Our Lady of the Holy Souls Catholic Church1003 North Tyler Street - Little Rock, Arkansas 72205

“Encounter Jesus, Serve Others.”

Fr. John Marconi, Pastorjmarconi@holysouls.org

Fr. Maraiah Pasala, Associate PastorDeacon John Hall

Deacon Lawrence H. Jegley (Retired)Shelley Tienken, Business Manager

Nan Connell, AccountantSusej Thompson, Director of Faith Formation & MusicWendy Floriani, Director of Children’s Faith Formation

Laura G. Humphries, Parish Life & Stewardship DirectorSusie Williams, Facilities & Events Coordinator

Cindy Stabnick, Pastoral SecretaryStacey Matchett, Church Secretary

Nancy Handloser, Principal

Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time - August 30, 2020

Church Office: (501) 663-8632 • Website: www.holysouls.orgE-mail: office@holysouls.org • Facebook: www.facebook.com/OLHSAR

Church Office Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. School: (501) 663-4513 • Cafeteria: 501) 663-6125

Extended Care: (501) 663-7438

YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND

RCIACome & See

Are you thinking of joining the Church?Do you have a family member or friend

you would like to introduceto the Catholic Faith?

Are you Catholic and have questionsabout what we believe?

+ + + + +Thursday, Sept. 3

in the Church at 7 p.m.

Socially distanced, in-person meetingwith simultaneous zoom broadcast

for those at home.

email sthompson@holysouls.orgor

call the church office 663-8632. To make an appointment, go to www.holysouls.org. or ARKBI.org.Limited number of appointments available,

so please make your appointment soon!

FIRST READING: Jeremiah 20:7-9“Speak Up”

“Mindful of God”

Written by Paul Turner. Copyright © 2010, Resource Publications, Inc., 888-273-7782, www.rpinet.com. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission fromLectionary Bulletin Inserts, Year A: First and Second Readings.

Written by Paul Turner. Copyright © 2010, Resource Publications, Inc., 888-273-7782, www.rpinet.com. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission from LectionaryBulletin Inserts, Year A: First and Second Readings.

Reflection on This Sunday’s Readings

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Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

SECOND READING: Romans 12: 1-2

Responding to the Word This Week

*To reflect on this Sunday’s readings online, go towww.usccb.org/bible/readings/083020.cfm

Jesus warns that the real roots of sinare our inner attitudes.

What attitude is giving me trouble latelyand is pushing me toward wrong actions?

Jesus, please help me . . .

“The Cross of Jesus”GOSPEL: Matthew 16: 21-27

When you know you are right, you can keep speakingthe truth, even in the face of opposition. If you have notthought enough about the right thing to do, you are indanger of being influenced to do something else. If yourneed for acceptance is stronger than your need for doingright, you will surrender to beliefs opposed to your own.But when you know you are right, and when it becomes amatter of expressing who you are and what you believe,you cannot give in. You have to speak up. You have tokeep on going, even when others do not support you anymore.

Jeremiah the prophet, in his prayer, has heard God’sword, but when he speaks it, people deride him. He triesbeing quiet, not telling the message God has given him, amessage that expresses outrage against the misdeeds ofhis companions. But when he tries to remain silent, theword of God becomes like a fire burning in his heart. Hecannot keep it in. It must come out.

It is not easy to speak God’s word. To hold it inbecomes unbearable. To speak it creates enemies. Butonly the truth brings inner peace.

The world wants your mind. Advertisers want yourbusiness. Companies want your allegiance. Ball teamswant your loyalty. Designers want you wearing their clothes.Car dealers want you driving their vehicles. Hollywood wantsyou to be promiscuous. Politicians convince you they willmake you happier and wealthier. The world wants yourmind.

The Christian message battles hard against theinfluences of this world. Love for one’s neighbor meanssharing with those who have less. The doctrine offorgiveness means making peace with enemies. The callto prayer means Sundays are for worship. It is a hardmessage to sell in a world that wants your mind.

