a CACINA Parish
23rd Sunday in ordinary time feast day of saint Teresa of calcutta September 6, 2020
Volume 4, Issue # 36
Celebrants: Our Pastor - Father Victor Ray Bishop Michael Theogene Chapel at 3803 Haines Road North St. Petersburg, Florida Sunday, Mass at 10:30 am Live Stream: Youtube and Facebook
Wisdom From Our Pastor In today’s gospel, we see the irony of life. The same Peter who proclaimed that Christ is the messiah last week, is today rebuked as “Satan.” Christ simply rebuked him for being an obstacle to his mission. This shows that though, Peter professed that Christ is the Messiah (as God revealed it to him), yet, he has not fully understood the nature of Christ’s mission. He still sees it only from the perspective of royalty and glory. Of course, he was eager to participate in these. This also teaches us that, we are all vulnerable to making mistakes and falling, no matter how spiritual we are. So, this calls for taking seriously, the admonition of Paul: “Let him who thinks he stands, take heed lest he falls” (1Cor 10:12). Peter could not understand why Christ should be talking this way. However, God’s call is not only about, and participating in his glory, it is also participating first in his suffering. This is what Christ did. That He offered himself as a living sacrifice, means that he submitted everything without reluctance for our salvation. Yet, Peter has not realized the necessity of Christ’s death, that “it is better for one man to die for the people, than to have the whole nation destroyed.” (Jn 11:50). Peace be with you all! Maranatha!
Father Victor Ray
The Daily Prayer of Saint Teresa Dear Jesus, help me to spread your fragrance everywhere I go. Flood my soul with your spirit and love. Penetrate and possess my whole being so utterly that all my life may only be a radiance of You. Shine through me and be so in me that every soul I come in contact with may feel Your presence in my soul. Let them look up and see no longer me but only Jesus. Stay with me and then I shall begin to shine as you shine, so to shine as to be a light to others. Amen. All of us at Saint Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Community want to take a moment to extend a Very Warm Welcome to everyone who is visiting us for the first time this morning. Whether you are just having a look, or are searching for a place to worship, we are delighted to have you here. Enjoy the rest of your worship time with us, and
May God Bless You! Cream Cards available in the Pew Pocket to follow along with the Mass.
Sunday, September 6, 2020 HYMNS PRELUDE #437 O God You Search Me GATHERING #414 All Are Welcome A OFFERTORY #373 Here I Am Lord COMMUNION #322 Gifts Of Finest Wheat SENDING
#528 Let There Be Peace On Earth *************
READINGS 1st Reading Responsorial Psalm:
Page 206 - 207 Ezekiel 33: 7-9
Hymn # 612 The Cry of The Poor – Please join in
2nd Reading
Roman 13: 8-10
Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia give the honor and glory to the Lord Gospel
Matthew 18: 15-20
Reflections of the Week: In today’s gospel, Jesus outlines the way to resolve conflicts between disciples. What has been your own experience when facing conflicts within your parish community? Wouldn’t it be so much better if we could all get along?
Let Us Pray For
Rick Hamilton, Al Abrams, Patrick Ellingham, Richard Harper and Family, Bill Hartwig, Bp. Peter Hickman, Mary Judi and Larry Howard, Lyn Kovar, Ron Little, D.A. Marx, James Meeks, Essy Obuchowski, Kelsi and Ben Patton, Wayne Retke, Betty Rodrigues, Dee Spano, Mark Talboom, Greg Reuss
PRAYERS RECEIVED BY THE AIR WAVES Bruno Fernanda, Jack/Susan/Billy Fabien, Wesley, Javier, AnnMarie Shahana, Eugene, Eoghan, Nelson, Annette/Don Husband, Beverly, Victor Adolfo, Mike Ifeanyi, Daughter/Sister Tequila, Ann, Aditya, Amanda
DEVOTIONAL CANDLE LIGHTED FOR Ivy Villafana, Helen Savard, Cassandra Koogler, Dr. Patrick Ellingham, Howard Laubscher For all those that need a Prayer, Raise your Right Hand Toward Heaven and know that the Parish of Saint Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Community is beside you in your Prayer. For all of our Parishioners that follow us through Electronic Media. Prayers for your specific request that you have sent us have been place in our Prayer Basket!
