parish tithing - Saint Luke the Evangelist

ST. LUKE THE EVANGELIST
SECOND JURY PERIOD FOR
CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR
MUSIC FOR THE LITURGY
`
If you – or someone you know – would like to be
considered in the second jury period for the 2014
St. Luke the Evangelist Christmas Craft Fair,
completed applications must be submitted no
later than June 30. Applications received after
June 30 will be placed on a wait list.
Sunday, June 15, 2014
The Most Holy Trinity
4:00 PM
7:30 AM
9:00 AM
11:00 AM
1st – please save the date of our Parish Fair:
Saturday November 8th
Gathering:
O God, Almighty Father BB 716
Responsorial Psalm (Daniel 3)
2nd – if you’d like to apply, contact Craft Fair at:
stlukenhfair@hotmail.com or call the Parish
Office.
Please don’t delay!
Glory and praise forever.
Preparation
In Every Age BB 464
Mass Parts
Storrington Mass
Communion:
Ubi Caritas BB 340
Father Of Peace BB 521
Recessional:
Lift High The Cross BB 722
NH CATHOLIC CHARITIES
Giving to Catholic Charities improves our community,
strengthens families, and moves lives forward. Your
gift supports lives with programs that feed the hungry,
heal the sick, strengthen families, and welcome the
stranger. Through you, people find the way to selfsufficiency, independence, and a new life. Thank you
for supporting NH Catholic Charities. If you haven’t had
a chance to contribute, now is the time. It’s never too
late to reach out to those in need and give them the
support they need. Please fill out a Catholic Charities
envelope and drop it in the collection basket.
We welcome into our faith community
GRIFFIN FRANCIS HACKETT
UPCOMING SECOND & SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
who recently received the Sacrament of Baptism.
FATHER’S DAY BREAKFAST
The Haverhill Lodge of Elks is sponsoring their annual
Father's Day Breakfast on Sunday, June 15. This
event is free for fathers. Other adults are charged $6
and $3 for children over eight (8). The serving hours
are 8 AM - 11:30 AM. The Elks Lodge is located at 24
Summer St (next to Haverhill's City Hall - old Haverhill
High School). Open seating. Questions?? Call Jim
Edwards, event chairman, at 642-5236.
The Sanctuary Candle in
Holy Angels Church
will burn this week
in loving memory of
June 15, 2014
June 22, 2014
June 29, 2014
July 6, 2014
Fuel
No Second Collection
Works of the Holy Father
Property Management
 PARISH TITHING 
June 8, 2014
Offertory
Catholic Communications
$6,283.00
$1,426.00
Thank you for your generosity to your parish. Your
weekly contribution helps ensure that the parish
remains a vibrant community. Please remember to
submit your weekly gift even if you will be away.
We depend upon your support!
ELEANOR KNOWLES
requested by Bill & Marjorie Knowles
 PARISH DIRECTORY 
Parish Office
Parish Prayer Line
St. Vincent de Paul Society
St. Luke’s Food Pantry
Preschool
Presentation of Mary Convent
382-8324
382-8324 x 314
382-8324 x 315
819-4949
382-9783
382-2744
Fr. Albert Tremblay
Cathy Smith
Joyce Szczapa
Jackie Tremblay
Thomas Kondel
Val Barczak
Parish Council
page one 957
fr.albert@stluketheevangelist.net
csmith@stluketheevangelist.net
jszczapa@stluketheevangelist,net
jtremblay@stluketheevangelist.net
tkondel@stluketheevangelist.net
vbarczak@stluketheevangelist.net
parishcouncil@stluketheevangelist.net
HOLY IS HIS NAME
 PARISH NEWS 
SUMMER HOURS
The Parish Office is closed on Fridays during the
summer. Office hours are:
Monday through Thursday
8:30 AM to 12:00 PM & 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM.
PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
The Society of St. Vincent DePaul, at St. Luke the Evangelist
Parish, invites you to join our Prayer Shawl Ministry! Even if
you are unable to attend meetings, your talents are more
than welcome. Shawls can be made with yarn, quilt fabric, or
fleece. They are filled with prayer, care and love. They will be
given to anyone in need of comfort or solace. If you are
interested in prayerful camaraderie or just want to contribute
your talent, consider joining our committee. If you know of
someone that is in need of comfort and would like to receive
a gift from our group, please call to make the request. We
are honored to provide this service to anyone in need. For
more information, call Barbara Metcalf at 603-642-8334 or
email her at cmbklb@yahoo.com.
HELP WANTED
St. Joseph Regional Catholic School is now taking
applications
for
a
part-time
school
business
manager/bookkeeper. The ideal candidate would have 35 years bookkeeping experience, or equivalent training
and experience, proficiency in using personal computers,
particularly Microsoft Office programs like Word, Excel
QuickBooks Pro, and email. General duties would include
assisting the Principal with the day-to-day management of
school
finances
including:
financial
reporting,
implementing internal financial controls, and assisting in
administering school finances in accordance with church
law, civil law, and diocesan norms. Interested candidates
should complete a Diocesan Staff Application and send it,
along with a letter of interest, a resume, and three
reference letters to: Principal Leann McCormack, St.
Joseph Regional Catholic School, 40 Main Street, Salem,
NH 03079.
EARLY BULLETIN DEADLINE
The July 6th bulletin must be submitted early. All
announcements to be included in the July 6th bulletin
must be received by 12:00 Noon on Tuesday,
June 24th. Bulletin announcements can be sent to
jtremblay@stluketheevangelist.net.
CATHOLIC COMMUNICATION CAMPAIGN
Thank you for giving to the Collection for the Catholic
Communication Campaign, which provides grants to
Catholic organizations that will share the Catholic
experience of faith, worship, and witness through social
media sites, Internet, television, radio, and print media.
Please support this important work today and be
generous in the Collection. Your generosity is a direct act
of witness in itself, as you further the communication of
the gospel message.
BLESSING OF FATHERS
There will be a special
blessing of fathers at all
Masses on this
Father’s Day Weekend,
June 14 & 15, 2014
ST. LUKE THE EVANGELIST
FOOD PANTRY
Food or care items are always
needed – donations can be
dropped off at Church or are
welcome at the Parish Office
during regular business hours.
Cash donations for food are
always welcome – make checks
payable to St. Luke the
Evangelist Food Pantry.
All
donations to the Food Pantry go
toward helping the needy of our
communities.
FOOD PANTRY HOURS
NEW WEBSITE!
Wednesday from 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon
Thursday from 6:00 to 7:00 PM
Friday from 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon
Visit our new website to view our
Weekly Church Bulletin and
Upcoming Parish Events:
For more information call the St. Luke Food
Pantry at 603-819-4949.
http://stlukenh.org!
WHILE AWAY THIS SUMMER…
We appreciate all of you who remember to send in your Parish Offertory during the summer even when on
vacation or visiting other parishes. Thank you for remembering that our expenses also continue through the
summer months. We invite others to consider doing the same before or even after you return home.
page two 957
THE MOST HOLY TRINITY
 WEEKLY CALENDAR 
Ex 34:4b-6, 8-9; 2 Cor 13:11-13; Jn 3:16-18
Tuesday, June 17
9:00 AM Scripture Share – Celebrating Mass
6:00 PM Finance Council Meeting
Plaistow
Plaistow
Wednesday, June 18
Eucharistic Adoration Begins
Scripture Share – Celebrating Mass
St. Vincent de Paul Society Meeting
Eucharistic Adoration Ends
Plaistow
Plaistow
Plaistow
Plaistow
9:30 AM
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
9:30 PM
 MASS INTENTIONS 
Saturday, June 14 ~ Vigil / The Most Holy Trinity
Thursday, June 19
8:30 AM Eucharistic Adoration Begins
4:30 PM Eucharistic Adoration Ends
Newton
Newton
Saturday, June 21
3:00 PM Sacrament of Reconciliation
Plaistow
CONGRATULATIONS TO
MATTHEW STATEZNI
WHO RECENTLY RECEIVED
THE SACRAMENT OF
CONFIRMATION
PLEASE HELP US!
