St. Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

. Martinez . . September 30 . 2018 .

Pray the Daily

October is Respect Life Month

St. Catherine of Siena Parish follows Jesus by welcoming all, sharing our & giving glory to God.

PARISH & SCHOOL STAFF MINISTRIES/ORGANIZATIONS CONTACTS

Altar Servers

Fr. Anthony Huong Le, Parochial Administrator in or continuing serving Before ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Jack Watkins.…...……………………………….925-957-0437

Deacon Albert Dizon Deacon Holland Art and Environment [email protected] [email protected] TBA…………………..…………………………925-228-2230

Jessica Griswold, Principal Mea Auld, PreSchool Director Bingo Catherine Elementary School [email protected] Don Brocca …………………………………….925-858-7330 [email protected] [email protected] Catholic Youth Organization - CYO 925-228-4140 925-229-2255 Gina Marks………………………….………… 925-817-9429

RCIA Andrea Watkins Children’s Liturgy of the Word Parish Office Director Religious Education Debbie Frieberg………………………….……. 925-212-7465 [email protected] Safe Environment Coordinator Communications [email protected] Eugene Dizon……………………….………… 925-370-8143

Troy Killorn Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion your ministry, complete Director of Music Ministry Diana Palmer Viviana & Marty Magee……………… ………... 925-228-6460 Bookkeeper Faith Formation - Religious Education (PreK-8th Grades) Sylvia Lloren Safe Environment Coordinator Andrea Watkins………………………..Ext 30 925-228-2230 Secretary [email protected] Finance ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ - CHURCH LOCATION: 606 Mellus Street, Martinez, CA Don Brocca...925-229-4158 and Dennis Koller...925-335-9395 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ - Grief Ministry/Card Ministry PARISH OFFICE AND 1125 Ferry Street, Mary Cook……………………….…………….. 925-229-2665 MAILING ADDRESS: Martinez, CA 94553-1720 Guadalupe Society TELEPHONE / FAX: 925-228-2230 / 925-228-1318 Guadalupe Cruz………………………………... 925-997-2432 PARISH WEBSITE: www.stcmtz.org Hospital/Sick/Homebound

PARISH EMAIL: [email protected] Tom Greerty / ..…….………… 925-228-4387 the Diocesan required Safe Environment for Children Project Training @ SUBMISSIONS: [email protected] Ignite ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ - Cindy Buscaglia……………….………………... 925-787-8396 OFFICE HOURS: Mon-Fri 8:30 AM-1PM & 2 PM-5 PM Italian Catholic Federation - ICF ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ GRAMMAR SCHOOL: 604 Mellus Street, Martinez, CA Tom Cook……………………………………... 925-229-2665 TELEPHONE / FAX: 925-228-4140 / 925-228-0697 - K of C Rik Silva………………………………………….925-334-2429 SCHOOL WEBSITE: http://school.stcatherinemartinez.com/~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ - La Communidad Latina PRE SCHOOL: 1125 Ferry Street, Martinez, CA Lucia Cruz……………………………………… 925-348-2620 TELEPHONE / FAX: 925-229-2255 / 925-229-2474 Lectors ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ - Deacon Albert Dizon……………………….….. 925-370-8143 SAFE ENVIRONMENT: www.virtusonline.org ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Legion of Mary BAPTISMS: Registration is mandatory two months prior to Bobby Kiefer…………………….……………. 925-658-1442 Baptism. Parents & Godparents are required to attend a manda- Loaves & Fishes tory Baptism preparation class before reception of the Sacrament. Denice Silva…………………………………….. 925-372-0740 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ - MARRIAGES: Arrangements and mandatory preparation need Maintenance to be arranged at least eight months prior to the wedding. Troy Killorn……………………….…………... 925-228-2230 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ - Mary Help of Christians - MHC FUNERALS: We recommend using Catholic Funeral and Margarita Flores……………………………….. 925-812-1279 Cemetery Services at 925-932-0900. A representative will Pastoral Advisory Council contact the parish office to coordinate your arrangements. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ - Karen Glen….925-788-7716 & Karen Sandri….925-370-7997 BULLETIN SUBMISSIONS: To place an announcement in Respect Life the bulletin, email request to: [email protected]. Linda Easterday ……………………….……….. 925-372-3845 The deadline for requests is no later than noon on Fridays one Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults - RCIA week prior to the date of the bulletin in which the Fr. Anthony Huong Le……………………….… 925-228-2230 Safe Environment for Children Project - SECP announcement is requested to appear. Andrea Watkins………………………..Ext 30 925-228-2230 EARLY DEADLINES: Closely watch early deadlines imposed SECP: No More Secrets - Survivor Outreach by the publisher and plan ahead accordingly. Deadline for Oct 7 Sherrie Hammon………………………………..925-372-6091 has passed. The next deadline for submissions for the weekend San Lorenzo Ruiz Community - SLRC Esther Concepcion….………………………… 925-381-1835 of Oct 14 all items must be submitted by Fri, Oct 5 by noon. Please www.virtusonline.org . Thank you. direct your inquiries to the email above. Thank you. Social Awareness Anne Crisp …………………………………... 925-356-8822 Spark (young adult group ages 18 years to 35 years) LITURGY SCHEDULE TBA ….………………………………………… 925-228-2230 Stewardship

