30th Week in Ordinary Time Vol. XXI, No. 46 October 22-23, 2016 CLOSING PRAYER:

~ A Prayer for God’s Grace ~ Our Lady We call upon you in a special way. It is through your power that we were created. Every breath we take, every morning we wake, and every moment of every hour, we live under your power.

Touch us, again, with that same power. Recreate in us new life. Fill us with the healing power of your Holy Spirit. Cast out anything that stands as an obstacle to our becoming the person you want us to be.

Keep us strong — physically, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually — so that we may serve you, and the human family, for the rest of our lives. Our Lady Chapel is a Roman Catholic community founded in the love of Amen. the Father, centered in Christ, and rooted in the Holy Cross tenets of building family and embracing diversity. We are united in our journey of faith through prayer and sacrament, and we seek growth through CAMPUS MINISTRY OFFICE: the wisdom of the Holy Spirit in liturgy and outreach, while responding The Campus Ministry Office is located in Our Lady Chapel. to the needs of humanity. 20 phone: [440] 473-3560. e-mail: [email protected] 30th Week in Ordinary Time October 22-23, 2016

MEN’S RETREAT — SAVE THE DATE: PRAYER REQUESTS: The Fall Men’s retreat is scheduled for Wednesday, November 2nd at 5:30 PM. Come Jesus calls us to pray for one another. Please keep all these people in your prayers and share in this evening of prayer and reflection sponsored by Our Lady Chapel and the Gilmour Men’s Club. The retreat brings together men of the Chapel and Gilmour PRAYERS FOR THE SICK: Communities in an evening of spiritual conversation. The retreat begins with Mass in  For Tom Miller who is undergoing treatment for colon cancer. Our Lady Chapel at 5:30 PM followed by dinner and discussion in the Lennon  For Sandy Titus who is undergoing medical testing. Board Room, concluding around 9:00 PM. Even if you can't make the Mass at 5:30, please join us when you are able to get there. Cost for the evening is $20 [Please know that ability  For Frank Gren, father of kitchen associate Valerie Gren, who is seriously ill in the hospital. to pay for the retreat is not a condition for attendance]. Reserve your spot today by signing the “sign-  For Philip McNulty, nephew of Mike and Janet Heryak, Cousin of Lilian [‘09], Rosea [‘12], and Edwin [‘17], who up” sheet located on the easel in the narthex of the chapel, or by contacting Patty in the Chapel is undergoing medical treatment Office [440-473-3560]. We hope to see you at this wonderful spiritual opportunity for the men of Our  For Tom Libbers, brother of Brother Edward Libbers, C.S.C., who is undergoing treatment for cancer. Lady Chapel and Gilmour Academy.  For Brother Greg Teodecki , C.S.C., who has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.  For David Simonetta, father-in-law of Upper School Science Instructor, Jessica Grassi Simonetta [‘05] who is OLC “ADOPT A FAMILY” PROGRAM: undergoing treatment cancer. For many years, Our Lady Chapel community has worked with St. Adalbert  For Francine Gren, step-mother of Kitchen associate, Valarie Gren, who is undergoing treatment for cancer. Parish in adopting families to help them celebrate the Christmas Season. In  For Nathan Breitsch, grand-nephew of Brother Ken Kane, C.S.C., who injured his back in a fall. recent years, we have had many requests from our families to begin this project  For Justin Tarr who is critically ill with brain cancer. earlier in order to take advantage of pre-Christmas sales, etc. We are collecting the names of families from St. Adalbert at the present time. The need is greater  For Bill Slattery [‘77] who is undergoing treatment for cancer. than ever. St. Adalbert identifies families — most often single parent, below  For Annie Trivassos who is undergoing treatment for cancer. poverty level families; we are given the grade levels of the children & other  For Nicholas Zanella, who is undergoing medical treatment family information, so that you can purchase gifts appropriate to each member.  For Teddy Prusock, nephew of Lower School associate, Nina Prusock, who is undergoing neurological testing. In addition, if possible, we ask that you also provide a Christmas meal for the  For Jay Cusick who is undergoing treatment for cancer. family [non-perishable items in a food basket, and/or Gift Cards for Giant Eagle, Aldi’s or Family Dollar.] Those from our chapel family who participated in this project last year spoke very highly of the MYSTERY IS ENDLESS KNOWABILITY: benefit of this project to their own families. Even our Life Teen and EDGE Groups have adopted families How do we live the contradictions? Live them — not just endure them or relieve ourselves from the ten- and gone shopping together on a Sunday afternoon at an outlet Mall. This is a project that the entire sion by quickly resolving them. The times where we meet or reckon with our contradictions are often family can get involved in. Families can be matched according to family size, ages, etc. It was truly turning points, opportunities to enter into the deeper mystery of God, or, alternatively, to evade the mys- inspiring. Adopt-a-family gifts should be WRAPPED. Please call Patty at the Chapel Office [440-473- tery of God. I’m deliberately using the word mystery to point to depth, an open future, immense freedom, 3560 or [email protected]] if you and your family would like to participate in this program, a kind of beauty and truth that can’t be fully spoken or defined. or if you have any questions. Many mystics speak of the God-experience as simultaneously falling into an abyss and being grounded. This sounds like a contradiction, but in fact, when you allow yourself to fall into the abyss — MAKE YOUR FAMILY’S ADVENT WREATH: into hiddenness, limitlessness, unknowability, a void without boundaries — you discover it’s somehow a Again this year, we are going to be making family Advent Wreaths on Sunday, November th rich, supportive, embracing spaciousness where you don’t have to ask (or answer) the questions of wheth- 26 at 11:30 AM in the Commons. Cost of the Wreath is $20 — this includes trimmings, er you’re right or wrong. You’re being held and so you do not need to try to “hold” yourself together. candles, and everything else you will need. Please know that cost is not a reason to not Please reflect on that. making an Advent Wreath; please contact Father John. Sign up sheet is located on the This might be the ultimate paradox of the God-experience — “falling into the hands of the living easel in the Narthex of the Chapel, or you can call the chapel office [440-473-3560]. God” [Hebrews 10:31]. When you can lend yourself to it and not fight it or explain it, falling into the Please sign up early because we have to purchase the materials for the wreaths. If you have any abyss is ironically an experience of ground, of the rock, of the foundation. This is totally counterintui- questions, please contact the chapel office. tive. Your dualistic, logical mind can’t get you there. It can only be known experientially. That’s why WITNESSING TO GOSPEL VALUE: the mystics use magnificent metaphors — none of them adequate or perfect — for this experience. “It’s Mainstream Christianity has steadily lost force and credibility in the contemporary world. Much of this like. . . . It’s like . . . ,” they love to say. decline is attributed to the fact that for so long now the means have not matched the ends — we preach Mystery is not something you can’t know. Mystery is endless knowability. Living inside such end- one gospel and live another. And while in a way this has always been true, the clash is accentuated in the less knowability is finally a comfort, a foundation of ultimate support, security, unrestricted love, and security-obsessed consciousness of our own times. We preach the Good Samaritan and lock our eternal care. For all of us, it takes much of our life to get there; it is what we surely mean by “growing” doors. We preach the lilies of the field and allocate large amounts of our monthly paychecks to pension in faith. I can’t prove this to you. Each soul must learn on its own, hopefully aided by observing other faith-filled people. —taken from the writings of Father Richard Rohr, O.F.M.., which appear on the internet and insurance plans. —Cynthia Bourgeault 2 19 30th Week in Ordinary Time October 22-23, 2016