St. Paul tells the Romans, “Do not conform yourselves

The perception of a cross changed dramatically afterJesus’ crucifixion. Before that event, death on a cross wasnot only horrible, it was degrading. It was a penalty reservedonly for the most wretched of criminals. The word “glory”would not have found its way into the same sentencecontaining the word “cross.” But all that changed with Jesus.Over time, believers began to venerate and honor the cross.They painted, sculpted, and carved images of it. Many losttheir own lives for their association with it. Today ourreverence for and relationship with the cross recalls little ofthe contempt originally associated with it. As it has beenthrough the ages, it is our perception of the cross thatdetermines how we follow Jesus.

to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind,that you may discern what is the will of God.”

If we are to detach ourselves from the temptations ofthis world, we must attach ourselves to the will of God. Wediscern the will of God by the renewal of our minds.

How can you do that? How can you find strength to beloyal to God above the lures of the world? God will help youin mercy, but God asks for something in return: the sacrificeof your very selves, the willingness to please God by youractions. God wants your mind too.

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“Who Do You Say That I Am”Deacon John Hall’s Homily from 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time, August 12, 2020

Edward Fitzgerald served as the second bishop of theDiocese of Little Rock from 1866 to 1907. During his tenureas bishop, he attended the First Vatican Council in Romein 1870. During the Council, the question of papal infallibilitywas introduced. Although it finally passed, there were onlytwo bishops who voted against papal infallibility. And ofcourse, one was Bishop Fitzgerald of Little Rock. Somehave called this standoff the big rock vs Little Rock. Andthe big rock won!

Jesus gives his graduation speech in today’s gospelas he plans to begin his fateful journey to Jerusalem, andhe prepares his disciples for a time when he will not bephysically with them. So he questions them. But why inthe region of Caesarea Philippi, this non-Jewish area, about25 miles north of the sea of Galilee, was formerly known asPaneas or Pinias – named for the Greek God Pan . . . anarea with a long history of Greek gods and idol worshipping.After Paneas came under Roman control Herod built theTemple of Augustus Caesar in 16bc. Just a few years laterit was massively enlarged with white marble by Herod’sson, Philip the Tetrarch, and dedicated to Tiberius Caesar– and changed the name Paneas to Caesarea Philippi, inhonor of Caesar and himself. Any visitor to that region evenfrom a distance could not help but seeing that hugeglistening white marble structure without thinking of Romanauthority and the gods of the netherworld.

Yet it was here, of all places, that Jesus wanted to askhis disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” And Peter getsit right! “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Yes,the same Peter who in next week’s gospel argues withJesus and is rebuked: ‘get behind me Satan.’ The samePeter who falls asleep when he is supposed to be prayingin the Garden of Gethsemane. The same Peter who willthree times deny knowing Jesus. But in the end, after thedeath of Jesus, it is a scared Peter, who will be filled withthe Spirit, who refocuses and re-centers his life and becomes

what Jesus asked him to be: a rock, part of the foundationof the church . . . trusted with the keys to the kingdom.

In the midst of this Covid-19 pandemic, polarizingpolitics, it is a time when people haven’t been to theirchurches, when it’s been too long since receiving theEucharist, and too long since we’ve gathered as aworshipping community of believers in God.

Jesus is asking you and I: “Who do you say that Iam?” We are probably like the disciples as they stood inthe shadows of the false gods in Caesarea Philippi . . .“Jesus, are you sure you want me to ask me that now?”

Yes! This is the time for us to answer Jesus’ question:“Who do you say that I am?” At this time when we are mostunsure about the future, that we should find God as the truefocus and center of our lives.

We’ve all suffered the effects of Covid-19 just as wehave all suffered the loss of a loved one or a serious illnessor maybe a divorce. During such trying times we mightdiscover that the center or focus of our lives was not wherewe thought it was. We may find that our center, our focus,was something other than God. Perhaps our focus was anaddiction, selfishness or some other unhealthy vice.

Re-centering our lives is not easy, because it meanswe must first let go of something we thought we couldn’tlive without. Then we have to learn to re-arrange our lives soour true focus is on Christ, the Son of the living God.

