ST MARY STAR OF THE SEA

PARISH TWENTY SECOND SUNDAY

IN ORDINARY TIME

AUGUST 28. 2016

Mission Statement

We the people of St. Mary Star of the

Sea Parish in Ocean City, Maryland, want

to respond to God’s love for us by doing

His will, to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ

and to love each other as Jesus loved us.

In this way, He can live, as Risen Lord, in

our midst and attract all people to the

Father. As part of the Church, we want to

be a “Home and School of Communion”

where, through the celebration and living

out the Sacraments, and various

ministries, each member can live in unity

as a child of God, building up the Kingdom

of God until Jesus will come again in glory.

MASS SCHEDULE

ST. MARY STAR OF THE SEA CHURCH

SUNDAY 7:00AM

HOLY SAVIOR CHURCH

SUNDAY AT 8:30AM & 10AM

MONDAY – THURSDAY AT 8:30AM

SATURDAY VIGIL AT 5:15PM

CONFESSIONS AT 4:15-5:00PM

BETHANY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

(MEMORIAL DAY—SEPTEMBER)

SATURDAY VIGIL AT 5:00PM

Dear parishioners and friends, After the big challenge we received from the Gospel, we continue our journey together. Things are changing around us: the weather is cooling off, the sunlight is getting shorter, and school is about to start. With our eyes fixed on Jesus, we continue to follow Him and learn from Him how to live our lives as children of God. This week we are asked to take a look at what is in our hearts. We must, as the people of the Gospel, reclaim a wonderful virtue that always generates life around us: humility. Humility is a word that we don’t often hear in our common conversations; as a value, we may admire it in some people we consider “holy.” Understanding that it is a virtue for all Christians becomes something we think we cannot do. It goes against all that the society tells us to do: assert yourself, be proud of yourself, etc. The Gospel of this week allows us to see Jesus at a banquet. He observes the behavior of those who were invited and noticed that people have a tendency of “moving up” in the social scale, taking the seats of honor, hanging up with popular people. But He rightly points out that when we do this, we take a big risk. Someone more important than us may join the party, and we will be forced to give up our seat to accommodate the other. The challenge for us, as we strive to enter through the narrow gate (as we heard last week), is to keep the idea we have of ourselves always in check; nothing, we hear, must convince us to see our neighbor as “below” us.

What does it mean to humble oneself? We must

recognize who we are: children of God and infinitely loved

by Him. It is this Love that He has for us that allows us to be

so confident in life that we are not afraid to give to someone

else the place of honor: we already have one – the Father’s

heart!

Lived in this way, we can live our lives without the monotony and routine we are used to. It’s always an adventure that allows us to move from love to love.

Humility is the attitude that comes from knowing that

God created us out of love, and we rely on Him as a child

to a parent. To be humble is to be open to the brothers and

sisters, without conditions; it means being comfortable with

the other, with diversity, with those who don’t share our

ideas, opinions, ect., because we all are children of the one

heavenly Father. It means to recognize that, without my

“opponent,” I cannot be truly myself.

Starting next week, we will go back to regular office hours. September 5

th: the office will be closed.

Next weekend, we will have the company “Gifts from Beth-lehem” here at our church; they sell items made with woods from the Holy Land I’d like to highlight a new parish event: a pilgrimage is be-ing organized for all of us. This is part, however, of a per-sonal “consecration” to Jesus through Mary. More informa-tion in the bulletin.

Also, I am sad to announce that we have been victim of a

theft – the money bin of the votive candle was forcefully

removed. A report has been filed with the local police and

an investigation has started.

Readings for the Week of

August 28, 2016

Sunday: Sir 3:17-18, 20, 28-29/Ps 68:4-7, 10-11/Heb

12:18-19, 22-24a/Lk 14:1, 7-14

Monday: 1 Cor 2:1-5/Ps 119:97-102/Mk 6:17-29

Tuesday: 1 Cor 2:10b-16/Ps 145:8-14/Lk 4:31-37

Wednesday: 1 Cor 3:1-9/Ps 33:12-15, 20-21/Lk 4:38-

44

Thursday: 1 Cor 3:18-23/Ps 24:1-6/Lk 5:1-11

Friday: 1 Cor 4:1-5/Ps 37:3-6, 27-28, 39-40/Lk 5:33-39

Saturday: 1 Cor 4:6b-15/Ps 145:17-21/Lk 6:1-5

Next Sunday: Wis 9:13-18b/Ps 90:3-6, 12-17/Phlm 9-

10, 12-17/Lk 14:25-33

“All belong to you, and you belong to Christ.” (1 Cor 3:22-23)

