second sunday of easter (or sunday of divine mercy) · classes resume today, april 3,10:05-10:55...
TRANSCRIPT
April 3, 2016Second Sunday of Easter (or Sunday of Divine Mercy)
CORPUS CHRISTI CATHOLIC CHURCH6300 McKenna Drive, Mobile, Alabama 36608
Email: [email protected] ! Website: www.CorpusChristiParish.com
TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Parish Office: 342-1852 • Fax 342-6313School Office: 342-5474, ext. 1 • Fax 380-0325Rel. Ed. Office: 342-5474, ext. 7 • Fax 380-0325Full-Day Care: 342-2424 • Fax 343-3119Youth Ministry: 342-1852 • Fax 342-6313
PASTORAL STAFF
Very Rev. James F. Zoghby, V.F., PastorRev. John S. Boudreaux, Associate PastorDeacon Arthur W. Robbins, DeaconSr. Donna Cooper, R.S.M., Visitation ChaplainMrs. Joan T. McMullen, School PrincipalMrs. Diane M. Stoyka, Parish Catechetical LeaderMrs. Judi B. Ankiewicz, R.C.I.A. CoordinatorMr. Peter J. Stoyka, Youth Ministry DirectorMr. C. Clinton Doolittle, Music DirectorMr. David F. Walker, Gym Manager
TO REGISTER AS A MEMBER OF THE PARISH
Please fill out a Census Form. Census Forms areavailable in the church vestibule and parish office.
COMMUNITY CENTER RENTALS & SERVICES
For rental information and kitchen services, please callthe parish office at 342-1852 or 342-1420.
SUNDAY MASSES
Vigil: 5:30 p.m. SaturdayMorning: 7:00, 9:00 and 11:00 a.m.
WEEKDAY MASSES
6:30 a.m.: Monday through Friday8:15 a.m.: Monday through Saturday
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
Saturday: 5:00 p.m. and by request, particularlyafter the 6:30 & 8:15 a.m. weekday Masses.
BAPTISM, MARRIAGE, ANOINTING OF SICK
Please call the parish office (342-1852) or informationand scheduling baptism, marriage, anointing of sick.
ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (R.C.I.A.)
Please see published schedule for specific dates andtimes, or call the parish office (342-1852).
SUNDAY SCHOOL (C.C.D.) Grades K–12, Sundaysduring school year, 10:05-10:55 a.m. in school bldgs.
SCHOOL, SACS-accredited for Grades 3K through 8.Special preschool program for 6-week-old infants to 2-year olds, Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Please call the school office, 342-5474, ext. 1 for info.
SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER (OR SUNDAY OF DIVINE MERCY)
Rejoice!With joy we welcome our brothers and sisters
into the Catholic Christian Community.
CATECHUMENSThose not yet baptized, received into the Catholic ChristianCommunity with the 3 sacraments of Christian initiation:
Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist
Cristie Pierre Ryan Reeves Samantha Tran
CANDIDATES FOR FULL COMMUNIONBaptized Christians of other denominations, received
into full communion with the Catholic Christian Communitywith sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist
Lindsey Brinkley Avery Chappell Betty Dixon Victor Lett, Jr. Whitni Michael Joyce O’Brien John Pritchett Jeff Rode Lauren Rodgers Jesse Salemi Jeff Thornton Jimmy Turner
SUNDAY SCHOOLClasses resume today, April 3,10:05-10:55 a.m. Sunday Schoolparticipants at 9 a.m. Mass are dismissed with the final blessingInfo: at [email protected] or 342-5474, ext. 7.
CORPUS CHRISTI SCHOOLNew Student Registration
The School Office is open Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.Info: 342-5474, ext. 1, or [email protected].
Society of St. Vincent de PaulPoor Box, Food, Clothing donations and “In-Need” Drop Box at theSVDP table in the vestibule. Join the Society of St. Vincent de Paulby attending a meeting on the 1st & 3rd Wed., 6:30 p.m., Community
Ctr.. Conf. Rm. To seek help, call 432-5173; leave name & phone no.
