Twenty First Sunday in Ordinary Time August 26, 2018

MASS SCHEDULE Saturday Vigil: 5:00 pm Sunday: 8:00am & 10:30 am Weekdays: Tues.—Fri. 7:00 am Holy Day: Contact Parish Office

PASTORAL STAFF Pastor: Rev. Shaiju Thomas Shaiju.thomas@pastoral.org (270) 625-9514

DRE/Youth Minister: Nick Higdon nick@stmraymagd.org

Minister of Music: Jacob Hein jacob_hein@hotmail.com

Secretary: Patti J. Bartley patti.bartley@stmarymagd.org

Bookkeeper: Susan Calhoun Susan.Calhoun99@yahoo.com

Parish Membership: We give a warm welcome to all new families moving into our parish. Please register at the Parish Office as soon as possible.

PASTORAL COUNCIL Danny Ebelhar; Jason Elder; Jane Thomas; Shannon Offerman; Jeff Riney

FINANCE COUNCIL Kenny Knott; Rebecca Schwartz; Rita Wood; Sarah O’Bryan

SACRAMENTS BAPTISM: Contact Pastor at least a month before the baptism for instructions.

CONFESSIONS: Saturdays at 4:00pm (one hour before Mass time) ;anytime by appointment.

MARRIAGES: Contact the pastor six months in advance to begin marriage preparation.

ANOINTING OF THE SICK: First Friday’s during Mass, or anytime it is needed.

Ministry to the Sick and Homebound: If you know someone,

who is a member of our parish, would like to visit the sick,

homebound, assisted living or in the hospitals and to receive the

sacraments of Reconciliation, Communion and Anointing,

contact the office or the pastor.

7232 KY 56, Owensboro, KY 42301 www.stmarymagd.org Ph: 270-771-4436 Fax: 1-866-856-7191

AUGUST 26, 2018

TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY in ORDINARY TIME

2 Twenty First Sunday in Ordinary Time August 26, 2018

Minister to the Sick: John Ebelhar the weekend of September 2nd

Monday, Sept. 3rd 7:00AM No Mass

Tuesday, Sept. 4th 7:00AM David Gaddis

Wednesday, Sept. 5th 7:00AM Bob & Terry Knott

Thursday, Sept. 6th 7:00AM Bill Knott

Friday, Sept. 7th 7:00AM Ruth Ann Hardy

Saturday, Sept. 8th 5:00PM Winnie Riney

Sunday, Sept. 9th 8:00AM Parishioners 10:30AM Dennis & Frances Hayden

HOUSEHOLDS IN GOD’S SERVICE

In the ancient world, “household” was a wide-reaching concept. When

Joshua today speaks of his household serving the Lord, he meant not just

those people who lived inside his walls or those related to him by blood or

marriage; he meant slaves or servants and their families, and anyone indebted

to him in any way. Even his livestock and other possessions would be conse-

crated to service of God. In our world, we value allowing individuals their

freedom to choose how they live, and wouldn’t think of offering our pets to

the service of God. But, as we discern our vocation as disciples baptized into

Christ, we can come to realize how far-ranging the “households” of our lives

still are: how we act toward our spouses, children, roommates or anyone we

live with; our behavior with neighbors; or in public as we encounter many

“strangers” every day in stores or traffic who suddenly are “next door” to us.

How can we use our time, our resources, or gifts for selfless reasons rather

than personal gain? No matter what life our witness to the Good News calls

us to, we all have a “household” that must be consecrated to service of the

Lord our God.

WELCOME TO OUR PARISH If you are a visitor to St. Mary Magdalene, we want to

welcome you. If you are new to the parish, please call the

office at (771-4436) to register in the parish.

Office Hours: Monday, Tuesday, & Thursday

7:30-2:30PM

5:00PM 8:00AM 10:30AM

Altar Servers Justin & Amber

Dunn

Dylan & Evan

Fulkerson

Lincoln Clancy

Mason Shepherd

Lectors Grady Ebelhar Julie Ebelhar Jim Hartz

Eucharistic Ministers

Amy, Mitch &

Wes Knott

Benita Drury

Kevin Schwartz

Karen Gilbert

Michelle Clancy

Amy Hartz

Shannon Offerman

Ushers/Greeters

Jerry Knott

John Ebelhar

Brad & Cole

Cecil

Doug Goetz

Paul Goetz

READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: 2 Thes 1:1-5, 11-12; Mt 23:13-22 Tuesday: 2 Thes 2:1-3a, 14-17; Mt 23:23-26 Wednesday: 2 Thes 3:6-10, 16-18;Mk 6:17-29 Thursday: 1 Cor 1:1-9; Mt 24:42-51 Friday: 1 Cor 1:17-25; Mt 25:1-13 Saturday: 1 Cor 1:26-31; Mt 25:14-30