PRAYER REQUESTS: FAITH EDUCATION — OCTOBER 23rd: Jesus calls us to pray for one another. Please keep all these people in your prayers. We need you to register your child for Faith Education, if you have not already done PRAYERS FOR THE SICK: so. A simple call to the chapel office can get this accomplished. Faith Education  For Wayne Stofan, step-father of Amy Bashein, step-grandfather of Hayden [’28] and Hadley [’29] Bashein, who is meets this week. Our Sessions go from 8:45—9:45 AM, with the hope that our critically ill following a pulmonary embolism. children would then participate in our 10:00 AM Family Mass. Register your family  For Father David Woost, pastor of The Chapel of the Divine Word, who is undergoing medial treatment. for classes by contacting Patty in the Chapel Office [[440-473-3560]. If you have  For Alex Greiff , who is recovering from open heart surgery. any questions, please call Patty in the chapel office. Thank you for taking care of this important responsibility. Here are the dates for the upcoming class: October 23-30; November 6-13-20.  For Roger Collis who is recovering from brain surgery.  For Ellie Kramer, mother of teacher and coach, Cindi Kramer-Smith, grandmother of Brandon [‘05] and Jarred [‘06] Smith, who is undergoing treatment for serious medical conditions. SCHEDULE FOR THE WEEK:  For Mariana Militello, cousin of Alex [’22] and Xavier [‘26] Swinarski, who has been diagnosed with a brain tumor  For James Gorman [‘53] who is recovering from cancer surgery. Sunday, October 23: th 10:00 AM  For Claudia Remington, aunt of Upper School instructor, Cindy Fidanza, who is 30 Week in Ordinary Time undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Monday, October 24: 5:30 PM [Eucharistic Chapel]  For Brother Fulgence Dougherty, C.S.C. , who is critically ill following a stroke.  For Lynn Lonico who is undergoing medical treatment. Tuesday, October 25: NO MASS  For Joe McDermott, brother of former Gilmour Advancement associate, Kathleen McDermott, who is undergoing treatment for cancer. Wednesday, October 26: NO MASS  For Sophia and Sierra Barr, students at HS, who were seriously Thursday, October 27: 5:30 PM [Eucharistic Chapel] injured in a car accident.  For Romano Bruno, great uncle of Richard Jones [’20] who is critically ill. Friday, October 28: 5:30 PM [Eucharistic Chapel] Sts. Simon and Jude  For Carol Carr, Gilmour Trustee, who is undergoing medical treatment.  For Kay Passalacqua, who is undergoing medical treatment. Saturday, October 29: 31st Week in Ordinary Time 5:00 PM  For Tom Slater, who is undergoing treatment for lymphoma  For Father Dan Begin, pastor of St. Mary [Bedford] who is undergoing treatment for cancer. Sunday, October 30: st 10:00 AM  For Kaitlyn Wene, teen-age daughter of former Kitchen Associate, Stephanie Toma, who is undergoing treatment 31 Week in Ordinary Time for meningitis.  For Robert Vandall who is undergoing treatment for cancer.  For Brother Romard Barthel, C.S.C., who is on hospice care. UPCOMING CHAPEL ACTIVITIES:  For Joseph Morek [‘14] who is in rehabilitation following a military accident. October 23 ------Faith Education Class #6 8:45 AM—9:45 AM  For Elaine Willey, sister of Father John, who is under the care of hospice. LifeTeen and EDGE visit Shrine 11:30 AM—2:30 PM  For Todd King [‘87], brother of Christie [‘91] King, who is undergoing treatment for mirocondra October 25 ------Grade 11 Religion Class Mass 11:45 AM  For Jenny Blender, who is undergoing treatment for cancer. Grade 11 Religion Class Mass 2:00 PM  For Drew Franco, son of Brian [‘90], nephew of Jeff [‘88] and Kristin [’94] Kirkpatrick, who is struggling with a seizure disorder. Middle School Athletic Parent Mtg. 4:30 PM  For Michael Palumbo, father of Michael [‘14], Marisa [‘15], and former Gilmour student, Christian, who is October 26 ------Grade 9 Religion Class Mass 8:30 AM undergoing treatment for cancer Grade 9 Religion Class Mass 10:00 AM  For Dennis Kavran, father of Dennis [‘86] and Jennifer [‘95], grandfather of Adam [‘14] and Madeleine [‘16] Grade 11 Religion Class Mass 2:00 PM Miller, who is undergoing further treatment for cancer. Kairos 43 Team Meeting 3:30 PM  For Lexi Pappadakes, who is undergoing treatment for complications from surgery.. October 27 ------Grade 9 Religion Class Mass 10:15 AM  For Rosemarie Lemieux who is ill. Grade 10 Religion Class Mass 2:00 PM  For Maria Ricci, friend of Linda McGraw, who is ill. rd  For Jeff Warner, brother of Denise Calabrese, who is undergoing treatment resulting from a stroke and seizure. October 28 ------3 Grade Retreat 8:30 AM—12:00 PM  For Betty Herten, aunt of Hope [‘13] and James [‘15] Herten, who is undergoing treatment for leukemia. October 30 ------Faith Education Class #7 8:45 AM—9:45 AM 18 3

30th Week in Ordinary Time October 22-23, 2016

REFLECTION ON THE THEME FOR THE WEEK: PRAYER REQUESTS: We all have had experiences of talking to someone whom we thought was listening to us — but alas, their Jesus calls us to pray for one another. Please keep all these people in your prayers minds were occupied with something less important. The big question for us is whether God listens to our prayers. Why don’t we get what we ask for — especially when we pray for somebody else’s needs? FOR THE DECEASED: There is a person who is convinced that if she has a health problem and calls me to ask for my prayers, that God listens to my pleading for her more than if she, herself, prays. This places a tremendous  For John Ray, father of Dan [’80], Matt [’82], and Jennifer [’88] Ray, and grandfather of Clayton [‘18] and Garret pressure on my reputation — but so far, she is quite healthy, and meanwhile I’ve got a bad cold! What [’20] Tomasek. are we doing when we do something called “prayer?”  For Kurt Poschner The books within the Hebrew Scriptures known as “Wisdom Literature” often personify aspects of  For Christopher Teisl, son of Tiho, brother of James [‘93], Michael [‘95] and Stephen [‘00] [anniversary] the mysterious God. For example, in the Book of Sirach [35:10-14,16-18], God is pictured as having ears,  For Sister Antoinette Krejsa, S.N.D. and he does not play favorites. God does, however, tend to listen attentively to the poor, the orphaned,  For Sister Catherine Waldron, O.S.U., former principal at Lake Catholic HS the widow, and all who are lowly and oppressed. These prayers have quite a direct line up to heaven and  For Carnita Lorenzo into God’s ears.  For David Gleason, father of Alexander Gleason [‘81], grandfather of Jeffrey [‘05], Regan [‘07], and Kevin [‘12] One other group whose petitions are heard are those who willingly serve God. But God seems to be Gleason. quite like us — we are good to those who are good to us, who attend to our needs. Once again we see  For Sidonia Saawie, mother of Brother Francis Bogtir, C.S.C. that prayer is centered around getting what we want while giving the impression that everything God  For Susan Falbo gives us is a gift. This reading is poetically simple and charming, but does form God into our image and likeness a bit too much?  