St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church

www.xavierbrunswick.org, 912-265-3249

August 23, 2020

Gift of the Keys

Jesus promised before His Ascension that He would not leave His Church orphaned. By this He meant that we would have the Holy Spirit present to guide us. How does the Holy Spirit speak to the Church? Many would say that the Word of God answers all of our questions, however there are scores of moral issues that the Bible does not address. If there are varying views of the meaning of a Scripture who has the final word? There are over 30,000 denominations today as the result of the view that the Bible is the final source of authority.

To build a lasting house means to build on a solid foundation. Jesus gave the Church the gift of the Papacy. Without this we have relativism where everyone does what they think is best. Everyone becomes their own authority. What could possibly be the foundation for this radical claim, this belief that the Pope is the spokesman for Christ? Today's Gospel reading answers that question. Matthew 16:13-20 is the Scriptural foundation for the primacy of St. Peter.

Simon, however is moved with the Holy Spirit and answers Jesus, "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God." Listen to Jesus' response, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father." Peter has a special insight from God and he is blessed because he is open and listening to God. Jesus continues, "And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it."

Next Jesus says, "I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven.” What does this mean? Ancient cities were sealed each night with great doors and locks. The bearer of keys was a person of utmost responsibility and trust. Wow! Not the keys to Jerusalem or Jericho, the keys to the kingdom of heaven! There is no room for doubt. Peter is being given a large amount of authority. We call the Pope the "Vicar of Christ." He is Christ's representative to us on this earth. This is not due to anything the Pope has done. This is because Jesus did not want to leave His Church orphaned. He said he would be with us always. He speaks through the Pope in a special way. Peter is being recognized as a man of great responsibility and authority. These keys are not for a city but for the kingdom of the Church. Peter and his successors will bear this responsibility for the Church. "The power of the keys designates authority to govern the house of God, which is the Church" (CCC 553).

Finally he is given an incredible revelation, “Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." Those words are so absolutely incredible that we should check to make sure they are really in the Bible! What do they mean? What he binds on earth shall be bound in heaven. What he looses on earth will be loosed in heaven. Peter will have the authority to bind and to loose, not only on earth but also in heaven. What does this mean? "The power to bind and loose connotes the authority to absolve sins, to pronounce doctrinal judgments, and to make disciplinary decisions in the Church" (CCC 553). Peter will have a gift to teach and lead the Church.

Practically speaking this means looking to the Chair of St. Peter where I have questions on faith and morals. A great compendium that is helpful in this area is the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Whether it is questions about marriage and family, sexuality, social teachings or morality we look to the teaching of the Church.

Whenever we look at the beautiful St. Peter’s Basilica we can think of the words of Jesus from today's Gospel, "You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it."

-Fr. Tim McKeown

Isaiah 22: 19-23

Thus says the LORD to Shebna, master of the palace: “I will thrust you from your office and pull you down from your station. On that day I will summon my servant Eliakim, son of Hilkiah; I will clothe him with your robe, and gird him with your sash, and give over to him your authority. He shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah. I will place the key of the House of David on Eliakim’s shoulder; when he opens, no one shall shut when he shuts, no one shall open. I will fix him like a peg in a sure spot, to be a place of honor for his family.”

Romans 11: 33-36

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How inscrutable are his judgments

and how unsearchable his ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord or who has been his coun-

selor? Or who has given the Lord anything that he may be repaid? For from him and through him

and for him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

Matthew 16: 13-20

Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi and he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jere-miah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said in reply, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Then he strictly ordered his disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.

Psalm: Lord, your love is eternal; do not forsake the work of your hands.

The church's one foundation is Jesus Christ, her Lord; she is his new creation by water and the Word: from heav'n he came and sought her to be his holy bride; with his own blood he bought her, and for her life he died.

Elect from ev'ry nation, yet one o'er all the earth, her charter of salvation one Lord, one faith, one birth; one holy name she blesses, partakes one holy food, and to one hope she

presses, with ev'ry grace endued. Reprinted under ONE LICENSE #736013-A

Holy God, we praise your name; Lord of all, we bow before thee; all on earth your scepter claim, all in heav'n above adore thee. Infinite your vast domain, everlasting is your reign.

Hark, the loud celestial hymn angel choirs above are raising; cherubim and seraphim in unceasing chorus praising, fill the heav'ns with sweet ac-

cord: "Holy, holy, holy Lord." Reprinted under ONE LICENSE #736013-A

St Vincent de Paul

Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10-4

The St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry has the following specific needs if you are able to as-sist: Canned fruit (Peach slices/chunks, Pear slices/chunks, Fruit Cocktail, Mixed Fruit, Pine-apple slices/rings/ tidbits, Mandarin Oranges (All the above in water or light syrup, if possi-ble.) Cut Green Beans, cans, Whole Kernel Corn, cans, Vienna sausage, 4.6 oz. pop-top cans, Luncheon meats (Spam, Treat, etc.), pull-top cans, Solid White or Chunk Light Tuna, cans or pouches, Pasta & Meat bowls, microwaveable, Pasta & Meat items, cans

Please think in terms of regular-size items rather than large or super-size. Pop-top cans and microwaveable items meet the needs of those we serve who do not have kitchen facilities. BOGO’s are a great way to buy one for your family and one for our pantry. Basic personal hygiene items for men and women are always needed.

