Sunday Bulletin - Our Lady Queen of Peace

Our Lady Queen of Peace
4696 Notre Dame Lane, House Springs, Mo 63051 636-671-3062
www.olqpparish.org
October 16, 2016
Welcome to Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish
Registration forms may be found on our website (olqpparish.org/parishregistration.htm),
in the Church lobby or you may stop by or call the Parish Office to fill one out.
If you have recently changed your status, married, moved out of your
parents’ home or graduated from high school, you need to register as a separate family.
Please help us keep our records accurate.
If you cannot come to Church because of illness, please be sure that we are notified
so that we might minister to you either at home, hospital or nursing care facility.
PASTOR
Reverend Dennis C. Schmidt
SCHEDULE OF MASSES
Saturday Evening
Sunday
Holy Days
Weekdays
ASSOCIATE
Reverend James Beighlie, C.M.
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
The Blessed Sacrament is exposed for prayerful
Adoration every Wednesday after 8:00 am Mass
DEACONS
Reverend Dr. Thomas Gerling
Reverend Mr. Paul Turek, Sr.
PERPETUAL HELP DEVOTIONS
Tuesday after 8:00am Mass
MUSIC DIRECTOR
Mr. Bob Ellison
ROSARY
Monday through Friday after 8:00 am Mass
Second Monday of month after 8:00 am Mass
Led by Knights of Columbus for vocations
Before 1st Saturday 8:00 am Mass
Before 7:30, 9:30 and 11:30 am Sunday Masses
GRADE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
Mr. John Boyd
PSR COORDINATOR
Mrs. Terry Ostlund
PRESCHOOL COORDINATOR
Mrs. Tara Breier
YOUTH MINISTER COORDINATOR
Mrs. Terry Ostlund
PARISH COUNCIL
Nikki Adams, Stacy Camden, Christine Camden,
Cathy Carley, Carol England, Lawrence Giovanni,
Garrett Heibeck, Rene Heibeck, Mary Luebbert,
Rick Mraz, Maria Webb
Parish Office
School
Preschool
Cafeteria
5:00 pm
7:30, 9:30, 11:30 am
as announced
8:00 am
636-671-3062
636-671-0247
636-671-3062
636-375-5335
SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
First and third Sunday of the month after 11:30 am
Mass. Make arrangements by calling Parish Office.
SACRAMENT OF PENANCE
Saturday
4:00 - 4:45 pm or by appointment
SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY
As soon as marriage is contemplated, contact one
of the parish priests.
Parish Office
[email protected]
OLQP Web Site
www.olqpparish.org
For Bulletin Articles
[email protected]
(articles due 9 days before bulletin date)
House Springs Cemetery Blessing Upcoming Events…
2016
October
Sun
16
Tues 18
Wed 19
Fri
21
November
Sun
27
December
Thur
1
2017
January
Sat
14
Sun
29
February
Sat
11
April
Sun
Sun
Sun
Sun
May
Wed
House Springs Cemetery Pavilion
Blessing and Potluck Dinner
Life Touch Photo Session
Life Touch Photo Session
OLQP Trunk or Treat
Don’t forget…You are invited to join with Bishop Hermann to celebrate Mass and bless our Pavilion at the House Springs Cemetery on Sunday, October 16, at 2:00 pm. We will enjoy a pot luck dinner following Mass. There is limited sea ng so you may want to bring a lawn chair. *B*I*N*G*O* A big THANKS to our Quilters who pulled off another successful Quilt Social. Once again, they hosted a great a ernoon filled with fun, and great prizes. The quilters presented me with a check (for the parish) for $8,000. On behalf of the parish I would like to thank you! The quilters meet every Tuesday, from around 8 am to 3ish and again in the evening from 4:30 to about 7ish in the Quilters Room (parish office building). It’s amazing how much work they get done while at the same me having so much fun. First Sunday of Advent
OLQP Blood Drive
Knights of Columbus Mouse Races
Catholic Schools Week begins
Knights of Columbus Valentines
Dance
2
16
23
30
Red Hat Bingo- Knights Hall
Easter Sunday
Divine Mercy Sunday
First Communion
10
Confirmation
Beyond Sunday “Beyond Sunday” is a capital campaign to provide ini al funding for the “Roman Catholic Founda on of Eastern Missouri” and benefit individual parishes in our Archdiocese. This founda on has been established as an independent founda on with the sole purpose of providing financial support for the future of Catholic educa on in the Archdiocese of St. Louis. This support will be primarily in terms of tui on grants to families desiring Catholic educa on. It will target middle and lower income families. Families here at Our Lady Queen of Peace have already benefited from this fund in the form of scholarships. This Archdiocesan‐wide campaign to raise $100 million has been going on for over a year now. So far over $60 million has been pledged! What a great response to this call to provide middle‐class families with tui on assistance at Catholic elementary and secondary schools in our archdiocese. We are now par cipa ng in phase II of the campaign and hope each and every one of you will par cipate. We hope you will support this campaign. 40% of your contribu on will come back directly to the parish. The other 60% will go to the Founda on. You can find informa on on the Roman Catholic Founda on of Eastern Missouri and this campaign at www.archstl.org. Welcome...We hope that this hour spent in
worship will make a healing, empowering
difference in your life. We also hope it will enable
you to make a healing, empowering difference in
the lives of those about you, as part of your
witness to our Lord’s great love. If you are a guest,
we are most pleased you have joined us today.