SATURDAY: 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM Karen Glen……………………………………..925-788-7716 SUNDAY: 7:00 AM Sociedade Portuguesa Rainha Santa Isabel - SPRSI 8:30 AM Children’s Liturgy of the Word Annette Liberty……………………… ……… 925-228-8428 10:30 AM St. Vincent de Paul Society - SVdP 12:30 PM Spanish Karen Glen …………………………………….. 925-788-7716 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ - Ushers WEEKDAYS: 8:00 AM (Thursday is a Communion Service) ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ - James McLaughlin………………………………. 925-228-1051 HOLY DAYS: 8:00 AM, 12:10 PM and 7:00 PM ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ - Young Ladies Institute - YLI

ADORATION: Fridays from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM Peggy Hagerthy …………………………………925-228-2628 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Youth Group/Confirmation (High School 9 to 12 Grades) RECONCILIATION: Saturdays from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM Paul & Jenny Holland…………………………….925-890-6229 As the passage goes on to say: Behold, the wages you From the Desk withheld from the workers who harvested your fields are of Deacon crying aloud, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. You have lived on earth in Albert Dizon luxury and pleasure; you have fattened your hearts for the

day of slaughter. You have condemned; you have mur- 26th Sunday Ordinary Time, Year B dered the righteous one; he offers you no re- One of the signs of the times these sistance. (James 5:4-6) days is the popularity of what has And this, my dear friends in Christ, is our CALL TO come to be known, as the prosperity gospel. This is the STEWARDSHIP. St. James warns those who hoard their gospel that you hear in most mega churches and minis- wealth and live only for themselves will be condemned. In tries on the television (televangelists), a gospel that prom- the Gospel, Jesus assures us: that ALL who give of them- ises the true believer instant prosperity. Material wealth, selves for Christ’s sake, will be rewarded. good health, and desirable relationships are dangled like a The second form of abuse is found in those who may carrot before prospective believers - as God's unfailing have gotten their wealth by honest means but who use blessings to all who believe. One reason why prosperity the wealth just to indulge themselves. Jesus gives us an gospel has become so popular today is that traditional example of this form of abuse in the Parable of the Rich Christianity has for a long time embraced and preached an Fool who laid up his wealth and said to his soul, anti-prosperity gospel. God is not anti-prosperity. "Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; Today's second reading from the Letter of James is relax, eat, drink, be merry." But God said to him, "You one of the Scripture passages that, if not understood well, fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. could lead one to conclude that the Christian gospel is And the things you have prepared, whose will they opposed to wealth. be?" (Luke 12:19-20) “Come now, you rich, weep and wail over your im- Wealth, like every other blessing of God, is given to us pending miseries. Your wealth has rotted away, your in trust so that we may serve God with it. God does not clothes have become moth-eaten, your gold and silver give us His blessings for our self-gratification. To use have corroded, and that corrosion will be a testimony wealth simply for self-indulgence is an abuse of wealth. against you; it will devour your flesh like a fire.” (James 5:1-3) Finally, there are those who see wealth as the most im- This sounds like a direct denouncement of wealth, a portant thing in life. They trust in wealth for security, ra- condemnation of the rich. The rich are told to weep for ther than in God. For such people, wealth has become the misery that is in store for them. The image of rust another god. It is to such people that Jesus gave the teach- eating the flesh of the rich like fire is frightening. This is ing that "No slave can serve two masters; for a slave will enough to make the committed Christian believe that either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to there is something seriously wrong with being rich. Some the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and Christians would be better off today financially, were it wealth" (Luke 16:13). Materialism and the Christian faith not for such a deep seated belief that money is evil and cannot go together; it is either the one or the other. that to be very wealthy is to be very evil. Yet the belief A good example of this Christian faith, who gave up all that money is