Index
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Saint Casimir Parish
MINISTRY OF PRAISE
AUGUST, 2019
St. Casimir Parish
Almighty God,
grant that with the help of St. Casimir’s intercession
we may serve you in holiness and justice.
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PLEASE PRAY FOR THE FOLLOWING INTENTIONS
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That families, through their life of
prayer and love, become ever more clearly “schools of true human growth.”
(Papal
August intention)
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That through the intercession of Mary, Queen of Peace, every nation on
earth will experience the justice and righteousness of the
Gospel.
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That travelers by land, by sea, and by air will be kept safe
and will arrive at their destinations in peace.
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That the Church will proclaim the truth of faith
persuasively, courageously, and without compromise.
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That the members of this community may find ways to help
build a world of greater respect for human life and human dignity.
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That God bless Father
Bacevice and the Pastoral and Finance Councils in their efforts to secure
the future of St. Casimir Parish.
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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.
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That we accept the grace to remove from
our lives all bitterness, anger, and malice.
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That those who suffer will experience the
redemptive meaning of suffering through friendship with Jesus Christ.
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That those who pray be validated in their
belief of its power.
WHAT’S HAPPENING 
AT ST. CASIMIR PARISH?
August 15th
Feast
of the Assumption—Holy Day
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SAINT FOR AUGUST
SAINTS PONTIAN and HIPPOLYTUS
Pope and
Martyr; Priest and Martyr
(d. 235)
August 13th
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How blessed is this
Church of ours, so honored and illuminated by God and
ennobled in these our days by the glorious blood of martyrs.
(a thought about martyrdom by St. Cyprian, a bishop and
martyr, d. 258)
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During the Roman persecution of
the early Church, some Christians were killed and others were
sentenced to forced labor in metal or salt mines. No one came out
alive. Hippolytus and Pontian were among those sentenced to the
mines.
Hippolytus was the most
important writer in the Church at the time. But he was also very
critical and wanted the Church to be very strict with sinners. When
Pope Callistus chose to be forgiving, as Jesus was, Hippolytus
became very upset. He gathered followers around himself and became
antipope. In 230 Pontian became pope, and Hippolytus continued to
hold to his position. Pontian failed to persuade him otherwise.
Hippolytus caused much unrest and confusion among Christian
communities.
In 235 under the persecution
of Maximus, Pontian was sentenced to the mines of Sardinia. He
resigned as pope so that someone else could lead the Church. That
same year Hippolytus was arrested and condemned to the same mines.
In that dark, damp prison, the forgiving love of Christ finally
penetrated Hippolytus’ heart and he was reconciled to Pontian. The
two of them died in those mines, united in the love of God. They are
martyrs for Christ and recognized as saints in the Church.
Sources: SAINT OF THE DAY, Leonard Foley, O.F.M., Editor; SAINTS AND
FEAST DAYS, Christ Our Life Series, Loyola Press;
IN HIS LIKENESS by Rev. Charles E. Yost, SCJ, STL |
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THOUGHTS FROM THE CATECHISM OF THE
CATHOLIC CHURCH |
To Bear Witness to the Truth
#2473
Martyrdom
is the supreme witness given to the truth of the faith: it means bearing witness
even unto death. The martyr bears witness to Christ who died and rose, to whom
he is united by charity. He bears witness to the truth of the faith and of
Christian doctrine. He endures death through an act of fortitude. “Let me become
the food of the beasts, through whom it will be given me to reach God.”
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REFLECTION |
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MARY’S ASSUMPTION IN HEAVEN
Father James M. Sullivan, O.P. |
With the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception we recall Mary’s being
conceived without Original Sin. In this month of August, with the celebration of
the Solemnity of the Assumption, we keep the great feast of Mary’s being taken
into heaven, body and soul. And this is not to be thought of so much as an
ending, as it is a new beginning.
As Pope Francis reminded us in proclaiming the Year of Mercy in
“Misericordiae Vultus” on April 11, 2015: “No one has penetrated the profound
mystery of the Incarnation like Mary. Her entire life was patterned after the
presence of mercy made flesh. The Mother of the crucified and risen one has
entered the sanctuary of divine mercy because she participated intimately in the
mystery of his love.” The Assumption is that entering the sanctuary of
divine mercy.
One of the corporal works of mercy that is easily forgotten in our society
is that of burying the dead. The dead are buried, yes, but how many people go to
the wake, or to the funeral, or even to the graveside? This corporal work of
mercy reminds us all not only of our own mortal body but even more so of our own
immortal soul. The Blessed Virgin Mary, assumed into heaven, body and soul,
calls us to herself and to the fullness of mercy.
Source: MAGNIFICAT, Vol. 18, No. 6, August 2016, p. 196
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Lietuvi