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St. Barbara Parish Bulletin
Sunday, July 13, 2008
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FIFTEENTH SUNDAY in ORDINARY TIME
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The parable in today’s gospel describes four different conditions under which the seed is sown—three of which thwart its growth. Nevertheless, an abundant harvest is guaranteed because it is God’s work and it cannot be thwarted. Despite present hardships, despite rejection and obstinacy, God’s kingdom will be established and Jesus’ mission will be accomplished—a hundred-fold. Despite the conditions of where the seed falls, there is an abundant harvest.
The images of this parable include sower, seed and soil. If we see ourselves as the sower, the parable takes us in the direction of learning to know God and having union with God. We ourselves are the ones who spread the word of good news. This is discipleship! If we see ourselves as the seed, it reminds us that we sow God’s word wherever we are, by word and example. This is discipleship! If we see ourselves as the soil (which is the tendency), we are directed to examine the cares and distractions of our lives to see if they stand in the way of open eyes and ears and hearts. Thus the parable touches our lives in terms of knowing God and doing as God wills, being faithful disciples, and being fertile so God’s word can be fruitful.
The closer we come to Jesus the more layers of interpretation are opened up; the less we know Jesus, the more obscure is the parable or the more literal will be our interpretation. But most of all, we want to live our lives confident of the outcome, “achieving the end” God intended. We want to be an abundant harvest as well as help bring it about.
QUESTION of the WEEK
What sort of soil do I provide for the seed that is God’s work?
TODAY’S READINGS
First Reading—Isaiah 55:10-11
My word will not return to me void, but will achieve the end for which it was sent.
Responsorial Psalm—Psalm 65
The seed that falls on the ground will yield a fruitful harvest.
Second Reading—Romans 8:18-23
We, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan within ourselves awaiting the redemption of our bodies.
Gospel—Matthew 13:1-23 [1-9]
Some seed fell on the path, some on rocky ground, and some among thorns.
But some also fell on rich soil and produced fruit.
FROM DEATH to the FULLNESS of LIFE
Peggy Dionne
Daughter of Parishioner Jackie Stevens
May her soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
LET US PRAY FOR THE SICK
Eric Evonick
Mark Etzel
Richard Smith
Maria Muñoz
Catharene Purdy
Rose Margaret Braiden
Patty Escalera
Mary A. Correa
May they know Christ's healing.
FOR the LOVE of the MASS
Part 2: Liturgy of the Word
Did you know that Jesus comes to the Mission every Sunday to speak to us? Vatican II put it this way: “[Christ] is present in his word, since it is he himself who speaks when the holy Scriptures are read in the Church” (CSL, # 7, 1963). Our scriptures are organized into a Lectionary, which is the Bible divided into 156 Sunday readings (52/year over a 3 year cycle) consisting of: 1stReading mostly from the Old Testament, Psalm Response, 2ndReading from the non-gospel New Testament, and the Gospel. Weekday scriptures are divided into about 600 daily readings (300 weekdays over a two year cycle) and lack a 2nd Reading.
Listening to God’s word is a very active response, listening carefully for whatever word the Lord wants each of us to hear that day. If arriving late to Mass, it is best to wait until readings or prayers are finished before taking a seat so as not to distract others. In the silence after the readings and after the homily, you might ask yourself two simple questions: What did you hear Christ say? And how will you live that word this week? The answers to those questions can change your life! Bible references are printed in the bulletin each week so they can be read beforehand, which helps in allowing the word to take flesh in our lives.
Note the different responses and postures during the scriptures. They indicate a hierarchy of importance, the greatest being the Gospel, which is preceded by a sung acclamation and a procession with candles and sometimes incense. Many parishes use a special book of the Gospels for this proclamation. Following the gospel is a preached homily, which is an attempt to connect the scriptures to current issues (not a sermon, which may be based on any topic). It is a great challenge to preach to an assembly of all ages, genders, education levels, spiritualities, philosophies and worldviews – so be kind in your comments!
Catholics reaffirm their identity in the Creed or Profession of Faith. Our version comes from the Council of Nicaea, year 325. If there are catechumens in the assembly (those seeking baptism) they are dismissed before the Creed because they have not yet claimed this statement of faith. We do this together, as one voice, because our faith is a shared faith with all other members of Christ's body. Concluding the Liturgy of the Word is the Prayer of the Faithful, a response to God’s word, initiated and concluded by the presider, yet including intentions of the assembly for the Church, those in authority, the local community, those burdened in any way, and the dead. These are prayers for the entire community, which is why it is NOT appropriate to pray, “for a personal intention.”
PARISH CALENDAR
July 15 Secular Franciscan Meeting, 6:30PM
July 17 RCIA (team only) Meeting, 6:30PM
July 18 Baptism Class at 6:30PM
July 20 National Needs Combined Collection
July 20 Baptisms at the 12Noon Mass
July 27 2nd Collection-Franciscan Missionary Union
July 27 Anointing of the Sick after the Noon Mass
July 29 Pastoral Council Meeting at 6:45PM
BAPTIZED into NEW LIFE
Chloe Cecilia Diaz
Daughter of Alfredo and Jennifer Diaz
Sienna Abigail Petty
Daughter of Kevin and Roxana Petty
Kristine Angela Ramirez
Daughter of Mark and Eleanor Ramirez
SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY
Raul Rodriguez
and
Reyna Aguirre
CONSIDER THE MUSIC MINISTRY
Sing to the Lord!
At St. Barbara Parish, we are blessed to have a very fine music ministry which, for decades, has led our community in sung prayer (one of the oldest uninterrupted musical traditions in California, dating from the Mission’s founding in 1786). The choir leads the assembly in prayer and enhances our worship experience with music from all genres of our Catholic heritage. The choir is composed of dedicated singers who freely give of their time and talent to a weekly rehearsal, the 9AM Sunday Eucharist and for Holy Days and Solemnities throughout the liturgical year.
The parish choir is on break during the summer months (July and August). It is during this time that the choir seeks new singers to join the music ministry for the upcoming 2008-2009 liturgical year (September-June). The choir is looking for parishioners who desire to join a ministry in which they can connect with other parishioners, and who enjoy sharing their talent and love for music. All are encouraged to consider the parish choir for their liturgical ministry. Currently the choir is composed of 20 voices (soprano, alto, tenor and bass). The choir has 6 professional singers (Mission Choral Scholars) that serve as leaders in each section. All voice parts are welcome to audition. Some music skills and choral experience is necessary. Please take the time to consider becoming a member of the music ministry. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sample Choir Schedule
Thursdays: Weekly rehearsals from 7PM to 9PM in the Music Room.
Sundays: Warm-up begins at 8AM in the Music Room. The choir sings at the 9AM Mass every week (September through June).
A full choir schedule for the liturgical year is available upon request.
Contact: Roy Spicer, Director of Music, 682-4151 ext. 103, or e-mail him at music@saintbarbaraparish.org.
DID YOU KNOW …
Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha
Tekakwitha was born in 1656 in Ossernenon, a Mohawk village in upper New York, where Isaac Jogues met his death. Her mother was a devout Catholic of the Algonquin nation but had been taken captive in a war with the Mohawks. Tekakwitha’s father was a Mohawk chief. When a smallpox epidemic wiped out most of her people, including both her parents as well as her brother, Tekakwitha survived with very bad eyesight and a scarred body.
Though her mother was Catholic, Tekakwitha had never been baptized. Now, orphaned at age 4, she was adopted by her father’s family, who hated the Jesuit missionaries. But after a peace treaty allowed the Jesuits to preach in the Mohawk villages, Tekakwitha met with them in secret and at the age of 20 was baptized and given the name Kateri, for Catherine.
Kateri cherished time spent in the woods walking and kneeling for hours in prayer. But she was harshly punished for refusing to work on Sundays and for refusing to marry. Punitive beatings, continual criticism, and mockery were constant. In 1677, seeing her perseverance and fortitude, one of the Jesuits decided to send her away to Kahnawake in Quebec, where there was a large community of Christian aboriginal people. There she was able to express and deepen her faith freely. Kateri lived a life dedicated to care for the sick and aged, prayer, and severe penitential practices.
When Kateri visited Montreal she witnessed Marguerite Bourgeoys and her companions working and living in a convent. On her return, Kateri, along with a widowed companion, tried to convince the priest to open a convent in the village. Finally, in 1679 she was allowed to begin a small convent at the mission.
However, in the spring of 1680, Kateri’s health deteriorated rapidly. Her pain soon became so great that she was not able to move. When she died at the age of 24, her last words were “Jesus and Mary.” Those at her side said that as they watched all the scars on her body disappeared and her disfigured face and skin shined.
Kateri was the first of the aboriginal people of North America to be beatified. She is invoked as patroness of the environment and ecology. In Canada, she is remembered each year on April 17, and in the United States on July 14.
KNOW YOUR TALENTS!
Based on the Catholic edition of the book, Living Your Strengths
Each week, the parish bulletin will feature one of the 34 talents or signature themes, listed in order of their frequency in our parish. Call the parish for more information on discovering and applying your talents.
---- INCLUDER ----
“Stretch the circle wider” … that’s the philosophy behind our parish’s #15 talent—Includer. If you believe that all people are equally important; if you accept others for who they are and resist casting judgment; if you have a keen awareness of exclusion and are uncomfortable with leaving someone “on the outside” … you’re probably an Includer.
* RELATED SCRIPTURE: There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. — Galatians 3:28
* APPLICATION TO WORK and MINISTRY: An Includer’s talents are well-served in a parish welcoming committee, newcomers’ club, or as an usher at Sunday Mass. They want to be sure that everyone feels at home and are especially well-skilled in getting people involved. Includers are key in encouraging diversity and take on active roles in advocating global missions.
* PUTTING a FACE ON INCLUDER: Nancy Gillett (Eucharistic Minister), Dorothea Kelley (Eucharistic Minister), Ginny Petrini (Hospitality Committee, Co-Leader of Eucharistic Ministers), Roy Spicer (Director of Music).
COME on PILGRIMAGE and MEET the SAINTS!
Medjugorje and Italy
Led by Fr. Daniel Barica, O.F.M., Pastor
13 days (May 4-16, 2009)
MEDJUGORJE: Apparition Sites; ROME: Papal Audience, Basilica of St. Paul (during the Pauline Year); ASSISI: Medieval Festival of Calendimaggio, Relics of Sts. Francis and Clare; FLORENCE: Birthplace of the Renaissance, Church of Santa Croce; PADUA: Relics of St. Anthony; RAVENNA: the ancient Byzantine Mosaics; VENICE: St. Mark’s Church and all the sites; Brochures are available in the Parish Office and the Porter’s Office. Cost of trip is $3798 pp/do, which includes RT air from LAX, top-class hotels, shuttles, most taxes, admission fees, porterage, daily Mass and most meals.
Call Fr. Daniel Barica at (805) 682-4151.
NEW MINISTRY SCHEDULE AVAILABLE
A new Ministry Schedule for the months of July and August is now available. You may pick up a copy of the new schedule in the Sacristy, the Porter’s Office or the Parish Office. In addition, the schedule is posted on the Parish website (http://sbmission.org/eucharistic.shtml).
