Photo by David Bruce
August 10, 2008
Truth shall spring out of the earth, and justice shall look down from heaven.
— Psalm 85:12TODAY’S READINGS
First Reading — "Stand on the mountain; the Lord will be passing by" (1 Kings 19:9a, 11-13a).
Psalm — Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation (Psalm 85).
Second Reading — To the Israelites belong the covenants, the law and the patriarchs; and from them comes the Christ (Romans 9:1-5).
Gospel — As Jesus walked on the sea, he said to the disciples, "Do not be afraid" (Matthew 14:22-33).
NOTHING TO FEAR
A rabbi was asked why God sends trials and troubles into human lives. "Because God gets lonely for his people" was the reply. There is some resonance with this wisdom in today’s Gospel, as Jesus makes his disciples get into a boat without him and goes off alone while they venture into stormy waters. Of course, neither Jews nor Christians believe that the Almighty plays this sort of whimsical game with them, but there is some truth in the statement that we don’t turn to God for saving help until we’re in a bind. Peter’s role today, as it is throughout the New Testament, is to be a sign or to represent each member of the church and the whole church. Our story is the tale told about Peter’s faith today. What can bolster our faith is that even when Christ calls us to face bravely the tempests of life, if we are walking through them with our eyes fixed on him in faith, we have nothing to fear. Even when we falter or sink, simply crying "Lord, save me!" is enough to help us know the steady grasp of God’s hand. Then, sheltered inside the walls of faith, the storms we endure lose their power over us. © Copyright, J. S. Paluch Co.TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION
The Roman Canon, called Eucharistic Prayer I, is probably seldom heard in your parish. Some priests will choose it for at least one of the Masses of Christmas, or the Easter Vigil. Such sparing use of this prayer seems strange, especially since it was the only Eucharistic Prayer in the Latin Rite for many centuries, from as long ago as 500 right up to 1970.In 1965, the vernacular language was approved for the canon of the Mass. Almost immediately, some experimental texts began to surface in the Netherlands, and priests began to use new Dutch texts without permission. By 1966, Pope Paul VI had set up a committee to consider whether or not it was time to approve such experimentation and extend it to non-Dutch churches. No sooner had the committee been formed than other individuals copied the Dutch by just plunging on ahead. The Dutch bishops had approved the use of the new prayers nationwide in 1968, and Flemish bishops in Belgium quickly agreed. By then, German translations of the Dutch prayers were in wide use, and before long nearly one hundred Eucharistic Prayers, all unapproved, were in circulation in France. The Vatican heard the widespread desire for more variety in Eucharistic Prayer forms, and, with the pope’s approval, the process of creating new official prayers began.
—Rev. James Field, © Copyright, J. S. Paluch Co.IMAGE OF GOD
Nature has perfections in order to show that she is the image of God, and defects to show that she is only God’s image. —Blaise PascalTHE RIGHT DIRECTION
If we walk one step toward God, God will run ten steps toward us. —AnonymousMASS INTENTIONS
Sat. Aug. 9 –
4 p.m. – Repose of the soul of Jim Keyser by Marcia & Joe PecsiSat. Aug. 9 – 6 p.m. – (Big Pine) – Pro Populo
Sun. Aug. 10 – 8 a.m. – Intentions of Robin LeCavalier by Pastoral Staff
Sun. Aug. 10 – 11 a.m. – Pro Populo
Mon. Aug. 11 – 7 a.m. – Intentions of Deven Dufresne by Grand Parents
Tues. Aug. 12 – 7 a.m. – Repose of the soul of Larry Crom by Pastor
Wed. Aug. 13 – 7 a.m. – Fr. John Gracey & Members of OLPH Parish by Anonymous
Thurs. Aug. 14 – 7 a.m. – Intentions of Maria Guadalupe by Carl & Maria Lawrence
Thurs. Aug. 14 – 6 p.m. – (Big Pine) - Vigil for the Assumption/Intentions of Andres Hermoso Meza by Carl & Maria Lawrence
Fri. Aug. 15 (Holy Day of Obligation) – 7 a.m. – Special Intention by Bob Toth
Fri. Aug. 15 (Holy Day of Obligation) – 6 p.m. – Intentions of Maria Maravilla by Carl & Maria Lawrence
Sat. Aug. 16 – 4 p.m. – Repose of the soul Larry Crom by the Mathieu Family
Sat. Aug. 16 – 6 p.m. – (Big Pine) – Pro Populo
THE ASSUMPTION OF MARY
The Assumption of Mary is a Holy Day of Obligation. To meet the spiritual needs of the people of God in Bishop and Big Pine, the following is our Mass schedule: Assumption of Mary – Thursday, August 14, 2008 – 6 p.m. Vigil Mass at St. Stephens in Big Pine. Friday, August 15, 2008 – 7 a.m. at OLPH in Bishop & 6 p.m. at OLPH in Bishop.
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS RUMMAGE SALE
The annual Knights of Columbus Rummage Sale to benefit our Church & local charitable needs will be held on Saturday, Sept. 13th, 2008 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the Parish Hall. Everyone is encouraged to donate their items for the sale during the week of Sept. 8th, between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., but please no later than 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11th. Contact the parish office at 873-8862 if you have any questions or need assistance.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION ENROLLMENT NIGHT
Our 2008-2009 Religious Education enrollment night will be held on Saturday, August 9th, 2008 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. for 1st grade through 11 grade. Tuition this year will be $45.00 dollars for one student and $65.00 for two or more children from the same family. If you have any questions, please call David in the Parish Office at 873-8862.
FOOD ITEMS NEEDED!!
The Bishop Salvation Army is very much in need of non-perishable food items to restock their food pantry. The items they are particularly in need of include: canned vegetables, canned fruit, canned meat, canned soups and spaghetti sauce. Food items may either be dropped off at the food pantry in the vestibule of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Bishop, or brought to St. Stephen’s Church in Big Pine (during Mass only). They can also be taken to the Salvation Army office in the Town and Country Center on Line Street, Monday through Friday between 10 A.M. and 3 P.M. This is another opportunity to help make Christ present to people in need, so let us please be as generous as we can.
RACHEL’S VINEYARD
If anyone desires the return to Jesus’ love and merciful forgiveness which seems to be lost as a result of an abortion, we will help you. Call Rachel’s Vineyard for post-abortion healing at 877-629-6626.