For Sunny Patel. Luke’s Gospel does help to clarify things [Luke 18:9-14]. Here again, it  For Karen Wanders, mother of upper school Head of School, Jonathan Wanders. is important to notice to whom the parable is offered. The Pharisees, of course,  For Ann Missal are the usual suspects; but the parable is also address to all others who are  For Geraldine Gallion, niece of Brother Robert Lavelle, C.S.C. convinced of their own righteousness, and who spend time affirming  For Connie French, sister-in-law of former Gilmour Alumni Director, James Farrar [‘59], and aunt of Jim [‘91], themselves by judging and reducing others with false, but self-flattering Mary Kate [‘93], Daniel [‘94] and Amy [‘96] Farrar. comparisons. The first person in the parable happens to be a Pharisee. He gets up PRAYERS FOR OTHERS: close and personal with God and prays to “himself”! This is the very word  For a person who lost their job Jesus uses to express how self-centered and self-righteous is this person who is pretending to pray. He spends quite a bit of time being grateful that he is  For an end to violence in our society. not like the rest of humanity who are greedy, dishonest and adulterous, and he  For the families who are grieving the loss of loved ones. is thankful that he is not like this tax collector standing in the back of the  For an end to human trafficking.. temple. He then recites and recalls how he does the rituals of fasting and  For those who struggle with family relationships. tithing. He has all the tickets in his hands — he is all dressed up in a pretense  For a greater respect for human life, from the moment of conception until natural death. of piety.  For all caregivers. One of Luke’s little literary devices is “reversal” or contrasting examples. Things are upside down  For a special intention. and the usual becomes unusual. Jesus’ ways are contrary to our human patterns. And so, we have a tax collector who stands at a safe distance from God and is dressed only in his suit of sinfulness — but he  For all service men and women serving our country, and for their families. knows it! He prays, not to himself, but to God and with words reflecting his naked truth. EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS: Earlier in Luke’s Gospel, Peter — the first to be called — came close to Jesus and asked Jesus to We are currently discerning a new group of Eucharistic Ministers who would undergo training depart, because he, Peter, was a sinful man [see Luke 5:8]. Jesus didn’t deny that truth, but didn’t deny within the next month. If you feel that the Lord is calling you to this ministry, we would be either his call to Peter to follow him in his sinful suit. Here, in this parable, the theme stays firm. Jesus delighted to include you in that ministry here at Our Lady Chapel. Both adults and teens [must does send the tax collector out of the temple while the Pharisee seems to stay there preening himself. be going into Senior year of High School] are welcome to participate in this very special ministry. We are Jesus is catching the attention of both the self-righteous and the self-condemning. Jesus is blessing need of ministers for both our Saturday evening and Sunday morning Masses. Contact Father John or the the truth — but obviously not the sin. He is challenging the former concepts of legalistically-based chapel office [440-473-3560] if you feel called to this ministry. We are always in need of holiness. Jesus is consoling those who know their truth of fallenness and faithfulness at the same time. It Eucharistic Ministers. can be assumed that both men will be back in their same positions — one patting himself on the back, the other kicking himself a little bit lower. Being forgiven and sent forth does not mean perfection. It does HAPPINESS: seem that the Christ-right person will return begging for and again receiving healing and mission. It does Happiness is not the absence of problems; it’s the ability to deal with them. —Steve Maraboli 4 17 30th Week in Ordinary Time October 22-23, 2016

HONESTY: take the grace of humility for us to be missioned by the sacrament of Reconciliation knowing full well Last weekend, our Scripture Readings zeroed in on the relationship expected of all people of faith with that we will be coming back for more and new healing graces for our recovering from the old fractures. God. A life based on faith demands that we relate with God, and not try to control him. The Scripture Jesus is never ashamed of us, bored with us, fed-up with us. Jesus doesn’t change — God’s love is ever- Readings for this 30th Week in Ordinary Time outline the first step in building and maintaining such a lasting, ever anciently new and always transforming “seeming” into “being”! relationship — honesty. — taken from the writings of Father Larry Gillick, S.J., which appear on the internet st No two people could be further apart on a 1 century CE Palestinian religious scale than a Pharisee THE JOURNEY NEVER ENDS: and a tax collector. The former was akin to a “super-Jew” — spending his life studying, teaching and th On this 30 Week in Ordinary Time, St. Paul reminds us that “I have keeping the 613 Laws of Moses. Everything he did revolved around those Sinai regulations. Scanning finished the race” [2 Timothy 4:6-8,16-18]. In his homily on World Youth his temple competition, he could logically say: “I am not like the rest of humanity — greedy, dishonest, Day, Francis called us to have “Boots laced” —rather than being a adulterous — or even like this tax collector.” comfortable couch potato, Pope Francis challenges us to become The latter, on the other hand, really didn’t give much thought to those Mosaic precepts. As a protagonists of history, boots laced ready to go where the Lord calls. Jesus collector of taxes, he centered his life on a different value system. He would have daily done things makes clear that we are in a high stakes game — on one side are peace and forbidden to main stream Jews. The money he so faithfully amassed went not to his fellow Jews, but to power, on the other impotence and rage. It’s a matter of daily choices — his country’s enemies — the Romans. A traitor to his people, he helped keep their oppressors in power. doing small things with great love. We live in world marked by violence, And he usually acquired those taxes by “immoral” means — extortion, blackmail and strong arm tactics. discord, and misery. Are we going to shrink away, or are we going to lace up our boots? Lord, increase He not only was hated by everyone, but because of his profession, he constantly was at odds with the very our faith! Help us to receive power from persistent prayer and gratitude. We are little people — like the regulations the Pharisee esteemed. Though tax collectors weren’t forbidden under pain of death, like Hobbits — but we've got a great mission. Samaritans, to enter the temple precincts, his presence in that sacred space would have surprised other And what is that mission? Paul tells us it is to complete the race — to compete well, and to fight worshipers — “what’s someone like that doing in a place like this? There goes the neighborhood!” the good fight. The goal of life is not retirement. No man can retire from fatherhood — whether spiritual Yet Jesus praises this religious scoundrel at the same time he brushes aside the religious or physical. No Christian can retire from baptism vows. In the Bible we see that the Christian life perfectionist. Out of the two, the tax collector alone leaves “justified” — doing what the Lord wants him involves a race — a battle. The biggest battle takes place here in the human heart. to do, simply being honest about himself. His only prayer is: “O God, be merciful to me a sinner.” Once a young seminarian encountered a venerable gray-haired priest. The priest was carrying a Unlike the Pharisee he doesn’t compare himself with anyone else — he just book about achieving purity. Surprised the seminarian asked: “When do those temptations end?” The zeros in on his own moral condition. elderly priest thought, then said: “About five minutes after they put in the grave!” From dawn to dusk If all valid relationships revolve around giving ourselves to others, they we are engaged in a battle. Because we fall, we need mercy — daily mercy to pick up and continue: To can only work when we begin the process by being honest about who it is not crawl into a hole or flee. No, when you find yourself down, put yourself under divine mercy, ask for who’s actually doing the giving. Yet we “fake it” so often during our the power, and the courage to fight the good fight. encounters with others, that we also fall into that same trap when we're really Luke’s Gospel shows how to win the good fight — it doesn’t come from thinking how good and trying to build relationships with significant others. Luke’s Jesus reminds us strong I am. On the contrary we get power by saying: “Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner.” that faking it with God in a no-no. God simply expects us to tell him who we You can’t do better than the prayer for mercy. We owe everything to God. So take up the good really are. That’s a given. fight — ask Jesus for daily mercy. And to say with the Psalmist: “I will bless the Lord at all times; his Sirach, encourages us not to worry — God treats everyone with total praise shall be ever in my mouth” [Psalm 34]. impartiality [Sirach 35:10-14,16-18]. God is a God of justice — a God of —taken from the writings of Father Phil Bloom, which appear on the internet. relationships. He gives everyone an even break. If our relationship isn’t working; it can only be because we’re holding back from giving our true selves to God — often because of something CLEAN OUT THOSE CLOSETS AND SERVE OTHERS: embarrassing in that true self. Fall is here. It is another time to once again clean out the closets. Clothing that no The unknown author of the second letter to Timothy has no problem conveying his insights into longer fits, or has been replaced by new items, can become great items for others. Paul’s personality — even when they suggest some of the Apostle’s weaknesses [2 Timothy 4:6—8,16- Always remember the words of Jesus: “The poor you shall always have with 18]. Though he’s writing about a larger than life figure, he doesn’t hesitate to get down to the nitty gritty. you” [Matthew 26:11]. Please continue to bring your gently used men’s, women’s and children’s clothing Paul certainly wasn’t the kind of individual who appealed to everyone — “At my first defense no one to the Lennon Board Room, or place it in the cedar chest which is located in the Chapel narthex [just appeared on my behalf, but everyone deserted me.” Some of us would also pause before stepping press the key button to open the chest]. We partner with Fatima Center to help provide clothing for forward to defend such a radical person of faith. Paul wasn’t perfect. general use. Also, business work clothing for this season is especially needed. The Fatima Center helps Perhaps that’s why he — like us — constantly falls back on his relationship with the risen Jesus — men and women prepare for job interviews. If you have some of these items, this would be a good the one person who presumes that we’re not perfect, and is grateful whenever we admit it. time to send them along. Clothing for all seasons is accepted, but please try to keep in mind that storage —taken from the writings of Father Roger Karban, which appear on the internet facilities are limited at Fatima — so it would help if you could focus on fall and winter items at this time. WISDOM: You may pick up a tax form when you drop off the clothing here at Our Lady Chapel — there are forms in the cedar chest. Clothing may be brought on the weekend, or during the week. Thank you. If you “I ask not for a lighter burden, but for broader shoulders.” —Jewish Proverb have any questions, please contact Patty in the chapel office [440-473-3560]. 16 5 30th Week in Ordinary Time October 22-23, 2016

HUMILITY TO SERVE: R.C.I.A [Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults]: “Humility” is a word that isn’t looked on too kindly in our world today. In fact, when many people hear Our RCIA program will begin shortly. If you have been thinking about investigating the words like “humility” and “humble”, they immediately think of “humiliation” or of becoming a doormat Catholic faith, or if you know someone who has been thinking about it; if you have been to be walked on by someone else. That’s truly an unfortunate perspective because, as St. John Cassian away from the for a while, or are interested in learning more about the observed: “Humility is the mother of all the virtues.” Catholic faith; if you know someone who is not fully initiated [Baptism, Eucharist, So, then, what is humility? Confirmation] in their Catholic faith — then consider joining or having them join our RCIA program. Humility comes from the Latin word “humus”, which simply means “earth.” And, in a sense, this Please contact Father John [440-473-3560] for more information. tells us all that we need to know about this great Christian virtue — to be humble means that we remember our “earthiness.” Or, to say it another way, humility is to accept and admit who and what we ATTENDANCE: are. If you attend Mass regularly here at Our Lady Chapel, it would be helpful if you filled out a form [name, When God made Adam, God formed him from the dust of the ground. And address, phone number, children, etc.] indicating this fact, if you have not already done so. Such while Adam recognized God as his Creator, God saw his creation as “good.” information not only helps us to know who is attending Our Lady Chapel; it also is of great assistance to Humility, then, isn’t about being down on ourselves. To be humble means that us in record keeping [for our friend, the IRS] of any contributions which you may make. we recognize that each of us is God’s beloved creation — his children — and that we rely on God’s goodness and mercy every moment of every day as we journey ENVELOPES: through life. Humility, however, also means that we admit that each of us is a  When you need a new supply of envelopes, please feel free to take a supply of them from the ta- work in progress. Every man, women, and child is made up of diverse gifts, ble in the vestibule, or call Father John at the Campus Ministry Office [473-3560]. talents, graces, and virtues, but each of us is also in need of forgiveness and mercy for the times when we have made bad decisions, given in to temptation,  When you use your envelope, please make sure that your number is on it. If you need to know and sinned. Humility is the virtue that allows us to recognize that we are equal in the sight of God, who your number, please call the Campus Ministry Office. Thanks. loves each of us and continuously invites us into a deeper and richer relationship. Humility is at the core of Luke’s Gospel [18:9-14]. In it, Jesus tells us about two men — a Pharisee WEEKLY OFFERING: and a tax collector — praying in the temple. In a brilliant play on words, Jesus observes that the Pharisee Baskets will be passed during the “Preparation Rite” and will be brought to the as part of the “took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself: ‘O God, I thank you that I man not like the rest of Offerings to help offset chapel daily operating expenses. When you choose to use the envelopes, your humanity”. His prayer — offered to himself and not to the God who created and sustained him — was a donations to Our Lady Chapel will be acknowledged so that you have a record for the IRS. tribute to his self-righteousness and also showed that he had no understanding of humility. The tax Total Offerings: Saturday [10/15/16] ------$ 1,6125.00 collector on the other hand — a public sinner and social pariah — “stood off at a distance and would not Total Offerings: Sunday [10/16/16] ------$ 713.00 even raise his eyes to heaven, and prayed: ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’” Jesus ends the lesson with words we know well: “those who exalt themselves shall be humbled, and those who humble READINGS FOR THE WEEK: themselves will be exalted.” This weekend also marks the annual Church’s celebration of World Mission Sunday. This is a day Monday: Ephesians 4:32-5:8, Luke 13:10-17 set aside each year to focus on the call that each of us has to be missionaries — evangelizers — in the world today. In his Message for World Mission Sunday, Pope Francis reminds us: “All of us are invited Tuesday: Ephesians 5:21-33, Luke 13:18-21 to ‘go out’ as missionary disciples, each generously offering their talents, creativity, wisdom and Wednesday: Ephesians 6:1-9, Luke 13:22-30 experience in order to bring the message of God’s tenderness and compassion to the entire human family. By virtue of the missionary mandate, the Church cares for those who do not know the Gospel, because she Thursday: Ephesians 6:10-20, Luke 13:31-35 wants everyone to be saved and to experience the Lord’s love. She ‘is commissioned to