ALWAYS our CHILDREN
The Catholic support group for parents of Gay and Lesbian Children from the Santa Barbara and Ventura area normally meets on the fourth Monday of every other month. Due to summer schedule, they will instead be meeting on Monday, July 14th at 7:30 PM.
This is a comfortable environment where you can share your feelings and ask questions. The meetings are informal and confidential.
For more information, please call Kathie and Joe Schneider at (805) 687-4338.
STEWARDSHIP of TREASURE
Sunday, July 6th $11,024.00
If we accept the challenge of putting God first in our time and treasure, our attitudes, priorities and spiritual lives will definitely change.
NATIONAL NEEDS COLLECTION
“Sharing the Good News”
Each year, your support of the National Needs Combined Collection makes it possible for the Catholic Communication Campaign to:
· continue its television, radio and print media ministry;
· provide aid to some of the neediest African American and Native American communities;
· ensure the highest standards of quality Catholic education;
· strengthen the Church at home;
· help provide basic pastoral resources and services to needy ethnic communities in scattered and isolated areas through the Catholic Home Missions Appeal.
Envelopes will be made available in the pews next weekend. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
PREPARE for NEXT SUNDAY’S LITURGY
First Reading: Wisdom 12:13, 16-19
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 86
Second Reading: Romans 8:26-27
Gospel: Matthew 13:24-43 [24-30]
REFLECTION on NEXT SUNDAY’S LITURGY of the WORD
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
In next Sunday’s gospel Jesus tells three parables that describe the kingdom of God. In the first we hear about a field where weeds and wheat grow together. It was difficult to tell the weeds apart from the wheat. To cut or pull the weeds while the wheat was growing would hurt the wheat. When the crop was full grown, however, the weeds could be pulled without endangering the wheat. In the Christian community, we find the same situation—good and bad grow together, and none of us is wise enough to weed out the bad without harming the good. God, the “Master of the Harvest,” will make this judgment at the end of time. In the meantime, we must be non-judgmental and practice patience.
Life Focus
When has your first impression of someone changed from “weed” to “wheat?” What would you have missed if you had not take the time to understand the person more thoroughly?
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Sunday, July 06, 2008
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FOURTEENTH SUNDAY in ORDINARY TIME
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In today’s gospel Jesus pours out his meek and humble heart in love both for the Father and for his disciples. He praises God for graciously willing “little ones” to be the recipients of revelation. He calls disciples to himself that he might offer them deserved rest from their burdens. When we experience discipleship as hard, difficult, and challenging—as it is—we can find comfort and solace in the tender Christ who lightens our burdens. He is always there for us, giving us rest and refreshment.
Faithful discipleship calls for a self-sacrificing love that knows no bounds when the good of the other is at stake. No bounds—not even one’s life. Faithful discipleship requires of us no less than dying to ourselves. We must let go of all our own pretensions, become meek and humble like Jesus—become little ones—and serve others. In everyday terms this means that we always seek God’s will in our lives. This isn’t always easy, because our natural human tendency is to seek our own good. Just as Jesus came to do God’s gracious will and brought salvation and peace, so when we do God’s will we extend salvation and know peace. This is knowing God!
The burden of gospel living is heavy when God is hidden, it is light when God is revealed. Life is bearable when we’re in union with Christ. This is all we need do; be in union with Christ so we are in union with God. All we need do is come to him, and he will give us rest. This is surely a gracious God and with a gracious will for us!
QUESTION of the WEEK
How has the Lord freed me from my burdens?
TODAY’S READINGS
First Reading—Zechariah 9:9-10
Rejoice heartily, O Jerusalem! For see, your savior comes.
Responsorial Psalm—Psalm 145
I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.
Second Reading—Romans 8:9, 11-13
The one who raised Christ from death will give life to your mortal bodies also.
Gospel—Matthew 11:25-30
Come, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH WELCOMES YOU
Are you thinking about returning to actively practicing your faith? If you are a Catholic who has been away from the Church, know you are in our prayers. We invite you to explore your faith and your future with the Catholic Church.
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a community-based process for welcoming new members into the Roman Catholic Church that is guided by the Gospel and the lived example of the community. Adults learn about the Catholic tradition and prepare for the sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation. If you are interested in learning more, please call the parish office at 682-4151.
SAY “HELLO” to our NEW PARISHIONERS!
Scott and Diane Glenn
Irwin and Elizabeth Harris
DEAR PARISHIONERS and VISITORS,
What brings you to Mass each week? Is it an act of duty or obligation? Is it the music, prayers or homily that draws you? Maybe you seek Jesus in the Eucharist; maybe you seek community; maybe you can identify with each of these reasons.
For those who have come to Mass looking for peace, you have come to the right place! Jesus offers us a place of rest, as we will hear in the Gospel. Perhaps that is the most popular reason for coming to Mass – to find some peace and holy rest from our complex and overextended lives.
This weekend I begin a series I am calling: For the Love of the Mass, where I plan to clarify and explain the different parts of the Mass. My goal is that the parish can have greater appreciation for God’s great gift in this essential and most holy form of Christian prayer.
Whatever reasons bring us to Mass, it is important to remember that Mass has begun well before we arrive. For some, it begins when the Sunday scriptures are read and reflected upon during the week. For others it begins when decisions are made on what to wear and/or in the hour of prayerful abstinence from food beforehand. Mass has begun in the journey to the church: in traffic through fair or foul weather; in conversation with others in the parking lot; as one walks through the doors of the church and is greeted; in blessing oneself with holy water from the font and bowing to the cross and altar before settling into a seat. How do you select where you will sit? Does your manner and placement in the pew invite others to sit near you?
As we explore together the intricacies of this ancient tradition of prayer we call Mass, remember that whatever our reasons for attending and however we choose to begin, the Mass, in the end, is God’s initiative. It is God who has called us to prayer. It is God who has initiated us into the sacramental life and guides us to be faithful disciples. It is God who desires us to have intimacy with God so that we can become more divine and identify with God’s plans for the world. Growing in holiness is growing to become more like God. Doing God’s work in the world may feel like a heavy burden or an impossible yoke, but through our relationship to Jesus in the Mass, we will come to experience it as light and easy.
Yours in the peace and love of Jesus Christ,
Fr. Daniel F. Barica, O.F.M., Pastor
PARISH CALENDAR
July 10 RCIA Meeting at 6:30PM
July 12 Secular Franciscan Mass, 8:30AM
July 15 Secular Franciscan Meeting at 6:30PM
July 17 RCIA (team only) Meeting at 6:30PM
July 18 Baptism Class at 6:30PM
July 20 National Needs Combined Collection
July 27 2nd Collection-Franciscan Missionary Union
July 27 Anointing of the Sick after the Noon Mass
July 29 Pastoral Council Meeting at 6:45PM
July 31 Misa del Presidente Mass at 10AM
LET US PRAY FOR THE SICK
Eric Evonick
Mark Etzel
Richard Smith
Maria Muñoz
Catharene Purdy
Rose Margaret Braiden
Patty Escalera
Mary A. Correa
May they know Christ's healing.
FOR the LOVE of the MASS
Part 1: Gathering/Introductory Rite
As I have mentioned in the Pastoral Reflection this week, the Mass has begun even before we take our seats and collect ourselves. It continues, at St. Barbara Parish, with a greeting just before the entrance chant (official name for what we might call the opening hymn or song). Important information is given in this greeting about the particular liturgical celebration and season, as well as how to best enter into the prayer by tuning out the outside world and focusing on becoming one body of prayer.
Mass is considered a liturgy – a type of community prayer that is considered important “work” for the faithful. Liturgical prayer has a different structure than private prayer. It is something we do together so it is important to pray and sing in unison as one body. This requires listening to the rhythm of our speech and not rushing ahead because we already know the words.
As the music begins, all are standing, facing the formal entrance procession which consists of liturgical ministers, acolytes (altar servers) and the presider. A processional cross leads, unless it is a special solemnity or season, in which case a thurifer (bearer of the incense) will lead. If there is a choir or cantor, their main role is to lead the music and thus invite the assembly (you and I) to join in the song. This helps us to become one body of prayer – the most important work of the assembly.
After the members of the procession have reached their places and the music has finished, the presider leads the assembly in our sign of faith (sign of the cross) and makes a liturgical greeting which takes on the language that Jesus and the early Church used, such as: Peace be with you. “Good Morning” or “How Are You” is not liturgical language and therefore, not an appropriate part of the liturgical greeting at Mass.
What follows next is the penitential or sprinkling rite which helps ready ourselves for God’s presence in word and sacrament to come. Although these rites acknowledge our sinfulness, they are not meant to supplant sacramental confession, nor are they meant to focus on sin. Rather, they function to help us praise God because of God’s great gift of mercy. This praise spills over into the Gloria, one of the ancient hymns of the Church, and continues with a moment of rich silence. The presider then gathers the prayer of the assembly into a collect prayer known as the Opening Prayer, which follows. All are then seated for the next movement in the Mass, called the Liturgy of the Word.
CONSIDER the MUSIC MINISTRY
Sing to the Lord!
At St. Barbara Parish, we are blessed to have a very fine music ministry which, for decades, has led our community in sung prayer (one of the oldest uninterrupted musical traditions in California, dating from the Mission’s founding in 1786). The choir leads the assembly in prayer and enhances our worship experience with music from all genres of our Catholic heritage. The choir is composed of dedicated singers who freely give of their time and talent to a weekly rehearsal, the 9AM Sunday Eucharist and for Holy Days and Solemnities throughout the liturgical year.
The parish choir is on break during the summer months (July and August). It is during this time that the choir seeks new singers to join the music ministry for the upcoming 2008-2009 liturgical year (September-June). The choir is looking for parishioners who desire to join a ministry in which they can connect with other parishioners, and who enjoy sharing their talent and love for music. All are encouraged to consider the parish choir for their liturgical ministry. Currently the choir is composed of 20 voices (soprano, alto, tenor and bass). The choir has 6 professional singers (Mission Choral Scholars) that serve as leaders in each section. All voice parts are welcome to audition. Some music skills and choral experience is necessary. Please take the time to consider becoming a member of the music ministry. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sample Choir Schedule
Thursdays: Weekly rehearsals from 7PM to 9PM in the Music Room.
Sundays: Warm-up begins at 8AM in the Music Room. The choir sings at the 9AM Mass every week (September through June).
A full choir schedule for the liturgical year is available upon request.
Contact: Roy Spicer, Director of Music, 682-4151 ext. 103, or e-mail him at music@saintbarbaraparish.org.
KNOW YOUR TALENTS!
Based on the Catholic edition of the book, Living Your Strengths
Each week, the parish bulletin will feature one of the 34 talents or signature themes, listed in order of their frequency in our parish. Call the parish for more information on discovering and applying your talents.
----MAXIMIZER ----
This week’s highlighted talent—#14—is Maximizer. You can probably guess that this talent is found in people who search for the “ultimate” and for “excellence.” They are attracted to people who appreciate them for what they are and to people who acknowledge them for their strengths. They search for and nourish (maximize) the gifts of others. They feel blessed for what they have and tend to avoid people who want to “fix” them. Their time is better spent capitalizing on the positive—to the max!