September Church Cleaners: Linda Rickard; Rita Wood;

Michaeline Chandler; Sharon Ebelhar; Jane Bratcher; Jennifer Nonweiler;

Tracy Wood

LITURGICAL MINISTERS for September 2, 2018

Weed Eating Crew

The week of September 7th & 8th

Brad & Nick Stephen

3 Twenty First Sunday in Ordinary Time August 26, 2018

TODAY’S READINGS First Reading — The LORD, our God, protected us along our entire journey (Joshua 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b). Psalm — Taste and see the goodness of the Lord (Psalm 34). Second Reading — Christ nourishes and cherishes the church because we are members of his body (Ephesians 5:21-32 [5:2a, 25-32]). Gospel — We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God (John 6:60-69). The English translation of the Psalm Responses from Lectionary for Mass © 1969, 1981,

Marian Conference

Do you want to grow in your devotion to Our Holy Mother

and deepen your knowledge of the Church? Then join

Bishop Medley for "Mary, Mother of the Church,"

presented by the Diocese of Owensboro Marian

Conference, on September 29, 2018 at the Owensboro

Convention Center. This engaging event will be headlined

by acclaimed author Father Donald Calloway, whose

amazing conversion story and path to Marian devotion is a

story you can't miss! Teresa Tomeo, the inspiring and

informative EWTN star, will also be speaking. Tickets are

available at the Owensboro Convention Center Box

Office, 501 W. 2nd Street, Owensboro, KY or at

(270) 297-9932. For more information, go to

www.marianshrineky.org

August Calendar Dates

29– Parent Confirmation Meeting 6:00PM

(For parents of 8th Graders wishing to receive the

Sacrament of Confirmation)

29– PREP Meeting for Parents and Catechists

6:30PM

29– Art & Environment Meeting 6:00PM

Congratulations to Sherleye Goff, this years recipients from

SMM of the Sophia Award. The Sophia Awards Mass is

Sunday, September 9th at 2:00 pm at Saint Stephen

Cathedral. A reception will follow .

Bible Study will resume on Wednesday,

September 12th after the 7:00AM Mass in the

Parish Center.

VOCARE VOCARE is an annual celebration of vocations to

priesthood and religious life in the diocese. This year is

our fifth annual VOCARE event and it takes place

Friday, September 14, 2018 at the Owensboro

Convention Center. Tickets are on sale now for

Reflection: The evangelist St. Luke, in his account of the Gospel that bears his name,

makes a point of noting that, in the midst of his intensely active ministry,

Jesus frequently withdrew to deserted places to pray (Lk 5:16). In these

moments, Jesus was never less alone than when alone.

We must imagine that in such moments he enjoyed a profound, rich and

fruitful intimacy and communion with his father, a communion that

sustained him in his activity. What we must not imagine is that this

intimacy and communion are remote from us or inaccessible to us. For in

our baptism, by the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus has imparted to us a

share in his filial relation to the Father; we become sons and daughters in

the beloved Son. What Jesus is by nature, we become by grace. This is

what St. Paul means by telling us that we are “in Christ” — we share his

“sonship” because he has extended it to us by his Spirit.

By this grace, we are invited and drawn into the eternal conversation of

love between the Father and the Son. Our relationship to God, like the

very life of the three divine persons, is not static but dynamic. Father, Son

and Holy Spirit exist eternally in a mutual exchange of knowing and

loving (some theologians have called this “perichoresis”); we are created

to share in that dynamic life. Theologians have called this our supernatural

destiny, because it lies beyond (“super”) our capacities (what is natural to

us) to attain; it is a pure gift (which is what grace means). By baptism we

receive the Holy Spirit, who enables us to recognize Jesus as Lord (like St.

Peter at Caesarea Philippi). It is Christ himself who, in his human nature,

is the way to the Father (as he teaches in John 14).

