Church of Corpus Christi

CHURCH OF CORPUS CHRISTI

1919 North 2nd Street, Bismarck, ND 58501-1735 email: [email protected] website: www.corpuschristibismarck.com facebook: www.facebook.com/CorpusBismarck

Parish Office...... 255-4600 Parish Center ...... 255-3104 Parish Fax...... 255-4616

WEEKLY LITURGY SCHEDULE Saturday (Vigil of Sunday)...... 4:00 p.m. Sunday...... 8:30 & 10:45 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Spanish Mass (3rd Sunday) ...... 1:00 p .m . Monday ...... 12:10 p.m. Tuesday ...... 12:10 & 5:30 p.m. JULY 2, 2017 Wednesday-Friday...... 7:00 a.m. & 12:10 p.m. SACRAMENTS EUCHARISTIC ADORATION Reconciliation - Saturdays at 3:00 p.m., Weekdays: Tuesdays (12:45-3:15 p.m.); Thursdays (7:00 p.m.) 15 minutes prior to Mass or please call the pastor at 255-4600 for an appointment. If you are homebound and unable to come to the Church and need a priest to come to your home for confession, please call 255-4600 to set this up. MISSION STATEMENT Baptism - The Baptism Preparation Program and As disciples of Jesus, we live our faith Baptism Schedule are by arrangement. Please call the parish through Word, Sacrament, and Service. office at 255-4600 to register prior to your delivery date and the program director will return your call. Parents must be Rev. Paul D. Becker, Pastor...... 255-4600 (ext. 203) registered at Corpus Christi or have permission from their Rev. Raphael Obotama, Parochial Vicar. 255-4600 (ext. 211) parish. Rev. Terry Wipf, Parochial Vicar...... 255-4600 (ext. 218) Marriage - Couples planning to be married should Tracy Kraft, Parish Manager...... 255-4600 (ext. 212) call the parish office at 255-4600 at least9 months in advance. PASTORAL MINISTERS Completion of required paperwork and taking the FOCCUS Cindy Anderst, Pastoral Care...... 255-4600 (ext. 205) premarital inventory is also needed this early. This process Jennifer Braun, Music Ministry...... 255-4600 (ext. 209) is usually administered the fourth Thursday of each month Mariah Conner, Faith Formation. . . . 255-4600 (ext. 219) from 7:00-9:00 p.m. Mary Janusz, Pastoral Care ...... 255-4600 (ext. 220) Natural Family Planning Classes are offered by the Patrick Hall, Confirmation ...... (call office) Bismarck Diocese. The methods offered are Billings Ovulation Sr. Ivo Schoch, Outreach Ministry. . . .255-4600 (ext. 208) Method, Creighton Model Fertility Care System, Marquette Rachel Krueger, Youth Coordinator . . .255-4600 (ext. 210) Model and Sympto-Thermal Methods. If you have questions DEACONS: Michael Fix, Lonnie Grabowska, Rex McDowall about NFP please contact the Diocese of Bismarck at 222- PARISH SUPPORT STAFF 3035 or www.bismarckdiocese.com/nfp. Loretta Arntz, Bookkeeper ...... 255-4600 (ext. 201) Persons wishing to learn more about the Catholic Jane Bosch, Kitchen Manager...... 255-4600 faith may call Tracy Kraft at 255-4600. Viola Bullert, Janitress...... 255-4600 Niel Heinze, Maintenance Technician...... 255-4600 PARISH BULLETIN DEADLINE: Articles must be Bridget Johnson, Administrative Secretary ...... 255-4600 received by noon on Wednesdays (typed format). Colleen Reinhardt, Receptionist ...... 255-4600 PRAYER TREE: 255-4600 THIRTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME JULY 2, 2017 itizens of Heaven-Another reason to celebrate. Much as CONTRIBUTIONS (GENERAL FUND) - (2,247 households) we treasure our national citizenship, we possess another of C Adult Envelopes (347)...... $18,346.42 far greater worth. Here and now, we are citizens of an earthly Youth Envelopes ...... $ 87.65 country. Eternally, we will be citizens of heaven. We were TOTAL RECEIVED (June 25)...... $18,434.07 presented with our celestial citizenship papers at Baptism, and 1st Sunday...... $23,637 .45 they cannot be revoked except by our own will. Jesus says “I am Electronic Contributions (144)...... $13,994 .81 indeed going to prepare a place for you...” (John 14:3). And this 2nd Sunday ...... $17,471 .95 place is ours forever, long after this world’s civilizations have 3rd Sunday ...... $15,131 .38 Electronic Contributions (100) ...... $ 9,331 .81 ceased to exist and political allegiances are long forgotten. Spanish Mass...... $ 144 .00 This gleaming swelling, created especially for us by the hand of 4th Sunday ...... $18,434 .07 God, awaits us. Our admittance is assured. All we need to do We appreciate your generosity which is part of being is present a lived-out baptismal commitment, the seal of our faithful stewards of Corpus Christi. citizenship, our passport to eternal life. elebrate Canada Day with Prayer. This Canada Day, July C1, start a new tradition: prayer-works! Start by thinking of THERE WILL BE NO EUCHARISTIC ADORATION the true needs of our country, its people and leaders. Then, as a ON TUESDAY, JULY 4. family, encourage each member to take turns saying aloud their own prayer request as you light or watch each multicolored EUCHARISTIC ADORATION. Tuesdays 12:45-3:15 p.m. (private, explosion. It’s a great way to remember God as the true leader quiet time, incense free) with the chaplet of Divine Mercy at of our nation and our families. 3:00 p.m. All are welcome to spend time in Jesus’ awesome hanks for Freedom. The 4th of July is a great time to Eucharistic presence. Eucharistic Adoration (Benediction, Tcelebrate our dual freedoms: Democracy and Salvation! rosary and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy) is also available Bask in the light of God’s grace that offers you freedom from the Thursdays with Father Terry from 7:00 8:00 p.m. bondage of sin. Delight in the fact that America is a free country and that you have been gifted with the right to life, liberty and Marriage Moments: Independence is an important step the pursuit of happiness. But should our celebrations be kept in on the journey to adulthood, but marriage also requires the inner cupboard of our emotions? No! Reach out and share independence. I depend on you to keep your word, to be your joy with others. Share the good news of Christ’s freedom there when I’m feeling hurt, to watch the kids so I can have with someone who greatly needs to hear. Get better informed a break. How do you depend on one another? and more involved in our government, learn the issues, get Parenting Pointers: “...although you have hidden these active and be sure to vote. Let’s celebrate this joyous day by things from the wise and the learned, you have revealed using our precious freedoms. them to little ones.” (Mt 11:25) What have you recently learned from your child? (Susan Vogt....www.SusanVogt. net) Vocation Views: How do you welcome others into your Weekly Mass Intentions heart? Are you willing to give of yourself for others? Let your Monday, July 3- VRaymond Wehrman (12:10 p .m .) heart lead you to follow Jesus. (Matthew 10:37-42) V Tuesday, July 4- Gordon Lonning (12:10 p .m .) Stewardship Thoughts: Christ makes it quite clear that his VLeo Senger (5:30 p .m .) disciples are called to be different. One of the ways he expects Wednesday, July 5- Bernie Stein (7:00 a .m .) VMax Mosset (12:10 p .m .) us to respond to his call to discipleship is through stewardship Thursday, July 6- VAngeline Miller (7:00 a .m .) of our time, talent and treasure. VJoe Schaff(12:10 p .m .) Friday, July 7- VGen Deibel (7:00 a .m .) HAVE YOU MADE YOUR Phyllis Lentz (12:10 p .m .) GOD’S SHARE CONTRIBUTION? Saturday, July 8- People of Corpus Christi (4:00 p .m .) Sunday, July 9- VSam & Margaret Krivoruchka (8:30 a .m .) IT’S NEVER TOO LATE Catholic Daughters (6:30 p .m .) TO GIVE A GIFT! THANKS TO ALL WHO HAVE PARTICIPATED! CHURCH OF CORPUS CHRISTI BISMARCK, ND Middle School Youth Ministry Activities What’s Going on Here This Week July 14, 2017 6:00-8:30 p.m. Praise and Worship Pizza Party Thurs. 7/6 Eucharistic Adoration, 7:00 p.m., Chapel Room 140 (Youth Room) Sun. 7/9 Children’s Liturgy, 10:45 a.m., Community Room Bring a snack to share!