* RELATED SCRIPTURE: They that hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar as with eagles’ wings; they will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint. — Isaiah 40:31
* APPLICATION TO WORK and MINISTRY: Maximizer types have a knack for showing others how to use their own strengths to their fullest. Their time is well-spent acting as a mentor, a coach or a teacher. They enjoy helping others succeed and in finding the “excellent” in each person.
* PUTTING a FACE ON MAXIMIZER: Monique Fay, Rosalie Hardoin, Ed Heron (Stations of the Cross Project, Sunday Coffee Hour), Barbara Moore (Hospitality Committee), Nancy Mulholland (Eucharistic Minister), Sharon Vega.
COME on PILGRIMAGE & MEET the SAINTS!
Medjugorje and Italy
Led by Fr. Daniel Barica, O.F.M., Pastor
13 days (May 4-16, 2009)
MEDJUGORJE: Apparition Sites; ROME: Papal Audience, Basilica of St. Paul (during the Pauline Year); ASSISI: Medieval Festival of Calendimaggio, Relics of Sts. Francis and Clare; FLORENCE: Birthplace of the Renaissance, Church of Santa Croce; PADUA: Relics of St. Anthony; RAVENNA: the ancient Byzantine Mosaics; VENICE: St. Mark’s Church and all the sites; Brochures are available in the Parish Office and the Porter’s Office. Cost of trip is $3798 pp/do, which includes RT air from LAX, top-class hotels, shuttles, most taxes, admission fees, porterage, daily Mass and most meals.
Call Fr. Daniel Barica at (805) 682-4151.
SIGN UP FOR JUSTFAITH: New Group Forming in the Fall
How do we become people who really care for and act on behalf of the poor and vulnerable? A program called JustFaith will begin its fourth year in the parish this fall. It is designed to empower and transform participants so that they become voices for the voiceless and agents of God’s good news for the poor. Be ready for a wonderful 30 weeks that include weekly meetings, videos, and retreats. It includes immersion experiences such as visiting Guadalupe’s Catholic Worker House to hear the stories of immigrant farm workers, Santa Barbara’s Pueblo to hear stories from the poor in our city, and Casa Esperanza to learn about the needs of the homeless. Please contact Ann Heck nona724@gmail.com (687-1632) or Sharon Brownett sharonbrownett@aol.com (682-7834) for more information.
NEW MINISTRY SCHEDULE AVAILABLE
A new Ministry Schedule for the months of May and June is now available. You may pick up a copy of the new schedule in the Sacristy, the Porter’s Office or the Parish Office. In addition, the schedule is posted on the Parish website (http://sbmission.org/eucharistic.shtml).
STEWARDSHIP of TREASURE
Sunday, June 29th $11,860.00
Catholic Charities $982.80
Peter’s Pence Collection $2,374.00
“For everything is from you, and we only give you what we already have received from you.” (1 Chr 29:14-16)
PREPARE for NEXT SUNDAY’S LITURGY
First Reading: Isaiah 55:10-11
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 65
Second Reading: Romans 8:18-23
Gospel: Matthew 13:1-23 [1-9]
REFLECTION on NEXT SUNDAY’S LITURGY of the WORD
Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
The parable of the sower tells of the fruitfulness of God’s creative word. It is a parable about the coming of God’s reign. Preaching the kingdom will meet all kinds of obstacles, but in the end it will be successful. As powerful as the word is, however, it needs to be received. We must be willing to listen and to bring the message into our lives. We see this in the way that the disciples, open to God’s word, are given insights into “the mysteries of the reign of God.”
Life Focus
· Why do you think God put you on this earth? What harvest is God bringing from your life?
· What helps or hinders God’s ways becoming rooted in your everyday life?
· In what ways have you enriched God’s kingdom?
· When has personal suffering brought you closer to God?
Sunday, June 29, 2008
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SOLEMNITY of PETER and PAUL, APOSTLES
___________________________________________
This solemnity celebrates two pillars of our faith: Peter, apostle to the Jews; and Paul, apostle to the Gentiles. But this solemnity celebrates more than two great apostles. Peter and Paul represent all believers who come to faith and acknowledge who Christ is, and who keep the faith by fulfilling their part in the mission of Jesus. This solemnity celebrates the establishment of the church. Most of all, this solemnity celebrates the victory of Christ that is shared with his faithful disciples—”the crown of righteousness awaits” us.
Repeated imprisonment didn’t silence Peter or Paul; both preached the good news of salvation in Christ until their final suffering and death. Both were able to do so because Christ “stood by them and gave them strength.” So it is for us. Christ strengthens us to preach boldly and faithfully. Such gospel living will bring us, too, to receive the crown of righteousness. Faithful disciples are always rescued by God; however, divine rescue isn’t necessarily from pain or suffering in this life or the threat of death, but is always about being taken safely to the heavenly kingdom. This is the victory that we celebrate this day.
We may not proclaim Christ in great speeches, as did Peter and Paul. But we do proclaim Christ every day by the way we live. Self-giving and surrendering ourselves to God’s will bring us the same victory shared by Peter and Paul.
QUESTION of the WEEK
Like Peter and Paul, what am I doing to build up the Church?
TODAY’S READINGS
First Reading—Acts 12:1-11
Peter was in prison, but prayer by the church was made to God on his behalf.
Responsorial Psalm—Psalm 34
The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him.
Second Reading—2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18
I have finished the race; I have kept the faith.
Gospel—Matthew 16:13-19
Simon Peter said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH WELCOMES YOU
Are you thinking about returning to actively practicing your faith? If you are a Catholic who has been away from the Church, know you are in our prayers. We invite you to explore your faith and your future with the Catholic Church.
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a community-based process for welcoming new members into the Roman Catholic Church that is guided by the Gospel and the lived example of the community. Adults learn about the Catholic tradition and prepare for the sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation. If you are interested in learning more, please call the parish office at 682-4151.
SAY “HELLO” to our NEW PARISHIONERS!
Kathleen Pelle
Silvia Sifuentes
DEAR PARISHIONERS and VISITORS,
Earlier this week we celebrated the Nativity of the Birth of John the Baptist (June 24). That man sure had a hard life! Today’s celebration centers on the lives of Peter and Paul. They did not have it much easier, did they? Next week we have the feast of St. Thomas, Apostle (July 3) and he is also celebrated as a martyr in the Church.
At some point, as Catholics, we have to ask ourselves, “Why do we keep lifting up these people who had such difficult lives and such painful, agonizing deaths?” The initial answer might be that it’s because they are following the example of Jesus Christ, who led the way. If we are also trying to follow Jesus, should we, then, be taking out expensive insurance policies or wearing bullet-proof vests? What can we expect?
Let me first say that the point is not the suffering. The point is following Jesus, whatever the cost might be. We lift up Peter and Paul and all the saints because they were faithful in difficult times, not just because they suffered. The true test of love and loyalty comes, not when times are good but when times are challenging, as the marriage vows dictate: in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, all the days of our lives. Not all Christians have taken marriage vows yet all have made baptismal promises. The expectations are the same: be faithful!
Last Wednesday I celebrated the nine years since I was ordained right here in the Mission Church, one of the most beautiful days of my life – and many of you were there! Discerning God’s call can be frightening, especially when you consider the lot of those like Peter and Paul. We can feel unworthy and that God might be making a mistake to choose us. In truth, God wants ALL of us to use the gifts we have been given to serve God’s purposes. What are your gifts? Are you using them? Are you being faithful?
Peter is the “rock” of the Church for his faithfulness, not his perfection. Next week, Jesus will call him a “Satan,” for telling Jesus he should avoid going to Jerusalem because he might be killed. Peter and Paul learned, through their mistakes, to be faithful disciples, especially through great hardship. May God also help us be faithful in all ways.
Yours, in faithful discipleship,
Fr. Daniel F. Barica, O.F.M., Pastor
PARISH CALENDAR
July 1 Memorial of Blessed Junipero Serra
July 4 Parish Office Closed
July 10 RCIA Meeting at 6:30PM
July 12 Secular Franciscan Mass at 8:30AM
July 15 Secular Franciscan Meeting at 6:30PM
July 17 RCIA (team only) meets at 6:30PM
July 18 Baptism Class at 6:30PM
July 27 2nd Collection-Franciscan Missionary Union
July 27 Anointing of the Sick after the Noon Mass
July 29 Pastoral Council Meeting at 6:45PM
FOR THE LOVE of the MASS
As disciples of Christ, it is always good to further or refresh our learning in the Catholic religion. For this end, during the weekends of July, Fr. Daniel will be giving a teaching on the Mass at the 4pm Vigil and 9 and 10:30 AM Masses on Sunday. This will be done during the homily and will be divided into four parts: 1) the Introductory Rite, 2) the Liturgy of the Word, 3) the Liturgy of the Eucharist, and 4) the Dismissal. Related material will also be available in the bulletin.
BIOGRAPHY of BR. LOUIS KHOURY
My name is Br. Louis Khoury, OFM. I am a friar in formation with two years of Theology graduate studies. My regular home is St. Elizabeth Friary, Oakland, CA. I will be at Old Mission Santa Barbara for a summer work assignment until August 16th. During my stay here, I hope to deepen my Franciscan religious life and broaden my experiences as a friar discerning the priesthood. This will happen only with your prayers and help. My time will be divided between this parish, the Retreat Center, and the Mission Archives office.
I am originally from Amman, Jordan. I immigrated to the US after finishing high school 1979. Since then I lived in Southern California, where most of my family lives. I am the youngest of six children.
My last career was in hospital administration. Midway through this career, my childhood calling to the religious life echoed again in my heart. After five years of discernment and doing volunteer work in various ministries (detention, homeless, convalescent, acolyte) I joined the Franciscan Order. I am grateful to God for my experiences as a lay person. However, I wish I had received encouragement to enter the religious life when I first experienced the call. One of my hopes is that parents encourage their children to consider the religious life as another career option.
LET US PRAY FOR THE SICK
Eric Evonick
Mark Etzel
Richard Smith
Erin Johansson
Catharene Purdy
Rose Margaret Braiden
Patty Escalera
Mary A. Correa
Maria Muñoz
May they know Christ's healing.
MINISTRY to the HOMEBOUND
If someone you know is not able to come to Mass, or would like a minister to take Communion to their home, please call the Parish Office to make arrangements. Also, with the permission of the person who is ill, we are happy to include their name in the Prayer of the Faithful and list it in the bulletin.
CATECHISTS NEEDED
“God doesn’t call the qualified. He qualifies those that he calls.”
- Bishop Carl Fisher
Have you been given the “gifts” to nurture the love and trust our children have for God? Have you considered sharing your faith and time with the children of our parish? We are in need of catechists for all grades. There will be plenty of support and help from our Religious Education Office. If you feel God is calling you to this ministry, please contact Linda Ruffton at (805) 682-4151 ext. 104.
KNOW YOUR TALENTS!
Based on the Catholic edition of the book, Living Your Strengths
Each week, the parish bulletin will feature one of the 34 talents or signature themes, listed in order of their frequency in our parish. Call the parish for more information on discovering and applying your talents.