Parish Activities...October 17 to 23 Mon PSR, 6:30 ‐ 7:35 pm 8th grade Parents Right S.T.A.R.T Mee ng, 6:25 pm, Cafeteria Tues Perpetual Help Devo ons a er 8 am Mass Quilters, 9 am ‐ 3 pm, Parish Office, Quilters Room Life Touch Photo, 2 ‐ 9 pm, Cafeteria RCIA, 6:45 ‐ 8:15 pm, Cafeteria Mee ng Room Wed Eucharis c Adora on a er 8 am Mass, Church Life Touch Photo, 2 ‐ 9 pm, Cafeteria Thur “What Catholics Believe”, 7 pm, Cafeteria Mee ng Room Choir Prac ce, 7 pm, Church Fri Trunk or Treat, 7‐9 pm, Lower Parking Lot and Cafeteria Sat Beyond Sunday Commitment Sun Beyond Sunday Commitment Pro‐Life Mee ng, 12:30 pm, Cafeteria Mee ng Room High School Youth, 5‐7 pm, Cafeteria Mee ng Room Our Lady Queen of Peace ~ House Springs, MO
Don’t forget to add your dona on for World Mission in the regular collec on next Sunday. Fr. Dennis 2
Twenty-ninth Sunday of Ordinary Time ~ October 16, 2016
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
Every Wednesday
After 8 am Mass until 8 pm
Collection for 8th Grade Pro-Life Trip
Weekend of October 22nd and 23rd
After all the Masses
Let our 8th grade students be your ambassador
for Life in Washington D.C. We are asking for
people in the parish that wish their Pro-Life
support be brought to Washington D.C., help
sponsor our 8th grade youth. Please put your
donation in an envelope marked Pro-Life, your
name, email address or mailing address. Our
donors are invited to a dinner on Saturday,
February 25th hosted in your honor. Our student
ambassadors will present a slide show from the
trip and report back to you on the advances of the
Pro-Life message on the national level.
“For if you forgive other people when they sin
against you, your heavenly Father will also
forgive you.”
Matthew 6:14
“The Lord detests lying lips, but He delights in
men who are truthful.”
Proverbs 12:22
OLQP Parish Prayer Intentions
for October
Please remember the following intentions
during your visit to Eucharistic Adoration:



We would like to thank
Knights of Columbus
for advertising in our parish bulletin.
Because of their generosity we do not
pay for our bulletins to be printed.
Please patronize our advertisers and
thank them for supporting our parish.
For the conversion of hearts of OLQP families
For God’s mercy throughout the world
For the upcoming elections
Can You Spare One Hour for Jesus?
We need help covering Eucharistic Adoration
hours. Adorers sign up for a one hour time slot.
We would like two people signed up for each
hour. Having an Adoration Hour partner allows
flexibility if one is running late or has an
appointment. Most importantly, someone will
always be with Jesus.
Scrip Gift Cards
Is it too early to think about Christmas?
I know, we’re just getting into fall. It’s too early
for Christmas. Several of you have asked if the
Scrip Gift Cards will be available for Black Friday.
Yes, we will be accepting orders for two weeks in
November. The weekends of November 5th and
6th and November 12th and 13th. You will have
your cards by November 19th and 20th. You have
plenty of time for Black Friday. Product sheets
and order forms will be in the Church lobby in
October for your convenience.