For more information, please call Rachel at 255-4600. THIRST 2017 MEN’S CONFERENCE SEPTEMBER 23, 2017 Gentlemen, don’t forget to register for the THIRST 2017 Men’s Conference on Saturday, September 23. This FREE event will be hosted at the new Lumen There will be a NET Retreat on Wednesday, September 27 at Vitae University Center at the University of Mary. Corpus Christi for all youth grades 6-8. We need 3 host Register and see the event schedule online now at homes for our NET Retreat Team for Wednesday, September www.bismarckdiocese.com/thirst 2017. For more 27. Please contact Rachel Krueger in the parish office at information, please contact Keven Wanner at 701- 255-4600 if you are willing to help out and be a host family. 204-7187 or email [email protected]. THE CHURCH OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED IN OBSERVANCE OF INDEPENDANCE DAY ON Sounds of Silence (SOS). After a suicide there are people that TUESDAY, JULY 4. understand. The Sound of Silence Support Group meets at the Serenity Center for Loss and Healing at Parkway Funeral Service, THE 7:00 A.M. AND 12:10 P.M. MASSES WILL BE HELD 2330 Tyler Parkway. The summer schedule will be July 18 and AS USUAL. August 15 at 7:00 p.m. The facilitators are Brenda Bergen and Kathleen Dwyer. On these days, there will be “Open Sessions”. ELECTRONIC GIVING If you have questions please call Brenda at 426-1021. Corpus Christi offers the option of Electronic Contributions as a simple way to contribute. This would allow you the freedom LOTUS (Looking Onward to Understanding and Serenity) from worry or concern whether you are out of town, on is a group for men, women and young adults who have vacation or wondering how experienced a death. The LOTUS Summer Support Group to budget your contributions. will meet on the 4th Tuesday of each month: (July 25 and Please stop by the office to fill August 22) for men and women at 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. at out the form. Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway.

The July Men’s Spirituality Breakfast will be held FOOD PANTRY on Wednesday, July 12. NEEDS FOR JULY:

Stewardship Opportunities: Cereal and Pasta We are in need of a deacon assistant who would be willing Address/Phone Changes to arrive 20 minutes early to If you have moved and help prepare the sacred vessels changed your mailing address for one of our weekend masses or phone number, please each month. Please call the contact the office so we can office and talk to Tracy Kraft at update our records. 701-255-4600. The Holy Father Speaks... Reflecting on the day’s Gospel reading (Mt. 10:24-33), Pope Francis said in his June 25 Angelus address that the disciple must expect rejection and persecution. “The Disciplie is called to conform his life to that of Christ, who was persecuted by men, who knew rejection, abandonment and death on the cross,” the Pope told pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square. “Difficulties and tribulations form part of the work of evangelization, and we are called to find in them the opportunity to confirm the authenticity of our faith and of our relationship with Jesus.” After calling for a prayer for persecuted Christians, the Pope noted that even an apparently tranquil context presents challenges: in fact, a form of test could also be the absence of hostilities and tribulations. In addition to being “sheep in the midst of wolves,” in our time the Lord also sends us as watchmen in the midst of people who do not want to be awakened from worldly torpor, who ignore the words of the truth of the Gospel, who construct their own ephemeral truths. And if we move and live in these contexts and say the words of the Gospel, this is bothersome and we will not be well regarded.

Every Day is a New Day! A New Start! Enjoy it! Welcome! Thank you for choosing to worship with us today and we hope you will return often. If you do not belong to a parish, please consider choosing Corpus Christi as your church home. You may call the parish office at 255-4600 to register.