essentially evil is neither found in the Letter by dying for his faith, is San Lorenzo Ruiz de - of James nor in the rest of the Bible. whose Feast Day we celebrate on the 28th of this month But wait a minute! Doesn't the Bible say that money is of September. San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila (c. 1600 - the root of all evil? Not at all. The Bible does not say that 1630), a Filipino layman, and companions were martyred money is the root of all evil. What the Bible says is this in . He and his companions were beatified by (now read carefully): St. John Paul II in 1981 in Manila, in the first-ever beatifica- “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils, tion ceremony held outside . He was canon- and in their eagerness to be rich, some have wandered ized in in 1987 as the first canonized Filipino saint. away from the faith and pierced themselves with many At his martyrdom he declared, "I am a Catholic and pains.”(1Timothy6:10) wholeheartedly do accept death for the Lord; if I had a Money is NOT the root of all evil; it is people's love, thousand lives, all these I would offer to Him." eagerness and craving for money that is the root of all Today, James warns us against the abuse of wealth. He evil. The problem is not with the money, the problem is in does not warn us against wealth but against its abuse. Let a person's excessive desire for wealth. The Bible con- demns the abuse of wealth. Abuse of wealth can take us ask God to give us a balanced Christian attitude to three forms: a) how one acquires it, b) how one uses it, wealth: in the way we acquire it, in the way we use it and and c) how one invests one's heart in it. especially share them generously to others (our call to The first form of abuse is seen in those who exploit Stewardship), and in the way we invest our hearts in the poor to get rich. Apparently, the rich who are con- it. AMEN. demned by James belong to this class. —-Deacon Albert Dizon WEEK-AT-A-GLANCE PARISH STEWARDSHIP

Week-at-a-glance dates, times, and locations are taken from the web SEPTEMBER 23, 2018 CONTRIBUTIONS site calendar: www.stcmtz.org. If further clarification is needed, please

contact the parish office at 925.228-2230 extension 0. Sunday Collection $11,599.00 Sunday, 9/30 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time ’ Retirement $ 884.00

Off site QuiCK Retreat 8:00 AM PH Hospitality—HOST NEEDED Thank you for your continued generosity! 2:00 PM CH Baptisms REMEMBER ST. CATHERINE PARISH IN YOUR WILL & LIVING TRUST St. Vincent de Paul Collection Monday, 10/1 St. Therese of Lisieux, pray for us VOICE COLLECTION TODAY 6:30 PM PC Ignite Scripture Study with Clergy Today is Catholic Voice Sunday. The 7:00 PM PC Knights of Columbus Officers’ Mtg second collection is the annual request Tuesday, 10/2 Holy Guardian Angels, pray for us. to support the only regular source of 2:30 PM SC Blessing of the Animals Catholic news and information in the 6:00 PM CH Choir Rehearsal . Your $25 donation pays 7:00 PM PH YLI Meeting your share. Please make checks payable to St. Catherine; Wednesday, 10/3 St. , pray for us. it will help defray the parish’s cost. You can receive The 5:00 PM PH Children’s Choir Rehearsal Voice by mail; pick up El Heraldo Catolico at Span- 6:00 PM CH/SC Faith Formation PreK-8th Grades ish language Masses or visit 6:30 PM PCL Legion of Mary Meeting www.catholicvoiceoakland.org or see us on Facebook. If 7:00 PM PC Baptism Preparation you are not receiving The Voice, please let Sylvia in the 7:30 PM CH Choir Rehearsal parish office know @ 228-2230 extension 0 and we will Thursday, 10/4 St. , pray for us. add you to the list. Thank you for your support. 7:00 PM CH Lectors Meeting 7:00 PM PC Baptism Preparation (Spanish) Italian Catholic Federation Friday, 10/5 St. , pray for us. Annual Family Polenta, Chicken & 12:00 PM CH Adoration Sausage Dinner in Parish Hall 5:00 PM CH Benediction SAT. OCT 20 @ 6 PM Saturday, 10/6 St. , pray for us. Benefitting Seminary & Scholarship Funds, Off site QUIK Retreat National & St. Catherine Respect Life 9:30 AM PCL SVdP Food Distribution $20=Adults 13yrs+ $8=children 6-12 yrs 3:00 PM CH Reconciliation FREE = Children 5 yrs and under 5:30 PM CH Blessing of the Animals TICKETS ON SALE AFTER MASSES OR Sunday, 10/7 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time CALL FOR INFO 925-229-2665 Respect Life Sunday 8:00 AM PH Hospitality—Respect Life hosts 2018 ANNUAL RESPECT LIFE GATHERING 2:00 PM CH Baptisms SAT, NOV 3 from 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM 3:45 PM PCL Confirmation Prep Class Cathedral of Christ the Light 6:00 PM PCL Youth Group For prayer, fellowship & to share best practices