Please consider a weekly commitment to
Adoration, or filling in when needed. At the
present time, we are looking for someone who
can make a weekly one hour commitment during
the following hours: 11 am, Noon or 1 pm. For
more information or to sign up, please contact
Mary Myers, 636-274-1717.
Our Lady Queen of Peace ~ House Springs, MO
3
Twenty-ninth Sunday of Ordinary Time ~ October 16, 2016
If you want to sell your items, they
Daughters of Isabella
Selling Georgia Pecans
have to see your items...in the unclassified Ads!
The Daughters of Isabella will be selling pecans
after Mass next weekend.
The pecans come in a variety of flavors including
plain which is great for your holiday baking. They
come nicely packaged and would make lovely
Christmas gifts.
To order call Margaret, 636-671-0627.
Unclassified Ads in the Bulletin
PICTORIAL DIRECTORY UPDATE
All ads will be posted on a first come, first served
basis. The ads are restricted to 21 words (about
3 lines of text) and must be submitted by Friday
(nine days prior to Sunday publication) at
4:30 pm. If an item is deemed inappropriate for
publication in this forum, the $10 fee will be
returned to the applicant. The ads will appear in
the bulletin and on the parish website in the
weekly posting of the bulletin.
Lifetouch is returning to our parish to update our
pictorial directory. We invite all parishioners and
especially those new to the parish, those who
were not able to have photo taken for the last
directory or anyone who would like to update their
photo to make an appointment.
Unclassified Bulletin Advertisement Request
Name_______________________________
All those who have their picture taken will receive
a FREE 8x10 color portrait and you will receive the
updated pages to insert into the existing directory.
The photo dates are Tuesday, October 18, 2-9 pm
and Wednesday October 19, 2-9 pm. Y ou can
schedule your appointment through our website
using the Lifetouch link, after Masses or call Mary
Luebbert, 636-274-1556.
Photos will be taken in the Cafeteria.
Address_____________________________
Daytime phone________________________
Date Published________________________
Advertisement text (limited to 21 words)
___________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________
Publication subject to approval by the Fundraising
Committee. All items must be submitted by Friday
(nine days before requested publication) 4:30 pm.
$10 fee must be paid when submitted.
Ways to save on pictures should you choose to
order your photos from Lifetouch;
$10 coupon given to you at time of photo
$5 off package for the Feed the Need
program, bring in can goods for the Peace
Pantry
20% Senior Citizens (60 and older)
discount
20% Military active or inactive
Note 20% discounts cannot be combined
Plan ahead and consider ordering your Christmas
Cards from Lifetouch, they offer 25 cards for
$40 and for each additional 25 cards add $20.
You would receive 50 cards for $45 after your
discounts.
Our Lady Queen of Peace ~ House Springs, MO
For Reflection…
There comes a moment when you realize that
virtually anything is possible with God, that
nothing is too good to be true!
4
Twenty-ninth Sunday of Ordinary Time ~ October 16, 2016
Dynamic Catholic Alive!
