14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

July 9, 2017 Volume 4, Issue #29

Pastor: Father Victor Ray

St. Francis’ Mission is: To live by Faith, be known by Love, and be a voice of Hope in order to give

ourselves in service and better the lives of others.

HYMNS

Gathering 623 “America”

Offertory 507 “Now We Remain”

Communion 580 “We Are Many Parts”

Sending 625 “America The Beautiful”

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 = Zechariah 9:9-10

Responsorial Psalm = Psalm 145:1-2, 8-9, 10-11, 13-14

Reading 2 = Roman 8:9, 11-13

Gospel = Matthew 11:25-30

St. Ignatius of Loyola (Prayer after Communion)

Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my entire will, All I have and call my own.

You have given all to me. To you, Lord, I return it. Everything is yours; do with it what you will. Give me only your love and your grace, that is enough for me. Amen

Liturgical Ministry Schedule

DATE GREETERS ACOLYTE 1ST READING 2ND READING/

INTERCESSION

EUCHARISTIC

MINISTER

July 9 David B

Jon L

Mike M Cheryl V Fr. Martin Anthony

July 16 Leo

John

Jim V Barb F Lynn K Mike H

July 23 Niles

Don

Terry W Deb F Patrick E Jim V

July 30 Linda E

John O

Mike M Fr. Martin Cheryl V Mike H

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time Meaning

As the political machine which periodically attempts to overhaul this nation grinds into gear, the air is rife with sound-bites and slogans intended to grab the attention of the voting public. Great care is taken to preserve and promote what has come to be known as “political correctness”. Pundits and pollsters prattle in a jargon characterized by certain so-called buzzwords or important sounding words or phrases which give the impression that the speaker is an expert about the topic at hand. A dictionary of these terms entitled, Buzzwords: A Guide to the Language of Leadership, has been compiled; each of the six hundred entries has been chosen because of its potential for graphic and persuasive communication. Among these buzzwords are adjectives, descriptive of an electable leader, e.g. decisive, ambitious, wise, strong, forceful, assertive, determined, experienced, etc. But nowhere in the dictionary, in any sound-bite, slogan or politically correct jargon can the adjective meek be found predicated of a would-be leader. In contemporary parlance, the term meek is evocative of weakness; in fact, the American Heritage Dictionary, Second College Edition, defines the word as “easily imposed upon; submissive”. Etymologically, however, the word has a much more potent meaning and for this reason, meek is an apt term for describing Israel’s long-awaited Messiah (first reading) as well as the heart and mind of Jesus (gospel). Meek or meekness comes from the Greek word, praotes, which means not easily provoked. Aristotle, who defined virtue as a mean between two extremes, understood praotes or meekness as the balance between orgilotes or excessive anger and aorgesia which means a complete lack of anger. A meek person would therefore understand that the control and direction of his/her temper could be “one of the great moral dynamics of the world.” (William Barclay, The Daily Study Bible, St. Andrew’s Press, Edinburgh: 1978). A wild horse which had been brought under control was also said to be meek. Meekness is not weakness, but power which is fully controlled. Another way of understanding praotes or meekness is as a quality which makes a person capable of learning and open to God. Those lacking in meekness are so convinced of their own knowledge that they are incapable of being taught. Without the discipline of meekness, discipleship is not possible. So also, only the meek person, who recognizes the truth of himself/herself as sinful and needful before God, is receptive to his healing forgiveness. When Jesus invited believers to “learn from me, for I am meek (or gentle) and humble of heart” (gospel), he was in effect professing his openness and obedience to the will of his Father and calling others to follow his lead. “Meekness, however, is not simple compliance; it is rather a daring acquiescence that will trust God regardless of the circumstances.” (C. Paul Willis, Bells and Pomegranates, Destiny Image Publishers, Shippensburg, PA: 1991). Having been sent by the Father to answer Israel’s messianic hopes, Jesus, in all meekness, fulfilled the prophecy of Zechariah (first reading); through his saving death on the cross he brought justice, peace and salvation to the nations. Paul, in his letter to the Romans (second reading) explains that true meekness is possible when the believer dares to acquiesce to the power of God and becomes a dwelling place for the Spirit. Politics, and pundits notwithstanding, today’s liturgy reminds this gathered assembly that authentic leadership is not defined by buzzwords or sound-bites but by virtue.

29th Anniversary

From The Desk, of

The Pastor

Today we celebrate the 14th Sunday of Ordinary time. Christ tells in his word, “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). He also mentions that we are yoked with him. What does YOKE mean to us? Let us remember, it helps to start each day with a prayer like this: “Lord, help me to remember that there is no problem I am going to face today that you and I together cannot handle.” This is how the yoke becomes easy and the burden light.

Fr. Victor

Let Us Pray for ……

Frank Frazier, Parishioner. Prayer for Healing Gerry Goldsborough, Parishioner. Prayer for Healing Beth Helgesen, Bill Schwartz - Sister on Death of her husband. Prayers for Peace. Ivy Villafana, Parishioner, recuperating from numerous surgeries. Prayers for Healing and Steady Surgical Hands.