Just as Jesus gave Peter the keys to the kingdomsurrounded by the false idols of Caesarea Philippi, we havebeen given those same keys in the midst of a pandemic.You and I are the rock on which our church continues to bebuilt. We will continue to establish the kingdom of God inour communities, wherever we are . . . regardless of anydistractions.

Yes, today, Jesus asks you and I: Who do you saythat I am?

JOB OPENING AT HOLY SOULSYOUTH MINISTER

Responsible for leading youth ministry team in directing parishmiddle school and high school programs, engaging parish youthin encounter-based ministry programs, forming and leading youthministry volunteers, coordinating parish confirmation program,and collaborating in creation of faith formation programs for youthfrom kindergarten through adulthood; must be Catholic in goodstanding, have ability to demonstrate initiative, innovation andpassion for youth ministry, skills working in collaborativeenvironment and be timely and independent in performing keytasks; bachelor’s degree with emphasis in pastoral ministrypreferred; position part of faith formation department; must submitcover letter and resume to be considered. Full time position withbenefits. Contact: Shelley Tienken, Business Manager,stienken@holysouls.org or (501) 663-8632

Mums for MonsignorFundraiser for Monsignor Allen Trust and Development Fund

Order on our website, www.holysouls.org(go to Parish News - Bulletin Board)or in school and church offices.

Deadline to order: Sept. 11. Pick Up Dates: October 2 & 3

3 Colors to Choose From:Yellow - Burgundy - Orange

$12.50 each - 10” pots

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Mass attendance, August 1 & 2 191Mass attendance, August 8 & 9 210Mass attendance, August 15 & 16 231Mass attendance, August 22 & 23 211

Diocesan Special Collection – Catholic Home Missions $ 1,248

Weekend Collections – August 1 & 2 $ 8,994 August 8 & 9 $ 27,960 August 15 & 16 $ 14,453 August 22 & 23 $ 27,052Total August Collections $ 78,458Total Aug. Budgeted Collections $ 100,000

Actual Collections (7/1/20 -7/31/20) $ 107,150Budgeted (7/1/20 - 7/31/20) $ 90,000Amount in excess of Budget $ 17,150

Maintenance Fund $ 1,646

COLLECTIONS/STEWARDSHIP UPDATE

Thank you for supporting our church.

The Catholic Diocese of Little Rock is committed to pro-tecting children and young people. If you are aware ofabuse or have been abused by Clerics, Church volun-teers, or Church workers, please contact the State ofArkansas Hotline for Crimes against Children at 1-800-

482-5964 and the Chancellor for Canonical Affairs, Dcn. MatthewA. Glover, (501) 664-0340 ext. 361. For pastoral assistance pleasecontact the Victim Assistance Coordinator for the Diocese of LittleRock: Laura Gosponer, (501) 664-0340, ext. 425. Diocese of LittleRock, 2500 N. Tyler St., Little Rock, AR 72207.

LIVE STREAMED MASSESIf staying home is a better option, the 4pm Mass is livestreamed on Saturdays. You may watch it live at 4pm oranytime after the end of the recording (after 5pm). Go towww.Facebook.com/OLHSAR - click on Videos.

MASS SCHEDULEMonday: No MassTuesday: 7:00 a.m.Wednesday: 5:30 p.m.Thursday: 7:00 a.m.Friday: 7:00a.m.Saturday: 8:00 a.m. (1st Saturdays only)

4:00 p.m. (Vigil Mass)*Sunday: 8:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., & 5:30 p.m.*

*Reservations are required forSaturday Vigil Mass and all Sunday Masses.

CHURCH VISITSYou may visit Holy Souls Church for private prayer time: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday:

7:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.(enter Church through Handicapped Door or Choir Door)

You may make reservations by either emailingsmatchett@holysouls.org. or call 501-663-8632. Pleasecontact us by Friday noon and let us know which Mass timeyou would like to attend and the names of the members of yourfamily (who are living in your household) who will be attending.

