VOL. 54 NO. 39 – SEPTEMBER 29th, 2019 THEME FOR THE TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME: Amos condemns the

complacency of the rich man and Lazarus, Jesus echoes Amos, extorting those who have to share with those who have not. Self-sufficiency must never blind us to the needs of others. Only in this way do we keep God’s commandments in integrity and truth.

MASS INTENTIONS:

Sat. 9-28 5:00 pm – Lawrence Kaiser Sun. 9-29 8:30 am -- For Our Parish at St. Augustine’s Tues. 10-1 8:00 am – Clyde Kreher Wed. 10-2 8:00 am – Cletus Kreher Thurs. 10-3 8:00 am – Virgil Parker Fri. 10-4 8:00 am – Janice Toenjes Sat. 10-5 5:00 pm -- For Our Parish at St. Augustine’s Sun. 10-6 8:30 am – Dennis Rheinecker

ST. AUGUSTINE OF CANTERBURY HECKER, ILLINOIS 62248

REV. VON C. DEEKE, PASTOR PARISH OFFICE 473-2217 FAX 473-9141

E-MAIL ADDRESS: staug@htc.net PARISH WEBSITE: staugustineofcanterburyhecker.weebly.com

To contact Father Von when not in Parish Office, Cell #618/214-6852 St. Vincent de Paul Help Line 618/792-4059

House of Neighborly Service Help Line 618/939-8680 Confessions: are heard each Saturday night from 4 to 4:45 pm and each Sunday from 8 to 8:20 am. Parish Office Hours: Mondays and Thursdays, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Closed from 12 noon to 1:00 pm for lunch.

ORGANIZATIONS BLESSED VIRGIN ALTAR SODALITY – The

ladies meet the first Tuesday In September, November, January & March at 7:00 pm in the Parish Center. Details regarding the annual Christmas Party and Spring Breakfast are shared in the bulletins closer to those dates.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS – meet the second

Wednesday of every month at 7:30 pm in the Parish Center. Any changes or special activities are given elsewhere in the bulletin.

QUILTING – ladies meet to quilt each Tuesday in the

Parish Center from 8:30 am to 3:30 p.m. except during the summer. Any questions call Margie Holle at 473-2944 or Alice Kuehn 473-2817.

PARISH COUNT: 146 OUR SACRIFICE MADE TO GOD: 9-22-19 Sunday Envelopes (65) - $1,685.00 Loose - $158.50 Youth (3) - $13.00

Scholarship Fund - $80.00

(Total Donated since 8/1/2019)

Thank you very much for your generosity!

SCHEDULE FOR THE WEEK Saturday, October 5th; 5pm Sunday, October 6th; 8:30 Ushers: Rich Kaiser & Marvin Gregson Ushers: Walter & Alice Krysnoski Greeters: Elaine Gregson & Vicki Biffar Greeters: Walter & Alice Krysnoski Servers: Brooke & Brady Biffar Servers: Aaron Eckart & Eric Schreder Lector: Cindy Grohmann Lector: Kay Haudrich Extraordinary Ministers: Kevin Schreder, Extraordinary Ministers: Debbie Harbaugh, Annette Schreder and Dennis Biffar Betty Schreder and Dale Haudrich

OFFERTORY FAMILIES

Sat. 10/5 – Carey Day Family Sun. 10/6 – Cindy Grohmann Sat. 10/12 – Geri Griffin Family Sun. 10/13 – Richard Happel Family Sat. 10/19 – M/M Charlie Harbaugh Sun. 10/20 – Ryan Grohmann Family Sat. 10/26 – Marilyn Haudrich & Bob Volpert Sun. 10/27 – Margie Holle Fri. 11/1 – M/M Dale Haudrich Sat. 11/2 – M/M Rich Kaiser Sun. 11/3 – Carrie Koester Family

Sat. 11/9 – Sue Hepp & Elaine Rader Sun. 11/10 – Matthew Kern Family

In September, there are 5 Sundays; so once again, we will conduct a 2nd Collection at

Masses THIS WEEKEND, September 28th and 29th. This collection will benefit St.