An Act of Spiritual Communion My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen
Upcoming Celebrations BIRTHDAYS
ANNIVERSARY
Gordon McMann 9/2 Dave Borzenski 9/3 Cindy Giddens 9/9 Frank Frazier 9/15 Joe Ursitti 9/19 Bill Hartwig 9/19 Michale Villafana 9/19 Jan Magray 9/22 Ron Little 9/23 Ann Robin Whitlock 9/24 Barb Fichter 9/28
Frank Frazier and Joe Ursitti 9/1
For all those Celebrations that I have missed, Forgive Me and I sincerely hope they were all Wonderful. Wishing you all the Happiness and Repeat of your Special Day!
church calendar Rosary Prayer Video on the Zoom Zone Calendar every Sunday Sunday, September 6, 10:30 am, Mass– Feast Day of St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta LIVE STREAM Sunday, September 13, 10:30 am, Mass– 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time LIVE STREAM Sunday, September 13, 2:00 pm, Zoom Zone House of Ministry Meeting Sunday, September 20, 10:30 am, Mass– 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time LIVE STREAM Sunday, September 20, After Mass – Fast House Meeting Sunday, September 27, 10:30 am, Mass– 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time LIVE STREAM Friday, October 2, 7:00 pm, Sunday, October 4, 10:30 am, Mass– 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time LIVE STREAM Sunday, October 11, 10:30 am, Mass– 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time LIVE STREAM Sunday, October 11, 2:00 pm, Zoom Zone House of Ministry Meeting
Online Giving Use Online Giving our online giving platform to make paperless donation to our church. You can give, through this website by using your credit card, debit card or electronic checking, and set up one-time or recurring donations. -To Access our Online Giving AccountVia Smartphone: Our app at Saint Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Community click on “Online Giving” Via Website: www.stoccc.org click on “Online Giving” MONTHLY FINANCIAL STATEMENT 8/23/20 – 18 ACTUAL MONTHLY EXPENSE: $2,062.61
COLLECTIONS: $565.00 MONTHLY INCOME (PLUS/MINUS) +$25.39
Bulletin Submissions due by Thursday at Midnight. Email to: media.stoccc@gmail.com or by calling Bill Schwartz at PH: 727-350-3778
Mother Teresa: A Saint for all On the 4th anniversary of the canonization of Mother Teresa of Kolkata, the postulator of her cause for sainthood tells us why she is so relevant in today’s world. By Linda Bordoni On 4 September 2016 tens of thousands of pilgrims flocked to Rome for the canonization of St. Mother Teresa of Kolkata, the tiny nun who dedicated her life to the poorest of the poor, living among them and like them. During the Mass in which Pope Francis proclaimed her a saint, he described her as a holy woman who defended the unborn, the sick and the abandoned and who shamed world leaders for the “crimes of poverty they themselves created.” Father Brian Kolodiejchuk is the author of three books on the tiny woman he simply calls “mother”, and the current Superior General of the Fathers of the Missionaries of Charity, the religious order she founded. He was appointed postulator of her cause of canonization 2 years after her death in 1997. In an interview with Vatican Radio, Fr Brian talks about how Mother Teresa is a “modern saint” we can all relate to, about her profound teaching on love, and about how we can all imitate her by finding love and beauty in small things and actions. Fr Brian Kolodiejchuk was personally close to St Mother Teresa, in Rome where he first met her at the Missionaries of Charity house in San Gregorio, and then spent time with her in New York and Tijuana where he co-founded the Fathers of Missionaries of Charity, the men’s branch of the Order that today counts 28 ordained priests and about 60 in formation, scattered through Africa, India, Guatemala and Rome. He is also the author of three books dedicated to Mother Teresa’s life and spirituality. One of these, “Come be my light” is based on hundreds of original letters she had written to her spiritual advisors. It is particularly relevant as it casts light on what he calls “the darkness” and spiritual loneliness she experienced for many years of her life, making her even closer and more relevant to ordinary people from all walks of life.
