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EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME AUGUST 1, 2010
SATURDAY, JULY 31, 2010 5:30 P.M. Lucy Giordano Carlos DiGiacinto Frank Padula Georgene Olsen Isabel
Cubillan SUNDAY, AUGUST 1, 2010 7:30 A.M. People
of the Parish Ann Marie Hivish Joseph Gazella, Sr. John Sieber 10:00 A. M. Marie Blessinger Lena Hantak Hugh Brown Margaret Hodes Taylor 12:00 P.M. Vinchenza
Dowling MONDAY, AUGUST 2, 2010 8:00 A.M. Lucas Reis TUESDAY, AUGUST
3, 2010 8:00 A.M. Joseph
Solo WEDNESDAY,
AUGUST 4, 2010 8:00 A.M. COMMUNION SERVICE THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 2010 8:00 A.M. Andrew Tachine FRIDAY, AUGUST 6, 2010 8:00 A.M. PARISH
PURGATORIAL SATURDAY, AUGUST 7, 2010 5:30 P.M. Lucy Giordano Lucas Reis Frank Padula Steve Anders SUNDAY, AUGUST 8, 2010 7:30 A.M. People of the Parish Albert Assidio 10:00 A.M. Antoinette Sommese Margaret Hodes Taylor 12:00 P.M. Evelyn Rose Heller George & Marie Shippee Pray daily for the safety of our
servicemen and women serving their country. PLEASE
REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS SICK: Jackie Wall Tom Gillen Bella Tucker Marilyn Destito Natale Borgosano DECEASED: Margaret Hodes Taylor WEEKLY OFFERINGS Sunday $4,660.00 Thank you for your continued support. MASS IN LATIN On Sunday, August 15th, we will
be doing the 12 o'clock mass in Latin, complete with chant and Latin hymns.
We have formed a chorale for this special occasion. Practices are 7 - 9 PM in
the church, each Tuesday. All are welcome. |
“Someone coming into St. Francis of Assisi and discovering Mass being celebrated in Latin might wonder if they accidentally wandered into the wrong Church. No, you are still in a Roman Catholic Church, it is the exact same Mass celebrated every Sunday and weekday, with the exception that its in Latin. So why Latin? First we need to know what the Church teaches about Latin and the liturgy. Second we want to recall the history and tradition of using the Latin language. And third we want to see how Latin can remind us of the mystery and holiness of the Mass. What does the Church teach about Latin. To begin we must know the Church's teaching, that the Second Vatican Council never condemned or forbid the use of Latin in the liturgy. Unfortunately, after 1965 there was a dramatic change that gave this impression: we went from using almost all Latin at Mass, to almost totally excluding it. Yet quite the contrary to being forbidden, even a Vatican document released last year on the liturgy says: "Priests are always and everywhere permitted to celebrate Mass in Latin" (Redemptionis Sacramentum, 112 [2004]). The Second Vatican Council, while permitting translations into the vernacular, i.e. in our everyday spoken language, said that "care must be taken to ensure that the faithful may also be able to say or sing together in Latin those parts of the Ordinary of the Mass which pertain to them." (SC 36, 54) Not only does the Council plainly insist on keeping some Latin in the mass, it goes on to emphatically approve the use of Gregorian chant. What the Council had probably envisioned were gradual changes and a mix of English and Latin. Obviously, the readings, homily and many of the prayers should be in English in order to be understandable. But this didn't mean we should forget the Sanctus, Agnus Dei and Pater Noster - all of which the Council says we should still be able to say and sing. Now I'm not going to start celebrating the Latin Mass every day. But we should know at least some Latin hymns and parts of the Mass. The History and Tradition of Latin So we now know the Church teaches that Latin is still permitted and is to be preserved. But what makes Latin so important, why should it be used? First, Latin is still the official language of the Church, used whenever the pope issues an encyclical or other official document. While it may be said that Latin is a dead language because it is no longer spoken, that actually has an advantage: it doesn't change and therefore has a timeless value. Now I don't regret the fact that the council has permitted us to use English at Mass, I think it has made it much more understandable for all of us. As I used to joke with my Latin teacher, "it's all Greek to me!" Yes, Latin is difficult to understand, but unless you are a brand new Catholic or this is your first time at Mass, you know what goes on at each Mass and what those prayers say. You don't have to know that the word agnus means lamb to know that we sing the Lamb of God after the sign of peace. What is regrettable about the use of English at Mass, is that we are in danger of losing part of the Church's rich heritage of thousands of years of Latin Chant, dating back to the time of Pope Gregory the Great, from whom it derives its name: Gregorian chant. Yes, modern English music can also be beautiful when done well. Yet some of the most theologically accurate and hauntingly beautiful hymns I have heard are the great Latin classics. Perhaps we should ask it this way: how many of our glory and praise songs and folk melodies will still be sung in 1500 years? |
