Weekly Prayer & Update – September 25

Jennifer Ehrlich

This Week’s Gospel Reflection

Sunday, September 27 – Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/092720.cfm

Written by Theresa Konitzer, Director of Religious Education Faith Formation

Heavenly Father, wipe away my smugness, when I think that I am better than my neighbor. Fill me with Your wisdom. Grant that I may see that in my judgmental ways that I am setting myself apart from Your people. The same people for which I am called to be the Light of Christ. Enlighten me when I am led to believe that following rules makes me a better Christian, or that it sets me off as a person of privilege in the eyes of God. God’s Kingdom is for all. All of us are His children. Jesus calls the lowly, those who are forgotten by society, the poor, the hungry, the destitute, and those who exist on the fringes of society.  When I place myself in a position of privilege, I am not fulfilling Your mission, but rather distancing myself from it.

Lord, have mercy on me, and lead me in not condemning those who I view unworthy of your love and joy.  Amen.

Sign Up for Mass September 26 & 27

We encourage you to pre-register to save time when you check in at Mass (check-in not required for outdoor Mass), as well as to help us gauge attendance. Pre-registering is not required, however. Kindly sign up for Mass by 3:00 PM on Saturday, September 26. Here’s how:
  1. Click here and then click the “Sign Up” button of the Mass you’d like to attend.
  2. Select the number of people in your household who will be attending from the drop-down menu.
  3. If you’re already in the Flocknotes database, the system will recognize you when you click the sign-up button. If not, enter a contact name and email or phone number if prompted.
  4. Click Submit and close the sign-up window/tab.
  5. You’ll receive an email confirmation after your sign up is complete. The confirmation email gives you the ability to modify or cancel your registration after you’ve signed up.

First Friday Mass & Holy Hour – Friday, October 2

Our Daily Bread Casserole & St. Elizabeth of Hungary Food Pantry Collection – Next Sunday, October 4

We will be collecting frozen casseroles for Our Daily Bread as well as non-perishable food items for the St. Elizabeth of Hungary Food Pantry on Sunday, October 4 from 8:30-11:30 AM in the parking lot next to the chapel/bell tower.

Volunteers for both efforts will have their cars parked there for the drop-off, and they will remove your donated items from your vehicle. For safety’s sake, please wear a facial mask when dropping off. Please do not bring any items into the narthex or the church hall.

Disposable casserole pans and recipes are available in the plastic bin in front of the parish office. The recipe may also be downloaded here.

We appreciate your donations to help feed those in need!

Blessing of the Animals on Sunday, October 4 at 12:30 PM

In celebration of the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, we will have a blessing of the animals on Sunday, October 4 at 12:30 PM in front of the church, rain or shine. Kindly make sure that all animals are leashed/contained and controlled.

Confirmation During 11:30 AM Mass on Sunday, October 11

Let us pray for our 27 Confirmation candidates and their families as we prepare to welcome Bishop Adam Parker, who will be confirming these candidates on Sunday, October 11 at the regularly-scheduled 11:30 AM Mass. We’re planning for an outdoor celebration, but please note that should the Mass need to be held inside the church, space will be extremely limited. We anticipate the Mass to take about an hour and a half. All are welcome for the outdoor celebration. Regardless of location, we plan to livestream the Confirmation Mass via Facebook.

You Are the Domestic Church!

“The family is the domestic church…the home is the Church in miniature.” – St. John Paul II
In the Catholic tradition, the family holds a special place–especially in the formation of faith. So important, in fact, that it is called “the domestic church.” This video invites families to reflect on being the Church in the world and what that might look like within their own family.

Publicity Volunteers Needed for Upcoming Parish Bicentennial

In preparation for the parish’s upcoming 200th anniversary, we’re looking for volunteers to help with publicity and communications. This is a fun way to get involved and help promote the celebratory events that will take place between April 2021 and May 2022. For more information, contact Jenn Ehrlich at ehrlichje@sjehydes.org or 410-592-6206, ext. 104.