---- WOO ----
WOO, which stands for “Winning Others Over,” is Talent #13. Our Parish has a good number of WOO-ful members—people who love to meet strangers, are adept at starting conversations and at finding things they have in common with others. Rather than being intimidated by a room full of people they don’t know, WOO folks are drawn to such situations and are energized by the idea of making new connections. Their world has no strangers—just friends they haven’t met yet.
* RELATED SCRIPTURE: Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of opportunity.
— Matthew 6:34
* APPLICATION TO WORK and MINISTRY: The ability to draw people into situations makes the WOO talent valuable. They make excellent ushers at Mass by making people feel welcome. WOO-ers have a natural knack for campaigning, running fund-raisers and organizing large parish social events.
* PUTTING a FACE ON WOO: Jean Callanan (Lector), Lyn Carman (RCIA, Lector, Secular Franciscan), Dorothea Kelley (Eucharistic Minister), Glory Lamb, Mary Sheahan (Eucharistic Minister), Martha Townsend (Pastoral Council).
INTERESTED in a YOUTH PROGRAM BEYOND SIXTH GRADE?
All parents and others who are interested in a parish youth program for 7th graders and beyond are invited to attend a brainstorming session with Fr. Daniel, Pastor, and Jocelyne Bublitz, Pastoral Council member and parent. Please contact Jocelyne at jocelyneb@cox.net to arrange a meeting time that is convenient for the majority of those who are interested. We invite you to bring your dreams and ideas, as well as whatever resources you might have to contribute to this effort.
“THE WONDER of LIFE - Playing with God!”
A day of Recollection at Old Mission Santa Barbara Renewal Center. Please join us Wednesday, July 2. Sessions are 9:30AM-2:00PM and include presentations, reflection, Eucharist and lunch. Presenters are Fr. Richard McManus OFM, Fr. Howard Hall OFM and Sr. Susan Blomstad, OSF. Suggested donation is $20. Please contact the Mission Renewal Center at 805-682-4713 ext 133 or retreats@sboldmission.org to make your reservation.
COME ON PILGRIMAGE and MEET the SAINTS
Medjugorje and Italy
Led by Fr. Daniel Barica, O.F.M., Pastor
13 days (May 4-16, 2009)
MEDJUGORJE: Apparition Sites; ROME: Papal Audience, Basilica of St. Paul (during the Pauline Year); ASSISI: Medieval Festival of Calendimaggio, Relics of Sts. Francis and Clare; FLORENCE: Birthplace of the Renaissance, Church of Santa Croce; PADUA: Relics of St. Anthony; RAVENNA: the ancient Byzantine Mosaics; VENICE: St. Mark’s Church and all the sites; Brochures are available in the Parish Office and the Porter’s Office. Cost of trip is $3798 pp/do, which includes RT air from LAX, top-class hotels, shuttles, most taxes, admission fees, porterage, daily Mass and most meals.
Call Fr. Daniel Barica at (805) 682-4151.
LIVING YOUR STRENGTHS JOURNEY
If you were unable to participate in our recent workshops and sessions, another opportunity for Living Your Strengths will begin on Saturday, September 6. Save the date for a morning workshop.
STEWARDSHIP of TREASURE
Sunday, June 22nd $10,133.00
Thank you for your generosity! Don’t forget to use your envelopes
THANK YOU, ST .BARBARA PARISH
“Thank you for your recent gift of $3,011 to the Franciscan Missionary Union. Your generosity helps the Franciscans to serve the needs of the church and the world, and it’s an important witness to the goodness of God.”
Yours in Christ and Saint Francis,
Brother John Summers, OFM
PREPARE for NEXT SUNDAY’S LITURGY
First Reading: Zechariah 9:9-10
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 145
Second Reading: Romans 8:9, 11-13
Gospel: Matthew 11:25-30
REFLECTION on NEXT SUNDAY’S LITURGY of the WORD
Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Jesus praises God’s goodness, which brings the truly humble into sharing in the love that joins the Father and the Son. Those who depend only on their own strength and knowledge will never understand God’s wisdom and wonderful care. Jesus encourages his listeners to come to him if they are wearied by life. He will share their burdens and restore their sense of balance and peace. People must have the courage and humility to believe in the power of peace and gentleness over aggression and hard-heartedness.
Life Focus
· What are your childlike qualities? What makes it difficult for you to be childlike?
· How do you let life make you weary?
· Recall a time in your life when you found peace by turning a certain burden over to Jesus.
· Speak of how you were affected by a person who was strong in conviction but gentle in approach.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
___________________________________________
TWELFTH SUNDAY in ORDINARY TIME
___________________________________________
Jesus is telling the Twelve (and us) that acknowledging him and doing his work will put our lives in danger. Human forces oppose the mission, but a promise of divine care sustains those who undertake it. This mission ought not be undertaken lightly because there will be opposition. Neither, however, ought the mission be undertaken with trepidation, because God does not abandon us. Forces will oppose this mission, but God is ever with us. Twice in the gospel Jesus comforts his disciples with “do not be afraid.” We are not afraid because we are never alone.
Why do we choose to be faithful and yet are not afraid? Because God has announced our worth and will care for us. These images lend some concreteness to the demands of living the gospel and liturgy. It is not enough to come to church Sunday after Sunday and hear the challenge of the gospel; faithful disciples take up the challenge, surrender to God’s care, and know they will be fruitful because God is with them.
If we proclaim the gospel, there will be opposition and persecution. For the vast majority of us this doesn’t mean censorship or physical hardship. It does mean that we must set aside our own desires and preferences in order to surrender to the good of others. Concretely, this might mean reaching out to the one who has wronged or denounced us even when he or she has admitted no wrongdoing. It might mean the teen withstanding peer pressure to do something wrong. It might mean speaking the truth in a difficult situation. Gospel living means choosing the world of light—the world offered by Jesus—and living it, no matter what the cost.
QUESTION of the WEEK
When have I felt that God was protecting me from harm? When has this been hard to believe?
TODAY’S READINGS
First Reading—Jeremiah 20:10-13
The Lord has rescued the poor from the clutches of the wicked.
Responsorial Psalm—Psalm 69
Lord, in your great love, answer me.
Second Reading—Romans 5:12-15
The grace of God overflows for all.
Gospel—Matthew 10:26-33
All who acknowledge Jesus before others will likewise be acknowledged by Jesus before the Father.
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH WELCOMES YOU!
Are you thinking about returning to actively practicing your faith? If you are a Catholic who has been away from the Church, know you are in our prayers. We invite you to explore your faith and your future with the Catholic Church. If you are interested in learning more, please contact the Parish Office (805) 682-4151.
SAY “HELLO” to our NEW PARISHIONERS!
Garofalo Family
Lance, Jeannie, Levi and Luke Gilbert
Cynthia Gonzalez
Kierszenbaum Family
Salvador Melendez
David Morris
Cielo Rios
DEAR PARISHIONERS and VISITORS,
A couple of years ago I was at an all-day workshop focusing on cultural diversity. The workshop aimed to enhance relationships between people. Throughout the day I met African Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans, men, women, people with different sexual orientations and people of all ages. As I read today’s gospel and liturgy regarding persecution and faith, I recalled a powerful group exercise from the workshop.
At the start of the day, we were asked to form small groups and relate an experience in our lives when we or someone we knew was singled out by others. What took place? Why was the person singled out? What was our role? How did we respond? As we went around the circle, each of us had a vivid memory from childhood where another kid was teased or picked on because he or she didn’t fit in with the group. With each recollection the collective sense of regret and shame filled the air. All of us were guilty of keeping silent or in some cases perpetuating the event. When the last story was told, we all just sat silently looking at each other for a few moments.
The silence was broken when a member of the group noted that we all chose a childhood memory. It hadn’t dawned on us that the exercise was simply to pick a memory. Why was it not one of us reflected upon an event later in life?
I debated this question in my head for some time after the workshop had ended. My conclusion was that increasing isolation on an individual and societal level has limited our ability to empathize with one another. It seems that it has become easier to remain silent or apathetic towards the rights of others even though we now know more than ever the extent of injustice around the globe.
So how do we break the cycle of isolation? Through the call to evangelization! By sharing in the good news we stand firm in our faith, comfort the lonely and ensure that never again will silence answer the cries of injustice.
Eric Friedman
Pastoral Council Member
PARISH CALENDAR
Today Catholic Charities Food Drive
June 24 Pastoral Council Meeting, 6:45PM in the Social Room
June 25 Baptism Class at 6:30PM
June 26 Finance Committee Meeting at 6:30PM
June 28-29 2nd Collection for Peter’s Pence
June 29 Baptisms at the 10:30AM Mass
June 29 Anointing of the Sick after the Noon Mass
July 1 Memorial of Blessed Junipero Serra
July 4 Independence Day—Parish Office Closed
SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY
Paul Rogers and Brandice Valentino
LET US PRAY FOR THE SICK
Eric Evonick
Mark Etzel
Richard Smith
Erin Johansson
Catharene Purdy
Rose Margaret Braiden
Patty Escalera
Mary A. Correa
Maria Muñoz
May they know Christ's healing.
MINISTRY to the HOMEBOUND
If someone you know is not able to come to Mass, or would like a minister to take Communion to their home, please call the Parish Office to make arrangements. Also, with the permission of the person who is ill, we are happy to include their name in the Prayer of the Faithful and list it in the bulletin.
FROM DEATH to the FULLNESS of LIFE
John Nelson, Husband of Charlotte Nelson
May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
DID YOU KNOW ...
Apostles Peter and Paul
One of the oldest saints’ days in Rome, June 29 was dedicated to the memory of the apostles Peter and Paul as early as the fourth century. This day the church remembers two disciples who differed greatly in style and background, but who shared a tireless energy in spreading the gospel.
Rough-hewn and impulsive Peter left his fishing nets immediately to answer Jesus’ call. Later, during the passion of Jesus, Peter made his denials just as impulsively, though he had pledged his loyalty to Jesus only that evening. Receiving Christ’s gracious forgiveness after the resurrection, Peter went on to become the rock-steady and faithful leader of the disciples. Imprisoned three or four times, he eventually was crucified during the reign of Nero. Legend has it that he was hung on the cross head down because he told the soldiers that he was not worthy to die in the same manner as Christ.
Once Paul, who had been a rigid and violent persecutor of Christians, experienced the love of Christ, he grew meek—though never shy. He founded many churches and was able to affirm the fledgling communities of believers even while he was admonishing them. Paul’s writings are the first Christian scriptures; they are older than the gospels. After many imprisonments, Paul was executed during the reign of Nero. Since he was a Roman citizen, he was beheaded instead of crucified.
Coastal countries like Chile and Paraguay remember Peter the fisherman with nautical parades. In Hungary and in rural England, people braid straw from the wheat harvest into crosses and crowns to honor the two martyr saints.
INTERESTED in a YOUTH PROGRAM BEYOND SIXTH GRADE?