As you leave church, kindly take your Bulletin with you –
or return it to the basket at the entrance of the Church,
return your music book and Mass card to their proper
place, and pick up after yourself as you leave. Our
Ushers are wonderful and diligent, but they should not
have to face a Foxboro aftermath as each Mass ends!
Thanks for being attentive and respectful!
F. Albert.
4:00 PM
Robert Davis by the Lanseigne family
Plaistow
Sunday, June 15 ~ The Most Holy Trinity
Ex 34:4b-6, 8-9; 2 Cor 13:11-13; Jn 3:16-18
7:30 AM
Sophie Cluette by Janice Bettencourt
Newton
9:00 AM Frederick Lane, Sr. by Dan & Dot Lane
Newton
11:00 AM Helen Marjorie O’Keefe Meade
by Paul Masone and family
Plaistow
Monday, June 16 ~ Weekday
1 Kgs 21:1-16; Mt 5:38-42
8:00 AM
Stella Massiello by the Finn family
Newton
Tuesday, June 17 ~ Weekday
1 Kgs 21:17-29; Mt 5:43-48
8:00 AM
Lena Campaiola by Helen Baird
Plaistow
Wednesday, June 18 ~ Weekday
2 Kgs 2:1, 6-14; Mt 6:1-6, 16-18
6:30 PM
Deceased Members of the
Charles & Mary Jesionowski family
by Sonia Tatarka
Plaistow
Thursday, June 19 ~ St. Romuald
Sir 48:1-14; Mt 6:7-15
8:00 AM
Kenneth Jenkins (Month’s Mind)
Newton
Friday, June 20 ~ Weekday
2 Kgs 11:1-4, 9-18, 20; Mt 6:19-23
No Mass
Saturday, June 21 ~ St. Aloysius Gonzaga
2 Chr 24:17-25; Mt 6:24-34 (Daytime)
Dt 8:2-3, 14b-16a; 1 Cor 10:16-17; Jn 6:51-58 (Vigil)
4:00 PM
Rev. Robert Kemmery
by Martin & Eleanor Feuer
Plaistow
Sunday, June 22 ~ The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
8:2-3, 14b-16a; 1 Cor 10:16-17; Jn 6:51-58
7:30 AM
9:00 AM
Drop-a-Dollar in the St. Vincent de Paul box
on your way out of church.
Remember ~ 100% of your donation is used to help those
who need a hand up, not a hand out.
11:00 AM
If you’d like to join the St. Vincent de Paul Society and
help us help the poor and needy, please come to our
next meeting on Wednesday, June 18th at 7:00 PM.
We meet downstairs in the Holy Angels Church Hall in
Plaistow. New members are always welcome!
If you seek assistance or need information about the
St. Vincent de Paul Society,
Call 603-382-8324 x315.
Hear, OH LORD, and answer me
for I am poor and needy.
page three 957
Chuck Schuh by Janice Bettencourt
Newton
Ralph & Tom Santangelo by their family
Newton
People of the Parish
Plaistow
CAR WASH
Is your car clean? No!!!!
Well, we can help you with
that!!!
St. Luke the Evangelist
Youth Ministry
will be holding their Annual
Car Wash on Saturday, June
28th
in the Holy Angels Church
Parking Lot from
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
JUNE 15, 2014_________________________________
 FAITH FORMATION & PARISH INFORMATION 
GLUTEN INTOLERANT?
The Parish provides an option for receiving Holy
Communion for anyone suffering from gluten intolerance
or celiac disease. We have obtained special altar breads
that are fully certified for use at Mass by the United
States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and laboratory
tested to contain only .001% gluten. Please see the
Pastor or the Sacristan before Mass about receiving
Communion using one of these special hosts.