CH = Church RC = Rectory SC = School with others working to protect & promote life! PH = Parish Hall YD = School Yard YS: Youth Shack RSVP at www.oakdiocese.org/respectlife

The Communications Committee has depleted its supply of IGNITE WEEKLY BIBLE faith sharing articles? Won’t you consider submitting one? HOW TO SUBMIT AN ARTICLE FOR FAITH SHARING: STUDY . MONDAYS . Consider sharing with us your faith journey, your walk with Our 6:30—7:45 PM Parish Center Lord. How has He worked in you for the good of others? Articles should be between 300-500 words, your own testimo- Do you want to learn more about the nial to your Catholic faith, and submitted with a portrait to Catholic faith? Do you want to receive [email protected]. By making a personal submission the Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist, to the bulletin, you agree to having your words edited, printed, and shared by the Parish and Communications Committee and and/or Confirmation? For info about St. agree to a photo release of your image. Consider this, please. Catherine of Siena RCIA program, please call the parish office to join us HOW TO SUBMIT AN ENTRY FOR AMONG US: beginning on Friday, October 12 @ 7 PM Did you catch someone or group doing something good? [email protected] or 925-228-2230 Helping our neighbors in need? Acts of faith in and around our parish and school? Please let us know about it by emailing [email protected] and insert “Saints Among DIOCESE OF OAKLAND Us” in the subject line. WEDDING ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION HOW TO SUBMIT A QUESTION: Whether young or young- SUN, OCT 21 @ 10:00 AM er, do you have a question about the mechanics of the Mass, CATHEDRAL OF CHRIST THE LIGHT the traditions, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, or its $25/anniversary couple & $10 each guest teachings? Submit your questions to bulletinsubmis- Must reserve by Oct 12th at [email protected] and insert “Q&A” in the subject line. www.oakdiocese.org/anniversary or Questions will be answered by members of the clergy and/or Call Laura @ 510-267-8395 those with knowledge of the subject inquiry. INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK ST. CATHERINE SCHOOL NEWS A Lumen Christi Academy School SAT 9/29 4:30 Alberto Costa † SUN 9/30 7:00 Theodore & Theresa Farley † 8:30 Thomas & Eva Hernandez & Fam. † 10:30 Reynaldo Lejano † 12:30 Int. St. Catherine of Siena Parish MON 10/1 8:00 Kirk & Brydie Kuykendall † TUE 10/2 8:00 Ray Martellacci †

WED 10/3 8:00 Int. school children & their families FRI 10/5 8:00 Rev. James McGee † St. Catherine of SAT 10/6 8:00 Int. John & Jenny Concepcion— Siena School Anniversary Blessings Students in 4:30 Walter, Narodzonek, & Action:

Jenny Samuels † Science and SUN 10/7 7:00 Ernest Fio † 8:30 Alberto Costa † technology are the 10:30 Maria Cerri † main focus areas 12:30 Int. St. Catherine of Siena Parish this year at St.