Vincent de Paul (Waterloo) and the House of Neighborly Service for their 2019

Holiday Outreach Programs. We appreciate your generosity during these 5th Sunday

Collections. Once again, if you wish to have your donation listed on your annual

financial statement, please indicate on your check memo line or put cash in an

envelope with the designation of 5th Sunday Collection. And although there are five

weeks during the month of December, there will NOT be a 5th Sunday Collection.

Thank you!

Please pray for the following:

Darlene Frisch, Ellen Daniels, Dave Bruss, Aaron & Dorothy Vogler, Janet Hayes, Maxine Linnertz, Kathy Lynn Kromat, Ray Mavers, Robert & Alice Mueller, Bob Dennler, Bob Reed, Pam Wilderman Woodward, Shirley Wittenauer, Madalyn Killebrew, Stephanie Amann Stosberg, Ranetta Adams, Nancy Grohmann, Sheila Zubrzyski, Lowell Powell, Renee Krebel, Kristen Christ, Bonnie Casey, John Joseph Materniak, Beverly Moskop, Ruth Cortner, Lois Papenberg, David Williams, Diane Guttmann, Mathew Myers, and Rita Tyberendt. Submitted names will remain on the prayer list for one month’s time. Please call the Parish Office 473-2217 to submit names for the prayer list.

DIOCESAN EVENTS

All Souls Tribute in The Messenger

Honor your Loved Ones on All Souls Day 2019 with your personalized All Souls Tribute in The

Messenger. Tributes will appear in the October 31st publication of The Messenger. Please send clearly

printed name(s) of your deceased loved one(s) with a $10 donation for each name to The Messenger,

2620 Lebanon Ave., Belleville, IL 62221. Deadline is Oct 17th. For questions call 722-5047.

To subscribe to The Messenger, go to bellevillemessenger.org or mail $25 payment to the same address.

From the Diocesan Office of Hispanic Ministry…

The Office of Hispanic Ministry is offering a prayer service in support of immigrants and refugees. The prayer will be at Representative Bost’s office at 302 West State Street in O’Fallon, IL on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2019 at 11:30am. Please join us in prayerful attentiveness.

NATIONAL SHRINE OF OUR LADY OF THE SNOWS

Fall Retreat sponsored by the Victorious Missionaries - Still Keeping the Faith.

October 18-20 2019 – Shrine Visitor Center

Presented by Fr. Jim Allen, OMI

We’ll consider questions like these: Who is God for me? Who is Jesus Christ for me? How can I take up my

cross to follow him? And how can I be a saint? Visit vmusa.org for a printable registration form or call

618.394.6281 to register.

National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows & NAWAS

Classic Austria & Germany Pilgrimage Featuring the Passion Play of Oberammergau –

September 15 -25, 2020

Join Fr. David Uribe, OMI and experience the Passion Play…visit Heidelberg, Rhine Valley, Innsbruck, Salzburg,

Vienna, Munich and Rothenburg.

Cost: $4279 from St. Louis (Air/land tour price is $3809 plus $470 government taxes/airline surcharges.) $2000

Deposit due NOW. Final payment due May 3, 2020.

For more information, call 618-394-6292. snows.org/pilgrimage

Way of Lights Volunteer Request -- Friday, November 22 – Tuesday, December 31

Looking for a special way to share the holiday spirit? Volunteer for a shift or two during the Way of Lights

greeting visitors to the Christmas tree display or helping at the children’s craft area at the Shrine of Our Lady of

the Snows from November 22 through December 31. This is also a great opportunity for youth service hours. If

interested, please email programs@snows.org or call 618-394-6281 snows.org/wol

COMING AREA EVENTS FLYERS WILL NOW BE LOCATED IN A 3-RING BINDER AT THE FRONT ENTRANCE TO CHURCH. FEEL FREE TO CHECK OUT THE BINDER IF

