his eleven year term.<br /><br /><b>Gospel</b>: If you have not found the Pearl of Great Price, I pray you all will. All though you cannot fully possess it here on earth, I pray that you will continue to strive for it throughout your lives. Please see homily and readings below.<br /><br /><b>Potluck</b>: Sunday after Mass will be a potluck. Please bring your favorite dish.<br /><br /><b>Thank you</b>: Thank you to Pat Durbin and Bernie Venua for working on fixing the leak in our Church basement. Pat rounded up a load of dirt and Bernie taped a seam on the rubber mat outside.<br /><br /><b>Sunday Collection</b>: Our collection was $175.00 last Sunday. That does not count several people who donated by direct deposit into the Holy Rosary Checking account or people who send in automatic donations through Bill Pay, i.e. Wells Fargo.<br /><br />Have a wonderful week and see you Sunday...Fr. Scott.<br /><br /><b>Homily and Readings</b>:<br /><br />17 Ord A 109 DLG 2011, Treasure, 1 Kings 3: 5&7-12; Romans 8:28-30; Mat 13:44-52<br /><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Finding Treasure is exciting. I love reading novels about treasure hunts and sunken ships. I heard of one person who found a three million dollar stash with a metal detector. He was very very happy. In ancient times, people use to bury their money and valuable possessions in case an army killed them. This way, hidden treasure lay underground for future generations.<br /><br />Once, while out jogging, I found a $100 bill lying in the street. What a boon. When my great grandfather, Grandpa Dale, built his house, Grandma Tony grabbed a couple of handfuls of silver dollars and dropped them down one of the walls before they sealed it up. Whenever we visited she showed me the wall and told me the story. When they died, I crawled down under the house and tried to find the treasure. No luck. Someone beat me to it.<br /><br />In the Gospel, the Kingdom of Heaven is like buried treasure. A worker in the field finds this treasure. It is the key to happiness, peace, eternal life, and joy. Unfortunately this treasure is not his. The worker does not own the field, the man he works for does. So the worker re-buries this great treasure. He needs time to think and plan how he can own this great treasure for himself.<br /><br />The man rounds up all of his worldly possessions, sells them, and takes the money to the owner of that field. He buys that field with every cent he had. He now possesses the knowledge of how to be happy and obtain eternal life.<br /><br />The pearl of great price is the same type of story. A person finds a treasure, he sells everything, and then he possesses the treasure, the pearl of great price, this knowledge of the Kingdom of Heaven.<br /><br />The people who find the pearl of great price risk everything to own it. Zacchaeus climbed down from the tree and was invited to the Kingdom. Peter gave up his fishing income for the treasure.<br /><br />Today, in our money driven secular society, the treasure of the Gospel can lie deep beneath the hard earth.<br /><br />Here is the message for all of us: we receive the sacraments, we pray, we struggle with our faith, and we go through the motions of going to church. Then suddenly, through God’s grace, the treasure may be discovered.<br /><br />We come to the realization that there is only one real thing in life worth possessing: The Gospel of Jesus.<br /><br />The gospel is the love of Jesus, his forgiveness, his divine presence, his promise of eternal life. This is the treasure. This is the one real thing in life worth owning. This is the Pearl of Great Price.<br /><br />We cannot fully possess this treasure here on earth. We have to strive for it throughout our lives. As we strive for this treasure our lives are transformed. As our lives are transformed we become magnets. We become infectious. Others want what we have. We draw others into the Kingdom. As our faith grows and we become closer to the treasure, we realize there is nothing better to be had.<br /><br />My prayer for all of you is that you never give up striving for that Pearl of Great price and that someday you will possess it (545 Words).<br /><br /><b>1 Kings 3: 5&7-12</b><br />In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream at night. God said, "Ask something of me and I will give it to you." O LORD, my God, you have made me, your servant, king to succeed my father David; but I am a mere youth, not knowing at all how to act.<br />I serve you in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a people so vast that it cannot be numbered or counted. Give your servant, therefore, an understanding heart to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong. For who is able to govern this vast people of yours?" The LORD was pleased that Solomon made this request. So God said to him: "Because you have asked for this--not for a long life for yourself, nor for riches, nor for the life of your enemies, but for understanding so that you may know what is right--I do as you requested. I give you a heart so wise and understanding that there has never been anyone like you up to now, and after you there will come no one to equal you.<br /><br /><b>Romans 8:28-30</b><br />We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined he also called; and those he called he also justified; and those he justified he also glorified.<br /><br /><b>Mat 13:44-52</b><br />"The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea, which collects fish of every kind. When it is full they haul it ashore and sit down to put what is good into buckets. What is bad they throw away. Thus it will be at the end of the age. The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth. "Do you understand all these things?" They answered, "Yes." And he replied, "Then every scribe who has been instructed in the kingdom of heaven is like the head of a household who brings from his storeroom both the new and the old."</span></div>Holy Rosary Missionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18211089551919279444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8115352098005582911.post-39781658754147247942011-07-10T07:40:00.000-07:002011-07-11T07:50:26.414-07:00Announcements: 16th Sunday Ordinary Year A<span class="Apple-style-span" >Dear Holy Rosary Parishioners, here are a few announcements (for Sunday July 17):<br /><br /><b>Mission Complete:</b> Here is a picture of the West entrance to Lake Clark Pass as our Cherokee Warrior II was completing its Mission in Bristol Bay. The plane is now parked in Space A5 at the Wasilla airport.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGAgffhFPS9a6uaMNzfWtdE3p8GpCWfUcl-tJYPTa_GCSx4o9taasoho4buSqwKVOuMD2fn2k73sbQw-_aW0Ide6CZOinkLAhi2FfXQqLrcC6g-j842-wpNEtHc7OEKOK9DCGJn2Bw52I/s1600/Mission+Complete+002.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGAgffhFPS9a6uaMNzfWtdE3p8GpCWfUcl-tJYPTa_GCSx4o9taasoho4buSqwKVOuMD2fn2k73sbQw-_aW0Ide6CZOinkLAhi2FfXQqLrcC6g-j842-wpNEtHc7OEKOK9DCGJn2Bw52I/s400/Mission+Complete+002.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627734589189538818" /></a><br /><b>Thank you:</b> Thanx to Brian Venua and Spruce Lynch for sharing their musical talent at the funeral of Olga Marie Ayuluk. The music was wonderful!<br /><br /><b>Thank you:</b> Thank you to Pat Walsh for welding a part for Pat Durbin and thank you to Pat D. for mowing the cemetery. The grounds were perfect for the funeral of Olga Ayuluk.<br /><br /><b>My Last Sunday:</b> My last Sunday at Holy Rosary will be the 24th of July. I plan to leave Monday or Tuesday the 25th or 26th to Anchorage to start preparing for my new assignment at Sacred Heart in Wasilla.<br /><br /><b>Around the Mission:</b> I actually flew our Cherokee through the Lake Clark Pass to Wasilla last week. It was not a great flight. The clouds were low and there was fog and mist. Fortunately the Pass was open but leading up to the pass and leaving the pass, I was Scud running, i.e. around 500 to 600 feet. It started clearing up a few miles west of Wasilla. I did my first daily Mass (pinch hit for Fr. Stan Alley), unloaded some of my belongings in the Wasilla office garage, and flew back on Penair.<br /><br /><b>Gospel:</b> The Kingdom of Heaven is like a slow growing mustard tree. Please see Homily and Readings below.<br /><br />Have a wonderful week and see you Sunday!<br /><br /><br /><b>Homily and Readings:</b><br /><br />16 Ord A DLG 2008 Seed, Wisdom 12:13&16-19; Romans 8:26-27; Matthew 13:24-43<br /><br />The desire to root out evil is a universal temptation for humanity. Look at Hitler’s concentration camps, Stalin’s purges, China’s cultural Revolution, the Spanish Inquisition, and the witch-hunts of medieval Europe. Our human history is littered with the bloody attempts to create by force a pure and uncontaminated society.<br /><br />Even religion has a desire to create a perfect community of the saved. After all, isn’t the point of faith to strive for perfection and to root out sin?<br /><br />The gospel tells us that it is not up to us to be the judge of who is evil and who is not. Only God can judge the human heart. Thus, Jesus rejects the witch-hunts, the inquisitions, and the purified races. He says, “Let both weed and wheat grow together, side by side, until the harvest.”<br /><br />God’s plan is that the Kingdom of God is not to be imposed by force and violence. The parable of the mustard seed helps to explain an important message. Let’s take a look.<br /><br />Mustard is actually an herb. There seems to be some confusion as to the interpretation of the mustard tree, which came from the mustard seed. There are several different kinds of mustard bushes. The best picture I say was called the Original Mustard tree.<br /><br />The Kingdom of God grows gradually from small beginnings like a mustard seed.<br /><br />Such growth needs time and has a rhythm of its own: God’s rhythm!<br /><br />The effect of the kingdom gradually transforms people from within. In the Gospel of John Jesus says, “I am the vine, you are the branches, if you remain in me, and I in you, you will bear much fruit.”<br /><br />The seed of the Kingdom of God grows when people respond to it freely, like the leaves soak in the sunlight and the roots take up the water. When there is good soil. When there is a receptive heart. It is then that a person can bring forth a rich harvest of good works.<br /><br />The seed of the Kingdom of God has great power. It has power to transform both individuals and the world. But never by force and never in a big hurry.<br /><br />The mustard seed grows slowly. It represents patience. The lord is patient in order to allow us to respond to his love. The seed of God inside of us needs time to ripen and to grow. God has patience in us because he believes in us. He give us time so that our true selves may flourish.<br /><br />God’s patience allows us to fail a few times. Like the parable of the sower last week, there were three failures, the seed on the path, seed on rocks, and seeds in thorns. Finally, the seed fell on rich soil. God has patience so that we will eventually choose the life-giving wheat, rather than the life-choking weeds.<br /><br />The way of Jesus and all of us, is not to do violence to ourselves or to others. Our way is to allow God’s gentle and persistent love to bring forth a harvest of good works within us. To grow from a little tiny mustard seed, to a beautiful tree: focus on good. Allow God’s Kingdom to grow within you. Let God transform you.<br /><br />So, let us rejoice this day because our lord is patient, mild of judgment, and gives us time to grow into beautiful people (561 Words).<br /><br /><b>Wisdom 12:13&16-19</b><br />For neither is there any god besides you who have the care of all, that you need show you have not unjustly condemned; For your might is the source of justice; your mastery over all things makes you lenient to all. For you show your might when the perfection of your power is disbelieved; and in those who know you, you rebuke temerity. But though you are master of might, you judge with clemency, and with much lenience you govern us; for power, whenever you will, attends you. And you taught your people, by these deeds, that those who are just must be kind; And you gave your sons good ground for hope that you would permit repentance for their sins.<br /><br /><b>Romans 8:26-27</b><br />In the same way, the Spirit too comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit itself intercedes with inexpressible groanings.<br />And the one who searches hearts knows what is the intention of the Spirit, because it intercedes for the holy ones according to God's will.<br /><br /><b>Matthew 13:24-43</b><br />He proposed another parable to them. "The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a man who sowed good seed in his field. While everyone was asleep his enemy came and sowed weeds all through the wheat, and then went off. When the crop grew and bore fruit, the weeds appeared as well. The slaves of the householder came to him and said, 'Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where have the weeds come from?'<br />He answered, 'An enemy has done this.' His slaves said to him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them up?' He replied, 'No, if you pull up the weeds you might uproot the wheat along with them. Let them grow together until harvest; then at harvest time I will say to the harvesters, "First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles for burning; but gather the wheat into my barn."'" He proposed another parable to them. "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a person took and sowed in a field. It is the smallest of all the seeds, yet when full-grown it is the largest of plants. It becomes a large bush, and the 'birds of the sky come and dwell in its branches.'" He spoke to them another parable. "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch was leavened." All these things Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables. He spoke to them only in parables, to fulfill what had been said through the prophet: "I will open my mouth in parables, I will announce what has lain hidden from the foundation (of the world)." Then, dismissing the crowds, he went into the house. His disciples approached him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field." He said in reply, "He who sows good seed is the Son of Man, the field is the world, the good seed the children of the kingdom. The weeds are the children of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. Just as weeds are collected and burned (up) with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all who cause others to sin and all evildoers. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears ought to hear.</span>Holy Rosary Missionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18211089551919279444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8115352098005582911.post-19158352228632816092011-07-04T08:00:00.000-07:002011-07-04T08:32:07.829-07:00Announcements: 15th Sunday Ordinary Time Yr A<span class="Apple-style-span" >Dear Holy Rosary Mission Parishioners, here are a few announcements:<br /><br /><b>Gospel</b>: The Parable of the Sower is easily applied to our daily lives. Please see the homily and readings below.<br /><br /><b>Altar Serving</b>: Three girls were fast tracked to Altar Serving. All three celebrated First Communion on the 29th of May. Lotus altar served for the first time two weeks later on Sunday, June 12 and Katelynn and Alethia five weeks later on Sunday July 3rd. Each girl received about an hour of training and was helped during the Mass by experienced Altar Servers Anthony Reynolds and Brian Venua.<br /><br />Below Katelynn (left) and Alethia (right) pose for a picture.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQBpNl8nwGeaScUdroxD0qaSPelKZZWP2TQssTjUatUTdCFjg5IP4rSUzqFJmuwIGdyFySSROgUDrR7FJsslxoLEr8lhbn5IuujQFR7ju3SWZ66Hdq59onpqK1iBmF-pD0qPQVW67ZiJI/s1600/Altar+Servers+July+3+007.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQBpNl8nwGeaScUdroxD0qaSPelKZZWP2TQssTjUatUTdCFjg5IP4rSUzqFJmuwIGdyFySSROgUDrR7FJsslxoLEr8lhbn5IuujQFR7ju3SWZ66Hdq59onpqK1iBmF-pD0qPQVW67ZiJI/s400/Altar+Servers+July+3+007.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625517254030004642" /></a><br />Katelynn on her first day altar serving:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxENUla1LEhY0blRIC5dVDj0hThyurho1A_n5ABPeaT8llCTQ1ux08b95SxOeI74niYoOTj1q0Gh7KCtSAPCguoTo7hsRncf2wh5dP7CkiNZD4QpPSC4u4SdQwMA0xqhyfxPmv0Rz-3rw/s1600/Altar+Servers+July+3+006.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxENUla1LEhY0blRIC5dVDj0hThyurho1A_n5ABPeaT8llCTQ1ux08b95SxOeI74niYoOTj1q0Gh7KCtSAPCguoTo7hsRncf2wh5dP7CkiNZD4QpPSC4u4SdQwMA0xqhyfxPmv0Rz-3rw/s400/Altar+Servers+July+3+006.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625517248920890658" /></a><br />Alethia on her first day Altar Serving.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-W_Bk9a_jBFYJWHWib6mNd484gCx2UBYOoBhOifC-RGXzhxho4DJClFSdbIWZ96HwXfZKVWBOT45P9H37TLLyOQWF5wShZsVuANMYHG_z4QrkWWEjKQGuld7aTczY4y9QIKT8kHVzeJs/s1600/Altar+Servers+July+3+003.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-W_Bk9a_jBFYJWHWib6mNd484gCx2UBYOoBhOifC-RGXzhxho4DJClFSdbIWZ96HwXfZKVWBOT45P9H37TLLyOQWF5wShZsVuANMYHG_z4QrkWWEjKQGuld7aTczY4y9QIKT8kHVzeJs/s400/Altar+Servers+July+3+003.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625517241484043634" /></a><br /><b>Final Week</b>: My last Sunday Mass will be July 24th. I will be actually leaving for Sacred Heart in Wasilla sometime between Tuesday the 26 of July and Friday the 27th.<br /><br /><b>Thank you</b>: Thank you to Bernie Venua for helping take down the unleaded fuel tank on the property. The tank was becoming a safety hazard due to its concrete base becoming eroded after 30 some years.<br /><br /><b>Around the Mission</b>: It was a slow week for flying. The fog was unpredictable and moved in and out throughout each day. I flew to King Salmon on Penair and cancelled Clarks Point. I hope to fly to Kokiganek, Clarks Point, and Ekuk before I have to fly the Cherokee to Wasilla.<br /><br />Have a wonderful week and see you Sunday…Fr. Scott<br /><br /><b>Homily and Announcements:</b></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br />15th Ord A DLG 2011, Environment, Isaiah 55:10-11; Romans 8:18-23; Matthew 13:1-23<br />When I was growing up, my mother was continually telling me to turn off the lights in the house. She reminded me not to waste food because there were children starving in other countries. Born during the depression era, my mother learned to save and conserve.<br /><br />The readings today point to the environment. They talk about Rain, snow, seeds, sowers, fertile soil, and rich ground. We hear a lot about environmental issues these days.<br /><br />The bottom line is that God asks us to be good stewards of the earth. That means that we must wisely use the resources that are given to us.<br /><br />Genesis reminds us that all humanity is to care for the earth, not wreck it. Both the New and Old Testaments are filled with the importance of our relationships to the earth.