JAN 24, 2016 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

... a pilgrim church coming to know the kingdom of by being Christ to the world.

3722 S. 58th Street | Milwaukee, WI 53220-2053 | (414) 545-4316

EUCHARIST: PRIEST CONNECT: SAT 5:00 PM FR. BILL BURKERT ONLINE ololmke.org SUN 8:00 AM /10:30 AM /6:00 PM Office: (414) 545-4316 x 20 FACEBOOK /ololmke Home: (414) 645-8053 MON AM TWITTER 8:00 DEACON @ololmke WED AM EMAIL 9:30 JOHN MONDAY [email protected] THU 8:00 AM FAX (414) 541-2251 (414) 550-6053 FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP UPDATE COMMUNITY LIFE

Parish Support - January 4-10, 2016 Stewardship Offering (Envelopes/Electronic) ...... $12,245.50 In Memoriam Offertory ...... $674.36 In loving memory of Mary Jean and William McVeigh Budget Updates Fiscal Year: July 1, 2015-June 30, 2016 From Contributions Received ...... $408,029.02 Kathleen Schmid Contribution Budget ...... $417,400.00 Mary Lamping Difference as of 1/10/16 ...... ($9,370.98) In loving memory of Operating Income ...... $567,768.86 Rick Schmus Operating Expenses ...... $533,901.08 From Balance as of 12/31/15 ...... $33,867.78 Mary Lamping

Improvement Fund Updates Wednesday Faith Group Beginning Balance ...... $97,733.99 Annual Holidays Party Donations ...... $22,493.29 February 24 Expenses...... ($16,186.29) After the 9:30 am liturgy Balance as of 1/10/16 ...... $104,040.99 Catered Lunch

Keep Our Vision Growing Campaign Capital Appeal $10.00 This year is a theme party. Each Pledges Received (386 households) ...... $563,830.88 table will have a different, fun theme Pledge Payments and Donations Received...... $617,079.26 such as: Charles Dickens, Charlie Expenses to Date ...... $457,515.45 KOVG Cash Balance as of 1/10/16 ...... $159,563.84 Brown, seasons (winter, summer, etc.), nationality (Irish, German, Polish), or Music Ministry Platform Renovation (Spring 2016)...... Estimate = $197,000.00 a surprise. Put on your imaginative thinking caps and join in the fun. Call JoAnn Godkin for a reservation at (414) 828-7172.

CALENDAR RAFFLE 2016 Encounter : Mercy Calls Your Name February 15-17 Date Prize Ticket Winner 6:30 pm Holy Rosary Church 1/10 ...... $100.00 ..... 0499 ...... Bill O’Boyle Led by Rich Harter, M.T.S., this 1/11 ...... $20.00 ...... 1077 ...... Rachel Zahn three-evening mission will lead us into 1/12 ...... $20.00 ...... 0636 ...... Russ Pochowski an encounter with the mercy of Jesus 1/13 ...... $20.00 ...... 0122 ...... Tony Konz who calls us each by name, touches 1/14 ...... $20.00 ...... 0415 ...... Paul Michalenko our wounds with healing, and sets us 1/15 ...... $20.00 ...... 0479 ...... Stephanie Gibart free to give his mercy to others. 1/16 ...... $20.00 ...... 0851 ...... Joanne Zaborski

SUN 24 MON 25 TUE 26

8:00 am Liturgy Church 8:00 am Communion Service Rm 9 8:00 am Communion Service Rm 9 9:00 am First Eucharist Prep. Hall ABC 6:00 pm Digital Communications 11:30 am Bereavement Potluck 10:30 am Liturgy Church Cmte. Mtg. Rm 3 Lunch Hall C 6:00 pm Liturgy Church 3:00 pm Food Pantry Room 7 6:30 pm Independent Book Group Room 6 6:45 pm Boy Scouts - Tr. 612 Hall AB 7:00 pm Adult Choir Reh. Church 7:00 pm Teen Action Group Rm 4 7:00 pm Faith Sharing Group Rm 3 Mercy Moment FORMATION