Be Prepared Apologetics SeriesPresented by Patrick J. Arensberg
Director or the Archdiocesan Office of Religious Education
Wednesday, April 13, 7-8 p.m. Topic: “Pope? Who needs a Pope?
Corpus Christi Community Ctr., Conference Room (2nd Floor)
Info: http://mobilefaithformation.org/be-prepared-dates.
Jazz Brunch
in the Banquet HallWith Jazz Musicians Performing Live!
2nd Sunday of the Month
Next Sunday, April 10, after the 11 a.m. Mass$10 for adults. $4.00 for children (Age 12 & under)
3rd Sunday 5:30 p.m. Mass – April 17
Men of St. JosephTuesdays, 7 to 8 a.m. in the Family Room
Also Wednesdays, 7-8 p.m. in the Parish HouseAll men are welcome to meet for prayer, reading the Gospel, and discussion.
Info: Damian Bell, 639-2522 or 367-4486 or [email protected] Evening Info: Walter Bracewell, 599-1650 or [email protected]
Women of MaryWednesdays, 7 to 8 p.m. Room 3 (2nd Floor, Community Center)All women are welcome to meet for prayer, reading the Gospel, and discussion.
Info: Sr. Deborah Kennedy, R.S.M., 753-4872.
Tuesday Women’s Bible Study9:45 to 11:15 a.m. in Room 3 (Com. Ctr., 2nd Floor
Info: Judi Ankiewicz, 553-7882.
Tuesday Night Bible StudyTuesdays 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the Parish House (except 2nd Tues ofthe month, meet in school library) Info: Dave Burchette, 367-6660.
Thursday Women’s Bible StudyThursdays from 9:15 to 10:45 a.m.
in the Conference Room (2nd Floor of the Community Center)Info: Joanne Donaghey 554-6753 [email protected].
Wednesday Night Dinner5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Banquet Hall
$9.00 for Adults ! $4.00 for Children (Age 12 & under)
April 6: Roast Pork Loin w/Gravy, Grilled Rosemary Chicken Breast,Wild Rice, Buttered Baby Carrots, Baby Green Beans, Garden Salad,Dinner Rolls, Banana Pudding. Iced Tea, Fruit Drink, Coffee.Kids Meal: Chicken Tenders & Fries.
Must RSVP no later than TUESDAY EVENINGReturn an RSVP Card, or call 342-1852 or email
In the Banquet Hall
� BreakfastMonday through Friday, 7:00 to 9:30 a.m.
Fresh Hot Beignets on Tuesdays!
@ LunchMonday through Friday, 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m.
CORPUS CHRISTI CHURCH, MOBILE, ALABAMA APRIL 3, 2016
The Women’s ClubCome Chill with the Women’s Club
Next Sunday, April 10, 4:00 p.m.
All ladies are welcome.Meet at Chill Yogurt Café (near Krispy Kreme)
Contact: Brittany Comiskey, 251-508-0526.
RESTOCK THE PANTRYFor the SVDP and Backpack Ministry we are need of grits, snackcrackers, macaroni & cheese, canned chicken & tuna, Spaghetti O's,Ravioli, fruit cups, small jars of peanut butter and jelly in plasticcontainers. Please drop off items at the SVDP table in the vestibule.
Widowed Persons’ Support GroupFor information call parishioner Glen Porter at 666-8977.
Corpus Christi Choir Practices WednesdaysJoin us! Wednesdays, 7:00 to 8:15 p.m. in Room 4 (2nd floor of community center). Info: Clint Doolittle, 377-8675.
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUSK of C Meeting: 2nd Tues., April 12, 7 p.m., the Parish House
Contact: Grand Knight, Cosmo Comiskey, 508-0547.
Pack 29 Cub ScoutsApr. 3: Den Mtgs, 12:30-2:30 p.m. Meet in the school courtyard/Apr. 24: Pack Mtg, 12:30-2:30 p.m.. community ctr. Pack Olympics To Join Cub Scouts or for info: Contact Walter Bracewell 599-1650 or John Carter 422-8116 or visit ccspack29.scoutlander.com
AA — Alanon — OA — CODAAA: Sun., 7 p.m., and Wed., 7 p.m., Cougar Den.