Wednesdays: 7:30 a.m. - 5:15 p.m.(all Church Doors open)

CONFESSIONSWednesdays: 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.Saturdays: 2:30 - 3:30 p.m.

We are now registering for our Youth Faith Formationprogram. It is for all children who do not attend Catholicschool ages Kindergarten through 8th grade. We haveplanned a distance learning model this year, in whichteachers and parents work together to grow your child’sfaith and understanding. To register, go towww.holysouls.org, then Faith Life - Youth Faith Formation.After submitting you will be taken to a payment page. It is$30 per child, but if your child is in a sacramental year (2ndgrade or 7th grade) please check on that option.

Thank you for using Online Giving. Parishioners who usethe service are pleased with how easy it is to set up andmanage. If you have not yet signed up for Online Giving,please consider this option. This is the perfect time to be-gin donating online due to the Coronavirus. Holy Souls Parishneeds your continued support! Visit our parish website atwww.holysouls.org.

HOLY SOULS SCHOOL MASSESDue to the COVID-19 regulations at this time, all SchoolMasses will be attended by school children and staff only.One grade be able to attend each week while the othergrades will watch Mass online in their classrooms.

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Laura Humphries,Parish Life & Stewardship Director

Grateful Stewardsof God’s Gifts . . .

Jesus said in reply “Ten were cleansed, were they not?Where are the other nine?” Luke 17:17

Gratitude. It’s a funny thing. No matter how hard we try, wetake things for granted. We know that everything good thatwe have is a gift from God. So, we may be amazed by thestory from this Gospel in which only one of 10 returned tothank Jesus. But consider how often we have behaved in asimilar manner. Do we think about the fact that we have aroof over our heads? Maybe only when we see news footageof the aftermath of a tornado. Do we make the most of bothour mental and our physical health? How often do weremember that every breath and every heartbeat is a gift?How easily we overlook the blessings that we’ve been given.How easily we forget about those who do not even have thebasics in order to get by. Especially in our land of plenty,let us return to Jesus and give him thanks today. An excerpt from Living Faith

God calls us to serve one another and to love one another.There are ways that we can do that even in a pandemic.We can pray for everyone in our country. We can pray thatthere is an end to the pandemic, that everyone has enoughfood to eat and a place to call home. We can also pray thatour children and teachers and school administrators staywell and safe, as well as all the people who help take careof the sick. We can donate food to the Arkansas Food Bankand/or Helping Hand. If we cannot get food to these placeswe can mail a donation to them. For those of us who havea job and haven’t suffered financially during this pandemic,we must show our gratitude to God. We must not take thisfor granted. Please remember that God takes care of us sothat we can take care of others. He calls us to serve, hecalls us to take care of those who are less fortunate thanwe are. Let us do our part and be grateful to God that hegives us the opportunity to serve. Encounter Jesus, ServeOthers

Join us for the next season of Walking With Purposeas we discover women of the Old and New Testament andhow they were as flawed and broken as we can be, yet thepower of God Worked in their lives. Through their storiesrecorded in Scripture, women of the Bible reach out to touchour “present” in a tender, honest and loving way — womanto woman — with ancient wisdom, sage advice and insightsfrom sorrowful failures and emotional wounds.

Learn from their experiences in Discovering OurDignity: A Study of Women of the Bible, a 22-lessonBible study. All meetings will start virtually. We are all fairlynew to virtual meetings, so the first meeting on September9th (Wednesday groups) or September 10th (Thursdaygroup) will be an opportunity to walk you through theprocess. We will have breaks throughout the year and theseason will wrap up in the middle of March.

Zoom time slots available are:Wednesday Lunch 12:15 to 1:00pmWednesday Evenings 6:15 to 7pmThursday Mornings 9:00 to 9:45am

There is a $40 registration fee which covers the price ofthe study guide. Scholarships are available. The study isopen to women of all faiths. Register at www.holysouls.org.For more information about Walking With Purpose go towww.walkingwithpurpose.com or contact us atWWP@holysouls.org. Registration closes on Sunday,August 30th.

