MEDITATION

Sunday, October 22, 2017

Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

See Worship Book 949

Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God

what belongs to God. (Matthew 22:21)

Do you see the trap these Pharisees were setting when they asked Jesus if it was lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar? If he had said that the tax was not lawful, he would have been branded as a revolutionary and a threat to the Romans. If he had said that the tax was lawful, he would have been branded as a collaborator with the oppressive imperial regime. Jesus saw right through the trap (Matthew 22:18). Instead of falling for it, he gave them a simple yet profound answer—one that still asks us where we stand. “What belongs to God” is all of his creation: the plants and animals of the earth, the stars of the sky, the sea and everything in it. And of course, his people—all of us. As the stars shine and the moon glows, as the birds sing and the trees bloom, they give glory to God. How much more should we, who are the crown of God’s creation, give him glory and honor? This is how we “repay to . . . God what belongs to God”—by worshipping him, by following his commandments, and by reaching out to care for his loved ones. What about repaying to Caesar? Does it mean paying taxes so that police keep the peace, school buses run, and towns can care for the needy through social programs? Yes it does, and much more. That’s because the way we “repay to God” should affect the way we “repay to Caesar.” It should move us to find ways to care for the poor and homeless, to visit the sick and the elderly, and to lift up the lonely. It should move us to work toward transforming our towns and cities step-by-step. It should move us to take care of people, not just pay our taxes. So what can you do for “Caesar” today? “Here I am, Lord. Teach me how to change my corner

of the world.”

Reprinted with permission from The Word Among Us.

ENTRANCE HYMN 528 Sing praise to God who reigns above

RESPONSORIAL PSALM 949 Give the Lord glory, glory and honor.

POSTCOMMUNION HYMN 521 From all that dwell below the skies

CHORAL MUSIC AT THE 11:00 AM MASS

Let the people praise thee, O God William Mathias (1934-1992) Let the people praise Thee, O God: yea, let all the people praise Thee. O let the nations rejoice and be glad: for Thou shalt judge the folk righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Then shall the earth bring forth her increase: and God, even our own God, shall give us His blessing. God shall bless us: and all the ends of the world shall fear Him. God be merciful unto us, and bless us: and shew us the light of His countenance. That they way may be known upon earth: Thy saving health among all nations. Glory be to the Father,... — Psalm 67.

Communion Domine, Dominus noster Graduale Romanum, Mode II O Lord our governor, how admirable is your name in all the earth!

— Psalm 8:2.

O sacrum convivium à 5 Giovanni Croce (1557-1609) O sacred banquet, in which Christ is received: the memory of His Passion is renewed, the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory is given to us. Alleluia. — Saint Thomas Aquinas.

SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR THE WEEK

Monday, October 23 Romans 4:20-25; Psalm (Luke) 1:69-75; Luke 11:29-32; Luke 12:13-21 Tuesday, October 24 Romans 5:12,15,17-19,20-21; Psalm 40:7-10,17; Luke 12:35-38 Wednesday, October 25 Romans 6:12-18; Psalm 124:1-8; Luke 12:39-48 Thursday, October 26 Romans 6:19-23; Psalm 1:1-4,6; Luke 12:49-53 Friday, October 27 Romans 7:18-25; Psalm 119: 66,68,76-77,93-94; Luke 12:54-59

Saturday, October 28 Ephesians 2:19-22; Psalm 19:2-5; Luke 6:12-16

Sunday, October 29 Exodus 22:20-26; Psalm 18:2-4,47,51; First Thessalonians 1:5-10; Matthew 22:34-40

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OPEN BELL DATES: The following dates are still open in November for anyone wishing to have the bells rung in memory or in honor of a loved one: November 3rd, 5th-7th, 12th-12th, 15th-16th, and 24th, 26th-28th, Please call the rectory during office hours to make arrangements.

