Readings for the Week Monday: Mi 6:1-4, 6-8; Ps 50:5-6, 8- Welcome 9, 16bc-17, 21, 23; Mt 12:38 We are delighted to welcome each and every one who has come to wor- -42 ship with us today. Whether you’re a longtime parishioner, a newcomer, or Tuesday: Mi 7:14-15, 18-20; Ps 85:2-8; just visiting, know that our desire is to extend God’s loving presence to all. If you would like to register, you can download the registration form Mt 12:46-50 from our website, www.stmartha.com, or find a copy in the narthex on the Wednesday: Sg 3:1-4b or 2 Cor 5:14-17; welcome kiosk. Ps 63:2-6, 8-9; Jn 20:1-2, 11- 18 Vision Statement: Baptized into Christ Jesus, we worship as one and reach out to all. Thursday: Jer 2:1-3, 7-8, 12-13; Ps 36:6-7ab, 8-11; Mt 13:10-17 Message from our Pastor Friday: Jer 3:14-17; Jer 31:10- 12abcd, 13; Mt 13:18-23 Dear parish family, Saturday: 2 Cor 4:7-15; Ps 126:1bc-6; I’m sure that many of us thought that by mid-July we Mt 20:20-28 would not still be talking about Covid-19 or global Sunday: 1 Kgs 3:5, 7-12; Ps 119:57, pandemic, but here we are. This situation has changed a 72, 76-77, 127-130; Rom lot of things for us and it has been frustrating, inconven- 8:28-30; Mt 13:44-52 [44-46] ient and even tragic for several of us. That is why we need to keep our eyes focused on God and His love for us. He has been walking with us through the whole crisis and He Mass Intentions for the Week will continue to be here for us. We ask God to help us Mon./July 20 trust in Him and His plan for us because we are not going to be able to get 8:30 †Andrés Calvo through this on our own. We need God as much now as we ever have. And Tue./July 21 we need to keep praying for and supporting each other. We pray for all 8:30 Claire Mahi those who continue to be on the front lines of this battle and we ask God to 7 Christopher Churchwell comfort and assist all those who are struggling. We can’t make it without Wed./July 22 His help and we know He is here to help us. May God bless you and your 8:30 †Esteban Mavares loved ones during these difficult times because He will not be leaving us †Barbara Nelson anytime soon. †Angel Fernandez God bless you all, †Mary Jeanne Relic Fr. T.J. †Carlos Perea 10 †Cathy Eisen Thurs./July 23 6:30 †Denise Nicholas Jackson Sunday Readings and Reflection 8:30 †Katherine Irwin Fri./July 24 Todays Readings 8:30 †Patricia Crouch First Reading — You taught your people that those who are just must like- †Jaime Gomez wise be kind (Wisdom 12:13, 16-19). †Mary Ann Byrne †Romón Torres Psalm — Lord, you are good and forgiving (Psalm 86). †Encarnación Dimacali Second Reading — The Spirit comes to aid us in our weakness (Romans Sat./July 25 8:26-27). 5:30 †Mr. & Mrs. Al Kilas Gospel — Jesus proposes parables to the crowds, teaching them of the Sun./July 26 reign of God (Matthew 13:24-43 [24-30]). The English translation of the Psalm Responses from Lectionary for Mass © 1969, 1981, 1997, International Commission on English in 7 †Margaret Schultz the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved. 9 †Chris Schod 11 †Joe Ristotolo 1 †Rafael Paredes Good Seeds 5 For the Parish Today Jesus continues to speak to his followers using parables. What a rich treasure we are given today in three parables about the kingdom of Saints and Special Observances heaven! The kingdom is likened to a man sowing good seed in his field, a Sunday: Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary mustard seed, and yeast mixed with flour. As they did last week, today the Time disciples press Jesus for an interpretation of one of the parables—the para- Monday: St. Apollinaris ble of the man sowing good seed. Lest we think that these parables are Tuesday: St. Lawrence of Brindisi simply amusing little anecdotes, Jesus’ interpretation should be seen for Wednesday: St. Mary Magdalene what it is—a warning. Wailing and grinding of teeth in a fiery furnace Thursday: St. Bridget await those who are children of the evil one. This parable points to the Friday: St. Sharbel Makhlūf struggle for today’s believer. Sometimes, through sin, we sow weeds and Saturday: St. James prevent the love of Christ from blossoming. Let today’s Gospel help put us back on track. Let us recommit ourselves to preparing for the last days, the harvest, by blossoming as the good seeds we were created in love to be. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co. Stewardship Please remember the recently deceased Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time and their families in your prayers: David Cormier (brother of Barbara Mo- In today’s second reading, Saint Paul bids us to take comfort in know- laison) ing that when God invites us to pray to him, he knows our true needs, Dee Quinn (wife of Nick Quinn) even if we do not. The Holy Spirit intercedes and prays for us even if we Dr. Jose Carranza (husband of Elvira T. Car- can’t come up with appropriate words; even when we don’t have a clue ranza) what to ask for. We are not left alone. Good stewards know that prayer is Daniel Patrick McGovern an important part of living a life in Christ. The important thing is to make Jason Carlos Hernandez (son of Norma space for God. Do we let God into our hearts? Do we make room for the Carreon and Juan Carlos Hernandez) Holy Spirit to pray within us? Maria Garza (mother of Claudia Canas) Virginia “Ginger” Tamborello STEWARDSHIP SAINT FOR JULY Doris Grand Martinez Olivier (mother of Saint Martha – John Martinez) One of Jesus’ Closest Friends and our Wayne Morris Trahan (father of Stephanie Parish Patron Martinez) Just before Jesus’ final entry into Jerusalem, Cristi Jackson his close friends, Martha, her sister, Mary, and Alice O'Brien Nunie Falcon brother, Lazarus, entertained Jesus at their home in Bethany (John 12:1-8). Martha “served,” Please remember the sick and their while Mary anointed his feet. It is in the simple statement, “Martha served,” that we recognize families in your prayers: Martha for her witness to stewardship. She isn’t India Geohegan, Rowan Mae Sullivan, Eliz- a prolific evangelist, she doesn’t work miracles. She simply serves Jesus. abeth Fisk, Joey Tortorice, Monte Slatton, Jesus may have been a frequent visitor to Martha’s home and perhaps this Dane Russell, Erin Pergola, Megan Bris- is one of the reasons the Gospel of John reveals to us that “Jesus loved senden, Connie Sue Rodebaugh, Jerry Den- Martha, and her sister Mary, and Lazarus” (11:5). This unique statement in ton, Deacon Alfredo Soto, Bob Hatczel, the gospel informs us of the special relationship Jesus had with Martha and Juanita Allen, Patrick Hosay, Misty Abalos, her siblings. And, as another one of Jesus’ visits to Martha’s home affirms, Jonny Hegna, Anne Schuelke, Margaret Martha continues to be concerned that Jesus be served. Like any good “Susie” McDermott, Javier Rosales, Judy steward, hospitality was very important to Martha (Luke 10:38-42). Trahan, Eddie Fenner, Sallie Howard, Jose What is most revealing about Martha is on the occasion of the death of Calixto Martinez, Elnora Peralta, Thyra Lazarus (John 11:1-44). Martha takes an active role, going out to meet Je- Beck, Denny Enriguez, Eric Vergara, Jo Horton, Veronica Jimenez, Roberta Martin, sus to let him know what happened to her brother while Mary stays at Emlyn Evans, Pat Hyland, Claire Tomlinson, home. Jesus assures her that Lazarus will be raised from dead. With cour- Alisa Cancino, Chris Price, Bill Beck, Jack- age and conviction, Martha confesses her deep faith in Jesus Christ: “I son Pickard, Heriberto Vergara, Leon Guinn, know he will rise, in the resurrection on the last day.” And then Jesus said Albert & Deanna Taubert, Denise Byington, to her: “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if Robert MacDonald, Dorothy Hernandez, he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never Joseph Weyel, Robyn Laumbach, Pietro Ta- die.” When he asked Martha if she believed this, she replied: “Yes, Lord. I liente, Richard S. Fitzharris, AJ Foster, Ed have come to believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one Dalton, Alvin Holley, Kim Smith, Herb who is coming into the world” (John 11:24-27). The feast of St. Martha, a Caffey, Dave Rotella, Janet Bosze, Gary witness to service who confessed her faith in Jesus, is July 29. She is the Robles, Lorrie Lamb, Mary Ann Kipfmiller, patron saint of homemakers, cooks, domestic workers, waiters and wait- Gavin Cunningham, Jenell Joseph, Kimberly resses, and hotel employees. Coleman, Kathleen Mathew, Penny Gaido, Luke Blaney, H. Marie Mathis, Ann Loera, Daniel Brochu, Carlos & Dorothy Maggio, Stewardship of Treasure Timothy Sullivan, Candace Nicole Hupp, Jennifer Cernigliano, Kate Tiedtke, Anita For the weekend of July 11 & 12 Ly, Becke Ferris, Dennis Markel, Beverly Rose, Jack Flynn, Anne Akers, Madeline your Stewardship Gifts of Treasure resulted in: Marley, Eddie Gasperini, Troy Kipfmiller, Sunday Collection $ 11,015 Special collections: Sandy Giffin, Frank Phillips Jr., Mark Roos- Faith Direct Offertory $ 96,460 Capital Campaign $ 33,869 ma, Tony Baran, Mary Rubino, Ronald Bes- sire, Patrick Trainor, Mitchell Mehring, Mar- Total $ 107,475 Martha’s Kitchen $ 6,969 in McDermott, Eleana Topp, Ruth Grim, Year To Date: Peter’s Pence $ 50 Sunday Collection $ 142,817 Adrien Mey, Jovita Carrillo, Jody Wood, Archdiocese SVdP $ 9,591 Joan Daciek, Bruce Ward, Carol Reilly, 2020 DSF Goal: $ 305,000 Infirm Priests $ 35 Payments to Date: $ 230,284 Richell Cuellar & Emiliano Alejandro Nava, Catholic Relief Services $ 40 Kay Lynn Cole, Elizabeth Morales, Fernan- Current Loan Debt: $ 7,360,533 do Rodriguez, Mike Daciek 4 Community Life Ministries Director of Community Life: Francine Puglia, (281) Created to Believe-Called to Motherhood 358-6637 Ext.