September 14, 2014 - Corpus Christi Parish, Mobile, AL

September 14, 2014
The Exaltation of the Holy Cross
CORPUS CHRISTI CATHOLIC CHURCH
6300 McKenna Drive, Mobile, Alabama 36608
Email: [email protected] ! Website: www.CorpusChristiParish.com
TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Parish Office:
342-1852 • Fax 342-6313
School Office:
342-5474, ext. 1 • Fax 380-0325
Rel. Ed. Office: 342-5474, ext. 7 • Fax 380-0325
Full-Day Care: 342-2424 • Fax 343-3119
Youth Ministry: 342-1852 • Fax 342-6313
PASTORAL STAFF
Very Rev. James F. Zoghby, V.F., Pastor
Rev. John S. Boudreaux, Associate Pastor
Deacon Arthur W. Robbins, Deacon
Sr. Donna Cooper, R.S.M., Visitation Chaplain
Mrs. Linda M. Hawkins, Pastoral Assistant
Mrs. Joan T. McMullen, School Principal
Mrs. Diane M. Stoyka, Parish Catechetical Leader
Mrs. Judi B. Ankiewicz, R.C.I.A. Coordinator
Mrs. Colleen DeVoe, Youth Ministry Co-Director
Mrs. Brenda Martens, Youth Ministry Co-Director
Mr. Matthew F. Purvis, Music Director
Mr. C. Russell Kirkpatrick, Gym Manager
TO REGISTER AS A MEMBER OF THE PARISH
Please fill out a Census Form. Census Forms are
available in the church vestibule and parish office.
COMMUNITY CENTER RENTALS & SERVICES
For rental information and kitchen services, please call
the parish office at 342-1852 or 342-1420.
SUNDAY MASSES
Vigil:
5:30 p.m. Saturday
Morning: 7:00, 9:00 and 11:00 a.m.
WEEKDAY MASSES
6:30 a.m.: Monday through Friday
8:15 a.m.: Monday through Saturday
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
Saturday: 5:00 p.m. and by request, particularly
after the 6:30 & 8:15 a.m. weekday Masses.
BAPTISM, MARRIAGE, ANOINTING OF SICK
Please call the parish office (342-1852) or information
and scheduling baptism, marriage, anointing of sick.
ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (R.C.I.A.)
Please see published schedule for specific dates and
times, or call the parish office (342-1852).
SUNDAY SCHOOL (C.C.D.) Grades K–12, Sundays
during school year, 10:05-10:55 a.m. in school bldgs.
SCHOOL, SACS-accredited for Grades 3K through 8.
For info & registration, please call the school office.
CHILD CARE CENTER, for 6-week to 2-yr. olds.
For info & registration, please call 342-2424.
THE EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS
This Mass, in one of our Eastern Rites, will fulfill your Sunday obligation.
If you’ve already received Communion at an earlier Mass today,
you can also receive Communion again at this Mass.
Catholic Maronite Rite Mass
This Sunday, Sept. 14, 6 p.m., here at Corpus Christi Church,
celebrated by Chorbishop Richard D. Saad, pastor of
St. Elias Catholic Maronite Church in Birmingham, Alabama.
COMMUNION MINISTERS MEETING
This Thursday, Sept. 18, at 7 p.m. in the church
This meeting is for parishioners who are interested in serving as
extraordinary ministers of Communion at Mass and/or to shut-ins.
LECTORS MEETING
Thursday, Sept. 25, at 7 p.m. in the church
This meeting is for parishioners interested in serving as lectors.
Guide Book & Directory
Advertising Opportunity
Corpus Christi’s annual Guide Book & Directory is being updated and
will be mailed to all parishioners at no cost to the parish. It is
subsidized by local businesses that advertise in it. If you would like
to find out about advertising in this book, please contact the parish
office at 342-1852 or at [email protected].
Children’s Liturgy of the Word
Looking for volunteers for who will
teach for one month, Sept. to May.
Sign-up sheet is in the vestibule.
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Classes: 10:05-10:55 a.m. in the main school bldg. Sunday
School participants at 9 a.m. Mass are dismissed with the final blessing.
Info: [email protected], or 648-4441.
CORPUS CHRISTI SCHOOL
Building the Body of Christ, one student at a time.
Friday, Sept. 26: No Classes. Annual Faculty Retreat.
Partners in Education
Corpus Christi Partners in Education, made up of businesses and
individuals, contribute to the recognition of our teachers, staff
members and students during the school year. For our students, it’s
an opportunity to receive recognition for their outstanding
performance in the classroom. This is a monthly recognition program
that is administered by our principal, Mrs. McMullen. If you or your
business would like to become part of this program, contact Mrs.
McMullen (342-5474, ext. 1), or Richard March (401-0466).
Society of St. Vincent de Paul
Poor Box, Food, Clothing donations put in the designated places
in the vestibule are distributed by our St. Vincent de Paul Society.
“In-Need” Drop Box next to the food pantry box in the vestibule. Fill
out a card, and deposit it in the locked drop box. Your info will be held
in strict confidence and a member of our society will contact you.
Join the Society of St. Vincent de Paul by attending a meeting.
