SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME JULY 25, 2021

Msgr. Kaz ...... Only God is Great "Jesus, who could see they were about to come and take Him by force and make Him king, escaped back to the hills by himself" ~John 6:15

All through the Gospel, Jesus is trying to help us understand that there is power and pleasure in money and material things that satisfy human appetites. But there is only one context in which we can be in touch with the ultimate Source of power and pleasure, and that is in the presence of God. This is the one ultimately needful thing, the "Pearl of Great Price." But, to appropriate it, to experience the power of God's presence most fully, we must be willing to acknowledge that we are dependent upon Him. Because Jesus "emptied Himself," as St. Paul puts it, because He trusted totally in God's will even

though it meant the Cross, because of His willingness not to be a king, in this sense, God has exalted Him.

This becomes a model for us. Jesus makes this clear in the very first Beatitude: "Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is SATURDAY, JULY 24 the kingdom of heaven." Not those who want to be king, not 4:00 p.m. For the People of the the Danny Dravots of the world, but the "poor in spirit -- those SUNDAY, JULY 25 who identify their life's meaning and their mission with God's ~17th Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ Will. Not by wanting to be king of the family! Not by wanting 9:00 a.m. Bill Opolka - to be king of the office! Not by wanting to be king of the Jim & Barb Hartwell campus! Not by wanting to be king of the Church! Not by wanting to be king of the city or the nation! 11:00 a.m. For the Intentions of All Past & Present Members of Daughters of Isabella This is very difficult for us to understand because we are an MONDAY, JULY 26 aggressive people. A few years ago, a book entitled "How to NO MASS SCHEDULED Win by Intimidation" was number one on the best-seller lists TUESDAY, JULY 27 for several weeks. But, of course winning is not everything! 5:15 p.m. Isabel Faccin - Climbing to the top of the ladder is not everything! There are Holly Faccin middle- aged people all over this land who are convinced that life has passed them by because they have not made it into WEDNESDAY, JULY 28 some super job or because they are not millionaires. But as 12:10 p.m. Erna & Romeo Rocheleau - Christians, we believe the only way to attain ultimate, Nancy & Tom Rocheleau enduring power for us is to acknowledge total dependence THURSDAY, JULY 29 upon God's power. The problem is that this has no meaning NO MASS SCHEDULED for many of us until we have been hurt exploring all the other FRIDAY, JULY 30 possible options. "I'm at the end of my rope, we say, and then NO MASS SCHEDULED we begin to examine the possibility of God as the answer. SATURDAY, JULY 31 Don't wait until you are at the "end of your rope" to draw on 4:00 p.m. Ronald Sullivan (Birthday) - the power of God. Draw on it now. Let Him release within Sister, Maureen Anderson you the ability to recognize your worthwhileness, the power to SUNDAY, AUGUST 1 rejoice in your humanity even as you confront suffering and ~18th Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ death, the power to be a loving person who brings joy to the 9:00 a.m. For the People of the Parish world, the power to be a sign of God's Resurrection promise. 11:00 a.m. Bill Opolka - Think for a moment: Louis the XIV -- the king who said, "I Mr. & Mrs. Roger Aho am the State," who built the most extravagantly lavish palace AN ALTERNATIVE TO MASS INTENTIONS at Versailles. Louis the XIV was called "The Sun King" Around this time of year, it can be challenging to find a because of his glittering, decadent reign. Who was a more Mass date and time that hasn’t already been reserved for powerful king than Louis the XIV? Thousands of people had someone. Please keep in mind, you may offer your come to his funeral service, filling the Cathedral and spilling remembrance or intentions for a loved one or friend by out into the square beyond. When the Bishop of Paris mounted the pulpit to preach the eulogy for the great "Sun King," he dedicating the Sanctuary Candle or Eucharistic Elements spoke just four words. "Only God is great," he said. Then he in lieu of a Mass Intention. left the pulpit to continue the service. This is precisely what

Reservations for the 2022 calendar year’s Mass Jesus, the man who would not be king, is trying to tell us. We Intentions will be available beginning in October 2021. experience the power within us when we live in total Please make a note of this. Thank you. dependence on the greatness of God, for God alone is great.

