Welcome to St. Michael Catholic Church!

Shoot us a text, email or give us a call! Pastor: Fr. Carmelo, 270-881-7737, email: frcarmelo@smsebree.org Pastoral Associate: Patti, (270) 302-2782, email: patti@smsebree.org; fax: 855-631-0319

Or visit us online at: www.smsebree.org www.facebook.com/smsebree

We’re glad to have you! If you’re new, welcome to the St. Michael’s Parish Family!

If you haven’t been here in awhile, welcome back!

St. Michael’s is a small, close-knit parish family, always open to new & returning

members. There’s no formal “registration” process; once you come here we consider

you part of the family!

If you’d like to get involved in parish life or receive communications from the parish, feel free to talk to Patti or visit our website

www.smsebree.org to find out more.

Need some Quiet in your Life? You are always welcome to come sit in

Jesus' presence any time at St. Michael’s. Our church remains open 24 hours a day,

365 days a year.

There are free reflection books with daily readings and brochures for you to take as

well as CDs with dynamic Catholic speakers available to take with you for a

small donation.

Mass Intentions Available: If you would like to have a mass said for a loved one (living or deceased) you can put

an envelope with the intention and date requested in the collection or in the mail (the suggested donation per mass is $5)

Connect with Us!

Parish Mission Statement St. Michael's Catholic Church, a people of diverse cultures and backgrounds, are brought together by God through the Gospel and the teachings of the Church. Our mission is to make disciples of Christ through:

-Prayer and frequent celebration of the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist -Sharing our faith and educating others about the Church -Living a life of continual conversion -Providing our children a strong Catholic upbringing -Giving comfort to those in need -Stewardship of our time, talent and treasure -Acting as the living presence of Christ in our world, building community and welcoming all -Empowering one another to share the Gospel through our words and by our actions

Thanks to those who Shared their Time & Talents This Week

Thanks to Glenn & Yancy Families for cleaning the church and parish hall this week!

Your Offering to St. Michael’s Parish Family:

As a small, rural parish we very much appreciate everyone’s generosity! Each of you play an integral role in helping our Parish Family fulfill our mission! If you would like St. Michael’s to keep track of your giving you may use a personal check or give securely and easily online at www.smsebree.org/online-giving/. Don’t forget to set up Online Giving before going on vacation! We also mail packets with personalized weekly & special collection envelopes to those that request them, simply text or email your name and mailing address to Patti.

Holy Name School Families: You may place your Holy Name envelope in any collection at St. Michael’s and we will forward it (unopened) to Holy Name for them to count your attendance and receive your offering.

For info on all ministry opportunities & to sign-up visit: www.smsebree.org/get-involved/

Ministry of Prayer

The sick members and friends of this parish, especially Tony Bess, Raye Ann Blakely, Larry Branson, Charles Buchanan; Julie Clouse, Scott Coffman, Carolyn Critser, L.V & Lois Dant, Luke Dickens, Ernie Duncan, Bud Duncan, Sharon Edwards, David Ferriell, Anna Filbert, Rebecca Fowler, Rebecca Galloway, Dan Hawkins, Jackie Hill, Anna Hobbs, Billy Howell, Patti Jenkins, Mac Lacer, Brea Meadows, Paul Johnson, Paul Nord, Carmen & Daryl Periard, Carter Powell, Kathy Prough, Steve Raley, Clayton Roberts, James & Veronica Spink, Burnetta Springfield, Vickie Tichenor, Lynda & Tracy Trogden, Richard Vowels, Doris Vowels, Johnny Wahl, Louise Welch, Tony Whitledge, Jonell Williams, Dwayne Wilson, Terry Yancy.

To see all of the prayer requests, make a new one, give an update or sign up to receive urgent prayer requests visit www.smsebree.org/get-involved/prayer/

Upcoming Ministry Opportunities Would you like to be part of the committee to organize our 40th anniversary celebrations? Members are needed to help make invitations, reach out to former parishioners and pastors, put together memories, organize the mass & reception, etc. Let Patti or a Parish Council member know you’re interested!