YOU NEED ADDITIONAL INFO ABOUT AN EVENT. Sept. 29th – Quilt/Cash Bingo; St. John’s Red Bud; Dinner 11am-1:30pm; Bingo 2 pm; Basket Raffle. Sept. 29th – Wurstmarkt; St. Bernard’s Albers; Mass with Bluegrass Music 10am; Dinner 10:30am-5:30pm. Oct. 4th – Jukebox Bingo; St. John’s Smithton; Opens 6pm; Starts 7pm; $20 advance/$25 at door; RSVP by

Sept. 30th @ jukebox19.givesmart.com or contact Kim: kmoureyoneill@gmail.com. 8-10 per table. Oct. 5th – Golf Tournament; Mystic Oaks Waterloo; $400 per team with food, drinks & prizes included;

sponsored by St. James Millstadt Athletic Assn; To reserve contact Angie Dotson 618/531-9240 or email aedot99@gmail.com Oct. 5th – 4th Annual Food Truck Fest; Cathedral, 200 S. 2nd St, Belleville; 4-9pm; And a Car Cruise In. Oct. 19th – 9th Annual Sip & Sample Benefit; sponsored by KC of St. John Smithton; 6-9pm; $20 advance;

Sip over 109 Wines & Beers; Sample Menu Items from Local Restaurants & Businesses; Call All Mart Wines & Spirits 618/277-0609 or Curt 314/616-7548. Oct. 20th – Wurstmarkt; St. Liborius Parish at Legion Hall in St. Libory; 11am-5pm. Nov. 2nd – 50th Reunion, Class of 1969 St. Mary Belleville; RSVP by Oct. 20 to Ann Dahn Niebur 618/910-

9850; $25 each. BINGO - BINGO - BINGO on Monday nights at CKL of I in Swansea. Bingo (no machines) begins at 7pm

and proceeds benefit Althoff Catholic High School. Food and drinks are available Euchre -- Every Thursday afternoon starting at 1:00; St. Michael’s Paderborn.

There will be a Holy Hour of Eucharistic Adoration following the 8:00 am Mass on Friday, October 4th,

from 8:30 to 9:30 am.

Just a reminder that the Parish Council Elections will be conducted at the weekend Masses on October 5th and 6th, 2019. On the ballot this year are: Elaine Gregson, Dawn Grohmann, Donald Braun & Gilbert Birkner. All registered parishioners of St. Augustine’s will be asked to vote for one woman and one man.

CHOIR SCHEDULE Practice – Thursday, Oct. 3rd

Singing – Sunday, October 6th, 8:30 am Mass Practice – Thursday, Oct. 17th

Singing – Sunday, October 20th, 8:30 am Mass

The Fourth Glorious Mystery

THE ASSUMPTION

1. After the apostles have dispersed, the Blessed Mother goes to live

with John, the beloved disciple.

2. Mary lives many years on earth after the death of Christ.

3. She is a source of comfort, consolation and strength to the apostles.

4. As she had nourished the infant Jesus, so she nourishes spiritually

the infant Church.

5. Mary dies, not of bodily infirmity, but is wholly overcome in a

rapture of divine love.

6. Her body as well as her soul is taken up into heaven.

7. After her burial the apostles go to the tomb and find only fragrant

lilies.

8. Jesus does not permit the sinless body of His Mother to decay in the

grave.

9. Corruption of the body is an effect of original sin from which Mary

is totally exempted.

10. The bodies of all mankind, at the last judgment, will be brought

back and united again with their souls.

Spiritual Fruit: Let us pray for the end of violence, for relief of the pain of loss,

and the strength to unite all to make our area a safe place for all.

Priesthood Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, is a special day set aside to honor priesthood in

the United States. It is a day to reflect upon and affirm the role of the priesthood in

the life of the Church as a central one. Catholics are invited to observe Vatican-

backed worldwide events, namely, World Day of Prayer for Vocations and World

Day for Consecrated Life. In the United States, we also have National Vocation

Awareness Week and National Catholic Sisters Week. Priesthood Sunday,

however, specifically honors priests, without whom the Holy Sacraments could not

be conferred, for a single day out of the 365 days of the year during which they

tirelessly serve their parishes.

