2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)
Who is Jesus for us? John calls Jesus the Lamb of God and thus signifies Jesus' mission as the One who redeems us from our sins. The blood of the Passover Lamb (Exodus 12) delivered the Israelites from their oppression in Egypt and from the plague of death. The Lord Jesus freely offered up his life for us on the cross as the atoning sacrifice for our sins (1 Corinthians 5:7). The blood which he poured out for us on the cross cleanses, heals, and frees us from our slavery to sin, and from the "wages of sin which is death" (Romans 6:23) and the "destruction of both body and soul in hell" (Matthew 10:28).
It is significant that John was the son of the priest, Zachariah, who participated in the daily sacrifice of a lamb in the temple for the sins of the people (Exodus 29). In Jesus, John saw the true and only sacrifice which could deliver us from the bondage of sin, death, and the powers of hell. How did John know the true identity of Jesus, as the Son of God and Savior of the world (John 1:29)? The Holy Spirit revealed to John Jesus' true nature in such a way that John bore witness that this is the Son of God. How can we be certain that Jesus is truly the Christ, the Son of the living God? The Holy Spirit makes the Lord Jesus Christ known to us through the gift of faith. God gives us freely of his Spirit that we may comprehend - with enlightened minds and eyes of faith - the great mystery and plan of God to unite all things in his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us pray: Lord Jesus Christ, fill me with the power of your Holy Spirit that I may grow in the knowledge of your great love and truth. Let your Spirit be aflame in my heart that I may joyfully seek to do your will in all things.
Have a Blessed and Joyful Week
2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)
Who is Jesus for us? John calls Jesus the Lamb of God and thus signifies Jesus' mission as the One who redeems us from our sins. The blood of the Passover Lamb (Exodus 12) delivered the Israelites from their oppression in Egypt and from the plague of death. The Lord Jesus freely offered up his life for us on the cross as the atoning sacrifice for our sins (1 Corinthians 5:7). The blood which he poured out for us on the cross cleanses, heals, and frees us from our slavery to sin, and from the "wages of sin which is death" (Romans 6:23) and the "destruction of both body and soul in hell" (Matthew 10:28).
It is significant that John was the son of the priest, Zachariah, who participated in the daily sacrifice of a lamb in the temple for the sins of the people (Exodus 29). In Jesus, John saw the true and only sacrifice which could deliver us from the bondage of sin, death, and the powers of hell. How did John know the true identity of Jesus, as the Son of God and Savior of the world (John 1:29)? The Holy Spirit revealed to John Jesus' true nature in such a way that John bore witness that this is the Son of God. How can we be certain that Jesus is truly the Christ, the Son of the living God? The Holy Spirit makes the Lord Jesus Christ known to us through the gift of faith. God gives us freely of his Spirit that we may comprehend - with enlightened minds and eyes of faith - the great mystery and plan of God to unite all things in his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us pray: Lord Jesus Christ, fill me with the power of your Holy Spirit that I may grow in the knowledge of your great love and truth. Let your Spirit be aflame in my heart that I may joyfully seek to do your will in all things.
Have a Blessed and Joyful Week
Romney W V
Our Lady Of Grace
Sunday readings:
1 Kings 19:16b,19-21; Galatians 5:1, 13-18;
Luke 9:51-62
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Come Celebrate With Us
Are You Aware?
The Knights of Columbus are not only responsible for the Fish Fry and the Mother’s Day Breakfast, but also the Church Picnic, the church Dance, the Ping Pong Tournament and the Trivia Dinner
The Knights of Columbus Council #10011 meets on the third Tuesday of every month at 7:00 pm in Quinn Hall
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End of the Year of St. Joseph: Act of Consecration
“O great Saint Joseph, whom God has made the Head of the Holy Family, accept me, I beseech you, though utterly unworthy, to be a member of your “Holy House.” Forsake me not, but adopt me as a servant and child of the Holy Family. Watch over me at all times. Console and strengthen me, with the presence of Jesus and Mary, so that with you, I may praise and adore the Holy Trinity for all eternity. O my Spiritual Father, I hereby consecrate myself to you. In faithful imitation of Jesus and Mary, I place myself and all my concerns under your care and protection. To you, after Jesus and Mary, I consecrate my body and soul, with all their faculties, my spiritual growth, my home, and all my affairs and undertakings”. Amen.