TWENTY SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME In this way, Focolare founder Chiara Lubich, during a

profound mystical experience in the summer of 1949, sensed such a unity with Christ that she felt bound to him as a bride to her spouse. This led her to think of the dowry she would bring, and she understood that through this transforming love, it should be the whole of creation. On his side, he would bring to her as his inheritance the whole of paradise. She remembered then the words of the psalm: “Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession.” (Ps 2:8) And she commented: “And we believed and we asked, and he gave us all things that we may bring them to him and he will give us heaven: we the created, he the uncreated.”

Toward the end of her life, speaking of the movement to

which she had given life and in which she saw herself reflected, Chiara wrote: ‘What, just now, would be my last wish? I wish that the [the Focolare], at the end of the ages, when it will be waiting, united, to appear before the forsaken and risen Jesus, might be able to repeat to him, taking on the words of the Belgian theologian Jacques Leclercq, words I always find moving: ‘On your day, my God, I shall come to you ... I shall come to you, my God ... with my wildest dream: to bring you the world in my arms.’” (The Cry, New City Press, New York, 2001, p. 137)

Today too, each one of us can ask ourselves, “What can I

do today to bring God the world in my arms?”

Fr. Fabio Ciardi, OMI

Each month the Focolare offers a Scripture passage as a guide and inspiration for daily living. Ever since the Focolare’s earliest years, founder Chiara Lubich (1920–2008) wrote her own commentaries each month. Now Fr. Fabio Ciardi, OMI, theologian and close collaborator of Lubich, heads a group of scripture experts who have been entrusted with the task of writing the Word of Life commentaries, reflecting her thoughts and her spirituality of unity. This Word of Life is translated into 96 different languages and reaches several million people worldwide through the media. This monthly leaflet is also a supplement to Living City, the Focolare magazine (livingcitymagazine.com). For information and to subscribe to this leaflet or to the magazine, write to: Living City, 202 Comforter Blvd, Hyde Park, NY 12538; tel: 845-229-0496; e-mail: livingcity@livingcitymagazine.com. Visit focolare.org (international) or focolare.us (U.S.). © 2016 by Living City of the Focolare Movement, Inc.

Focolare Word of Life - September 2016

“All belong to you, and you belong to Christ.

” (1 Cor 3:22–23)

The setting of these words is the Christian community in Corinth, which was extremely lively, full of initiative, animated by groups linked to different charismatic leaders. This gave rise to tensions among individuals and groups, to divisions, cults of personality, the need to dominate.

Paul intervened decisively, reminding everyone that, be-

yond the richness and variety of gifts and leaders belonging to the community, something much deeper bound them in unity: belonging to God.

Once more the great Christian proclamation rings out: God

is with us, and we are not lost, orphaned, abandoned to our-selves, but, as God’s children, we are God’s. As a true Father, God cares for each of us, without letting us go without any-thing we need for our good. Indeed, God is superabundant in love and in giving, as Paul affirms: “The world, life, death, the present, the future — all belong to you!” God has even given us his Son, Jesus.

What huge trust on God’s part in placing these into our

hands! Instead, how often have we abused his gifts. We have believed ourselves to be the lords of creation, to the point of plundering and despoiling it; lords of our brothers and sisters, to the point of enslaving and slaughtering them; lords of our own lives, to the point of wasting them in narcissism and self-destruction.

God’s huge gift — “all belong to you”— calls for gratitude.

Often we complain about what we don’t have and we only turn to God to ask. Couldn’t we look around and discover the beauty and the goodness surrounding us? Couldn’t we say thank you to God for what he gives us each day?

This “all belong to you” is also a responsibility. It demands

our attention, our tenderness, our care for all that has been entrusted to us, which includes the whole world and every hu-man being. It’s that same care that Jesus has for us (“you be-long to Christ”), the same care that the Father has for Jesus (“Christ belongs to God”).

We ought to know how to rejoice with those who rejoice

and to weep with those who weep. We should be ready to gather up every cry, division, pain and violence as something that belongs to us, so as to share it, to the point of transform-ing it into love. Everything has been given to us so that we bring it to Christ, that is, to the fullness of life, and to God, that is, to its final goal, thus giving back the dignity and the deepest meaning that belong to each thing and each person.