The Catholic Service and Ministry Appeal 2019 …Blessed to receive, chosen to give

Do you remember your or your children’s or, perhaps, your grandchildren’s first time away from home attending college? While greatly anticipated, it can also be a challenging, sometimes overwhelming experience. Today hundreds of young adults find a comfortable, secure, faith-based home during their college years as a “family” member of the Newman Catholic Student Center at Southern Illinois University. Your contribution to The Catholic Service and Ministry Appeal helps makes this experience possible. Partner with Newman’s students and staff by making your gift to The Appeal today!

Our parish participation goal for the appeal is 58 households and our financial target is $6,000.00. Please be as generous as you are able. Pledges to Date: 39 $6,205.00 103% of Total Goal

HAVE YOU HEARD OF SERRA CLUB? The Serra Club of St. Clair County is an

organization of Catholic men and women, dedicated to foster and affirm vocations

to the Priesthood and vowed religious life. Our purpose is to inform our

community of the need for all vocations. We honor our religious with an annual

Nuns Luncheon, a Deacon Dinner, a Priest Picnic and a new Priest Dinner. We pray

for our seminarians and help them celebrate their birthdays.

Our club meets every first and third Friday of the month. There is a Mass, lunch, a

speaker and a brief meeting. You are welcome to join us as our guest. For more

information please contact Marvin Winkeler (402-214-1155) or Mel Lucash (618-

531-4244)

HELP US PRAY FOR VOCATIONS!

NEWS FROM GIBAULT CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL…

Day in the Life of a Hawk- Shadow Program Gibault Catholic warmly

welcomes 6-8 grade students to visit our campus and shadow one of the many

GCHS students that make our school what it is! Contact Kara Hoke, Director of

Enrollment

(khoke@gibaulthawks.com) for more information and to arrange your student’s

shadow visit.

Founder’s Day Mass: Celebrate the life of Gibault’s founder and first principal,

Fr. Ed, alongside the Gibault community and many of Fr. Ed’s relatives & friends.

GCHS’ annual Founder’s Day Mass is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 11 at 1:45PM in

Hustedde Gymnasium.

Glitz and Ghouls!- Gibault’s Oktoberfest: Join the Gibault community for its

annual Oktoberfest Dinner and Auction in Hustedde Gymnasium on Saturday,

October 26. Mass begins at 4:15PM; Doors open at 5PM; Dinner begins at

6:30PM. Contact Andrea Biske (939-3383) for tickets (dinner and drinks included

in ticket price).

GCHS Open House- Find Out What Makes Us #gibaultproud: Mark your

calendars for Gibault Catholic’s Open House on Sunday, November 3, 11AM-

2PM. Explore our campus, meet our students and teachers, learn more about our

clubs and athletics, and enjoy your time as part of the Gibault community. Gibault

Catholic is a safe, faith-based inclusive school that offers over 40 hours of college

credited courses, over 20 different club opportunities, and a multitude of sports

programs, many of which see state appearances regularly. Come check us out!

We’re #gibaultproud of: Josh Eichholz (Sts. Peter & Paul Parish) & Spencer

Biske (Immaculate Conception Parish) were named national Merit Commended

Scholars.

Halle Haudrich (Sts. Peter and Paul Parish) signed with Missouri Baptist

University to continue her academic and athletic career.

Gibault’s Homecoming court, including freshmen attendants Abby Grohmann

(St. Augustine Parish) and Brian Stark (Immaculate Conception Parish);

sophomores Autumn Ramey (Immaculate Conception Parish) and Grant

Higgerson (Sts. Peter and Paul Parish); juniors Brooke Biffar (St. Augustine

Parish) and Ryan Bollinger (St John, Red Bud Parish); and seniors Ally

Thompson (Sts. Peter and Paul Parish), Max Kostelac (St. James

Parish), Mady Thompson (Sts. Peter and Paul Parish), Eric Schreder (St.

Augustine Parish), Kelly Papenberg (Sts. Peter and Paul Parish), and Mattia

Bignamini.