St. Joseph, Pray for us! In the name of the Father…
Prayer to Saint Thomas the Apostle
Dear Saint Thomas,
You were once slow in believing that Christ had gloriously risen; but later, because you had seen him, you exclaimed: "My Lord and my God!"
According to an ancient story, you rendered most powerful assistance for constructing a church in a place where pagan priests opposed it.
Please bless architects, builds and carpenters that through them the Lord may be honored.
Church Announcements
Sunday 11:00 am
Live Streamed on OLG FB
For Your Safety
For the safety of everyone in the church and the hall, we are requesting that everyone attending Mass enter the church through the main entrance, at the front of the building. It is unsafe to open other doors in the building to let people in on Sundays. For your additional safety we will be locking the main doors of the church on Sunday, ten minutes after Mass starts. You will still be able to get inside after the doors are locked, just knock so that an usher can let you in. We will implement these changes on July 3.
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Vacation
Fr. Thomas has gotten approval to be able to travel to India. He is planning on leaving on June 27 and returning on August 3. Fr. Giles will be saying Mass on Sundays and Tuesdays while Fr. Thomas is away.
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Second Collection
The second collection on July 17 is for the Catholic Communications Campaign (CCC) and Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CHD). The CCC helps engage and build Catholic communities in the United States and around the world using the internet, television, radio and print media. The CHD supports programs that empower people to identify and address the obstacles they face as they work to bring permanent and positive change to their communities.
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Children’s Home of Romney
The Children’s Home in Romney is in need of baby formula. Some of their foster parents have been unable to obtain formula. They need: Similac Sensitive, Similac Advance, and Enfamil infant formula. Donations can be left in the vestibule or in the plastic container by the outside entrance door to the office.
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Catholic Sharing Appeal
Our goal for the Catholic Sharing Appeal this year is $9000. All money we receive over $4500 will come back to our parish. The money that the diocese receives will go toward Evangelization and Outreach such as Catholic Charities, youth camps, and food pantries; Catholic education, and grants for parishes. Please consider giving to this year’s Catholic sharing appeal.
Goal $9000.00 17 gifts received so far
Received so far: $3395.00 38% of our goal
Greeters needed and Eucharistic ministers are needed
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We are looking for greeters for Sundays. If you would like to be a greeter please contact Gayle Bogard (gmbogard@gmail.com
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Prayer of the Faithful Requests
“We will be adding parishioner’s requests for prayers to our “Prayer of the Faithful” prayers at Sunday Masses. Parishioners may put prayer requests in the collection basket, or email them to the church office. The requests must relate to a parishioner (family or close friend), or a person in need in our community. The name of the parishioner submitting the prayer request must be on the request. Father Thomas will determine if a request meets the criteria for being used at Mass.” Special prayer requests can also be submitted for the prayer list in the bulletin.
We are setting up a system to check on parishioners who live alone. If you, or someone you know in the parish, live alone, and would like to have a check up call, or if you would be interested in calling someone to check on them, please contact the office or Fr. Giles.
Grieving Parents Retreat
NEW DATE! The Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston and the Emmaus Ministry for Grieving Parents will be hosting a retreat for grieving parents at St. Mary Catholic Church in Morgantown, WV on Saturday, July 16, beginning at 9:30 am and ending approximately 7:30 pm. This spiritual retreat is for grieving parents whose children of any age have died by any cause, no matter how long ago. Please see the attached link for additional information including registration: https://www.emfgp.org/events/03-12-22-one-day-retreat-at-st-mary-church-morgantown-wv/. If you have any questions regarding the retreat, please contact Ed Cesa at 724-324-9222.