Date: Jul 8-9 July 8, 2017 July 9, 2017 July 9, 2017 July 9, 2017 4:00 PM 8:30 AM 10:45 AM 6:30 PM Hospitality 1 Mary Ann Grossman 1 Caroline Schoepp 1 Bonnie Kisch 1 2 Evelyn Spangler 2 2 Lucille Shea 2 3 3 3 Stella Schiele 3 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 6 6 6

Ushers 1 Helen Berger* 1 Bob Dauenhauer* 1 Nancy Haunz* 1 Tim Rivinius 2 Michael Kordonowy 2 John Novak 2 Chuck Holzer 2 Karen Selensky 3 Derek Theurer 3 Melvin Schoepp 3 Bernie Holzer 3 Vince Selensky 4 Ron Hopfauf 4 George Simek 4 Dennis Mastel 4 5 5 Pius Ternes 5 5 6 6 6

Lectors 1 Joyce Hinman 1 Dale Kasowski 1 Al Wolf 1 Michael Schaff 2 2 Mary Kasowski 2 Jackie Mrachek 2 Mary Soucie

Servers 1 Noah Weber 1 Mattie Schatz 1 Nathan Kraft 1 Mikayla Brackin 2 2 Kylie Paczkowski 2 2 Zachary Brackin

Eucharistic Min BODY OF CHRIST BODY OF CHRIST BODY OF CHRIST BODY OF CHRIST R-1 Carol Thompson R-1 William Knudson R-1 Gary Feist R-1 Maureen Vosberg 2 Clyde Thompson 2 Jim Janusz 2 Matt Kraft 2 Myles Vosberg 3 Sharleen Pulver 3 Helen Dauenhauer 3 Phyllis Lentz 3 Moni Krantz 4 Lorraine Hoffman 4 Dale Kasowski 4 Annette Sauer 4 5 Phyllis Lentz 5 Mary Kasowski 5 Corrine Scholl 5 6 6 Kathy Knudson 6 Mary Siverson 6 7 7 Helen Werlinger 7 Karen Stahl 7 Father Terry 8 8 Amy McKay 8 Kim Wetzel 8 9 Father Paul 9 Father Tony Welle 9 Father Tony Welle 10 10 10 Vicki Wetzel 11 11 12 12 LG LG LG LG

BLOOD OF CHRIST BLOOD OF CHRIST BLOOD OF CHRIST BLOOD OF CHRIST 1 Darrell Pladson 1 Jerome Werlinger 1 Cora Buchholz 1 Tim Bohan 2 Bob Clooten 2 Pamela Mathern 2 Kathy Zahn 2 Mary Soucie 3 Sandy Wald-Clooten 3 Emerita Loeb 3 Rick Kaufman 3 4 Jan Eiseman 4 Anna Rathbun 4 Mary LaDuke 4 5 5 Gerald Mathern 5 Raymond Zink 5 6 6 Charlie Volk 6 Laverne Kaufman 6 7 Deacon 7 Deacon 7 Deacon 7 Deacon 8 8 Ron Torkelson 8 Steve Mittelsteadt 8 9 9 Virginia Torkelson 9 10 10 10 11 11 12 12 Can you help? The blank spaces mean we need more help in that ministry. Please come to the ushers room and sign in on the schedule to help. Thank You. PETER’S PENCE COLLECTION BE A WITNESS TO CHARITY This weekend we have the Peter’s Pence collection, a worldwide collection that supports the charitable works of Pope Francis. Funds from this collection help victims of war, oppression, and natural disasters. Take the opportunity to join with Pope Francis and be a witness of charity to our suffering brothers and sisters. Please be generous today. Pope Francis encourages us to “open our eyes and see the misery of the world, the wounds of our brothers and sisters who are denied their dignity, and let us recognize that we are compelled to heed their cry for help!”

Keep the Promise Campaign- Light of Christ Catholic Schools Due to the overwhelming success of the match fund and the many people who would still like to take advantage of this amazing opportunity, the donor has graciously extended the match to a total of $5 million through July 15. The remaining $2 million match will put our campaign total over $37 million. We are so close to reaching this milestone campaign goal. Take us over the top! For more information, call 701-354-7062.

OUR LADY, UNDOER OF KNOTS

• Please take a white ribbon from our Chapel and tie the knots of your life which may be to solve marriage/family troubles, financial problems, illness, fears, worries, loneliness, unemployment or issues specific to your life.

