St. Mary of Gostyn Catholic Church...Jesus’ teachings about the Kingdom of God, described through several parables. When we first hear the parable of the man who buys a field with

St. Mary of Gostyn Catholic Church July 26, 2020

Around the Parish

July 26, 2020 Page 3

The 2021 Mass Book will open on Monday, August 3.

The present Mass schedule will remain in effect for the foreseeable future. We will offer the same number of Masses each day that we do now. For weekdays, sign

up for the First Mass or the Second Mass of the day. Any schedule changes will be shown in the bulletin. Just a reminder, no intentions will be accepted for Thanks-giving, Christmas, Easter, Mother’s Day or Father’s Day. Intentions will be accepted for Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day. Only 5 masses per family will be accepted at one time. The suggested Mass offering is $10.

Intentions will be accepted by phone (630-969-1063),

mail or in-person at the Parish Center during regular Summer office hours:

Monday-Thursday: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm Friday: 8:30 am – 1:00 pm

(face covering requested)

The Wisdom of the ‘finders’

Today’s Gospel reading is a continuation of Jesus’ teachings about the Kingdom of God, described through several parables. When we first hear the parable of the man who buys a field with a hidden treasure, we may wonder about his ethics. Isn’t he, in effect, stealing the wealth from the previous owner? In Palestine, during this period, it was common for people to bury their valuables to protect them, especially in times of war. If they weren’t able to recover them later, others would benefit from them. Rabbis debated who was entitled to the treasure when it was found. The parable here assumes the finder, rather than the field’s previous owner, is entitled to it. In the second parable, “the pearl of great price,” the finder was actively seeking something valuable rather than stumbling upon it like the person who found the treasure in the field. Finally, in the third parable, the fishermen are looking for what is good and throwing away what doesn’t serve them. All three parables emphasize the value of what is found and the focused response of the “finders,” whether the person was actively seeking a treasure or stumbled upon it. The point Jesus is making is that the Kingdom of God is worth everything we have and more. A wise person will Sacrifice anything and everything to acquire the Kingdom. What we receive in return will far surpass what we have to give up or renounce. The passage ends with Jesus pointing out to the disciples that there is treasure in both old and new teachings. The old teachings are the Hebrew Scriptures (aka the Old Testament), and the new teachings are from Jesus’ life. Jesus doesn’t surpass the old, but he upholds the wisdom found there, even while he re-interprets some of the Jewish laws.

Word of the Week

Published by the Pastoral Center / PastoralCenter.com

VENERABLE MICHAEL MCGIVNEY TO BE BEATIFIED On May 27, Pope Francis approved a miracle attributed to the intercession of the founder of the Knights of Columbus, Venera-ble Father Michael J. McGivney.

It is anticipated that his beatification Mass will be celebrated in the Archdiocese of Hartford some-time in the coming months declaring him “Blessed”. His respect for the laity led Father McGivney to begin the Knights of Columbus, a fraternal organ-ization for Catholic men, in 1882.

More information is also available at

www.FatherMcGivney.org

Page 4 Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

MONDAY, JULY 27, 2020 6:00 PM - Joan Kuszynski req. Family TUESDAY, JULY 28, 2020 9:00 AM - Jack Byrne req. Esther Byrne 12:00 PM - Jim & Margaret Shannon req. Mike & Mary Signer WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2020 9:00 AM - George Drobney Sr. req. Mary Ann Dion 6:00 PM - Kathleen Shea THURSDAY, JULY 30, 2020 9:00 AM - Jerry Papievis req. Mary Ann Papievis FRIDAY, JULY 31, 2020 9:00 AM - Larry Huene req. Anne Huene 12:00 PM - Joseph Kozicki req. Family SATURDAY, AUGUST 1, 2020 4:00 PM - George Drobney Sr. req. John & Barbara Purtell SUNDAY, AUGUST 2, 2020 8:00 AM - People of the Parish 10:00 AM - Charles “Chris” Cooney req. Adam Walsh Family 12:00 PM - Clare Heraty req. Susan Smith 6:00 PM - Loreda Bach Bentley req. Jerry Kolpa

Stewardship

Our Catholic Faith with Fr. Keith: As a Diocese, we rejoice in the announcement of Bishop Ronald Hicks as our new shepherd. He is an energetic and sincere loyal son of the Church. He is motivated by a masculine affection for Jesus Christ and not ideology. My personal confidence in his leadership comes from his time as my instructor in the seminary. Unfortunately, most lay people do not interact frequently with their bishop, but, for priests, this is one of the most significant relationships in life as the bishop is the principle of unity of the presbyterate. When Jesus concludes His discourse on the vine and the branches, He says to His disciples “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete” (Jn 15:11). There is a difference between happiness and joy. Happiness is tempo-rary. Joy is more permanent. We experience happiness from earthly things like the taste of a good meal or the relaxation of a well deserved vacation. Joy is a gift received from God. For Saint Ignatius of Loyola, it is the consolation of feeling close to God. Saint Thomas Aquinas, a Doctor of the Church and theological master, held “God alone constitutes man’s happiness” (ST 2.1.a). Ultimately, our complete joy is union with God in Heaven, where we behold [contemplate] the Beatific Vision. Nonetheless, we can and do experience joy in this life that resembles the joy of the angels and saints in Heaven. For example, the holiness of friendships or relationships centered on Christ, the satisfaction of doing the will of God, or the selflessness of sacrifice. Christ Himself points to the joy of self-gift: “This is my command-ment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No man has greater love than this, to lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you” (Jn 15:12-14). The joy of a Christ-like life is rooted in obedience, perfected in sacrifice, and cherished in friendship. What is the cause of your joy?

A CALL TO STEWARDSHIP

Weekly Collection 07/19/2020 $23,415.25

Weekly Goal (Fiscal Year 20/21) $28,500.00

Goals to Date Sunday Goal to Date $85,500.00 Collections to Date Sunday Collection to Date $85,336.08 Total (Short of) Goals to Date $(163.92)

Thank you for your continued support and generosity. We are very grateful!

Prayer Requests

Kevin Braasch Michael Martel Natalya Brechlin John Svoboda Christopher Fountain Nathan Kijowski Bob Lang Zachary Frana

Pray for our Military Let us pray for all of our military personnel, especially the men and women of our parish who are serving

in harm’s way:

Timothy Randazzo Kyle Ng Christopher Randazzo Joe McSweeney Maggie Benhart Kevin Hanlon Brendan Vrtis

Our deepest sympathy to the families of Stephen Morse, husband of Murn Morse &

father of Jill Lambert Dorothy Unger, mother of Joe Unger

The following persons have requested prayers from our parish community:

Karli Brown William Hennessey Carmela Martini Donna Wiencek David Franks George Hejny P.J. O’Connor

Patricia Wright Nancy Gatto Sharon Kling Joseph Leto Spencer Mehr Hugh Toner Anna Bandur

In Sympathy

July 26, 2020 Page 5

Youth Ministry

Important Youth Ministry Announcement & Farewell:

Dear St. Mary’s Parishioners,

I wanted to let you know that after much prayer and discernment, I have decided to leave my position as Youth Minister at St. Mary’s to begin grad school for counseling and to follow this new career path. That being said, I am tremendously grateful to the Lord, to our priests and my fellow staff, and to all you parishioners, and most especially the teens I have had the great blessing to know, for this opportunity to work and grow at St. Mary’s for the past two years. It is with sadness, and peace, that I bid my farewells and move on to the next adventure the Lord has planned for me!

I have had so many fun, beautiful, and touching memories from my time here, and have been grateful for all the relationships that have developed. I am hopeful that our youth will continue to be nourished, and encouraged by whoever takes my place as youth minister. Please be assured of my prayers for all of you. I humbly ask that you would pray for me as I continue to seek and serve Jesus in all things. My last day in the office is July 31st.

Blessings,

Claire Simeo

All teens are invited to please join us for Claire’s last Youth Group this Sunday (July 26th) at 7PM.

Email [email protected] for details or check our social media page for updates!

“To always be close to Jesus, that’s my life plan.” - Ven. Carlo

ALTAR FLOWERS

Our beautiful flower arrangement on the altar last weekend was

in celebration of the 50TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

of CHUCK & DIANN HENES

Congratulations!

Adult Faith

Page 6 Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

July 26, 2020 Page 9

NEW PARISHIONERS: We are happy to welcome new members to our community, and encourage you to register either in person at the Parish Office, or register online through our website, www.stmarygostyn.org.

BAPTISMS: St. Mary of Gostyn offers baptismal preparation sessions on a monthly basis. If this is your first child, you will need to participate in a baptismal preparation session before you can receive a date for your baby’s Baptism. Parents are the first and primary educators in the practice of the Faith. Godparents play an important role in the faith life of your child. While considering godparents for your child, be aware that at least one must be a baptized and confirmed Catholic who is active in his/her faith. Please call the parish office at 630-969-1063 to register for a preparation class and to schedule a baptismal date.

BECOMING A CATHOLIC: The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a process of welcoming and preparing adults for the Sacraments of Initiation - Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation - for full membership in the Catholic Church. Unbaptized adults, adults baptized in another Christian faith, and baptized Catholics with little or no formal religious education are invited to participate. Please call the Parish Office for further information.

ANNULMENTS: We are available to help anyone who is in need of information about how to apply for an annulment. Please contact the Parish Office at (630)969-1063.

SACRAMENT of ANOINTING: The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is available at regularly scheduled liturgies throughout the year, or by appointment. You may ask the presiding priest before any Mass for an anointing. Communal Anointing Masses are held on the 1st Saturday of the month in August, December and April at the 8:00 AM Mass. The Eucharist will also be brought to those who are ill, upon request. Please notify the Parish Office if members of your family are in the hospital or homebound.

FUNERALS: Arrangements are usually made by the Funeral Home or by a family member. A member of our Bereavement team will meet with you to plan the Funeral Liturgy. Eulogies can be given at the Wake Service, Interment at the Cemetery or at the Funeral Luncheon, but not at the Mass of Christian Burial.

MARRIAGES: Arrangements should be made at least six months in advance to provide ample time for preparation of this sacrament.

PRAYER GROUPS: Monday evening Rosary at 6:30 PM in the Church; Tuesday evenings at 6:00 PM in the Parish Center chapel.

RECONCILIATION: Confessions are heard Saturday, 8:30 to 9:30 AM in church. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is also available by appointment. Please call the Parish Office (630-969-1063) to arrange to have your confession heard by a priest.

St. Mary of Gostyn Parish