08-09-2015 Insert St. PETER.pub

August 9, 2015
SOMETIMES WE FEEL LIKE ELIJAH in today’s 1st reading. We want to lie down and die, keenly aware of our failures, and that we seem to be getting no better at doing what God wants of us. We are easily and often tempted
to despair, as the prophet was on his forty-day journey in the desert. We can be tempted to “murmur” against
God, like the Israelites did during their forty years in the wilderness, on their way to the promised land (Ex
16:2,7,8; 1 Cor 10:10).
The gospel today uses the same word, “murmur”, to describe the crowds, who re-enact Israel’s hardheartedness
— so obstinate of heart in the desert. Jesus tells them that prophecies are being fulfilled in Him, that they are
being taught by God. But they can’t believe it, they were stubborn. They can only see His flesh, that He is the
“son” of Joseph and Mary. They saw in Jesus only an ordinary man, rather than the extra-ordinary — the true
Messiah — the one sent to heal the sick, to proclaim the good news, to set free those possessed by the devil, to
give sight to the blind, and to proclaim the year of the Lord (Is 61).
Yet, if we believe, if we seek Him in our distress, He will deliver us from our fears, as we sing in today’s Psalm.
At the altar in every Eucharist, the angel of the Lord — the Lord himself (Ex 31-2) — touches us. He commands us to take and eat His flesh given for the life of the world (Mt 26:26). This taste of the heavenly gift (Heb
6:4-5) comes to us with a renewed command — to get up and continue on the journey we began in Baptism,
to the mountain of God, the kingdom of Heaven. He will give us the Bread of Life, the strength and grace we
need … just as He fed our spiritual ancestors in the wilderness, and Elijah in the desert.
So, let us stop grieving the Spirit of God, as Paul says in today’s Epistle … another reference to Israel in the desert
(Is 63:10). Let us say to God as Elijah did, “Take my life” — not in the sense of wanting to die, but in giving ourselves as a sacrificial offering — loving Him as He has loved us, on the cross and in the Eucharist.
Fr. Michael
GOD IS LIKE:
General Electric ...
HE BRINGS GOOD THINGS TO LIFE!
PICNIC TIME!
JOINT ST. PETER / ST. MARK PICNIC
AUGUST 30TH
3:003:00-5:00PM
@ ST. PETER CHURCH (1150 MAXWELL RD.)
Hot Dogs / Hamburgers / Lemonade / Water / Tablewear provided ...
Please Bring:
Bring:
St. Mark Parishioners:
St. Peter Parishioners:
Salads/Side dishes
Desserts
~
AREA NEWS ~
Young Adults Meeting Single—Married—or Young Parents——age 21-39 ……. WE HAVE CHANGED TO OUR
SUMMER SCHEDULE — MEETINGS WILL BE EVERY OTHER THURSDAY! The next meeting will be August 20th,
at St. MARY Church (this is a change!), 6:45pm. Starting in SEPTEMBER, we will return to weekly gatherings.
For more information, contact: [email protected] or facebook.com/EugeneCYA..
School Supply Drive Help local kids start school with the basic supplies they need and backpacks for
carrying them. Beginning August 1st, collection barrels and suggested lists will be available at St. Vinnie stores and other partnering locations. Monetary donations are also welcome, and can be sent to:
School Supply Drive, c/o SVdP, PO Box 24608, 97402. THANKS FOR HELPING OUR KIDS!
Catholic Women’s Social All Catholic women ages 18 years and over are invited to attend an evening social
on Tuesday, August 11th, 6-8pm, sponsored by Catholic Daughters of the Americas — just a fun night to get to
know other Catholic women in our area (no meeting). Please come to enjoy an evening of fellowship and
prayer! For location please call Julia (541-344-6851).
UPCOMING RETREATS:
Journey Together In Hope August 2828-30 at Aldersgate Conference Center in Turner, OR (15 minutes
East of Salem). An opportunity for families with disabled family members to have fun together, relax,
celebrate, share faith, and build friendships with other families. Fr. Raul Marquez will facilitate and celebrate Mass. For info: Archdiocesan Office for People with Disabilities (503) 233233-8399, or [email protected]. Limited
scholarships available.
Retiro Viajando Juntos en la Esperanza …. 4-6 de Septiembre …. Padre David Schiferl facilitador y celebrante
Marriage Encounter: August 2828-30 at Our Lady of Peace Retreat House in Beaverton. It has been said
that the greatest gift you can give your children is a father and mother very much in love with each
other. Polish up this gift by attending a ME weekend. You deserve the best and your children need to
see you reaching for it. For info: 503-853-2758, or www.rediscoverthespark.org.
McKenzie Bridge (St. Benedict Lodge): September 1818-20 —- Women’s Weekend Retreat: “Praying with
the Doctors of Our Church”. Presenter is Barbara Anderson, Pastoral Associate at St. Mary Church in
Corvallis. To register, call 541-822-3572, or go online to: www.sblodge.opwest.org. Cost is $100 for a
single room or $90 for a double ($30 deposit).
1000 DAYS ~ A CULTURE OF LIFE ~ WHERE ALL ARE WELCOMED AND LOVED WITH MERCY: From
conception through a child’s second birthday is a crucial time for a child’s development, our best
opportunity to shape a healthier, more prosperous future for a child.
Days 140140-147 “The world economy will only develop it allows a dignified way of life for
all human beings, from the eldest to the unborn child, not just for citizens of the G20
(the 20 major economies) member states, but for every inhabitant of the earth, even
those in extreme social situations or in the remotest places.” Pope Francis
1000 Días ~ Una Cultura de La Vida ~ Donde Todos Son Acogidos Y Amados Con Misericordia: Los 1000 días desde la concepción hasta el segundo cumpleaño de un niño son los más
cruciales para el desarrollo de un niño. Estos 1000 días son nuestra mejor oportunidad para dar
forma a un futuro más sano, más prospero para el niño.
Días 140140-147 “La economía mundial sólo va a desarrollar si permite una forma digna
de vida para todos los seres humanos, desde el mayor para el feto, no sólo para los ciudadanos de (las 20 principales economías) los estados miembros del G20, sino para todos los habitantes de la tierra, aquellos incluso en situaciones sociales extremas o en los
lugares más remotos.” Papa Francisco