• Once you’ve tied the ribbon with the knots of your life you can take your ribbon home and pray on your knots. When you are ready to give your knotted ribbon to the Blessed Mother and ask for her intercession to Jesus, your ribbon can be placed in the crystal bowl on the table in front of Mary in the Chapel. • The picture and statue, in the Chapel, can be used as a focus for meditation during prayer. • Our hope and prayer is that this meaningful Marion devotion to “Our Lady Undoer of Knots” will help you undo the knots of your life as you bring them to Mary and her son, Jesus.

Funeral Pre-Planning Thinking about pre-planning a funeral leaves most people a little uneasy. However, pre-planning can give you peace of mind as you will know you have helped your family at a very difficult time. It also allows an opportunity to express preferences at this time of a final good-bye. This removes the burden of family members having to guess about your wishes. Our Pastoral Care Associate, Cindy Anderst, is available with information and to answer any questions that you might have about this process. You can call her at the parish office at 255-4600. Pre-planning a funeral can be one of the last and greatest gifts you can give to your family. Wednesday, July 5 Memorial of Elizabeth of Portugal com . rf Bring peace to family feuds .123 Keeping peace in a family isn’t easy. But imagine the difficulty www when relatives get into a fight and they command armies. Such was the problem Saint Elizabeth faced 670 years ago when war broke out between her son, the king of Portugal, and her grandson, the king of Castille. But all it took was news of her arrival on the scene for the two combatants to settle their differences. Such was Eliza- beth’s love of peace and the spiritual power she wielded. The recent fireworks could serve to remind us that the Prince of Peace is with us, calming the winds of war and stilling the sea of conflict. Today’s readings: Genesis 21:5, 8-20a; Matthew 8:28-34 (379). “The Lord hears the cry of the poor.”

Thursday, July 6 Memorial of Maria Goretti, virgin, martyr Forgiveness redeems lives Maria Goretti was not even 12 years old when she rebuked the Sunday, July 2, 2017 Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time improper advances of her 18-year-old neighbor. Angered at her We are Resurrection people refusal, Alessandro Serenelli stabbed the young Maria more than New life from apparent barrenness. Life out of death. Finding life a dozen times. On her deathbed she received the sacraments and by losing it. The readings you heard in church this weekend seem offered forgiveness to her attacker. But her forgiving was not yet to present a contradictory message, but they actually present a complete. For years Serenelli sat in prison, angry and unrepentant, truth: The life, death, and Resurrection of Jesus gives meaning to until one night he had a dream in which Maria appeared to him life, including its losses, hardships, and difficulties. A Resurrection offering a new life of forgiveness. From that moment he was a faith takes up the cross and carries it to eternal life. Faith does not changed man. Goretti may be known for her purity, but her will- avoid daily existence; faith transforms it. And the evidence of faith ingness to forgive stands as a testament to her heroic holiness. is hope and service to others. Today’s readings: Genesis 22:1b-19; Matthew 9:1-8 (380). “Rise, Today’s readings: 2 Kings 4:8-11, 14-16a; Romans 6:3-4, 8-11; pick up your stretcher, and go home.” Matthew 10:37-42 (97). “Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.” Friday, July 7 Follow your heart instead of the money Monday, July 3 Feast of Thomas, apostle Tax-collector-turned-apostle Matthew may not have had the most Be a faithful doubter popular job when Jesus called him, but the key is not what we do Legends abound about the apostle Thomas, including of his before we hear the call but what we do after. Matthew dropped his preaching in what is now Iran. Most often he is linked with India lucrative post and followed Jesus without looking back. Would you and credited with bringing the faith there. When the Portuguese do the same? If you sense that you often lack the courage of your arrived there in 1498, Christian communities attributed to him convictions, look to Matthew for inspiration. He gave up the big were still functioning. Not bad for someone stuck with the title bucks for even greater treasure. Let the richness of faith guide you “Doubting.” But then again, how can you have faith if you are on the right road. certain about things? Without doubt there can be no faith to have Today’s readings: Genesis 23:1-4, 19; 24:1-8, 62-67; Matthew and to share. Today, face your doubts head on and believe enough 9:9-13 (381). “He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs to share your faith as Thomas did. post. He said to him, ‘Follow me.’ ” Today’s readings: Ephesians 2:19-22; John 20:24-29 (593). “Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God.’ ” Saturday, July 8 Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary In the new Tuesday, July 4 Mass for Independence Day In Jesus something new was happening. He came to people who Liberty brings blessings—and responsibilities had particular expectations about who their savior was going to be. If we sat down this morning and started listing the freedoms we When Jesus started teaching and working among them, many did enjoy as Americans, dusk could find us still at the task. The legacy not accept him. He was not only breaking a lot of the rules, he was of the United States is a tremendous blessing to her citizens, and throwing a few out, too. Some did not realize he was revealing a our example continues to inspire nations around the world. But radically different way of knowing and following God. His mother, possessing freedom is not the same as knowing how to use it the Blessed Virgin Mary, whom the church honors today and many wisely. Like the woman with the flow of blood who reached out other Saturdays, was open to that newness. She herself had taken for her liberty with both hands when Jesus came by, we have been an unconventional path. Are you ready to let your faith in Jesus made the stewards of a remarkable gift that is also a challenging change you? responsibility. What use do you make of your abundant liberty? Today’s readings: Genesis 27:1-5, 15-29; Matthew 9:14-17 (382). Today’s readings: Genesis 19:15-29; Matthew 8:23-27 (378) “People do not put new wine into old wineskins.” “He said to them, ‘Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?’ ”