Monthly Bible Study
Fr. Giles will be explaining parts of the bible on Tuesday 1:00 PM. of every month. Everyone is welcome to attend. It will be in the church hall after the 12:00 noon Mass. Please bring your own lunch. Weather permitting the talks will continue the first Tuesday of each month.
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The rosary is recited before every Sunday Mass
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Please send in names for the new prayer list in the bulletin, or write them on the list in the vestibule.
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Registration
Coming to Our Lady of Grace regularly but not a member? Contributing but not receiving a tax credit for charitable donations from Our Lady of Grace? Joining the parish is easy! Registration forms are on the table in the vestibule. Simply fill one out and put it in the collection basket.
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It has come to our attention that some parishioners are interested in preplanning their funeral Mass, We have a book with suggested readings and Gospels. We will also have a form for you to fill out with the items that you have selected; readings, hymns, etc. If you would like to preplan your service please contact the office. We will let you borrow one of the books to use to fill out the form. We will keep a copy of the form on file in the church office.
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Thank you for your continued support. Don't forget to donate to the Catholic Sharing Appeal. The large sign in front of the church is in need of repair or replacement. The money we get from the CSA will go toward that.
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Do you have a Guardian Angel?
Yes, you have a guardian angel. The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains: From its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession.202* "Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life."203** Already here on earth the Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of angels and men united in God.
Simply put, each living person has a guardian angel from the moment of their conception to the moment of their natural death. During this time, they are aided by their guardian angel. They are not just for children.Â
Your guardian angel will work to steer you free from sin, to encourage you to keep God's commandments, and to intercede on your behalf before God.Â
For many people, this seems strange. Few individuals even recognize the angels exist, or that they have a guardian angel. The source of this problem is distraction, especially with worldly matters. When we fill our hearts and minds with worldly things, we have little attention left over to discern the gentle nudging of our guardian angel. Furthermore, our guardian angel cannot make decisions for us. We retain our free will, so they cannot stop us from committing sins, nor can they protect us from evil choices made by others.Â
* Footnote 202 - Cf. Mt 18:10; Lk 16:22; Ps 34:7; 91:10-13; Job 33:23-24; Zech 1:12; Tob 12:12.
** Footnote 203 -Â 203 St. Basil, Adv. Eunomium III, I: PG 29,656B.
Prayer for Priests
Gracious and loving God, we thank your for the gift of our priests.
Through them, we experience your presence in the sacraments.
Help our priests to be strong in their vocation.
Set their souls on fire with love for your people.
Grant them the wisdom, understanding, and strength they need to follow in the footsteps of Jesus.
Inspire them with the vision of your Kingdom.
Give them the words they need to spread the Gospel.
Allow them to experience joy in their ministry.
Help them to become instruments of your divine grace.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns as our Eternal Priest.
Amen
Saint Michael the Archangel isn't a saint, but rather he is an angel, and the leader of all angels and of the army of God. This is what the title "Archangel" means, that he is above all the others in rank. St. Michael has four main responsibilities or offices, as we know from scripture and Christian tradition.
· The first is to combat Satan.
· The second is to escort the faithful to heaven at their hour of death.
· The third is to be a champion of all Christians, and the Church itself.
· And the fourth is to call men from life on Earth to their heavenly judgment.
Very little is known about St Michael other than what we know from scriptures, and even there information is sparse.
In Daniel, St. Michael is mentioned twice. The first time as one who helped Daniel, and the second time he is mentioned with regard to the end times of the world when he will stand for the "children of thy people" (Daniel 10:13-21, 12:1).
His next mention comes in the Epistle of St. Jude, where St. Michael is said to guard the tombs
What is the
Sacrifice of the Holy Mass
Perhaps the best way to describe this connection is to say that in the Mass we re-link ourselves to Calvary. In the Mass, Christ’s sacrifice on Calvary is perpetuated by the priest, who offers it anew to the Father. St. Paul told his converts in Corinth, "Every time, then, you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes" (1 Corinthians 11:26).