<br /><br />To explain the parable of the sower, I want to use our environment as an example.<br /><br />First, facts, figures and recent debates about our planet’s environment fall on the path. We acknowledge there presents, we take them to heart, but in a couple of days we forget about them and take no action.<br /><br />Second, environment concerns fall on rocky ground. In other words, we are not receptive to hearing anything that might demand a change in our lifestyle. Something that lessens our comfort is out of the question.<br /><br />Third, environmental issues fall among thorns. This one probably describes me the best. I have other priorities…other issues that must be dealt with. It is not that important right now and it can wait for another generation.<br /><br />Fourth, what experts say about the environment falls on fertile soil. We want to do whatever we can to see that the earth continues to bear fruit for as many generations as God intends. We do our small part to help that to happen.<br /><br />Here is another take on the parable of the sower. The sower failed three times out of four. He succeeded on the fourth try.<br /><br />Look at Jesus. Jesus’ crucifixion failed for three days. Finally, he was raised. Jesus failed to win over the Pharisees and tax collectors. He failed to defend himself in front of Pilate and Herod. It was only after the Resurrection and the ultimate sign of salvation that he succeeded. Once the fourth try was complete, it brought about great results<br /><br />The first three steps of the parable fail, the last one succeeds. There is a 25 percent success rate.<br /><br />Here are the four spiritual steps: We fail, we listen, we learn, and we grow. There are four seeds and one out of every seed grows.<br /><br />What this means is that it is Ok to fail three times. It is OK to fail, as long as we TRY and do our best to de better the next time. Never give up! The Key word is TRY…keep trying.<br /><br />The Lord asks us to try, not necessarily succeed. Mother Theresa said, “Jesus does not ask us to be successful, but to be faithful.<br /><br />The message today is clear: Be good stewards of the earth. Appreciate what God has given us. Take care of our resources. Cut down on waste. If we have failed at doing our part, don’t give up. Keep trying (537 Words).<br /><br />Isaiah 55:10-11<br />For just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down and do not return there till they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, Giving seed to him who sows and bread to him who eats. So shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; It shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it.<br /><br />Romans 8:18-23<br />I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us. For creation awaits with eager expectation the revelation of the children of God; for creation was made subject to futility, not of its own accord but because of the one who subjected it, in hope that creation itself would be set free from slavery to corruption and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now; and not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, we also groan within ourselves as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.<br /><br />Matthew 13:1-23<br />On that day, Jesus went out of the house and sat down by the sea. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd stood along the shore. And he spoke to them at length in parables, saying: "A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep, and when the sun rose it was scorched, and it withered for lack of roots. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it. But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirty-fold. Whoever has ears ought to hear." The disciples approached him and said, "Why do you speak to them in parables?" He said to them in reply, "Because knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been granted to you, but to them it has not been granted. To anyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; from anyone who has not, even what he has will be taken away. This is why I speak to them in parables, because 'they look but do not see and hear but do not listen or understand.' Isaiah's prophecy is fulfilled in them, which says: 'You shall indeed hear but not understand you shall indeed look but never see. Gross is the heart of this people, they will hardly hear with their ears, they have closed their eyes, lest they see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and be converted, and I heal them.' "But blessed are your eyes, because they see, and your ears, because they hear. Amen, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it. "Hear then the parable of the sower. The seed sown on the path is the one who hears the word of the kingdom without understanding it, and the evil one comes and steals away what was sown in his heart. The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and receives it at once with joy. But he has no root and lasts only for a time. When some tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, he immediately falls away. The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit. But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirty-fold."</span></div>Holy Rosary Missionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18211089551919279444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8115352098005582911.post-55087339015198716932011-06-27T08:03:00.000-07:002011-06-27T09:36:40.820-07:00Announcements: 14th Sunday Ordinary Time Yr A<span class="Apple-style-span" >Dear Holy Rosary Parishioners, here are some announcements:<br /><br /><b>Holy Rosary Collection</b>: The collection for Sunday, June 26, 2011 was $153.00.<br /><br /><b>New Altar Servers</b>: Three new altar servers are preparing, Katelyn, Alethia, and Lotus. Hopefully they will be up and running in the next couple of weeks.<br /><br /><b>Prayers</b>: Please keep my friends Eric and Dawn in your prayers. Dawn's mother passed away Sunday, June 26. Also, pray for Pat Durbin as he is having a check up done in Anchorage. Pat should be back June 29.<br /><br /><b>Fr. Nelson's Adventures</b>: While visiting in Bristol Bay, Fr. Nelson was able to fly to King Salmon twice, Naknek, Clarks point twice, and Ekuk. We managed to get locked INSIDE our Cherokee Warrior II and could not get out. We blessed a fishing camp, moved a wood stove into Saint Peter the Fisherman in Clarks Point, and caught a net full of Red Salmon. Please see our website for more: <a href="http://www.holyrosaryalaska.org/">holyrosaryalaska.org</a>.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg47XnGDvBUgV0SQat9uahLGn9jlb90rL6tpsBnz_iE1TZ3NVyhCxXbxOGOltXaHFQ7GXkIHjlwo7-Qnjlv2DXF5YjkGMo2S5c811-wxAb8SAw5nxrciPcN2Uwa8DJKQc5QBJjp2POVCw/s1600/Ekuk+June+23+2011+010.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg47XnGDvBUgV0SQat9uahLGn9jlb90rL6tpsBnz_iE1TZ3NVyhCxXbxOGOltXaHFQ7GXkIHjlwo7-Qnjlv2DXF5YjkGMo2S5c811-wxAb8SAw5nxrciPcN2Uwa8DJKQc5QBJjp2POVCw/s400/Ekuk+June+23+2011+010.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622570913690333986" /></a><br /><br /><b>Mission Definition</b>: Financially, Holy Rosary has three budgets, one for Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Dillingham, one for Saint Theresa (a mission of Holy Rosary), and one for Saint Paul Mission (includes all the other villages in the area).<br /><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Have a fantastic week and see you Sunday...Fr. Scott</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /><b>Homily and Readings:</b><br /><br />14th Ord A 2011, Debt, Zechariah 9:9-10; Romans 8:9, 11-13; Matthew 11:25-30<br />(Show Credit Card) Isn’t it easy to get into financial debt these days? Being a priest, I am not immune from debt. Diocesan priests do not have to take a vow of poverty. However, we must strive for simplicity of life. As a diocesan priest, the parish pays for my car expenses, housing, and food. I am only responsible for my personal expenses, such as entertainment, running shoes, cloths, books, and toothpaste. So I don’t have a lot of large expenses except for my I Alaska student loan.<br /><br />Currently I receive a stipend of about 1,400 per month after taxes. Two years ago it was 700 per month. I get more, but I have to pay small business tax, which comes out to about 450 per month. I try to save half of my stipend for my retirement. I have five IRA Roth mutual funds. I also own five acres of land in central Oregon, which overlooks the Cascade Mountains.<br /><br />Before becoming a priest, I was always in debt. Financial debt dictated my life. Financial debt stresses me out. When I am in debt, I panic, and worry…it is like a huge weight on my shoulders.<br /><br />We deal with debt everyday. Believe it or not, our spiritual lives are based on debt. We are all in debt to God. God chose us to belong to him. We are dependent on God for everything we need.<br /><br />Being in debt financially means the deeper in dept the worse off we are. Spiritual debt is different. The deeper in debt we are, the better off we are. Here is why.<br /><br />By definition, debtors are the poor of spirit, the humble, and the meek. The poor cannot own, rule, or conquer. God prefers the childlike and the powerless. The poor are truly deep in dept to God for everything.<br /><br />In the reading from Romans, Paul tells us “because we have the Spirit of Christ we are debtors of God.” We are under obligation to God alone…we belong to God…Everyone is in God’s debt! <br /><br />There is immense hope when we are in debt to God. Spiritual debt is fantastic because it has huge payoffs. God will NEVER abandon us. Our sins will always be forgiven if we are sorry for them and we ask. The deeper in spiritual debt we get, the more we rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance…the more we pray…the more truly we believe…the more strongly we hope…the more generously we will receive.<br /><br />Being in debt to God is the only true freedom in life. Debt actually frees us.<br /><br />Here is a thought…the more spiritual debt we get into, the less financial debt we have…well, its just a thought. It definitely held true for me.<br /><br />In the gospel Jesus is talking to those of us who have very little spiritual debt. He tells us, “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened and you will find rest.<br /><br />One thing is for sure: it is easy to get into financial debt. It is a bit tougher to get into spiritual debt. But here is how we do it! We do it by sticking up for our Catholic Faith…By being generous with our time and our God given gifts. We get deeper into spiritual debt by loving our enemies.<br /><br />Here is how to max out our spiritual visa cards: The greatest offering we can make to God is to strive for peace and harmony among fellow Christians. Work toward being united with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.<br /><br />This week, get deeper into debt with God and get a huge refund. For my yolk is easy…says our lord…and my burden is light (611 Words).<br /><br /><br /><b>Zechariah 9:9-10</b><br />Rejoice heartily, O daughter Zion, shout for joy, O daughter Jerusalem! See, your king shall come to you; a just savior is he, Meek, and riding on an ass, on a colt, the foal of an ass. He shall banish the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem; The warrior's bow shall be banished, and he shall proclaim peace to the nations. His dominion shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.<br /><br /><b>Romans 8:9, 11-13</b><br />But you are not in the flesh; on the contrary, you are in the spirit, if only the Spirit of God dwells in you. Whoever does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. If the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also, through his Spirit that dwells in you. Consequently, brothers, we are not debtors to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die, but if by the spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.<br /><br /><b>Matthew 11:25-30</b><br />At that time Jesus said in reply, "I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him. "Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your selves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light."</span><br /></div>Holy Rosary Missionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18211089551919279444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8115352098005582911.post-83222379010955321592011-06-20T08:44:00.000-07:002011-06-20T09:44:41.579-07:00Announcements: Body and Blood of Christ<span class="Apple-style-span">Dear Holy Rosary Mission Parishioners, here are a few announcements:<br /><br /><b>Gospel</b>: The Bread and Wine is the best offering we as humans have to offer God. Please see the Homily and Readings below.<br /><br /><b>Fr. Nelson's Visit:</b> Father Nelson visited Bristol Bay for the first time this last week. He will be leaving June 27 to go on vacation back to the Philippines and will return to Bristol Bay in August to start ministry here.<br /><br />The picture below was taken Friday June 17 at Clarks Point. In the picture are Julian (far left), Shay (far right), Mariano (bottom), and Fr. Nelson (top).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVPWa3HMtsSKzlCICI4nA1B4QLHbHZAEYQYtlZt1QL2q4aY7VpDBDXUWwYDinqIfqNba5kuAH-Kbg3kMo_-k-yVklVGgTk986eZ_lHn2iGQN8CM6pPgisLjnzAIJCpJVju0w6bT0ErBJE/s1600/Ekwok+Nelson+Lance+024.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVPWa3HMtsSKzlCICI4nA1B4QLHbHZAEYQYtlZt1QL2q4aY7VpDBDXUWwYDinqIfqNba5kuAH-Kbg3kMo_-k-yVklVGgTk986eZ_lHn2iGQN8CM6pPgisLjnzAIJCpJVju0w6bT0ErBJE/s400/Ekwok+Nelson+Lance+024.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620331447095507570" /></a><br /><b>Around the Bush</b>: Fr. Nelson and I flew our Cherokee Warrior II to Clarks Point and King Salmon for Mass. Also, I flew to Ekwok to help a person prepare for Baptism on June 15. This week Fr. Nelson and I plan to fly to Ekuk to bless a fishing camp.<br /><br /><b>Father's Day Blessin</b>g: All the Fathers received a special Father's day blessing during the Mass last Sunday. Thank you to all our Fathers!<br /><br /><b>Thank you</b>: Thank you to Lotus who altar served for the first time at Mass Sunday June 19th. You did an excellent job Lotus!<br /><br /><b>Snow Plow:</b> Fr. Nelson had a crash course in snowplowing this week. Although there was no snow, we back-plowed the parking lot gravel and got rid of some chuck holes.<br /><br /><b>Thank you</b>: Thank you all who prepared food for our potluck last Sunday. It was a great success. Our parishioners were able to welcome Father Nelson and get to talk with him about his time in Alaska.<br /><br /><b>Sunday Collection of June 19th</b>: Holy Rosary Catholic Church was $170.00.<br /><br />Have a fantastic week and see you Sunday...Fr. Scott<br /><br /><b>Homily and Readings</b>:<br /><br />Body and Blood of Christ A DLG 2011, Deuteronomy 8:2-3&14-16; 1Corinthians 10:16-17; John 6: 51-58<br /><br />Today we celebrate Corpus Christi, the Body of Christ. What we receive during the Eucharist is about sacramental nourishment, spiritual strength, and eternal life. To understand this, let us take a closer look at the bread and wine.<br /><br />Dieing and Rising: Wheat and grapes grow and “die” only to “rise” again as flour and grape juice. They die and rise again as bread and wine. Bread and wine die as food and rise as nutrition for us giving us life. Jesus died and rose to give us eternal life.<br /><br />The Best We Have to Offer: When we offer up the gifts at mass, we bring the best that we as human beings have to offer to God. We give bread and wine, which represents communal human effort at it best.<br /><br />For example, bread is harvested by workers in the field, transported to market by drivers, made into dough by bakers, delivered to stores, marketed, and sold. Bread represents people working together as one to nourish our society.<br /><br />God and Us: Our gift of bread and wine also represents God’s help. We provide the labor. God provides the atmosphere, the rain, and the miracle of growth. Without God’s touch, there would be no wheat or grapes, no bread, no wine.<br /><br />During the Consecration, we offer up the bread and wine to God. What does God do? Because God loves us so much, he gives it right back to us…as the body and blood of His only Son, Jesus Christ. Catholicism is the only Christian religion that believes the bread and wine is transformed. It is not a representation. The priest acts as the person of Jesus, transforming the bread and wine into the ACTUAL body and blood of Christ.<br /><br />Show and Tell<br />Before – Loaf of Bread and host<br />After – Body of Christ – Ciborium – Tabernacle – Pix – Monstrance<br /><br />When we ingest the actual body and blood of Christ we become Christ-like. This is how we nourish the spirit within us. Spiritual strength comes from having faith that we become Christ-like. Henry Nouwen says, “The Eucharist can be seen only by those who already love the Lord and believe in his active, loving presence to us.”<br /><br />When we believe, trust, and have faith that we consume the actual body of Christ, it will nourish and strengthen our spirits. The Eucharist becomes armor for going into battle against corruption, injustice, and temptation. We stand together as one baptized community, strengthened by the Eucharist, prepared to go out into the field and fight for our Christian beliefs (421 Words).<br /><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />Eat This Bread, Breaking Bread<br /><br />Eat this bread, drink this cup, come to me and never be hungry. Eat this bread, drink this cup, trust in me and you will not thirst.<br /><br />I am the bread of life, the true bread sent from the father<br />Your ancestors ate manna in the desert, but this is the bread come down from heaven.<br />Eat my flesh and drink my blood, and I will raise you upon the last day.<br />Anyone who eats this bread, will live for ever.<br />If you believe and eat this bread, you will have eternal life.<br /><br /><b>Deuteronomy 8:2-3&14-16</b><br />Remember how for forty years now the LORD, your God, has directed all your journeying in the desert, so as to test you by affliction and find out whether or not it was your intention to keep his commandments. He therefore let you be afflicted with hunger, and then fed you with manna, a food unknown to you and your fathers, in order to show you that not by bread alone does man live, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of the LORD. you then become haughty of heart and unmindful of the LORD, your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that place of slavery; who guided you through the vast and terrible desert with its saraph serpents and scorpions, its parched and waterless ground; who brought forth water for you from the flinty rock and fed you in the desert with manna, a food unknown to your fathers, that he might afflict you and test you, but also make you prosperous in the end.