WATERLOO Queen of Hearts BENEFITS SPPCS ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT The SPPCS Queen of Hearts fundraiser is in full swing. $1 tickets are on sale at the Stubborn German Brewing Company in downtown Waterloo during normal business hours. Drawing is at 7:00 p.m. every Tuesday. Please contact the school office for more information at 618-939-7217. (You must register with the program before purchasing tickets.)

The Youth Ministry of Ss. Peter and Paul which also includes the youth from St. Augustine’s now has a new social platform…INSTAGRAM! The new Pastoral Associate of Youth Ministry, Mrs. Catherine Burkart, has set up an Instagram Account which she will use to promote prayer and social opportunities. Any youth interested can follow on ssppyouth_waterloo. GroupMe. This is a new social media platform that the teens are using. It is a large group text option. Students can invite other teens to join or students can join by following the link below. https://web.groupme.com/join_group/44062372/mlpvgk

PARISH SCHOOL OF RELIGION (PSR) NEWS – SS. PETER & PAUL, WATERLOO

PSR information for the 2019-2020 school year has been updated on Ss. Peter & Paul’s website. Please take a few minutes to look over all the details. http://www.ssppcc.org/PSR For more information regarding the PSR program, please contact Catherine Burkart, the PSR Coordinator, at psrnews@gmail.com.

LifeWalk - Congratulations 4A & All! (Picture Attached) Our students participated in our annual LifeWalk after Mass this past Thursday. At Mass, there was a blessing for new and expecting mothers and then our students walked the traditional three laps around the school grounds to celebrate unborn babies! 4A collected the most money from the donation and won a No Uniform Day next Wednesday September 25th. They collected $47. In total, SPPCS collected $377.65 to donate to the Life Network. Great job Falcons! Keys to Success (Picture Attached) This year, we have invited our Faculty & Staff to nominate individual students that have shown key characteristics of success, both personally and as a member of our school community. We asked that their nominations consistently represent SPPCS in a manner that exemplifies the character traits that we strongly believe make a difference here at school and in our surrounding community. So far this month, we have had 5 nominees (one student being nominated twice!) Congratulations to Andy Altes, Evan Rahn, Audrey Essner, Eilla Reinhard & Charlie Ford on being nominated as Keys for Success Students! Grandparents Day (picture attached) On Friday September 20th, we celebrated our Grandparents with a special Mass and followed by refreshments in the Gymnasium. They were able to shop the book fair, visit their grand-students classrooms and spend some extra special time together. Thanks to everyone who joined us for this special event! Dates to remember: October 4th - No School October 10th - Papa John's Night October 12th - PumpkinFest - 5K/10K & 1/2 Mile Fun Run to benefit SPPCS PTO as well as Athletic Boosters Chili Stand October 14th - No School October 18th - Fall Service Day & SPPCS will participate in the YMCA Trunk or Treat October 24th & 25th - Parent Teacher Conferences

Discover the King and His Kingdom!

Starting October 10, Ss. Peter & Paul will begin their Fall Bible Study class on

the Gospel of St. Matthew, Part One. Part One covers Matthew 1:1—16:28,

from the birth of Jesus through much of his public teaching life, to the first

prediction of his passion. It will run for 5 weeks on Thursdays, offered both in

the mornings from 9-10:30 and in the evenings from 7-8:30. Participants will

meet in the Adult Faith Formation House. Perfect attendance is not required,

and you can mix/match whether you come in the morning or the evening. The

session each week will consist of lively discussion of particular chapters from the

Gospel, followed by an engaging video (DVD) presentation. For more

information, contact Joyce Springer, Pastoral Associate of Adults.

You may go to the following link and order your study guide directly:

https://littlerockscripture.org/Products/6408. If you register after Sept. 20th, this

will be your only option.

The study guide is $16.95 + s/h + tax if ordered in single copies. Depending on

the registration, I will try to get a bulk discount.

Our hope is that you will take time out to deepen your knowledge of Jesus, as we

study Him through the Gospel of Matthew.

