Blessed Sacrament 1119 South Seventh Street, Quincy, IL 62301 Parish Office: 222-2759 Fax: 222-6463 School Office: 228-1477 E-Mail: [email protected] [email protected] Parish Email: [email protected] Parish Website: www.blessedsacramentqcy.org Diocesan Website: www.dio.org Blessed Sacrament Parish FATHER CHRIS’S COLUMN Quincy, Illinois AUGUST 11, 20 19 BACK TO SCHOOL 19TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME We are glad to welcome back our Students and PASTOR: Faculty this week. Pray that we will have a Reverend Christopher Comerford wonderful school year. 618-798-0343 PASTOR EMERITUS: 19TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Monsignor Michael Kuse 217-617-0099 We are born of the faith of our fathers, descend- SENIOR PRIESTS: ing from a great cloud of witnesses whose faith Reverend John Carberry is attested to on every page of Scripture Reverend John Kennedy (see Hebrews 12:1). We have been made His PERMANENT DEACON: people, chosen for His own inheritance, as we Deacon Terry Ellerman (Regina) sing in this Sunday’s Psalm. The Liturgy this PARISH BOOKKEEPER: week sings the praises of our fathers, recalling Linda Ohnemus the defining moments in our “family history.” PARISH SECRETARY: In the Epistle, we remember the calling of Sally Kroner Abraham; in the First Reading we relive the DIRECTOR OF ADULT CHOIR: night of the Exodus and the summons of the Steve Buckman holy children of Israel. Our fathers, we are told, GRADE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL: trusted in the Word of God, put their faith in His Christie Dickens Bliven (Tommy) oaths. They were convinced that what He prom- GRADE SCHOOL SECRETARY: ised, He would do. None of them lived to see Lori Quevillon (Patrick) His promises made good. For it was not until PARISH CUSTODIAN: Christ and His Church that Abraham’s descend- Jennifer Cunningham (Todd) ants were made as countless as the stars and SCHOOL CUSTODIAN: sands (see Galatians 3:16–17, 29). It was not Rick Epping (Lisa) until His Last Supper and the Eucharist that “the sacrifice . the divine institution” of that CELEBRATION OF THE EUCHARIST: first Passover was truly fulfilled. And now we too MONDAY-FRIDAY 7:00 a.m. await the final fulfillment of what God has prom- First Saturday of each month 7:00 a.m. ised us in Christ. As Jesus tells us in this week’s Sunday 8:00 and 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Gospel, we should live with our loins girded—as the Israelites tightened their belts, cinched up SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: their long robes and ate their Passover stand- Wednesday 6:00-6:45 p.m. ing, vigilant and ready to do His will Sunday 4:00-4:30 p.m. (see Exodus 12:11; 2 Kings 4:29). The Lord Call Fr. Chris for an appointment will come at an hour we do not expect. He will knock on our door (see Revelation 3:20), invit- SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM: on Sunday ing us to the wedding feast in the better home- Preparation Session for Parents on the land, the heavenly one that our fathers saw from afar, and which we begin to taste in each First Sunday of Feb., April, June, August, Oct. & Dec. Eucharist. As they did, we can wait with “sure knowledge,” His Word like a lamp lighting our SACRAMENT OF THE SICK: path (see Psalm 119:105). Our God is faithful, Schedule a time with Fr. Chris and if we wait in faith, hope in His kindness, and love as we have been loved, we will receive PARISH MISSION STATEMENT His promised blessing and be delivered from We are a Community of Disciples Gathering at the death. Banquet Table Joyfully Proclaiming Jesus Christ Celebrating our Gifts of Prayer, -Dr. Scott Hahn Hospitality, Faith Formation and Service. THE FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION OF MARY THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2019 IS A HOLYDAY OF OBLIGATION MASS SCHEDULE 6:30 A.M. 8:30 A.M. 6:00 P.M. Prayer - Hospitality - Service - Faith Formation School News The Story of the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary CALLING ALL On November 1, 1950, Pope Pius XII defined the Assumption of Mary to be a dogma of faith: “We PARISHIONERS AND pronounce, declare and define it to be a divinely revealed SCHOOL FAMILIES dogma that the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul to heavenly glory.” The Mark your calendars for August 15, pope proclaimed this dogma only after a broad consulta- tion of bishops, theologians and laity. There were few our first day of the 2019-2020 school dissenting voices. What the pope solemnly