<br /><br /><b>1 Corinthians 10:16-17</b><br />The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because the loaf of bread is one, we, though many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf.<br /><br /><b>John 6: 51-58</b><br />51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world." 52 The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, "How can this man give us (his) flesh to eat?" 53 Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. 54 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. 55 For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. 56 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. 57 Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever" (John 6:51-58).</span></div>Holy Rosary Missionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18211089551919279444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8115352098005582911.post-10118829737051712902011-06-12T08:05:00.001-07:002011-06-12T08:43:59.710-07:00Announcements: Holy Trinity For June 19, 2011<span class="Apple-style-span" >Dear Holy Rosary Mission Parishioners, here are a few announcements:<br /><br /><b>Fr. Nelson</b>: Fr. Nelson will be visiting Bristol Bay from June 15 until June 27. He will then vacation in the Philippines for a month or so and return to start ministering to our Bristol Bay Communities. He will spend the first two weeks of each month at Saint Theresa in King Salmon/Naknek and the last two weeks of each month at Holy Rosary in Dillingham.<br /><br /><b>Potluck</b>: Let us have a potluck for Father Nelson after Mass on Sunday the 19th, this Sunday. Please bring your favorite dish.<br /><br /><b>Gospel</b>: The Holy Trinity is difficult to understand. Please see Homily and readings below.<br /><br /><b>Thank you</b>: We developed a few more leaks in the sink in the bathroom and also the drain was pugged up. Pat Durbin spent a few days figuring it out and fixed the problem. The problem came about after fixing one leak, then others started. The joys of a 65 year old rectory. Thank you again Pat for donating your time and talent!</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><b>Around the Mission</b>: I flew to Clarks Point and King Salmon in our Cherokee this week. Next week I plan to fly to Ekwok to make preparations for a baptism and to Ekuk on the 21st of June to bless the Ingram fishing camp. I also will fly to Clarks Point and since the weather has warmed up I will have Mass in the small Saint Peter the Fisherman church for the first time this year (it has no heat so I must have mass in people's homes during the winter/Spring).<br /><br />Have a wonderful week...Fr. Scott<br /><br /><b>Homily and Readings</b>:<br /><br />Trinity Sun A 2011, DLG Sand, Ex 34:4-6&8-9; 2 Cor 13:11-13; John 3:16-18<br /><br />There is a well-known legend that St. Augustine of Hippo, while he was planning his great work on the Holy Trinity, was once walking on the seashore when he saw one boy carrying water from the sea and pouring it into a hole which he had dug in the sand. "What are you doing?" said the bishop. "Emptying the sea into this hole." "But how can you empty the sea into that little hole?" "And how can you", said the boy "understand the doctrine of the Holy Trinity with your finite human mind?"<br /><br />Today is Trinity Sunday. Trinity is about unity. Explaining the trinity is not easy. It is the greatest mystery of our faith. It is tough to explain and understand. It is not mathematics. The Holy Trinity is a divine mystery.<br /><br />Mathematics are finite. They can be figured out. Humans make mathematics. Math is something that is completely within our knowledge. We can use logic to figure it out.<br /><br />A divine mystery is infinite. We can only partly understand them. Human arguments must be expressed in symbolic language. Our arguments are finite. Humans cannot fully understand Infinite…the unlimited…the endless.<br /><br />In whatever way we use to portray God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, it will always be inadequate and incomplete. How can God have three faces and yet exist as one being…one nature and three persons?<br /><br />Our Catechism states, “The mystery of the Most Holy Trinity is the central mystery of the Christian faith and life. It is the mystery of God in himself.” This is tough stuff!<br /><br />The trinity is three persons but one nature. Here are a couple of inadequate and incomplete ways to think about the relationship of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.<br /><br />One – The love of the Father and the Son was so great that it brought forth the Holy Spirit.<br /><br />Two – The Father and the Son exist in a relationship of love. That bond of love that binds them together is the Holy Spirit.<br /><br />Three – Similarly, the love between a wife and a husband is so great that it brings forth a child.<br /><br />Saint Patrick famously used the three-leaf shamrock to explain the unity of God in three persons.<br /><br />Intellectually, we can never solve the problem of one nature and three persons…the Holy Trinity. But, the mystery of the Holy Trinity does not have to be solved. The Holy Trinity is an experience of faith that we are called to encounter throughout our lives.<br /><br />What most of our founding church fathers settled on when trying to explain the Holy Trinity is this: God is not an idea or a principle. God is a loving relationship. We are invited into that relationship. The idea is to open our hearts to the love of the Holy Spirit. By doing this we are drawn into the loving relationship that exists between the Father and the Son…the very Holy Trinity itself.<br /><br />The degree to which we understand the feast of the Trinity will be shown in the care we take in our many and varied relationships, be they social, intimate, professional, civic, or international.<br /><br />Every time we do anything to form new and good relationships, mend those that are broken, help other relationships to be deeper and richer, or just enjoy the ones we have, we get drawn deeper and deeper into the mystery of the Holy Trinity (562 Words).<br /><br /><b>Exodus 34:4-6&8-9</b><br />Moses then cut two stone tablets like the former, and early the next morning he went up Mount Sinai as the LORD had commanded him, taking along the two stone tablets.<br />Having come down in a cloud, the LORD stood with him there and proclaimed his name, "LORD." Thus the LORD passed before him and cried out, "The LORD, the LORD, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity, Moses at once bowed down to the ground in worship. Then he said, "If I find favor with you, O Lord, do come along in our company. This is indeed a stiff-necked people; yet pardons our wickedness and sins, and receive us as your own."<br /><br /><b>2 Cor 13:11-13</b><br />Finally, brothers, rejoice. Mend your ways, encourage one another, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the holy ones greet you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the holy Spirit be with all of you.<br /><br /><b>John 3:16-18</b><br />For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.</span>Holy Rosary Missionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18211089551919279444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8115352098005582911.post-4869030199538793372011-06-06T08:10:00.001-07:002011-06-12T08:29:47.847-07:00Announcements: Pentecost For June 12, 2011<span class="Apple-style-span">Dear Holy Rosary Mission Parishioners, here are a few announcements:<br /><br /><b>Baptism</b>: Justine Wassily holds Trista Jean Nicole Wassily, the newest member of our Catholic Church. Esther Floresta (left) is the Godmother. The baptism took place at Holy Rosary in Dillingham, June 5, 2011.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif6k8imMJMNJwXiT5sX550Hy-1xryx9p3iY6JRoD0RK2dwxBhxZdpFeh-tqfU5RUX95yTKsHumaiYbOzJcHFCSmM76tpI-HFUkvLWup0I1MuXTYEjVmmTmRj01YMm02LXfwE6l140CkJM/s1600/Trista+Baptism+002.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif6k8imMJMNJwXiT5sX550Hy-1xryx9p3iY6JRoD0RK2dwxBhxZdpFeh-tqfU5RUX95yTKsHumaiYbOzJcHFCSmM76tpI-HFUkvLWup0I1MuXTYEjVmmTmRj01YMm02LXfwE6l140CkJM/s400/Trista+Baptism+002.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615129990074374322" /></a><br /><b>One Bread One Body</b>: Thank you for all of your generous support. We have almost reached our goal of $2,000!<br /><br /><b>Fr. Nelson</b>: Fr. Nelson will be coming for a two week visit starting June 15. He will than leave to go on vacation to the Philippines and return August 14 to begin his assignment here.<br /><br /><b>Gospel</b>: Pentecost is about receiving the Holy Spirit. God took stock in us to protect His investment. He did that by sending us the Holy Spirit. Please see the homily and readings below.<br /><br /><b>Fleet Blessing</b>: Thank you Angela and Robert Clark for organizing the 24th annual Dillingham Blessing of the Fleet. It was a wonderful occasion for all. I was very pleased with the turn out of the community, especially for the support of all the pastors.<br /><br />Have a wonderful week...Fr. Scott<br /><br /><b>Homily and Readings</b>:<br /><br /><br />Pentecost, DLG. 2007, God Stock; Acts 2: 1-11; 1 Corinthians 12:3-7&12-13; John 20:19-23<br /><br />Today is Pentecost. It’s the day when God sent his spirit among the people. Why did he send his spirit? I would like to explore this question by using an analogy of the Stock Market. Imagine for a minute that we are Stocks that God owns<br /><br />If we were God’s Stock in OT times, we might have been called preferred stock. After all, there were only a few chosen people that God bought stock in, for example, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and King David to name a few.<br /><br />Being God’s stock in the OT meant that if we did not follow God’s rules, God would give us another chance, buy us back, or redeem us. The Israelites, on the way to the promise Land, lost faith in God and turned to sin many times. But the merciful God was always there to buy back his shares and give his chosen another chance.<br /><br />During Jesus’ life, God’s Stock portfolio expanded. Jesus message was that God wanted to buy stock in every human individual, not just a few chosen people. In the financial industry, the term “diversified portfolio” is used when a smart investor buys several different types of investments, such as stocks, bonds, and mutual funds.<br /><br />God’s new portfolio was well diversified because it included people from all over the world. It included people of every age and race. And God paid a high price for us. His only son, Jesus, died for our sins on the cross and redeemed us.<br /><br />This brings us to Pentecost. In the finance industry, I might say that God sent the HS to protect his stock, that is, each of us. In a sense, he did. God has to protect each of us so we don’t go astray, so we don’t become lost.<br /><br />In the spiritual world, I think God sent the HS at Pentecost because he loved us so much. The HS is a gift to help us gain eternal life. The HS gives us the strength to stave off anything life has to throw at us. It helps us to sift through the garbage in our daily lives and choose what is right, and true, and good. The HS nudges and badgers us to do the honorable thing.<br /><br />Have you ever been in a situation when you knew you had to do something but you really didn’t want to? Have you ever had to confront a person at work who has been bothering you? Have you ever needed a change in your life but you couldn’t quite put your finger on what it was you needed to do? Well I have. Should I quit my job and go to college? Should I go to the seminary? Should I say something about the unethical acts going on in the work place?<br /><br />If we are in touch with the HS and if we allow this free gift from God to work through us, to guide, strengthen, and teach us, then we will have the answers and the motivation to take the right action.<br /><br />To conclude, ask yourself, how am I performing in God’s portfolio? Am I increasing in value, decreasing, or staying the same? Do I call on the HS in times of confusion and actively seek the good? Or do I just do what everybody else is doing? Heavenly Father may the HS you sent us at Pentecost inspire our actions and lead us to everlasting life (575 Words).<br /><br /><b>Acts 2: 1-11</b><br />When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim. Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem. At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd, but they were confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. They were astounded, and in amazement they asked, "Are not all these people who are speaking Galileans? Then how does each of us hear them in his own native language?<br />We are Parthians, Medes, and Elamites, inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya near Cyrene, as well as travelers from Rome, both Jews and converts to Judaism, Cretans and Arabs, yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God."<br /><br /><b>1 Corinthians 12:3-7&12-13</b><br />Therefore, I tell you that nobody speaking by the spirit of God says, "Jesus be accursed." And no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the holy Spirit. There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.<br /><br /><b>John 20:19-23</b><br />On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be with you." When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. (Jesus) said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained."</span>Holy Rosary Missionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18211089551919279444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8115352098005582911.post-41475604404565895432011-06-03T08:10:00.000-07:002011-06-03T08:12:35.106-07:00New Catholic Priest Coming to Bristol Bay<span class="Apple-style-span" >Fr. Nelson Marilag from the Philippines, who is assigned to the Archdiocese of Anchorage for one more year, will be assigned to Bristol Bay.<br /><br />Fr. Nelson will be visiting Holy Rosary Mission the last two weeks of June. I will be introducing him to the communities of Saint Theresa, Saint Peter the Fisherman, and Holy Rosary. He will then fly to the Philippines for a little over a month for a vacation. He will return to Holy Rosary Mission the second week in August.<br /><br />The plan is to have Fr. Nelson stay at Saint Theresa in Naknek the first two weeks of every month and then stay at Holy Rosary in Dillingham for the second two weeks of every month.<br /><br />Have a wonderful week...Fr. Scott</span>Holy Rosary Missionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18211089551919279444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8115352098005582911.post-1116775305061951872011-05-31T11:04:00.000-07:002011-05-31T11:26:55.163-07:00Announcements: Ascension of the Lord<span class="Apple-style-span" >Dear Holy Rosary Mission Parishioners, here are a few announcements:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgmKlsipCZJgYHaflxOzbaRCcCwQq5pKd37ESzjSACpJznqCX-lYmKnCDdPDvFQnil0I9yoGKS-97UVCaa-gPxVvHNi4cUupJZYTu7lNcZ3T1iEV2Lj2TLd1Pc9XijZZRIpFcz2VWNQA/s1600/Confirmation+1st+Com+068.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgmKlsipCZJgYHaflxOzbaRCcCwQq5pKd37ESzjSACpJznqCX-lYmKnCDdPDvFQnil0I9yoGKS-97UVCaa-gPxVvHNi4cUupJZYTu7lNcZ3T1iEV2Lj2TLd1Pc9XijZZRIpFcz2VWNQA/s400/Confirmation+1st+Com+068.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612886324087837490" /></a><br /><b>Blessing of the Fleet</b>: This coming Sunday, June 5, will be the blessing of the fleet. Please contact Angela Clark if you would like to donate some of your time and talent. The Blessing will be after Mass at 2:00 PM.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><b>Confirmation and First Communion Pics</b>: Please see our website for the pictures or <a href="http://www.holyrosaryalaska.org">CLICK HERE.</a><br /><br /><b>Thank you:</b> Thank you to Archbishop Schwietz and Deacon Harry Moore for a wonder celebration of First Communion and Confirmation. Please hurry back!<br /><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><b>Thank you</b>: Thank you Nora Johnson for putting out the flowers on the church steps again this year.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /><b>Gospel</b>: The Ascension will be celebrated in place of the 7th Sunday of Easter. Please see the homily and readings below.<br /><br /><b>Around the Mission</b>: I flew to Clarks Point on Friday and the archbishop, Deacon and Harry, and I flew to Saint Theresa on Saturday. I flew to Anchorage on Monday, round trip, six and one half hours. I was going to spend the night in Anchorage but a storm was coming in so I got back the same day. I had time to pick up my new Tacoma and park it in our hanger at Merrill Field.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBFk9ARYHGG18SG9ZvHP9hDAR0m0DzTJ_fL-lqEXTnP7FyG3IDZL0P1VcB8YvUGBX2l3eusA86zbpt3c__YxMMQYZ-e5EOxA2fO_MGeDSeMRcIBEBwq6beyzy4R0IBB28JkBCcNYo9tgU/s1600/My+Tacoma+2.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBFk9ARYHGG18SG9ZvHP9hDAR0m0DzTJ_fL-lqEXTnP7FyG3IDZL0P1VcB8YvUGBX2l3eusA86zbpt3c__YxMMQYZ-e5EOxA2fO_MGeDSeMRcIBEBwq6beyzy4R0IBB28JkBCcNYo9tgU/s400/My+Tacoma+2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612945568675897922" /></a><br /><b>Thank you</b>: Pat Durbin and Deacon Harry fixed a drain in our Rectory. I had tried several times but the pipe was clogged somewhere beyond my ability to fix it.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Have a fantastic week...Fr. Scott<br /><br /><b>Homily and Readings:</b><br /><br />Ascension, Year A, DLG 2011, Hearts Ascend, Acts 1: 1-11; Eph 1: 17 23; Mat 28: 16-20<br /><br />Ask children to come up front and hold each card. Ask for volunteers to put these cards in order:<br /><br />1. Walk on Water<br />2. Assumption<br />3. Crucifixion<br />4. Resurrection<br />5. Last Supper<br />6. Presentation<br />7. Incarnation<br />8. Annunciation<br />9. 10 Commandments<br />10. Ascension<br /><br />The Ascension reminds us that Jesus is divine. Jesus is glorified. Although his physical body is not present with us, he is still present in us. We experience that presence in our daily lives.<br /><br />Saint Augustine helped me to understand the Ascension. He said that Christ ascended into heaven. As humans living on earth our bodies do not ascend, but our hearts ascend to Jesus. We naturally seek Jesus above. Saint Augustine says we can be with Jesus right now through love.<br /><br />Saint Augustine said that since Jesus is God, it is easy for him to be with us right now. Since Christ Ascended, he said, and he is the head of us and we are the body, we can NEVER be separated.<br /><br />Acts tells us, “Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven.” Jesus sent us his Holy Spirit. Although his physical body is not visibly present…Jesus is certainly present in each one of us right now. Our role in the Ascension is to make that presence visible to everyone that we meet (223 Words).