Alanon: Sun., 7 p.m., and Wed., 7 p.m., Arts & Sciences Bldg.OA: Sat., 9 a.m., Arts & Sciences Bldg.
CODA: Tues., 6:45 p.m., Arts & Sciences Bldg.
Hearing Assistance Available in VestibuleThree types of receivers: one fits in the ear, one on the ear, andone is worn around the neck of a person who wears a hearing aid.
First Friday Adoration 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the chapel.
Please sign up for one of the hours at the table in the chapel.
Please support the advertiserson the back of the bulletin
Their ads enable us to have our bulletins printed at no cost to the parish. Ads are purchased through Diocesan Publications. For info contact them at 1-800-292-9111 or www.diocesan.com.
FlowersThe additional flowers before the altar this weekend
have been placed in memory ofAlbert Reynolds
on the 1st anniversary of his death.Given by her family.
FIRST COLLECTION TODAY: for tithing offerings.SECOND COLLECTION TODAY: for Corpus Christi Building Fund.
EASTER FLOWERS COLLECTION FINAL: $1,434.69EASTERN/CENTRAL EUROPE & AFRICA FINAL: $1,898.35HOLY LAND COLLECTION: $1,453.00MARCH 27TH BUILDING FUND ONLINE & COLLECTION: $971.50EASTER SUNDAY ONLINE & COLLECTION: $33,233.00
Thank You and God Bless YouTo all who support God's work here, and those who make a bequestin their will for Corpus Christi Church. For info, or to transfer sharesof stock to Corpus Christi Church, contact your stockbroker, or callSelena Hemphill at Morgan Stanley at 470-1084 or 800-624-7814.
To set up Online Giving: Please go to
www.CorpusChristiParish.com; click “Church”; then clickthe green Online Giving icon on the left side of thechurch’s homepage. Follow the instructions to either makea one-time contribution, or set up a recurring withdrawal,
from a checking, saving or credit card account to tithing. or buildingfund, school annual fund or other special collection. For assistance,call 800-348-2886, ext 4, or the parish office, 342-1852.s
Offering EnvelopesIf you wish to use Offering Envelopes, just notify the parish office (342-1852). An initial set will be sent toyou right away, and then, every two months, you willreceive a two-month’s supply of envelopes.
Reports of ContributionsReports of Contributions, as well as detailed / itemized reports,can always be obtained by contacting the parish office at 342-1852 or [email protected].
2015 Annual Financial Report
Income Regular Collections $ 1,474,779.22 Building Fund Collections 206,559.36Miscellaneous 102.84Insurance Recoveries 60,000.00 Transferred from Savings 100,000.00TOTAL INCOME $ 1,841,441.42
ExpensesBuildings & Grounds $ 230,507.34 Priests Residence 26,274.32 Personnel Expenses 185,291.35 Parish Administration 60,867.23 Education Ministry 607,412.27Charitable Ministry 5,115.00 Archdiocesan Expenses 211,182.59 Debt Service 459,829.62TOTAL EXPENSES $ 1,786,479.72
Receipts over Expenses $ 54,961.70
History of ConfessionThe Sacrament of Reconciliation
Q. Is it true that private confessions were not thepractice of the early Church?
A. Yes. Private confession as we have it today wasunknown in the Church for a very long time. The earlyChristians had no doubt that the Lord Jesus had left withhis community the power to forgive sins. What was notclear was the form that such forgiveness was to take. The understanding of the sacrament has evolved overcenturies in the Church’s history. As The Catechism ofthe Catholic Church states, “Over the centuries theconcrete form in which the Church has exercised thispower received from the Lord has varied considerably.”
Scholars tell us that the earliest form of forgiveness ofsins was expressed through the Sacrament of Baptism. When a person was baptized, sins were forgiven at thesame time that the person became a member of theChristian community. But when some baptizedChristians were guilty of public sins of adultery, murderor apostasy (denying the faith), the question arose ofwhether they could remain as members of Church.
Some strict bishops argued that those Christians couldnot be re-admitted to the Church (e.g., the case of Sts.Hippolytus vs Callistus), but the Council of Nicea (325A.D.) proclaimed that bishops could reconcile serious,public sinners after baptism, and could do so continually.
