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Transcript of St. Patrick Catholic Churchstpatrickcatholic.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Sept-11th-24th-Sun… ·...
Bishop of the Diocese Most Reverend Gerard P Bergie, D.D.
Pastor Father
Sunday Masses Saturday 5:00 pm
Sunday 9:00 and 11:00 am Children’s Liturgy: September - June
Weekday Masses Tuesday 6:00 pm
Wednesday through Friday 8:30 am Rosary/Adoration before Weekday Masses
Confessions Sat 4 - 4:45 pm or before weekday Masses
Baptism Sunday 12:30 pm by appointment
Marriage Arrangements should be made at least 6
months in advance. Marriage preparation course required
Sacrament of the Sick Communion for the Sick and Shut-ins
Please call the office.
Secretary Sandy Johnson
Office hours: Wednesday and Friday 8:00 am to 3:00 pm Enter on Victoria St.
Schools St. Patrick Elementary School
905-835-1091 Lakeshore Catholic High School
905-835-2451
Cemetery Mount St. Joseph’s, 712 Lakeshore Rd E
905-834-3460
Diocesan Website: www.saintcd.com
Diocese of St. Catharines
St. Patrick
Catholic Church
Parish Established Church Dedicated
1859 1880
123 King Street
Port Colborne, Ontario L3K 4G3
Telephone: 905-834-6426
Fax: 905-834-1215
Email: [email protected]
Ministry Schedule - September 17/18
Hospitality:
5:00pm - Joe Attard & Victor Gatt
9:00am - Joe Gatt & Sandy MacIntyre
11:00am - Susan Brown & Sime Zuvic
Minister of Communion:
5:00pm - Joe Attard
9:00am - Dino Sicoli & Tony D’Uva
11:00am - Jessica Stock & Maxine C
Children’s Liturgy:
Amanda Brown
24th Sunday of Ordinary
Time - Year C
“There will be
more joy in heaven
over one sinner
who repents.”
Commentators/Lectors:
5:00pm - C - Bettina D. & L - Needed
9:00am - C - Cathy S. & L - Terry G.
11:00am - C - Theresa A. & L - Jackie G
Altar Servers:
5:00pm - Needed
9:00am - Needed
11:00am - Needed
Counters: 11:00am - Brenda Lannan & Karen S.
Website: stpatrickcatholic.ca
JOY OF FINDING THE LOST
In this week’s Gospel passage we may find ourselves
feeling somewhat like the prodi-
gal son’s older brother, dis-
mayed and resentful. For Jesus’
statement, “I tell you, there will
be more joy in heaven over one
sinner that repents than over
ninety-nine righteous persons
who need no repentance,” can
be misunderstood.
When we took our three boys
camping to the top of the deep-
est canyon in Colorado, a 2000
foot narrow gorge, and in the midst of unloading the car,
we realized that our 12 year old was missing. The panic
feeling set in when we visualized our adventuresome 12
year old exploring trails that lead to the edge of a steep
canyon. The relief and joy over finding him did not di-
minish our love and esteem for the two sons who didn’t
wander off. But because his wandering off could have
been so grave, the joy of finding him safe was intense.
So it is spiritually. The danger of the lost sheep’s
wandering away from the shepherd, or the prodigal son’s
turning away from his father’s love, home, and values is
analogous to the danger of our falling into a deep ravine
where certain death awaits us. The danger is so grave
that the joy of our safe return
can only be more intense. For it
is due to mankind’s spiritual
wandering away from God that
most of life’s trauma, hurt and
devastation arises. When self-
willed wanderers repent and
turn back to God there is great
relief, the worst of the danger is
past, and the healing process
can begin.
In all three parables which
Jesus tells in response to the question of why he eats with
sinners, he puts emphasis on God’s initiative. God is the
shepherd who goes looking for his lost sheep. God is the
woman who lights a lamp, sweeps out the house, and
searches everywhere for her lost coin until she has found
it. God is the father who watches and waits for his chil-
dren, runs to meet them, embraces them, pleads with
them, begs and urges them to come home.
God wants to find me as much as, if not more than, I
want to find God. God needs me as much as I need God.
God is not the patriarch who stays home, doesn’t move,
and expects his children to come to him, apologize for
their aberrant behavior, beg forgiveness, and promise to
do better. To the contrary, he leaves the house, ignoring
his dignity by running toward them, pays no heed to
apologies and promises of change, and brings them to the
table richly prepared for them.