“This rich teaching is channeled Adult Confirmation in one direction, Are you 18 or older and have never received the Sacrament of the service of Confirmation? Now is your opportunity! Beginning February 21 for four mankind, of every consecutive Sundays, we will offer formation for those baptized Catholic adults condition, in every who wish to be confirmed. Kindly contact Nancie Chmielewski at weakness and need.” (414) 545-4316 or at [email protected] to register or for more information. [Blessed Paul VI] Lent Will Be Here Soon Consider joining us for a Bible study using Luke: the Good News of God’s Mercy . You can join a morning group at OLOL on Thursdays from 10:00 am - 11:30 am, or an evening group at St. Greg’s from 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm, VIRTUE OF THE WEEK February 11 - March 17. There is a fee of $8.00 (payable at the first session) to cover the cost of the book. Kindly contact Nancie Chmielewski at (414) 545- DIGNITY 4316 or at [email protected] to register or for more information.

Dignity is a sense of worthiness OLOL ART Guild News and respect. It comes from Does your New Year’s goal include trying something new? Then join the Art remembering who we truly are and Guild as we explore creating prayer flags with Diane Gilles on Wednesday, our purpose for being. When we are January 27, at 6:30 pm. mindful of our own dignity, we hold ourselves with self-esteem, respect 2016 OLOL Hallway Art Show: The Presence of God and simple confidence. We refuse to Through the creation of art, we have the ability to share visually how and where we find God present to us in our own lives. Show up to three pieces of violate anyone’s rights. When we your 2D artwork using the theme “Presence of God” as the starting point of value each other, we honor our your concept. Create something new, or submit something already created that Creator. fits the theme! All 2D works qualify for acceptance including drawings, paintings, prints, collages, fiber art pieces, and photography. All work, with the Please pray for our eighth exception of fiber pieces, must be framed or on stretcher bars and suitable for graders, on retreat with leaders from hanging. Artwork may be priced for sale or simply shared with a not for sale Easter Seals today, as they learn designation. and experience some of the ways in Participants must be 16 years of age or older. Registration forms are which those with disabilities learn to available at the parish office and online at www.ololmke.org . cope. Questions? Please contact Larry Kaiser at [email protected] , Nancie Chmielewski at [email protected] , or Chris Deily at [email protected] . How can we sensitize ourselves to the needs of those among us who are challenged in all kinds of ways? WED 27 THU 28 FRI 29

9:30 am Communion Service Church 8:00 am Communion Service Rm 9 8:00 am Communion Service Rm 9 10:15 am Faith Group Social Hall C 9:15 am MOMS Spirituality Rm 3 3:00 pm Centering Prayer Rm 9 11:30 am Widow’s Support 6:30 pm Art Guild Mtg. Rm 4 Group Hall BC 7:00 pm New Parishioner Cmte. Mtg. Room 9 WORSHIP OUTREACH

The Power of the Word From St. Vincent de Paul “The readings for this Sunday focus our attention on the word of God and its In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus power to change us. In the first reading, Ezra proclaims the book of the law to reads the words of scripture: “The the people (for about 6 hours!) and the people respond with tears, presumably Spirit of the Lord is upon me, feeling their guilt. But Ezra and Nehemiah tell them not to weep but to rejoice, because he has anointed me to bring because the word is a gift from God. The psalm response sums it up simply: glad tidings to the poor.” ‘Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.’ Have you considered answering “The Gospel saves the most powerful line until the end: ‘Today this scripture the call to “bring glad tidings to the passage is fulfilled in your hearing.’ What does it mean for the word of God to poor” by joining the Society of St. be ‘fulfilled in your hearing?’ To fulfill is to make actual and to bring to Vincent de Paul? completion. In this context, Jesus is saying that his presence and his mission fulfill the ancient prophecy. Give Help & Hope To Disaster “When the U.S. bishops issued their document on preaching in 1982, they Victims titled it, Fulfilled in Your Hearing . The implication is that the proclamation and The United States Conference of preaching of the word of God today make that word come alive and have an Catholic Bishops has requested that effect.” (From Fr. Lawrence Mick, Celebrations , Jan 2016) donations be made through Catholic