declared was year, and plan to join our already a common belief in the Catholic Church. “Back to School” We find homilies on the Assumption going back to the celebration that we REALLY want you to sixth century. In following centuries, the Eastern Churches be a part of! held steadily to the doctrine, but some authors in the We would love for our West were hesitant. However by the 13th century there students to be welcomed back this year was universal agreement. The feast was celebrated under various names — Commemoration, Dormition, by members of our Passing, Assumption — from at least the fifth or sixth loving church and school century. Today it is celebrated as a solemnity. community. Therefore, we are asking Scripture does not give an account of Mary’s Assumption you to help us make this happen! Please into heaven. Nevertheless, Revelation 12 speaks of a plan to be at school by 7:30 a.m. on this woman who is caught up in the battle between good and date and staff will assign you to a evil. Many see this woman as God’s people. Since Mary best embodies the people of both Old and New Testa- “Welcome Station” which could be lining ments, her Assumption can be seen as an exemplifica- the alley to greet cars as students are tion of the woman’s victory. dropped off and/or positioned throughout Furthermore, in 1 Corinthians 15:20, Paul speaks of our school Christ’s resurrection as the first fruits of those who have greeting students as they arrive. We then fallen asleep. invite you to join us for 8:30 Mass in Since Mary is closely associated with all the mysteries of which we will ask you to sit with our Jesus’ life, it is not surprising that the Holy Spirit has led students. We feel this will be the perfect the Church to believe in Mary’s share in his glorification. way to start our new school year enabling So close was she to Jesus on earth, she must be with him body and soul in heaven. our students to experience what a true community of faith, warmth and love Blessed Sacrament is! Reflection: In the light of the Assumption of Mary, it is easy to pray PLEASE JOIN US August 15 at her Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55) with new meaning. In her 7:30 a.m. glory she proclaims the greatness of the Lord and finds joy in God her savior. God has done marvels to her and she leads others to recognize God’s holiness. She is the lowly handmaid who deeply reverenced her God and has been raised to the heights. From her position of strength she will help the lowly and the poor find justice on earth, and she will challenge the rich and powerful to distrust wealth and power as a source of happiness. Thursday, August 15 is the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary — It is a Holyday of Obligation Prayer - Hospitality - Service - Faith Formatio n Area Events HELP! - PSR Teachers Needed St. Peter Parish Picnic — Saturday, August 24 — 5:00 p.m. We are in need of two (2) volunteer teachers for PSR for — 12:00 a.m. — Raffles, Live Entertainment 8-midnight, next fall. Please pray over the summer if this may be Food, Drinks, Games for all ages. your calling. A time to share your faith with the youth of today. PSR classes meet on Monday evenings from 6:30 Canton, MO, St. Joseph Catholic Church will hold their to 7:45 p.m. If you can help, please call the Parish Office, annual Summer Celebration on Sunday, August 25, in 222-2759 or Deacon Terry, 242-2467. Canton, MO. A pork roast dinner with all the sides will be served from 11:00-2:00, followed by a Trivia Contest from Protecting God’s Children 2:00-4:00. A $1,000 Cash Raffle will be held, as well as a Gift Basket Auction, Kids’ Games and more. Everyone The following Protecting God’s Children sessions have is invited. For more information, please contact Mrs. Nan been scheduled at Blessed Sacrament Parish: Wood at 660-341-6814 or email at [email protected] Monday, August 26 6:00-9:00 p.m. Monday, September 30 6:00-9:00 p.m. Blessed Sacrament, Septemberfest — Saturday, All sessions will be held in the Leo Amen Room September 7 — 5:00-11:00 p.m. (cafeteria). Please phone the Parish Office to register. 222-2759. Divorce and Beyond Circle of Caring “Divorce and Beyond” Workshop is designed to help Contact Beth Hayes at 222-1290 during the month of support people beyond the pain of divorce. The workshop August if someone needs a meal brought in after return- is for those who are divorced. Topics covered include: ing home from the hospital after having a baby or recov- The Process of Divorce, Positive Self-Image, Handling ering from a surgery.