Those of us who have stayed close to God should not
feel that we are valued less, rather we should have multi-
ple reasons for rejoicing. We should be ecstatic to see
people snatched from spiritual disaster, we should be
thrilled that we have been able to bring continuous joy to
heaven by our pursuit of a righteous life for God and we
should rejoice and realize that the Father’s statement,
“You are always with me, and all that is mine is yours,”
typifies our relationship with God. What a privileged po-
sition to have access to the Father and the Father’s re-
sources, to have the benefits and fruit of a righteous life,
and to be able to share in real joy when a lost person re-
pents. We can rejoice with Paul that “Christ Jesus came
into the world to save sinners,” and as friends of God we
are invited to celebrate not only our own salvation but
also the salvation and repentance of others.
Emmaus Journey Reflections
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EARTHQUAKE RELIEF FUNDRAISER
St. Mary’s Church in Welland will be having an Pasta
Dinner Earthquake Relief Fundraiser for Amatrice Italy
on Tues, Sept 20th. Call 905-734-3143 to place your or-
der. All donations are welcome and appreciated.
Pasta, Sausage & Meatball with Salad, Roll, Dessert
Take-out - 3:00 - 6:30 - $11.00
Dine-in - 4:30 - 6:30 - $12.00
Lunch Menu (Pasta & Meatballs)
Take-out only - 12:00 - 1:00 - $7.00
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MAKING SENSE OF ECCLESIASTES
Join us on Wednesday, September 28th at St. Helen
Church in Beamsville from 7 to 8:30 p.m. with Dr.
Robert Holmstedt, Professor of Hebrew Scriptures, Uni-
versity of Toronto & members of St. Helen Church.
The book of Ecclesiastes is rarely read in our lection-
ary cycle, yet it provides strong guidance for thinking
through issues facing the Christian in a challenging
world. Join us in a discussion of the themes prominent in
Ecclesiastes, the keys to understanding the book, and a
discussion about how to apply this part of Scripture to
our lives. Bring your bible and enjoy.
ACTS RETREAT
Are you in need of some spiritual renewal? Is your faith
in need of an boost? Then why don’t you consider going
to an ACTS Retreat Weekend. An ACTS retreat is a
three day retreat led by those who have attended prior
ACTS retreat. Men present men’s retreats and women
present women’s retreats.
The retreat focuses on Adoration, Community, Theol-
ogy and Service all based on scripture and the teachings
of the Catholic Church. The goals are to renew yourself
spiritually, to strengthen your faith and to apply it in your
daily life. Participants return to their faith communities
with a deeper love for each other and a desire to become
more involved.
The next retreats are on October 27-30, 2016 for
Women and on November 10-13, 2016 for Men. The
retreat house is located at the Queen of Apostles Renewal
Centre at 1617 Blythe Rd. Mississauga. See the office
for more information.
Some testimonials of previous retreats are:
Women
Loved it!!!! We need this retreat everywhere!!!
I am re-energized, feel renewed, ready to carry my re-
sparked joy (Jesus Joy!) to the world!!
A renewing and deepening of my faith with a desire
to help others do the same.
Absolutely the most beautiful experience I have had!
Men
Amazing, spirit filled and not anything of what I ex-
pected.
Most powerful retreat experience I have ever had.
Every aspect of this retreat blew me away and I have
been on many retreats.
Nothing like this anywhere!!
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MARRIAGE ANNOUNCEMENTS
Justin Decaire will be joined in Holy Matrimony to
Courtney Charette on Sept 17, 2016.
Leslie Stout will be joined in Holy Matrimony to
Alanna Maloney on Sept 24, 2016
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SUNDAY OFFERINGS
Last Sunday’s Offering: $1972.00
Thank you for your generosity to the House of God.
Please remember St. Patrick’s in your wills
and may God Bless you as you do so.
Lord may the request of our
people rise before you like a fragrant offering
Tues Sept 13 St. John Chrysostom
6:00 pm For the special intentions of Susan D’Uva on her birthday by Dad and Jane D’Uva
Wed Sept 14 Exaltation of the Holy Cross
8:30am +For the repose of the soul of Maria Arcaro by Kathleen and Nick
Thurs Sep 15 Our Lady of Sorrows
8:30am +For the peaceful rest of Tony Sneek
Fri Sept 16 St. Cornelius & St Cyprian
8:30am +For the repose of the soul of Allan Hogue by Kathleen and Nick
25th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Sat Sept 17 5:00pm +For the peaceful rest of Ardelle Somers Scully by Bill & Joan Somers and
family
Sun Sept 18 9:00am For the intentions of St Patrick’s Parishioners
Sun Sept 18 11:00am +For the peaceful rest of Antonio Ricci by Teresa & Anthony Ricci
and family
September 11, 2016 A.D.
The 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year C