Invest just five minutes a day, and your faith will deepen and grow—a day at a time. ©2017 TrueQuest Communications. TakeFiveForFaith.com; [email protected]. All rights reserved. Art may be subject to additional copyright. Noncommercial reprints permitted with the following credit: Reprinted with permission from TakeFiveForFaith.com. Scripture citations from the New American Bible Revised Edition. For more information about TAKE FIVE and our regular contributors, go to PrepareTheWord.com. Free daily email and app available online at TakeFiveForFaith.com/subscribe. Discovering hope and joy in the Catholic faith. July 2017

And the Lord said, “Let it go …” “It is good sense to be slow to anger, and what we think but still enjoy who we an honor to overlook an offense” are. St. Lawrence of Brindisi (Proverbs 19:11). Human nature Don’t Born to a family of entails taking offense when someone make it Italian merchants, says or does something we don’t like. about you. St. Lawrence’s When it happens often, however, Thinking that parents died being offended doesn’t just hurt our what others do when he was feelings, it compromises our or think re ects young. happiness and wellbeing. Try on you is fertile Educated by these ideas to let it go … soil for being easily an uncle, he entered the Assume the best. Most and often offended. Capuchin Order when he was people aren’t out to get Most of what happens sixteen. He was ordained us. Unless proven around us has nothing to seven years later. otherwise, do with us. Allowing others A Biblical scholar and believe to live their own lives preacher, St. Lawrence had a that regardless of you and yours takes gift for languages, including others a huge burden off your shoulders. Italian, Latin, Hebrew, Greek, have good Break the habit. Taking offense German, Bohemian, Spanish, intent and easily is a habit that, fortunately, can and French. He worked to don’t mean to offend. They’re just be broken. Instead of noticing what spread the in uence of the living their lives. others are doing “to” us, we can Capuchin Franciscan order, Step back. We often get upset because choose to note what is done “for” us establishing monasteries in others disagree with or don’t share our by God and others. Practicing Germany and Austria. opinions. Opinions are separate from gratitude is more pleasant than feeling identities. Someone can disagree with hurt. Can you see God? Are you aware of God’s presence in your life? Looking for ways in which he blesses us rather than thinking about Why is the Church referred prayers he hasn’t yet answered makes us more aware of how to as “She” or “Her”? he moves in our lives. Of course, God is always with us whether we see him or not. Ask Imagery and symbolism adorned for her husband” him to give you eyes to see help describe Christ’s (Revelation 21:2). him. relationship to the body The Church is also a “Trust always in of believers known as “mother.” “Because we your God. He does the Church. For receive the life of faith not lose battles,” example, the Church is through the Church, she is St. Josemaría called Christ’s “pure bride” our mother” (Catechism of Escrivá. (2 Corinthians 11:2). St. John the Catholic Church, #169). wrote of the Church as the New Through baptism, we become Jerusalem, “prepared as a bride her children.