2016 — Study
2016 Tenta ve Calendar Sept. 8 ‐ Nov. 10 (Thursdays) ‐ “What Catholics Believe” 4 Signs of a Dynamic Catholic
series ‐ Cafeteria Mee ng Room ‐ 7 pm Schedule
2015 —Year of Prayer
2016 — Year of Study
2017– Year of Generosity
2018— Year of Evangelization
Nov. 9 ‐ Mrs. Robin Sco , President of the Homeless Youth Ini a ve to speak on teens who do not live with their family ‐ Cafeteria ‐ 7 pm. For reserva ons call the Parish Office, 636‐671‐3062 or email [email protected] Nov. 20 – Family card making day for the military ‐ A er 11:30 Mass ll around 2 pm Advent 2016—Begins “Year of Generosity” Go to www.formed.org to check out the movies, audio, books and more! Look for the registra on box for parishioners. Type in our parish code 8BZPJ7. Now set up a username and password and you are set to use all the great programs any me by simply logging in with your username and password. October Prayer for God's Guidance Father in Heaven, You made me Your child and called me to walk in the Light of Christ. Free me from darkness and keep me in the Light of Your Truth. The Light of Jesus has sca ered the darkness of hatred and sin. Called to that Light, I ask for Your guidance. Form my life in Your Truth, my heart in Your Love. Through the Holy Eucharist, give me the power of Your Grace that I may walk in the Light of Jesus and serve Him faithfully. Month of the Most Holy Rosary
Prayer to Holy Michael the Archangel Holy Michael, the Archangel, defend us in ba le. Be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do you, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who wander through the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen. Prayer for Success in Work Glorious St. Joseph, model of all those who are devoted to labor, obtain for me the grace to work conscien ously, pu ng the call of duty above my many sins; to work with thankfulness and joy, considering it an honor to employ and develop, by means of labor, the gi s received from God; to work with order, peace, prudence and pa ence, never surrendering to weariness or difficul es; to work, above all, with purity of inten on, and with detachment from self, having always death before my eyes and the account which I must render of me lost, of talents wasted, of good omi ed, of vain complacency in success so fatal to the work of God. All for Jesus, all for Mary, all a er thy example, O Patriarch Joseph. Such shall be my mo o in life and death. Amen. Our Lady Queen of Peace ~ House Springs, MO
5
Twenty-ninth Sunday of Ordinary Time ~ October 16, 2016
Thank You From the Quilters
Volunteers Needed for
Church Decorating
Our hands are blessed to be able to create the
beautiful quilts for the Quilt Social each year. We
gave 15 full size quilts away in one day. We were
able to bring in a total of $10,170.00 this year.
We have presented Fr. Dennis a check for
$8,000.00 along with paying the cost of the wine
and hosts for the year which is approximately
another $1,600.00.
The Liturgy committee is looking for people who
would like to help with decorating the Church for
Christmas, Easter and other times. We are also
looking for someone to coordinate everything. If
you would like to get involved and share your time
and talents please call the Parish Office,
636-671-3062.
Currently our Church gets decorated by good
hearted volunteers (they have been doing it a
long time) who step up to the plate when no one
else will.
Thanks to the Knights of Columbus and Ladies
Auxiliary for the donation of the hall and all the
little extras. This helps our profits out greatly.
We extend our thanks to our Parish Family for
making our Quilt Raffle a success, assisting with
advertising and participating in any way.
NOW - Night of Worship
ALL are Welcome
Saturday, October 29
St. Martin de Porres
Thanks for all the help on the day of the event.
Also thanks for the donation of the baked goods
from everyone.
* 615 Dunn Rd., Hazelwood *
The winners of our raffle are as follows:
Pillowcases - won by:
Baby Quilt - won by:
Raffle Quilt - won by:
Join us for a night of praise and worship with other
members of the St. Louis ACTS community. The night
will begin with Mass at 4:30 pm and end with light
refreshments.
Members of the ACTS Candlelight Band will lead the
Night of Worship starting at 6:30 pm. Please forward your
name, parish and number attending to 314-974-6587 or
email [email protected] your RSVP.
RSVP is required for food and seating setup.
Pat Laur
Marie Strayhorn
Rosita Biggerstaff
God bless our parish community,
OLQP Quilters
Hearing Devices Available at Mass
St. Vincent De Paul
We have hearing devices available in Church for
those who have hearing disabilities. There are
three devices, about the size of a cell phone,
located in the server sacristy (the room to the left
of the sanctuary). They are on top of the sound
system. To use them, put the ear plugs in and
turn on the device to the desired sound level.
Each device is tuned directly into the speaker
system. If you do not like using public ear pieces,
you may bring your own. If you need help, ask
one of the priests or our organist, Mr. Bob Ellison.
In the Gospel today Jesus tells His
disciples to pray always without
becoming weary, indeed our prayer
must always be an expression of our
love for God, our family, our world,
and especially for the suffering poor.
As you donate to the Society of St. Vincent de
Paul Poor Box, please say a special prayer for the
poor who may have no one to pray for them.
Our Lady Queen of Peace ~ House Springs, MO
6
Twenty-ninth Sunday of Ordinary Time ~ October 16, 2016
St. John the Baptist * Villa Ridge*
55th Annual Sausage Festival
Sunday, October 23
Serving from 10:30 am - 6 pm
Seven Days of Inspiration
Take one a day…
and feel great all week!
This is prepared and served by the men of St.
John’s Gildehaus Church. Adults $15, Children
under 12 $5, preschool children are free.
Drive-thru and carry-outs are available for $15.