Everyone is welcome to join us for a Pilgrim-age to the Shrine of the Miraculous Medal on Monday, October 10, 2016. We will have a bus leaving from the church parking lot at 8am. We will stop for fast breakfast and ar-rive at the Shrine at approx. 11am. We will

have Mass, Tour and Gift Shop and will stop for a nice din-ner on the way home. Approx. time of return 8pm. The cost for this is $27.00 and this covers your bus fare, tip for driver and boxed lunch. Tickets are on sale at the parish office. Since the bus only allows for 50, we will not be able to “hold” seats. You will be issued a ticket upon payment. We hope you can join us!

Are you looking for some Good News? Desiring to believe and belong with others

in a community of faith, hope and love? Are you interested in learning more about

the Catholic faith?

RCIA is a process for individuals—adults and children over the age of seven---who are seeking Baptism. It is also for those already baptized in another Christian tradition who want to come into the Catholic Church. If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about this process, please call Rita at 410-289-7038. We are ready to welcome you!

Our August luncheon will be held on August 31st at Harpoon Hanna's, Route 54, Fenwick, DE at 12 noon. Afterward, if anyone is inter-ested, we can go up to FLOATOR'S, one of my

favorite stores to browse through. Please help me spread the word and let me know if you'll be attending. Come along and be part of the Lunch Bunch! It is a wonderful way to get to know so of the people in the parish:)

The next Sodality of Mary meeting will be held on September 11th, (not the 4th due to Holiday weekend). We will meet for the Ro-sary at 8 am, Mass at 8:30 am followed by our meeting in room 112 in the Hall. As usual all are welcome.

The Parish Office will be closed on Monday, September 5th in honor of Labor Day.

Kitchen Crew events in September! Sunday, September 18th-Breakfast Wednesday, September 28th-BBQ Rib Dinner! More info to follow:)

August 27 Saturday Bethany UMC Edward & Evelyn Skabisky Holy Savior 5:15pm Anne Santoni

August 28 Sunday St. Mary’s Parishioners 8:30a.m. Elsie Golanka 10:00a.m. Charles Adelman August 29 Monday 8:30a.m. Bill Breedlove

August 30 Tuesday 8:30a.m. Joan & James Dempsey

August 31 Wednesday 8:30a.m. Winifred M. Coughlin September 1 Thursday 8:30a.m. Richard Anzengruber

September 2 Friday No Mass September 3 Saturday Bethany UMC James & Rochelle Conrad Holy Savior 5:15pm Parishioners

September 4 Sunday St. Mary’s Deceased Member of Kane & Hipszer Families 8:30a.m. Martha & Fran Kaszuba 10:00a.m. Patricia & Lugene Cleary

If you would like a Sanctuary Candle lit for the week for a special intention or in memory of a loved one, please contact the parish office. A donation of $10.00 is appreciated. This week’s candle at Holy Savior will be lit for special intent-sions of Mary Pitt & Norman Brown from Stepha-nie Bojokles. The candle at St. Mary’s will be lit for special intentions of Lisa Reynolds & Kim

Aluisi from Stephanie Bojokles.

Baptisms are held monthly at Holy Savior Church. Required Baptismal Preparations are held the first Sun-day of each month at 12:30pm. Reg-istration is required.

Please contact Rita Danhardt, Director of Faith Formation for further information, 410-289-7038 or relig-ioused@stmarystaroftheseaocmd.com.

Low Gluten Hosts are available at all Masses. Please see the Adult Altar Server prior to Mass if you would like to receive one. Thank you