Call the Parish Office @ 228-2230 for Mass Catherine School! intentions. They make special gifts for birthdays, giving thanks, anniversaries, Third grade healing, or thinking of you. student, Katie Salazar, uses her In honor of the Feast of St. Francis ANIMAL BLESSINGS laptop computer

TUE, OCT 2 @ 2:30 PM to edit her own St. Catherine School Yard writing. SAT, OCT 6 @ 5:30 PM Steps of St. Catherine Church Third through fifth

Please bring your fluffy, feathered, or grade students scaly friends on leashes, in cages, or tethered for this annual blessing. combine for a STEM activity with SAN LORENZO RUIZ Mrs. Vallejo. Pic- COMMUNIUTY FIESTA tured left to right: SAT, SEP 29, 4:30 PM COMMUNITY MASS Arianna Rosselli, procession in Mass with San Lorenzo Ruiz statue Angie Gomes and Followed by a Light Pot-Luck Dinner, Raffle Addison Cooley. All are Welcome! Good Food! Good Company! Free! MARK YOUR CALENDARS

KNOW THE ANGELS: Make yourself SCS AUCTION ~ SAT, FEB 23, 2019 familiar with the angels, and be- hold them frequently in spirit. SCS GOLF Without being seen, they are pre- TOURNAMENT SAT, MAR 30, 2019 sent with you. —St.

Blue Mass—Thanksgiving Mass for Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @stcathmtz Public Servants

SUN. OCT 7 @ 10 AM at the Cathedral Facebook.com/oakdiocese www.facebook.com/ oakdiocese All who provide public services are Twitter.com/oakdiocese www.twitter.com/ encouraged to attend especially oakdiocese first responders & law enforcement. Linkedin: Diocese of Oakland www. linkedin.com/company/diocese-of-oakland

MARTINEZ HOME TOUR

Sat, Oct. 13 @ 10 AM to 4 PM Explore eight beautiful homes & gardens

plus St. Catherine Church & School. Info: [email protected] and to purchase tickets: www.martinezhometour.com

Are you interested in serving as a docent for our church for one day? For this Home Tour, St. Catherine Church is in need of several parishioners to guide visitors through the church on Saturday, October 13 from 10 AM to 2 PM. If you have the time and the interest, please see Fr. Anthony about signing-up for this one day fun event.

St. Catherine of Siena IGNITE team is offering an eight-week In this compilation of three episodes from his classic bible study by Jeff Cavins and television program, "Life is Worth Living," Bishop Fulton Sarah Christmyer with two Sheen delivers his thoughts on various elements of the Catholic Faith with his ever-present humor, animated opportunities to participate: presentation, and captivating mode of speaking. In the either on Wednesday evenings from first segment, "Angels," Bishop Sheen explicates the nature of angels and the meaningful role they play in our 6:00 to 7:15 PM beginning OCT 10 or world. In the second, "The Touch of Your Hand," Bishop Saturday mornings from 11 AM to Sheen delves into the beautiful truth that through His love, 12:30 PM beginning OCT 13. God makes us lovable, and we can effect this same transformation in our neighbor. Lastly, in "Caring," Bishop Register now with Carolyn Susin @ Sheen insists on the need to love our visible 925-408-5496. Workbook is $19.95 + neighbors, and through these caring acts, love our invisible God. Run Time: 1 hr. 19 mins. shipping. You’ll be glad you did. This feature can be enjoyed through the Birthright of Concord Fall Dinner & Fundraiser SCS ACCESS: Saturday, October 20 @ 5:30 PM Go to Internet Explorer and click https://formed.org. @ St. Mary’s Church Hall, Walnut Creek Enter Code: XPTJK8 (case sensitive) Guest Speaker: Dawn Perez Tickets $40 purchase online at SCS VIKING FUN RUN birthrightdinner.eventbrite.com SUPPORT ST. CATHERINE Catholics@Work STUDENTS & FR. ANTHONY Bishop J. Aquila will be the guest speaker in an evening You can sponsor any student and/ program to be held at St. Raymond Parish, 11555 Shannon Ave, or Fr. Anthony in the school-wide Dublin on October 8 @ 7:00 PM. Oakland Bishop Michael run. We're striving for high partic- Barber will join Aquila for the event. A free-will ipation, so please know that no offering to cover expenses will be collected. Please register online in advance at www.CatholicAtWork.org amount of sponsorship is too small! Call the School office at 228-4140 for details or see any SCS student. Thanks. Divorce Support Workshops A weekly healing group and study will be 2018 MARIAN CONFERENCE offered every Tuesday at St. “With Mary, we say YES to the Lord!” Parish, 2601 San Ramon Valley Blvd. This October 12-13, 2018 Workshop begins at 7:00 PM This is a video Immaculate Heart of Mary Church series by DivorceCare. For questions or to 500 Fairview Avenue, Brentwood register, please email Rosemarie McKenney The Marian Conference is a celebration of the blessed [email protected] Mary and is designed with the family in mind, RESPECT LIFE SUNDAY having special focus on the important role of the par- ents and the youth in building up the Church beginning is next week, October 7, 2018 with their own homes, the domestic Church. Themes It is God who gives life. Let us include catechesis, evangelization, Divine Mercy and respect and love human life, consecration. especially vulnerable life in To register call the office at 925-634-4145 or visit a mother’s womb. ihmbrentwood.com/marianconference Muir Oaks Veterinary Hospital REAL ESTATE $500 Donated to GROUP St. Catherine of 1180 MuirRoad, Martinez Associates of EXP Realty Siena for every completed 372-9200 transaction Melody Herder-Jimison, D.V.M. Chuck Barberini REALTOR - CalBRE #01324660 925-963-6606 www.ChuckBarberini.com [email protected]