EMMAUS MINISTRY
Serving The Needs Of Grieving Parents
St. Anthony Shrine
100 Arch Street, Boston, MA 02110
Losing a child under any circumstance is horrific.
Focusing on the spirituality of the grieving process
can help tremendously. For more information, call 1800-919-9332. For other Emmaus locations and
programs, go to www.emfgp.org or email
emfgp.org.
The United States Conference of Catholic
Bishops (USCCB) has called for a “Fortnight for
Freedom,” from June 21, 2014 to July 4, 2014 to
highlight the importance of defending religious
freedom in the United States and around the
world. This special period of prayer, education,
and action begins with the vigil of the Feasts of
St. John Fisher and St. Thomas More and
culminates on Independence Day. This year, the
theme for the Fortnight is Freedom to Serve and
will focus on how religious freedom enables the
Church’s service to the poor and vulnerable in
accord with human dignity and Church teaching.
For more information, go to www.catholicnh.org.
ADORERS NEEDED
We are truly blessed to have times for perpetual Adoration
of Our Lord in our Parish. This time of prayer and
intercession is not only a source of great grace for the
individual, but it is a great source of grace for us as a
parish family, as well. We have many who have made the
commitment to spend an hour each week with our
Eucharistic Lord, but we need more people to fill the
following hours:
Plaistow:
Wednesday
10:30 AM to 11:30 AM
If you can commit to one hour a week in Adoration of our
Lord, please contact Cathy Smith at 603-382-8324 or
email her at csmith@stluketheevangelist.net.
RCIA
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is the process
by which people become members of the Roman Catholic
Church. RCIA is intended to serve:
•
•
•
Those not Baptized who would like to learn more
about the Catholic religion.
Those Baptized in another religion who think they
might like to become Catholic.
Those Baptized Catholic but have not been
raised in the Faith.
If you or someone you know is interested in inquiring
about becoming a member of the Roman Catholic
Church, please call Cathy Smith at 603-382-8324 or
email: csmith@stluketheevangelist.net.
ADULT CONFIRMATION
Are you an adult who has been Baptized and received
Eucharist, but has not celebrated the sacrament of
Confirmation? The adult Confirmation process is an
opportunity to complete the Sacraments of Initiation. If
you would like to prepare for Confirmation, or if you have
any questions, contact Cathy Smith at 603-382-8324 or
email her at csmith@stluketheevangelist.net.
PARENTS BAPTISM
PREPARATION SESSION
The monthly preparation session for infant Baptism
will be held after the 11:00 AM Liturgy on Sunday,
July 6th in the parish office living room. All parents
planning to celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism are
welcome.
Families wishing to celebrate Baptism in the Church
must be registered (according to Church Canon Law)
and practicing (attending Sunday Mass) for 3 full
months before a Baptism can be scheduled. The use
of the envelope system is always optional; however,
it does guarantee a manner of accountability. For
most families, the Pastor or staff can easily verify
attendance during these three months.
Baptismal sponsors (godparents) are also regulated
by Church Canon Law. Sponsors must be at least
16, fully initiated (having received Baptism, Eucharist,
and Confirmation), and be practicing Catholics living
Christian lives consistent with the Church’s teaching.
Please see Fr. Albert with questions.
page four 957
THE MOST HOLY TRINITY
 Youth And Parish News 
ST. LUKE THE EVANGELIST
SCHOOL OF RELIGION
Religious Education Registrations for the 20142015 Academic Year for Grades 1 to 10 are now
taking place. If your child is new to the Program,
or if you have not received a registration form,
please call Joyce at the Religious Education Office
at 603-382-8324 for more information.
Altar Flowers are a special opportunity for remembering a
departed loved one or offering thanksgiving for a blessing
or family event. A floral arrangement placed in front of
the altar for the Sunday Liturgy can be purchased for an
offering of $50, with an accompanying announcement in
the weekly bulletin. Availability is limited according to the
Liturgical Calendar. Offerings can be reserved on a firstcome basis by contacting the Parish Office at 382-8324.