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH IRON MOUNTAIN, MI

SAINT MILESTONE WEDDING ANNIVERSARY JOSEPH’S CELEBRATION TOOLBOX Couples celebrating their 25th, 30th, 40th, 45th, 50th or LITTLE above anniversaries, as well as newlyweds are invited KNOWN along with their families to the annual Milestone FACTS Wedding Anniversary Celebration. Due to last year’s cancellation, those celebrating last year and this are included.  Veneration of him goes back at least to the Golden anniversary couples 9th century. An early title used to honor him are additionally invited to was nutritor Domini, meaning “guardian of the submit information and Lord.” photos for publication in The  He has 2 feast days. The Solemnity of St. U.P. newspaper. The Joseph is March 19th (if this falls on a weekday celebration will be at St. Peter during Lent, you can break your fast!), and the Cathedral in Marquette on Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, Feast of St. Joseph the Worker is May 1st. Of beginning with Mass at 3:30 p.m. ET. Please visit course, he’s also included in the Feast of the www.dioceseofmarquette.org/mwa for the registration (December 30th, or thereabouts), form. and he’s certainly a part of the Christmas story. EUCHARISTIC OVERSHADOWING  He’s the patron of a bunch of stuff. He is the The miracle of the loaves and fishes is directly patron of the Universal Church, a happy death, connected with the discourses at Capernaum where Jesus families, fathers, expectant mothers, travelers, reveals Himself to us in the Real Presence as “the bread immigrants, craftsmen, engineers, and workers. of life” (6:35, 48). The multiplication takes place when He’s also the patron of the Americas, Canada, “Passover was near” (v4), similar to when the Last China, Croatia, Mexico, Korea, Austria, Supper took place (Mk 14:12). In verse 11, Jesus Belgium, Peru, the Philippines and Vietnam. So “took…gave thanks, and distributed…” The Greek for start asking for his intercession! “give thanks” is ‘eucharisteo’ which gives us the word  Josephology is a thing. Among the sub- Eucharist. This same Eucharistic overtone appears again disciplines of , you’ve probably heard in verses 12-13 where, interesting enough, the fish are of and . But did you no longer mentioned. Jesus speaks exclusively of the know there’s Josephology now? Of course, St. bread and the care to be taken with remaining fragments. Joseph has been a figure of theological interest In verse 15, St. John points out the crowd had failed to for centuries. But only in the 20th century did understand what just happened since they wanted “to some people start to gather the Church’s insights make him King.” Jesus fed the people bread for their about him into a sub-discipline of its own. In the bodies; Moses did the same with manna in the desert, 1950s, three centers dedicated to the study of St. but the ultimate “sign” (v14) of this miracle points to Joseph were opened: one in Spain, one in Italy, Jesus as the Bread of Life, particularly in the Eucharist. and one in Canada. OUR LADY OF LOURDES GROTTO St. Joseph, Pray for Us! RENOVATIONS

KEEP INFORMED Renovations to the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes will If you are interested in being kept informed at both State begin soon. The entire cost of renovations is and National levels on issues and interests of importance approximately $5,000. Donations are being accepted for Catholics, Bishop John Doerfler encourages you to toward this project and can be made payable to sign up for notices from the following websites: Church “Grotto Enhancement”. This donation can be in Michigan Catholic Conference: memory of a family www.micatholic.org/advocacy/catholic-advocacy- member, friend, or anyone network devoted to Our Lady and

the . United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: www.votervoice.net/USCCB/home The grotto’s fountain will

FALL BAZAAR be restored along with Immaculate Conception Parish will host its Annual Fall much-needed renovations Bazaar once again this October. More information will to the grotto dome, walls, be forthcoming. It will be so nice to have parishioners and flooring. and guests gather for the festivities once again!