Ongoing Ministry Opportunities Church Cleaning: Expectation: Cleans the worship space or Glahn parish hall or the Guadalupe Parish Center weekly. Time: Flexible. 3-4 hours a month. Teams of people are scheduled to clean about once a month. Substitutes would be helpful when the regular cleaning teams are out of town. Gifts Needed: Attention to detail, reliability, physical strength needed for cleaning.

Ministry Schedule - THIS Weekend July 15th 5pm Sacristan: Charles Buchanan July 16th 10:30am Sacristan Mary Jane Hawkins Eucharistic Min. Linda Frederick Eucharistic Min. Donna Kenney Hospitality Linda Frederick Lector Volunteer Altar Server Chris Gutierrez Week of July 16-22 Money Counters Donna Kenney/Volunteer Church Cleaners Team 4:Baltazar Rafael, (church), Volunteer (hall)

Ministry Schedule - NEXT Weekend July 22nd 5pm Sacristan: Devin Gibson July 23rd 10:30am Sacristan Charles Buchanan Eucharistic Min. Knights of Columbus Hospitality Knights of Columbus Lector Knights of Columbus Altar Server Knights of Columbus Week of July 23-29 Money Counters Janice Sellers/Patti Church Cleaners Team 5: Maria Francisco, Juana Francisco, Lucrecia Perez, Sandra Mendez

Thanks for Your Financial Generosity!

Offering on 7/9/17 $ 1,253.35 Weekly Goal $ 1,442.31 Total Offering as of 7/9/17 $ 2,858.08 Annual Goal for Offerings (July-June) $75,000.00

The 2016-2017 end of the year financial report and the 2017-2018 budget is an insert in this week’s bulletin.

UPDATED! St. Michael’s Parish Family Celebrates 40 years!

PHOTO DIRECTORY: In preparation for our 40th anniversary celebration we are inviting

parishioners to send photos in to stmichaelspicdir@gmail.com

SLIDE SHOW: After the Homecoming mass we would like to have a slide show going during the

celebration of pictures from the 40 years. Dig out your old photos & we’ll scan them for you!

HOMECOMING MASS NOV. 19, 2017 @ 4PM Start inviting back families that you haven’t seen in

awhile! See the bulletin board or our website for more info!

Go Deeper This Week! Consider this:

CHECK OUT THE READINGS FOR THE WEEK: www.usccb.org/readings

Monday:: Ex 1:8-14, 22; Ps 124:1b-8; Mt 10:34 — 11:1 Tuesday: Ex 2:1-15a; Ps 69:3, 14, 30--34; Mt 11:20-24 Wednesday: Ex 3:1-6, 9-12; Ps 103:1b--7; Mt 11:25-27

Thursday: Ex 3:13-20; Ps 105:1-9, 24-27; Mt 11:28-30 Friday: Ex 11:10 — 12:14; Ps 116:12--18; Mt 12:1-8 Saturday: Ex 12:37-42; Ps 136:1-24; Jn 20:1-2, 11-18 Sunday: Wis 12:13, 16-19; Ps 86:5-6, 9-10, 15-16; Rom 8:26-27; Mt 13:24-43 [24-30]

WORD OF LIFE “The challenge is to make the Church’s ‘yes’ to Life concrete and effective. The struggle will be long, and it needs each one of you. Place your intelligence, your talents, your enthusiasm, your

compassion and your fortitude at the service of life!”

Pope John Paul II, “Homily,” August 15, 1993. © 1993 Libreria Editrice Vaticana. Used with permission.