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This history means having Mass in Latin isn't the same as celebrating in a foreign language. The difference is that when St. Boniface brought Catholicism to Germany in the 8th Century, he celebrated Mass singing Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus Dominus, not "Heilig, Heilig, Heilig Gott". When St. Francis of Assisi and St. Catherine of Siena assisted at Mass in Medieval Italy, they responded not in Italian, but in Latin: "Et cum spiritu tuo". Sts. Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross both wrote beautiful Spanish poetry in the 16th century, but at each Mass they said the Pater Noster, not the Padre Nuestro. Sts. Therese of Liseux and John Vianney lived in 19th century France, but at each Mass they prayed the Agnus Dei, not the Agneau de Dieu. Latin gives us a connection with 2000 years of history, with millions of Catholics from dozens of generations. Saints from the 4th, 12th and 20th centuries have sang these very hymns, hundreds of thousands of priests have said these same words of consecration, millions of Catholics have prayed these same Latin prayers. The purpose and meaning of the Mass Having recalled the history and tradition of Latin, we will see that it can be a reminder of the sacredness of what takes place at Mass. The Mass is supposed to have a sense of mystery. We can never fully comprehend what takes place in the Eucharist. We've all heard the phrase, 'familiarity breeds contempt.' This problem also affects our relation of man to God, and especially our worship of God. This is why we always need reverence and sacredness, to rise above the profane and familiar; to open our eyes to the sacred which should inspire awe - indeed, fear and trembling. And as I've said before, while changes in the Mass are never easy and can seem to interrupt our prayer, perhaps it will help us to think about what we're doing, and not just go through the motions. One reason for the change into the vernacular was to encourage us to a full and active participation in the Mass. My apologies if you don't know the Latin words or chant melodies; but this in no way denies you the opportunity to actively participate in this Mass, because you are still able to join your prayers and offerings with that of Christ. In the preface of the Mass we pray: "Lift up your hearts - We lift them up to the Lord." This sursum corda - the lifting of our hearts - is the first requirement for real participation in the mass. Going to Mass is not like going to the movies or a play, it's not even a pleasant social gathering. The music and prayers of the mass are to create a sacred atmosphere and raise us up. As one author put it: "Do we better meet Christ by soaring up to Him, or by dragging Him down into our world?" What really matters, therefore, is not whether we feel at home at mass, as some would argue. Yes, having Mass and songs in English allows for greater participation, but does it draw us out of our ordinary lives into an encounter with Christ? Does it increase reverence, an appreciation of the sacred? Does it bestir the human spirit, and evoke a sense of eternity? Today, as we do at every Mass, we are celebrating the Latin liturgy of the Church. There is a unity among Latin Catholics throughout the world: even if we use English and other vernacular languages, it's still the same Mass. Now we know that Latin is still the official language of the Church and its liturgy. We joining in the Latin Mass today knowing we join a long history and tradition. And we recall that our true purpose of the Mass is to call us out of the ordinary, to respond to God with reverence and awe, and to join our prayers to the offering of Christ. To him be all glory and honor forever. Amen” Our Chorale practices for this Mass in Latin every Tuesday at 7:00 PM in the Church. Anyone interested in joining this chorale are welcome. God bless us all with a safe and restful summer. - Fr. Lance |
THANK YOU To God, our Blessed Mother Mary and St. Francis of Assisi To our Carnival Committee To our many, many volunteers To all who visited us during our 49th Annual parish Carnival For the multitude of Blessings of fun and games friendship and reunions for happiness and peace for children, youth and adults for all of creation and good weather. See you ALL next year at our 50th Annual Parish Carnival ! CONGRATULATIONS to Rich Pagana of Wanaque, who is the lucky winner of the 2010 Ford Escape raffled by St. Francis School Home School Association. Thank you to everyone who participated and supported the car raffle. A special thanks goes to Boots Bailey for being the “top seller” of raffle tickets. We also thank everyone who took part in the Super 50/50 raffle sponsored by St. Francis Parish. The three luck winners are as follows: 1st winner – 25% - Dolores Hunt - $1,570.25 2nd winner – 15% - Raymond Longo – $942.15 3rd winner – 10% - Robert Trusewicz - $628.10 CONGRATULATIONS to you all! MARK YOUR CALENDARS VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL - Monday, August 2nd to Friday, August 6th TRICKY TRAY - Saturday, October 16th THOUGHTS FOR SUNDAY Put to death, then, the parts of you that are earthly. The list of "vices" in Colossians 3:5 parallels the exhortations in 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8, with the addition of the "greed that is idolatry," which is relevant to today's other readings. The Colossians are to put away these practice a reference to the "here and not yet" aspect of the kingdom of God. GOING TO RUTGERS IN NEW BRUSWICK? The CATHOLIC Center at Rutgers, located at 84 Somerset Street on the College Avenue Campus, is looking forward to welcoming you to the New Brunswick/Piscataway campuses. Please not the following information: Sunday Masses 12:00 PM Bush Student Center, Rm., 120 ABC 8:00 PM St. Peter’s Church, 94 Somerset St. (CAC) 9:00 PM Cook Campus Center, G.H. Cook Room 10:00 PM Livingston Student Center Daily Mass (Monday - Friday) 12:15 PM The Catholic Center Chapel (inside Catholic Center) Visit us online: www.catholic-center.rutgers.edu |