A saint of our times But first, he said, she is a “modern” saint as she lived the same circumstances that we do, while her popularity is such that she is known by men and women of all faiths across the globe. “Not since Saint Francis of Assisi has there been a saint that had such a wide echo beyond the Church”, he noted, pointing out that during her lifetime Mother Teresa received the Nobel Peace Prize and numerous other Awards and recognitions taking her fame “well beyond the Church”.
An apostle of joy But she's not unreachable or aloof, he reiterated, and although most of us would probably look to her and think “we could never be like Mother Teresa,” that may be true for some things, she is definitely someone who taught us all what love is. For example, he explained, in all those years of darkness and spiritual loneliness, “she was joyful in the midst of that painful experience (…), she wanted to be an apostle of joy.”
Teaching us to love
In the same way that Saint Thomas taught that love is in the will, Fr Brian explained, she showed us that in a culture in which love is mostly identified as a feeling, love is really a choice. Although she didn’t have the consolation or the experience of feeling Jesus’ love for her, or hers for Him, he continued, she was still able to choose to live her life with love. This is a great teaching because love is not always easy (just as in a marriage for example), and sometimes we find it hard to love someone else. But Mother Teresa teaches us that “love is willing the good of the other for the other’s own sake. Sometimes, he said, that costs us, "so she’s a great example of what love is.” She would say, Fr Brian revealed: “Ordinary things: extraordinary love. Small things: great love.” And that is something that can be applied to all of our lives:” If we look at our day, most of our actions are morally neutral," he explained. “What gives value to them is the love with which we do them.” “We can be doing the smallest things,” but they are transformed if we offer some of them for the love of God, always seeing the face of Jesus in the other.
A saint for all in an increasingly poverty-stricken world I asked Fr Brian, how can Mother Teresa be seen as relevant at a time in history in which more and more people are driven into poverty by unjust economic systems, and now by the coronavirus pandemic? It is true, he explained, that she never purported to address the structure behind poverty. She used to respond to that kind of criticism, he said, pointing out that tackling the mainstays of injustice is the vocation of others as it is part of the social doctrine of the Church, but stressing it was not her vocation. “My specific vocation is immediate and effective help” she would say, as she went about “feeding the poor as others were getting the fishing rod.” In the current situation, he added, we may feel we have no control over Covid-19 and its consequences for example, “but I can do something where I am.” He remarked on the many different ways people are going about helping those in need, even doing small things like leaving food in boxes for those who may be hungry and generally responding to the emergency in many small but important ways. “It’s exactly these small things that we can do, even if we can't control the whole situation,” he said.
A Pope Francis ‘kind-of-saint’ Fr Brian agreed that Mother Teresa is definitely “a Pope Francis kind-of-saint!” He noted that the miracle of the canonization happened back in 2008 but that it was only mentioned to him in 2013: “I used to say mother would be canonized when it’s a good moment for the Church, and as it happened, it was in the Jubilee of Mercy.” He also pointed to his third book, “Call to Mercy” which talks about Mother Teresa’s teachings on the Works of Mercy, and about how she went about in her works of mercy, all of this corroborated by the testimonies of witnesses talking about examples of how she lived that mercy. And then, he concluded, “Pope Francis says we go to the peripheries, both the geographical and the existential peripheries: And that's where Mother already was, by vocation, working with the poorest of the poor”. He highlighted how not only material poverty, but interior, spiritual poverty was so central to her life and ministry as well. When in the 70s she went to the West, he said, she realized the depth and extent of spiritual poverty. And also because of her own experience of darkness, and poverty of loneliness, she was able to reach out to all.
She was a well-known figure and she travelled the world, so people would share with her their most painful experiences. From her own experience, Fr Brian said, she was always able "to give a word of consolation because she knew what they were going through." “She would say the greatest poverty in the world today is to be unloved, unwanted, uncared for, and that's what she was experiencing in her own relationship with Jesus. “