VACATION BIBLE
SCHOOL
Excitement is in the Air!!
Vacation
Bible
School
(VBS) is coming to St. Luke
the Evangelist Parish in
Plaistow on June 23-24-2526-27 from 9 AM to 12:00
Noon. Be sure to check
out the insert in this week’s
bulletin! So grab a pair of
sandals and we will meet in
ancient Athens and travel
with the Apostle Paul to
learn about his journey to
share the truth about God’s
Love!
NH CATHOLIC YOUNG ADULT’S
WHITE MOUNTAINS CAMPING TRIP
Franconia Notch, NH
June 20-22, 2014
Activities include 9 mile hike, fishing, swimming,
canoeing, boating. . . etc
Stay the weekend or just a day
Cost: $15 - $20 (approx)
PLEASE LET US KNOW ASAP if you are interested
AND if you plan on camping.
email: catholicoutdooradventures@gmail.com
Interested in carpooling? Contact Jessica:
jejacques13@gmail.com
St Luke the Evangelist
Youth Ministry
Fun Saturday Nights
June 14th 5 – 8 in the Parish Gym, Plaistow NH
HOLY ANGELS PRE-SCHOOL &
KINDERGARTEN
Holy Angels Preschool and Kindergarten is now
accepting registrations for the 2014-2015 school
year. There are openings in the Three-Year-Old
Program, Four-Year-Old Afternoon Program, and
half-day or full-day Kindergarten Programs. We
have flexible hours and we offer Kindergarten
Enrichment after the public Kindergarten day ends.
All teachers are licensed and certified and we offer
a welcoming environment. We are based upon a
"hands-on learning" approach which promises a
well-rounded beginning education for your child.
We are located in the Parish Center of Saint Luke
The Evangelist Parish in Plaistow, NH. Please call
Jeannie at 382-9783.
We’re BONCOS for BUNCO
Come share a meal (Pizza), share you faith, meet
new friends and just have FUN
Prizes will be awarded to the best Bunco player!
Out of respect, please
remember to silence or turn
off your cell phones during
Mass. Thank you!
page five 957
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It’s th
of a Lifetim e!
Bring your entire family to Athens, and become part of Paul’s dangerous journey
to share the truth! You’ll travel back into Bible times—without setting foot outside
our community.
Experience this fun, hands-on Bible-times city at this address:
St. Luke the Evangelist Parish
8 Atkinson Depot Rd
Plaistow NH 03865
Each day, your family members can become part of history as they see, hear,
touch, and even taste what it was like to live in ancient Athens! You’ll explore the
Marketplace shops, visit Paul, take part in games, dance to lively Bible songs, and
sample tasty tidbits as you discover more about Paul’s missionary adventures. These
experiences make God’s Word come alive with new meaning for all who participate!
June 23-24-25-26-27
So mark these dates on your calendar: ______________________.
9 AM
Noon
The adventure starts at ___________
and will end at __________.
To register your family for this awesome Bible adventure,
603-382-8324 x303 Joyce
____.
call this number: _______________________.