All parents and others who are interested in a parish youth program for 7th graders and beyond are invited to attend a brainstorming session with Fr. Daniel, Pastor, and Jocelyne Bublitz, Pastoral Council member and parent. Please contact Jocelyne at jocelyneb@cox.net to arrange a meeting time that is convenient for the majority of those who are interested. We invite you to bring your dreams and ideas, as well as whatever resources you might have to contribute to this effort.
CATECHISTS NEEDED
“God doesn’t call the qualified. He qualifies those that he calls.”
- Bishop Carl Fisher
Have you been given the “gifts” to nurture the love and trust our children have for God? Have you considered sharing your faith and time with the children of our parish? We are in need of catechists for all grades. There will be plenty of support and help from our Religious Education Office. If you feel God is calling you to this ministry, please contact Linda Ruffton at (805) 682-4151 ext. 104.
KNOW YOUR TALENTS!
Based on the Catholic edition of the book, Living Your Strengths
Each week, the parish bulletin will feature one of the 34 talents or signature themes, listed in order of their frequency in our parish. Call the parish for more information on discovering and applying your talents.
ADAPTABILITY
Talent #12—Adaptability—is a very useful trait for our parish. Parishioners with the Adaptability talent are flexible people who can be productive while being pulled in many different directions at the same time (sound familiar?). They anticipate detours and fluctuations from “normal” schedules, and actually enjoy the challenge! They live in and for the moment and view the future as an ever-changing place that’s created by choices made in the present. They go with the flow, always moving forward and making progress, no matter what happens.
* RELATED SCRIPTURE: Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil.— Matthew 6:34
* APPLICATION TO WORK and MINISTRY: Because Adaptability people like change, they’re at their best in spur-of-the moment situations. They might enjoy caring for the children of fellow parishioners, working at a food pantry for the needy, or fielding calls on a suicide hotline. Their grasp of the “here and now” can help others in the parish who are preparing for the future. They are positive examples of how to live peacefully in a world full of changes.
* PUTTING a FACE ON ADAPTABILITY: Rosemarie Cordero, “B” Corkery (Eucharistic Minister to the Sick), John Holehouse, Carole Kenzel (Eucharistic Minister, Parish Hospitality), David Medina (Lector), Fran Miller (Eucharistic Minister).
“THE WONDER of LIFE -
Playing with God!”
A day of Recollection at Old Mission Santa Barbara Renewal Center. Please join us Wednesday, July 2. Sessions are 9:30AM-2:00PM and include presentations, reflection, Eucharist and lunch. Presenters are Fr. Richard McManus OFM, Fr. Howard Hall OFM and Sr. Susan Blomstad, OSF. Suggested donation is $20. Please contact the Mission Renewal Center at 805-682-4713 ext 133 or retreats@sboldmission.org to make your reservation.
UPCOMING TRAVEL and PILGRIMAGE
Medjugorje/Northern Italy
13 days (May 4-16, 2009)
An excellent way for people of faith to experience spiritual renewal is to go abroad to visit holy places of prominence in the history of the Church, otherwise known as pilgrimage. It may change your life!
Among our destinations, set for May of 2009, are holy places that mark significant moments in the history of the Catholic Church. We begin in Rome with a visit to the Vatican, which is the heart of our Church, and an audience with Pope Benedict XVI, our spiritual leader. A visit to Ravenna to view the ancient mosaics will allow us to imagine the Byzantine period. Assisi during the festival of Calendimaggio will lavish us with the Church’s medieval flavor, as St. Francis and St. Clare would have known it. Then we will enjoy the cradle of the Renaissance with a visit to Florence. Our last stops in Italy will take us to Padua, spiritual home of St. Anthony, and finally, to Venice, for still other important sites in Church history and culture. And since we travel in the month of May, traditionally devoted to our Mother Mary, we will take an excursion to the holy village of Medjugorje, in Bosnia-Herzegovina, where village children began receiving daily apparitions of the Blessed Mother over twenty years ago and a place of deep conversion for me personally.
I hope you will be able to join us for our 13-day pilgrimage. I promise that you will never pray the same afterwards! And, we always have a great time.
Brochures are available in the Parish Office and the Porter’s Office. Cost of trip is $3798 pp/do, which includes RT air from LAX, top-class hotels, shuttles, most taxes, admission fees, porterage, daily Mass and most meals. For more information, please call Fr. Daniel Barica at (805) 682-4151.
STEWARDSHIP of TREASURE
Sunday, June 15th $12,044.00
The heart grateful to God needs to find a way to express that gratitude. Some important ways to do that are through prayer, through service,
and through giving of one’s resources.
Thank you for your generosity!
PETER’S PENCE COLLECTION
“Christ our Hope”
Next weekend our parish will participate in the Peter’s Pence Collection for the Works of the Holy Father. Please join in solidarity with the more than one billion Catholics worldwide in providing immediate emergency and disaster relief to our brothers and sisters through the Pope’s special appeal. Thank you!
PREPARE for NEXT SUNDAY’S LITURGY
First Reading: Acts 12:1-11
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 34
Second Reading: 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18
Gospel: Matthew 16:13-19
REFLECTION on NEXT SUNDAY’S LITURGY of the WORD
Solemnity of Peter and Paul, Apostles
Next Sunday’s gospel presents the hard choice to be made by those who want to live and spread the Good News. People are not being told to cut off all family ties. But if your family threatens to disown you for following Jesus or for making decisions based upon Him, you will have to make a choice. To choose Christ means to follow the path his love marked out. Often that means taking up the cross. Choosing the safe way often leads to self-destruction. In order to find our true identity, we must give ourselves to others, living as Jesus lived.
Life Focus
· Relate a time when you were made to feel welcome. What did that experience mean to you?
· Give an example of something in your life over which you cannot relinquish control.
· Was there ever a time when your values threatened “family ties?” How did you respond?
Sunday, June 15, 2008
_______________________________________
ELEVENTH SUNDAY in ORDINARY TIME
_______________________________________
In today’s gospel, Jesus looks upon the troubled and abandoned crowd and is moved with pity. The Greek word for pity means “stirred to the bowels,” moved to deep emotion, moved to compassion. This is one of the times in the gospels when we read of great emotion being displayed by Jesus. Without a leader, he knew the people would be lost. Jesus’ deep compassion is manifested in his immediate response—he summons the twelve disciples and sends them as ministers of his compassion, authorized to preach and heal in his name.
The urgency of divine compassion teaches us that our ministry is one of mercy, too. There are always people “without a shepherd” - the teen who needs an adult other than parents to guide him or her along right paths, the lost traveler who might inconvenience us when he or she asks for a bit of our time for giving directions, younger children who are looking for the companionship and guidance of a big brother or sister, the co-worker who needs a listening ear. This gospel is a reminder to each of us that we have been shown compassion by a loving God and we, in turn, are to give to others what we have received “without cost.”
Compassion derives from two Latin words that mean to “suffer with.” Gospel living means that we are willing to suffer with the lost and strayed of God’s house so that they might rise to new life. The troubled and abandoned are all around us; we need simply to open our eyes, reach out, and “suffer with” them. In this is healing and strength—for both the “lost sheep as well as for the faithful disciple.
QUESTION of the WEEK
Jesus asks us to freely give of what we are freely given. What have you been given, and how do you give it away?
TODAY’S READINGS
First Reading—Exodus 19:2-6a
You shall be my special possession, dearer to me than all others.
Responsorial Psalm—Psalm 100
We are his people; the sheep of his flock.
Second Reading—Romans 5:6-11
We boast of God through Christ Jesus, through whom we have been reconciled.
Gospel—Matthew 9:3—10:8
Jesus commissioned the Twelve: cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons.
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH WELCOMES YOU
Are you thinking about returning to actively practicing your faith? If you are a Catholic who has been away from the Church, know you are in our prayers. We invite you to explore your faith and your future with the Catholic Church.
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a community-based process for welcoming new members into the Roman Catholic Church that is guided by the Gospel and the lived example of the community. Adults learn about the Catholic tradition and prepare for the sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation. If you are interested in learning more, please call the parish office at 682-4151.
SAY “HELLO” to our NEW PARISHIONERS!
Gye Yeon Ahn
Surekha Gajria
Jessica Koschmeder
Dan Krogstad
Marison Nisthal
Lawrence Reynolds
Giuseppe, Gine and Adele Ricci
Alex, Yolanda, Katie and Alex Jr Tovar
Robert, Julie, Danielle and Jacqueline Ybarra
DEAR PARISHIONERS and VISITORS,
“Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.”
We all work so hard to achieve something or to obtain something and then won’t let go of it unless we’ve been given something in return. Everything is costing more and more each and every day. The cost of living just continues to increase. But what about our service to one another? What price do we put on compassion for one another? Service is an underlining motif today. It’s not about the cost involved but how you and I use our baptismal call to serve each other without a cost.
Our invitation and our gifts come from God. How we choose to use our gifts is up to each of us. Today can be a day of gratitude for all those who have responded to that call to serve others in humility and with joy. These qualities go hand in hand. In order to serve with humility, we must first recognize that we are sinners. With that comes a great sense of gratitude for God's great love for us. In return, it is with joy that we share that love with all who come into our lives.
Catholic communities today are served by a variety of ministers: bishops, presbyters, deacons, sisters, brothers, pastoral administrators and associates, youth ministers, ministers of religious education, music ministers, liturgists and others. The church desperately needs all these ministries. One of the difficulties of being a minister, one who is called to share the message of God, is to stay close to that message, to make sure it's conveyed as it's presented in the Scriptures.
Jesus doesn't teach us today to solve all the world's problems just that we have to have the right attitude toward our brothers and sisters, imagining what it's like for them and treating them in the way we would want to be treated. No one said following Jesus in this way was easy. Nearly every name read out in today's Gospel died a martyr for our faith. May the way we live be worthy of their example. So this week when we catch ourselves jumping to an immediate condemnation of someone, let's stop and pray for the gift of compassion. That we might ask, "What must life be like for you?" At that point, our understanding will be touching the Divine.
With gratitude and hope,
Roy Spicer, Director of Music
PARISH CALENDAR
June 17 Parish Leadership Meeting, 7PM in the Social Room
June 19 RCIA Team Meeting, 6:30PM
June 21-22 Catholic Charities Food Drive
June 24 Pastoral Council Meeting at 6:45PM
June 25 Baptism Class at 6:30PM
June 29 Baptisms at the 10:30AM Mass
June 29 2nd Collection for Peter’s Pence
June 29 Anointing of the Sick after the Noon Mass
July 4 Independence Day—Parish Office Closed
A BLESSING for FATHERS
We bless you and we praise you, God of our fathers!
You are the God of Adam, father of the human family.
You are the God of Abraham,
our father in faith who was ready and willing to
give up everything to be faithful to you.
You are the God of Isaac, who was born of
laughter and old age, and the God of Jacob,
whose clever trick gained an inheritance for
twelve tribes of sons and daughters.
You are the God of Jesse, from whose loins
a nation sprang, a sturdy family tree
of monarchs, prophets and priests.
You are the God and Father of Israel,
your child whom you love with all your heart.
You are the God of Zechariah, who
fathered the Baptist and taught him the Torah,
and of Joachim,
the grandfather of Jesus.
You are the God of Joseph,
who loved and raised Jesus as his own.