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On vacation? To locate Mass, go to www.Masstimes.org or call 734-794-2100 or get the iPhone application at the Apple store. PARISH RETREAT WEEKEND The St. Francis Emmaus Group invites you to a Parish Weekend Retreat October 22-24, 2010. A St. Francis Emmaus weekend is a weekend of sharing our faith through mass, talks, discussion, private reflection, and plain, old-fashioned fun. We grow in faith and in community, which is the purpose of Emmaus. The retreat is open to all parishioners. The speakers at this retreat will be members of our parish and our general topic is. “Growing in Our Relationship with Jesus.” Fr. Lance will join us for part of the weekend The weekend will take place at the Carmel Retreat Center in Mahwah. In addition to the room, the price includes 3 meals on Saturday and one meal on Sunday. We have room for 25 people. We arrive Friday at 7:00pm and depart Sunday at 11:00am. COST PER PERSON (The price reflects a $45.00 subsidy from Emmaus funds.) Double Room $130.00; If you require a single room, I will check on availability. Price is $145.00. Payment is due Oct 8th. Send or bring payment to the rectory. Make check payable to St. Francis of Assisi. Emmaus Weekend: October 22, 23, 24. You may also apply on line: stfrancishaskell.org. Name:____________________________________________ Address:__________________________________________. Phone:____________________________________________. Room—circle one: Double Single (I will check on availability.) Roommate:______________________ TAKE A BOW Have pity on your servants!" cries the psalmist in this Sunday's reading. It is a plea to God to bless the service of God's faithful and thus make it meaningful. One of the key values necessary for servanthood is humility, and it was a lesson in humility that journalist Judith Valente learned at Mount St. Scholastica, a Benedictine monastery of women in Atchison, Kansas, where she had been invited to share as a layperson in the life of the monastery. "There are some old monastic customs that the sisters don't follow anymore," she says, "and frankly I wish some of them could become a part of our everyday lives. . . . For many years, whenever a group of sisters were assigned to work together on a project, they would bow to each other and say in German (the native language of the first Benedictines in Atchison), 'Have patience with me.' Imagine doing that in today's workplace! I think about how much more pleasant it might be . . . if I bowed to the cameraman, bowed to the producer, and they to me, and we asked each other to have patience, please, with each others' human frailties. "Such humility forms the core of monastic life," says Valente. Such humility could form the core of everyone's lives. While we may not go around bowing to everyone, might we make an "inner bow" of respect for others as beloved children of God and have a holy patience with them? - Joel Schorn |
WHAT'S IN YOUR HEART? Qoheleth moans that all of life's labors come to naught. What kind of reward do you expect for the work you do? When you feel your efforts are in vain, what beliefs about life shore you up? One of the fastest growing industries of the 1990s and into the new millennium is the self-storage business. People are, in essence, building bigger barns. In what ways are you storing up treasures that will not last? How is "putting on the new self" an antidote to both the cynicism of Qoheleth and the grasping of the farmer building bigger barns? It would be easy for you to feel beaten down. Life is anxious, sorrowful, and full of toil, and you will lose the fruits of your work, the message seems to be. Greed and overattachment to possessions threaten you, you are prone to sins, and in the end you die. However true these statements may be, a more constructive message you can actually do something with also emerges from the readings: Focus on God and get your priorities in order. Even behind Qoholeth's bleakness lies a deep desire for God. The psalm counsels us to "number our days aright." Colossians speaks of transformation and new life, and the Gospel wants us to get beyond material treasures and be "rich in what matters to God." As the great desert monk of the early church, Abba Anthony, said, "Whoever you may be, always have God before your eyes." THAT’S LIFE I once knew a woman who prided herself on her disdain for worldly goods. She would echo today’s gospel and say, “Life doesn’t consist of possessions; it’s all about relationships.” And yet she treated her relationships like possessions. One wrong word from a friend and she played the aggrieved martyr. One wrong action and she cut people out of her life. She didn’t have friends, she took hostages. Those close to her were always guessing what would set her off next. The fact is that anything can be treated as a possession—even people. I know a few people who might not think it’s true of them but