Sincerely,
Your Athens VBS Director
Permission to photocopy this resource from Group’s
p’s Athens Holy Land Adventure VBS granted for
local church use. Copyright © 2013 Group Publishing,
ublishing, Inc., Loveland, CO. group.com/vbs
Vacation Bible School - Athens
June 23-24-25-26-27 2014
Registration Form
Child’s Name_______________________________________________________________________________
Nickname/preferred name ___________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Name________________________________________________________________________
Address:___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
Home Telephone: _______________________________
Cell Phone: _______________________________
Home E-mail Address: _______________________________________________________________________
Child’s Age: ____________
Date of Birth: _______________
Gender:
M
F
Last School grade completed: _________________________________________________________________
Siblings: __________________________________________________________________________________
In Case of Emergency (when parent or guardian cannot be reached) please contact:
Name: ____________________________________________________________________________________
Telephone: ______________________________ Relationship to child: ________________________________
Please list any allergies/medical needs the VBS staff should be aware of:
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Person responsible for picking up this child at the end of each VBS day:
Name: ____________________________________________________________________________________
Telephone Number: _________________________________________________________________________
Tell us anything special you would like us to know about your child ( use back of form)
ONE friend my child would like to be with: ______________________________________________________
Special Needs/circumstances:
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Signature of parent or guardian: ___________________________________________Date: _____________
Please check here if you would like to volunteer:
______ Site Guide Assistant
______ Registrar
______ Other
Days Available _____________
Registration Fee: check made out to St. Luke the Evangelist Parish
Mail to :
St. Luke the Evangelist Parish 8 Atkinson Depot Rd., Plaistow NH 03865
One Child
$50.00
Two Children $75.00
Three or more $85.00
Amount Paid _______________ Check # _____________ Date _______________________
We would appreciate your registration as soon as possible.
Any questions, please call Joyce at (603) 382-8324
 AROUND THE DIOCESE 
MARRIAGE IN THE CHURCH
Did you know that ALL Catholics
are required to be married in the
Church as a condition of the
validity of their marriage?
Any Catholic married in a civil ceremony (JP) or in any
religious ceremony other than a Catholic one (unless
specifically excepted by the Bishop) is not living out the
Sacrament of Marriage in its fullness according to the
teaching of the Church. Contact Father Albert at the
parish office for more information.
The Pregnancy Care Center
The Pregnancy Care Center is a non-profit organization
that offers its confidential services at no cost to its
clients. We are committed to promoting the culture of
life by assisting expectant parents in the birth and
subsequent development of their child during his or her
first year of life. We are also committed to helping
young people embrace the virtues of chastity and
continence as a sign of their Christian dignity.
Main Center
496 Main St., Haverhill, MA (978-373-5700)
www.pccnortheast.org
Helpline: 866-254-4440
MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER
STAY INFORMED WITH
FAITHFUL CITIZENSHIP NEWS
The Diocese of Manchester wants to inform Catholics about
important public policy matters facing our elected officials.
Faithful Citizenship News provides briefs on legislation as
well as information about Catholic social teaching on some
of today’s pressing issues. To read the current issue of
Faithful Citizenship News and to subscribe, visit
www.catholicnh.org/fcnews.
CATHOLIC CHARITIES COUNSELING
New Hampshire Catholic Charities provides individual,
marital, family, and couples' counseling, helping people with
a variety of personal difficulties, including: Depression,
Stress, Family Conflicts, Relationship Problems, Anxiety,
Substance Abuse, Life Adjustment Issues, Grief and Loss.
Counseling also helps individuals and families strengthen
communication skills in order to build and sustain healthy
relationships and live more satisfying lives. A sliding scale
fee is offered. Contact Arlene Dody, LCMHC in Salem at
603-893-1971 for more information.
HOW TO MAKE A REPORT OF SEXUAL ABUSE
Child sexual abuse is a crime in the State of New
Hampshire and the Church. New Hampshire law requires
that anyone who has reason to suspect that a child is being
or has been abused or neglected must make a report to the
Division for Children, Youth & Families (“DCYF”) of the
State of New Hampshire, 1-800-894-5533. Any person who
suspects or alleges child abuse on the part of a priest,
deacon, employee, or volunteer of a parish, school, or
institution of the diocese of Manchester is also encouraged
to make a report to the Office for Ministerial Conduct, 603669-3100. Church personnel – clergy, paid employees, and
volunteers – have additional reporting requirements if they
believe that Church personnel have sexually abused a child.
You can learn more about these reporting requirements on
the diocesan website at www.catholicnh.org or by
speaking with our Parish Safe Environment Coordinator,
Cathy Smith at 382-8324.