You are the God and Father of Jesus,
and our Father in heaven, too:
Holy is your Name!
We thank you, God, for the gift of our fathers,
for grandfathers and godfathers
and fathers-in-law, too.
Send your Holy Spirit upon our fathers,
in whose laps we were cradled,
on whose knees we were bounced,
by whose hands we were fed, instructed,
at times corrected,
in whose company we learned to work
and play and pray, at whose side we hear your word
and celebrate your mysteries.
Heal their pains and disappointments.
Forgive all that needs to be forgiven.
Give to them the good that they have given others.
Welcome into your arms those who have died.
Fill this world, O God, with a father’s love!
We ask this your Son Jesus Christ,
who taught us to pray to you as Abba.
He lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
who is Father of the poor,
one God forever and ever.
Amen.
LET US PRAY FOR THE SICK
Eric Evonick
Mark Etzel
Richard Smith
Erin Johansson
Catharene Purdy
Rose Margaret Braiden
Patty Escalera
Mary A. Correa
Maria Muñoz
May they know Christ's healing.
MINISTRY to the HOMEBOUND
If someone you know is not able to come to Mass, or would like a minister to take Communion to their home, please call the Parish Office to make arrangements. Also, with the permission of the person who is ill, we are happy to include their name in the Prayer of the Faithful and list it in the bulletin.
CATECHISTS NEEDED
“God doesn’t call the qualified.
He qualifies those that he calls.”
- Bishop Carl Fisher
Have you been given the “gifts” to nurture the love and trust our children have for God? Have you considered sharing your faith and time with the children of our parish? We are in need of catechists for all grades. There will be plenty of support and help from our Religious Education Office. If you feel God is calling you to this ministry, please contact Linda Ruffton at (805) 682-4151 ext. 104.
INTERESTED in a YOUTH PROGRAM BEYOND SIXTH GRADE?
All parents and others who are interested in a parish youth program for 7th graders and beyond are invited to attend a brainstorming session with Fr. Daniel, Pastor, and Jocelyne Bublitz, Pastoral Council member and parent. Please contact Jocelyne at jocelyneb@cox.net to arrange a meeting time that is convenient for the majority of those who are interested. We invite you to bring your dreams and ideas, as well as whatever resources you might have to contribute to this effort.
KNOW YOUR TALENTS!
Based on the Catholic edition of the book, Living Your Strengths
Each week, the parish bulletin will feature one of the 34 talents or signature themes, listed in order of their frequency in our parish. Call the parish for more information on discovering and applying your talents.
--- STRATEGIC ---
The talent of Strategic comes in at #11 in frequency in our parish. It has to do with the ability to navigate through clutter and find a pathway. It is a way of thinking that allows for seeing patterns in the midst of complexity. The person with Strategic talent evaluates data and begins to formulate scenarios, thinking through their potential outcomes, aware of any obstacles. As various “strategies” are considered, the ones that lead nowhere or to conflict are discarded. Eventually, the best path comes forward and the Strategy person moves to act, acknowledging all the pros and cons. Sometimes others who rely on decisions from these people can be frustrated by the time involved in the process.
* RELATED SCRIPTURE: No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it.—1 Corinthians 10:13
* APPLICATION TO WORK and MINISTRY: Those with Strategy are good for leadership or assisting leaders with their talent at evaluating data and selecting relevant issues and patterns to help achieve stated goals. They are good counselors and advisors. For the parish, they make great Pastoral Council members or wherever they can help individuals or groups find multiple ways of doing things. They make good spiritual guides or companions in the area of discernment.
* PUTTING a FACE ON STRATEGIC: Fr. Daniel Barica (Pastor), Barbara McKeon, Mariko Tabar.
UPCOMING TRAVEL and PILGRIMAGE
Medjugorje/Northern Italy
13 days (May 4-16, 2009)
An excellent way for people of faith to experience spiritual renewal is to go abroad to visit holy places of prominence in the history of the Church, otherwise known as pilgrimage. It may change your life!
Among our destinations, set for May of 2009, are holy places that mark significant moments in the history of the Catholic Church. We begin in Rome with a visit to the Vatican, which is the heart of our Church, and an audience with Pope Benedict XVI, our spiritual leader. A visit to Ravenna to view the ancient mosaics will allow us to imagine the Byzantine period. Assisi during the festival of Calendimaggio will lavish us with the Church’s medieval flavor, as St. Francis and St. Clare would have known it. Then we will enjoy the cradle of the Renaissance with a visit to Florence. Our last stops in Italy will take us to Padua, spiritual home of St. Anthony, and finally, to Venice, for still other important sites in Church history and culture. And since we travel in the month of May, traditionally devoted to our Mother Mary, we will take an excursion to the holy village of Medjugorje, in Bosnia-Herzegovina, where village children began receiving daily apparitions of the Blessed Mother over twenty years ago and a place of deep conversion for me personally.
I hope you will be able to join us for our 13-day pilgrimage. I promise that you will never pray the same afterwards! And, we always have a great time.
Brochures are available in the Parish Office and the Porter’s Office. Cost of trip is $3798 pp/do, which includes RT air from LAX, top-class hotels, shuttles, most taxes, admission fees, porterage, daily Mass and most meals. For more information, please call Fr. Daniel Barica at (805) 682-4151.
STEWARDSHIP of TREASURE
Sunday, June 8th $11,536.00
Why not keep a record for one week of how you spend your time? How much do the Church and community organizations get of that time?
OLAN HORNE to SPEAK at the MISSION
Olan Horne, a survivor of clergy sexual abuse who met privately with Pope Benedict XVI on his recent trip to the U.S., will discuss this historic encounter, its impact on future dialogue with the Church leadership, and the practice of restorative work as a tool for justice and healing.
Friday, June 20 at 7PM
Faulkner Gallery, SB Library, 40 E. Anapamu Street
Saturday, June 21 at 4PM
Bonaventure Hall, Old Mission Santa Barbara
(Donation Requested)
PREPARE for NEXT SUNDAY’S LITURGY
First Reading: Jeremiah 20:10-13
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 69
Second Reading: Romans 5:12-15
Gospel: Matthew 10:26-33
REFLECTION on NEXT SUNDAY’S LITURGY of the WORD
Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Next Sunday’s gospel deals with persecution and how the disciples were to respond. They were to have complete trust in Jesus. They were to have no fear of those who would threaten their lives. They were to stand strong before the divisions that might come. God, who loved them so much that he counted the hairs on their heads, would not abandon them. Matthew’s purpose in emphasizing this care in times of trial comes out of the situation of his community. Many people had rejected the Good News announced by Jesus, and they were rejecting his followers and throwing them out of the synagogues. Through the Gospel, he reminds them that Jesus will be with them through the Spirit as he promised.
Life Focus
· Describe a time in your life when you were afraid and God seemed far away. What helped you to overcome your fear?
· When have you allowed someone or something to control or prevent you from speaking the truth? How did you feel about it afterward?
GETTING in the PARISH BULLETIN
For Parish announcements, call Laura in the Parish Office (682-4151). Please contact Mission Publishing at (888) 253-4358 for business ads.
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Sunday, June 08, 2008
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TENTH SUNDAY in ORDINARY TIME
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The Pharisees “separated” themselves from others by their strict observance of the Law. Jesus demonstrates by his table fellowship with tax collectors and sinners that the deepest meaning of the Law is not separation but fellowship and mercy. In today’s gospel we are called to follow Jesus to the table where fellowship is an expression of divine mercy. Jesus does more than quote the passage from the prophet Hosea, “it is love [mercy] that I desire.” He interprets what this passage means in his context—to share fellowship with sinners.
This gospel and the first reading from Hosea show us what gospel living is all about: walk the talk, live the worship. At Mass we are called to share in the messianic banquet of the Lord and be fed with heavenly food, the very Body and Blood of Christ. In turn we are called to invite others into the banquet of our everyday lives, paying attention to the dignity and needs of the other. It’s that simple. In this, we are only following the example of Jesus.
Interpreting discipleship in terms of inclusive table fellowship doesn’t necessarily mean that we are to go out in the streets and invite strangers into our homes. It does mean that our time and energy cannot be directed only to those around us with whom we are comfortable. This might mean something so simple as greeting someone at church whom we don’t know, or wishing a nice day to someone on the elevator at work, or (for the children) daring to play with the boy or girl who is different and generally alone. Inclusivity means that we see Jesus in all others and respond to the goodness that is there.
QUESTION of the WEEK
When has your faith been strongly tested? How did you endure?
TODAY’S READINGS
First Reading—Hosea 6:3-6
It is love, not sacrifice, that I desire; knowledge of God, not holocausts.
Responsorial Psalm—Psalm 50
To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
Second Reading—Romans 4:18-25
Those who believe will have it credited to them as righteousness.
Gospel—Matthew 9:9-13
Tax collectors and sinners came and joined Jesus at table.
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH WELCOMES YOU
Are you thinking about returning to actively practicing your faith? If you are a Catholic who has been away from the Church, know you are in our prayers. We invite you to explore your faith and your future with the Catholic Church.
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a community-based process for welcoming new members into the Roman Catholic Church that is guided by the Gospel and the lived example of the community. Adults learn about the Catholic tradition and prepare for the sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation. If you are interested in learning more, please call the parish office at 682-4151.
SAY “HELLO” to our NEW PARISHIONERS!
Erik Axelson & Deirdre O’Shea
Luciano, Rosemary & Sarah Croccia
Barbara Ellis
John, Charmian, Rebecca & Shane Holehouse
Gerardo Alonzo & Ana Christina A. Jacob
Salvador, Sarah & Isabelle Linares
Ligia Monterroso-Roe
John Seiler
Bob Shust
Lisa Skvarla
Dennielle Zamora
DEAR PARISHIONERS and VISITORS,
Thank God!!!! I still have a chance at His mercy and forgiveness. At least I work in non-profit and not the IRS! This Gospel is so positive. It is definitely easier to hang with birds of your own feather than to cross the tracks and accept a different style of people into your heart. Jesus was not one to preach to the choir. He chose to hang with us sinners and I, for one, am grateful. Of course sinners are far more interesting people to be around than most saints are, especially those people who think that they are saintly.
The most interesting to be around are those who think that they are sinners, but that the rest of us think as holy, like are very own Fr Virgil. Jesus chose his companions for the same reasons, and to me that demonstrates his mercy. He must have been bored to tears when surrounded by the learned and overly wise.
The last time he deliberately chose to hang with the “holy” was when he was twelve and stayed behind in the temple to teach the Elders of the Temple. Jesus was not just choosing amusing dinner companions, however. Jesus chose his disciples following the same principles that software firms use to hire hackers to protect their websites. Someone who has strayed from the straight and narrow is the perfect choice to be a fisher of men. They understand the frailties that we are all prone to, and while they may still stray themselves on occasion, (Peter and “Doubting Thomas” come to mind) they know how weak we all can be and so they know the best means to save the rest of us.