All proceeds help keep St. John’s school going.
St. John Gildehaus is located on Highway V
between Union and Highway 100.
Day 1
No one is more
lovable than you!
Day 2
You’re someone
worth knowing.
Day 3
Worrying is always
a waste a time.
Shrine of Remembrance
Day 4
Let angel wings give
you a lift today!
Day 5
You are the answer
to someone’s prayers.
Once again we are asking you to bring your
framed pictures of family, relatives or friends. The
size we are asking for is 5X7 or 4X6. Please DO
NOT bring any 8X10s. There w ill be a Shrine
table in the Church lobby.
Day 6
Being yourself is better
than being anything else!
Day 7
Ask your guardian angel
to help you today!
The Shrine of Remembrance will go up on
November 1st and stay up for the whole month of
November. We ask that your pictures be brought
in by Sunday, October 30th. Please be sure and
have your name and phone number on the back
of your picture. An address label would be ideal,
but be sure and add your phone number on it.
This will avoid any pictures left and us not
knowing who they belong to. Thank you so much.
Hospitality Sunday…
Many thanks to the Athletic Association for hosting
Hospitality Sunday this month. All are invited to the
Cafeteria after the 7:30, 9:30 and 11:30 Masses for
donuts, coffee, juice, milk and most of all fellowship.
It is a great way to stay in touch with fellow
parishioners and especially meet our new members.
Again I would like to add the size of the picture
should be 5X7 or 4X6. PLEASE NO 8X10s.
Thank you once again.
If you have any questions or concerns please
call the parish office, 636-671-3062.
JoAnn Vess
Our Lady Queen of Peace ~ House Springs, MO
Blood Pressure Screening
Remember to stop in the Cafeteria meeting room
after Mass to have your blood pressure checked. This
free service is provided by our nurses in the parish.
7
Twenty-ninth Sunday of Ordinary Time ~ October 16, 2016
Our Gifts to God and Parish
It’s Time For Basketball!!!
821 registered members
Attention all 3rd through 8th
grade girls and boys…..
Thank you for your generosity!!!
Contribution totals were not available
when the bulletin was published.
Registration for the 2017 OLQP Basketball season
is underway. Forms are available online at
www.olqpraiders.com. All forms need to be in
by October 31! For any additional information or
comments please contact Julie Waggoner,
[email protected].
On-Line Giving ~ You can be part of On-Line Giving by
going to www.olqpparish.org/payment.htm.
World Mission Sunday
October 23
In announcing his decision to declare a Holy Year of
Mercy, Pope Francis said, “Dear brothers and sisters, I
have often thought about how the Church might make
clear its mission of being a witness to mercy.” Supporting
the young Churches throughout the world with your
prayers and generous gifts is indeed a merciful witness of
this mission. The collection for World Mission Sunday
will help missionaries offer the poor of these areas
practical help as they share the mercy of God. It will
ensure the development of local dioceses, and support
the work of priests, religious and lay leaders who serve
those on the margins and in most need. Extend your
merciful witness to the whole world through your gift in
next week’s collection for the Society for the Propagation
of the Faith!
BINGO….
Every Friday night
Knights of Columbus Hall
Doors Open at 4:30 pm
Bingo starts at 6:45 pm
Everyone welcome!
Handyman Raffle
The cost is only $5.00 per ticket and you can win
8 hours of work from one of our talented
parishioners. Take a chance and get that project
you have been putting off around the house
finally done!
Stewardship
Start With Prayer
If anyone else is interested in donating their time
and talent to start up another similar raffle
(electrical, plumbing, yard work, etc., etc.) to
increase our emergency fund, please contact the
Parish Office, 636-671-3062.
“…be persistent whether it is convenient or
inconvenient...”
2 Timothy 4:2
It is not always convenient to be a good steward,
especially when all the temptations of our busy
and materialistic world get in the way. Now add
our own pride and ego into the equation and living
a stewardship lifestyle may be downright
uncomfortable! Remember, God didn’t call us to
be comfortable, He called us to be faithful. General Handyman Raffle
Name___________________________
Phone___________________________
The cost is $5.00 per chance and when
100 tickets are sold we will draw a winner.
Absent from the body, present with the Lord.
