ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA CAMBRIDGE SPRINGS, PA The Work of the People There is a beautiful passage from St. Gregory The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed the Great on St. Benedict that we can apply to Virgin Mary Mary too. St. Gregory the Great says that the heart of St. Benedict expanded so much that all crea- For her courageous discipleship, God blessed tion could enter it. This is even truer of Mary: Mary during her difficult life, and at her death. Mary, totally united to God, has a heart so big God assumed her bodily into heaven, where she that all creation can enter this heart . she has a now enjoys full union with her God. Mary, as one heart as great as the heart of God. of us, points to what awaits the Church and all But there is also another aspect. In God not on- disciples who wait in hope for full union with God. ly is there room for humankind; in humankind While not in Scripture, Mary's bodily assumption there is room for God. This too we see in Mary, into heaven is an ancient Church belief. The so- the Holy Ark who bears the presence of God. In lemnity not only celebrates Mary's assumption, us there is space for God, and this presence of but, as she is the primary symbol of the Church, God in us is so important for bringing light to the Mary's assumption points to the fullness of salva- world with all its sadness, with all its problems. tion that will be given to the entire Church with What is there to say then? A great heart, the Christ's Second Coming. presence of God in the world, room for God with- As the Israelites traveled through the desert, in us and room for us in God . this is the sym- they carried the Ark of the Covenant, a large, or- phony of this Feast, the instruction that meditat- nately carved chest. Inside were the stone tablets ing on this Solemnity gives us. Mary is the dawn of the Ten Commandments, a symbol of God's and the splendor of the Church triumphant; she is covenant with them. A chair rested on top of the the con•solation and the hope of people still on ark as a representation of God's throne, a sign that the journey. God dwelt among his people. Mary is the arc of the new covenant. As Eliza- beth exclaims in Luke 1:42, Mary is blessed be- cause she bears the living God. Tablets of stone are superseded by flesh and blood. The woman in today's Gospel passage declares that there is READINGS FOR THE WEEK something special about Jesus that honors and Monday: Judges 2:11-19/Mt. 19:16-22 elevates his mother. Mary heard and submitted to Tuesday: Judges 6:11-24a/Mt. 19:23-30 Wednesday: Judges 9:6-15/Mt. 20:1-16a God's Word when the angel announced it to her. Thursday: Judges 11:29-39a/Mt. 22:1-14 After Jesus death and Resurrection, Mary contin- Friday: Ruth 1:1-2ab, 3-6, 14b-16, 22/Mt. 22:34-40 Saturday: Ruth 2:1-3, 8-11; 4:13-17/Mt. 23: 1-12 ues to be obedient to God's Word. She gathered Sunday: Jos. 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b/Eph. 4:32; 5:1-2, 21-32/ with the disciples awaiting the gift of the Holy Jn. 6:53, 60-69 Spirit and devoting herself to prayer (Acts 1:14). Our celebration of Mary's Assumption into heaven is a celebration of eternal life. Because she kept God's Word so faithfully, Christ "clothed" his mother "with immortality," thereby keeping her body from decay. There was probably a big- REQUEST FOR PARISH MEMBERSHIP ger, louder celebration when Mary entered heaven FORM than there was when the ark of the first covenant Name: ____________________________________ entered Jerusalem. The reflection for this Solemnity is from a Address: __________________________________ Homily of Pope Benedict XVI given on August 15, ___________________________________ 2012. Mary, by uniting herself to God, does not dis- Phone: ____________________________________ tance herself from us. She does not go to an un- known galaxy, but whoever approaches God Please drop Membership Form into the comes closer, for God is close to us all; and Mary, offertory basket or mail to the rectory. united to God, shares in the presence of God, is so close to us, to each one of us. THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY AUGUST 15, 2021 WORSHIP A FAMILY PERSPECTIVE “Blessed is the fruit of your womb” can be said to Monday, August 16 all mothers, because every child is “blessed” and a 8:00 am + John E. Auer child of God upon whom God “looks with favor.” Tuesday, August 17 This is our deepest identity and destiny. We do not 8:00 am + Dec. Members of Popivchak Family earn this blessing. God’s love is a free gift to each of (Kathleen Lipkovich) us. Wednesday, August 18 8:00 am + AT ST. BERNADETTE MISSION All ancestors of Mukina & Carpic Families (Joan Rembielak & Phyllis Wronko) MARRIAGE MOMENT Thursday, August 19 8:00 am + Repose of the Soul of On August 15 the Catholic Church celebrates the Rev. Daniel J. Prez feast of the Assumption of Mary. Whether or not you Friday, August 20 are Catholic, however, there is another English 8:00 am + Margaret Weidner meaning of “assumption”. It’s risky in marriage to (Ginger (Weidner) & Dick Kester) assume too much about your spouse. Do not as- Saturday, August 21 sume that you will both be alive tomorrow. How 4:30 pm + Josephine Haluch (Loretta Baran) might you treat your beloved today if tomorrow Sunday, August 22 brings tragedy? 8:00 am + AT ST. BERNADETTE MISSION Richard Baker (Shirley A. Knierman) 9:30 am + AT ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA Living & Deceased Parishioners “Mary, Mother of God, pray for us.” PARISH EVENTS CALENDAR PARENTING POINTERS If your kids are of school age, it will soon be time to return. Most schools will be different post pan- Monday, August 16 demic - even if it means going back to almost nor- 5:00 pm - Parish Center Doors open for BINGO mal. Of course you’ll talk about this, but also listen - 6:00 pm - Early Bingo to what they’ve learned during 2020-21 and what 6:30 pm - Regular Bingo they fear. Tuesday, August 17 After Mass - St. Anthony Novena Saturday, August 21 3:30 - 4:15 pm - Confession (or by appointment) Sunday, August 22 “Father, Before Mass - Confessions help me to believe in your goodness. (AT ST. BERNADETTE MISSION) Lord, After Mass - Confession I want to trust you (AT ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA) and follow you in faith.” ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA ST. BERNADETTE MISSION STEWARDSHIP STEWARDSHIP Offertory $795.00 Offertory $418.00 Maintenance 289.00 Candles 3.00 Candles 50.00 TOTAL $421.00 TOTAL $1,134.00 Catholic Services Appeal Catholic Services Appeal Pledged: $6,890 Paid: $6,640 Pledged: $26,280 Paid: $23,126 CHURCH NAME: ST. ANTONY OF PADUA CHURCH NO.: SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS: .