<br /><br /><b>Acts 1: 1-11</b><br />In the first book, Theophilus, I dealt with all that Jesus did and taught until the day he was taken up, after giving instructions through the holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. He presented himself alive to them by many proofs after he had suffered, appearing to them during forty days 2 and speaking about the kingdom of God. While meeting with them, he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for "the promise of the Father 3 about which you have heard me speak; for John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the holy Spirit." When they had gathered together they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going 4 to restore the kingdom to Israel?" He answered them, "It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has established by his own authority. But you will receive power when the holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." When he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight. While they were looking intently at the sky as he was going, suddenly two men dressed in white garments stood beside them. They said, "Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven."<br /><br /><b>Ephesians 1: 17-23</b><br />That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation resulting in knowledge of him. May the eyes of (your) hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call, what are the riches of glory in his inheritance among the holy ones, and what is the surpassing greatness of his power for us who believe, in accord with the exercise of his great might, which he worked in Christ, raising him from the dead and seating him at his right hand in the heavens, far above every principality, authority, power, and dominion, and every name that is named not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things beneath his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, 11 the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way.<br /><br /><b>Mat 28: 16-20</b><br />The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them. When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted. Then Jesus approached and said to them, "All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age."</span></div></div></div>Holy Rosary Missionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18211089551919279444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8115352098005582911.post-4310449675343916522011-05-22T08:44:00.000-07:002011-05-22T09:50:32.873-07:00Announcements: 6th Sunday of Easter Year A<span class="Apple-style-span" >Dear Holy Rosary Mission Parishioners, here are a few announcements:<br /><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><b>Gospel</b>: The two L's and the two S's are important to our spiritual development. Please see homily and readings below.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /><b>Town Hall Meeting</b>: Thank you for the great turn-out for our meeting and for making Fr. Scott the greater fee. welcome. After the meeting, and after talking with Fr. Scott the greater further, I walked away with a very good feeling about the care and love the Archdiocese has for Bristol Bay. We came up with some great ideas to propose to the Archbishop and I am confident that all of you were listened to and understood.<br /><br /><b>Potluck and Reception</b>: After Mass this week there will be a potluck for those to be confirmed and those receiving First Communion. Please bring your favorite dish.<br /><br /><b>Archbishop and Deacon to visit</b>: Our Archbishop and Deacon Harry Moore from Saint Michael in Palmer, will be celebrating with us this week-end. They will be arriving on Penair on the first morning flight, Friday, May 27. If you can, let's welcome them at the airport, especially those being confirmed.<br /><br /><b>Around the Mission</b>: Lance, a Catholic who works for the FAA in our Dillingham Flight Service Station, flew with me to Saint Theresa in King Salmon on Saturday. We all had Mass together (Saturday May 21). I shared with the King Salmon/Naknek parishioners some of the things we talked about at our town hall meeting the evening of May 26th.<br /><br />Have a wonderful week and please pray for those being confirmed Johanna, Brian, Josh, Anthony, Walter, Daniel, and those receiving First Communion (Katelynn, Alethia, Lotus, Aurora). Also check out my beach landing video by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/holyrosaryalaskadlg#p/a/u/0/1XKIRQH2bdE">CLICKING HERE</a>. Fr. Scott<br /><br />Fr. Scott<br /><br /><b>Homily and Readings</b>:<br /><br />6th Easter Sun A 2011, Law of Love; Acts 8: 5-8 & 14-17; 1 Peter 3: 15-18; John 14: 15-21<br /><br />Today I am going to talk about the two L’s and the two S’s: The Law of Love and Sacrificed and Self-Control.<br /><br />First of all, law is not the enemy of love. Freedom and Joy do not always equal love. Believe it or not, obedience to Jesus’ commands equates to love.<br /><br />Obedience comes from the Latin Word oboedire, meaning to “listen carefully.” In other words, obedience means to listen to the Holy Spirit’s call in our lives.<br /><br />The law that we have to listen to is this: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind…you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” That is the law. We are obedient when we follow this law.<br /><br />Saint Paul says this about the Law of Love, “The law of love is not primarily revealed in what we say, or how we feel, but in what we do.”<br /><br />This is how we are obedient to the law of love: When we are patient, kind, and gentle with each other. When we forgive each other, tell the truth, and remain faithful.<br /><br />Saint Paul also tells us what the fruits of the law of love is: The two S’s, sacrifice and Self control. Believe it or not, if it feels good do it, or it healthy to always express your feelings, is not always the ideal thing to do.<br /><br />For example, if we are angry with our friends or family, abusing them verbally or physically won’t help. If we are sexually attracted to our best friend’s spouse, having an affair will end in tears.<br /><br />Sacrifice is a way to be obedient to the Law of Love. For example, be alert to the poverty and make a sacrifice some of your time and wealth to help. That is sacrificing for the Law of Love. Ask a married couple what sacrifice is…it is not that easy. A husband and wife sacrifice for the good of the family. That is the Law of Love.<br /><br />Self-control is an ally of love. It helps us sort out the appropriate time to undertake the appropriate action. The path to happiness is not being free, doing what we want, and always having money to buy things. The path to happiness is being self-controlled.<br /><br />Self-control is not easy. Ask any professional athlete what it is like to practice everyday. Self-control is restraint exercised over one's own impulses, emotions, or desires. <br /><br />The main benefit of self-control is being able to be in charge of one’s emotional life rather that it being in charge of us.<br /><br />Here is an example of self-control: Judy set five easily obtained goals for herself. She promised to say one Hail Mary and one Our Father daily. She vowed, no matter what, to exercise four times a week for one hour. She made certain she ate fruit and vegetables everyday. She made Sunday Mass a priority, not a choice. She decided to start each morning by reading a passage from one of the gospels.<br /><br />After accomplishing these goals week after week, she felt fantastic. She took control of her emotions. She was content with herself and felt very good about herself. Her self-esteem soared. She was being obedient to the law of love.<br /><br />This week, may all of us embrace sacrifice and self-control as the doors to an even greater practical experience of the Risen Christ’s Law of Love (570 Words).<br /><br /><b>Acts 8: 5-8 & 14-17</b><br />Thus Philip went down to (the) city of Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them. With one accord, the crowds paid attention to what was said by Philip when they heard it and saw the signs he was doing. For unclean spirits, crying out in a loud voice, came out of many possessed people, and many paralyzed and crippled people were cured. There was great joy in that city. Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, who went down and prayed for them, that they might receive the holy Spirit, for it had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them and they received the holy Spirit.<br /><br /><b>1 Peter 3: 15-18</b><br />But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence, keeping your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who defame your good conduct in Christ may themselves be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that be the will of God, than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the sake of the unrighteous, that he might lead you to God. Put to death in the flesh, he was brought to life in the spirit.<br /><br /><b>John 14: 15-21</b><br />"If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of truth, which the world cannot accept, because it neither sees nor knows it. But you know it, because it remains with you, and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me, because I live and you will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father and you are in me and I in you. Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me. And whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him."<br /></span><br /></div>Holy Rosary Missionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18211089551919279444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8115352098005582911.post-62042060282182306452011-05-15T08:24:00.003-07:002011-05-15T08:38:18.743-07:00Announcements: 5th Sunday of Easter Year A<span class="Apple-style-span" >Dear Holy Rosary Mission Parishioners, here are some important announcements:<br /><br /><b>Town Hall Meeting</b>: Fr. Scot Medlock, Vicar of Clergy, will be visiting us from Anchorage, Thursday, May 19, 2011. He wants to assess our needs as a parish mission in order to better evaluate who will be replacing me as pastor. The plan is to gather at Holy Rosary Parish at 5:30 PM (unless otherwise announced). Please bring you favorite dish for a potluck afterward. All are invited to this important informative meeting!</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /><b>Confirmation</b>: Confirmation will be May 28 at noon at Saint Theresa and May 29 at 12:30 at Holy Rosary. Please bring your favorite dish for a Potluck afterward.<br /><br /><b>First Communion</b>: Our first communion celebration will be May 28 at Saint Theresa and May 29 at Holy Rosary. Our Archbishop and Deacon Harry Moore will be present to celebrate with us.<br /><br /><b>My Mistake Gospel</b>: I published the readings and homily for week 5 of Easter last week for week 4. I have made the correction. So you may see the same homily and readings this week as you saw last week.<br /><br /><b>Around the Mission</b>: I made my first Beach Landing at Protection Point this last week. It took me two flights out there. I finally got a low tide and was able to watch John Bouker land first. I then did a touch and go on the beach. I also flew to Clarks Point and King Salmon as well as Levelock and Koligonek for some practice GPS approaches.<br /><br />Have a wonderful week...Fr. Scott<br /><br /><b>Homily and Readings</b><br /><br />5th Easter Sun A DLG 2011, Spiritual House, Acts 6:1-7; 1 Peter 2:4-9; John 14:1-12<br /><br />There have been many times in my life where I felt out of place. While employed for one airline I felt that my moral standards and ethics where being eroded. I found myself falling into the things that those around me were doing, such as stretching the truth a bit, swearing, thinking bad things about others, running out of patience, laughing at dirty jokes…those kinds of things. I would struggle with the fact that I was a Christian. But in fact, I was a Christian being formed by non-Christians.<br /><br />Being formed was something that I thought much about. Believe it…society forms us. We may think being formed is like brain washing, well, in a way it is. We grow up with outside influences that help make us the people we are.<br /><br />When I went into the seminary, they said they were going to reform me. I basically said, “What are you talking about? You are going to brain wash me?” It was then I realized that they were talking about something very different. The seminary told me that everyone is formed by society. Not everybody is formed by Jesus.<br /><br />We go to church; we believe in God, but sometimes the society around us tends to form us more than our spiritual family. The readings are about being formed by Jesus.<br /><br />At first, those first Christians in 1 Peter were displaced socially as well as spiritually. But they found a spiritual home. The author of the second reading tries to give them a sense of belonging. They are not lost or wondering or misplaced…they belong to a single spiritual house with Jesus at the center, as the cornerstone.<br /><br />A spiritual house helped to form those early Christians. They learned to act and live like Jesus. Like those early Christians, we too have a spiritual house where we belong and where Jesus forms us.<br /><br />Our Church is spiritual household? The reading from Acts tells us what can happen in a spiritual household. For awhile, the widows in the village started getting less food than everyone else.<br /><br />The spiritual household remedied this situation. They put their heads together. They came up with a just plan. They let the Holy Spirit Guide them. They fixed the situation.<br /><br />In the gospel, Jesus tells that if we take our formation seriously, if we take our spiritual house sincerely, it will last forever.<br /><br />How do we, as Christians, fit in when people in our work environments lead us astray by swearing, talking about others negatively, stealing, lying, and cheating? The same with school; How do you who are students integrate your faith, handle being around those who don’t act and think like Jesus.<br /><br />The readings are about some leaders in our world who are for abortion, who are promiscuous, and who set poor examples for our children. These readings are about our lives. They tell us that if we want to be Christian, we may feel out of place in everyday life.<br /><br />But we can always feel at home in our spiritual house…where we belong…where Jesus is our teacher and leader.<br /><br />These reading tell us that there is something better out there. They tell us there is something much stronger. They tell us that you and I belong to a Spiritual house that is greater than anything on this earth. It is a house where Jesus leads us, forms us, and provides for our needs (560 Words).<br /><br />Acts 6:1-7<br />At that time, as the number of disciples continued to grow, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. So the Twelve called together the community of the disciples and said, "It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table. Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit and wisdom, whom we shall appoint to this task, whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." The proposal was acceptable to the whole community, so they chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and the holy Spirit, also Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicholas of Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles who prayed and laid hands on them. The word of God continued to spread, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly; even a large group of priests were becoming obedient to the faith.<br /><br />1 Peter 2:4-9<br />Come to him, a living stone, rejected by human beings but chosen and precious in the sight of God, and, like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it says in scripture: "Behold, I am laying a stone in Zion, a cornerstone, chosen and precious, and whoever believes in it shall not be put to shame." Therefore, its value is for you who have faith, but for those without faith: "The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone," and "A stone that will make people stumble, and a rock that will make them fall." They stumble by disobeying the word, as is their destiny. But you are "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may announce the praises" of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.<br /><br />John 14:1-12<br />"Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be.<br />Where (I) am going you know the way." Thomas said to him, "Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him." Philip said to him, "Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father.</span></div>Holy Rosary Missionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18211089551919279444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8115352098005582911.post-77685488767999062162011-05-08T08:28:00.000-07:002011-05-15T09:01:12.064-07:00Announcements: 4th Sunday of Easter Year A<span class="Apple-style-span" >Dear Holy Rosary Mission Parishioners, here are a few announcements:<br /><br /><b>Gospel</b>: The readings for the 4th Sunday of Easter are about belonging to a spiritual house that forms us. Please see the homily and readings below.<br /><br /><b>Archbishop May 28 and 29</b>: The Archbishop of Anchorage will be celebrating Mass Saturday the 28th of May at noon at Saint Theresa and Sunday the 29th of May at Holy Rosary. He will be confirming one young adult at Saint Theresa and four young adults and one adult at Holy Rosary. Additionally, several children will be receiving First Communion. Please bring your favorite dish for the potluck/reception afterward.<br /><br /><b>Thank you</b>: Thanx to Diana Swaim for preparing the children for First Communion. Looks like we will have four, Aurora at Saint Theresa and Alethia, Katelyn, and Lotus at Holy Rosary. First Communion will take place during the confirmation Mass when the Archbishop is here.<br /><br /><b>Blessing of the Fleet</b>: Once again Angela Clark has graciously offered to organize the blessing of the Dillingham fishing fleet. The blessing is set for Sunday, June 5, at 2:00 PM. Please contact her if you would like to help out: 842-5331.<br /><br /><b>Around the Mission</b>: After returning from Great Falls, Montana I finally picked up our Cherokee in King Salmon. Unfortunately the battery was dead and I had to call Clarks Point and cancel my service there. I rounded up a couple people on the East Ramp in King Salmon to re-charge my Battery, and was in the air by 2:00 PM of Friday, May 6. Saturday I flew back to King Salmon for Mass at Noon (Saint Theresa).<br /><br /><b>Catholic Presence in Bristol Bay</b>: Rest assured that when I leave that the Catholic Church will have a presence in Bristol Bay. The Archdiocese has three plans to replace me. Plan A is to have a full time priest stay in the rectory in Dillingham. Plan B is to have Bristol Bay on the circuit of priests. A priest would fly out every other week for Mass. Plan C would be to have an Anchorage based parish sponsor a priest or deacon to fly out every other week.