It is not a new sacrifice, but rather the same sacrifice that Jesus offered on the cross 2,000 years ago. The Eucharist is not a matter of "repeating" that action but of reestablishing our bond with it. The difference, however, is that Jesus no longer dies at each Mass, but is simply re-offered to the Father. It is a “bloody” sacrifice only in the sense that it contains the Body and Blood of Christ. But it is “unbloody” in the sense that it is offered only in a sacramental fashion under the appearances of bread and wine.
In other words, in the Mass, we re-present -- or mystically renew -- the Sacrifice of Calvary. In other words, we offer Jesus’ sacrifice to God the Father on the altar during Eucharistic celebration for the remission of our sins, using signs and symbols. This means that, once again, we offer Christ to the Father, saying: "Father, look upon the Lamb that was slain for our sake." By the words of consecration, Christ is made present again through the “transubstantiation" of the bread and wine into Christ's Body and Blood.
Sacrament of Marriage
Please contact our office at least 6 months in advance of the desired date
Sacrament of Baptism
please call the office to set up an appointment
Office Hours:
Tuesdays & Thursdays
9:00 am—3:00 pm
Please use office door
Our Lady of West Virginia
Our lady is the beauty
of the West Virginia hills.
From Spruce Knob’s lofty towering
To where Kenova spills
Out of bounds, and seeks to share
Our wealth with sister-states,
Our Lady’s smiling sunshine
Forever radiates.
The bright blue of her mantle
Is in summer skies at Cheat.
Her golden tresses ripple
In Greenbrier’s autumn wheat.
Romney’s apple-blossoms
Ear the blushing of her face
As she heard the angel whisper
“Hail, Mary, full of grace.”
Our Lady is the music
Of our lovely lakes and streams,
“The beautiful Ohio,”
And the Tygart’s dashing gleams.
Her low-voiced laughter tumbles
In Blackwater’s clear cascade,
And echoes on Kanawha:
“Behold the Lord’s Handmaid.”
Our Land is the loveliness
Of all young, growing things.
She is the rapture in our souls,
The gaiety which sings:
“Lady of West Virginia, Virgin Immaculate,
Reign over every heart and soul,
Queen of our Mountain State.
Mark Smith
Sunday Message
14th Sunday in Ordinary Time
What is the significance of Jesus appointing seventy disciples to the ministry of the word of God? Seventy was a significant number in biblical times. Moses chose seventy elders to help him in the task of leading the people through the wilderness. The Jewish Sanhedrin, the governing council for the nation of Israel, was composed of seventy members. In Jesus' times seventy was held to be the number of nations throughout the world. Jesus commissioned the seventy to a two-fold task - to speak in his name and to act with his power. Jesus gave his disciples instructions for how they were to carry out their ministry. They must go and serve as people without guile, full of charity and peace, and simplicity. They must give their full attention to the proclamation of God's Kingdom and not be diverted by other lesser things. They must travel light - only take what was essential and leave behind whatever would distract them - in order to concentrate on the task of speaking the word of the God.
Why does Jesus tell his disciples to not take joy in their own successes, even spiritual ones? Jesus makes it clear that the true source of our joy is God, and God alone. Regardless of the circumstances, in good times and bad times, in success or loss, God always assures us of victory in Jesus Christ. Jesus assures his disciples that he has all power over evil, including the power of Satan and the evil spirits who conspire against us. In fact, that is why Jesus came into the world: to overthrow the evil one (John 12:31). We too, as disciples of Jesus, have been given spiritual authority and power for overcoming the works of darkness and evil (1 John 2:13-14). Do we witness the truth and joy of the Gospel by word, deed, and good example to those around us?
Check out FaithInWV.org
The of Wheeling-Charleston has rolled out #FaithInWV, and it is all presented online through a new website - FaithInWV.org. It is an online pathway to stories, photos, and videos of how our people in West Virginia are following Christ by actions and choices.