Charities to assist those areas in the Palm Burning Ritual United States devastated recently by As you may know, the ashes used on Ash Wednesday are made from burnt natural disasters, such as blizzards, palms that were blessed and handed out on Passion Sunday. The ashes are floods, and tornadoes. then mixed with oils so that they adhere to our foreheads in the sign of the Your donation will go toward cross, a process that is done commercially. This year, since our Wisconsin winters providing families and individuals have not been conducive to an outdoor burning ritual, we invite you to just bring who are being affected by disasters your palms to church anytime before January 31. A marked container will be with immediate and long-term provided in the front lobby area. By doing this, we make a simple connection disaster relief needs. Your between our palms and the ashes, which completes a liturgical cycle. contribution helps rebuild homes, Lectors & Servers: New Schedule provide shelter and supplies, and If you are a lector or a server, or would like to be part of these ministries, restore hope and dignity. now is the time to sign up for the new schedule that covers March 5 - June 27. Catholic Charities network is a Forms can be found online: national network with a local Lectors: http://ow.ly/WQiUl Servers: http://ow.ly/WQikI presence, providing compassion and Hard copy forms are also available in the Ministry Preparation room just off care in the time of disaster. Donate online: the side hall entrance into church. We ask that you fill out and return your form no later than Sunday, February 7. http://ow.ly/XhmB4 All are welcome to participate in these ministries, and training is provided Call to give: for all new ministers. For further information, please contact Chris Deily at [email protected] or at (414) 541-9470 x16. 1-800-919-9338

Mail a check: SAT 30 SUN 31 Catholic Charities USA P.O. Box 17066 Blood Drive Sign-up Blood Drive Sign-up Baltimore, MD 11:30 am Eagle Scout 8:00 am Liturgy Church 21297-1066 Ceremony Hall C 8:45 am RCIA for Children Room 4 5:00 pm Liturgy Church 10:30 am Liturgy Church 11:30 am GIFT Hall ABC 6:00 pm Liturgy Church COMMUNICATIONS SPOTLIGHT

Everyday Stewardship Thank You I often tell people that perhaps my favorite author on stewardship is usually Thank you to Tyler Gerds, Brett not thought of as a stewardship writer at all: Catherine Doherty. She was like a Welch, Nick Kasun, Schwartz, Russian-Canadian , starting the of lay Nick Schwichtenburg, Steve Entringer, men and women and clergy who work with and live with the poor. Doherty wrote and Tom Miller who have been our about a spiritual life where God permeates our everyday lives. Of course, this A/V ministers over the past year. resonates with me and my writing about everyday stewardship spirituality. Their gift of time and effort are She wrote, “Yes, stewardship pertains to everything, and I am responsible for greatly appreciated for running our my part of that everything.” This sense of responsibility for our own little slice of camera and PowerPoints so God’s universe is so very important in an imperfect reality of human life. The effectively each weekend. These consequence of not taking care of our little “part of that everything” is that those people allow us to continue to use who could have heard or witnessed the good news of Jesus Christ might not get our technology to create a liturgical that chance. We are created so uniquely, it is folly to always assume that environment of full, active, and someone else can take care of things if we choose to bow out. We sometimes conscious participation for everyone. even fall into a trap where we say, “It is God who touches people’s hearts, not me,” because it may very well be that God’s plan was to touch them through you. There are many implications of Paul’s use of body imagery in his First Letter to the Corinthians. Yes, the body of Christ has many parts and they are all unique. All of us baptized into his body have been called to be an active part in that body. But if we choose to neglect our role or we don’t feel responsible to be the best member of that body we can be, the body cannot function as it needs to. Good stewardship spirituality sees all the gifts in that body as precious. For our important role, we are called to grow and cultivate our part of that body. Tracy Earl Welliver, MTS

CONNECT! WITH THE WORD

MESSAGE FOR THE WEEK - LUKE 1:1-4; 4:14-21 SUNDAY READINGS

The passage from St. Luke’s Gospel today helps us understand the Nehemiah 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10: relationship between sacred tradition and sacred Scripture. As Catholics, we How well-received is the study of believe that the Bible is an essential part of divine revelation that goes hand in Scripture in your faith community? hand with the teachings that were established by Jesus and passed on by his apostles. The Catechism of the tells us that the church “does not 1 Corinthians 12:12-30: derive her certainty about all revealed truths from the holy Scriptures alone. What do you find compelling in Both Scripture and Tradition must be accepted and honored with equal Paul’s discussion of “many parts” but sentiments of devotion and reverence” (#82). Here, Luke emphasizes that what “one body?” he writes is a confirmation of what was already being taught. This fact should help us appreciate the gift of the Bible. Although the Bible is not Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21 the only source of revelation, it does help us to have what Luke calls “certainty” What do you find interesting about regarding our faith. We do hear Bible readings at Mass, but we would do well Luke’s prologue? to read the Bible on our own as well. Let us not miss the opportunity to hear God’s word speaking to us every day.