<br /><br />Have a wonderful week…Fr. Scott<br /><br />4th Easter A DLG 2011, Good Shepherd, Acts 2:14, 36-41; 1 Peter 2:20-25; John 10 1-10.<br /><br />Like sheep, we follow a shepherd. Jesus is our shepherd. Likewise, Archbishop Roger Schwietz is a shepherd to the archdiocese of Anchorage. Shepherds are responsible for showing us and nudging us through the narrow gate.<br /><br />In Iceland all the sheep freely roam the island. There are no fences. At the end of the year, all the shepherds get together on their horses and round up the sheep. They then drive the sheep through this narrow gate to shave them of their wool. Many of them don’t want to go through it.<br /><br />That is why we need a shepherd, to get us to take a better look at that narrow Gate.<br /><br />A shepherd is not out in front of the flock, but in the back nudging and prodding, the crook is like a bishops crosier? The sheep have some freedom to browse for green grass. If one strays to far, it is nudged back so the rest don’t follow and stray with it. Icelandic sheep ran free for nearly a year. Not a lot of predators to kill them.<br /><br />Sometime we stray from the flock. Sometime we get weak and the wolf sinks its teeth in us. The wolf can get us to do things like buy a new car when we can’t afford it or charge money on credit cards when we can not pay it back. Wolves can convince teenagers to take drugs and smoke.<br /><br />Jesus is our Shepherd. When we stray from the flock, call on Jesus, our shepherd. Jesus points us back to the narrow gate. He does not say it is easy to go through the gate. He says it takes sacrifice, prayer, and some suffering. But the rewards are incredible. The wise sheep always hear and follow the voice of the shepherd.<br /><br />Sheep dogs are like our Deacons. They help to heard the sheep toward that narrow gate. In fact, in one famous painting of the crucifix, there was a dog at the foot of the cross. The deacons took that as there mascot. Dogs for Christ became the slogan for the Dominican order.<br /><br />When sheep wander off from the flock, they become easy food for a wolf. Sheep dogs will attack a wolf. They are willing to die fighting a wolf to protect a sheep. They keep the flock together in one strong group. Wolves are less likely to attack a strong group.<br /><br />Let us give thanks for the Deacons who chase away the wolves; Also, lets not forget the Bishops who shepherd us and keep us together as a strong and healthy community; The priests who teach us and lead us in prayer; The sisters and brothers of the religious orders who give their lives to building up our Catholic Church. And all of us who generously support our church with time, talent, and money (472 Words).<br /><br />Acts 2:14, 36-41<br /><br />Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and proclaimed to them, "You who are Jews, indeed all of you staying in Jerusalem. Let this be known to you, and listen to my words. Therefore let the whole house of Israel know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified." Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and they asked Peter and the other apostles, "What are we to do, my brothers?" Peter (said) to them, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the holy Spirit. For the promise is made to you and to your children and to all those far off, whomever the Lord our God will call." He testified with many other arguments, and was exhorting them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand persons were added that day.<br /><br />1 Peter 2:20-25<br />But what credit is there if you are patient when beaten for doing wrong? But if you are patient when you suffer for doing what is good, this is a grace before God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his footsteps. "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." When he was insulted, he returned no insult; when he suffered, he did not threaten; instead, he handed himself over to the one who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross, so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you had gone astray like sheep, but you have now returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls. <br /><br />John 10 1-10.<br />Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber. But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice, as he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice. But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers." Although Jesus used this figure of speech, they did not realize what he was trying to tell them. So Jesus said again, "Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came [before me] are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.</span>Holy Rosary Missionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18211089551919279444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8115352098005582911.post-7365147194113185792011-05-02T05:47:00.000-07:002011-05-04T06:04:36.599-07:00Announcements: 3rd Sunday Easter Year A 2011<span class="Apple-style-span">Dear Holy Rosary Mission Parishioners, here are a few announcements:<br /><br /><b>Gospel</b>: On the road to Emmaus Jesus listens first. Please see the Homily and readings below.<br /><br /><b>Thank you</b>: Thank you Aileen for the Communion Service on the 2nd Sunday of Easter. I am currently in Great Falls Montana for a Canon Law convention.<br /><br /><b>Confirmation and First Communion</b>: The Archbishop will be here in three weeks, May 28 (Saint Theresa) and May 29 (Holy Rosary). All those to be confirmed will meet this Sunday after Mass and those to receive First Communion will meet after mass on the 4th Sunday of Easter. Five will be confirmed in Dillingham and one in King Salmon/Naknek.<br /><br /><b>Potluck</b>: Our next potluck will be when the Archbishop is here May 29th. Please plan to bring your favorite dish. All are welcome to join us. Don’t feel it is mandatory to bring food in order to join us and eat. There is always enough food to go around.<br /><br /><b>Around the Mission</b>: Our Cherokee has finally been repaired. I just need to pick it up in King Salmon. A part behind the propeller was cracked and the part took over a month to get here.<br /><br /><b>Sacred Heart Wasilla Visit</b>: While in Anchorage I drove to Wasilla and met with Father Bill Fournier, Deacon Dave Schutt, Secretary Sheila English, and the person in charge of Faith Formation Julie Dekreon. I toured the Church, Office, out buildings, and school. I got a chance to talk with a few teachers including Kathy Bishop (acting Principal), at the school. I walked away with a good idea of what I am getting into. It is a very organized and thriving parish and the staff is very friendly and welcoming. They have about 800 families.<br /><br />Have a wonder day and see you Sunday…Fr. Scott<br /><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /><b>Homily and Readings for 3rd Sunday of Easter</b><br /><br />3rd Easter Sun A 2011 Listen First, Acts 2:14, 22-33; 1 Peter 1: 17-21; Luke 24:13-35, Listen First.<br /><br />What happened on the Road to Emmaus is similar to what happens when we celebrate the Eucharist. Even though we are prevented from seeing Jesus, we can still have a life-changing experience.<br /><br />When people come to me and want to enter the church, have their children baptized, or be married, I try to meet them where they are. I try not to expect them to be perfect Catholics like you and me (yes, that's a joke!). I know we all start our faith journeys at different places. I know that none of us are at the same level of faith.<br /><br />The road to Emmaus is about faith journeys. The disciples are on a journey of faith. Jesus meets them where they are…as they are. Jesus listens to the disciples’ expectations. Jesus listens to their hopes and disappointments. After listening, Jesus teaches them by reading scripture. This leads to hope.<br /><br />When we come to mass we are on a road to Emmaus. God sees our heart and mind while we are here in Mass. There is no reason to pretend how we feel. God wants to meet us in the midst of our lives, wherever that may be. Wherever you are on your faith journey, Jesus first wants to listen to you, then he wants you to listen to Him.<br /><br />Although cultures are different all around the world, several elements of the Mass always stay the same. The risen Christ accompanies us on our faith journey. Jesus always listens to us, opens our minds to the scriptures, and hosts us at His table. Finally, and most important of all, Jesus sends us out to tell the world that he has been raised from the dead.<br /><br />We share with thousands of generations the same fire of God’s faithful love burning in our hearts as we are welcomed here each week, are listened to, taught, nourished, and sent out to do our bit for the coming of Christ’s kingdom (317 Words).<br /><br />Acts 2:14, 22-33<br />Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and proclaimed to them, "You who are Jews, indeed all of you staying in Jerusalem. Let this be known to you, and listen to my words. You who are Israelites, hear these words. Jesus the Nazorean was a man commended to you by God with mighty deeds, wonders, and signs, which God worked through him in your midst, as you yourselves know. This man, delivered up by the set plan and foreknowledge of God, you killed, using lawless men to crucify him. But God raised him up, releasing him from the throes of death, because it was impossible for him to be held by it. For David says of him: 'I saw the Lord ever before me, with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed. Therefore my heart has been glad and my tongue has exulted; my flesh because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld, nor will you suffer your holy one to see corruption. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.' My brothers, one can confidently say to you about the patriarch David that he died and was buried, and his tomb is in our midst to this day. But since he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants upon his throne, he foresaw and spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that neither was he abandoned to the netherworld nor did his flesh see corruption. God raised this Jesus; of this we are all witnesses. Exalted at the right hand of God, he received the promise of the holy Spirit from the Father and poured it forth, as you (both) see and hear.<br /><br />1 Peter 1: 17-21<br />Now if you invoke as Father him who judges impartially according to each one's works, conduct yourselves with reverence during the time of your sojourning, realizing that you were ransomed from your futile conduct, handed on by your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold but with the precious blood of Christ as of a spotless unblemished lamb. He was known before the foundation of the world but revealed in the final time for you, who through him believe in God who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.<br /><br />Luke 24:13-35<br />Now that very day two of them were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus, and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred. And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him. He asked them, "What are you discussing as you walk along?" One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know of the things that have taken place there in these days?" And he replied to them, "What sort of things?" They said to him, "The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over to a sentence of death and crucified him. But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel; and besides all this, it is now the third day since this took place. Some women from our group, however, have astounded us: they were at and did not find his body; they came back and reported that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who announced that he was alive. Then some of those with us went to the tomb and found things just as the women had described, but him they did not see." And he said to them, "Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and enter into his glory?" Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the scriptures. As they approached the village to which they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther. But they urged him, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them. And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, "Were not our hearts burning (within us) while he spoke to us on the way and opened the scriptures to us?" So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem where they found gathered together the eleven and those with them who were saying, "The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!" Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.</span><br /></div>Holy Rosary Missionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18211089551919279444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8115352098005582911.post-62881830548851336362011-04-25T08:15:00.000-07:002011-04-25T08:34:30.361-07:00Announcements: 2nd Sunday of Easter, Year A<span class="Apple-style-span" >Dear Holy Rosary Mission Parishioners, here are a few announcements.<br /><br /><b>Thank you</b>: Thank you to Rick Tennyson who framed and hung our stained glass windows. Matteo Guarino created these windows during the last several years.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvgltbt7Wbst8dkwvVeWYx5FuQ9yswsNZJRfviHhYaXwTCZDkdIDiHmNdXva6TXmOdGscZ6aCBHqCo_oG6OaPFivrfglZE8Ixax-0i6R3G3lbHd2H0ligid4r_OUfOtxVruFY6j2UqU10/s1600/Rick+Stained+Glass+003.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvgltbt7Wbst8dkwvVeWYx5FuQ9yswsNZJRfviHhYaXwTCZDkdIDiHmNdXva6TXmOdGscZ6aCBHqCo_oG6OaPFivrfglZE8Ixax-0i6R3G3lbHd2H0ligid4r_OUfOtxVruFY6j2UqU10/s400/Rick+Stained+Glass+003.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599544006904331522" /></a><br /><b>Thank you</b>: Thank you to Spruce Lynch and Brain Venua for the music during Easter Sunday.<br /><br /><b>Thank you</b>: Thank you to Bernina Venua for organizing the Easter Egg hunt for the children. There were many happy campers after the Easter Mass!!<br /><br /><b>Gospel</b>: Have you ever had a sign from God? Please see homily and readings below.<br /><br /><b>Potluck</b>: Next Potluck will be May 29th after the Confirmation and First Communion celebration.<br /><br /><b>Confirmation</b>: All those to be confirmed will need to meet after mass, Sunday, May 8th. The Archbishop will be here for confirmation, Sunday, May 29th, at 12:30 PM.<br /><br /><b>First Communion</b>: Those to receive First Communion will meet with me Sunday, May 15th, after Mass. First Communion will be May 29th.<br /><br /><b>Canon Law Conventio</b>n: I will be in Great Falls Montana for a canon law convention next week.<br /><br />Have a wonderful Easter Season…Fr. Scott<br /><br /><b>Homily and Readings</b></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br />2nd Easter Sun A STAER Sings<br />Have you ever asked for a sign from God? I have. When I became distressed about being in the seminary I prayed for a sign. “God, are you positive this is what you want me to do. If so, give me a sign. One time I said, “God, just show me one negative thing about this seminary and I am out of here.” Well, as you can see, that is one sign I never received.<br /><br />I think we have all needed a sign from God at one time or another? Some of us probably have strong enough faith that we don’t need to pray for signs. I need them once in awhile…and so did Thomas. Thomas needed something more convincing than just words. He needed a concrete experience with the risen Lord to give his faith a little boost.<br /><br />Thomas doubted his faith. He struggled with believing that Christ had risen and had come back to life. That struggle led him to a profound experience with the risen Lord.<br /><br />I think it is OK to ask for signs. It is also OK to doubt our faith. I believe the two go hand in hand. When we doubt our faith, we sometimes need a sign of God’s presence to get us back on track.<br /><br />Doubting our faith can lead us to struggle with our faith like Thomas did. As we struggle with our faith we ask questions. We try to understand. Our hearts are more open to the Holy Spirit.<br /><br />That is when the signs we have prayed for may become clear…and those signs enable us to have a personal encounter with the risen Lord. <br /><br />Experiencing the risen Lord is a sign of God’s presence and love for us. For example, Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers are known to feel a profound joy and love when serving at mass. When we help others, we feel wonderful inside, we experience the risen Lord. When we refuse to gossip and when we are honest, we experience the risen Christ. Ever walked out of Confession and felt like you were totally at peace with God?<br /><br />All of us here today are benefactors of Thomas experience with the risen Lord. As Thomas believed because he saw the risen Jesus, “So too,” Acts tells us, “were many brought to faith through the various signs and wonders wrought by the apostles.”<br /><br />Those signs and wonders are all around us. To see them, doubting Thomas reminds us to struggle with our faith…open our hearts to the spirit. It is then that we will see those signs and experience the risen Lord.<br /><br />When we experience the risen Lord, we grow in faith. Growing in faith should set us on fire with the love of God.<br /><br />Thomas’ experience with the risen Lord set him on fire. “My Lord and My God,” he exclaimed when he saw the nail marks in Jesus’ arms.<br /><br />Whether we pray for a sign or not, we can all experience the risen Lord. Be open to the Holy Spirit…Struggle with your faith if you have questions and problems. Get involved with ministry. And when you experience the risen Lord again, let that flame within you spread like wildfire. Pass that torch of love on to everyone you meet (540 Words).<br /><br /><b>Acts 2: 42-47</b><br />They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their property and possessions and divide them among all according to each one's need. Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple area and to breaking bread in their homes. They ate their meals with exultation and sincerity of heart, praising God and enjoying favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.<br /><br /><b>1 Pt 1: 3-9</b><br />Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you who by the power of God are safeguarded through faith, to a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the final time. In this you rejoice, although now for a little while you may have to suffer through various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire, may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Although you have not seen him you love him; even though you do not see him now yet believe in him, you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, as you attain the goal of (your) faith, the salvation of your souls.