We offer sympathy and the assurance of
our prayers to the family of
Nora Bueter, mother of Norbert Bueter
Our Lady Queen of Peace ~ House Springs, MO
8
Twenty-ninth Sunday of Ordinary Time ~ October 16, 2016
Liturgical Ministers
Mass Intentions
Weekday Masses
Oct 17 8:00 am Jerry Smith
Oct 18 8:00 am Otto M. Ottiger
Oct 19 8:00 am Ralph Schultheiss Sr.
Oct 20 8:00 am Tracy Creighton
Oct 21 8:00 am Raymond Brune
Saturday
Sunday
Sunday
Sunday
October 22
October 23
October 23
October 23
5:00 pm
7:30 am
9:30 am
11:30 am
Eucharistic Ministers
Saturday - October 22
5:00 pm - Bill Voss
Sunday - October 23
7:30 am - People of the Parish
9:30 am - Jim Vess
11:30 am - Otto M. Ottiger
*cleans the vessels
*Mary Bowler *Mary Bjornstad *Joanne David *Gary Freihaut *Mary Copeland *Ken Bohnert *Tom Broadbent *Don Moeller Bruce Gallion Cathie Frede Patsy Boyer Sharon Schmidt Dixie Garre Ruth Haen Carl Boyer Fran Corley Mary Heeley Jo Jahnsen JoAnn Vess Barb Oppelz Trish Guethle Bruce Gallion Dave Mills Michael Chiodini Don Moeller Maryann Turek Jim England Hellen Salamone Laura Huss Proclaimers
Thank You For Cleaning Church October 21 Theresa Haug Darleen Allmeroth Margaret Gerling Sandy Million Ed Kelemen Servers
Maegan Ryan Marie Kenney Ethan Pulic Cooper Du on Maryann Mikko Gage Pytlinski Grace Eimer Savanna Stagner Haley Yates Maggie Hardesty Will O ger Ava Stagner Ushers
Darleen Allmeroth Larry Lammert Jr. Terry Filicsky Gary Freihaut Ken Ganey Jerry Terry Sam Pierceall Rebecca Mose Ben Slodkowski Butch Ma ngly Jeff Queen Jim Robertson Bart Heinzer Lou Bartoloni Ralph Munzlinger Al Schuld Jeff Heibeck Doug Bjornstad Ralph Schultheiss David Wi Dixie Garre Steve Morlock Tom Broadbent John Holmes Please pray for those who are ill
(parishioners are in bold)
If you cannot come to Church because of an illness, please be sure
to notify the Parish Office, 636-671-3062, so we might minister to you
either at home, in the hospital or nursing care facility
Wally Freihaut
Carol Bierman
Sylvia Huck
Lenore Burns
Pat Murphy
Lloyd Shannon
Janice Robertson
Susan Ryan
Maryann Turek
Susan Marsey, daughter of Mrs. Dower
Mary Marty, daughter of JoAnn Vess
Rose Ann Chiodini, mother of Michael Chiodini
Cindi Connor, daughter of Susan Ryan
Dave Landers, brother-in-law of Bernie/Angie Henning
Tamara Mattingly, former parishioner
Sandy Schmidt, sister of Fr. Dennis
Tom Wallach, son of Pete Wallach
Thomas Bishop, brother of Elizabeth Richardson
Zillard Ingrum, father of Cheryl Brinker
Jim Murphy Sr.
Derek Bequette
Katia Gourley, daughter of Dennis/Patti Brouk
Phil Gallion, brother of Bruce/Linda Gallion
Rose Murphy, mother of Fr. Mike
Kathy Johnson, friend of Bruce/Linda Gallion
LeRoy Hirth, father of Carol England
Chuck Walker, brother-in-law of Linda/Bruce Gallion
Andy Buchmann, friend of Mike/Mary Luebbert
Ben Gonzalez, grandson of Elizabeth Richardson
Keith Bishop, brother of Elizabeth Richardson
~those serving in the military, the homebound, shut-ins of the parish and all in nursing homes. To add a name
please call the Parish Office, 671-3062. Names will be removed after 3 weeks or as space permits.
Our Lady Queen of Peace ~ House Springs, MO
9
Twenty-ninth Sunday of Ordinary Time ~ October 16, 2016
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Cycle C
THE READINGS:
FIRST READING: Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18
The first reading comes from the Book of Sirach, a
product of Israel’s late Wisdom. Sirach offers a
meditation on Israel’s scriptural traditions, especially the
Torah, to promote a sense of identity and right living in the
midst of a world whose values run counter to God’s will
and word. A key idea in today’s reading from Sirach is
God’s justice. He shows no partiality, but takes up the
cause of the wronged. The reading asks me to consider
how I approach my God. Do I present my wants to Him
as needs? Do I attempt to manipulate God to get what I
want? Am I honest with who I am, with what my place in
the world is? Do I live authentically?