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OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES PRESENTS THE PSALMS AS PRAYERS FOR CHRISTIAN LIVING

DAY: THURSDAYS DATES: FEBRUARY 11, 18, 25, MARCH 3, 10, 17 TIME: 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM PLACE: OUR LADY OF LOURDES HALL FACILITATOR: DR. HARRY FLEDDERMANN, PROFESSOR EMERITUS

The Book of Psalms contains the hymns of Israel’s worship. In the Psalms we see Israel’s faith in practice. We observe first hand, how theology spills over into our prayer and worship. The psalms bring the agony and despair as well as joy and ecstasy. All of human experience comes crowding into these prayers. Christians have always turned to the Psalms because they express the deepest longing that we all have for the encounter with God, and they remain unsurpassed down to the present day as testimonies of a lived faith.

This course will explore all of the main categories of psalms. Each session will begin by probing a representative example of one of those categories in detail. The discussion will broaden out to examine other examples with the aim of making the psalms accessible for one’s own prayer and reflection. The process will involve small group discussion and an exploration of how the psalm sheds light on our experience of God, community and world.

Bring a friend, invite your neighbors. Join us in this prayerful reflection on the Psalms.

Discipleship Institute OUR LADY OF LOURDES PARISH Registration 2015-2016

NAME ______

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PARISH ______

I AM REGISTERING FOR THE FOLLOWING:

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_____I WISH TO BE REMINDED OF EVENT @ LEAST 5 DAYS PRIOR BY ___EMAIL ___PHONE

_____I WANT MY PARISH TO BE NOTIFIED UPON COMPLETION OF EACH EVENT…ATTN: ______

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www.ololmke.org email: [email protected] Phone: 414-545-4315 Life is Like a Box of Chocolates Choices…

How can a follower of Christ reconcile Jesus’ message with the violent world around us?

January 31/

February 1 Choices for

Non-Violence

Electrolito - Transfered from en.wikipedia.org

Featuring: Steve Szymanski as our Adult Presenter We profess to follow one called The Prince of Peace, yet we live in a world where violence is pervasive, ever present. War, terrorism, mass shootings, and murders seem to fill the headlines. Domestic violence, verbal and emotional abuse, bullying, also affect many. What other types of violence do we or others face? Join us for an examination of nonviolence. We shall look beyond the conventional understanding of nonviolence. Find out what the Church has to say about it. Discover how nonviolent movements have succeeded in resisting institutional violence, as well as thwarting and disposing of repressive regimes. Explore how nonviolence is relevant to our everyday lives, and can show us how to live lives in accord with the teachings of Jesus. Steve serves OLOL as Director of Child Ministry, preparing our children for sacraments, our families for infant Baptism, and overseeing Child Faith Formation in GIFT.

GIFT is for all parishioners, regardless of age, gender, marital, household or life situation. We are all life long learners! Catholic Social Teaching on Peacemaking...

“Injustice, excessive economic or social inequalities, envy, distrust, and pride raging among men and nations constantly threaten peace and cause wars. Everything done to overcome these disorders contributes to building up peace and avoiding war.” ~ Catechism of the Catholic Church, #2317

“Peace cannot be attained on earth without safeguarding the goods of persons, free communication among men, respect for the dignity of persons and peoples, and the assiduous practice of fraternity. Peace is ‘the tranquility of order.’ Peace is the work of justice and the effect of charity.” ~ Catechism of the Catholic Church, #2304

“Peace is not merely the absence of war. Nor can it be reduced solely to the maintenance of a balance of power between enemies. Nor is it brought about by dictatorship. Instead, it is rightly and appropriately called ‘an enterprise of justice’ (Is. 32:7). Peace results from that harmony built into human society by its divine founder, and actualized by men as they thirst after ever greater justice.” ~ Gaudium et Spes, Vatican II, 1965