<br /><br /><b>Jn 20: 19-31</b><br />On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be with you." When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. (Jesus) said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained." Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe." Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe." Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed." Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of (his) disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written that you may (come to) believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name</span></div>Holy Rosary Missionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18211089551919279444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8115352098005582911.post-67016157814046713402011-04-18T07:43:00.000-07:002011-04-18T08:45:17.243-07:00Announcements: Holy Week Year A 2011<span class="Apple-style-span" >Dear Holy Rosary Mission Parishioners, here are a few announcements:<br /><br /><b>Holy Week Celebrations at Holy Rosary in Dillingham:</b><br />Holy Thursday, 5:30 PM<br />Good Friday, 5:30 PM<br />Easter Sunday, 10:00 AM<br />Easter Egg Hunt to Follow the Easter Sunday Mass<br /><br />Easter at <b>Saint Theresa</b> in King Salmon/Naknek will be celebrated at 4:00 PM Saturday, April 23rd.<br /><br />Easter at <b>Saint Peter the Fisherman</b> will be celebrated on Good Friday at 11:30 AM.<br /><br /><b>Rectory Committee</b>: I have selected a committee to decide what will happen to our rectory once I leave July 31, 2011. There will not be a priest living in the rectory. A priest or deacon will come out every other weekend and return the same week-end back to Anchorage. The members of the committee have until May 29, 2011, to make a decision. The committee members are: Aileen Walsh, Angie Venua, Angela Clark, Bernie Venua, Kyle Belleque, Pat Durbin, and Joanne Armstrong.<br /><br /><b>Potluck</b>: The next potluck will be after Mass May 29th. The Archbishop will be here to celebrate confirmation and first communion. Please bring your favorite dish.<br /><br /><b>My Next Assignment</b>: The Archbishop is sending me to Sacred Heart in Wasilla, Alaska. I start the first weekend in August.<br /><br /><b>Gospel</b>: Homilies and Readings for the Holy Week are below.<br /><br />Have a wonderful Holy Week. Fr. Scott<br /><br /><br /><b>Holy Thursday Homily and Readings:</b><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >April 21, 2011 Ex 12: 1-8, 11-14; 1 Cor 11: 23-26; John 13: 1-15<br /><br />Today is the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. We will formally receive the oils from the Chrism Mass, which was celebrated on Tuesday at the Cathedral. We will participate in a foot washing ceremony.<br /><br />Getting our feet washed is about contact with Jesus. It is to remind us that Jesus is constantly making attempts to contact us.<br /><br />Allowing Jesus to contact us means knowing we will never be abandoned.<br /><br />Faith enables us to let Jesus contact us. We let Jesus contact us if we are open to the Holy Spirit.<br /><br />We let Jesus contact us in Baptism, Marriage, Reconciliation, confirmation, anointing of the sick, Holy Orders, and at the Eucharist.<br /><br />The woman at the well let Jesus contact her. That contact transformed her life.<br /><br />Jesus contacted Peter. Peter became our first Pope.<br /><br />Remember the story of the Man born blind. By letting Jesus contact him, he was both spiritually and physically cured. It can cure us too!<br /><br />When we let Jesus contact us this is what happens:<br />We can pass from unrest to a profound feeling of peace. We can shift from despair to hope. We can pass from darkness into light. We can move from death to life.<br /><br />This foot washing is about contact with Jesus…letting Jesus contact us. He is helping us to understand the Eucharist. He is saying this: We do not really understand what it means to celebrate the Eucharist unless we are prepared…unless we are prepared to perform the lowliest and least exciting of tasks for one another.<br /><br />During the rest of Holy Week, I challenge all of you to be aware of contact with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Jesus said in the Gospel, “Wash each other’s feet.” Not literally, but let Jesus love you and in turn, pass that love on to others.<br /><br />When the prayer after communion is complete, I will process with the blessed sacrament around the congregation and then place it in the confessional. When this is complete, I will genuflect and all leave in silence. That blessed sacrament will be used tomorrow during the Good Friday celebration.<br /><br />Now I need some volunteers for the foot washing (358 Words).<br /><br />Holy Thursday: Reception of the Holy Oils:<br /><br />Oils are brought up with the gifts. The presenter holds the oil and says, oil of the sick, and then brings it forward. The priest describes the oil.<br /><br />Presenter 1: The Oil of the Sick.<br /><br />Priest: May the sick who are anointed with this oil experience the compassion of Christ and his saving love, in body and soul.<br />R: Blessed be God forever.<br /><br />Presenter 2: The Oil of Catechumens.<br /><br />Priest: Through anointing with this oil may our catechumens who are preparing to receive the savings waters of baptism be strengthened by Christ to resist the power of Satan and reject evil in all its forms.<br />R: Blessed be God forever.<br /><br />Presenter 3: The Holy Chrism.<br /><br />Priest: Through anointing with this perfumed Chrism may children and adults, who are baptized and confirmed, and presbyters, who are ordained, experience the gracious gift of the Holy Spirit.<br />R: Blessed be God forever.<br /><br />Exo 12:1] The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, [Exo 12:2] "This month shall stand at the head of your calendar; you shall reckon it the first month of the year. [Exo 12:3] Tell the whole community of Israel: On the tenth of this month every one of your families must procure for itself a lamb, one apiece for each household.<br />[Exo 12:4] If a family is too small for a whole lamb, it shall join the nearest household in procuring one and shall share in the lamb in proportion to the number of persons who partake of it. [Exo 12:5] The lamb must be a year-old male and without blemish. You may take it from either the sheep or the goats. [Exo 12:6] You shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month, and then, with the whole assembly of Israel present, it shall be slaughtered during the evening twilight. [Exo 12:7] They shall take some of its blood and apply it to the two doorposts and the lintel of every house in which they partake of the lamb. [Exo 12:8] That same night they shall eat its roasted flesh with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. [Exo 12:11] "This is how you are to eat it: with your loins girt, sandals on your feet and your staff in hand, you shall eat like those who are in flight. It is the Passover of the LORD. [Exo 12:12] For on this same night I will go through Egypt, striking down every first--born of the land, both man and beast, and executing judgment on all the gods of Egypt-I, the LORD! [Exo 12:13] But the blood will mark the houses where you are. Seeing the blood, I will pass over you; thus, when I strike the land of Egypt, no destructive blow will come upon you. [Exo 12:14] "This day shall be a memorial feast for you, which all your generations shall celebrate with pilgrimage to the LORD, as a perpetual institution.<br /><br />[1 Cor 11:23] For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over, took bread, [1 Cor 11:24] and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, "This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." [1 Cor 11:25] In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." [1 Cor 11:26] For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes.<br /><br />[John 13:1] Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to pass from this world to the Father. He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end. [John 13:2] The devil had already induced Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, to hand him over. So, during supper, [John 13:3] fully aware that the Father had put everything into his power and that he had come from God and was returning to God, [John 13:4] he rose from supper and took off his outer garments. He took a towel and tied it around his waist. [John 13:5] Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and dry them with the towel around his waist. [John 13:6] He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Master, are you going to wash my feet?" [John 13:7] Jesus answered and said to him, "What I am doing, you do not understand now, but you will understand later." [John 13:8] Peter said to him, "You will never wash my feet." Jesus answered him, "Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me." [John 13:9] Simon Peter said to him, "Master, then not only my feet, but my hands and head as well." [John 13:10] Jesus said to him, "Whoever has bathed has no need except to have his feet washed, for he is clean all over; so you are clean, but not all." [John 13:11] For he knew who would betray him; for this reason, he said, "Not all of you are clean." [John 13:12] So when he had washed their feet (and) put his garments back on and reclined at table again, he said to them, "Do you realize what I have done for you? [John 13:13] You call me 'teacher' and 'master,' and rightly so, for indeed I am. [John 13:14] If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another's feet. [John 13:15] I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.<br /><br /><br /><b>Good Friday Homily and Readings:</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >April 22, 2011, Herby, Is52:13—53:12;Heb4:14-16&5:7-9;Jn18:1—19:42</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br />A group of production managers calculated the time it would take experienced hikers to trek 50 miles. Next they chose 9 accomplished hikers, and Herby. If the hikers made it back TOGETHER in the allotted time, each would receive $10,000.<br /><br />Herby, sweating and tired after the first few miles, fell behind. Time was wasted waiting for him. The hikers tried moving Herby to the middle of the line and divided up his backpack among them. They made better time, but it was not enough. Finally, they put Herby right up front and took turns encouraging him. They showed him compassion when his feet were hurting. They were patient with him when he needed to rest. Not surprisingly, they collected the money.<br /><br />The story about Herby is similar to the story in the Gospel. Both are about sacrificing, dying and rising, and living out God’s Will.<br /><br />The story of Herby is about sacrificing. The hikers start out with their own agendas. They are self sufficient and not willing to reach out to others. In the infant stages of the hike, I can envision physically elite hikers waiting for Herby to catch up, pacing, yelling at him, and swearing under their breath. Halfway through the adventure, they realize they need to make some sacrifices.<br /><br />The story of Herby is also about dying and rising, but not in the LITERAL sense. One hiker, comparable to taking a knife and stabbing himself in the heart, grudgingly walks over to Herby, takes off his pack, and divides up his belongings. Herby makes better time for a few hours. One hiker bandages Herby’s blistered feet (compassion) Spirits are lifted and they are back on schedule.<br /><br />Finally, the Herby story is about living out God’s will. By loving Herby, instead of chastising him, the hikers made more progress as a unit. Doing God’s will means loving one another. It means reaching out to the outcasts in our society and actually feeling and experiencing their pain.<br /><br />The Good Friday Gospel is about sacrifice. It’s about Jesus making the ultimate sacrifice by dying on the Cross for us. It’s about dying and rising.<br /><br />It’s about Jesus, stumbling, falling with the weight of his Cross…being helped up by others, then stumbling, and falling, again and again. And all along he knew he was trudging toward his death.<br /><br />Good Friday is about doing God’s will by loving others. Jesus embraced God’s will and died on the cross because he loved us so much. We to will be saved if we embrace God’s will.<br /><br />The message of the Good Friday Gospel is this: Jesus not only shows us how to die, but he shows us how to live as well (448 Words).<br /><br />Isaiah 52:13—53<br />See, my servant shall prosper, he shall be raised high and greatly exalted. Even as many were amazed at him-- so marred was his look beyond that of man, and his appearance beyond that of mortals--So shall he startle many nations, because of him kings shall stand speechless; For those who have not been told shall see, those who have not heard shall ponder it. Who would believe what we have heard? To whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? He grew up like a sapling before him, like a shoot from the parched earth; There was in him no stately bearing to make us look at him, nor appearance that would attract us to him. He was spurned and avoided by men, a man of suffering, accustomed to infirmity, One of those from whom men hide their faces, spurned, and we held him in no esteem. Yet it was our infirmities that he bore, our sufferings that he endured, While we thought of him as stricken, as one smitten by God and afflicted. But he was pierced for our offenses, crushed for our sins, Upon him was the chastisement that makes us whole, by his stripes we were healed. We had all gone astray like sheep, each following his own way; But the LORD laid upon him the guilt of us all. Though he was harshly treated, he submitted and opened not his mouth; Like a lamb led to the slaughter or a sheep before the shearers, he was silent and opened not his mouth. Oppressed and condemned, he was taken away, and who would have thought any more of his destiny? When he was cut off from the land of the living, and smitten for the sin of his people, A grave was assigned him among the wicked and a burial place with evildoers, Though he had done no wrong nor spoken any falsehood. (But the LORD was pleased to crush him in infirmity.) If he gives his life as an offering for sin, he shall see his descendants in a long life, and the will of the LORD shall be accomplished through him. Because of his affliction he shall see the light in fullness of days; Through his suffering, my servant shall justify many, and their guilt he shall bear. Therefore I will give him his portion among the great, and he shall divide the spoils with the mighty, Because he surrendered himself to death and was counted among the wicked; And he shall take away the sins of many, and win pardon for their offenses.<br /><br />Heb4:14-16&5:7-9<br />Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession.<br />For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin. So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help. In the days when he was in the flesh, he offered prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered; and when he was made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him,<br /> <br />John 18:1—19:42 (Passion)<br /><br /><br />Easter Sunday Homily</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >DLG 2011, Let Go.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br />Indiana Jones, played by Harrison Ford, is a swashbuckling archeologist. His missions involve finding valuable religious articles and getting chased by tribes of Indians. Here is a riddle:<br /><br />Indiana Jones was running from a tribe of hostile natives. He had just found and taken three diamonds. Each diamond weighed one pound. He weighed 200 pounds. Indiana Jones approached an old rope bridge. The sign on the bridge said, “Max Weight 202 pounds. His total weight with the diamonds was 203 pounds. How did he cross the bridge? He juggled the diamonds. He let go of one diamond. By letting go, it made him lighter. It lessoned his burden. It saved his life.<br /><br />Here is the message of Easter…We cannot have new life without letting go…without dieing first. LEARN TO JUGGLE. In the spiritual life, juggling represents letting go or dieing and then rising to new life.<br /><br />While juggling I hold onto one ball while the other two are in the air. When I finally toss the one ball back into the air:<br /><br />It frees me<br />It makes me lighter<br />It lessons my burden<br /><br />Juggling teaches us to let go. As humans, we like to hold on to things that may not be so good for us. We grow attached to things. When we give them up, it makes us free…it makes our loads manageable. It gives us a new lease on life.<br /><br />I “let go” of chewing tobacco eight years ago. I was at risk for mouth and stomach cancer. I had high blood pressure. I was suffering. I let it go. My blood pressure went down. It struggled for a couple of years but I feel so much better.<br /><br />Drinking is another one of those bad habits I let go. When I drank I suffered, and so did the people around me. This is no exaggeration. After being sober my relationships were strengthened, my health improved, I was never depressed, and my life has never been better.<br /><br />Letting go of material possessions frees us to do more of God’s work. When we simplify our lives we are more open to God’s call.<br /><br />During college I stored my belongings in a storage unit. Storage spaces cost lots of money. I soon realized I did not need the stuff and got rid of all of it. I juggled…I let it go. It was like a weight lifted off my shoulders…it was New life.<br /><br />Let go of those intangible things that hurt us, hurt others, and lead us farther from God.<br /><br />Gossiping, impatience, self-centeredness, lying, cheating, stress, and worrying are things we can let go of.<br /><br />Catholic Christians let go of these things by calling on the Holy Spirit and praying Jesus. Jesus tells us this, “My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” That is an invitation to you to “let go” and share that burden with God.<br /><br />It is when we let go that we experience new life. Letting go reduces suffering. Clinging to bad habits and practices creates suffering.<br /><br />Now just what does it mean to die to self? Learn to do things YOU dislike to do but BENEFIT another person. No-one likes standing in a long line (dieing). Let a person go in front of you at the check-out stand (new life).<br /><br />There is a belief that nothing that comes to us is negative. All things that come to us give us a chance to grow in holiness and grow closer to God. Everything that is given to us is a gift to help us grow…even suffering and illness.