FAITH FORMATION Saint Bonaventure We Outgrow Many Things; Faith Doesn't Have to Be One of Them
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SAINT BONAVENTURE CHURCH 24TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME | SEPTEMBER 13, 2020 As Christian stewards, our mission is to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all people through word, sacrament, service and community life. Page two 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time PARISH MANAGER'S UPDATE Pastor's Corner As mentioned last week, the temporary fence around the Hall has been installed, creating the Learning Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Plaza for the use of our School. This temporary fence will be replaced Again and again in the Gospels, we hear Jesus demanding that his by a more permanent, and more disciples forgive those who have sinned against them. In Matthew attractive fencing later this month. chapter six, Jesus tells us how to pray and that prayer includes: “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against The mail slot on the side of the Parish us” (Matthew 6:12). In another translation we hear, “Forgive us Center that has been used to receive our debts, as we forgive our debtors." Seeing sin as a debt is very mail, donations and church keys will important. Sin is a debt that we could never pay back. No matter how soon be inaccessible since it will be many prayers or good actions we do, these could never be enough to behind the new fencing. In its place free us from the debt of our sins. It is only through the mercy of God is a wall-mounted mailbox located manifested through the suffering and death of the Son of God, our just outside the front doors of the Lord Jesus Christ, that the debt of our sin is forgiven. We are called Parish Center, next to the kiosk with by the Lord to forgive as the Lord has forgiven us. the bulletin boards. Please start using this mailbox for everything that you In this Sunday’s Gospel Reading, Peter asked Jesus, "Lord, if my have been placing in the mail slot. brother sins against me, how often must I forgive? As many as seven We just learned that Orange County times?” It sounded like Peter was hoping that Jesus would say he has moved from Tier 1 to Tier 2 on did not have to forgive that often. He got quite a shock when Jesus the California reopening guidelines answered, “I say to you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. scale. This means we can have 100 In other words, as often as someone sinned against him, Peter must people in the church for Masses, forgive. Jesus is demanding this from us as well. As often as someone but we need to maintain social sins against us, we must forgive. distancing, wear masks, clean the pews after each service, provide When someone has hurt us, sometimes we get angry and decide, audio speakers for those who will “I will never forgive him.” What if Jesus did this to us? Thank God be sitting outside, etc. As of today, he does forgive us. And what does Jesus demand that we do? He we are discussing our next steps. demands that we forgive our brother from our heart. (Matthew Optimistically, if we might soon 18:35) Jesus tells us, “If you forgive others their transgressions, move to Tier 3 which would allow your heavenly Father will forgive you. If you do not forgive others, 200 people in our church, we might neither will your heavenly Father forgive your transgressions. want to stay outside until then. If you (Matthew 6:14-15) are reading this bulletin at church, you probably already know what If you find it difficult to forgive someone who has sinned against you, we decided to do. please pray to the Lord to help you have the forgiving heart of Jesus the Son of God. Remember, for God, all things are possible including Congratulations to our school for giving you the ability to forgive those who have hurt you. “Ask and obtaining a waiver from California, it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door allowing students to return to our will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7). campus for the first time in nearly six months! Welcome back, Saints! Please be extra patient if you are on campus during the morning drop off or the afternoon pickup of students. The process is different this year due to COVID, and it will take a week or so to work out the bugs. —Charles Falzon, Parish Manager September 13, 2020 Page three MAKE-UP COLLECTION September 12-13 Combining Collections Cancelled Due To The Pandemic Holy Land (Good Friday) The Christian communities in the Holy Land, also exposed UPDATE on to the risk of contagion and Faith & Fellowship living in contexts already full As many of you may know, of serious sufferings, benefit we were planning on having every year from the generosity Fr. Robert Spitzer, S.J., speak