In the midst of all our intense activity — some of it imposed on us, much

of it self-generated — we are invited to withdraw into solitude and enter

into that intimacy of the divine Father and Son: to receive the Father’s

love and to return it. We can do this in small snippets during our day or

perhaps occasionally in a more structured way. The old-fashioned Holy

Hour, preached frequently by the Venerable Fulton J. Sheen, is a practice

of devoting an hour of prayer and meditation in the presence of the

Blessed Sacrament (whether in the tabernacle or exposed). Not everyone,

however, given their obligations in life, can do so. We should nevertheless

from time to time call something of a “time out” from the zaniness of our

day and perhaps try to give 10 or 15 minutes to God in silence (in an

empty room in the house; on the front porch); snatching a few moments of

solitude and recognize that we can, at any given moment, still ourselves

and enter into that eternal conversation of love between the Father and

Son. And as such moments of intimacy and communion with the Father

sustained Jesus in his intense activities, we too draw our strength from

communion with God in Christ.

The fullest expression of that return of the Father’s love was witnessed on

Calvary and is made present every time the holy sacrifice of the Mass is

offered: The Son returns that love by making a gift of himself to the

Father. Yet we are not mere bystanders. We are capacitated to offer

ourselves as well. By the grace of the Holy Spirit, by whose action we

were configured to Christ in baptism and whose epiclesis draws us into

the one perfect sacrifice of Christ, we can offer ourselves too,

through Jesus and with him and in him. Every Sunday, indeed

every single day. In the sacrament of the altar we witness that love;

we taste that love; we are conformed to that love.

~Msgr. Michael Heintz

BULLETIN COVER: Aaron, Melissa, Evan, Levi, &

Nora Flaherty with Fr. Shaiju after Nora’s baptism.

4 Twenty First Sunday in Ordinary Time August 26, 2018

September 6th, 7th & 8th

This is a huge fundraiser for the Parish. The Parish Hall will be open on Monday, Sept. 3rd, Tues., Sept.

4th and Wed., Sept. 5th from 6:00AM-7:00PM each day.

How can you help? First start saving and collecting item to donate and bring them to the Parish Hall on the

3rd-5th. Second, help is needed pricing and organizing the week of the sale. Third, help is needed the days

of the sale, checking customers out and helping carry items to their cars if needed. Fourth, help is needed

on Saturday, the 8th after the sale boxing up unsold items so they can be donated to area services.

There is a popular faith revival chorus that goes: “I have decided to follow Jesus. (I have

decided to follow Jesus. I have decided to follow Jesus.) No turning back! No turning

back!” It find hard to understand for critical thinkers, why anyone in their right senses

would commit their entire future, when one does not even know, what new ideas and facts

would emerge tomorrow, to challenge one’s present beliefs. But faith, understood as a total

commitment and surrender of one’s life to God differs from faith, understood as

intellectual assent to doctrinal statements. One may have problems with certain church

teachings and at the same time, maintain a firm commitment to Christ and his church. And

we know that faith seeks understanding but there is no guarantee that faith will always find the understanding it seeks.

Critical thinking thrives on the ability to examine the two sides of an argument: “on the one hand..., but on the other

hand....” Today’s gospel reminds us not to carry this relativizing thinking too far. In matters of faith, we come to a

point where we discover, that there is no other option to consider, no other way. There is simply the right way and the

wrong way. There’s no middle ground about the Gospel of Jesus. If it’s right or true—if Jesus really can give us

eternal life—then it’s the most spectacular news in the history of mankind. But if the Gospel is wrong or not true,

then the world has never seen a bigger scam or a bigger waste of time.

But Jesus’ disciples are being presented with a crucial choice in today’s gospel story. “When many of his disciples

heard it, they said, ‘This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?’ ... Because of this many of his disciples turned back

and no longer went about with him” (John 6:60, 66). Jesus was teaching his followers the doctrine of the Eucharist,

that he would continue his presence among them in the form of bread and wine. His followers could not make sense

out of this. Does he think they are cannibals who eat human flesh and witches who drink human blood? Failure to

understand Jesus’ teaching plunges his followers into a crisis and many of them respond by turning back from

following Jesus. Now only Jesus’ most close followers, the Twelve, remain. Jesus turns to them and asks, “Do you

also wish to go away?” Peter answers for the group, “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life.

We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God” (verses 67-69).

So, today’s gospel is an invitation to put faith before and above understanding as Peter and the Twelve did, not to put

understanding before and over faith like the unfaithful followers who left. Jesus came to earth to save our souls and

give us eternal life. He didn’t come just to give us a long list of dos and don’ts. He came to free us from the bondage

of sin and death.

There can be many hard teachings, which will challenge our faith. We must look at the overall message of Jesus. If

we realize the grand truth about Him, we receive the greatest gift ever, and surprisingly, we eventually come to

understand that His so-called “hard” teachings actually make a lot of sense. But if we get our noses all-out- of joint

because of a single issue and walk away in a huff, we miss the big prize: everlasting life.