<br /><br />Things in life that are good for us always come through dieing…through letting go. Take it from Jesus, have faith, trust in God, let go and die, experience new life…in short…learn to juggle with it</span><br /></div>Holy Rosary Missionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18211089551919279444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8115352098005582911.post-39074909532332255612011-04-11T08:40:00.001-07:002011-04-11T08:55:35.000-07:00Announcements: Palm Sunday, Year A, 2011<span class="Apple-style-span" >Dear Holy Rosary Mission Parishioners, here are a few announcements:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0JesvCxZI4yh5GaGjvTGPFkyuXkVyD_4l9rKRKP6afx_mVy_q3iIM1DFmuOlGcfwxvJWj481nqrbWPscnjfQt89fE4T9ZB6V9KBJstdDis4UV_PbQ_yvSaWf-M87VJxhgr_oq8U1w65Q/s1600/Palm+Sunday+011.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0JesvCxZI4yh5GaGjvTGPFkyuXkVyD_4l9rKRKP6afx_mVy_q3iIM1DFmuOlGcfwxvJWj481nqrbWPscnjfQt89fE4T9ZB6V9KBJstdDis4UV_PbQ_yvSaWf-M87VJxhgr_oq8U1w65Q/s400/Palm+Sunday+011.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594353696954902258" /></a><br /><b>Palm Sunday Celebration</b>: Palm Sunday will begin outside as usual. Come inside first to get your Palm branches. The Passion will be read by myself, Michael Swaim, and Angela Clark.<br /><br /><b>Holy Thursday and Good Friday</b>: These celebrations will begin at 5:30 PM.<br /><br /><b>Easter</b>: Easter will be Easter Sunday at 10:00 AM. Following will be an Easter Egg hunt. All the Dillingham children are invited to participate at noon.<br /><br /><b>Potluck and Archbishop Visit</b>: Sunday, May 29, the Archbishop will be here for confirmation and first communion during our 12:30 Mass. There will be a potluck to follow. Please bring your favorite dish.<br /><br /><b>Chrism Mass</b>: I will be attending the Archdiocesan Chrism Mass Wednesday at 7:00 PM at the Anchorage Cathedral. The oils that the Archbishop blesses and consecrates will be received at our Holy Thursday Mass in Dillingham.<br /><br /><b>Confirmation</b>: Our candidates for confirmation have continued to prepare for their special day. Their next assignment is to prepare a couple paragraphs on the fruits or gifts of the Holy Spirit and read it during Mass.<br /><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><b>Going to Mass</b>: Going to Mass is not a decision we should have to make from scratch every weekend. It is something we simply make part of our lives every week. Why is it a sin not to go to mass? Because each week Jesus invites us to partake in His precious Body and Blood. Not to accept that invitation means we are rejecting it.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br />Have a wonderful day and see you Sunday…Fr. Scott</span></div>Holy Rosary Missionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18211089551919279444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8115352098005582911.post-89905892066413814222011-04-04T07:33:00.000-07:002011-04-04T07:55:31.964-07:00Announcements: 5th Sunday of Lent Year A<span class="Apple-style-span">Dear Holy Rosary Mission Parishioners, here are a few announcements.<br /><br /><b>Trip to Mount Angel, Oregon</b>: Here are from left to right me, Fr. Tom Lilly, Dr. Owen Cummings, Mnsgr Joseph, and Father Robert Fath. For more pictures of my time at Mount Angel Seminary, please see our Blog, www.holyrosaryalaska.org.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibNuvc-MuumuO-K6uJGxmnH8GOOZBjRy04TcgCsKs9GQlLJ0dSjzGWCAKd0bkbrd2RYg2gVxJy9gIJyGfWhz1Wing-AnIdZmSw1f5BeE0KElNYDob22e3TixT9IbTubno0lLOzPBIFmIw/s1600/Mount+Angel+march+29-30+2011+two+008.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibNuvc-MuumuO-K6uJGxmnH8GOOZBjRy04TcgCsKs9GQlLJ0dSjzGWCAKd0bkbrd2RYg2gVxJy9gIJyGfWhz1Wing-AnIdZmSw1f5BeE0KElNYDob22e3TixT9IbTubno0lLOzPBIFmIw/s400/Mount+Angel+march+29-30+2011+two+008.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591738923537405810" /></a><br /><b>Trip to Bend, Oregon</b>: While visiting Bend my mom, sister and nephew took a road trip 25 miles East of Bend. We went out to look at the place where my mom wants to be buried when she dies. It is called Pine Mountain. It over-looks the Central Oregon High desert and has a beautiful view of the mountains. My mom used to love to look for arrow heads in that area.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Here is a view from the top of Pine Mountain to the southeast.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3xxcwJ5-43WrvvtshbsW-DYkbdGhsOTm7UIqGCZQrFZyOqDHywi07Lq2LYcih8rm8bO27wqcn5lSnWaLHWi-4NAOxKRmdoxI3k_8mh4MErc7xX0dG_v6N40-Jfwp4Tiv6B32nCTfpcsA/s1600/Pine+Mountain+4-3-2011+026.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3xxcwJ5-43WrvvtshbsW-DYkbdGhsOTm7UIqGCZQrFZyOqDHywi07Lq2LYcih8rm8bO27wqcn5lSnWaLHWi-4NAOxKRmdoxI3k_8mh4MErc7xX0dG_v6N40-Jfwp4Tiv6B32nCTfpcsA/s400/Pine+Mountain+4-3-2011+026.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591738175746806338" /></a><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">On the way up to the top of Pine Mountain, my nephew Trevin stands by some freshly cut ponderosa pine.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnqtRLJEV5148h4aZuY1DE26QArz0dWVvubBBos3YI1OiQFyND50mY3erS8nsMul0lQ_KioBuljnqrVp4fxOtnfv_CHmL8uMVi7JOdPJt22WjrAaBP1KhBvzJbWUGC4S4ENDOuXyvWbKQ/s1600/Pine+Mountain+4-3-2011+010.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnqtRLJEV5148h4aZuY1DE26QArz0dWVvubBBos3YI1OiQFyND50mY3erS8nsMul0lQ_KioBuljnqrVp4fxOtnfv_CHmL8uMVi7JOdPJt22WjrAaBP1KhBvzJbWUGC4S4ENDOuXyvWbKQ/s400/Pine+Mountain+4-3-2011+010.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591738169550731554" /></a><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Here is a view from Pine Mountain. Faith, Hope, and Charity (The Three Sisters) loom beautifully in the background.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWPSExi4bOxxmdoVpKjG75S3bmG2RDKfGlcJZ1pd-8sBdX7LtBt69SNfmOZxVJzarVIbBIkOPQjKRFru8JNRxH3-tSIHPUp5yEhpXXTRrLZdRpG0kklje-hFT0oyNZFfXAvr3zj4597Kc/s1600/Pine+Mountain+4-3-2011+006.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWPSExi4bOxxmdoVpKjG75S3bmG2RDKfGlcJZ1pd-8sBdX7LtBt69SNfmOZxVJzarVIbBIkOPQjKRFru8JNRxH3-tSIHPUp5yEhpXXTRrLZdRpG0kklje-hFT0oyNZFfXAvr3zj4597Kc/s400/Pine+Mountain+4-3-2011+006.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591738166068206578" /></a><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Although it was closed, we drove the six miles to the top of Pine Mountain up the snowy road in my sister's Subaru.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6tBUeZtBKgmMGdZ2fsj2wCd4FGW9o4w31Q1l7mb89nqBfbtg9wFGTPlZcYLjDqgYkBlbjq2gcpViN6kE817CPVRJ6B27iXvDucSJjA7nc8Gdyeiq09wHRZfG_Yr7tpDFUg25gWiLr3Rw/s1600/Pine+Mountain+4-3-2011+003.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6tBUeZtBKgmMGdZ2fsj2wCd4FGW9o4w31Q1l7mb89nqBfbtg9wFGTPlZcYLjDqgYkBlbjq2gcpViN6kE817CPVRJ6B27iXvDucSJjA7nc8Gdyeiq09wHRZfG_Yr7tpDFUg25gWiLr3Rw/s400/Pine+Mountain+4-3-2011+003.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591738156270696114" /></a><br /><b>What does Easter Mean to Me?</b> – Spruce Lynch will receive the hand carved wooden statue from Italy for her beautiful reflection on Easter.<br /><br />What Easter Means to Me<br />By Spruce Margaret Lynch<br /><br />“New beginnings, new life, hope, new vistas,” - these are just a few things that come to my mind when I think about what Easter means to me. On that early Sunday morning, so long ago, when Christ rose from the dead, he not only conquered physical death, he conquered despair, and the effects of my sin.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />Easter is something I see daily. Easter is an event that is on all my daily planners. Although I do not always write in the word, “Easter,” the message is there because I write down what I have to do in a positive way; even the things I would rather not do. For example, I really do not like doing paperwork. It is a necessary part of my job, so I do it. The Easter message tells me to do it well, because ultimately, the efforts do help our clients. The message is also that I can do the work in a way that brings glory to God.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />Easter is my beacon in my struggles and my shining star during the good times. Easter moments happen throughout the day, even if I am not fully conscious of what is occurring around me. At the end of the day, while doing my evening reflections, I say, “Ah, there you were, Lord. At the time I was so preoccupied, I didn’t notice you. However, you were there, shining your Easter light to inspire me for the next challenge.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />As an artist, I see Easter when I sit very still and silent before my easel. When I am inspired to draw, a smile curves my lips and makes me think, “Aha, Lord. You are here.”<br />As a musician, I feel Easter whenever I sing or play an instrument. As a drug and alcohol counselor, I see Easter in the lives of my clients when they live another day of sobriety. I “Easter” to them every time I am able to model hope.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />Every time a broken friendship is mended, I feel the Resurrection. Thankfully, I don’t have many broken friendships, but I have had a few. When those healing moments occur, I see another “Easter moment.” Whenever I approach a difficult situation, I think of the Easter message and that carries me through.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /> Easter to me, is the most important verb in my vocabulary. I tell myself, “I am Eastering,” when going through a difficult time. I “Easter” when enjoying life. This helps me to remember whom I serve. It is an action word that carries me from sadness to happiness; from my moments of despair to my moments of hope. Easter reminds me that there is always hope. Easter reminds me to live in hope. If Christ is for me, who can be against me?<br /><br /><b>Gospel</b>: The raising of Lazarus relates to events in our lives. Have you ever been raised up? Please see the homily and readings below.<br /><br /><b>Confirmation</b>: All the candidates for confirmation have written a letter to the Archbishop. Next we will be discussing the structure of the Mass.<br /><br /><b>Easter Sunday</b>: Mass on Easter will be at 10:00 AM. Following the Mass Bernina Venua will host an Easter Egg hunt outside around Holy Rosary. All children are welcome to participate.<br /><br />Have a fantastic week and see you Sunday! Fr. Scott<br /><br /><b>Homily and Readings</b><br /><br />5th Lent Sun A DLG 2011, Lifted Up, Ezekiel 37:12-14; Romans 8:8-11; John 11: 1-45 (READ LONG FORM)<br /><br />Have you ever been lifted up? Has your dad ever lifted you up and sat you on his shoulders? Did your husband lift you up and carry you over the threshold? Have you ever jumped on a trampoline? Once, when I hadn’t seen my niece Jennifer for a long time, I hugged her and lifted her off her feet. Being lifted up can be thrilling, invigorating and enlivening.<br /><br />The readings today are about being “raised up.” In the reading Ezekiel lifts up, or raises the people from their graves. In Romans, Paul speaks of the spirit raising Jesus from the dead. Similarly in the Gospel, Lazarus is raised-up from the dead.<br /><br />Jesus lifts us up. Because Jesus died and was raised up, we too die with Jesus and are raised up.<br /><br />One thing about life is that things do not always go perfect and according to plan. I have come to believe that living a full and happy life consists of many things. It consists of the ups and downs, good times and bad, the easy and difficult, and the predictable and unpredictable.<br /><br />I have to admit though; the most fulfilling times in my life come when Jesus lifts me up. For example:<br /><br />When I broke my ankle a couple years ago, people sent me cards and visited me. When I was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Anchorage. When I passed my canon law exam.<br /><br />Other fulfilling times in my life are when, through God’s help, I lift up someone else. When I pray for a person’s health and they get better. When I am able to absolve someone of their sins. When I invite someone to church.<br /><br />Being raised up is an important part of our Catholic Tradition. Just as Jesus was raised up to heaven, so to will we be raised up.<br /><br />During the Eucharist today, I want you to pay close attention to the signs of being lifted up. Pay attention to the image of suffering, death, and resurrection. The sacred host of the Body of Christ is lifted up. The chalice of the precious blood is lifted up. My arms are lifted up in prayer.<br /><br />Those signs apply to all of us. It is called hope. The hope that Christ will lift us up on the last day. It is that hope of everlasting life.<br /><br />(Point to the Crucifix) That, my brothers and sisters, is what our crucifix is all about.<br /><br />This week, make it a conscious effort to go out and lift someone up (421 Words).<br /><br /><b>Ezekiel 37:12-14</b><br />Therefore, prophesy and say to them: Thus says the Lord GOD: O my people, I will open your graves and have you rise from them, and bring you back to the land of Israel. Then you shall know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and have you rise from them, O my people! I will put my spirit in you that you may live, and I will settle you upon your land; thus you shall know that I am the LORD. I have promised, and I will do it, says the LORD.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /><b>Romans 8:8-1</b></span><b>1</b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh; on the contrary, you are in the spirit, if only the Spirit of God dwells in you. Whoever does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the spirit is alive because of righteousness. If the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also, through his Spirit that dwells in you.<br /><br /><b>John 11: 1-45</b><br />Now a man was ill, Lazarus from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. Mary was the one who had anointed the Lord with perfumed oil and dried his feet with her hair; it was her brother Lazarus who was ill. So the sisters sent word to him, saying, "Master, the one you love is ill." When Jesus heard this he said, "This illness is not to end in death, but is for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it." Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when he heard that he was ill, he remained for two days in the place where he was. Then after this he said to his disciples, "Let us go back to Judea." The disciples said to him, "Rabbi, the Jews were just trying to stone you, and you want to go back there?" Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours in a day? If one walks during the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if one walks at night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him." He said this, and then told them, "Our friend Lazarus is asleep, but I am going to awaken him." So the disciples said to him, "Master, if he is asleep, he will be saved." But Jesus was talking about his death, while they thought that he meant ordinary sleep. So then Jesus said to them clearly, "Lazarus has died. And I am glad for you that I was not there, that you may believe. Let us go to him." So Thomas, called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples, "Let us also go to die with him." When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, only about two miles away. And many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him; but Mary sat at home. Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. (But) even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you."<br />Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise." Martha said to him, "I know he will rise, in the resurrection on the last day." Jesus told her, "I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" She said to him, "Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world." When she had said this, she went and called her sister Mary secretly, saying, "The teacher is here and is asking for you." As soon as she heard this, she rose quickly and went to him. For Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still where Martha had met him. So when the Jews who were with her in the house comforting her saw Mary get up quickly and go out, they followed her, presuming that she was going to the tomb to weep there. When Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said to him, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." When Jesus saw her weeping and the Jews who had come with her weeping, he became perturbed and deeply troubled, and said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to him, "Sir, come and see." And Jesus wept. So the Jews said, "See how he loved him." But some of them said, "Could not the one who opened the eyes of the blind man have done something so that this man would not have died?" So Jesus, perturbed again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay across it. Jesus said, "Take away the stone." Martha, the dead man's sister, said to him, "Lord, by now there will be a stench; he has been dead for four days." Jesus said to her, "Did I not tell you that if you believe you will see the glory of God?" So they took away the stone. And Jesus raised his eyes and said, "Father, I thank you for hearing me. I know that you always hear me; but because of the crowd here I have said this, that they may believe that you sent me." And when he had said this, he cried out in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" The dead man came out, tied hand and foot with burial bands, and his face was wrapped in a cloth. So Jesus said to them, "Untie him and let him go." Now many of the Jews who had come to Mary and seen what he had done began to believe in him.</span></div>Holy Rosary Missionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18211089551919279444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8115352098005582911.post-21641040334315625022011-03-29T14:25:00.000-07:002011-03-30T07:20:02.660-07:00Announcements: 4th Sunday of Lent Year A<span class="Apple-style-span">Dear Holy Rosary Mission Parishioners, here are a few Announcements:<br /><br /><strong>Potluck</strong>: Next Potluck will be May 29, 2011, when the Archbishop visits.<br /><br /><strong>Confirmation</strong>: We have five candidates for confirmation for Holy Rosary (one adult and four below the age of 16) and one for Saint Theresa (age 11). They have all written letters to the Archbishop telling why they want to be confirmed. Further requirements are five hours of community service, 3-5 hours of catechism (review of the Mass, our Creed, and Catholic terminology/posture), and two paragraphs on one of the fruits or gifts of the Holy Spirit. Please keep Johanna, Anthony, Brian, Walter, Joshua, and Daniel in your prayers.<br /><br /><strong>Gospel</strong>: Jesus heals the man born blind (Please see Homily and readings below).<br /><br /><strong>Mount Angel Seminary</strong>: I will be traveling this week to Oregon. Mount Angel is having it’s yearly alumni gathering for continuing education.