“Peacemaking is not an optional commitment. It is a requirement of our faith. We are called to be peacemakers, not by some movement of the moment, but by our Lord Jesus. The content and context of our peacemaking is set, not by some political agenda or ideological program, but by the teaching of his Church.” ~ The Challenge of Peace, US Conference of Catholic Bishops, 1983

“Among the signs of hope we should also count the spread … of a new sensitivity ever more opposed to war as an instrument for the resolution of conflicts between peoples, and increasingly oriented to finding effective but nonviolent means to counter the armed aggressor.” ~ Evangelium Vitae, John Paul II, 1995

“They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; One nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again.” ~ 2:4

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” ~ Matthew 5:44

Accessed at: Intercommunity Peace & Justice Center www.ipjc.org

GIFT is for all parishioners, regardless of age, gender, marital, household or life situation. We are all life long learners!

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time • January 24, 2016

Studying God’s Word of his Gospel, since writing a Gospel would have been a costly and time-consuming endeavor. • Nehemiah 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10 In the second half of today’s Gospel reading, • 1 Corinthians 12:12-30 we hear about the start of Jesus’ ministry in • Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21 [69C] Galilee that will lead to his rejection at Nazareth. We hear in the Gospel reading for the Third Luke’s account of Jesus’ rejection at Nazareth Sunday in Ordinary Time the opening verses of is a good case study in some of the remarks he the Gospel of Luke and the start of Jesus’ public makes in the prologue. It is very likely that Luke ministry. As an Evangelist, Luke offers us the had access to Mark’s version of the rejection most detailed information about his work as (Mk 6:1-6). According to Mark, Jesus arrives in a Gospel writer and the specifics of the early Nazareth with his disciples weeks (and likely stages of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee. months) after the start of his Galilean ministry, only to be rejected by the Nazorean villagers. Luke is the only Evangelist that provides us But note the differences in Luke’s version: Jesus’ with a formal prologue to his Gospel. In Luke visit to Nazareth occurs at the very beginning of 1:1-4, the first part of today’s Gospel reading, Jesus’ public ministry, and Jesus is alone when we hear four historical and literary facts about he arrives in Nazareth, having not yet called any Luke’s Gospel. First, at the time of his writing disciples to follow him. In other words, Luke is (around AD 80–85), Luke tells us that “many” presenting, from his perspective, a more accurate others are also compiling narratives on the life version of the details and a more orderly and impact of Jesus. Scholars are confident that sequence of the events associated with Jesus’ Luke is referring to the Gospel of Mark, and rejection at Nazareth. may well be referring to the Gospel of Matthew (both written a decade or two before Luke). Another detail that Luke includes in his telling Luke may also be referring to earlier versions of Jesus’ rejection at Nazareth is the inclusion of of the Gospel of John and some non-canonical the scriptural text that Jesus recited that day in gospels, such as the gospel of Thomas and the Q the synagogue. While Mark tells us that Jesus sayings document. Second, Luke tells us he still taught in the synagogue, he does not cite any has access to “eye witnesses” and “ministers of scriptural texts. Luke quotes Isaiah 61:1-2 as the the word” in the writing of his Gospel. In other prophetic text read by Jesus. This is an important words, Luke belongs to the second generation of Jewish prophetic text, since it not only affirms believers. Third, Luke has carefully investigated an incident that has already occurred in Jesus’ for himself the events associated with Jesus and life (“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,” which has attempted to offer a fresh and more accurate occurred at his baptism), it also foreshadows and “orderly” perspective. And finally, Luke some of the main features of Jesus’ upcoming tells us who his audience is: “most excellent ministry: preaching good news to the poor and Theophilus.” Scholars suspect Theophilus may captives and healing the sick and blind. In other be the patron who sponsored Luke in the writing words, part of Jesus’ message to his countrymen involved the fulfillment of prophecy. This is why He is the One sent to bring about the salvation Jesus, according to Luke (and absent from Mark) that God had promised. proclaims to all in the synagogue: “Today this Secondly, Jesus came not only to preach God’s Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” word but to show his mercy in concrete acts on Luke tells us that Jesus chose to begin his public behalf of the poorest of the poor. The Spirit of ministry in the village in which he was raised. God at work in the world through Jesus brings And at least initially, he was “praised by all.” about freedom, healing, and forgiveness. We see Dr. Daniel J. Scholz this reality manifested throughout the Gospels. Jesus releases many people from captivity by Inspiring Your Homily driving demons out of them. When the woman was caught in adultery and about to be stoned by Every successful business or organization begins the Pharisees, he won her freedom and refused with a mission statement. Usually no longer than to condemn her. Whenever he encountered the a paragraph, a mission statement is a summary blind, the deaf, and lepers, he never failed to of the purpose and values of an institution. It heal them when they approached him with faith. crystallizes and gives focus to the organization’s He forgave the sins of the paralyzed man who time and resources. Finally, it gives people was brought down to him through a roof and outside the group an idea of what they are all promised the thief who was crucified beside him about. that he would be with him in paradise. In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus proclaims to us Today’s Gospel tells us all we need to know about his mission statement. Reading from the prophet Jesus. He is the One who in the power of the Holy Isaiah, he declares to those gathered in the Spirit brings freedom, healing, and forgiveness. synagogue—and to us sitting here today—what If we hear Jesus’ mission statement in the Gospel, he is all about. By reflecting on these words, we then we also hear our own mission statement as can gain deeper insight into the mystery of who his followers in today’s second reading: Jesus is and what he was sent to do. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, body... because he has anointed me You are Christ’s body, and individually parts of it. to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives First of all, through baptism, we received and recovery of sight to the blind, the Spirit of God. This is the same Spirit that to let the oppressed go free, empowered Jesus to bring freedom, healing, and and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord. forgiveness to the world. What sets us apart as believers is that we do not try to accomplish good First of all, Jesus is the One sent by the Father in works through our own skills and effort. Rather the power of the Holy Spirit. His proclamation in we do it in the power of the Spirit we received at the synagogue follows his baptism in the Jordan our baptism. As was the case with Jesus, it is God River when the Holy Spirit came down upon at work in us making us holy and enabling us to him. It is by the power of God that he acts. Jesus do more good than we could ever do on our own. is no mere activist or do-gooder trying to make It is only by abandoning ourselves daily to the the world a better place through convincing Holy Spirit and being obedient to his promptings arguments and charitable works. His power does that we can accomplish more than we could ever not come from his ideas or his organizational hope for or imagine. skills. Rather it comes from the Spirit of God at work in him. Therefore he is not just one prophet Secondly, through baptism we become members in a long line of prophets or just one reformer in of Christ’s body. Now that Jesus has ascended a long line of reformers. Instead he is the prophet. to the right hand of the Father, he accomplishes