5 Twenty First Sunday in Ordinary Time August 26, 2018

Parents who have children who are in K-8

PREP, Parish Religious Education Program serves the faith formation needs of children of

the parish, generally, those outside the Catholic school system, although all are welcome to attend. The program is for Kindergarten through 8th grade. All unconfirmed 8th

graders are also in the parish Confirmation program, which is held separately from PREP. New to this year we’re working on implementing a meal for the children, teachers, and parents that will be served at

6:00 p.m Wednesdays in the parish hall followed by 60 min Catechetical session ending at 7:30 pm.

These sessions are facilitated by dedicated parish volunteers, and PREP will go from the 1st Wednesday in September

to the first Wednesday in May. PREP begins Wednesday, September 5th. One week before there will be a parent meeting on Wednesday, August 29th at 6:30. Registration sheets (one per child) are on the tables in the back of the

church, but also can be found on the facebook page or on the parish website. Please return soon, by mail, in person,

or they can be placed in the collection baskets. And there is room for more helpers as well! PREP volunteers are exempt from PREP fees for the family. PREP parent handbooks and schedules are almost ready, so be watching for

them soon!

Update! Looking for volunteers to cook for PREP PREP will be starting soon and as you may know, the meetings will be held on a new day and there is a new option for the kids to have dinner before the classes begin. In order to accomplish this, we will be needing at least 3

volunteers per meal to prepare, cook and help clean up after the meal is served. UPDATE: All the food’s will be bought and in the kitchen ready for you to prepare when you arrive at 5:00. Preparation begins around 5:00 pm (depending on the meal), meals will be served at 6:00 and we will begin to clean

up around 6:25. If you're interested you can contact Nick Higdon at the office or fill out the sign-up sheet in the back of the Church. Thank you so much for the generosity of your time!

Parents who have children of age to be confirmed

There will be a short meeting with Parents on Wednesday, August 29th at 6:00 in the parish hall.

Youth group kick off! The kick off event for the youth group will be on September 9th, look in the bulletin and on social media for more details in the coming week!

6 Twenty First Sunday in Ordinary Time August 26, 2018

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a process of prepar ing the unbaptized, and those un-formed

by Christianity (termed, un-catechized), for acceptance of Christ, of the Catholic Faith, and reception of the

Sacraments of Initiation. Full initiation normally concludes with the Easter Vigil (the night before Easter Sunday).

The process usually takes a year, although there may exceptions, due to age or infirmity. Catholic initiation (outside

of the R.C.I.A.) indicates that a person is already validly baptized, already accepts Christ, and now wishes to be

Roman Catholic. This catechesis (learning the Faith) can be adapted to the specific needs and circumstances of the

individual.

We will begin class sometimes in September, if you know of anyone interesting in learning about the process please

let Fr. Shaiju know.

St. Mary Magdalene

Family Life – Spiritual Life Committee

Vision: Promote quality family activities that enhance spiritual growth for the whole family.

Fr. Shaiju is forming a Family Life – Spiritual Life Committee here at St Mary Magdalene Catholic Church. Several parishes in

our diocese and through out the country have this committee and the Diocese of Owensboro has an office for Family Life –

Spiritual Life. Outlined below is some information about the committee and a list (albeit not all inclusive) of the ministries this

committee supports.

Please pray about joining this committee. We are needing 7 to 12 members who are willing to serve. We will have our

first meeting on Saturday, September 1, 2018 at 8:30am in the parish center. Coffee and donuts will be provided. This

first meeting will be a fact finding/ question asking session and does not obligate you to join. If you plan on attending,

please call/text Kevin Schwartz at 270.485.6282 or email kschwartz@schwartzbusinessadvisory.com.

Thank you in advance for your prayerful consideration to serve!

Information about the committee and a list of ministries (this is not an all-inclusive list and may be modified as the

committee assesses needs of the parish community)

Committee Meetings: Ordinar ily, all the committee meetings are on a monthly basis and this can be deter mined by the

committee itself. These meetings consist of the co-leaders of each of the respective ministries embraced by the FLSLC.

Family Life Activities

Recognizing anniversaries

Gasper River diocese event

Trunk or Treat/ Back to school event

Giving Tree (during Advent)

Welcoming Team – outreach to new or fallen away parishioners

Marriage Enrichment/Support – annual dinner

Over 50’s Senior Luncheon – monthly. Health talks.