announce the mercy of God, the beating heart of the Gospel’ [Misericordiae Vultus, #12] and to proclaim mercy in Friday: Ephesians 2:19-22, Luke 6:12-16 every corner of the world, reaching every person, young or old.” Saturday: Philippians 1:18-26, Luke 14:1,7-11 As we reflect on this call, we also remember that humility is essential for everyone who wants to share the good news of God’s mercy and love. We can only proclaim mercy and love when we recognize 31st Week in Ordinary Time: Wisdom 11:22-12:2, 2 Thessalonians 1:11-2:2, Luke 19:1-10 that we ourselves are loved and forgiven by our Creator God. There is no place for pride and arrogance in the Christian life, and there is certainly no place for exclusivity and judgment, as we saw in the “prayer” of the Pharisee. CHILDREN’S BULLETINS: So, let us all offer a prayer of thanks for the gifts that God has given to us and reflect on how we can Each week, we are making available a Children’s Worship Bulletin. There are put our gifts, talents, and skills at the service of the Gospel! two editions: [3-6] and [7-12]. They are available on the table as you leave. —Taken from the writings of Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S., which appear on the internet. The Bulletin focuses on the readings for the week. These are wonderful tools for your children to learn more about the scripture readings for the week. We hope you will take them for your families or your 6 grandchildren. Thanks. 15 30th Week in Ordinary Time October 22-23, 2016

THE PHARISEE AND THE PUBLICAN: HUMBLE OR ARROGANT? There is an ancient parable about prayer which is also a parable about liturgical prayer. One version of it Luke often alerts us to the meaning and purpose of the parables. Today Jesus is addressing those who runs something like this: Two liturgical committees once met to plan their respective Sunday liturgies. are convinced of their own righteousness and despise everyone else [Luke 18:9-14]. Two men — a At the meeting of the first committee, a prayer was offered which, below the more obvious words, went Pharisee and a tax collector — go to the temple area to pray. The Pharisee spoke a prayer to himself something like this: “We thank you, God, for gracing us as you have. We know good liturgy and we thanking God that he is not greedy, dishonest, and adulterous like the tax collector and others — noting celebrate it well. Some of us have been to the best workshops in the country. Several of us have that he fasts twice a week and tithes his whole income. The tax collector stood at a distance, looked to graduate degrees in liturgy. Ours is an inclusive liturgy. We are sensitive to gender, race, and justice. heaven, beat his breast and prayed: “Oh God, be merciful to me a sinner.” Jesus then says the tax We have a homily — not a sermon. We never get devotions mixed up with the word of God. Our music collector was justified, but not the Pharisee — “for those who exalt themselves will be humbled and those is always well prepared, and its themes actually match the readings. Our readers and servers have all who humble themselves will be exalted.” taken the proper workshops and perform their ministries with dignity. We use the latest official hymnals, No doubt the Pharisee was an observant Jew — even going beyond the as approved by the national commission on liturgy. Nobody uses missalettes in our community — and requirements of the law. His problem, however, was his self-righteous nobody needs to — the word of God is properly proclaimed. No photocopied materials appear in our conviction that he had earned a position of moral superiority by virtue of his liturgies and we scrupulously respect the copyright on all the hymns we use. Our priest is a most legalistic observance. This arrogant conviction blinded him to his total sensitive man who always uses inclusive language, disdains taking upon himself any ecclesial power, and dependence on God and prompted him to look down upon other sinful people. has an alb that was cut in Brugges, Belgium. Nobody can fault anything in our aesthetics, our theology, On the other hand, the tax collector recognized his sinfulness and the power of our inclusivity, nor in our commitment to justice. God to forgive him. He understood that justification is a free gift of God and “And we thank you especially, God, that we are not like St. Elmer’s cannot be earned by good deeds. Parish down the road. Their priest is a drunkard who hasn’t taken a We can imagine various responses to the Gospel. A married man theology course in 30 year,s and all the theology he knows is pre-Vatican recognizes the dangers in his growing emotional relationship with a female II. He comes into church on Sunday mornings wearing an old soutane that colleague, turns to God for forgiveness, goes to Confession, breaks off the relationship and commits has egg stains on the front. The parish prays the before mass and himself to improving his marriage. A practicing Catholic who comes to see that she is overly judgmental mixes up with the prayers of the faithful. They are still of her younger sister who no longer goes to Mass, decides to put more effort into understanding her sister, singing hymns from thirty years ago, and they do not use inclusive and making the spiritual journey with her. A generous Christian who often brags about his charitable language. The preaching is terrible — when, indeed, there is any — and, giving recognizes his arrogance and decides to make a lot more anonymous charitable donations. just last Sunday, in place of the homily the priest read a letter from the What is the next step you could take to become more humble and less arrogant? Bishop suggesting that everyone should get more involved in Prolife —taken from the writings of Father Jim Bacik which appear on the internet activities. Every pew is littered with photocopied materials — old parish bulletins, announcements for parish bazaars, and hymns — for which they SERVING THE LORD IN THE POOR: haven’t received copyright permission. The altar top resembles the For the past year, our teens have been volunteering at Our Savior Lutheran workbench at the local garage. The PA system works very poorly. Their Church Food Pantry [located right across the street from the chapel]. readers are badly trained and cannot pronounce many of the words. The Pantry is open on the third Saturday of every month from 11:00 AM – Nobody seems to care, however, since, during the readings, everyone is absorbed in their Missalette. 1:30 or 2:00 PM. Our Savior Lutheran’s Food Pantry was formed to There is always a second collection — for some dubious devotional cause — and, not infrequently, serve those in emergency situations and/or with on-going need in the cities someone is actually lighting vigil lights during the Eucharist.” of Mayfield Heights, Mayfield Village, Highland Heights and Gates Mills. The Food Pantry respects —taken from the writings Father Ronald Rolheiser, O.M.I., which appear on the internet. social and cultural diversity and upholds the worth and dignity of those it serves. All those in the area with need will be served equally, as supplies allow. The food pantry is a member of the Greater AMAZON.COM: Cleveland Food Bank. During the course of the past year, the food pantry at Our Savior Lutheran Church Please remember that when you want to buy something from Amazon.com, you served an average of 141 households each time. Our teens have loved this ministry and have been very need to first go to www.ourladychapel.org and click on the Amazon logo at the faithful to it. We would now like to open this ministry up to our entire Chapel Community. If you would bottom of the home page! Because of this simple step — and at no cost to the like to help on any given third Saturday, please call Patty at the chapel office [440-473-3560] to let purchaser — Our Lady Chapel receives a percentage of all purchases that are us know that you are going to volunteer, or email Elina Gurney at [email protected]. Come made from Amazon.com. Ever since we have begun this program, we have consistently been receiving as a family or by yourself . significant checks from Amazon that are being credited to help pay for chapel expenses. This affinity program remains in effect throughout the year, so we ask everyone to continue to remember to start your SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: purchases at Amazon on the Our Lady Chapel home page! Thank you. Father John will be available to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation with you on every Saturday between 3:30 – 4:00 PM. Confessions are also A PROVERB: available “by appointment.” The Reconciliation Room is located in the small chapel directly across from When walls come between hearts, they no longer hold the house. Father John’s Office 14 7 30th Week in Ordinary Time October 22-23, 2016

