28th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A - The Banquet is Prepared

First Reading: Isaiah 25:6–10a (Prepare the Feast); Second Reading: Philippians 4:12–14, 19–20 (Everything is Possible); Gospel: Matthew 22:1–14 (Invited to the Banquet)
Adults: What can I do this week to bring Christ to everyone that I meet?
Children: What is one thing I can do to show my friends that God loves them?

Weekly Calendar

Monday, October 10 - Couples Bible Study, 6:30 PM; Tuesday, October 11 - Women's Spritituality Group, 6:30 AM to 7:30 AM; Deanery Wide Catechist In-Service, 6:30 PM at St. Raymond's (speaker: Fr. James Kurzynski speaking on the changes to the Roman Missal and give practical tips on how to teach it to youth.); Wednesday, October 12 - Religious Education Classes for grades 1-6, 6:15 PM to 7:30 PM; for Grades 7 & 8 and High School Youth Ministry 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the Regis High School Auditorium to view the movie "The Human Experience." (Please enter the building using the Fenwick Avenue entrance.); Thursday, October 13 - Men's Spiritulality Group, 6:00 AM to 7:00 AM; Sunday, October 16 - No Sunday School today.

Religious Education

Classes for Grades 1-6 - 6:15 PM to 7:30 PM; Grade 7 - 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM.  High School Youth Ministry will meet from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM.  Grade 8 Small Faith Groups are scheduled to meet this week.

Weekly Calendar

Sunday, October 2 - Parish Breakfast, 9:00 AM to Noon; Sunday School, 10:15 to 11:30; Tuesday, October 4 - Women's Prayer Group, 6:30 AM to 7:30 AM; Wednesday, October 5 - Grade 7 Religious Education, 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM; Grades 1-6 Religious Education, 6:15 PM to 7:30 PM; High School Youth Ministry, 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM; 8th Grade Small Faith Groups are scheduled to meet this week; Thursday, October 6 - Men's Prayer Group, 6:00 AM to 7:00 AM; Friday, October 7 - Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary; Eucharistic Adoration, 9:00 AM to Noon ending with Benediction

27th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A (The Corner Stone)

First Reading: Isaiah 5:1–7 (The Vineyard is the House); Second Reading: Philippians 4:6–9 (Do Good); Gospel: Matthew 21:33–43 (Vineyard Owner Leased)
Adults: How does this Gospel expand my understanding of respect for life?
Children: How can I take better care of God’s creatures?

Religious Education Begins Tonight

Religious Education for Grades 1 - 8 will begin this evening in the Church at 6:15 PM.  Regular class times will start next week.  After the prayer service this evening parents and children should go to the school to find which classroom they will be in this year and to meet the catechists and the classroom aides and to pickup books etc.

National Day of Prayer for Mental Illness Recovery and Understanding

In 1990, the U.S. Congress established the first week of October as Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW). This is a wonderful opportunity to partner with community groups in your area to raise awareness about mental illness. Tuesday of Mental Illness Awareness Week is designated as The National Day of Prayer for Mental Illness Recovery and Understanding. It has had widespread support by individual congregations and National Faith Community Mental Illness Networks.  The following is a prayer to be used on October 4th or any time for that matter:
   Loving Creator, we come to you on this National Day of Prayer for Mental Illness Recovery and Understanding because we know that you are a God of love and compassion. We come as people of all creeds and all nations seeking your presence, comfort and guidance. We come as individuals living with mental illness, family
members, friends, co-workers and mental health professionals. We come this day because we believe that you, Divine One, love each one of us just as we are. You walk with us onour individual journeys through life. You see the ignorance and injustice that divide and separate persons living with mental illness and you weep with us.
   Give us courage to face our challenges and open us today to the many ways you are already working in our midst. Help us to identify mental illness as the disease it is, that we might have courage and wisdom in the face of ignorance and stigma. Inspire us as we seek to overcome fear, acquire knowledge and advocate for compassionate and enlightened treatment and services.
   Lead us as we open our hearts and homes, our communities and job opportunities, our houses of worship and communities of faith. Enable us to find ways to include persons living with mental illness in our everyday lives. Be with doctors, therapists, researchers, social workers and all those in the helping professions as they seek to overcome ignorance and injustice with care and compassion. 
   Sometimes, Divine Spirit, we feel discouraged and hopeless in the face of so many challenges. Help us to see ourselves as you see us—persons of value and worth, persons of creativity and potential. May we come to understand the interconnectedness of mind, body and spirit in bringing about health and wholeness. And may we go forward into our communities with a renewed sense of vision, hope and possibility for the future.  Amen.

Reverend Susan Gregg-Schroeder