Don’t you and your spouse deserve a beautiful, romantic
weekend away together? Get away from all those worldly
anxieties and take time to just focus on each other by
making a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend.
Deepen your communication, strengthen your relationship,
rekindle your romance, and renew your sacrament by
attending the next Worldwide Marriage Encounter
weekend in New England. For more information, call
Ralph & Jane Becker at 1-800-710-9963 or visit
www.wwme.org.
NH COUPLE ENRICHMENT CIRCLE
Have you attended a Marriage Encounter Weekend? If
your answer is yes, you are invited to participate in the NH
Couple Enrichment Circle to continue to strengthen your
marriage relationship. For more information, contact David
and
Karen
Demers
at
617-480-9989
or
ddemers@aviconpartners.com.
RETROUVAILLE…A Lifeline
Rediscover a loving marriage with a
Retrouvaille weekend.
If your
marriage is tearing the two of you
apart, if there is little or no meaningful
communication, if you are considering
separation or divorce, we believe
Retrouvaille can help you. For more
information, call 1-800-470-2230 or
visit www.HelpOurMarriage.com.
SUPPORT FOR DIVORCED AND SEPARATED
Divorce and separation can be painful experiences.
Support groups are available to those who are seeking
healing,
comfort,
and
empowerment.
Visit
www.catholicnh.org/support for a listing of groups.
MOST HOLY TRINITY
June 15, 2014
Father, Son, and Spirit, God Is Mercy
By Diane M. Houdek
St. Augustine tells the story of meeting
a small child on the sea shore who was
filling a hole in the sand with buckets of
water from the sea. He told her than it
was impossible, and she looked at him
and said, “And you’re trying to understand the Trinity.”
The challenges faced by the early
Church in understanding the Trinity had
a lot to do with the need to reconcile
the strongly monotheistic (one God)
tradition of Judaism with the tendency
of the pagans to have multiple gods for a
variety of tasks and circumstances.
While we don’t have quite the same
issues as they did, we still have to
SUNDAY READINGS
Exodus 34:4b-6, 8-9
God’s gracious character is revealed to
Moses. God understands the weakness of
the people and forgives their sins.
2 Corinthians 13:11-13
Paul encourages us to rejoice and help
one another. The Father Son and Holy
Spirit are the source of all good in our
lives.
John 3:16-18
God so loved the world that he gave his
only Son. Those who believe in him will
have eternal life.
overcome a mistaken idea that God
the Father is the Old Testament God of
judgment while Jesus is a God of love.
Some of this surely comes from human
experience with patriarchal cultures and
personal experiences of harsh parenting.
It’s not the teaching of our faith.
For a time, as people experiemented
with language in liturgy, prayer and
ritual, the phrase “Creator, Redeemer
and Sanctifier” became popular as a way
to refer to the Trinity. Some perceived
“Father” and “Son” to be rooted in an
offensive patriarchal culture. They chose
to speak about the three persons of the
Trinity in terms of what they did rather
than who they are. But the fact is that no
one person of the Trinity does one task
more than another. The Son created with
the Father; the Father saves through the
Son, the Spirit is the ongoing presence of
Father and Son in the world.
The Gospel writers tell us Jesus used
Father, Son, and Spirit in his own
references to the divine activity he was
accomplishing. Because of that revealed
truth, we always begin and end there in
our understanding of the Trinity.
Naming God has always been a challenge. Perhaps this is why, when confronted with the burning bush, Moses
wanted to know God’s name, and then
was left with the enigmatic “I Am Who
Am.” In both English and Hebrew this
name is a verb, the verb of being.
In our first reading today, Moses on
Sinai has come to know the Lord better
and is still grappling with the question of
the divine identity. Exodus tells us, “The
Lord proclaimed his name and passed by,
crying out, ‘The Lord, the Lord, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger and
rich in kindness and fidelity.’” So in fact
what God does tells us something about
who God is. And even as far back as the
beginnings of the Hebrew people, what
God did was mercy and grace.