A LESSON WELL LEARNED: ourselves and send us out of the Temple, the Church, living in His presence, justified, living Under His A priest gave a homily on this celebrated tale [Luke 18:9-14], says Arthur Tonne. At the end of the Mercy. Jesus says to us: “Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, but those who humble Liturgy, a man passing him said breezily: “Boy, Father, I sure hope they get your point.” Do you get the themselves will be exalted.” God raises the lowly and the sinners to himself by giving his grace to them. feeling he himself missed the message Jesus was giving? And, more importantly, do we? Do we Those who act as though they do not need His grace will suffer the result of an empty spiritual life. believe church is a place where we go to find out how our neighbor might lead a better life. Have we Reality — that is what makes the Catholic Church so reasonable. Reality. We are all sinners who become legends in our own minds? under the grace of God — under His mercy — are being continually raised up to become a Church of First the good news — the Pharisee of Luke’s Gospel isn’t really a bad guy. He had a lot going for Saints. himself. The record shows he was honest and did not cheat on his neighbor. How are we in these Christmas is not that far off. Every Christmas, people long for the spiritual and consider coming departments? He fasted two times a week. Do we fast? He gave 10% of his income to God. The back to Church. Yes, many will only come for the day — caught up in sentimentality. But there are charts show that we in terms of income are more stingy than our parents. He prayed four times each day. some — no, there are many — who will come using Christmas as an opportunity to give the Church, to When some of us come to Sunday church, we applaud ourselves. We feel that we are doing God a favor. give religion, another look . Who are these people? They are your neighbors, your friends, and your A few of us even slip out before the Liturgy is ended. If in doing so we give bad example to young relatives. Some of them — perhaps most of them — may feel very uncomfortable attending Church. people — that is their problem and not ours. If the Pharisee believed in the Eucharist as we say we do, They may feel that they don’t belong among such good people — people who worship every week. we would not be able to dynamite him out of a parish church. Would that we had the chutzpah to imitate Reach out to them. Invite them to join you on Christmas and beyond. Let them know that there is no the Pharisee in what Joseph Donders call the Big Three — prayer, fasting, and one in Church who is not totally dependent on the mercy of God. Anyone who says: “I don’t go to good works. The world about us would be a more delightful place to live in! Church because I am such a sinner,” needs you and me to say with all sincerity: “Come and join the rest And let’s check out the bad news on this famous Gospel character. He of us sinners. He is turning us into saints.” was a proud person. He was swept off his feet big time by his importance. The first Christians referred to themselves as the community of saints — not because they thought William James reminds us: “A great many people think they are thinking when they were so good, but because they were acutely aware that God is so merciful. they are really rearranging their prejudices.” His prayer consisted of trumpets We cannot comprehend the depth of the love of our God. He sees each of us for whom we are — to his humble self. The object of worship was himself. He was telling God with all the warts and bumps, yes, but also with the love, conviction, courage and character, the virtue that there were only two perfect people — himself and God. And he was is integral to our existence. God sees Himself in us — our unique reflection of His being. He loves us. entertaining very serious doubts about God. He is far more concerned with extending us His mercy than He is with our sinfulness. The word humility was born from the Latin word “humus” or “earth”. When we come to Church seeking this mercy, we leave Church living under His mercy. Thus humility demands that we stay close to the earth and, more specifically, —taken from the writings for Father Joseph Pellegrino, which appear on the internet. reality. But many of us are pretty proud about our own correctness. If we ran our prayer through a computer, we would discover that oftentimes we pray not to God, but to statues MATURE SPIRITUALITY: curiously resembling ourselves. The primary result of mature religion is to help us grow up early so we don’t keep going down the same dead This then is a parable that the Christ spoke years ago in Palestine — not for the Bob’s and Mary’s ends and making the same mistakes over and over again — “doing the same thing and expecting different re- around me — but to me…and you! Rather He was addressing my own sometimes less than honorable sults,” as the Twelve Steppers say. Healthy religion names what’s real, what’s true, what really works, and self. Was it Socrates or his first cousin once removed who said that each of us would do well to know what works in the long run—here and later. This ultimate reality — the way things work — is quite simply ourselves? Were we to genuinely know our own selves we would be humble folk. And likely to remain described as love. Religion is supposed to teach us the way of love. Jesus even commanded it. Though I’m not sure that you really can order or demand love, it’s so all-important that the great spiritual teachers always so, for we would realize that we have much to be humble about. No one has yet improved upon the do, saying with urgency, as it were — “You’ve got to love or you’ll never find your soul’s purpose. You’ll famous line that pride goes before the fall. never find the deepest meaning of life itself.” Philosophically, you will never discover the Logos, the blue- William Barclay tells the story of the woman tourist in Germany. The guide took a group through print, the pattern, the template of all reality, what Jung would have called “the soul of the world.” Beethoven’s house. He showed them the piano on which the genius had composed his Moonlight The wise ones recognize that without a certain degree of inner freedom, you cannot and will not love. Sonata. A woman in the group immediately sat down and played some bars from the sonata. The Spirituality is about finding that freedom. Most of us didn’t grow up thinking of religion as a path of freedom. guide told the group that Paderewski had recently been shown the piano. The woman gushed: “And I We were taught a set of prescriptions, dos and don’ts, musts, oughts, and should — against which we pushed wager he sat down and played just as I did.” Archly the guide said: “No, Madam, he said he was not back, like children always do. Yes, some amount of structure is important. But that’s just first-level growth, worthy to touch those keys.” and far too much religion stays right there — “milk instead of meat,” as Paul puts it [1 Corinthians 3:2]. I have met few genuinely great people. One was Henry Mann — the president of an international Meaty spirituality must first of all teach us freedom from the self, from my own self as a reference point company. He would not speak of himself. He wanted to know of my work. I was very proud to tell for everything or anything. This is the necessary Copernican Revolution wherein we change reference points. him at boring length. When I left him, I regretfully realized I had been the Pharisee of this parable. He Copernicus discovered that Earth is not the center of the universe. Now we have to discover that we are not had been the protagonist. He said nothing about himself, and allowed me to rant and rave proudly about the center of any universe either. We are not finally a meaningful reference point. Although we do have to myself. In so acting, he taught me much about myself. start with self at the center to build a necessary “ego structure,” we then must move beyond it. The big and full Mr. Mann had made his own the line of Francis of Assisi: “The beginning of wisdom is to know world does not circle around me or you. Yet so many refuse to undergo this foundational enlightenment. who God is and who you are.” This parable would have all of us copy Henry Mann’s style. —taken from the writings of Father Richard Rohr, O.F.M.., which appear on the internet —taken from the writings of Father James Gilhooley which appear on the internet 8 13 30th Week in Ordinary Time October 22-23, 2016