MASS INTENTIONS

Monday, October 23 St. John of Capistrano 6:45 †Auria and †Lucia Bernabe 12:10 Kathy Gilsdorf Tuesday, October 24 St. Anthony Mary Claret 6:45 †Edison Mojares 12:10 †Harvey T. Jacobsen Wednesday, October 25 6:45 †Cecil Katherine Franczok 12:10 Andy Faufau Family Thursday, October 26 6:45 Deceased Eustaquio Family 12:10 Terrance and Lenore Campbell Friday, October 27 6:45 Deceased Romena Family 12:10 Jill Beeman Saturday, October 28 St. Simon and St. Jude, Apostles 6:45 Cinda Weber 5:00 †David Hartung Sunday, October 29 Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time 7:00 Living and Deceased Parishioners of St. Louis Church 9:15 †Terrence and Joan Genin 11:00 Teddy and Dave Altman 12:30 Archbishop Hebda

PARISH CALENDAR Monday, October 23 Rosary (Church) 11:40am Tuesday, October 24 Tuesday Organ Recital (after the 12:10 Mass) Wednesday, October 25 Eucharistic Exposition 12:35pm-2:00pm

Eucharistic Ministers St. Louis Church is very much in need of Eucharistic Ministers to assist at all of the weekend Masses. If you would be willing to volunteer an hour of your time while you are at Sunday Mass it would be most appreciated. As our faith teaches us, we are called to serve. Being a Eucharistic Minister does not require that you be a reader at Mass. Please call or email the parish office at 651-224-3379 or markmstlouis@comcast.net. Foundation For The Future We are humbled by the generosity of so many parishioners and friends of the Little French Church who have contributed so far to our parish campaign. We have already raised $115,647.81 toward our goal of $250,000.00. To date the doors to the church and chapel have all been repaired and new thresholds installed. In the coming months you will witness a number of items on our proposed project list being undertaken. Not all are glamorous but all are certainly needed to maintain the integrity and beauty of one of the most beautiful churches in the Twin Cities.

Bible Study Join Fr. Sajdak and fellow parishioners for a five part study of the first two chapters of the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. These are the chapters that narrate the events surrounding the birth of Jesus and will be a great preparation for Advent and Christmas. These meetings will take place on five successive Mondays beginning on October 23 at 6:00 PM in the parish hall. See you there! All Souls’ Novena This year the All Souls’ Novena is from Thursday, November 2 through Friday, November 10. During this time, virtually all the Masses at our parish will be offered for the All Souls Novena. To include a deceased loved one in these Masses, please fill out an All Souls envelope located at the back of the church (or chapel), and drop it in the regular collection basket. Take My Hand, Not My Life Come and spend a morning with Dr. Gianna Emanuela Molla (the daughter of St. Gianna) and local guests including Mother Maria Francis, LSP, Michael Degnan and more as they share their perspectives on living moments of grace at life’s end. Now, more than ever, Minnesotans need to be aware of the gospel approach to loving and caring for someone with a serious or terminal illness and understand what our faith demands versus what the culture tells us. The Symposium is Saturday October 28. 8am Mass with Bishop Cozzens at St. Mary’s Chapel, The St. Paul Seminary, 8:45-11:30 Continental Breakfast and Symposium, Woulfe Alumni Hall, Anderson Student Center, University of St. Thomas. Tickets $25 per person. To register online, www.giannahomes.org/2017symposium, or 952-443-6100. World Mission Sunday This weekend, we celebrate World Mission Sunday with the theme Mission of the Little Flock calling to mind mission dioceses worldwide who are small and marginalized, like the Diocese of Vijayapuram, India. Join with Catholics around the world to celebrate our missionary spirit through prayers and support for over 1,150 mission dioceses worldwide. Pope Francis in his World Mission Message for 2017 reminds us, “World Mission Day, promoted by the Work of Propagation of the Faith, is the propitious opportunity for the missionary heart of Christian communities to partake of prayer…and communion of goods to respond to the grave and vast needs of evangelization.” Please be as generous as you are able. Envelopes are in the rear of the church and can be dropped in any collection basket on Sunday or during the week.

RING OUT, O BELLS… DATE REQUEST FOR INTENTION REQUESTED BY October 23 Tom and Michele Youg Happy Anniversary Nancy and Bruce Lindberg October 27 Lorraine Houle Happy Birthday Helene Houle October 29 Lee Larson and Jace Billion Happy Birthday Nancy and Bruce Lindberg

“Enrich the harvest of your charity.” PLEASE REMEMBER SAINT LOUIS IN YOUR WILL