Questions for reflection on the Scriptures for the Feast of Christ the King

1) Questions on the Reading from Ezekiel: What is the situation Ezekiel is addressing? (Read all of Ezekiel 34.) Who are the sheep? What is going on with them? How does God solve the problem? What does God desire for these sheep?

2) Questions on the Reading from Matthew: Who is the King here? Who is gathered before him? What is the basis for his separating “all the nations” into two groups? What is Jesus’ point here? How does it apply to our individual lives? How does it apply to our lives as fellow parishioners?

3) Questions on the Reading from First Corinthians: In what ways dos Jesus reverse what Adam did? How does Paul describe Jesus’ impact on all creation? How does he describe the goal of all creation? How does this all fit in with our Parish Vision?

DAYTIME BIBLE STUDY: The noon Bible Study will meet this Tuesday. We will be reading the Prophets Habakkuk, Zephaniah and Haggai. 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 the Song of Songs, chapters 4-8, and begin the Book of Wisdom. Bring your bible and join us.

PARISH GENERAL ASSEMBLY NOTES: We had a quality group at the General Assembly last Sunday – congratulations to those who came, shame on those who didn’t come!

Open Forum: there was an acknowledgement of President-elect Obama. The issue of the drinking fountain in church also came up. Right now it is on the bottom of the parish “to-do” list; there are many more urgent and more important projects to be done before we get to that. There is a limit to what we can afford at this time. We were reminded that we are in church but for an hour and that funds do not justify the investment.

Opening Remarks: Since last general assembly, the Vision Statement was composed and approved, speakers talked on several subjects at Sunday breakfasts, representatives were sent to numerous Archdiocesan meetings and seminars, Guardian Angel award was presented to Pam Mason, several Holy Name activities occurred, the PPC has increased its participation with St. Gabriel’s PPC. Our financial issues that continue to exist are under ongoing review: Jesuits are contributing, our Auctino income dwindled – we need suggestions for increasing attendance.

Coming Events: November 16 is Stewardship Sunday and name drawing for new PPC members; on April 18 we are celebrating 50 years of Jesuit presence at St. Matthew’s. Mardi Gras, Card Party, Annual Appeal, Cardinal Concession stand, Trivia Night, and Auction are the principal fundraisers. There continues to be a lot going on within the parish.

Commission Reports:

Social Concerns: activities included Missouri Medicaid bill reinstatement drive, R2K Claver Works landscaping program, Vacation Bible School, St. Vincent de Paul rent and utility assistance and upcoming Thanksgiving drive (parish members invited to donate food), Lillie Johnson invited men to join Vincent de Paul, considering supporting services for youth mental health, voting information and faithful citizenship.

[Concern expressed about state of the alley. Kevin Blackshear provided a phone number (314- 622-4800) for contacting the City of St. Louis.]

Spiritual Life and Worship: reviewed applicability of the Vision statement at recent committee meetings, reach out to friends and family, supporting their presence at Mass, also reach out to/ reconcile with past Mass attendees, PPC hosting December 6 Mass and dinner with St. Gabriel PPC at St. Matthew’s, developing a card for extending invitation to attend Mass at St. Matthew’s, information packet also available for people to distribute. Seeking individuals to serve as welcome committee / greeters at Mass; seeking individuals to assist with maintaining church environment.

Reviewing adding scripture passages beneath art glass windows; “Catholic Chatter” section added to bulletin to provide instructions on the Mass rubrics; Family and Friends Sundays scheduled for January 11, April 19, and July 19, Kwanzaa observed through a bulletin insert.

Stewardship and Development: active in creation of Vision statement, focusing attention on larger fundraising activities, Leslie asked for everyone to be open and trustful in considering the changes to fundraising. We were reminded all that parish growth is necessary to meet financial needs: this should be a high priority. Concern was expressed about the distractions of too much activity. We were reminded that developing our inner strength gives us a basis to invite others from outside. It was suggested that those seeking a return to their roots should be seeking their Catholic roots.

Christian Formation: the discussion on evangelization is relevant to this committee and all are invited to consider participating in this endeavor. Youth Ministry is very central to the present Christian Formation committee; Back to School and Halloween party are two of the most successful programs; Breakfast with Santa and the annual Fashion Show are in preparation; The Vision statement recognizes the call to both parish and neighborhood; a strong relationship with De LaSalle is central to the committee’s work. It was commented that youth events should include an invitation to join us for worship.

Administration and Finance: parish income is below anticipated level. The auction serves as an excellent vehicle for increasing income; we need a lot more help to make it work as well as it can.

The finance committee’s part in the Vision statement is to keep the parish informed on our financial situation, and on the financial limits within which our vision must operate.

Pastor’s Comments: Fr. Mark thanked everyone for the exchange, and reminded all that the first and foremost aspect of our lives is to continue with our spiritual development both as individuals and as a group. Opportunities for personal development include prayer, Bible study, and the Spiritual Exercises. From such spiritual growth all other aspects of the Vision statement will flow.

PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL SELECTION TODAY: We will draw three names today (Sunday) at the end of Mass, and then bless them as the new members of the Parish Pastoral Council. Candidates are: 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.

TODAY IS STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY: We 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. At the end of Mass, 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 What is the RCIA? Last Sunday, we experienced the baptism of an infant, Hollye Ann Brinkley. In the earliest days of the church, people were baptized as adults. They went through a long period of preparation and testing, and the Easter Vigil celebration was the ordinary time for their Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. With the renewal of Vatican II, the Catholic Church has brought back this approach to adult baptism, reviving what is called the Rite for the Christian Initiation of Adults, or RCIA. This is a process that includes Inquiry, when people investigate Catholic beliefs and practices (available here every Sunday after Mass); Catechumenate, or a time of deeper prayer and instruction, beginning with a Rite of Acceptance; Lent, when they spend extra time in prayer and penance, beginning with a Rite of Election, and finally the Rites of Initiation at the Easter Vigil. People who are joining the Catholic Church after they are already baptized go through a similar process, including the Rite of Acceptance (November 30 this year) and the Rite of Election (March 1, 2009).

THE RITE OF ACCEPTANCE will be celebrated here on Sunday, November 30. At present we have two candidates: John Wade and Josh Brinkley.

NOVEMBER MOVIE NIGHT: Walt Disney’s National Treasure II, Book of Secrets will be shown on Friday Night, November 28. Doors open and pot-luck begins at 6:00; movie begins at 6:30. Join Nicolas Cage on a heart-pounding adventure that will have you on the edge of your seat in a race to find the Lost City of Gold. Grounded in history, imbued with myth and mystery, Disney’s National Treasure: Book Of Secrets takes you on a globe-trotting quest full of adrenaline-pumping twists and turns-all leading to the final clued in a mysterious and highly guarded book containing centuries of secrets. But there’s only one way to find it – Ben Gates must kidnap the President. Packed with fast-paced action and crackling humor; National Treasure: Book of Secrets is a movie your entire family will want to rediscover again and again.

DAILY READINGS, November 17-22:

Monday: Revelation 1:1-4, 2:1-5; Psalm 1; Luke 18:35-43

Tuesday: Revelation 3:1-6, 14-22; Psalm 15; Luke 19:1-10

Wednesday: Revelation 4:1-11; Psalm 150; Luke 19:11-28

Thursday: Revelation 5:1-10; Psalm 149; Luke 19:41-44

Friday: Revelation 10:8-11; Psalm 119; Luke 19:45-48

Saturday: Revelation 11:4-12; Psalm 144; Luke 20:27-40