#FaithInWV is giving hope, rising above the odds, being a blessing, and leading by example. It is choosing to find the good in others, and letting others see Christ in you. Ultimately it is having faith in God the Father above all.
Learn how our brothers and sisters in Christ are doing His work. Let’s imitate their love, joy, strength, and resilience through the website.
Do you know an exceptional Catholic in West Virginia, someone or a group who is a shining example of #FaithInWV? Email Bibey your feature idea to jbibey@dwc.org.
Please note the new email address for
Our Lady of Grace - ologrwv@gmail.com.
Do not use the old email address and delete any messages you receive from it. Please send an email to the new address so that Terry has your email address for her contacts.
What is Mass
Our Lady Of Grace Mission Statement
If you don't see the information you are looking for, always check the Church Bulletin click here
Deacon Larry has offered to take communion to anyone who is still unable to attend Mass. If you know someone who doesn’t get emails please contact them and ask if they would like Deacon Larry to bring communion to them. You, or they, can contact the office (304) 822-5561 or call Deacon Larry 703-421-5815.
Church Announcements
Liturgical Ministers
July 3
Lector: Andrea Kerns
EMHC: Ed Rodriguez
Greeters: G. Bogard &
D. Bowley
July 10
Lector: Dottie Adams
EMHC: Jim Alkire
Greeters: P. & S. Gallery
July 17
Lector: Phil Gallery
EMHC: Shari Gallery
Greeters: E. & C. Rodriguez
Weekly Offering
June 26, 2022
General: $ 2105.00
Poor Box: $ 137.00
Attendance: 74
Catholic Charities collects and distributes personal care items to the needy.
This month they need toilet paper, paper towels, and shaving cream.
Poor box donations in February will go to Catholic Charities Romney office. The Romney Food Pantry received $458.00 from January poor box donations. Thank you for your support!
Parish Goal: $7750.00
Donations so far: $9560.00
Percent of total: 123%
Number of gifts: 32
Thank you to everyone who has donated. We have reached our goal! You can still donate to the Catholic Sharing Appeal. Everything we receive will come back to our church to be used to repair or replace the sign in front of the church. Thank you to all who have donated!
Catholic Charities collects and distributes personal care items to the needy. This month they need disposable razors, ladies deodorant, q-tips, and toothpaste.
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Dear fellow parishioner,
For better or worse, you will find either a physical or scanned copy of “Thoughts and Reflections”
included in the weekly bulletin. Since I have not been able to contribute to the common liturgical or
ministerial good during this plague, I asked Fr. Thomas if I could perhaps contribute such weekly
offerings instead.
These reflections were written in an ad hoc basis during my years of active ministry in these Potomac Highlands. They were, for the most part, cobbled together on those Saturdays when I had the
weekend homily in hand by the time I left for the 5:00 P.M. Mass at Epiphany. They have been
excavated from my physical files (I suspect that there are many more if I opened one of the many thumb-drives I’ve ignored since I retired.) They are passed on to you in their original state with all the errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, and typos, of that which is written in haste. Such is the
laziness of this retiree.
These have no pretense of being anything more than what they are - a backward glance upon the scatterings of grace which a generous God has strewn upon the surface of my daily life. If you find any merit in them; if you find them helpful in recognizing the touch of grace in the simplicity of your own lives, them I am pleased and grateful.
Contact the office... Tuesday or Wednesday
- 304-822-5561
If you would like to register as a parishioner.
If your address, phone number or email address has changed.
If you or a family member is hospitalized so that Fr. Thomas can visit.
If you become homebound so that a Eucharistic Minister can visit and bring you Holy Communion.
Baby bottles are available in the foyer to collect your loose change between now and Christmas. The money will support the Knights of Columbus Pro-life ministry. Please take a bottle home, and when filled, place it in the basket at Our Lady’s feet in the sanctuary.