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Serving the Martinez Catholic Community Since 1921 OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK Full Service Cremation & Burial Redwood - Cyclone Fencing - Patio - Decking “Let’s Keep the Tradition” 925-229-8890 Pinole (510) 724-8753 990 San Pablo Ave. 925.228.4700 www.parkwaysmilesdental.com Walnut Creek (925) 927-4662 2450 Camino Diablo www.connolly-taylorchapel.com JANET CONCEPCION-MANALO, DDS Burlingame (650) 401-3500 1410 Broadway 1029 Arnold Dr., Ste. 9 • Martinez, CA Concord (925) 686-1734 2231 Monument Blvd. 4000 Alhambra Avenue | Martinez, CA FD 154 913130 St Catherine of Siena Church www.jspaluch.com For Ads: J.S. Paluch Co., Inc. 1-800-231-0805 READINGS & REFLECTIONS FOR THE WEEK SUN, SEP 30, 2018: FEAST OF MICHAEL, , AND THU, OCT 4, 2018: MEMORIAL OF FRANCIS OF ASSISI , Help from on high Extreme makeover Talk of hellfire was motivating in earlier generations. If it’s a “Repair my church,” said the voice of God to Francis of Assisi, choice between eternal flames or fear of the Lord, what sane who was praying in the dilapidated church of St. Damian. Fran- person wouldn’t take the high road? These days, we seem to be post-hell and past fear. It’s difficult for some of us to find the cis got to work, immediately cleaning and repairing and restor- proper motivation to live justly, especially when it requires an ing that disheveled building. It took him a while to realize God uncomfortable amount of sacrifice. So here’s a fear worth fear- had greater plans for Francis’ repair and reform movement than ing: hurting the one we love most. We say we love God; God just one tiny chapel. But we can learn from Francis. When cherishes the vulnerable and the poor. Pray for, share with, and God’s call comes, we don’t have to understand it completely. raise your voice for those in need. We would do well to get busy tending to the challenges right in Today's readings: Numbers 11:25-29; James 5:1-6; Mark 9:38- 43, 45, 47-48 (137). You have lived on earth in luxury and front of us: at home, on the , in the neighborhood, and in pleasure; you have fattened your hearts for the day of slaughter.” the church. Today's readings: Job 19:21-27; Luke 10:1-12 (458)."The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few.” MON, OCT 1, 2018: MEMORIAL OF THÉRÈSE OF THE FRI, OCT 5, 2018: Big cities, bright light of the world CHILD JESUS, VIRGIN, God is in the details The biblical towns of Tyre and Sidon might bring to mind some modern-day big cities: prosperous, bustling, cosmopolitan—and Saint Thérèse of Lisieux (1873-97), also known as the “little spiritually hungry. Early in Jesus’ ministry people from these flower of Jesus,” entered a convent at the tender age of 15 and distant port cities heard about the things Jesus was doing and, only lived to 24. She lived with the kind of childlike innocence though they were in some sense outsiders, they responded that Jesus praises in today’s gospel, as evidenced in her autobi- with more enthusiasm than many of those who were closer to ography, Story of a Soul, which is filled with insight and charm. Jesus. Jesus held up these “pagan” cities as models of what was Thérèse believed in doing simple things with great care and possible when people react out of a genuine desire for spiritual nourishment. Respond to the gospel with enthusiasm, and your love. “To pick up a pin with love can convert a soul,” she said, spirit will be rewarded. as she fulfilled her humble chores. As you go about your daily Today's readings: Job 38:1, 12-21; 40:3-5; Luke 10:13-16 (459). routine today, try to do one small thing with