Separated and Divorced support group

Community outreach projects

Bereavement

Homebound

Christmas Carol w/ penance service

Deanery Meals

September Mass Count- Every year during the month of September the diocese conducts a Mass Count of

those who attend our Sunday Masses. This count will take place the weekends of September 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd and

30th These numbers become a part of the national Mass Count and then the world’s Mass Count. Ushers, please be

sure to count everyone attending Mass, this includes the children. Thanks!!

Spiritual Life Activities

Monthly Speakers

Rosary night

Adoration night

Vespers

Retreats

Prayer Group

TEC Cursillo Educational Series

7 Twenty First Sunday in Ordinary Time August 26, 2018

IN SPECIAL NEED OF PRAYER

HOME BOUND/RETIREMENT HOMES: Patty Beyke, Bobby Collignon, Ruth Ann Hardy; Paul & Dorothy Knott, Jean McCarty; Larry & Benita Riney

We ask that you pause a moment and say a prayer for the sick in our community. Nathan Brown, Savannah Dean, Kelly Dean, Danny Durbin, Allan Ebelhar, Jennifer Ebelhar, Margie Elder, Miles Evan, Sylvester Fischer, Patrick Fulkerson, Connie Griffin, Robert Haire, Jim Hamilton, Melissa Hamilton, Shannon Hamilton, Kelly Hayden, Mary Lucy Hines, Steve Hopkins, Becky Joiner, Amelia Jones, Eugene King, Paul Knott, Mary Ann Kurz, Leiann Lashbrook, Mary Lasley, Margie Merimee, Jessica Obert, Larry Oller, Sandra Posey, Steve Raley; Larry & Benita Riney, Clayton Roberts, Jason Roberts, Michael Roberts, Christian Ruiz, Cassidy Skaggs, James A. & Juanita Smith, Dennis Smith, Special Intention, Helen Rose Smith, Patti Terrell, Hillary Thomas, Charles Thompson, Kelly Thompson, Alma Topper, Erika Vandiver, Baron Vanover, Linda Warren, Paula Wilson, Rita Woodall. *Please note: Names will remain on the list for one month.

Prayers for our Military- As a parish family, we at St. Mary Magdalene pray for all the members of our parish. We especially pray for our parishioners and their relatives who are currently on active duty in the military. Jackson Brett, Zachary Brett, Cody Byrne, James Calhoun, Chris French, Chad Norris, Ryan Offerman

Happy Birthday to You!! Parishioners celebrating

Birthday’s this week 26– Grady Ebelhar

27– Jack Byrne; John Thomas Coomes;

Dottie Elder

28– Jimmy Gilles; John Maddux Jones;

30– Eddie Byrne; Alex Ebelhar;

Kolbyrne Parker; Doug Goetz;

Jan Mullican; Donald Risse

Sept.

01– Paula Payne

02– Jackson Morris; Chelsea Rice

Happy Anniversary!! Parishioners celebrating Anniversaries this week

We wish all our Parishioners celebrating this week a happy and blessed Anniversary. 26– Bill & Judi Head 28– Gary & Sharon McCarty 29– JL & Joan Byrne 30– Daryl & Janet McMaster Sept. 01– Grady & Donna Ebelhar 01– Mark & Paula Payne

If your birthday/anniversary is omitted

from this list, or incorrectly dated, please

OFFERINGS: August 19, 2018

Weekly Actual Weekly Budget $ 8,975.00 $ 8,372.85

Year to Date Actual Year to Date Budget

$60,877.50 $66,982.80

Weekly Deficit Year to Date Deficit $ $ 6,105.30

Thank you for your

sacrificial giving and generosity!

St. Mary Magdalene Cemetery Please contact Patti to purchase a cemetery plot. (270) 771-4436.

Men’s ICON Retreat Join men from around the diocese for a men’s retreat at Gasper River Retreat

Center on Saturday, Sept. 15 through Sunday, Sept. 16. The retreat will dive into,

unpack and process the topics of prayer, who you are as a man made in God’s

image (“icon”) and your mission to love. Cost is $75 and includes lodging and

meals. Find out more information, a schedule and online registration at https://

owensborodiocese.org/mens-icon-retreat/. This event is sponsored by the Office of

Evangelization.

Women’s ICON Retreat

Ladies from around the diocese are invited to attend a women’s retreat Oct. 19-20

at Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park. The title of the retreat is Reclaiming

True Femininity with guest speakers Cindy Costello, Emily Sederstrand and

Debbie Staresinic. The cost is $50 and lodging is a separate fee and must be

completed by attendee. Rooms are blocked off and a discount code is available

online. Find out more information, a schedule and online registration by visiting

https://owensborodiocese.org/womens-icon-retreat/. This event is sponsored by

the Office of Evangelization.