Thank you to the Knights of Columbus for the new flag for our flagpole. The other one was worn and tattered. Thank you also to Dan & Bob for all the work they do around the church and grounds. Your hard work is greatly appreciated.
A book of Illumination of Conscience by parishioner Tom Eades
Phil Gallery’s newest book is
“Saint Francis and the Animals.”
Books will be available for sale for $18.00.
Mass schedule for Our Lady of Grace
Sunday 11:00 am
Tuesday 12:00 noon
Special Occassions
Holy Days of obligations
times are coming
Sacrament of Reconciliation:
Weekday Mass's
Half Hour
before and after
1/2 hour before Saturday or Sunday Mass
or by appointment
++++++++++++++++++
DO YOU KNOW OF ANYONE INTERESTED IN BECOMING CATHOLIC OR LEARNING MORE ABOUT THE CATHOLIC FAITH?
Registration forms for classes are in the church vestibule. Sessions begin at the end of September. If anyone has any questions, please call or e-mail me. I am glad to meet with you beforehand. We want to provide classes for the following:
1. Unbaptized adults who are considering to join the Catholic Church
2. Baptized non-Catholic adults who want to join the Catholic Church
3. Baptized Catholic adults who have not received the Sacrament of Confirmation
4. Catholics and non-Catholics alike who want to know more about the Catholic Faith
Do you know of anyone who wants to find out more about the Catholic Faith? Please invite them to these sessions.
Daily Readings written http://usccb.org/bible/readings
Daily Readings audio http://usccb.org/bible/readings-audio.cfm
Video Reflection http://usccb.org/bible/reflections/index.cfm
The usccb.org site will also give you tutorials on how to pray the Rosary, the Divine Chaplet, and other prayers and devotions.
Daily Reflection from The Word Among Us can be accessed at https://wau.org/meditations/
EWTN Catholic Radio
Daily
Schedule https://www.ewtn.com/radio/schedule
Access The Magnificat free online at https://www.osvnews.com
Liturgical Press is providing free access to a digital file for Give Us This Day, which includes the daily Mass texts: https://giveusthisday.org/Digital
National Catholic
Register has Catholic news, stories, blogs, etc. at ncregister.com
Discover a saint special to you at Catholic News Service’s Patron Saints page: https://www.catholicnews.com/patron-saints.cfm
Catholic enrichment site for hildren: Catholicsprouts.com
For teens and twenty-somethings: lifeteen.com
For Catholic headline news: catholicnewsagency.com
Daily Living with Fr. Chapin: mydailyliving.com
Our Lady Of Grace
Mission Statement
We the members of Our Lady of Grace Parish are a Catholic Christian, ecumenical community under the auspices of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston.
We are dedicated to providing an environment for ourselves and for others in which we can grow in a spirit of thanksgiving , worship, and love. We wish to deepen our individual and collective faith in God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, in the Sacraments of the Church, Particularly the Eucharist, and in Mary, Mother of Grace.
W e gather together as a community of Faith, based on love, acceptance, interdependence, compassion, and service.
Our purpose as a parish family is to promote the Gospel of Jesus Christ by word and example. We use our God-given talents to bring ourselves and others close to God. We accept our Baptismal call to make the faith of the Church known to all people by taking our personal part in evangelization.
What is the
Sacrifice of the Holy Mass
Perhaps the best way to describe this connection is to say that in the Mass we re-link ourselves to Calvary. In the Mass, Christ’s sacrifice on Calvary is perpetuated by the priest, who offers it anew to the Father. St. Paul told his converts in Corinth, "Every time, then, you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes" (1 Corinthians 11:26).
It is not a new sacrifice, but rather the same sacrifice that Jesus offered on the cross 2,000 years ago. The Eucharist is not a matter of "repeating" that action but of reestablishing our bond with it. The difference, however, is that Jesus no longer dies at each Mass, but is simply re-offered to the Father. It is a “bloody” sacrifice only in the sense that it contains the Body and Blood of Christ. But it is “unbloody” in the sense that it is offered only in a sacramental fashion under the appearances of bread and wine.