INFORMATION FOR BULLETIN DUE BY: MONDAY AT NOON

SILVER TEA RAFFLE TICKETS AVAILABLE LITURGICAL MINISTRIES ~ July 31 - August 1 Raffle tickets are available for purchase EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS in the IC parish office. One Ticket for $1 4:00 p.m. Julie Mainville or 6 Tickets for $5. 9:00 a.m. Vince Fiorucci 11:00 a.m. Bob Paul Prizes include: Kayak, Paddle & Vest; Big Screen TV; Gas Grill; Diamond Earrings; Baby Stroller/Car Seat LECTORS 4:00 p.m. John Gaudette Combo; and Handmade Quilt. 9:00 a.m. Rick Popp BBCS RAFFLE WINNERS 11:00 a.m. Joyel Brule July 16 Drawing ALTAR SERVERS 1st Place DM & G’s Inc. $600 4:00 p.m. Sally Mattord 2nd Place Don Zambon $300 9:00 a.m. Cameron Gartland, Pete LaFleur 3rd Place Henry McRoberts $150 11:00 a.m. Cathy Carobine 4th Place Gale & Linda Michaud $150 USHERS

FRIENDS OF BISHOP BARAGA CATHOLIC 4:00 p.m. Fran Formolo, Tom Menza SCHOOL RAFFLE TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW 9:00 a.m. Paul Maycunich, Scott McClure 11:00 a.m. Dave Antonetti, Stan Kaczmarek The 2021-22 Friends of Bishop Baraga Raffle ticket reservation forms are now available. Only 100 tickets COUNTERS ~ Monday, July 26 will be sold at $1,200 each. There will be a total of Karen Altobelli, Winnie Fornetti $60,000 in giveaways with $5,000 in CASH prizes every PARISH SUPPORT ~ July 18 month for one full year! Each ticket is good for twelve Parish Weekly Budgeted Operating Expenses . $4,051.00 drawings. Winning tickets are re-entered into the raffle Weekly Budgeted Assessed School Subsidy ... $ 962.00 for subsequent drawings. If you are unable to purchase (School Subsidy-52 weeks for total of $50,000 per year) an entire ticket put a family or group ticket together. Total Weekly Budgeted Expenses ...... $5,013.00 Ticket sales end July 30 with the first drawing August This Week’s Support ...... $3,545.00 10, 2021. For more information or to purchase your (Includes Assessable receipts: Ordinary Income, Holy ticket, contact the BBCS School Office at 774-2277 or Day, Monthly Sacrifice, Children, Utilities, ACH, and stop by during office hours Tuesday, Wednesday, the above offerings that come in during the week) Thursday from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Visitors/Loose ...... $489.00

CHAPEL OF PERPETUAL ADORATION Total ...... $4,034.00 Expenses over Income ...... ($979.00) “The time you spend with Jesus in the Blessed is the best time that you will spend on YOUR PRAYER S ARE NEEDED earth.” ~ Mother Teresa of Calcutta Please pray for our parishioners in For more information or to volunteer, call Lu Nursing Homes, Assisted Living, are Menghini at 282-6909 or Barb Broullire at 221- homebound and for those who suffer in 9707. Visit www.theadorationchapel.com. silence.

THE WIDOW’S OFFERING If you would like to join the prayer line or if you have a “He sat down opposite prayer request, please contact Yvonne at 774-5730.

the treasury and SCRIP AVAILABLE observed how the Remember scrip is available in the parish office. A crowd put money into percentage of proceeds is returned to Immaculate the treasury. Many rich Conception’s Faith Formation Program each year. people put in large sums. A poor widow also came and put in two small When making purchases, coins worth a few cents. Calling his disciples to himself, please patronize our bulletin advertisers. he said to them, ‘Amen, I say to you, this poor widow This week’s featured advertiser: put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.’” ~Mark 12:41-44

God has given us two hands, one to receive with and the other to give with. Our parish bulletin is available online at: www.dioceseofmarquette.org/icparishironmountain