SECOND READING: II Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18
The second reading comes from the Second Letter to
Timothy. Although the Pastoral Letters most likely
post-date the career of Saul, this letter is also classed as
one of the Captivity Letters dealing with the end of Paul’s
life. Whoever compiled the letter either drew on traditions
of Paul’s death or pseudonymously presents himself as
Paul at the end. Whatever the case, the writer of the
letter offers the faith statement that it is the Lord who
accomplishes all through us. Drawing on the image of
Paul’s life and career, the letter affirms that we are
instruments of God and cannot make a claim on Him for
what we have done as if we have earned God’s favor – a
constant theme in Paul’s authentic writings. We are
partners with our God and, if good is accomplished in our
lives it is because God has worked through us, because
we have cooperated with him, not that we have achieved
it all on our own.
The letter looks to the end of one Christian’s life and finds
joy that God has been a factor in that life, that the life has
made a difference because it was lived in openness to
God’s will and direction. As we approach the end of our
time in this liturgical year, can we say the same? Have
we gone where God led? Have we been open to what
God has in store for us, or have we responded to God on
our terms and now expect Him to reward us on our
terms?
THEME: "Humility is Truth."
“Do not offer God a bribe, for He will not accept it.”
“All who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who
humble themselves will be exalted.”
“Humility is truth.”
We are beginning to move towards the end of the
liturgical year and are being asked today to consider
ourselves, to consider our motives, to look closely at how
we are living in our time. Throughout the season of
Ordinary Time we have been called on to pray, to serve,
to make sacrifices, to live as Jesus lived. How have I
done this? Are my prayers and good works real acts of
service or attempts at placating God, bribing Him? Have I
stood before my God and presented myself as weak and
lowly in an attempt to manipulate him or have I dealt with
myself truthfully and simply stood before my God to say,
“I need you”?
Our Lady Queen of Peace ~ House Springs, MO
10
Twenty-ninth Sunday of Ordinary Time ~ October 16, 2016
FOR REFLECTION:
GOSPEL READING: Luke 18:9-14
The Gospel reading from Luke makes this idea concrete.
Jesus spoke a parable against those who trusted in
themselves, that they were righteous and He spoke to
show the danger of such self-righteousness: it leads us
to treat others with contempt. The Pharisee in the story
presents himself to God as a good man, and recounts all
the good he does. And, in fact, he is on the way. We
can’t fault him for the good he does. We can fault him
and ourselves for thinking that he/we have arrived. He
looks to his good and finds joy, not that he is on the way
and making progress, but that he is not like other people
who he judges to be more sinful.
The other man, however, simply asks for mercy because
he is a sinner. He doesn’t promise to change. He doesn’t
boast of his efforts to do good. He simply acknowledges
that he needs God and God’s mercy. He speaks the
truth. The truth is this, we are not set apart from all other
people, but intimately connected. We are connected in
our need for God’s mercy. Only when we can see that in
ourselves can we reach out to others. Only when we
know our need for mercy can we be a means of
compassion. Only when we open ourselves to God’s
mercy and offer compassion to others can we be a means
of proclaiming God’s message to the whole world.
Our Lady Queen of Peace ~ House Springs, MO
11

What is my understanding of humility? Is being
humble considering and treating myself as less than I
really am? How honest am I in my approach to God?

What values in today's world run counter to what I
believe God wants of me? How much have I bought
into those values? How much do I pretend that I
haven't in my approach to God? Where do I try to
manipulate God?

What has God accomplished through me? How
tempted am I to congratulate myself for this
good? How willing am I to try to make a claim on God
for the good He has accomplished through me?

In what areas of my life do I tend to judge others
harshly, to treat them with contempt? In what ways
am I like the Pharisee in Luke's story?

In what ways am I like the sinner in Luke's story? In
what ways in my life have I been led to the conclusion
that I simply need God? Is that admission depressing
or a cause for joy?
Twenty-ninth Sunday of Ordinary Time ~ October 16, 2016