The early Church nonetheless required a severe penanceof a public nature when Christians were guilty of thesepublic sins. This penance might take as long as twoyears to fulfill, after which time the sinners werereconciled to the community; during that time of publicpenance, they were not allowed to take part in worship; they often had to stand outside the Church in rags tosymbolize their sinful condition. As a result of thisdemanding tradition, most persons who intended tobecome Christians would wait until they thought thatthey were near death, and then ask to be baptized.
This ritual for public penance was the practice of theChurch for 600 years. Reconciliation for sins thatweren’t serious and public took place during thecelebration of the Eucharist when everyone asked God’sforgiveness. This practice continues today in thepenitential rite of the Mass.
In the 7th century, a major change in the form of the
sacrament took place in Ireland. Irish monks whodesired to free themselves from every imperfection andpersonal sin developed a private form of confession forthemselves. Lay people living near the monasteries wereattracted to this new development, and began going tothe monks for devotional confessions and counseling.Irish missionaries brought with them this new practice ofprivate confession when they left their homeland to bringthe Gospel to the pagan tribes of northern Europe.
Initially, several bishops and regional Church councilscondemned the practice private confession as tooinnovative. Private confession, however, offered thechance for personal moral guidance that public penancedid not. The value of private confession was eventuallyaccepted, and bishops began to regulate it. By the timeof the Fourth Lateran Ecumenical Council (1215 A.D.),private confession had become established as thesacrament of forgiveness in the Church (aside fromBaptism, Anointing and Eucharist).
Today, in the post-Vatican II Church, we are accustomedto having the choice of confessing face-to-face oranonymously behind a screen, but it was only in 1614that the confessional screen, separating the priest fromthe penitent, was mandated.
Also, many Catholics now take part in communalreconciliation services in their parishes. The communitygathers, and, after prayers and scripture readings, thepeople are urged to reflect upon their personal sins andfaults. Afterward there is the opportunity for personalconfession to a priest. In this way, both the private andthe communal dimensions of sin are emphasized.
A third form, which is rare, is general absolution. Insome instances, usually during wartime or when there aremany persons and few priests, individuals are asked toprivately express sorrow for their sins and then the priestabsolves the entire group at one time.
In the sacrament of Reconciliation, theChristian community recognizes that God’slove is so immense that it is a forgiving love. In this sacrament the Good News isproclaimed again and again that Godforgives “seventy times seven,” and calls usto forgive one another accordingly.
St. Alphonsus Ligouri1696-1787
Patron saint of moral theologians
“In his day, there was a very strict and widespread
interpretation of moral life because of the Jansenistmentality which, instead of fostering trust and hope inGod’s mercy, fermented fear and presented a grim andsevere face of God, very remote from the face revealedto us by Jesus.” — Pope Benedict XVI
Born in
Naples, Italy, Alphonsus Liguori was a rising younglawyer, but abandoned his career in the legalprofession to become a priest instead. As a bright andgifted student from his youth, Alphonsus was also anartist. He played the harpsichord, wrote hymns, andpainted religious images.
The 18th century was a time of verbose and pompousoratory in the pulpit, but Alphonsus thought thatsermons should be simple enough that the mostuneducated could understand them, and he becameknown as a skilled preacher whose sermons reachedthe simplest peasant. In 1732 he organized a group ofmissioners to work among the poor in rural areas. This group became the religious order known as theRedemptorists (Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer).
The 18th century was also a time of Jansenisticrigorism. Powerful, elitist “rigorists” in the Churchhad embraced the Jansenist heresy which taught thatonly a few “pre-destined” people could go to heaven.They discouraged people from receiving Communion, and they preached a religion of fear and anguish.
As a pastor, theologian, poet and singer, Alphonsuscountered the rigorism, coldness and legalism of theJansenists by encouraging kindness and gentleness inthe confessional. Inspired by the experience of God’slove, he sought to fill people with enthusiasm, joy andtrust in God’s kindness.