XV SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME THE DIVINE WORD

IS STRENGTH AND LIGHT By our Pastor, Fr. Carmelo Jiménez

The first reading and the gospel for this Sunday make a great combination. The first reading speaks about of the Word of God and the gospel tells us the parable of the sower. Everything refers to the Word of God

as light for our daily lives. "Just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down and do not return there till they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, giving seed to the one who sows and bread to the one who eats, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth." (Is 55: 10-11a) This paragraph from the first reading can be interpreted as the strength of God's word that changes history. If we speak about a theology of the Word of God, we can affirm it is the strength of the prophetic word as Word of God. That paragraph wants to reveal that the Divine Word is creative and transforming. The effects of the Divine Word are: saving, encouraging, consoling, judging injustices and judging the powerful. And I can affirm from my experience that God’s word comes in many forms and in many ways through those who put their trust in Him. And from that trust and energy, God acts in the life of each person and in the whole world. When I said that I can affirm from my experience, I want to remember my first vocational moment. My father, my brothers and I arrived from the country to our house, we were all wet. We bathed and went to eat in the kitchen because it was the warmest place in my house and most comfortable place too. In there, my sister, the eldest of all, asked me: Carmelo, why do not you study for padrecito? I asked her, how many years would I have to study in the seminary and after knowing that there were so many years, I was angry and left that place. Never again was that matter spoken about, but the seed was already sown. The death of my father came and with that, soon I began to work, which moved me away from God and it seemed that Carmelo was lost. And in the moment that I least expected and in the most surprising way, through the person that I never imagined, God became present in my life. He completely changed my life, taking me in new directions, and keeping me on His path until He consecrated me as priest and today I'm here as a missionary. And again, I affirm the effects of the word of God: saving, encouraging, consoling, judging injustices and judging the powerful. “A sower went out to sow.” (Mt 13:3b) In the Gospel we hear the parable of the Sower, which is precious because of its meaning, but today we will reflect while comparing it to the word-seed. The seed which falls on different soil, which is later compared to different attitudes and moments of human beings, is in fact the Word of God in us. It helps to guide our life and fills our life with meaning, creating a beautiful relationship with the Creator and of course with nature. Judging it with our eyes it is possible that we look for the greatest harvest, devaluing the smaller harvests. We always want more and more. But the prophet from Nazareth was not such a perfectionist. He wanted to transmit trust in the strength of God which comes to us through the prophetic words and prophetic parable of the sower. The sower knows that not everything he sows will be reaped, but rather being realistic, he trusts in the seed that he sows, in other words the Word that sheds light and that saves. When someone can only give twenty or forty or sixtyfold from their life, God does not disregard it, but rather he pays attention to it. With this paragraph of the gospel we understand that the seed is grace; with the law, what matters is the production. The readings from this Sunday are for us Jesus’ invitation to live as he lived, moved by the Holy Spirit: with hope, trusting in God not appearances, and in faithfulness to his word. If this is how we live and we receive Him, the Word of God will produce abundant fruit in us.

Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time “My word should not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it”

The promise God makes through Isaiah is that His word will achieve the end for which He sent it. Perhaps we are the instrument through which God’s harvest will be fruitful and abun-dant. If you’ve ever thought you might have a vo-cation to priesthood, contact the vocations office for resources to assist you with your discernment:

270-683-1545, www.owensborovocations.com,

jason.mcclure@pastoral.org

Entire Parish Calendar is Online at: www.smsebree.org/calendar/

July 19th & 20th: Vacation Bible School, 5-8pm July 22nd: Family Pilgrimage, 10am-4pm

August 26th: Confirmation, 5pm Sept. 16th: Chris Gutiérrez Diaconate Ordina-

tion, Bowling Green, 10am Sept. 24th: St. Michael Feast Day Celebration

Oct. 4th: Mass at St. Michael’s w/ Bishop Medley & all deanery Religious Ed students

WE’RE HERE TO SERVE YOU! If you need to make an appointment, set up a pastoral visit

for someone who is sick or hospitalized, get more information about sacraments, religious education for

children or just need someone to talk to, feel free to contact Fr. Carmelo or Patti via text, call, email or our website!