MASS INTENTIONS

TWENTY SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

From the desk of Mark J. Record,

Principal…

On Monday, August 29th our Regional Catholic Elementary School, Most Blessed Sacrament, will open its doors for the new school year to approximately 255 students. Our enrollment this year includes students who are new to Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic School and who come to us from 15 families. We are blessed to have our existing families return to our school and we are blessed to have our new families join our mission and ministry of faith and academics. Our students in grades 1 through 8, along with faculty and staff will gather at the front entrance to the school for an opening day prayer service on August 29th at 8:15 a.m. We would like to acknowledge with grateful prayer the dedication and commitment of our faculty and staff. Our teachers and staff are listed below. The support that our school receives from our faculty and staff enables our school to provide a highly rigorous education that is integrated with faith and Catholic values. PK3 Stephanie Cress PK4 Norrie Hamby K Joanne Curry 1 Robin Hayes 2 Kelly MacPherson 3 Jamie Wilson 4 Allison Wiest 5 Dee Buschman 6 Robert MacGuinness 7 Kelley Colon 8 Cris Kaczmarczyk PE/Tech Support Derek Jarmon MS Religion/Computer Jackie Selba Art Angela Cassels Music Josie Cover Spanish Natalie Costello Library Kristen Lenox Math Kathleen Meisten Library CA Rachel Erickson PK3 CA / Aftercare Beth Mizurak PK4 CA Pam Houck K CA Aimee Rupple 1 CA Sandy May 2/3B CA Sherry Brannon 3A/4/5 CA Barbara Stevenson Nurse Michele Carlson Counselor Theresa Gabbard Admissions Lisa Edmunds Accountant Lori Alvarez Maintenance John Devine Custodian Chris Connor Office Manager Lauren Higgins Office Assistant Akiliah Church Principal Mark Record

Well, can you believe, here we sit in the last week of August? What happened to Summer? I’d like to think it is because I am blissfully

happy that time is flying and that it has nothing to do with my age. It does, however seem that with each birthday you tick away, the speed of the passing years gets quicker! I had an awesome summer with something wonderful in each month! June ~ a family vacation first in many years, July ~V.B.S.!!!!! and August ~ the feast of the Assumption! We also still have the annual invasion of the grandchildren next week but all and all it is a very relaxing summer!! I hope everyone had the summer that they hoped for, be it fun, relaxing, exhilarating, challenging or all of the above!! As we look forward to a new year of religious Education we are so excited! Many fun and exciting things on the horizon~ Mark your Calendars! Catechetical Sunday September 18 ~ 10 Am Mass Come and help Support our Catechists and Aides as they prepare to start the new year! All Catechists and aides are asked to attend the 10 AM Mass to receive the Blessing and to be available for a meeting following Mass in room 110 for a VERY IMPORTANT presentation of Materials! Blessing of the Back packs! ~ All are invited to join us to pray for our students and teachers as they begin a new year! School can be fun, scary, awesome, and tough. Help us to encourage our kids with the promises of God and surround them with the love of their parents and caring adults as they prepare for a new school year We will be starting Religious Education on Sunday, October 2…with pre k to 6

th Grade meeting immediately

after the 10 AM Mass and being dismissed Pre to grade 2 at 12 20 and Grades 3 to 6 at 1225!! Our Teens grade 7 to 10 meet in the Evening at 6PM to 7 PM. We are always in need of extra hands…Catechists, Aides and monitors for both programs So, I ask you to take some time and think and pray. Is God calling you to pass on your faith to our younger parishioners? Could you be a model of faithfulness in the classrooms or hallways? It is an important role to pass on you love of Jesus but it is so rewarding!! I am really in the need of aides and monitors for both programs and I have room for a teen catechist. If you are interested call or stop by to talk. You can find me most days in my office in the education building way down the first floor hallway near the fire exit!! You can call or email me at 410 289 7038 or religioused@stmarystaroftheseaocmd.com! If you still need to enroll your child/children for the 2016/2017 school year there are forms by the main door in church or on the counter in the Connell center!!! Enjoy the beautiful weather, God Bless, Rita

TWENTY SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

PARISH OFFICE HOURS Monday, Tuesday & Thursday 9am—5pm Wednesday & Friday 9am –3pm 410-289-0652 1705 Philadelphia Avenue Ocean City, MD 21842 Website: Stmarystaroftheseaocmd.com Facebook: Saint Mary Ocean City, MD Parish Pay: Automated Giving 1-866-727-4741 x 4 Parishpay.com

Pastor: Rev. Stanislao Esposito pastor@stmarystaroftheseaocmd.com

Deacon: Rev. Mr. Wil Pinder deacon@stmarystaroftheseaocmd.com

Administrative Assistant: Mrs. Donna Santoni office@stmarystaroftheseaocmd.com

Faith Formation: Mrs. Rita Danhardt Religioused@stmarystaroftheseaocmd.com 410-289-7038

Music Director: Mr. Jordan Pantalone jspantalone1018@gmail.com

Facilities Manager: Mr. Tony Dicken, maintenance@stmarystaroftheseaocmd.com