Questions for reflection on the Scriptures for the 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time

1)      Questions on the Reading from Matthew: In Jesus’ time, what was a talent? How do we use the word today? What is the point Jesus makes in the parable? How does that apply to our lives today?

2)      Questions on the Reading from Proverbs: How does this passage relate to the Gospel passage? What does it tell us about the society at Jesus’ time? Are the final two verses still true today?

3)      Questions on the Reading from First Thessalonians: What is Paul talking about here? What seems to be the problem? Is that still a problem today? How does Paul’s advice apply to us?

 

DAYTIME BIBLE STUDY: The noon Bible Study will meet this Tuesday. We will be reading the Prophets Micah and Nahum. Bring your bible and join us.

 

EVENING BIBLE STUDY: The evening Bible Study will meet this Tuesday at 7 PM in the Rectory.  We will finish Ecclesiastes, chapters 5-12, and begin the Song of Songs. Bring your bible and join us.

 

TODAY WE WELCOME HOLLY ANN BRINKLEY into our Catholic Family. We rejoice with her parents, Josh and Kimen, as they see promise of eternal life shine on their daughter. And we renew our own Baptismal promises, accepting once again the blessing of being numbered among God’s elect.

 

PARISH GENERAL ASSEMBLY TODAY: We will hold our Parish General Assembly today in the Family Center. A simple brunch is free for those who stay for the meeting. (No carry-outs, please!) The basic theme will be to discuss implementation of our Parish Vision Statement. The agenda for the meeting is:

Welcome

Opening Prayer

Open Forum

Opening Remarks

Commission Reports on Vision Implementation

Input and Questions from Parishioners

Pastor’s Comments

Door Prizes

Closing Prayer

 

PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL CANDIDATES: We have 6 parishioners who have agreed to be candidates for the three available places on the Council: Beatrice Blackshear, Shay Chillers, Pat Hughes, Kim James, Lillian Summers and Dolores Williams. We all thank them for their willingness to serve our parish community in this way. Please keep them in your prayers for the next two weeks. We will have the drawing of the three names during Mass on Sunday, November 16.

 

STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY: Next weekend we will have an opportunity to sign up for the various ministries and activities that will fulfill our Vision of who we are and where we want to go as a parish. We urge all parishioners to re-read the Vision Statement, and decide which area of parish life will be the focus of your stewardship during 2009. There will be sign-up sheets and volunteers to help you sign up. The goal is to have every person who signs up to be contacted by the end of December, so we can hit the ground running in January.

 

CATHOLIC CHATTER: (This article will appear in the bulletin each week. If you have questions you would like answered here, put them in the blue “Suggestions Box” in the church lobby.)

 

o  Why do we celebrate baptisms during Mass? Baptism is the Sacrament of Belonging. In this sacrament, we celebrate the fact that we are God’s children, members of God’s family. As the baptized, we are privileged to call God “Father,” which makes us all sisters and brothers. So it makes sense to celebrate this sacramental event with the whole family present! You will notice that there are several places where we are invited to join in the ceremony. We all renew our own baptismal commitment, deliberately choosing to live as good examples for the newly baptized and for all of our sisters and brothers. Let’s join in this celebration whole-heartedly!

 

DAILY READINGS, November 10-15

Monday: Titus 1:1-9; Psalm 24; Luke 17:1-6

Tuesday: Titus 2:1-8, 11-14; Psalm 37; Luke 17:7-10

Wednesday: Titus 3:1-7; Psalm 23; Luke 17:11-19

Thursday: Philemon 7-20; Psalm 146; Luke 17:20-25

Friday: 2 John 4-9; Psalm 119; Luke 17:26-37

Saturday: 3 John 5-8; Psalm 112; Luke 18:1-8