<br /><br /><strong>Around the Mission</strong>: Our Cherokee is still awaiting parts in King Salmon. It should be back in the air next week. Mass was celebrated in Clarks Point, King Salmon/Naknek, and Dillingham last week.<br /><br />Have a wonderful week…Fr. Scott<br /><br /><strong>Homily and Readings </strong>4th Lent Sun Year A DLG 2011 Dark-Light1Sam16:1- 13;Eph5:8-14; Jn 9:1-41<br /><br />The Man Born Blind went from physical darkness to being able to see. He had never seen light, the beauty of nature, or human faces. He was ignored. In those days people believed that deformities and sickness were a direct result of sin. Jesus noticed the blind man and paid attention to him. Jesus brought him from darkness into the light.<br /><br />The Gospel of the man born blind is a step-by-step example of how to grow in faith. Through meeting with his neighbors, friends, relatives, and Jesus, he grew in faith. He was finally able to say that yes, Jesus is Lord. He went from dark into light.<br /><br />Saint Paul says, “You were once in darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.” Similar to my story, the blind man’s eyes opened because he slowly grew in faith through contact with people, confusion, and struggle. He went from darkness into the light spiritually. Many of us have probably experienced something similar.<br /><br />Dark and light is a constant theme in our daily lives. Dark and light are like: sin and forgiveness; suffering and being healed; Cross-and-Resurrection.<br /><br />At birth, we physically come from darkness into light. We go from darkness to light during Conversion. Going from Darkness into light may be as simple as having a change of heart. Here in Alaska we go from dark winters to light summers. Each transition gives us opportunities to grow in faith and holiness. Each is about salvation.<br /><br />In Acts, St. Paul says to the jailer, “believe in the Lord Jesus and your household will be saved.” Then the jailer’s family was baptized.”<br /><br />Baptism is coming from darkness into the light. We are all born into darkness; what gives us life is Baptism.<br /><br />We were once blind. The Lord gave us light when we were baptized. About Baptism, Saint Augustine says, “The light shines on us now, for we have had our eyes anointed with the eye-salve of faith.”<br /><br />Being confirmed into the Catholic Church is another faith step. It is another transitional step that brings us closer to the light. It makes us shine brighter. It enables us to use the Holy Spirit to help evangelize others…to help bring peace to our lives…to help us to see clearly God’s plans for us.<br /><br />Today after Eucharist, as we go forth to our families, neighborhoods, and places of work, let’s seek out Jesus. Let’s notice people in need and help bring them from darkness into light.<br /><br />The fasting, prayer, and almsgiving during Lent are designed to help us uncover the darkness that we hadn’t noticed creeping into our lives. Let Easter be a time when you take another faith step and shine just a little brighter (450 Words).<br /><br /><strong>1 Samuel 16:1-13 </strong>The LORD said to Samuel, "How long will you grieve over Saul? I have rejected him from being king over Israel. Fill your horn with oil and set out; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons." Samuel said, "How can I go? If Saul hears of it, he will kill me." And the LORD said, "Take a heifer with you, and say, 'I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.' Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do; and you shall anoint for me the one whom I name to you." Samuel did what the LORD commanded, and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the city came to meet him trembling, and said, "Do you come peaceably?" He said, "Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD; sanctify yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice." And he sanctified Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, "Surely the Lord's anointed is now before the LORD." But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the LORD does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart." Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. He said, "Neither has the LORD chosen this one." Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, "Neither has the LORD chosen this one." Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel, and Samuel said to Jesse, "The LORD has not chosen any of these." Samuel said to Jesse, "Are all your sons here?" And he said, "There remains yet the youngest, but he is keeping the sheep." And Samuel said to Jesse, "Send and bring him; for we will not sit down until he comes here." He sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and had beautiful eyes, and was handsome. The LORD said, "Rise and anoint him; for this is the one." Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the presence of his brothers; and the spirit of the LORD came mightily upon David from that day forward. Samuel then set out and went to Ramah.<br /><br /><strong>Ephesians 5:8-14 </strong>For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light- or the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true. Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what such people do secretly; but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, "Sleeper, awake! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."<br /><br /><strong>John 9:1-41 </strong>As he passed by he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus answered, "Neither he nor his parents sinned; it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him. We have to do the works of the one who sent me while it is day. Night is coming when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world." When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva, and smeared the clay on his eyes, and said to him, "Go wash in the Pool of Siloam" (which means Sent). So he went and washed, and came back able to see. His neighbors and those who had seen him earlier as a beggar said, "Isn't this the one who used to sit and beg?" Some said, "It is," but others said, "No, he just looks like him." He said, "I am." So they said to him, "(So) how were your eyes opened?" He replied, "The man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and told me, 'Go to Siloam and wash.' So I went there and washed and was able to see." And they said to him, "Where is he?" He said, "I don't know." They brought the one who was once blind to the Pharisees. Now Jesus had made clay and opened his eyes on a sabbath. So then the Pharisees also asked him how he was able to see. He said to them, "He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and now I can see." So some of the Pharisees said, "This man is not from God, because he does not keep the sabbath." (But) others said, "How can a sinful man do such signs?" And there was a division among them. So they said to the blind man again, "What do you have to say about him, since he opened your eyes?" He said, "He is a prophet." Now the Jews did not believe that he had been blind and gained his sight until they summoned the parents of the one who had gained his sight. They asked them, "Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How does he now see?" His parents answered and said, "We know that this is our son and that he was born blind. We do not know how he sees now, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him, he is of age; he can speak for him self." His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone acknowledged him as the Messiah, he would be expelled from the synagogue. For this reason his parents said, "He is of age; question him." So a second time they called the man who had been blind and said to him, "Give God the praise! We know that this man is a sinner." He replied, "If he is a sinner, I do not know. One thing I do know is that I was blind and now I see." So they said to him, "What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?" He answered them, "I told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples, too?" They ridiculed him and said, "You are that man's disciple; we are disciples of Moses! We know that God spoke to Moses, but we do not know where this one is from." The man answered and said to them, "This is what is so amazing, that you do not know where he is from, yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if one is devout and does his will, he listens to him. It is unheard of that anyone ever opened the eyes of a person born blind. If this man were not from God, he would not be able to do anything." They answered and said to him, "You were born totally in sin, and are you trying to teach us?" Then they threw him out. When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, he found him and said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" He answered and said, "Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?" Jesus said to him, "You have seen him and the one speaking with you is he." He said, "I do believe, Lord," and he worshiped him. Then Jesus said, "I came into this world for judgment, so that those who do not see might see, and those who do see might become blind." Some of the Pharisees who were with him heard this and said to him, "Surely we are not also blind, are we?" Jesus said to them, "If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you are saying, 'We see,' so your sin remains.</span>Holy Rosary Missionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18211089551919279444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8115352098005582911.post-54629923119300700952011-03-20T09:26:00.000-07:002011-03-21T09:22:56.058-07:00Announcements: 3rd Sunday of Lent Year A<span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;">Dear Holy Rosary Mission Parishioners, here are a few announcements:<br /><br /><strong>Gospel</strong>: Jesus, in the Gospel about "The Woman at the Well" asks her to choose the living water. Please see homily and readings below.<br /><br /><strong>Confirmation and First Communion</strong>: The Archbishop will be here the 29th of May to celebrate the Sacraments of First Communion and Confirmation. Those to be confirmed will be Johanna Belleque, Joshua Ingram, Brian Venua, Walter Reynolds, and Anthony Reynolds. To all Sponsors, please be present next week for the first Scrutiny.<br /><br /><strong>Around the Mission</strong>: Our Cherokee Warrior is still waiting parts in King Salmon. It will hopefully be flyable sometime this week.<br /><br /><strong>Easter Sunday</strong>: Bernina Venua is preparing for a children's Easter egg hunt after Mass on Easter Sunday. Easter Mass this year will not be on Saturday eve, but on Easter Sunday at 10:00 AM.<br /><br />Have a wonderful week and see you Sunday! Fr. Scott<br /><br /><br /><strong>Homily and Readings</strong>:<br /><br />3rd Lent Sun A DLG 2011, Ex 17:3-7; Rom 5:1-2&5-8; John 4: 5-42<br /><br />Have you ever been dying of thirst? I have. I can remember one time when my dad and I were out hunting and we got lost in the woods. Every one of us has probably been dying of thirst at least once in our lives?<br /><br />Even the Israelites in the reading for Exodus, God’s chosen people, thirsted for water in the desert. No one is exempt form becoming thirsty.<br /><br />The word thirst can be used when we have a craving for anything. We thirst for the newest and fastest car, computer, or snow machine. We thirst for approval, prestige, and status. We thirst for comfort, pleasure, and gratification.<br /><br />The woman at the well thirsted. She thirsted for water. But she also thirsted for something else. She thirsted for understanding. She thirsted for insight. She thirsted of knowledge. She thirsted for truth…and Jesus quenched that thirst.<br /><br />Jesus offered the Samaritan women a different way to quench her thirst. He offered her living water.<br /><br />About Living Water, the theologian Hans von Balthasar says this, “Earthly water again makes thirsty, but to those who believe, Jesus' water quenches thirst forever.”<br /><br />Saint Ignatius of Antioch says, “There is no thirsting in me for any earthly thing. Rather within me is the living water, which says deep inside me: "Come to the Father. I want only God's bread, which is the flesh of Jesus Christ, and for drink, I crave his blood, which is love that cannot perish.”<br /><br />The Samaritan Woman at the Well knew the quality of water at Jacobs well. Her thirst will be quenched, but only for a short period of time. Sound familiar? Earthly possessions, shopping sprees, Drugs, and alcohol will only quench our thirst for a brief time.<br /><br />But Jesus is making her choose between the well water and another kind of water and living water. She is very curious about the living water. Jesus makes her choose between the two.<br /><br />The water Jesus offers is a long-term plan for the salvation of her the woman’s soul. The water from Jesus will quench her spiritual thirst forever. It will give her eternal life. The Woman made a choice. She chose Christ, the living water.<br /><br />Those being confirmed this May have a similar choice. They can choose the well water or the water Jesus has to offer.<br /><br />We have all chosen the water Jesus offers or we wouldn’t be here right now. But have we chosen Christ everyday or just on Sundays? How do you handle temptation and peer pressure. Are you able to acknowledge your sins? Are you able to recognize the grace being offered you? Are you able to choose correctly between the well water and the living water? My advice, choose the living water everyday. It will quench your thirst forever (477 Words)?<br /><br /><strong>Ex 17:3-7</strong> - Here, then, in their thirst for water, the people grumbled against Moses, saying, "Why did you ever make us leave Egypt? Was it just to have us die here of thirst with our children and our livestock?" So Moses cried out to the LORD, "What shall I do with this people? A little more and they will stone me!" The LORD answered Moses, "Go over there in front of the people, along with some of the elders of Israel, holding in your hand, as you go, the staff with which you struck the river. I will be standing there in front of you on the rock in Horeb. Strike the rock, and the water will flow from it for the people to drink." This Moses did, in the presence of the elders of Israel. The place was called Massah and Meribah, because the Israelites quarreled there and tested the LORD, saying, "Is the LORD in our midst or not?"<br /><br /><strong>Rom 5:1-2&5-8 </strong>- Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access (by faith) to this grace in which we stand, and we boast in hope of the glory of God. and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us. For Christ, while we were still helpless, yet died at the appointed time for the ungodly. Indeed, only with difficulty does one die for a just person, though perhaps for a good person one might even find courage to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.<br /><br /><strong>John 4: 5-42</strong> - So he came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of land that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob's well was there. Jesus, tired from his journey, sat down there at the well. It was about noon. A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give me a drink." His disciples had gone into the town to buy food. The Samaritan woman said to him, "How can you, a Jew, ask me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?" (For Jews use nothing in common with Samaritans.) Jesus answered and said to her, "If you knew the gift of God and who is saying to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him and he would have given you living water." (The woman) said to him, "Sir, you do not even have a bucket and the cistern is deep; where then can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us this cistern and drank from it himself with his children and his flocks?" Jesus answered and said to her, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again; but whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst; the water I shall give will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water, so that I may not be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water." Jesus said to her, "Go call your husband and come back." The woman answered and said to him, "I do not have a husband." Jesus answered her, "You are right in saying, 'I do not have a husband.' For you have had five husbands, and the one you have now is not your husband. What you have said is true." The woman said to him, "Sir, I can see that you are a prophet. Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain; but you people say that the place to worship is in Jerusalem." Jesus said to her, "Believe me, woman, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You people worship what you do not understand; we worship what we understand, because salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth; and indeed the Father seeks such people to worship him. God is Spirit, and those who worship him must worship in Spirit and truth." The woman said to him, "I know that the Messiah is coming, the one called the Anointed; when he comes, he will tell us everything." Jesus said to her, "I am he, the one who is speaking with you." At that moment his disciples returned, and were amazed that he was talking with a woman, but still no one said, "What are you looking for?" or "Why are you talking with her?" The woman left her water jar and went into the town and said to the people, "Come see a man who told me everything I have done. Could he possibly be the Messiah?" They went out of the town and came to him. Meanwhile, the disciples urged him, "Rabbi, eat." But he said to them, "I have food to eat of which you do not know." So the disciples said to one another, "Could someone have brought him something to eat?" Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of the one who sent me and to finish his work. Do you not say, 'In four months the harvest will be here'? I tell you, look up and see the fields ripe for the harvest. The reaper is already receiving his payment and gathering crops for eternal life, so that the sower and reaper can rejoice together. For here the saying is verified that 'One sows and another reaps.' I sent you to reap what you have not worked for; others have done the work, and you are sharing the fruits of their work." Many of the Samaritans of that town began to believe in him because of the word of the woman who testified, "He told me everything I have done." When the Samaritans came to him, they invited him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days. Many more began to believe in him because of his word, and they said to the woman, "We no longer believe because of your word; for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the savior of the world." </span>Holy Rosary Missionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18211089551919279444noreply@blogger.com0