In other words, in the Mass, we re-present -- or mystically renew -- the Sacrifice of Calvary. In other words, we offer Jesus’ sacrifice to God the Father on the altar during Eucharistic celebration for the remission of our sins, using signs and symbols. This means that, once again, we offer Christ to the Father, saying: "Father, look upon the Lamb that was slain for our sake." By the words of consecration, Christ is made present again through the “transubstantiation" of the bread and wine into Christ's Body and Blood.
The Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston is committed to the protection of its children and young people. The Diocese complies with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People by maintaining an Office of Safe Environment. To report an incidence of suspected child sexual abuse, please contact your local law enforcement agency, or you may confidentially contact the West Virginia Bureau for Children and Families/Child Protective Services by calling the Child Abuse Hotline at 800.352.6513. To report suspected cases of sexual abuse by personnel of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston to the Diocese, please contact one of the Bishop’s designees at 888.434.6237 (toll free) or 304.233.0880: Sister Ellen Dunn, ext. 264; Mr. Bryan Minor, ext. 263; Msgr. Frederick Annie, ext. 267, or Msgr. Anthony Cincinnati, 270. For more information on the Diocese’s Office of Safe Environment, please go to www.dwc.org, then click the “Diocese” tab, then click “Office of Safe Environment” under the “Offices” menu. To learn more about the Catholic Church’s efforts in preventing sexual abuse of children in the United States, please visit http://www.usccb.org. Under “Issues and Action,” click “Child and Youth Protection” from the drop down menu.
Trafficking is not just an issue that happens to people in other countries. The United States is a source and transit country and is also considered on of the top destination points for victims of child trafficking and exploitation. Are you aware of any trafficked children in your area and services available for them? U.S. Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking (sistersagainsttrafficking.org)
A Message from
Fr. Thomas Anatharackal CST
Our Lady of Grace
Administrator
Have a Blessed and Joyful Week
Sunday Message
13th Sunday in Ordinary Time
When Jesus calls us to follow him, he gives us the grace to put aside everything that might keep us from doing his will. Loyalty to Jesus requires sacrifice, letting go of my will for God's will. A would-be disciple responded by saying, “I must first go and bury my father” (Luke 9:59), that is, go back home and take care of him until he died. Jesus certainly did not mean that we should refuse to care for others, especially our parents in their old age. His startling statement, “Let the dead bury their dead. But you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:60), made clear that God must always be first in our lives. If we love him above all, then everything else will fall into its proper place and time.
Jesus surprised his disciples by saying that they must not look back but keep their focus on the goal set for their lives - full happiness and union with God. A plowman who looked back caused his furrow to be crooked. Likewise, if we keep looking back to what we left behind, our path in following God will likely go off course and we will miss what God has prepared for us. When the going is rough or the way ahead looks uncertain, we are tempted to look back to the "good old days" or to look for "greener turf". Are we resolved to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and to "stay the course" in following him to the end? Let us pray: Take, O Lord, and receive my entire liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my whole will. All that I am and all that I possess you have given me. I surrender it all to you to be disposed of according to your will. Give me only your love and your grace - with these I will be rich enough and will desire nothing more.