Our Parish Family Vacation Bible School is this Wednesday and Thursday, Ju-ly 19th & 20th from 5-8pm. If you can donate your time, talents, snacks, craft supplies, etc. please let Patti know! Children from 4 years old through 6th grade are invited to participate and older youth are invited to be helpers. Family Pilgrimage: Everyone in the parish is invited to participate in a small pilgrimage following the theme of Vacation Bible School. We will travel in a caravan to Whitesville to the Passionists Monastery and St. Mary of the Woods Parish on Saturday, July 22nd from 10am to 4pm. Bring a picnic lunch. All ages and extended families are welcome, please let Patti or Fr. Carmelo know if you plan to attend.

Our Community 5th Sunday Sing: All the Christian congregations in Sebree will gather at Sebree First Christian (in front of funeral home) on Sunday, July 30th at 6pm for a time of scripture, skits and praise and worship. Please make plans to come together as the Body of Christ in Sebree. Followed by food & fellowship Blood Drive July 27th at First Baptist Church 2pm-6:30pm. Call 1-800-REDCROSS to schedule your appointment today.

Our Faith Family 50+ and Going Strong! Wouldn't you like this said about you? Learn how to be the best version of you, healthier, ac-tive, and enjoying your Golden Years. Participate in the Aging Mastery Program starting August 23, 1:00-2:30 at Holy Name. The program will meet for 10 weeks and will include ways to make small changes that will have a big im-pact on your health, financial security and overall well-being. Program registration will be held after all Masses July 22-23 at Holy Name. A non-refundable deposit of $30 is required with registration. For additional information contact: Ranni Dillard 270-212-1125. Thinking about Separation or Divorce? – Is your marriage or that of a relative or friend heading for divorce? Do you know how to save that marriage? Or do you feel helpless? Retrouvaille (pronounced retro-vi with a long i) is designed to help troubled marriages regain their health. It helps spous-es uncover or re-awaken the love, trust and commitment that originally brought them together. The program is highly suc-cessful in saving hurting marriages, even bringing reconcilia-tion to couples who have already separated or divorced. For confidential information about or to register for the August program beginning with a weekend on Aug 18-20, 2017, call the Family Life office at 270-852-8346, or email: felliot-t3232@yahoo.com or visit the web site at www.retrouvaille.org

PARISH EVENTS & MEETINGS

Sunday, July 16th 9:30am Confessions available 1:30pm Prayer Day with Confirmation Candidates, families and sponsors Wednesday, July 19th 3pm Confirmation (VBS Set up) 5pm-8pm VBS Thursday, July 20th 11am Eucharistic Adoration 3pm Confirmation (VBS set up) 5-8pm VBS Saturday, July 22nd Deacons coming 10am-4pm Family Pilgrimage 4pm Confessions available Sunday, July 23rd Deacons coming 9:30am Confessions available 11:30am Donut Sunday 1:30pm Hispanic Committee

HAPPY BIRTHDAY 7/16 – Connie Caldwell, Fr. Carmelo Jiménez 7/18 – Alexa Farmer, Alysa Farmer 7/20 – Jennifer Durbin, Domingo Diego 7/21 – Gerardo Caballero 7/22 - Sandy Harpole 7/23 – Keith Kenney

Here’s What’s Happening: This Week at St. Michael’s:

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY 7/15/1995 Ray & Lori Fulkerson

Sat. Jul. 15 English 5pm Jerry Rouse

Sun. Jul. 16 English 10:30am Josie McBride

Spanish 12pm People of the Parish

Spanish 7:30pm Dennis Mattingly

Mon. Jul. 17 English 9am

Tues. Jul. 18 English 9am Josie McBride

Wed. Jul. 19 Spanish 12pm Dennis Mattingly

Thurs. Jul. 20 Spanish 12pm

Sat. Jul. 22 English 5pm Josie McBride

Sun. Jul. 23 English 10:30am Dennis Mattingly

Spanish 12pm Dennis Mattingly

Spanish 7:30pm People of the Parish