UNDER HIS MERCY: GILMOUR OPEN HOUSE: The parable in Luke’s Gospel should strike home with each of us [Luke 18:9-14]. There are certain Join us for the last of our Fall Open Houses and discover how independent and feelings that we have every time we walk into a Church. Few of us are like the Pharisee — self-assured Catholic are better together — Wednesday, November 9 at 6 PM. Meet our in what he we are convinced is our innate goodness, sort of just checking in with God to remind Him how teachers, tour our facilities and talk with current students and parents about why wonderful we are. No, most of us — perhaps all of us — are like the tax collector, aware of our own Gilmour is the right choice for you. The program begins in Gilmour’s Athletic unworthiness to be before God. Sometimes we have an overwhelming feeling that we really are not good Center. To RSVP online, go to gilmour.org/Admission/AdmissionEvents. You enough to be in Church, but we are afraid that if we don't approach God, we might get even worse. We can also RSVP by contacting the Admission Office at (440) 473-8050 or [email protected]. live — we must live — as Sheldon Vanauken would write: “Under God’s Mercy.” It is in this frame work that we can best understand the parable and its relationship to us. We see A CLOD OF EARTH: our spiritual state in contrast to the Pharisee. We know that we need the mercy of God. The path of descent involves letting go of our self-image, our titles, our public image. I think this is one The Pharisee in the parable does not recognize his own need for God. He is very much caught up in of the many meanings of the First Commandment: “You shall have no other gods before me” [Exodus himself. He is convinced of his own righteousness. As he takes what he is sure is his proper place in the 20:3]. What is at stake here is not just false images of God — which mostly serve our purposes — but Temple, he appears to be caught up in prayer — but in reality he is not giving thanks to God as much as also comfortable images of ourselves. That’s probably what the saints meant when they said that we he is delighting in himself. He doesn’t ask God for mercy. In his eyes, he doesn’t need God’s mercy. have to move to the place of faith, to the place of self-forgetfulness, of nothingness, which ironically is the He’s too good. In reality he is committing the primal sin — the place of abundance! original sin of humankind, the sin of Adam. His pride has convinced The German Dominican mystic Meister Eckhart [c. 1260-c. 1328] said in essence that the spiritual him that he does not need God. He goes to the Temple to present life has more to do with subtraction than with addition. But in the capitalistic West, we keep trying to himself in his goodness, not to ask for God’s mercy and blessing. climb higher up the ladder of spiritual success. Some Buddhists call it spiritual materialism or spiritual He leaves with nothing but his own spiritual arrogance. consumerism. We’ve turned the Gospel into a matter of addition instead of subtraction. When we are so The tax collector is aware of his own sinfulness and his deep full of ourselves, we have no room — and no need — for God or others, or otherness in general. need for God’s mercy. As you know, tax collectors were not honest When C. G. Jung was an old man, one of his students read John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, and government employees like our IRS workers. Tax collectors were he asked Jung: “What has your pilgrimage really been?” Jung answered: “In my case Pilgrim's Progress traitors and thieves. Although they were Jewish, they sold their consisted in my having to climb down a thousand ladders until I could reach out my hand to the little clod services to the occupying Romans. They had to pay their employers of earth that I am.” a set sum of money. With Roman soldiers standing behind their That’s a free man. We aren’t really free until we’re free from ourselves — our ego, our reputation, table, they collected whatever they felt they could get from the our self-image, our need to be right, our need to be successful, our need to have everything under control, frightened people standing in front of their tables. There were no even our need to be loved by others — or to think of ourselves as loving. controls or checks placed on the tax collectors. They demanded far The word “human” comes from the Latin “humus”, which means “earth”. Being human means more than Rome mandated and became wealthy — basically using the acknowledging that we’re made from the earth and will return to the earth. For a few years we dance Romans so they could steal from their own countrymen. How many around on the stage of life people did the tax collector in the parable cheat? How many children and have the chance to went hungry? How many of his fellow countrymen — Jews — reflect a little bit of God’s suffered so he could become rich with the support of the pagan glory. We are earth that Romans? Sinner was the appropriate name tag. The tax collector in has come to the parable is aware of his sinfulness. He dares not lift his eyes to heaven — “Be merciful to me a consciousness. If we sinner,” is all he can pray. discover this power in ourselves and know that we are God’s creatures, that we come from God and return The Pharisee asked for nothing from God and received nothing. The tax collector asked for mercy to God, that’s enough. As a human, I’m just a tiny moment of consciousness, a small part of creation, a and received mercy. particle that reflects only a fragment of God’s glory. And yet that’s enough. Many times you and I come upon people who say that they have done something that is In the words of St. Symeon the New Theologian [949-1022]: What I have seen is the totality unforgivable. They say that they cannot go into a Church because they are convinced that they do not recapitulated as One, received not in essence but by participation. It is just as if you lit a flame from a belong there. They joke about the walls caving in, but in reality, they are afraid that God will inflict an live flame: It is the entire flame you receive. additional punishment on them for being presumptive. To these people I and you must say, "Been there. It’s really that simple. If we have not experienced that connection — knowing that we are indeed a Not only have done that, but am doing that — or at least being continually tempted to do that.” Even a fragment of the Great Flame — we will most certainly need to accumulate more and more outer things as thoroughly consecrated Christian — a saint like St. John Paul II and St. Teresa of Calcutta — needed to substitutes for self-worth. This, of course, is the great spiritual illusion. We needn’t acquire what we go to confession. A saint is a person who is aware of his or her need for God's mercy. already have. Our value comes from our inherent participation in God. We have to tell those who fear returning to Church that “God is infinitely better at loving than we —taken from the writings of Father Richard Rohr, O.F.M.., which appear on the internet are at sinning.” If we place ourselves in His hands — if we seek His mercy for everything — from the major sins of our lives to our yelling at the dog, then God will raise our heads up from looking down on REMEMBER: 12 Church works and religious acts do not replace spending personal time with God. 9 th 30 Week in Ordinary Time October 22-23, 2016