If we believe that the Gospels are the word of the Lord, then Jesus also had a sense of humor. He was actually taunting the Pharisees. We all know how well that goes over with people who take themselves too seriously. Have a wonderful weekend everyone! Jocelyne Bublitz
Pastoral Council Member
PARISH CALENDAR
Jun 8-11 Fr. Daniel Away—Friar Meeting
June 13 Final Scripture Session, 10AM in the Friars Lounge
June 17 Parish Leadership Meeting, 7PM
June 19 RCIA Team Meeting, 6:30PM
June 22 Catholic Charities Food Drive
June 24 Pastoral Council Meeting at 6:45PM
June 25 Baptism Class at 6:30PM
June 29 Baptisms at the 10:30AM Mass
June 29 2nd Collection for Peter’s Pence
June 29 Anointing of the Sick after the 12Noon Mass
LET US PRAY FOR THE SICK
Eric Evonick
Mark Etzel
Richard Smith
Erin Johansson
Catharene Purdy
Rose Margaret Braiden
Patty Escalera
Mary A. Correa
John Nelson
Maria Muñoz
May they know Christ's healing.
MINISTRY to the HOMEBOUND
If someone you know is not able to come to Mass, or would like a minister to take Communion to their home, please call the Parish Office to make arrangements. Also, with the permission of the person who is ill, we are happy to include their name in the Prayer of the Faithful and list it in the bulletin.
DO YOU KNOW ...
The Gospel of Matthew
The first gospel starts with “a genealogy of Jesus Christ, son of David, son of Abraham.” With this opening, the evangelist prepares us for this Jesus who will be the fulfillment of major figures of the Hebrew scriptures.
Archeologists and textual experts usually date the writing of the Gospel of Matthew to around 80 ce. One piece of evidence for the dating of this gospel is that it contains nearly all of the Gospel of Mark. From this we know that it was composed after 70 ce (near the time when Mark was written). In addition to having Mark as a source, the Gospel of Matthew shares a large chunk of material with Luke, material that appears neither in Mark nor in John. From this we assume that there was another source for Matthew, one that he and the writer of Luke used. Matthew also had his own information about Jesus that the other evangelists did not.
The Gospel of Matthew is unique in its five-part structure: after the introduction (which contains the stories of the annunciation to Joseph [not Mary, as in Luke] of Jesus’ birth, his birth and manifestation to the magi [not shepherds, as in Luke]), each part contains a long speech by Jesus followed by actions that Jesus performs. Part one is the Sermon on the Mount; part two prepares the disciples for their missionary journeys; part three is filled with parables; part four deals with church order; and the fifth part concerns the end of the world. Scholars assume that the evangelist adopted this structure from the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible. This is a big clue about the portrait of Jesus in this gospel.
Many of the people in the church for which the Gospel of Matthew was written were Jews. One of the main purposes of this gospel was to provide consolation to those who wrestled with the compatibility of the Jewish heritage and their faith in Jesus. For this reason we find references to patriarchs of ancient Israel from the very first verse. A genealogy filled with Jewish ancestors begins the text, and the evangelist fills the narrative with quotations from the Hebrew scriptures. All of this seeks to reassure the hearers that Jesus of Nazareth was indeed the Messiah anticipated in the older faith.
The Gospel of Matthew is proclaimed throughout Liturgical Year A, in the years 2008, 2011, 2014 and so on.
In art, the evangelist Matthew is portrayed with an angel by his side. The feast of Saint Matthew is September 21st.
INTERESTED in a YOUTH PROGRAM BEYOND SIXTH GRADE?
All parents and others who are interested in a parish youth program for 7th graders and beyond are invited to attend a brainstorming session with Fr. Daniel, Pastor, and Jocelyne Bublitz, Pastoral Council member and parent. Please contact Jocelyne at jocelyneb@cox.net to arrange a meeting time that is convenient for the majority of those who are interested. We invite you to bring your dreams and ideas, as well as whatever resources you might have to contribute to this effort.
FOOD DRIVE for CATHOLIC CHARITIES
St. Barbara Parish will collect food for those in need outside the church on the weekend of June 21-22. All OF the food that is collected will be given to Catholic Charities Panty in Santa Barbara. If you wish to give food, please contribute one or more of the following non-perishable items: tuna, peanut butter, beans & rice, dried fruits & nuts, dry cereals, canned meats, canned fruits, canned vegetables & soups, pasta & pasta sauce. Monetary donations are also welcome. Thank you in advance for your generosity!
FINAL SCRIPTURE STUDY SESSION
There will be a final Scripture Study session for all of those who have been part of the group since September. We will meet on Friday, June 13 at 10:00AM in the Friars Lounge, which is the room across the lawn from where we previously met. We will process the conclusion of Acts and discuss the plan for Scripture Study for next time. Those who wish to bring refreshments are welcome to do so. Mass will follow, as usual, at 12:10 PM in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel.
KNOW YOUR TALENTS!
Based on the Catholic edition of the book, Living Your Strengths
Each week, the parish bulletin will feature one of the 34 talents or signature themes, listed in order of their frequency in our parish. Call the parish for more information on discovering and applying your talents.
The #10 talent among our parishioners is Relator. The word “relator” can’t actually be found in the dictionary, but is defined by the Strengths Program as someone who likes to be surrounded by people they already know. Relator types know lots of people, can relate to all types of people, but prefer the company of a small group of close friends, working toward a common goal. Relators love to share their feelings, fears and dreams and want others to understand what they are feeling, even at the risk of being taken advantage of. They believe that this risk-taking is proof of genuine caring and constitutes a step toward building a real friendship.
* RELATED SCRIPTURE: Some friends bring ruin on us, but a true friend is more loyal than a brother.
—Proverbs 18:24
* APPLICATION TO WORK and MINISTRY: Get to know as many people in the parish as you can. You will be the catalyst for trusting relationships. Show how much you care by helping members of a study group get to know each other better; share your feelings and beliefs about spirituality. Volunteer to coordinate small social functions in the parish.
* PUTTING a FACE ON RELATOR: Cleo Cutsinger (Hospitality Committee), Patricia DeBerry (Eucharistic Minister, Bereavement Ministry, Hospitality Committee), Mary Scopatz, Monique Fay, Cathie Ramus (Eucharistic Minister, Elementary Religious Ed Teacher, Baptism Class Instructor), Sharon Vega.
UPCOMING TRAVEL and PILGRIMAGE
Medjugorje/Northern Italy
13 days (May 4-16, 2009)
An excellent way for people of faith to experience spiritual renewal is to go abroad to visit holy places of prominence in the history of the Church, otherwise known as pilgrimage. It may change your life!
Among our destinations, set for May of 2009, are holy places that mark significant moments in the history of the Catholic Church. We begin in Rome with a visit to the Vatican, which is the heart of our Church, and an audience with Pope Benedict XVI, our spiritual leader. A visit to Ravenna to view the ancient mosaics will allow us to imagine the Byzantine period. Assisi during the festival of Calendimaggio will lavish us with the Church’s medieval flavor, as St. Francis and St. Clare would have known it. Then we will enjoy the cradle of the Renaissance with a visit to Florence. Our last stops in Italy will take us to Padua, spiritual home of St. Anthony, and finally, to Venice, for still other important sites in Church history and culture. And since we travel in the month of May, traditionally devoted to our Mother Mary, we will take an excursion to the holy village of Medjugorje, in Bosnia-Herzegovina, where village children began receiving daily apparitions of the Blessed Mother over twenty years ago and a place of deep conversion for me personally.
I hope you will be able to join us for our 13-day pilgrimage. I promise that you will never pray the same afterwards! And, we always have a great time.
Brochures are available in the Parish Office and the Porter’s Office. Cost of trip is $3798 pp/do, which includes RT air from LAX, top-class hotels, shuttles, most taxes, admission fees, porterage, daily Mass and most meals. For more information, please call Fr. Daniel Barica at (805) 682-4151.
STEWARDSHIP of TREASURE
Sunday, June 1st $12,452.00
It is important that we budget our hours as we budget our income so we are able to give our time to be involved in Church and community activities.
PREPARE for NEXT SUNDAY’S LITURGY
First Reading: Exodus 19:2-6a
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 100
Second Reading: Romans 5:6-11
Gospel: Matthew 9:36—10:8
REFLECTION on NEXT SUNDAY’S LITURGY of the WORD
Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
In next Sunday’s gospel Jesus sends his disciples and tells them how to act as his messengers. Jesus’ response to the crowds in need of shepherding is to authorize his disciples to extend his own healing. Although here they are told not to preach to non-Jews, later in Matthew’s gospel Jesus will commission his disciples to “go and make disciples of all nations.” But this will not take place until after the Resurrection. In these early sections of the gospel, the emphasis is on healing rather than teaching.
Life Focus
* Speak of a time when it became clear to you that you could make a difference to another. How did you do it?
* When did you feel overwhelmed by life’s demands and didn’t know where to seek help?
* Relate an experience when someone helped you to recognize your worth and value.
GETTING in the PARISH BULLETIN
For Parish announcements, call Laura in the Parish Office (682-4151). Please contact Mission Publishing at (888) 253-4358 for business ads.
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Sunday, June 01, 2008
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NINTH SUNDAY in ORDINARY TIME
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So much has been written on doing God’s will. Often we Catholics have assured ourselves that “church on Sunday” and “getting one’s sacraments” are the essence of doing God’s will. Surely our liturgy and our sacraments are great gifts to us. Celebrating with the Christian community is certainly a major means of strength. Our participation in liturgy and sacraments is the foundation of our lives, the bedrock that makes it possible for us to do God’s will. However, Jesus is clearly telling us that simply crying out, “Lord, Lord,” is not the heart of his message. The word of the gospel is far deeper than religious worship. Jesus does not seem to be impressed with the prophecy in his name, or exorcising devils, or even performing miracles. Yet, we still desire signs and wonders and we flock to sightings of what some have deemed miraculous.
The key to this challenging passage is hearing the words of the Lord and putting them into practice. If we only hear the words and do not live them, we are the foolish who build on sand. At liturgy, before the gospel is read, we pray as we cross ourselves three times, that the Word of God be in our minds, on our lips, and in our hearts. This prayer, often done without much real thought, is truly asking the help of God‘s Spirit to live the word of God, to put it into practice every day of our lives. This is doing God’s will. Not one of us wants to have the winds and rain destroy our houses, yet the torrents of life sometimes blow the words of our Lord from our hearts and minds. Jesus tells us to put his words into practice and to make the “Sunday experience” the rock foundation of our lives.
QUESTION of the WEEK
I am told to build wisely on a rock foundation. What is the rock foundation of my life?
TODAY’S READINGS
First Reading—Deuteronomy 11:18, 26-28, 32
Take my words into your heart and soul.
Responsorial Psalm—Psalm 31
Lord, be my rock of safety.
Second Reading—Romans 3:21-25, 28
The righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law.
Gospel—Matthew 7:21-27
Only the one who does the will of the Father will enter the kingdom of heaven.
FROM DEATH to the FULLNESS of LIFE
Fr. Virgil Cordano, O.F.M.
May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
MAY WE CELEBRATE WHAT UNITES US
While we do what we can to promote our growth as the individuals that we are, in and through the communities of which we are members, I offer for your prayerful consideration certain basic tenets that we might hold in common, if we are to have true and responsible individualism together with the experience of community.
