Saint Casimir Parish

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MINISTRY OF PRAISE
 

JULY, 2015
 
St. Casimir Parish
 

Almighty God,
grant that with the help of St. Casimir’s intercession
we may serve you in holiness and justice.

 

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE FOLLOWING INTENTIONS

 

  • That political responsibility may be lived at all levels as a high form of charity.      (July Papal intention)

  • That God will bless our nation as we celebrate Independence Day and keep us always thankful for the gift of freedom.

  • That those fleeing from dangers in their homeland find friendly ports.

  • That God bless Father Bacevice and the Pastoral and Finance Councils in their efforts to secure the future of St. Casimir Parish.

  • That all parishioners recognize their responsibility to St. Casimir Parish’s future through financial support, fund-raising efforts, commitment to parish activities, sharing ideas, and most importantly prayer.

  • That we share from our abundance with those in need.

  • That all families be blessed as they gather together at this time of year for reunions or for a welcome time of rest.

  • That Christ will be close to the poor, the sick, the dying, the lonely, the oppressed, the unemployed and the homeless through the compassion of Christians who reach out to them.

  • That our Ministers of Praise be validated in their belief in the power of prayer.

 

WHAT’S HAPPENING            AT ST. CASIMIR PARISH?
 

July 3rd   - First Friday Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, 8:00 – 9:00am in Church

July 8th   - Evening Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, 6:00 – 9:00pm in Church

July 29th - Holy Name Annual Picnic, 6:00 – 8:00pm behind the convent


SAINT FOR JULY

 

ST. MARTHA


Jesus’ friend
(1st century A.D.)

 

July 29th

    “…he entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him.  She had a sister named Mary [who] sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak.  Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving?  Tell her to help me.”  The Lord said to her in reply, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things.  There is need of only one thing.  Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.” ( Lk 10: 38-42)

   The above passage is the most quoted story about Martha.  However, in John (11:19-27) we read of Martha’s faith.   She goes out to meet Jesus who had heard of the death of her brother Lazarus.  Martha accepts Jesus’ teaching concerning the resurrection, and acknowledges him as Lord, and confesses her faith:  “You are the Messiah, the Son of God.”

    Many of us can relate to Martha.  The virtue of hospitality is praised throughout the New Testament, and the gospel lists it as one of the works of charity by which we will be judged.  “I was hungry and you gave me food” (Matt. 25:35).  Jesus, with no home of his own, relied on the practice of hospitality and was often a guest.  Martha is a model of hospitality and genuine concern.  Perhaps Martha complains because she is torn between her concern for hospitality and finding some time for contemplation. 

    Like Martha, a woman of faith, we are called by Jesus to a delicate balance between the importance of prayer and the need for service.  Let us work to find time for both in our busy lives.

Sources:  IN HIS LIKENESS by Rev. Charles E. Yost, SCJ, STL

 

THOUGHTS FROM THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

Mercy

 

#2447  The works of mercy are charitable actions by which we come to the aid of our neighbor in his spiritual and bodily necessities.  Instructing, advising, consoling, comforting are spiritual works of mercy, as are forgiving and bearing wrongs patiently.  The corporal works of mercy consist especially in feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and burying the dead.  Among all these, giving alms to the poor is one of the chief witnesses to fraternal charity: it is also a work of justice pleasing to God:

       He who has two coats, let him share with him who has none; and he who has food must do likewise. (Luke 3:11)

       But give for alms those things which are within; and behold, everything is clean for you. (Luke 11:41)

       If a brother or sister is ill-clad and in lack of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what does it profit? (James 2:15–16)

 

REFLECTION

LOVING OTHERS AND UNION WITH GOD

          Loving others is a spiritual force drawing us to union with God; indeed, one who does not love others “walks in the darkness” (1 Jn 2:11), “remains in death” ( 1 Jn 3:14) and “does not know God” (1 Jn 4:8). Benedict XVI has said that “closing our eyes to our neighbor also blinds us to God,” and that love is, in the end, the only light which “can always illuminate a world grown dim and give us the courage needed to keep living and working.” When we live out a spirituality of drawing nearer to others and seeking their welfare, our hearts are opened wide to the Lord’s greatest and most beautiful gifts. Whenever we encounter another person in love, we learn something new about God. Whenever our eyes are opened to acknowledge the other, we grow in the light of faith and knowledge of God. If we want to advance in the spiritual life, then, we must constantly be missionaries. The work of evangelization enriches the mind and the heart; it opens up spiritual horizons; it makes us more and more sensitive to the workings of the Holy Spirit, and it takes us beyond our limited spiritual constructs. A committed missionary knows the joy of being a spring which spills over and refreshes others. Only the person who feels happiness in seeking the good of others, in desiring their happiness, can be a missionary. This openness of the heart is a source of joy, since “it is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). We do not live better when we flee, hide, refuse to share, stop giving and lock ourselves up in our own comforts. Such a life is nothing less than slow suicide.

(Source: The Joy of the Gospel, EVANGELII GAUDIUM, number 272, Pope Francis