Alphonsus came to believe that Christians wereoverburdened by too many doubtful laws andfrightened by too many warnings, which left themtrembling before a severe Supreme Judge and neverdiscovering the true countenance of God, who is Love.
Alphonsus reminded his intolerant opponents, whoseemed to know nothing other than law: “Imposing onothers uncertain obligations is not a sign of holiness,but of arrogance and stubbornness.” He recalled theLord’s words, “They bind up heavy loads, hard tocarry, to lay on others’ shoulders” (Mt. 23:4).
In the confessional, Alphonsus always treatedsinners as human beings loved by God, rather than ascriminals to be punished. He taught that every priestshould reflect the kindness and gentleness of Christ. The individual was called to love God out of anoverwhelming sense of gratitude for what God haddone for him in Christ. It was not fear but love thatwas to characterize the Christian way of life. Themoral life was essentially the life of love.
Alphonsus was a pioneer in stressing the importanceof taking the concrete circumstances of a situation intoaccount in evaluating moral conduct, and heencouraged the highest possible respect for people’sconsciences. He said that confessors (priests) maynever attempt to obtain from penitents something thatis against their own upright convictions. He warnedthese “zealots of rigidity” “not to chain and not toensnare” the conscience of the faithful. He agreedwith a French bishop whom he quoted as saying that,through the unhealthy pressure of rigorists, morepeople had been alienated from Christian morality andvirtue than by the influence of those who wereconsidered to be too lax.
Influential Jansenist clergy were unremitting in theirsuggestion that Alphonsus was promoting dangerouslaxism, teaching doctrines condemned by themagisterium of the Church. Although he was able to
show them time and again that this was not the case,they continued to admonish him to confess his sins andto repent in order to escape eternal punishment. Alphonsus warned that “God’s judgment was moreagainst those who impose heavy burdens on people.”
His moral teachings were eventually vindicated bythe Holy See during his lifetime. In 1762 he wasconsecrated a bishop of a difficult, small diocese,which he served until 1775, when he retired because ofchronic ill health. After his death on August 1, 1787,at the age of 90, his Redemptorist order wonrecognition by the Church. He was canonized in 1839by Pope Gregory XVI, and, in recognition of hiscontributions to moral theology, he was proclaimed aDoctor of the Church in 1871 by Pope Pius IX, andpatron saint of moral theologians and confessors in1950 during the pontificate of Pope Pius XII.
“In the depths of his conscience, man
detects a law which he does notimpose upon himself, but which holdshim to listen promptly, summoning tolove and to do good and avoid evil. The voice of conscience can, whennecessary, speak to his heart morespecifically: Do this, shun that.... In awonderful manner conscience revealsthat law which is fulfilled by love ofGod and neighbor.... Conscience isman’s most secret core, and hissanctuary. There he is alone with Godwhose voice echoes in his depths.” — The Second Vatican Council’s “Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World”
“It is through his conscience that man
sees and recognizes the demands ofthe divine law. He is bound to followthis conscience faithfully in all activityso that he may come to God, who is hislast End.” — The Second Vatican Council’s “Declaration on Religious Freedom”
Consider that no one – whether friend or
brother, father or mother, lover or spouse –loves you more than your God. St. Alphonsus Liguori
It is a great mistake to be afraid of God and to
act in His presence like a timid and cravenslave trembling with fright before his master. St. Alphonsus Liguori
True, God is infinite Majesty, but He is also
infinite Goodness and infinite Love. There canbe no greater Lord than God. Neither canthere be a more ardent lover than He. St. Alphonsus Liguori
Now that you have resolved to love Him and
please Him with all your strength, your onlyfear should be to fear God too much and toplace too little confidence in Him. St. Alphonsus Liguori
Your God is ever beside you – indeed, He is
even within you. St. Alphonsus Liguori
True charity consists in doing good to those
who do us evil, and in thus winning them over.St. Alphonsus Liguori
Acquire the habit of speaking to God as if you
were alone with Him, with familiarity andconfidence and love, as to the dearest and mostloving of friends.
Speak to Him often of your business, yourplans, your troubles, your fears – of everythingthat concerns you. St. Alphonsus Liguori