Thus, in the Gospel, we hear that “God
so loved the world that he gave his only
Son, so that everyone who believes in
him might not perish but might have
eternal life.” This is not a God of judgment and punishment.
One of the deepest truths that the
doctrine of the Trinity reveals to us is
that God is in relationship. The union of
Father, Son, and Spirit is a fluid one. The
Trinity is always working, always moving, animating the world with divine life.
This image comes to us from the Gospel of John, which also tells us again and
again that God is love. We know from
our own lives that love is both activity
and mystery. It is beyond words and yet
it can be expressed in words. The great
French novelist Victor Hugo says in Les
Miserables that to love another person is
to see the face of God. Our experience
of love may help us to understand the
overflowing love of the Trinity. Our longing for love may bring us even closer to
that mystery.
Franciscan Media l www.FranciscanMedia.org
s How do you understand the Trinity? Do symbols and images help?
By Kathleen M. Carroll
s Imagine the immensity of God’s
love for the entire universe. Then
imagine the intimacy of God’s love
for you. Which is more difficult?
Rising I thank you,
mighty and strong One,
King of Creation,
Giver of rest,
firmly confessing
God in three persons,
oneness of Godhead,
Trinity blest.
— Ascribed to St. Patrick
translation by James, Quinn, SJ
WEEKDAY
READINGS
June 15, 2014
You may remember an eighties trend of rainbow-wigged men dancing in the stands and
holding up signs with the citation John 3:16.
As it happens that trend was just one man,
Rollen Stewart. He became more aggressive
in his efforts to appear on camera and created distractions at events around the globe.
His quest for fame finally led to a string of
events involving terrorist threats, hostages, a
SWAT team, and three life sentences.
Had Mr. Stewart read all the way to John
3:17, his life might have turned out better.
“God did not send the Son in to the world
to condemn the world, but in order that the
world might be saved through him.”
When helping children learn the basics
of the faith, we often rely on simplistic
messages. We do good to “get to heaven;”
we avoid sin so we don’t “make Jesus sad.”
We must all learn a more mature, subtle
faith that acknowledges that there is no
“us” and “them”—if there were, only the
Trinity would be “us,” leaving the rest of us
uncomfortably in the “them” camp. We can
be grateful that God has a more inclusive
mind-set, even while the rest of us are still
learning.
Monday
1 Kgs 21:1-16/Mt 5:38-42
Tuesday
1 Kgs 21:17-29/Mt 5:43-48
Wednesday 2 Kgs 2:1, 6-14/Mt 6:1-6, 16-18
St. Francis often referred to God as the
Trinity and did things in three’s to reflect
the importance of this mystery. Perhaps
the most significant of these comes in
the story of his first follower, Bernard:
Then Francis opened the Gospel book
three times in honor of the Blessed Trinity,
asking God to approve Bernard’s plan with
a three-fold testimony.The book opened
the first time at the words, “If you have a
mind to be perfect, go home and sell all
that belongs to you, and give it to the poor”
(Mt 19:21).The second time they found the
phrase, “Take nothing with you to use on
your journey” (Lk 9:3), and the third time
the words of our Lord caught their eyes, “If
any man has a mind to come my way, let
him renounce self, and take up his cross,
and follow me” (Mt 16:24). “This is our life
and our rule,” said Francis, “and everyone
who comes to join our company must be
prepared to do this. And so, if you have a
mind to be perfect, go home and do as you
have heard.”
The very foundation of the Franciscan
order is trinitarian, and each of the Bible
passages reveals God’s love for the poor,
for simplicity, and for the love represented by Christ’s death on the cross.
This simplifies a mystery we often try to
complicate and spiritualize.
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sir 48:1-14/Mt 6:7-15
Kgs 11:1-4, 9-18, 20/Mt 6:19-23
Aloysius Gonzaga
2 Chr 24:17-25/Mt 6:24-34
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Editor: Diane M. Houdek; Illustrations: Julie Lonneman.
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