great love—who “If the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Tyre knows whose soul you may end up touching! and Sidon, they would long ago have repented.” Today's readings: Job 1:6-22; Luke 9:46-50 (455). “For the one who is least among all of you is the one who is the greatest." SAT, OCT 6, 2018: MEMORIAL OF BRUNO, Silence is golden TUE, OCT 2, 2018: MEMORIAL OF THE HOLY GUARDIAN ANGELS Someone to watch over me Maybe because Saint Bruno (1030-1101) led such an active life—nearly 20 years a teacher at the prestigious cathedral According to Catholic tradition, everyone has a personal angel school in Reims, France; joining Pope Gregory VII to denounce guarding their bodily and spiritual well-being. “Beside each be- the decadence of bishops who acted more like royal princes liever,” said the fourth-century theologian and bishop Saint Bas- than the Prince of Peace; helping depose the violent aristocratic il, “stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading [them] to Archbishop Manassess—this celebrated priest and chancellor life”—and he should know, having been called the “revealer of resigned his church positions, gave away his money, and retired with six companions to a hermitage. Though nudged to become heavenly mysteries”! Guardian angels remind you that you are a bishop himself, at the urging of his former pupil Pope Urban II, always in the presence of God and should act accordingly. They Bruno and friends went on living together in silence, founding also remind you that God is with others, whom you should the Carthusian order of monks. Bruno reminds us that the treat accordingly. more chaotic our life becomes, the more we need to balance it Today's readings: Job 3:1-3, 11-17, 20-23 (456); Matthew 18:1- with silence. Today's readings: Job 42:1-3, 5-6, 12-17; Luke 5, 10 (650). "See that you do not despise one of these little 10:17-24 (460). “Although you have hidden these things from ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike.” upon the face of My Heavenly Father.” SUN, OCT 7, 2018: TWENTY-SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDI- WED, OCT 3, 2018: Science in service of the sacred NARY TIME Join the Church of yes An appreciation of science does not detract from our sense of wonder and awe at the mystery and beauty of the universe. It’s all too easy to fall into the identity of the “Church of no”: Rather it enhances our understanding of how “all things work capitalizing on Thou Shalt Nots and prohibitions as if being together for the good”: from the tiniest invisible particles to the against things is the best or only route to sanctity. Church vast forces that govern galaxies. As the Catechism of the Cath- teaching on divorce, after all, is more about respecting marriage olic Church says, “Science and technology are precious than rejecting those who fail at it. We lose sight of how essen- resources” that benefit humanity. Yet “by themselves they can- tial it is to be for things: not simply against casual or serial mar- not disclose the meaning of existence and of human progress.” Scientific accomplishments must always be at the service of the riages but supportive of those all around us struggling to make their fami- human person. To discern that, we look to a higher source. lies work. How do you defend, not “marriage,” but real marriages? Today's readings: Job 9:1-12, 14-16; Luke 9:57-62 (457). Today's readings: Genesis 2:18-24; Hebrews 2:9-11; Mark 10:2- “[God] does great things past finding out, marvelous things 16 or 10:2-12 (140). “It is not good for the man to be alone. I beyond reckoning.” will make a suitable partner for him.”