SS. PETER & PAUL - HOLY NAME SOCIETY TRIVIA NIGHT SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5TH; 7PM IN SCHOOL GYM

$20 PER PLAYER; MAX OF 8 PEOPLE PER TABLE; CASH PRIZES FOR TOP 3 TEAMS

50/50 DRAWING & OTHER PRIZES DRAFT BEER, SODA & SNACKS PROVIDED; BYO ADDITIONAL FOOD & DRINKS

THE $10,000 GOLD RUSH TICKET WILL BE DRAWN DURING THE TRIVIA. Contact John to reserve a table: Phone 314/503-2769 or

email to HNSGoldRushTrivia@ yahoo.com GOLD RUSH

The final 4 drawings for the Gold Rush will take place at the Holy Name Trivia Night on Saturday, October 5th. To date only 442 tickets have been sold; which means your chances of winning are increased! 50% of the proceeds goes to Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Grade School & 50% goes to Ss.

Peter & Paul Parish.

All Souls’ Remembrance Mass Sunday, November 3rd -- 8:30 am Mass

We will be remembering those who have died since All Souls’ Day 2018 during the 8:30 am Mass on Sunday, November 3rd, 2019. Letters will be mailed to the families of the following: Linda Braun, Jeanne Huss, and Rosemary Livingston. However, we wish to extend an invitation to all who lost loved ones, to have them remembered at this All Souls’ Remembrance Mass. Please call the Parish Office 473-2217 to let us know your loved one’s name and if you will be able to carry the candle

in the procession that morning. Thank you.

October 12th & 13th We will have a Second Collection at both Masses to benefit

Illinois State Trooper Nicholas J. Hopkins’ Family, Waterloo The proceeds of the collection will go to the IL State Police,

Heritage Foundation, PO Box 8168, Springfield, IL 62791 They will send the monies directly to the family.

Wed. Sept. 25 through Sun. Nov 3

With our country in crisis, now more than ever, the prolife community needs to present a public witness to the Sanctity of Life. Come stand with us for 1 or 2 hours at our peaceful prayer vigil in front of the Planned Parenthood Abortion facility from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the corner of Frank Scott Parkway and Route 159 in Swansea. Your prayers and fasting are also needed, and will be joined with prayers and fasting of others throughout the U.S. and in several countries around the world. For more information stop by between 8am and 8pm or visit 40DaysForLife.com/Belleville.

PUMPKIN FEST

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12TH, 201

97

9AM-4PM

MONROE CO. COURTHOUSE GROUNDS, WATERLOO

House of Neighborly Service (HNS) is again this year having a Pie

Stand at the Pumpkin Fest.

Anyone who would like to make a pie to donate to this, please call

Joan Powell, 473-2217 or 473-9335. Pies may be home-made or

store bought and will need to be taken to the HNS Office at 1331

Jamie Lane, Waterloo on Friday, October 11th from 9am-12noon or

may be dropped off at the booth from 8am-12 noon on the 12th.

Homemade Soups & Chili

Date: Saturday, November 2, 2019 Place: Friedens

United Church of Christ Time: 4 – 7 P.M.

All You Can Eat Soups & Chili Plus a selection of

desserts and beverages DINE IN ONLY PLEASE

240 E. Monroe, Hecker, Illinois

Come Hungry! Leave Happy!

ST. AUGUSTINE’S HOLY NAME

MENS SOCIETY

MEAT SHOOT -- Free Mulligan

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20th, 2019 – 12

NOON to ??