Bill Hartwig, Parishioner. Prayers for continued Healing and Better Health. Lucille Champagne, Leo's Mom. Prayers for Speedy Recovery. Myles Rogalla, John and Leo’s Friend. Prayers for Healing Burton Harvey: Uncle to Jessica Villafana Opyd and Mark Opyd, Prayers for Healing of a broken hip.

Helen Miller: Aunt to Jessica Villafana Opyd and Mark Opyd, Prayers for Better Health. David Baughman, Parishioner. Prayers for Better Health. Jacquelyn Cosentino, friend of Tony and David. Prayers for Healing from Brain Cancer Dawn Rubio, friend of James Hoffmann recovering from a stroke. Prayers for Healing and Thanks to her Caregivers.

Joe Ursiti, Parishioner, battling illness. Prayers for Healing and Speedy Recovery… Mark Talboom, Parishioner, suffering with additional major health issues. Prayers needed for Healing and a Return to Better Health.

D A and Dee, Parishioners, dealing with health issues. Prayers for Healing. Birgit Wilhelm, Parishioner, dealing with health issues. Prayers for Healing.

Church Guy Inquiry: Please let me know who we need to pray for! The power of

prayer works, but I need to know who we can all pray for…..

What Makes My Belly Laugh!

Influenced by Wayne Rettke

Thank You FR Martin A wife was making a breakfast of fried eggs for her husband. Suddenly, her husband burst into the kitchen.

'Careful,' he said, 'CAREFUL! Put in some more butter! Oh my gosh! You're cooking too many at once.

TOO MANY! Turn them! TURN THEM NOW! We need more butter. Oh my gosh! WHERE are we going to

get MORE BUTTER? They're going to STICK! Careful. CAREFUL! I said be CAREFUL! You NEVER listen

to me when you're cooking! Never! Turn them! Hurry up! Are you CRAZY? Have you LOST your mind?

Don't forget to salt them. You know you always forget to salt them. Use the! Salt. USE THE SALT! THE

SALT!' The wife stared at him. 'What in the world is wrong with you? You think I don't know how to fry a

couple of eggs?' The husband calmly replied, 'I just wanted to show you what it feels like when I'm driving.'

Thank You Jim Villafana

Any more funny pictures, jokes, comics, funny faces, recipe, etc.

Please email media.stfrancis.ecc@gmail.com

“Church Guy Soapbox”!

I think that it is marvelous that we participate in organizations that help the homeless and the unfortunate! I keep getting reminded that we are only 3 years old. So, for a 3-year-old church, we sure do a lot of outside assistance with our valuable time and financial resources. My only thought and I seem to be alone, why are we not securing our future by using some of that valuable time and finances to fully make sure we last another 3 years or more? I would think we need to find a balance. Just my lonely opinion!!

Upcoming Anniversaries and Birthdays:

Fr. Victor Ordination Anniversary 7/10 Fr. Bala Birthday 7/10

Jon Laubscher Birthday 7/11 Leo Champagne/John O’Grady Anniversary 7/11

Ruth Cadeau Birthday 7/17 Debra Faulkner Birthday 7/18 Edgar Maurice Birthday 7/26 Cheryl Velez Birthday 7/28

BP. Peter Hickman Anniversary 7/30 Mary Lee Valenti Birthday 8/7

LOOKING AHEAD

Check out the Calendar page for more details.

• Spiritual Healing from Florence Jean-Pierre. Contact her for appointment.

Phone Number is on Website on Parishioners Page.

• July 9 – Sunday – TODAY – Mass in Honor of Dorothy Faulkner a Mother of

9 children. Mass requested by Deb Faulkner.

• July 18 – Tuesday – Council Meeting at 7:30pm

• July 23 – Sunday – Parent’s Day – “Summertime Favorites Potluck”

• July 26 – Friday – Hamburger Mary’s Tyrone for the benefit of Celebrate

Outreach – Dinner and Bingo starting at 5:30pm

• August 4 – Friday – First Friday Mass

• August 13 – Sunday - Mangia! Mangia! at Fortunato’s Italian Pizzaria

• August 18 – Friday – Bingo with John W.

CHOIR PRACTICE IS NOW ON TUESDAY EVENINGS AT 6PM

Father Victor Ray

Office Hours

Are Currently By Appointment Only.

Please Email Father Victor on Website Contact Page

2017 Community Council

Leo Champagne, Chair

727-215-3217

Jim Villafana, Vice Chair

727-288-6177

Larry Roush, Secretary/Treasurer

727-437-7556

Jon Laubscher, Council at Large

727-350-3778

Terry Winslow, Council at Large

727-397-1709

Mike Heimsath, AdHoc

727-656-2000

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St. Francis

Ecumenical Catholic Church

12041 66th Street North,

Suite E,

Largo, FL 33773

Phone: (727) 234-1380

Website: www.stfrancis-ecc.org

Email: info@stfrancis-ecc.org

Facebook: St Francis Ecumenical Catholic Church

Father Victor Ray, Pastor

MASS Each Sunday at 10:30am

Followed by Coffee and Fellowship