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PLEASE PRAY FOR THE FOLLOWING INTENTIONS
That God will bless our country, protect our military, make us agents of peace,
and keep us always thankful for the gift of freedom.
That young people will entrust themselves to the joys of the Gospel, and oppose
the illusions of instant happiness.
That, for the spiritual growth of our parish community, we commit ourselves to
the truth of the Gospel with zeal, self-sacrifice, and hope.
That the bishops of the Church act as true prophets through their faithful
teaching, courageous witness, and self-sacrificing love.
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, commitment to parish activities, sharing ideas, and
most importantly prayer.
That families gather together at this time of year for reunions and for a welcome time of
rest.
That the poor, the sick, the dying, the marginalized, the unemployed, the homeless and the
addicted will find relief through the compassion of Christians. That those who pray be validated in their belief of its power.
WHAT’S HAPPENING
July 2nd First
Friday Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament,
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Lietuvi
AT ST. CASIMIR PARISH?|
SAINT CAMILLUS DE LELLIS
Priest July 14th |
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Camillus was born in southern Italy. He was the son of a professional soldier and trained to be a military man like his father. As a child he was unloved and neglected. As a youth he acquired an addiction to gambling, was in ill health, and was quarrelsome. For many years Camillus lived without a purpose in life. He pursued only pleasure. As a young man he joined the Venetian army to fight the Turks. A serious wound forced him to go to St. James Hospital in Rome. Here he saw the sad condition of the patients. He wanted to help them. He was moved to change his life and attitude. Camillus tried to join the Capuchins, but was twice refused because of ill health. On the advice of St. Philip Neri he became a priest at age 34. He decided to devote himself to the care of the sick and soon founded a religious order called the Servants of the Sick. Camillus devoted the rest of his life to his priestly duties and to caring for the sick. The Servants of the Sick pioneered setting up proper diets, providing fresh air, and separating patients with contagious diseases. During a war in Hungary, his followers formed the first recorded military field ambulance corps. Until his death Camillus worked for sick people—especially the poor. Sources: IN HIS LIKENESS, Rev. Charles E. Yost; SAINTS AND FEAST DAYS, Christ Our Life Series, Loyola Press.
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THOUGHTS FROM THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH |
Works of 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.
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REFLECTION |
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POPE FRANCIS’ SPEECH AT INDEPENDENCE HALL September 26, 2015(Paragraphs 1,2,3) |
One of the highlights of my visit is to stand here, before Independence Hall, the birthplace of the United States of America. It was here that the freedoms, which define this country, were first proclaimed. The Declaration of Independence stated that all men and women are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, and that governments exist to protect and defend those rights. Those ringing words continue to inspire us today, even as they have inspired peoples throughout the world to fight for the freedom to live in accordance.
But history also shows that these or any truths must be constantly reaffirmed, reappropriated and defended. The history of this country is also the tale of a constant effort, lasting to our own day, to embody those lofty principles in social and political life. We remember the great struggles which led to the abolition of slavery, the extension of voting rights, the growth of the labor movement, and the gradual effort to eliminate every kind of racism and prejudice directed at successive waves of new Americans. This shows that, when a country is determined to remain true to its founding principles, based on respect for human dignity, it is strengthened and renewed.
All of us benefit from remembering our past. A people which remembers does not repeat past errors, instead, it looks with confidence to the challenges of the present and the future. Remembrance saves a people’s soul from whatever or whoever would attempt to dominate it or use it for their interests. When individuals and communities are guaranteed the effective exercise of their rights, they are not only free to realize their potential, they also contribute to the welfare and enrichment of society.
Source: The Vatican’s English translation of Pope Francis’ address at the
Meeting for Religious Liberty
at Independence Hall in Philadelphia