Please Pray For
Adelynn, Lynn Adams, Kevin Adrian, Tony Aiello, Thomas Alicandro Jr., John Bennett, Bill & Carolyn Batton, Dann Biser, Paul Biser, Elizabeth Braun, Mary Bowser, Christine & Dan Brown, Casey Carriger, Sandra Carriger, Betty Chevery, Paul Clower, Harrison Codo, Buddy Dayton, Connie Davis, Antonia Detres, Londa Dodson, Rick Dodson, Dave Duvall, Beth Grayson, , Diane Gumpper, Steve Hajash, Betty Hartman, Tony Haywood, Hazel Holcombe, Harry Hott, Tom Hudson, Grace Jackson, Chuck Kesner, Sharon Kuykendall, Pam Kizer, Loretta Leach, Marianna Leone, Fr. Giles LeVasseur, Lance LeVasseur, John Lien, Andy Mason, Max, Raymond McCall, Naomi Miller, Felix Gonzalez Morales, Shaina Mowry, Charlie Mullins, Eileen Passauer, Nick Perez, Michael Peshock, Bob Pliska, Richard Ramsay III, Danny Reddick, Gary Reddick, Meaghan Reddick, Teresa Reddick, Julie Robert, Dale Rogers, Dick Shanholtzer, Kathy Steiner, Lori & Mike Stickley, Dominick Tarinelli, Nancy Wolfe, Jim Wysopal, Benny Young, Dennis Young
(To add or remove a name, contact the office or put a note in the collection basket. A new list will be printed every three months.)
Please Pray
for the Sick listed
Mass Intentions
Offer a Mass for your loved ones, living or deceased. We will try to schedule the Mass on your requested date (birthday, wedding anniversary, death anniversary, special event etc.) or as close to it as possible. Please send requests at least three weeks ahead of the date you would like. The amount set by the diocese for Mass intentions is $10 for weekday and $20 for weekend Masses, but any amount, more or less, will be accepted. Mass Intention envelopes are in the vestibule.
Due to having fewer Masses, it is more difficult to schedule Mass intentions on a requested date. If you would like a Mass said on a particular date, please send the request in at least 4 months before that date. Mass intention envelopes are on the table in the vestibule. Contact the office with any questions.
Did You Know?
If you make a donation to the church in memory of a loved one it is exempt from the 9% assessed by the Diocese on regular donations.
New Requests
Pray for our homebound parishioners and our falling away Brothers and Sisters
What are the Gospels?
The term gospel comes from a translation of the Greek noun
euangelion (εὐαγγέλιον) – meaning “good tidings” or “good news”. This means that when people are speaking of the four gospels in the bible, they are talking about the four recounts of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.
Written by evangelists between 70 and 100 AD, the four gospels contain almost everything we know today about Jesus, his life, his teachings, and his sacrifice.
The gospels are in fact, a set of specific historical text, that convey a deeper, more profound understanding of Jesus, who he is, his acts, and his teachings, from four different perspectives.
Why are There Four Gospels? Each of the gospels contain information that is either absent from or contradictive to the three other gospels. Each of the gospels were written to convey the message of the lord with different demographics, cultures, and educations in mind. The way an impoverished person living on the streets, would speak and think was different to those of an upper class from the same time period, which also meant that they would see and understanding things differently from one another. This made it rather difficult trying to get the people to connect with the same message, as their view of things was heavily influenced by their own means, needs and comforts.
As time is not kind to human memory, there is no way for us to know exactly what was said and done, word for word, and we must instead rely on the word of witnesses recounting what they saw and heard long after the event. Personal bias could also effect how these witnesses perceived the events, and as Jesus most likely spoke Aramaic there are bound to be a few mistranslated words or phrases here and there. As Catholics we believe that the Gospels are the divinely inspired word of God.
The Knights of Columbus Council #10011 meets on the third Tuesday of every month at 7:00 pm in Quinn Hall
One of the CD’s available on the display in the vestibule:
Sister Bethany Madonna, vocations’ director for the Sisters of Life, shares how God not only wants us to know Him, but also to give us the desires of our heart and gifts that bring purpose, meaning, and hope. She makes it clear that “receiving is the gift that we give” to the Lord and that He wants to be invited into every aspect of our lives. Speaking from her own life experience, Sister Bethany shows the importance of asking in order to receive all the Lord has in mind for us.
Parishioner Comments
I was really impacted by how accessible the Lord makes Himself to us, if only we will ask. Tim - Fort Meade, MD
We need to hear more like this: ‘God is our Father in a way that none of our fathers can be.’ He said, ‘I will not leave you orphans.’ Donna - College Station, TX