St. Vincent de Paul Ministry in Brunswick is seeking a new Volunteer Food Pantry Coordinator or

Co-coordinators. Normally, the Pantry is open Mondays and Thursdays from 10-12 pm; right now,

it is open only on Mondays. The Coordinator (or Co-coordinators) organizes and schedules volun-

teers to serve those in need; keeps the pantry's inventory up to date; and submits two reports

each month to Second Harvest, on their own flexible schedule. The opportunity is ideal for any-

one who feels God calling them to serve the poor in a direct, loving, and substantive way. For

more information, please call St. Vincent de Paul directly, or stop by their offices here on Newcas-

tle Street.

CONFESSIONS Confessions are offered on Saturdays at 4:00 p.m. Sundays at 7:45 a.m. and Wednesdays at

6:15 p.m. Also, by appointment.

Annual Catholic Appeal Our 2020 Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA) began in January with a great start, a new theme

(Sowing the Seeds) and a new name. By the first week in March the Diocese had gifts from over

3,300 donors, including 1,000 new donors! SFX is at 91% of our target of $53,796. When churches began to close in late March, we made the decision to put the ACA on a tempo-

rary hold so that our faithful parishioners did not have to choose between supporting their parish

and supporting the annual appeal. Now that churches have reopened and a new normal begins, we

must resume support of the annual appeal so that our diocesan programs (Such as Catholic schools,

seminarians/vocations, social services) can continue to serve. We need your support today. If you are able to make your one-time gift or a pledge to end in

December, we ask that you complete the pledge card and mail it today. Alternatively, if you would

like to make your gift online, you can go to www.diosav.org/aca and make a gift using a credit or

debit card. We are close to making our goal, but we need your help to get there. Our ministries and pro-

grams have been Sowing the Seeds throughout the Diocese of Savannah and we need your assis-

tance to continue their important work!

Daily Mass

With the start of school we will implement a new daily mass schedule which

began on August 10: Monday: noon Tuesday: noon Wed: 7:00 pm (no morning mass) Thursday: 8:00 a.m. Friday: 8:00 a.m. school mass (Masks required)

FLOCKNOTES

We send out four or five updates each week through a text/email system

called Flocknotes. These can be essential during emergency times (Coronavirus,

Hurricanes, storms, etc.) to relay information. To sign up for general messages or

from groups you are part of: Text SFX150 to 84576 to begin and follow the in-

structions that are sent to you. We have 183 households that use this!

PARISH SCHOOL OF RELIGION (PSR): Classes will begin September 13th

.

We will begin registrations Aug 29th

& 30th

, after the Masses. Registration

forms will be available on the tables starting this weekend. For more infor-

mation, pick up a flyer from the back table. Return form at registration.

PLEASE NOTE THAT: we will observe the strict safety guidelines. Students

and teachers will be required to wear masks. We will observe social-distancing

as much as possible. We will encourage all to use hand-sanitizer and to wash

hands often. Lastly, we will ensure that desks, chairs, classrooms, etc will be

cleaned before and after use. We join in your prayers for an end to this pan-

demic, and that we may return to "normal" very soon.

Rite of Christian Initiation (R.C.I.A.): Want to become Catholic, never bap-tized, Baptized another denomination, never received Sacraments? If you have questions or want to begin the RCIA journey, please contact Deacon Larry Guyer, Director of Religious Education at 912-265-3249 ext. 14.

ATTENTION TEEN RCIA: Will begin Sunday, October 18th. Teens needing

sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist will meet in the school

Sunday Mornings, 09:20 – 11:00.

Mass Intentions - August 22 - 30

August 22nd - t Ric Carr, t Maria Zagami, Patricia Coddington

August 23rd- t Sharon Cornwell, t Mary, Effie & Preston Blanchard, Our Parish Family

August 24th - t Wanda Hand

August 25th - t Irene & Vincent Shock, t Helen Ladensack

August 26th - t Wanda Hand & t Rafael Julian Avendano

August 27th - t Stan & Anne Jennings

August 28th- Dave & Michele Robson (intentions)

August 29th - t Elizabeth Browning, t Johnny Paulk

August 30th- t Elaine Knight/Beau Vendetti, Kiewlen Family, Our Parish Family

PRAYING IN THE CHURCH The church is open for prayer each day from 8:00 a.m. til 6:00 p.m. Please park in front of the church or on Newcastle Street. FINANCIAL SUPPORT Many people have been so generous to ask about supporting SFX dur-ing our time of exile. Thank you! People may mail their offertory enve-lopes in or drop them in the mail slot at our 405 Howe St. Office. Many people have begun using on-line giving through this link: https://www.osvonlinegiving.com/1871. Thanks for your support and be as-sured of our prayers for you and your families!

If you are interested in purchasing supplies for St. Francis Xavier School,

please pick up a list from the back tables. You may return items to the main

Church from 8 a.m. to 6p.m. Please do not bring supplies to the Parish Office.

Any questions, call the School office at 912-265-9470.

Dr. Mermann & staff would like to thank all those who

have already donated and those who plan to.

Council of Catholic Women will resume meetings on

September 14th in the Narthex. More information to come.

St. Francis Xavier Staff email addresses

Fr. Tim: tmckeown@diosav.org

Fr. Chris: chassel@diosav.org

Ann: annbuebel@yahoo.com

Deacon Larry: guyerla@comcast.net

Marisol: sfxcym05@gmail.com

Juan: ganuza@msn.com

Maggie: maggie.shafer@sfxcs.org

Dr. Mermann: tmermann@sfxcs.org