That the planet’s resources will not be plundered, butshared in a just and respectful manner.

Petitions of theMinistry of Praise

September 2020

Pope Francis’ Intentions:

Retreat in Daily Life

As you mirror St. Ignatius of Loyola’s prayerful journey,following the life, teachings, death and resurrection of Jesus,you will prayerfully encounter a loving God and desire tobecome all you were created to be. For more informationabout Retreat in Daily Life, a St. Scholastica MonasterySpirituality Program, contact Diane Bausom,Bausom@conwaycorp.net or 501-472-214. To see flyer, goto www.holysouls.org - Bulletin Board.

(RIDL)

Thank YouThank you to all the ministers that have been helping atthe Masses. Without your continued service, we would behard pressed to have Mass safely. Thank you for givingyour time so selflessly.

If you or you know of someone who would like to help,please call Laura in the church office to be trained to be aEucharistic Minister, Lector or Monitor.

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REGISTRATION FOR NEW MEMBERSRegistration for new members is completed in the church officeor online by visiting our web page, www.holysouls.org. Pleasecontact the church office or go online at www.holysouls.org ifyou have moved, changed your telephone number, movedfrom your parent’s home or graduated from college.

RCIAIf you are interested in becoming Catholic, please contact SusejThompson at 501-663-8632 or sthompson@holysouls.org.

RETURNING CATHOLICSIf you are interested in returning to the Catholic Church, pleasecontact Susej Thompson at 663-8632 or sthompson@holysouls.org.

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATIONSaturdays from 2:30 to 3:30pm and Wednesdays from 4:00 to5:00pm or call the church office for an appointment.

CHURCH VISITSThe Church is open for private prayer time on Monday, Tuesday,Thursday, & Friday from 7:30am-3pm; time; and on Wednesdayfrom 7:30am -5:15pm. Please enter through the chapel door orhandicapped door.

BAPTISMBaptisms are scheduled on an individual basis. Please callthe church office for more information.

SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGEContact the church office a minimum of six months in advance.

OUR PARISHIONERS -- Sherry Wortsmith; Joe Kirchner; Lillian Henriquez;Rob Mondy; Jessica Remsing; Benjamin Stuart; Micki Fitzpatrick; GlennabellMcCumpsey; Nick Kirchner; Pat King; Leann Hatley; Richard Peek; MaryKeogh; Dinah Grummer; and George Loss.

OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS -- Lucille Marconi, Betty Morris;Natalie Miller; Liam Brooks; Pat Glover; Lauren & baby Medlock; JohnBarnett; Dianna Davidson; Mitchell Marconi; Sara Clevenger, Cindi Woodiel;Msgr. Richard Oswald; Bethany Pilcher; Craig Fenton; John Gardner; CarterMabry; and Richard Halter.

OUR SEMINARIANS -- especially Joel Brackett and Andrew Capps.

In order to keep our bulletin prayer list up-to-date for the sick, names will remain onthe list for four weeks. Then their name will be written in the Book ofIntercession where they will be remember during every Mass. To continue foranother four weeks, please call the church office.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR FALL 2020SPIRITUAL GROWTH AND PRAYER

It’s that time of year when we redirect our focus to fall and lookat how we will grow in our spirituality this year. We currentlyhave three opportunities for joining a prayer group this fall.

Invitation to Personal Prayer ~ Conversation for the SpiritualLife: This group is for those who are interested in learninghow to set aside 15 minutes a day for prayer with Scripture. Ifyou are new to personal prayer or seeking to develop a moreserious prayer life than this might be the group for you. Thegroup meets for an hour and a half each week for 9 weeks.Groups are forming now and they begin the week of September14th. Groups are limited to 6-10 people.

Praying with the Beatitudes: This group is offered for thosewho have recently completed the Spiritual Exercises of St.Ignatius. This group will pray with the Beatitudes using theIgnatian model of prayer. This group will meet weekly for onehour for 10 weeks beginning September14, 2020. The groupsize is limited to 6-10 people, registration is now open.

Choosing Christ in the World ~ The Spiritual Exercises of St.Ignatius: A full 19th annotation of the Spiritual Exercises of St.Ignatius will be offered online via Zoom. Praying the Exercisesis a journey taken with a spiritual director and a conversationabout praying the exercises is the first step. The deadline forthis year is September 3rd. See additional information in thispacket or contact Elizabeth for the full brochure.

Important Note About Fall 2020 Programming: All fall prayergroups will be offered via Zoom (online meeting). All dates andfees are on the registration form. The fee should never keepanyone from joining a prayer group; simply speak to Elizabethabout it. For more information about these programs, checkthe Bulletin Board on www.holysouls.org. Contact ElizabethGarrett at elizabeth@infinitelyrooted.com or 479-236-4011.

MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR ABORTEDCHILDREN AT LIFE CENTER

On Saturday, September 12, pro-life Americans throughoutthe country will gather at the gravesites of aborted babies andother memorial sites dedicated in their honor for the 7th annualNational Day of Remembrance for Aborted Children.When: Saturday, September 12, 11:30 a.m. to NoonWhere: Life Center, 1515 South University Avenue in Little RockMore Info: Call Rose Mimms at 501-663-4237 orartl4237@att.net. Fr. Paul Worm will be the officiant. All arewelcome. Please bring your own chair for social distancing.Casual dress. Together let us remember the victims ofabortion and pray for a final end to this injustice in our landduring the National Day of Remembrance for AbortedChildren.

Please be sure to thank the generous advertisers in ourbulletin. Through their participation, our parish receives ourweekly bulletin free of charge.

ARK. TECH UNIVERSITYAre you or do you know of someone attending Arkansas TechUniversity in the Fall? If so, please contact us at St. Leo theGreat Catholic University Parish, the Catholic Parish on ATU’scampus. We are trying to contact incoming freshmen andtransfer students, so please provide us with any contactinformation as soon as possible. The best way to contact us isthrough email at stleoatu@gmail.com or through our Facebookpage (St. Leo the Great Catholic University Parish at ArkansasTech University). You can message Pat Buford or Mary Corkinswith any questions you might have.

To read the daily reading online, go to www.usccb.org/nab/today.shtml

Monday, August 31 1 Cor 2:1-5; Ps 119:97-102; Lk 4:16-30No Mass

Tuesday, September 1 1 Cor 2:10b-16; Ps 145:8-14; Lk 4:31-377:00 a.m. Mass Reno France by Jim France

Wednesday, September 2 1 Cor 3:1-9; Ps 33:12-15, 20-21; Lk 4:38-445:30 p.m. Mass Jack Savary by Holy Souls Men’s Club

Thursday, September 3 ST. GREGORY THE GREAT - 1 Cor 3:18-23; Ps 24:1bc-4ab, 5-6; Lk 5:1-117:00 a.m. Mass Ellen & Dalton Dailey by Kathy & Ray Hightower

Friday, September 4 1 Cor 4:1-5; Ps 37:3-6, 27-28, 39-40; Lk 5:33-397:00 a.m. Mass Jessie Thomisee by Anne Thomisee

Saturday, September 5 ST. TERESA OF CALCUTTA - 1 Cor 4:6b-15; Ps 145:17-21; Lk 6:1-58:00 a.m. Mass The Pawlowski & Guzik Families by Elzbieta Pawlowski4:00 p.m. Vigil Mass Don King by Juanita Lee

Sunday, September 6 23RD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Ez 33:7-9; Ps 95:1-2, 6-9; Rom 13:8-10; Mt 18:15-208:00 a.m. Mass Frances Bovick Jansen by The 7 “Bovick” Cousins & family10:30 a.m. Mass Intentions of Parishioners5:30 p.m. Mass Nell Binz by Becky Binz

Mass Intentions may be offered for the Repose of the Soul of a deceased loved one or for healing, a special occasion,or a special intention for yourself, a family member, or friend. Please contact Cindy in the Church Office for more information.