2 Third Sunday in Ordinary Time • January 24, 2016 his work through us. He is the head and we are Quoting from Tradition the body. If Jesus is to bring freedom, healing, and forgiveness to the world today, it has to And this unity we ought firmly to hold and be through us. As St. Teresa of Avila said so assert, especially those of us that are bishops beautifully, “Christ has no hands now but who preside in the Church, that we may yours.” As is the case with our bodies, every also prove the episcopate itself to be one and member is important and necessary. We cannot undivided. Let no one deceive the brotherhood function well without our heart, or our fingers, by a falsehood: let no one corrupt the truth or our kneecaps. So we as a church cannot be of the faith by perfidious prevarication. The fully who we are unless everyone contributes. If episcopate is one, each part of which is held there are people in today’s world who continue by each one for the whole. The Church also is to suffer and who are ignorant of Jesus and his one, which is spread abroad far and wide into saving power the only reason can be that we a multitude by an increase of fruitfulness. As have failed to help them in the power of God’s there are many rays of the sun, but one light; and Holy Spirit. However, if we give ourselves over many branches of a tree, but one strength based to the work of the Spirit, if we step outside our in its tenacious root; and since from one spring comfort zone to console someone who is hurting, flow many streams, although the multiplicity to give a hand to someone who has fallen down, seems diffused in the liberality of an overflowing or to offer food to a homeless person, God’s abundance, yet the unity is still preserved in the power will be released into this hurting world source. Separate a ray of the sun from its body and it will be forever changed. of light, its unity does not allow a division of light; break a branch from a tree,-when broken, Jesus continues to bring good news to the poor, it will not be able to bud; cut off the stream from to release captives, to give sight to the blind, and its fountain, and that which is cut off dries up. to proclaim favor from the Lord through us, his Thus also the Church, shone over with the light body on earth. We can only do it through the of the Lord, sheds forth her rays over the whole strength that he gives us. By offering ourselves world, yet it is one light which is everywhere to his service no matter how few skills we think diffused, nor is the unity of the body separated. we may have, we will witness great things. Her fruitful abundance spreads her branches The smallest good works done with love have over the whole world. She broadly expands her infinite potential through his Spirit at work in us. rivers, liberally flowing, yet her head is one, her The world needs us. Jesus needs us. What will source one; and she is one mother, plentiful in our answer be? the results of fruitfulness: from her womb we are Douglas Sousa, STL born, by her milk we are nourished, by her spirit we are animated. The spouse of Christ cannot be adulterous; she is uncorrupted and pure. She knows one home; she guards with chaste modesty the sanctity of one couch. She keeps us for God. She appoints the sons whom she has born for the kingdom. , Treatise II, On the Unity of the Church. Translation from The Ante-Nicene Fathers of the Christian Church. Volume 5. Edited by P. Schaff et al. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, reprint 2001. Research by Jay Martin