Are you ready for the Eucharist? If you knew that Jesus were coming to visit you, you custom that helps us to receive Holy would probably work hard to get ready. You would Communion with reverence. Abstain from make your home sparkle, prepare special food for him, food or drink, with the exceptions of water and block out the time so you could give him your and medicine, for at least one hour before full attention. This is what we can do to prepare to receiving Holy Communion. receive Jesus every Sunday in the Eucharist. Give him your attention. The rituals of Clean house. Do whatever is necessary to be the Mass help us to focus completely on properly disposed for communion with Christ. God’s love for us and ours for him. Follow If you are not free from serious sin, attend along with the prayers (use a missal, if Confession, do penance, and amend your life. necessary) and sing the songs so that you Prepare. The Eucharistic Fast is an ancient don’t miss a word.

Matthew 13:44-52, Are Catholics Hidden treasure. required to wear scapulars? In this Gospel reading, Jesus compared was well worth the painstaking search several scenarios of extraordinary good to nd it. To those Originally, scapulars were part of the fortune to the experience of discovering hungry and searching religious habit worn by members of the Kingdom of God. In the rst for God, Jesus assured certain orders. The smaller scenario, a man discovers a them they would nd scapular worn by lay treasure buried in a eld. Jesus’ the answers they sought people consists of two audience knew uncovering such a in the Kingdom. small squares of fabric treasure would change their Finally, Jesus compared worn on the chest and lives. Just so, discovering the the separation between back connected by strings. hidden treasure of the the evil and righteous to The most common scapular is the Kingdom can give new the sifting that happens Scapular of Our Lady of Mount meaning to our lives, too. when a large catch is Carmel. In the second scenario, a brought ashore. Similarly, According to one tradition, the merchant nds a valuable pearl. In when we put our whole life in Blessed Mother appeared to St. Simon the barter-based economy of ancient service to our love for God, then the Stock, a Carmelite monk, in Israel, a merchant’s fortune depended individual pieces fall into place Cambridge, England, on July 16, 1251. upon the quality and desirability of around that love. Whatever is contrary Our Lady gave the scapular to him as a what he had to sell. A valuable pearl to this love falls away. sign of her favor for the Carmelite Order and promised that whoever wore the brown scapular until death would (Luke 8:2). She helped to nancially not suffer the res of Hell, be preserved support Jesus’ ministry and stood by in time of danger, and experience peace the cross of Jesus with his mother. and protection. She was the one who rst informed Any Catholic can wear the scapular if July 1 – St. Junípero Serra (1784). the Apostles of Jesus’ Resurrection. desired, but it must be blessed by a Born in 1713, St. Junípero joined the July 26 – Sts. Joachim and Anne priest to be a sacramental. The scapular Franciscan Order in 1730. In 1750, Fr. (1st century). Little is known about is worn under the clothes. It is worn Serra left everything behind to Jesus’ grandparents, but we know continuously (except during bathing or become a missionary in America. He Mary was raised in a devout home. swimming). For Catholics who wear it, founded 21 missions and taught the Her unshakeable faith, her it is a reminder of Mary’s motherly love Native Americans trades, from devotion to the laws of and intercession. farming to crafting. He also her religion, and her established the foundation for steadiness in To provide practical ideas that promote protections for the Native Americans moments of faithful Catholic living. Success Publishing & Media, LLC and brought them the gift of faith. crisis indicate Publishers of Growing in Faith™ and Partners in Faith™ July 22 – St. Mary Magdalene (1st the values (540)662-7844 (540)662-7847 fax century). Mary Magdalene was the http://www.growinginfaith.com with which (Unless noted Bible quotes and references are from woman from whom Jesus expelled she was the Revised Standard Version and the New American Bible) seven demons in St. Luke’s gospel raised. © Copyright 2017 Success Publishing & Media, LLC