Fr. Craig’s Contemplations

Fr. Craig’s Contemplations
 
24^th Sunday in Ordinary Time
September 12, 2021

Dear Friends,
 
Before breaking open a small reflection on Sacred Scripture for the 24^th
Sunday in Ordinary Time. I know many will sadly remember that Saturday, September 11, is the 20^th anniversary of one of the darkest times in our
nation’s history. I was working as a young college graduate in training, for General Motors, in Pre-Production Operations that day. I will never forget at about 8:10 am in a small conference at South Boulevard and Woodward, a veteran, who was now a GM Plant Superintendent, turning to me and saying, “we are under attack.” At this time, it would be good to remember in our prayers, to thank God for so many who have bravely served as first
responders and for our armed forces who fought for our nation and sacrificed so much.
 
This Sunday, we hear from the prophet Isaiah in the first reading. The great prophet is stressing that the Lord God has been his help during the many times of persecution and trials of his prophetic ministry. We then hear from the letter of James; James is stressing the need to have a faith that includes works. Works, you might ask, what work’s?  Certainly the works of service and mercy. We see so many from St. Anne’s Parish who from their faith, serve the poorest of poor, in northern Oakland County, in the Food Pantry.   We also see in our brother parishioners who serve in the Knights of Columbus, faith with works of service not only to our parish, but to the community. Also for those who serve selflessly as catechists, a devotion to sharing the faith with the young and helping them to discover the living-giving relationship Jesus is offering to all of us. Finally, we hear from Mark’s Gospel,
Jesus asks those closest to Him, “Who do people say that I am?”  St. Peter gives the correct answer, “You are the Christ.”  St. Peter was given a great gift of faith, to identify Jesus as the Christ. We too have ACCESS to Jesus’ “identity” each Sunday when we receive Him in the Eucharist. We too, know it is Jesus who is nourishing us with His Body, His Blood, His Soul, and His Divinity, in order that our faith be strengthened. We can then share His message of love and perform works of service and mercy with those whom we encounter.
 
May God be with you this week.
 
Fr. Craig Marion


READINGS FOR SEPTEMBER 12, 2021

24^th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

1^st Reading-Isaiah 50: 4c-9a— Isaiah prophesied: I gave my back to those who beat me and my face to buffets and spitting. I was not disgraced, for when the Lord is with me, how can I be ashamed?

Responsorial Psalm: 116: 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9— “I will walk before the Lord, I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living.”

2^nd Reading-James 2: 14-18—Faith without good works is dead and worth nothing. A person should not claim to be Christian without living like one. In vain do we profess faith without practice.

Gospel Acclamation-Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord through which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world.” Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Gospel-Mark 8: 27-35—Jesus taught the disciples that the Son of Man must suffer and die. He went on to say that if they wish to follow him they, too, must deny themselves and take up the cross.


PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL

1) Let us pray for the Church:
          Jesus, you gave us an example of long-suffering love.
Bless the founding members of our parish, both living and deceased.
          Help us all to walk in your ways.
         

2) Let us pray for the nations:
          God of all, see the grief and pain of our divided world.
          Be the comfort of our brothers and sisters who are oppressed,
 and suffer from natural disasters. Let us remember those whose lives were lost in the tragedy of 9/11, 20 years ago.
          

3) Let us pray for the poor:
          May we put our faith into action, O God, and reach out to those
                   who have nothing to wear and no food for the day.
          Bless OCEF, its donors and volunteers.
          

4) Let us pray for the sick:
          Holy Spirit, may those who are suffering know the sweet anointing
          of your healing power, especially our brothers and sisters --
          Reagan Bahling    Cory Rendell   Joan Ball    Laura Van Fleteren
          Betty Morici          Elaine Corkins      Aiden McClaren  
          Daren McLaughlin      Barbara Funke      Patricia Claya    Christopher Lee     Mary Phelan
          And for all who have asked for our prayers.
          

5) Let us remember the dead:
          Lord of the living and the dead, give eternal life to our loved ones,
                   especially – Dorothy Massy, sister of Ruth Rogan and…
                   (5:00 Mass) John & Filomena Dubis, Bob Henley
                   (8:30 Mass) Judy Johnson
                   (10:30 Mass) Anna & Jerry McAuliffe, Jack Zubalik,                                                                Roger McCarville
          We pray to the Lord…          
          +


ANNOUNCEMENTS – SEPTEMBER 12, 2021

 

1. There’s still time to sign up for Religious Education classes. Please stop by the office or go to our website to sign up electronically.

 

2. From the Knights of Columbus:

• Firewood-$85 a face cord-$95 with delivery
• There is a Euchre tournament on Saturday, September 18 from 6-8:30

Please see the bulletin for more details.
 

3. Next weekend we will take up a collection for our Priest’s Retirement fund.

 

4. (Sunday) Please join us in Hardy Hall for coffee, donuts and fellowship.