3 Third Sunday in Ordinary Time • January 24, 2016 Building Your Liturgy There is so much great music to go with our Scriptures this week. “He Has Anointed Me,” January 24, 2016 “Your Words Are Spirit and Life,” “We Are Many I always like the title of this section, “Building Parts” are obvious choices. As is Karen Schneider Your Liturgy,” because in reality, that is what we Kirsch’s “I Have Been Anointed,” or “The Spirit do. We take the ingredients of the Roman Missal of God.” and the Lectionary and the Liturgy of the Word Find a beautiful version of Cantate Domino for and Eucharist as our foundation, with Christ as your choir, or “Sing to the Lord a New Song”; our cornerstone. We add the elements of music there are literally hundreds of settings. James and a homily, and the many hands and hearts Chepponis has a piece by GIA that is one of our that volunteer as ministers to make our liturgies “back-pocket songs”; it fits this day, and so many rich, and then add all the prayers and hope and other occasions. The choir knows it and we can fears and joys of the congregation, until we have pull it out in a heartbeat if necessary. Those go-to built a wonderful place, a wonderful moment for pieces can save an ensemble, and are always nice the Lord to dwell. just to keep in the folder. Just as the readings today remind us that what has been prophesized is being fulfilled in Planning Your Week our midst, so too is God present to us today. Monday is the Conversion of St. Paul. Use a Nehemiah says, “Today is holy to the LORD Gloria, and Preface 1 of Apostles. The Collect your God. Do not be sad, and do not weep.” So invites us to draw “nearer to you through the must we rejoice today, we must take time to see example of him whose conversion we celebrate just what God is indeed doing. As the prayer today.” Tuesday is Timothy and Titus, and after Communion recalls, “Receiving the grace the Preface of Holy Pastors is used. Thursday by which you bring us to new life, we must is , one of the doctors of the always glory in your gift.” church. Use the Preface of Holy Pastors, or . Consider using Preface 5 on creation, which Jill Maria Murdy speaks of laying “the foundations of the world,” or Preface 2, “the mystery of salvation.” Point out to the psalmist that the response is an example of a psalm saying the same things in several ways. It talks about “the law of the LORD,” “the precepts of the LORD,” and the “fear of the LORD.” In our culture we think of laws as things that hem us in. But here the Lord binding us is saving us. Similarly, “fear of the Lord” is considered the first stage of wisdom. It does not mean being afraid, but being in awe of God. Understanding these may help the psalmist sing with much more compassion and heart. We continue to use a Gloria each Sunday of ordinary time. Some parishes have been in the habit of doing a sprinkling rite during the Gloria, but the Church is adamant that these are to be separate parts. They have two distinct roles in the liturgy.