at of the Faithful from all over Faith & Fellowship in September. the world. This solidarity At that time, we did not realize that enables them to continue their we would still be under restrictions evangelical presence, in addition of not being able to meet in person. to maintaining schools and social Many people, including Fr. Spitzer, structures that assist all citizens would like this occasion to happen with health care, education and in person as opposed to livestream. peaceful coexistence, attending Therefore, we are planning to have above all to the weakest and Fr. Spitzer be with us in person when that is a viable option for poorest. everyone. We will keep you updated as restrictions are lifted Parishes in Collaboration and people are comfortable meeting again in person. —Fr. Tran This collection is for the purpose of assisting parishes in the Diocese of Orange that exhibit ongoing needs that can not be DAILY REFLECTIONS with paid for by their ordinary income FR. QUAN TRAN and have urgent needs (such as Do you need a spiritual boost to repairs and maintenance). help you through the day? Check Universal Church Collection out Fr. Tran’s daily reflections on This special collection combines the readings of the weekday Mass at the Catholic Relief Services www.fullnessofgrace.org/daily-reflections. Collection and the Peter’s Pence Collection. CRS aids the poor by first providing direct assistance where needed, and then JOIN US FOR A encouraging these people to help with their own development. BIBLICAL ADVENTURE! The Peter’s Pence Collection Thursdays, October 1 – November 19 promotes and supports the works St. Bonaventure’s Bible Study group will embark on a Biblical adventure of our Holy Father, enabling him Thursday mornings at 9:30 a.m. starting October 1. Jeff Cavins will to respond with emergency explain the importance of Scripture to the Catholic Faith and consider financial assistance to victims of the reasons why many Catholics find it so hard to read the Bible. Using war, natural disasters, and others the Catechism of the Catholic Church and The Bible Timeline, he will walk us most in need of assistance. through the story of salvation using the fourteen narrative books of the Bible. All sessions will be via Zoom, and participants will have access to the program videos online. For sign-up information, please contact RESPECT Life Sandra at [email protected]. Sign up early to purchase your materials Horizon Pregnancy Clinic in plenty of time. Please join us for this spiritual adventure! Call 714-897-7500, text 657-204- 6507 or visit www.horizonpc.org. Page four 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time FAITH FORMATION Saint Bonaventure We outgrow many things; faith doesn't have to be one of them. CATHOLIC SCHOOL TK-Grade 8 Confirmation Parent Meeting This Week! Parent Meeting, Years 1 & 2, required Employment Opportunities 2020-2021 Tuesday, September 15 St. Bonaventure Catholic School is hiring! Go to 6 pm, Church Plaza stbonaventureschool.org for a detailed job description One or both parents need to attend this or email [email protected]. important meeting where we will outline the Instructional Aide: Non-Exempt – 10 Months program for the year, give you the materials Yard Duty Staff: Non-Exempt - 10 Months that you will need to support your child on this Substitute Teachers: St. Bonaventure Catholic School journey, and hand out all calendars. If you are is looking for credentialed teachers to join our on-call unable to physically attend, please join us via substitute teacher pool. If you hold a valid California livestream. The livestream link will be available teaching credential, contact Caleb McFerran, Assistant on September 15 at stbonaventure.org. Principal at [email protected]. Faith Formation Classes Are Beginning Admissions appointments available. Confirmation Years 1 & 2 begin September 20. Please email [email protected] or call Sunday Programs begin September 20. 714-846-2472x116. Tuesday and Wednesday classes begin September 23 and 24. We cannot wait for a year of being nourished and sheltered in faith! FAMILIES OF NAZARETH As we continue our journey of Faith, we would like to welcome parishioners Saint Bonaventure from all walks of life to a new season of Catholic Parish has a the Families of Nazareth Movement, communion of life Have wonderful ministry for with the Redeemer through Mary. questions? those who would like This time of Covid-19 gives us a special opportunity to find out more about to deepen our faith through the events of our daily We have the Catholic faith. The life and to move from the difficult to the meaningful. answers. ministry team is led by In the words of Pope Francis: "Under her maternal Alexis Heaverlo who guidance, Mary leads us to be more and more united has over 30 years experience.