who treat their family as a possession, a sort of trophy to display to others. Their main concern is to look good in their own eyes and in the eyes of others. Their kids miss out on their real presence almost as much as the kids whose parents have abandoned them. Some people even treat God as a possession. They think they’ve got God in their hip pocket or on their dashboard or otherwise at their beck and call. They would rather control a false god than risk a relationship with the true and living God. But God is not a possession and neither are we. In fact, God continually invites us to enter into a real relationship with him. God will never treat us as objects. Shouldn’t we return the favor? – Tom McGrath After my father's death and a few years of living all on her own, my mother chose to find herself a senior retirement complex in which to live. When she found one she liked, she sold her home and, never looking back, moved in with all new clothing and furniture. She loved her new friends and active lifestyle, but there was a part of her that grew fearful when she saw residents being forced to move because their funds were all used up. I had to keep reminding Mom that with four sons she had nothing to worry about. We would make sure she would stay there as long as she wanted or as long as she was able to care for herself. But she was always a little afraid of running out of money. That didn't happen. She made it. After all her final bills were paid upon her death, there were just a few hundred dollars to split up among her four children. It did not surprise us at all that it would end up in such a way. We know we cannot predict when our lives will end. But we know for sure only that we have one less day today than we did yesterday. So it is important to make use of all of the days we have left, be that one day or 10 or 100 or 10,000. We need to spend our time on the important things in our lives, and conversely those things are special when we put our time and energy into them. There is no way of getting around it. What we store up needs to be seen as riches in God's eyes as well. - Father Dominic Grassi |
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“SON QUEST RAINFOREST” Bring your child to “Son Quest Rainforest” VBS. It’s an experience of discovery, based
on 5 key Bible Themes. Son Quest Rainforest will transport
young minds into a vivid rainforest environment of jungle sounds, sights, and
smells. Best of all, “Son Quest Rainforest” will bring us
all closer to Jesus – through skits, songs, crafts, games and stories. THINGS TO DO WITH YOUR TIME "Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain wisdom of heart." Beautiful if somewhat lacquered words from today's Psalm 90. What that means in plain English: Because we’re not going to live forever, let's learn to live wisely and well. It's a far cry from that other, more famous biblical phrase: "Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die!" (Ecclesiastes 8:15; Isaiah 22:13). That was the song of soldiers reveling on the night before a battle—which many were not expected to survive. Both phrases are frank about our chances of getting out of here alive: nil. Or as my old theology professor used to put it: "The cosmic joke is, everyone who's ever lived has died. So what makes you think you'll beat the odds?" The great biblical tradition agrees with science 100 percent: Our mortality is a given. We've got "seventy years or eighty, for those who are strong," as Psalm 90 also tells us. Despite longevity studies that claim the next generation will see lots more people live to be 100, we're still talking a mere century—a drop in the bucket of time, a century gets you from the Revolutionary War to the Civil War, from the buggy whip to the SUV, from the tuberculosis vaccine to chemotherapy. Advancement, to be sure, but on a rather modest scale as chronological history goes. But let's suppose you do get a century of living. What would you do with all that time? Would you use it any differently, achieve any more than you would with 80 years, or 20? We've all met 6-year-olds who have their act together more admirably than their parents. Age guarantees nothing. Time is in no way a measure of wisdom, only experience—or, more accurately, experiences. And when we take time to reflect on those experiences, we may come up with the same assessment as Qoheleth: what a lot of vanity is accumulated herein! An enormous percentage of life is spent in pursuit of money. We can't live without it, yet its pursuit is often uncreative and leaves us unfulfilled and yearning. Money gets us stuff, some necessary, some useful, but much of which is burdensome, disappointing, and pointless. According to the foregone ending, we die and leave it all to someone else. No wonder Qoheleth was unhappy. Jesus tells a story about a man who made a simple plan for the future: Eat, drink, and be merry! The fellow conveniently forgot the other half of the saying, so it never occurred to him that death was near. Jesus warns us that the only way to "gain wisdom of heart" is to be rich in what matters to God. Time to clean house, inside and out. - Alice Camille |
LAKELAND NURSING HOME SCHEDULE SUNDAY, AUGUST 8, 2010 Nick Spina & Frank Caropreso LECTOR ASSIGNMENTS SATURDAY, AUGUST 7, 2010 5:30 P.M. F.
Morici SUNDAY, AUGUST 8, 2010 7:30 A.M. M. Durkin 10:00 A.M C. Marren 12 NOON W. Matier |