HECKER COMMUNITY CENTER

The Sacrament of the Eucharist – The Sacramental Sacrifice: Thanksgiving, Memorial, Presence Let’s continue seeing what is taught about the Mass in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, especially concerning the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist: 1373 "Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us," (Romans 8:34) is present in many ways to his Church: in his word, in his Church's prayer, "where two or three are gathered in my name," (Matthew 18:20) in the poor, the sick, and the imprisoned, in the sacraments of which he is the author, in the sacrifice of the Mass, and in the person of the minister. But "he is present . . . most especially in the Eucharistic species." (Vatican-2, 1963) 1374 The mode of Christ's presence under the Eucharistic species is unique. It raises the Eucharist above all the sacraments as "the perfection of the spiritual life and the end to which all the sacraments tend." (St. Thomas Aquinas, died 1274) In the most blessed sacrament of the Eucharist "the body and blood, together with the soul and divinity, of our Lord Jesus Christ and, therefore, the whole Christ is truly, really, and substantially contained." (Council of Trent, 1551) "This presence is called 'real' - by which is not intended to exclude the other types of presence as if they could not be 'real' too, but because it is presence in the fullest sense: that is to say, it is a substantial presence by which Christ, God and man, makes himself wholly and entirely present." (Pope Saint Paul VI, 1965) 1375 It is by the conversion of the bread and wine into Christ's body and blood that Christ becomes present in this sacrament. The Church Fathers strongly affirmed the faith of the Church in the efficacy of the Word of Christ and of the action of the Holy Spirit to bring about this conversion. Thus St. John Chrysostom (died AD 407) declares: “It is not man that causes the things offered to become the Body and Blood of Christ, but he who was crucified for us, Christ himself. The priest, in the role of Christ, pronounces these words, but their power and grace are God's. This is my body, he says. This word transforms the things offered.” And St. Ambrose (died AD 397) says about this conversion: “Be convinced that this is not what nature has formed, but what the blessing has consecrated. The power of the blessing prevails over that of nature, because by the blessing nature itself is changed. . . . Could not Christ's word, which can make from nothing what did not exist, change existing things into what they were not before? It is no less a feat to give things their original nature than to change their nature.” A recent survey states that a majority of those who identify themselves as Catholic do not believe in the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Let us continue to believe and proclaim what Jesus has taught through the Church down through the centuries: that the bread and wine offered by us in the Mass, by the words and power of Jesus, truly become the Body and Blood, the Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

- Fr. Von Deeke

The First Letter of Saint Paul to Timothy: Here is chapter six of the First Letter of Saint Paul to Timothy, from which our second reading is taken for this Sunday, from the Good News Translation: Those who are slaves must consider their masters worthy of all respect, so that no one will speak evil of the name of God and of our teaching. 2 Slaves belonging to Christian masters must not despise them, for they are believers too. Instead, they are to serve them even better, because those who benefit from their work are believers whom they love. False Teaching and True Riches You must teach and preach these things. 3 Whoever teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the true words of our Lord Jesus Christ and with the teaching of our religion 4 is swollen with pride and knows nothing. He has an unhealthy desire to argue and quarrel about words, and this brings on jealousy, disputes, insults, evil suspicions, 5 and constant arguments from people whose minds do not function and who no longer have the truth. They think that religion is a way to become rich. 6 Well, religion does make us very rich, if we are satisfied with what we have. 7 What did we bring into the world? Nothing! What can we take out of the world? Nothing! 8 So then, if we have food and clothes, that should be enough for us. 9 But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and are caught in the trap of many foolish and harmful desires, which pull them down to ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a source of all kinds of evil. Some have been so eager to have it that they have wandered away from the faith and have broken their hearts with many sorrows. Personal Instructions 11 But you, man of God, avoid all these things. Strive for righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. 12 Run your best in the race of faith, and win eternal life for yourself; for it was to this life that God called you when you firmly professed your faith before many witnesses. 13 Before God, who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus, who firmly professed his faith before Pontius Pilate, I command you 14 to obey your orders and keep them faithfully until the Day when our Lord Jesus Christ will appear. 15 His appearing will be brought about at the right time by God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and the Lord of lords. 16 He alone is immortal; he lives in the light that no one can approach. No one has ever seen him; no one can ever see him. To him be honor and eternal power! Amen. 17 Command those who are rich in the things of this life not to be proud, but to place their hope, not in such an uncertain thing as riches, but in God, who generously gives us everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share with others. 19 In this way they will store up for themselves a treasure which will be a solid foundation for the future. And then they will be able to win the life which is true life. 20 Timothy, keep safe what has been entrusted to your care. Avoid the profane talk and foolish arguments of what some people wrongly call “Knowledge.” 21 For some have claimed to possess it, and as a result they have lost the way of faith. God's grace be with you all.

Scripture taken from the Good News Translation – Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission