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Sacred heart of Jesus parish

The “Gospel” of Health and Wealth

July 7, 2019 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

231 Second Ave. N. Seattle, WA 98109-4817

www.sacredheartseattle.org (206) 284-4680

Pastor: Fr. Rich Luberti, C.Ss.R. rich_luberti@compuserve.com

Assistant Pastor: Fr. Dominic Bao, C.Ss.R.

Office: (206) 284-4680

There’s a current in modern Protestantism that is

popularly called the “prosperity gospel.” Although

rejected by many Protestants, it still has its disciples. Its

basic tenet is that if you’re faithful and generous with

God, he will bless you with prosperity in this life. The kind

of prosperity expected is usually health and wealth. The

natural conclusion is that economic blessings are signs

of your faith. The opposite would also be true. If you are

poor, you just might lack faith or God’s favor.

Without a doubt, God promises us prosperity. Just look

at the prophesy of Isaiah in today’s reading. Yet, as

always for Christians, we have to read the Old

Testament in the light of Christ and his revelation in

the New Testament. The life of Jesus, the Son of

God, was the most prosperous life ever lived. Yet,

he wasn’t rewarded with material wealth. In fact,

he was downright poor. Although he was faithful

and God blessed him with challenges and,

ultimately, the cross.

[Jesus said,] “...Do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”

Luke 10:20

For Reflection Is material wealth too much of a concern of mine? How can my family and I earn to focus on eternal treasures?

Paul didn’t glory in his apostolic successes but in the

cross of Jesus. He knew that the victory of the cross was

his greatest treasure. He saw in his difficulties not a curse

but a sign of his true authenticity as a follower of Christ.

We should no doubt strive for sufficient material progress

and prosperity for ourselves, our family, our business, and

our nation. But above all we should strive for eternal

prosperity, which is living and rejoicing that our names

are written in heaven, whether we are materially

wealthy or not.

—Fr. Mark Haydu, LC

Piece: Vanitas Vanitatum, 1967-1968 Artist: Gregorio Sciltian Location: Vatican Museums

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July 7, 2019 SACRED HEART SEATTLE www.sacredheartseattle.org

For many, besides a boring homily, the collection is the most unpleasant part of

the Mass. Some grudgingly drop small bills, while others believe contributing a

twenty is reasonable. A second collection may elicit silent groans—unless it’s for

a recent calamity.

Since the early Church, a collection has

been part of the liturgy. It was intended

to support needy members (including

widows and orphans) and the clergy.

The collection was an expression of

fellowship or communion.

This communion had several

dimensions: communion of faith,

communion of heart and mind (unity

and friendship among members),

communion of the table (the Eucharist),

and communion of goods.

“The community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one claimed

that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common,”

writes Luke in Acts 4:32. “There was no needy person among them, for those

who owned property or houses would sell them, bring the proceeds of the sale,

and put them at the feet of the apostles, and they were distributed to each

according to need” (Acts 4:34–35).

Even today, at Mass we celebrate our communion of faith, heart, and mind.

The Eucharist is the sacrament of communion between Christ and the

community. Likewise, a communion of goods is concretely expressed during the

collection.

This is what the Eucharist is about—not just sharing bread and wine, but sharing

resources and gifts which ultimately are blessings from God.

—Fr. Amado L. Picardal, CSsR, SThD

Sundaybulletin@Liguori.org

Why so many collections during Mass?

Dear Padre, Calendar

Monday JULY 8

Weekday Genesis 28:10–22a Matthew 9:18–26

Tuesday JULY 9

Weekday Genesis 32:23–33 Matthew 9:32–38

Wednesday

JULY 10 Weekday

Genesis 41:55–57; 42:5–7a, 17–24a Matthew 10:1–7

Thursday JULY 11

St. Benedict, Abbot Genesis 44:18–21, 23b–29;

45:1–5 Matthew 10:7–15

Friday

JULY 12 Weekday

Genesis 46:1–7, 28–30 Matthew 10:16–23

Saturday JULY 13 Weekday

Genesis 49:29–32; 50:15–26a

Matthew 10:24–33

Sunday JULY 14

Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Deuteronomy 30:10–14 Colossians 1:15–20

Luke 10:25–37

Today gratuitousness is often not part of daily

life where everything is bought and sold.

Everything is calculated and measured.

Almsgiving helps us to experience giving

freely, which leads to freedom from the

obsession of possessing, from the fear of

losing what we have.

—Blessing of ashes, March 5, 2014

POPE FRANCIS A word from

Know Someone Overly Anxious About Sin? For more than fifty years, Redemptorists have ministered compassionately with those struggling with scrupulosity. For more information and to sign up for our free monthly

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THE STEWARDSHIP OF TREASURE

Thank you for your generosity!

Weekly Goal $ 5,715

Offerings (June 24 - June 30) $5,229

Online Giving (June 24 - June 30) $268

Total Sacrificial Giving $5,497

YTD Sacrificial Giving (July 1 - June 30) $287,054

Parish Improvement (July 1 - June 30) $ 9.823

DAILY MASS INTENTIONS

Sun. July 7 11:00 a.m. Sacred Heart Parish

Tues. July 9 12:10 p.m. Clara Szbado Gabriel +

Wed. July 10 8:00 a.m. Ernesto V. Benigno +

12:10 p.m. Ann Meyer

Fri. July 12 12:10 p.m. Mary Bernard +

Sat. July 13 5:30 p.m. Jane Bernard +

We are now moving into our 9th week of the 2019 Annual Catholic Appeal. We received pledges/gifts from 93 households! $31,559 of our goal of $38,243 has been pledged.

It’s not too late for you to give!

Your gift can still help the Annual Catholic Appeal by its support of more than 60 ministries and services that are offered to thousands of individuals across Western Washington. If you haven’t already made your gift, won’t you please consider making a gift this year? No gift is too small. If you’re unsure what to give, please consider a gift of $1 a day or $365 or more.

Go online to https://donate.seattlearchdiocese.org/aca or use a pledge envelope. If you’d rather call in your gift to the Appeal Office, they can be reached at 800-809-4921. Thank you!

MASS SCHEDULE AND PARISH EVENTS July 7, Sunday

Masses 9:00 a.m., 11 a.m., 5:30 p.m.

Legion of Mary meeting, 12:30 p.m., Lower Chapel

July 8, Monday

Masses 8:00 a.m. & 12:10 p.m.

SMART (Addictions) Recovery meeting, 6:00 p.m.

Fellowship Hall

YAMS Bible Study 7:00 p.m. Lower Chapel

July 9, Tuesday

Masses & MPH Devotion (after Mass) 8:00 a.m.,

12:10 p.m., 5:30 p.m.

Rosary, Lower Chapel, 6:15 p.m.

July 10, Wednesday

Masses 8:00 a.m. & 12:10 p.m.

July 11, Thursday INDEPDENDENCE DAY

July 12, Friday

Masses 8:00 a.m. & 12:10 p.m.

July 13, Saturday

Mass 8:00 a.m.

Mass Praise & Worship, La Luz de Cristo (Spanish),

10:00 am, Lower Chapel

Sunday Vigil Mass 5:30 p.m.

Reconciliation: 30 minutes before Daily Masses,

4:00pm - 5:00pm on Saturday

RCIA PROGRAM STARTS IN

THE FALL

Are you, or someone you know,

seeking God for a meaningful

direction to live? Or perhaps you

want to explore our Catholic faith,

or join Sacred Heart?

Have you been baptized and maybe even received First

Communion yet are now wondering if it's time to be

Confirmed? If so, our RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of

Adults) program may be for you.

The RCIA program will be held on Wednesdays, starting

in the Fall. Meetings will be in the lower chapel, at

7:00pm. Email info@sacredheartseatttle.org to sign up.

RACHEL’S CORNER Hope and Healing After Abortion

Have you felt like your own heart and soul died

the day you had an abortion? Did you place

yourself in a cave and roll a stone across the

front? God is asking you if you are willing to let

Him remove that stone and is inviting you back

to life again. Will you accept? Come on a

Rachel’s Vineyard™ Retreat and let him show

you His merciful love.

August 16-18, 2019 (206) 920-6413.

Project Rachel is a program of Catholic Community Services.