June 24, 2018 Even children on a sure track by Live the Liturgy Jeremiah 1:4-10 /1 Peter 1:8 high school graduation transform As we celebrate today's feast, we -12/Luke 1:5-17 under life's circumstances. are reminded that God creates and Tiny Lingers and toes. A little Entrusting our children to God can fashions each one of us with intent yawn. A loud cry. An infant be incredibly intimidating. "What and purpose. We are not random wrapped in swaddling clothes. will this child be," especially when accidents. We are special creations "What will this child be?" It is a and wonderfully made. Each of question every parent asks us brings a unique twist to the time and time again. As Lirst one shot at life that we are given. steps are taken, as As people of faith and children of personalities emerge, as a God, we are asked to use our child shows interest in reading specialness to announce God's or drawing or climbing, the kingdom. Each of us reveals a question is on our lips. "What unique part of God's face. Each will this child be?" This day presents opportunities to question is asked as John the communicate our faith to others Baptist is born. Will he be a and to reveal God's mercy. We priest like his father? Does his have the means to point the way strange, unexpected name to Christ. How can we show signal a departure from that Jesus to others today? inheritance? Could Elizabeth and Zechariah ever have Wis 1:13-15; 2:23-24 /2 predicted what would be? Corinthians 8:7, 9, 13-15/Mark Under the tutelage of his 5:21-43 or 5:21-24, 35b-43 priestly father, John "became First Reading: For God strong in spirit." As an adult, formed man to be imperishable; John would retreat into the the image of his own nature he desert to preach repentance. made him. (Wis 2:23) He would attract a large Second Reading: For you following and eventually know the gracious act of our attract the attention of the Lord Jesus Christ, that though he rulers of the day. He would point that transformation lies outside of was rich, for your sake he became out the adulterous ways of King my control? John the Baptist's story poor, so that by his poverty you Herod and would Lind himself in might not have ended as his might become rich. (2 Cor 8:9) prison. Eventually, he would be parents imagined. But he is Gospel: He took the child by the beheaded. But today, he is a child, celebrated as the greatest of the hand and said to her, "Talitha an infant newly born. prophets, as the one who prepared koum," which means, "Little girl, I On this special feast, we're the way for the Messiah. Here is the say to you, arise!" The girl, a child reminded of the great humility hope of all Christian parents -- that of twelve, arose immediately and required of parents. The character our children would be raised in walked around. At that they were formation, the discipline and such a way that when people meet utterly astounded. (Mk 5:41-42) encouragement, the violin lessons them, they meet Jesus Christ. and soccer practices? Every parental effort is subjected to the decisions of the child themself. Quote of the week: The dePinition of a human person is that they have awareness. I think the Pirst human person looked at their rePlection in a pond and said “Hi, good looking!” (it could have happened) Monsignor Romero of El Salvador is to be Part of my homily in El Recreo was about the canonized a saint of the Catholic Church. This will be power that Monsignor Romero gives to his people in October in Rome. This is an ofLicial declaration of over the ages. Although 1980 (the year of his what the people have known all along…that he is a murder) doesn’t seem that long ago, it is two full saint. It’s his presence and spirituality that have generations ago. In today’s culture, it’s easy to forget been a glue for the poor of El Salvador. He gave his the past and to dwell only on the future. The young life for his people. people sitting before me during that homily had a While visiting in San Salvador, it was a common hard time identifying with Romero. Yet, them response that they desire to have the ceremony in El living in poverty is very similar to the ’70-‘80s. Our Salvador and not in Rome. That’s because only the village is much improved by our support since 2004, rich have enough money to travel there, and the poor yet the main things remain the same. What we want will again be left behind. Worse yet, it was many of to bring to them is hope. There is certainly less those rich families who fought against the preaching violence, and that is great; but there must be hope of Romero in the 70’s. Now they are ‘so positive’ along with peace. That is our best gift to them. about this event. Minimally, they are disingenuous. My guess is that there will still be a big celebration in the San Salvador Cathedral where he is buried. When our youth come together. The St. Boniface youth delegation came together with high school students in El Recreo to climb 1500 feet to reLlect at the foot of the cross that stands 25 feet tall and overlooks Berlin, El Salvador on one side, and the ocean on the other. 2 Testimonial by Megan Hofeldt The Lirst family I delivered a welcome basket to had spent the winter living in their car. This sweet couple had never experienced homelessness, but due to a series of health problems and other life issues they suddenly found themselves sleeping in their Jeep and using the bathrooms at Walmart. They had no idea where to turn or what agencies even existed. Luckily, they learned of Joppa through the Free Health Clinic and slowly began the process of piecing life back together. I was struck by the instant connection I had with them. We bonded over our love of coffee and enjoyment of making a house feel like a “home.” They had already gone to great lengths to hang pictures on the walls and unpack so their 10 year old Welcome Baskets son would feel comfortable when he came for his Lirst visit. We Our mission is to create a community of now keep in touch on a weekly basis and I do my best to help unconditional love, support, and hope for the direct them to the right resources when questions regarding homeless, as we work disability beneLits and understanding their lease have together to end homelessness. Joppa Donations come up. When I Lirst visited Welcome baskets are baskets them, we ended our time holding that get Lilled with items such Welcome Basket Items: hands and sharing a prayer of as laundry detergent, cleaning thanks for new friends and new supplies, kitchen towels, and _______ Cleaning Supplies beginnings. We continue to exchange prayers regularly for many other items that help _______ Kitchen Items each other’s families, health, individuals transition from _______ Cooking items/pots & pans safety, and happiness. Our church homelessness to permanent !* is so lucky to have the $______ Cash Donations always appreciated opportunity to connect with so housing. many families and new friends through Joppa. Joppa has helped over 311 men, women, and children end their homelessness since 2008, and more than 85% remain off the streets. Circle of Friends Through your donations and volunteer Testimonial efforts, St. Boniface is able to support In 2017, St. Boniface started Jan Bagby, one of our individuals and families rebuild their lives on working with Joppa to volunteers who established a regular basis. Whoever is generous to the establish friendships with a friendship early on in the poor lends to the Lord (Proverbs 19:17) clients who had recently been program, shared her placed in housing called Circle experience: “Tonya and I *Please make checks payable to St. Boniface of Friends. The goal of Circle of text pretty much every day, Church; memo: Joppa Friends is for our volunteers to just simple conversations. “circle around” clients who She seems to be doing good. move from homelessness to She has a boyfriend and they permanent housing and help hope to marry someday. I them on their journey of rebuilding their lives. This have been impressed with him, too. He just got a job ministry is about giving your time and sharing and Joppa gave Tonya some forms to start applying compassion by simply checking in, calling, taking for jobs too. I visit the apartment about once per week them to run errands, and anything else that will help and help her with some errands. She keeps a clean improve their lives. It’s a natural connection, and the house. I am helping her post some stuff she’s trying to bond that forms between volunteers and the client is sell. She has a pretty good head on her shoulders, I ever lasting. think she is a very bright person, and feel she should be able to get back on her feet. She has support from several sources which is good. I enjoy my friendship with Tonya and feel it will be long lasting." 3 ANNOUNCEMENTS In Sympathy Monday, June 25, 6:15p.m.