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time • January 24, 2016 4 Raising Your Prayers Prayer of the Faithful Introductions Jesus has brought glad tidings to the poor, proclaimed liberty to captives, For the Mass of the Day (to use after the Greeting). recovered the sight of the blind, We are all the body of Christ and we are all and brought freedom to the oppressed. individually part of it. We each come with our He speaks clearly of a God different gifts and talents. Some are stronger and who wants us united. some weaker. But we are all necessary, each one Seeking unity through prayer, of us. For us to do what we are asked to do there we now bring God our needs cannot be any division among us and we must and those of the world. have a genuine concern for one another. St. Paul reminds us that sometimes the parts of the body For our Holy Father, our bishop N., that are weaker are all the more necessary. In our all clergy, deacons, religious, and lay leaders, unity as the body of Christ, gathered around the that, charged with caring for the body of Christ, Gospel, we are strong. they may strive to keep all the members together and united in their one mission of service. Penitential Act We pray to the Lord. Often finding ourselves distracted and confused, For the universal church, we mistakenly think that our happiness made up of millions of baptized members, comes from what the world has to offer. that even though separated by distance Only your words, loving God, are Spirit and life. we may find our unity in our mission We now acknowledge our failings and see each other so that we can be brought back to you. as the brothers and sisters in Christ that we are. (Pause for silent reflection.) We pray to the Lord. Lord Jesus, For a greater spirit of ecumenism, your law is perfect and refreshes the soul. that we can put aside our differences Lord, have mercy. and join together in unity of purpose Lord Jesus, and share in the spreading of the good news, your commands are clear and enlighten the eye. especially to the poorest and most vulnerable. Christ, have mercy. We pray to the Lord. Lord Jesus, For those who have died, your precepts are right and rejoice the heart. that they may join the heavenly banquets Lord, have mercy. where all of God’s children now gather around the table of eternal love. We pray to the Lord. Loving God, you commission us to carry on your Son’s work by being his body and thinking and acting as he would think and act. Today is holy. May our actions give witness to that holiness and bring others peace. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Rev. Mark Suslenko

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time • January 24, 2016 5 Engaging Your Parishioners Everyday Stewardship I often tell people that perhaps my favorite Reflections to use for your bulletins, website, social author on stewardship is usually not thought media, and more. of as a stewardship writer at all: Catherine Message of the Week Doherty. She was like a Russian-Canadian Dorothy Day, starting the Madonna House Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21 Apostolate of lay men and women and The passage from St. Luke’s Gospel today helps clergy who work with and live with the poor. us understand the relationship between sacred Doherty wrote about a spiritual life where tradition and sacred Scripture. As Catholics, God permeates our everyday lives. Of course, we believe that the Bible is an essential part of this resonates with me and my writing about divine revelation that goes hand in hand with everyday stewardship spirituality. the teachings that were established by Jesus and passed on by his apostles. The Catechism She wrote, “Yes, stewardship pertains to of the Catholic Church tells us that the church everything, and I am responsible for my part “does not derive her certainty about all revealed of that everything.” This sense of responsibility truths from the holy Scriptures alone. Both for our own little slice of God’s universe is so Scripture and Tradition must be accepted and very important in an imperfect reality of human honored with equal sentiments of devotion and life. The consequence of not taking care of our reverence” (#82). Here, Luke emphasizes that little “part of that everything” is that those who what he writes is a confirmation of what was could have heard or witnessed the good news already being taught. of Jesus Christ might not get that chance. We are created so uniquely, it is folly to always assume This fact should help us appreciate the gift of that someone else can take care of things if we the Bible. Although the Bible is not the only choose to bow out. We sometimes even fall into source of revelation, it does help us to have a trap where we say, “It is God who touches what Luke calls “certainty” regarding our faith. people’s hearts, not me,” because it may very We do hear Bible readings at Mass, but we well be that God’s plan was to touch them would do well to read the Bible on our own as through you. well. Let us not miss the opportunity to hear God’s word speaking to us every day. There are many implications of Paul’s use of body imagery in his First Letter to the Questions of the Week Corinthians. Yes, the body of Christ has many Gospel Reading: parts and they are all unique. All of us baptized What do you find interesting about ? into his body have been called to be an active Luke’s prologue? part in that body. But if we choose to neglect our role or we don’t feel responsible to be Nehemiah 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10: the best member of that body we can be, the How well-received is the study of Scripture in body cannot function as it needs to. Good your faith community? stewardship spirituality sees all the gifts in that body as precious. For our important role, we 1 Corinthians 12:12-30: are called to grow and cultivate our part of that What do you find compelling in Paul’s body. discussion of “many parts” but “one body?” Tracy Earl Welliver, MTS

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