Fr. Craig’s Contemplations

by Fr. Craig Marion

Fr. Craig’s Contemplations
29th Week in Ordinary Time

October 17 -- Brothers and Sisters – Jesus shows us, that “true greatness” consists in “self-sacrifice” that is, in laying down our own “wants” and “desires” in order to help “build-up” the kingdom of God. Jesus in the tenth chapter of St. Mark’s Gospel, defines “self-sacrifice” as this, “whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the servant of all. For the Son of Man [Jesus] did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Thomas Howard a professor of Literature teaches us this: “To be Catholic is to have, at the far end of one’s picture of things, this vision of God, the beatific vision.” Dr. Thomas Howard then refers to Dante’s Paradiso, describing the beatific vision (or paradise) as “the Love that moves the sun and other stars.”

Dr. Howard is reminding each of us, of our need to take to our personal prayer; how am I personally “conforming” to Christ? Certainly, the work of “conforming” to Christ consists of “self-sacrifice.” However, it begins first through prayer, then our own personal discovery of the relationship Jesus is calling us to. Then with “eyes of faith” this is how many of us will begin with the aid of the Holy Spirit to “conform to Christ.”

Let us all pray for the grace to “conform” closer to our Lord Jesus Christ.

Fr. Craig Marion

READINGS FOR OCTOBER 17, 2021

29^th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

1^st Reading—Isaiah 53: 10-11— If the servant of the Lord “gives his life as an offering for sin, he shall see his descendants in a long life.”

Responsorial Psalm: 33: 4-5, 18-19, 20, 22— “Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.”

2^nd Reading—Hebrews 4: 14-16—Brothers and sisters: “Let us confidently approach the throne of grace.”

Gospel Acclamation—Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! “The Son of Man came to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Gospel—Mark 10: 35-45—Jesus replied to James and John, “The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as ransom for many.”

29TH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR - A - OCTOBER 17, 2021

1) Let us pray for the Church:
God, Lord of heaven and earth, may we seek you in all things. Let us come to your table with open minds and hearts.

2) Let us pray for peace in our world:
Destroy forever the web of war woven over the nations, O God.
Bring peace to all and safety to all military personnel.

3) Let us pray for those who suffer with disabilities:
God and author of life, you create us in your own image. Help us respect our brothers and sisters who are physically, mentally, or emotionally disabled. Remove the barriers that keep us apart.

4) Let us pray for the sick:
Compassionate healer of all, lift up those brought low my illness and pain, especially --
          Reagan Bahling    Betty Morici          Joan Ball     Elaine Corkins
          Christopher Lee     Mary Simon          Herman Greif        Bob Pawluk

          And for all who have asked for our prayers.

5) Let us remember the dead:
Shepherd God, you destroy death forever. Raise up our loved ones, especially –
(5:00 Mass) John & Filomena Dubis, Thomas & Michael Emon
(8:30 Mass) Earl Muhleck, Frank Genovese
(10:30 Mass) Mary & Fred Huot
          We pray to the Lord…

ANNOUNCEMENTS – October 17, 2021

High School Youth Group meet on Monday at 7 p.m. in Hardy Hall.

The Quilting and Craft group will meet next Saturday at 10 a.m. in Solanus Hall.

Save the Date: Thursday, October 28^th at 7 p.m. will be our Family of Parishes commissioning night at Our Lady of the Lakes. All parishes in our family—St. Daniel, St. Rita, St. Anne and Our Lady of the Lakes are invited as we commission our Family Pastors and the Moderator. There will be a reception to follow.

Next Sunday, October 24^th, the Knights of Columbus will be preparing a delicious pancake breakfast after the 8:30 and 10:30 Masses and we will welcome our new Chaplain, Fr. Craig.

Fr. Craig will be attending the Priest’s Convocation this week and will be gone on Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday, therefore, there is no daily Mass on those days. We will have a Communion Service on Tuesday, October 19^th at 9 a.m. and Mass on Friday morning.

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