PUT ME IN, COACH!!! LIFE TEEN: Have you ever tried to buy something, looked in your wallet, and realized Our next meeting of EDGE will be on Sunday, October 23rd following Mass, when there was nothing in it? If I had a dollar for every time that happened to we will be going to the Shrine of Our Lady and walking through the Holy Door — me, I probably wouldn’t have an empty wallet very often. It’s easy to see a very special blessing offered to us by Pope Francis in this Year of Mercy. Life Teen that you can’t buy anything when you have no money — all those with is open to all high school aged young people. We meet right after Sunday Mass, 11:30 credit cards are smirking at this. However, this speaks to me and my AM -1 PM, in the Lennon Board Room. Please call the Chapel office 440.473.3560 to spiritual life. Sometimes I find myself trying to give and give, but I let us know that you will be joining us and to sign up to receive our texts and/or email never focus on receiving. I thought this was the best way to go about it! reminders. We ask you to do this because lunch is provided. If you can’t make our meeting this week, After a while it can lead to exhaustion and stress. our next meeting on Sunday, November 13th, when we will be reflecting on the lives of those who have In Pope Benedict’s first encyclical, God is Love, he wrote: “Anyone gone before us. Please respond to your texts and/or emails or call the Chapel office 440-473-3560 to let who wishes to give love must also receive love as a gift.” For many — if us know that you will join us because we need to plan for lunch. If you are going to be going with us not most — of us, we find it much easier to “give” than to “receive”. on any of our trips, you need to have a signed Parental Permission form. If you need a form please When I first began in Youth Ministry, the youth in my parish had a call the Chapel office. Please continue to remember all our teens and young people in your prayers. special place in my heart — the people there were my family. One thing I struggled with was constantly trying to give but not allowing myself to EDGE — MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH GROUP: receive. I had adopted a spirit of “graduation” — I felt that I was done Our next meeting of EDGE will be on Sunday, October 23rd following Mass, when we learning and being a disciple because I was now an apostle. I wanted to go out and help the teens there, will be going to the Shrine of Our Lady and walking through the Holy Door — a very but was not open to anyone helping me. The truth is, I was trying to pour out of an empty cup. Real fruit special blessing offered to us by Pope Francis in this Year of Mercy. Normally we meet comes in allowing the Lord’s grace to fill me to the point where it overflows onto others. Sitting at the right after Sunday Mass — from 11:30 AM—1:00 PM in the Lennon Board Room. feet of Jesus, and allowing Him to fill me does more good for the Church than me trying to give what I Come and try us out. Our EDGE program is open to all middle school aged young people [Grades 6-7-8]. don’t have. Come and find out what the EDGE is all about. If you have not joined us before, that’s OK. Just call the One of our goals of anyone who is trying to form themselves into the way of Christ is to “simply be office and let us know that you are going to be coming. We ask you to do this because there will be in the presence of Christ”. When I first heard that, my thought was “Okay…when do I lead my first food involved. Our EDGE Youth Group has a Faith-Service-Social component, and we look forward to small group? When am I giving my first talk? When do all the teens show up?” I was always interested your participation. All are welcome. Please join us for a wonderful experience. If you can’t make our in “doing”, and not in “being”. I am amazed at how much time I have to simply be. Hours in the chapel, gathering on October 2nd, our next meeting will take place on Sunday, November 6th, when we will by the lake, and under the trees, give me time to pray, to read, to journal, and to receive. be discussing Saints and our Loved Ones. Please continue to remember all our teens and young I pray that I will decrease so the Lord can increase. Hopefully as I continue to turn my eyes and my people in your prayers. heart towards Christ, I will be consumed by Him to the point where people who I encounter see not me, but Christ within me. Sitting at His feet and allowing Him to send me out is a huge part of formation, and DRESSES FOR HONDURAS: I’m extremely grateful for it. The Lord continues to revive me. He wants me to know that I am His One of the nurses in our Gilmour Clinic is involved in a dressmaking project for the children beloved child, and nothing I do will make Him love me any more or less. In this beautiful freedom, I can of Honduras. They have devised a method of making sundresses out of common go where He leads me. I strive to be aware and thankful for the opportunities He gives me to spread His pillowcases, and then adorning them with other items for decoration. And that is where you love — whether it be through a smile, a conversation with one person, or while giving a talk at a retreat. come in. If you have any old buttons, ribbon, ric-rac, lace or other sewing trim, please I also strive to be holy even when no one’s watching. St. John of the Cross wisely said: “God is more bring them in. The group would like to collect these items to help decorate the dresses they pleased by one work, however small, done secretly, without desire that it be known, than a thousand are working on. This is an on-going project; the dresses will be sent to Honduras every time there is a works done with desire that others may know of them.” mission trip. The next trip is scheduled for March of 2016. There is a basket in the narthex of the Small victories throughout the day will help strengthen our spirit and better prepare us for the bigger Chapel to collect any donations you may have. Thank you for your help! battles that life presents. The stronger my relationship with the Lord, and the more peace in my soul, the more I will be able to love sincerely. Contemplation gives each of us the chance to hear the Lord’s voice, ALTAR SERVERS and LECTORS: and to make room in our hearts for Him to dwell. We strive to follow joyfully where He leads us. We continue to be in need of servers and lectors. Any student who is in the 3rd [and up] grade is Again, in the words of St. John of the Cross: “Contemplation is nothing else than a secret, peaceful, and invited to become an altar server; any student who is in the 5th [and up] grade loving infusion of God, which if admitted, will set the soul on fire with the Spirit of love.” Read what is invited to become a lector. These are both wonderful ministries — a great Pope Benedict XVI wrote: “Certainly, as the Lord tells us, one can become a source from which rivers of way to serve God and the faith community. If you would like to take advantage of living water flow. Yet to become such a source, one must constantly drink anew from the original source, these opportunities, please give your name to Father John. You do not have to attend which is Jesus Christ.” Gilmour to be an altar server, lector, or to be involved in any other ministry at Our Lady For everyone reading this, I invite you to ask the Lord to bless you each morning with the grace to Chapel. Please call the chapel office [440-473-3560]. empty yourself and allow Him to fill you. Pray for patience when sitting on the bench, so when the Lord calls you in to the big game, you’ll be ready to roll. —taken from the writings of Dom Quaglia, an associate of the Bible Geek. 11 10