May we believe in, respect and promote the dignity, the worth and even the sacredness of every human person, including, of course, our own persons.
In all honesty, search our minds and hearts to discover, acknowledge and free ourselves from biases, discriminations, oppressions, violence and unenlightened and unanalyzed opinions and judgments.
Welcome dialogue among ourselves in which we listen sincerely and speak honestly in an atmosphere of genuine freedom.
Honor convictions that people live by, even though our persuasions may differ.
In concert with one another attempt to articulate and live by certain basic ethical values and norms. rooted in our common human nature—confirmed and clarified in our faith-convictions.
May we share our dreams, ideals, deepest desires and hopes and continue to support each other in working toward their fulfillment.
Be united in compassion for all those in need, the rich, the poor, the lonely, the abandoned, the oppressed and the abused.
Face up to our common frailty and mortality. Life is precarious and radically contingent. We are not in absolute control of our lives. The future is not secure. We need each other. We are dependent upon each other and God.
Reflect on and share with one another what we believe to be the meaning of all human experiences.
Face up to the questions and human yearnings that are felt in the depths of our hearts, including issues of intimacy, and the purpose and goal of human life.
May we together go in search of understanding of an imitation of a God who is a God for all persons and not merely a God who is thought to restrict love to just one religious gathering of people. May we be open to what an educated religious faith can contribute to the moral fiber of society.
May we crown all our efforts to live in communion with one another with an all-inclusive, sacrificing love for every person. We are true to our individual selves when we reach out to each other.
May we be grateful for our blessings and hopeful in our struggles. Let us celebrate all of life as a family of citizens and friends where people love and care for each other. While we honor what separates us, may we rejoice over what unites us.
- Fr. Virgil Cordano, O.F.M.
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH WELCOMES YOU
Are you thinking about returning to actively practicing your faith? If you are a Catholic who has been away from the Church, know you are in our prayers. We invite you to explore your faith and your future with the Catholic Church.
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a community-based process for welcoming new members into the Roman Catholic Church that is guided by the Gospel and the lived example of the community. Adults learn about the Catholic tradition and prepare for the sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation. If you are interested in learning more, please call the parish office at 682-4151.
SAY “HELLO” to our NEW PARISHIONERS!
J. Christopher, Trisha, Taylor, Alec, Lauren, Carly and Gregory Marmo
DEAR PARISHIONERS and VISITORS,
These past days of warmer weather drew so many people to the beach to get relief. I don’t need heat to get me to the beach! I love to walk on the soft sand and to let the cool ocean water wash over my feet which really refreshes me and brings me peace. Having grown up near the beach in South Florida, I have seen my share of picnics and parties there. If I wasn’t splashing around in the water, I was usually looking for shells, crabs or man-of-wars, getting buried in the sand or making castles. The difficult thing about building castles was that you needed sand that was wet enough to hold together. This meant that you had to take the risk of building close to the shore, which was pretty dangerous. One never knew when the tide would come in and destroy hours worth of artistry.
Jesus reminds us today that when it comes to building a solid spiritual life, we cannot take the risk of building on a risky foundation. If we are beyond our teen years, chances are that we have met some rogue waves in our lives – unforeseen hardships or tragedies that have tested the strength of our faith. Maybe the waves came in early, when we were fairly young, through a serious illness, family death or divorce. If we have managed thus far, then we have something solid in our spiritual foundation. The challenge is to keep the foundation strong through regular prayer and a rich sacramental life.
Brothers and sisters, God does not desire a solid spiritual foundation in our lives just to get through tragedies. God truly loves us and sincerely desires our happiness, both here on earth and in the life to come. Regular prayer keeps us in communication with the one who loves us beyond our understanding. This love is going to guide us, nurture us, and lead us to live and fulfill our mission. As Jesus reminds us, the kingdom of heaven is for “the one who does the will of my Father.” The sign of a significant prayer life is that it moves beyond words (Lord, Lord) and into action that reflects the best use of our God-given talents and gifts.
As we move quickly into summer, may the sand castles that you and your children/grandchildren build on the beach remind you of the precious gift of faith. And remember that waves may come but they also go. They are part of the rhythm of life. Sometimes the best we can do is ride them!
Yours, in the peace and beauty of our Creator God!
Fr. Daniel F. Barica, O.F.M., Pastor
PARISH CALENDAR
June 3 Finance Committee at 6:30PM
June 5 Inquiry to Catholicism, 6:30PM
June 5 RCIA Meeting at 6:30PM
June 17 Parish Leadership Meeting at 7PM
June 25 Baptism Class at 6:30PM
June 29 Peter’s Pence Second Collection
June 29 Baptisms at the 10:30AM Mass
June 29 Anointing of the Sick after the 12Noon Mass
LET US PRAY FOR THE SICK
Eric Evonick
Mark Etzel
Richard Smith
Erin Johansson
Catharene Purdy
Rose Margaret Braiden
Patty Escalera
Mary A. Correa
Jennifer Buckley
John Nelson
May they know Christ's healing.
MINISTRY to the HOMEBOUND
If someone you know is not able to come to Mass, or would like a minister to take Communion to their home, please call the Parish Office to make arrangements. Also, with the permission of the person who is ill, we are happy to include their name in the Prayer of the Faithful and list it in the bulletin.
KNOW YOUR TALENTS!
Based on the Catholic edition of the book, Living Your Strengths
Each week, the parish bulletin will feature one of the 34 talents or signature themes, listed in order of their frequency in our parish. Call the parish for more information on discovering and applying your talents.
-- DEVELOPER --
The talent of Developer comes in at #9 in frequency in our parish. And what a wonderful talent it is for a parish! Those with Developer look at the world as a place of great potential – in fact that is all they may see! From their perspective, every person is a work in progress and nobody is fully formed. Developers look for ways to challenge others and then look for the ways people grow in response. Finding signs of growth and development in others is what energizes those with this talent. Eventually, others know that they can rely on Developers for help and encouragement. Those with Developer talent might become frustrated with or even hurt by those who choose not to grow or at least are not ready to grow, and therefore distance themselves from Developer types.
* RELATED SCRIPTURE: And what you heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will have the ability to teach others as well.–2 Timothy 2:2
* APPLICATION TO WORK and MINISTRY: A position as a counselor, adviser, mentor, teacher, catechist or any position where you can assist and/or moderate growth in others would be extremely fulfilling for Developer types. Likewise, for leaders who feel that their efforts to effect change might be in vain, Developers can help them recognize and appreciate even the smallest fruits of their efforts.
* PUTTING a FACE ON DEVELOPER: Loy Corral, Elizabeth Johnson (JPIC Ministry), Tony Navarro, Mary Lu Schmechel (Ironing Angel, Mission Receptionist) Mary Anne Schmidt (Usher), Linda Vargas.
FINAL SCRIPTURE STUDY SESSION
There will be a final Scripture Study session for all of those who have been part of the group since September. We will meet on Friday, June 13 at 10:00AM in the Friars Lounge, which is the room across the lawn from where we previously met. We will process the conclusion of Acts and discuss the plan for Scripture Study for next time. Those who wish to bring refreshments are welcome to do so. Mass will follow, as usual, at 12:10 PM in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel.
UPCOMING PILGRIMAGE
Medjugorje/Northern Italy
13 days (May 4-16, 2009)
An excellent way for people of faith to experience spiritual renewal is to go abroad to visit holy places of prominence in the history of the Church, otherwise known as pilgrimage. It may change your life!
Among our destinations, set for May of 2009, are holy places that mark significant moments in the history of the Catholic Church. We begin in Rome with a visit to the Vatican, which is the heart of our Church, and an audience with Pope Benedict XVI, our spiritual leader. A visit to Ravenna to view the ancient mosaics will allow us to imagine the Byzantine period. Assisi during the festival of Calendimaggio will lavish us with the Church’s medieval flavor, as St. Francis and St. Clare would have known it. Then we will enjoy the cradle of the Renaissance with a visit to Florence. Our last stops in Italy will take us to Padua, spiritual home of St. Anthony, and finally, to Venice, for still other important sites in Church history and culture. And since we travel in the month of May, traditionally devoted to our Mother Mary, we will take an excursion to the holy village of Medjugorje, in Bosnia-Herzegovina, where village children began receiving daily apparitions of the Blessed Mother over twenty years ago and a place of deep conversion for me personally.
I hope you will be able to join us for our 13-day pilgrimage. I promise that you will never pray the same afterwards! And, we always have a great time.
Brochures are available in the Parish Office and the Porter’s Office. Cost of trip is $3798 pp/do, which includes RT air from LAX, top-class hotels, shuttles, most taxes, admission fees, porterage, daily Mass and most meals. For more information, please call Fr. Daniel Barica at 682-4151.
HIDE and SEEK
Searching for the More
A Day of Recollection at Old Mission Santa Barbara Renewal Center. Please join us Wednesday, June 4. Sessions are from 9:30AM to 2:00PM and include presentations, reflection, Eucharist and lunch. Alternating presenters are Fr. Richard McManus OFM, Fr. Howard Hall OFM and Sr. Susan Blomstad, OSF. Suggested donation is $20. Please contact the Mission Renewal Center at 682-4713 ext 133 or retreats@sboldmission.org to make your reservation.
STEWARDSHIP of TREASURE
Sunday, May 25th $10,295.00
Franciscan Missionary Union $3,001.00
With each contribution, show a cheerful countenance, and pay your tithes in a spirit of joy.—(Sir 35:8)
ALWAYS our CHILDREN
The Catholic support group for parents of Gay and Lesbian Children from the Santa Barbara and Ventura area normally meets on the 4th Monday of every other month. Due to the holiday weekend they will instead be meeting on Monday, June 2 at 7:30PM. This is a comfortable environment where you can share your feelings and ask questions. The meetings are informal and confidential. For more information, please call Kathie & Joe Schneider at (805) 687-4338
PREPARE for NEXT SUNDAY’S LITURGY
First Reading: Hosea 6:3-6
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 50
Second Reading: Romans 4:18-25
Gospel: Matthew 9:9-13
REFLECTION on NEXT SUNDAY’S LITURGY of the WORD
Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Next Sunday’s gospel shows Jesus being rejected by some of the Pharisees. Caught up in observing the Law to the letter, they fail to see the generosity of God’s love shown by Jesus. Jesus asked Matthew, a customs collector, to follow him. This man was regarded as a sinner by the Jews and someone to be avoided and scorned. God’s mercy is not held from those who appear to be unworthy. In fact, it is precisely to these that God’s love reaches out. People are saved by God’s graciousness, not by their own efforts or accomplishments. Observance of the law without love for others is not genuine religion.
Life Focus
* When have you experienced having your life together and being quite independent? When have you experienced a time when you couldn’t “do it” alone?
* The Pharisees complain about Jesus to his disciples instead of going to him directly. Describe a time in your life when you did not have the courage to speak directly to a person you disagreed with or who offended you, but complained to others instead.
GETTING in the PARISH BULLETIN
For Parish announcements, call Laura in the Parish Office (682-4151). Please contact Mission Publishing at (888) 253-4358 for business ads.
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