Meetings: 1st & 3rd Wed., 6:30 p.m., Com. Ctr. Conf. Rm. (2nd Flr.)
ADULT RELIGIOUS
EDUCATION (R.C.I.A.)
Presented by Fr. James F. Zoghby
Continuing education for Catholic and other
adults who would like to learn more about
and/or join the Catholic Church. Meetings
are in the Adult Ed. Room in the Community
Center, W ednesdays, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Wed., Sept. 17 — Introductory Classes: Everything you want to
know about the Catholic Church but haven’t been able to ask.
Bring your questions! Ask, or drop them in our Question Box.
Confirmation Candidates in the Senior Class of 2016
and their sponsors meet today at 11 a.m. Mass.
The meeting will end at 3 p.m. and includes lunch, the Spirit Day and
the practice for the Confirmation ceremony (which is scheduled to
take place on Tuesday, Oct. 21) at 6 p.m. This is a special day with
your sponsor (or another adult if your sponsor is unavailable). It is
imperative that all candidates attend this day as we will review
everything you should have ready for your confirmation interview.
If you have any questions please contact: Diane Stoyka, Parish
Catechetical Leader, at [email protected] or 251-490-4816.
________________________________________
Confirmation Schedules
For students to be confirmed in their Junior year in High School
Confirmation has been set for this school year’s
11th Graders, who are the senior class of 2016.
Senior Class of 2016
Sept. 14, 2014: 11 am-3 pm Spirit Day with sponsor and Practice.
Sept. 28, 2014: 4-6 p.m. Interviews at designated times.
Oct. 21, 2014: 6 p.m. Confirmation Mass and reception.
Senior Class of 2017
Oct. 26, 2014: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Spirit Day. Lesson 6.
Nov. 2, 2014: Turn in Confirmation name.
Jan. 10, 2015: 10 am-4:30 pm Visitation Monastery retreat. Lessons 2,3,4.
May 18, 2015: Turn in Sponsors name.
Aug. 9, 2015: 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Spirit Day. Lesson 8
Senior Cass of 2018
Oct. 12, 2014: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Welcome Mass, Lesson 1.
Feb. 8, 2015: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Spirit Day. Lessons 5 & 7
To obtain assistance, call 432-5173 and leave name & phone no.
Our Church Bulletins are Online.
Please note the instructive insert pages in our Sunday bulletins.
More than 3 years’ worth of prior bulletins are available for viewing
or printing at www.CorpusChristiParish.com: (click “Church”, then
the "Sunday Bulletin" tab on the left side of the Church home page.
Sing in the choir any weekend
Just come to the rehearsal the Wednesday before
any weekend you want to sing in the choir.
Rehearsals are on Wednesday at 7 p.m. in Room 4
(2nd Floor of the Community Center).
CORPUS CHRISTI CHURCH, MOBILE, ALABAMA
Child Protection Policy
For volunteers who have substantial contact with children
The required Initial Training will be held
Tuesday, Sept.23, 6:30 p.m.
in the Adult Ed Room of the Community Center
Archdiocesan policy requires: 1. Attendance at an initial
training. 2. Annual online recertification each following year.
The annual online recertification is fulfilled by following the
instructions at www.mobilearchdiocese.org/childprotection.
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
Meeting: 2nd Tues., Oct. 14, at 7 p.m., at the Parish House.
Contact: Grand Knight, Cosmo Comiskey, 508-0547.
„Breakfast
Monday through Friday, 7:00 to 9:30 a.m.
In the Banquet Hall
SEPTEMBER 14, 2014
The Women’s Club
Sept. 15: Ice Cream Social for the children at St. Mary’s
Home: All women are invited to bring Ice Cream Sundae items
and meet here at Corpus Christi Church at 6 p.m. to caravan to St.
Mary’s Home on Moffett Rd. Info: Brittany Comiskey, 508-0526
Thursday Women’s Bible Study
SYMBOLON — A video series explaining the Catholic Faith
Thursdays, starting September 11, from 9:00–10:45 a.m.
SYMBOLON, a stunning new video series systematically presents
the BIG picture of the Catholic Faith. Filmed on location in Rome,
the Holy Land, Calcutta and elsewhere, with nationally-known
teachers. For more information go to www.symboloncatholic.org and
www.lighthousecatholicmedia.com All are welcome! Please join us
on this special journey to grow and learn our faith, to pray with each
other, and learn how to live our faith more fully in our everyday lives.
To Sign Up, please call or email:
Joanne Donaghey at 251-554-6753 or [email protected]
Penny Claiborne at 904-868-0063 or [email protected]
Tuesday Women’s Bible Study
Wednesday Night Dinner
5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Banquet Hall
$9.00 for Adults ! $4.00 for Children (Age 12 & under)
Sept. 17 ~ Home style Meatloaf & Gravy, Fried Chicken, Yukon
Mashed Potatoes, Corn, Turnip Greens, Dinner Roll, Coconut Cake.
Iced Tea/Lemonade/Coffee. Kids meal on request: Chicken Tenders, Fries.
Must RSVP no later than TUESDAY EVENING
Return an RSVP Card, or call 342-1852 or email
[email protected]
Men of St. Joseph
Tuesdays, 7 to 8 a.m. in the Family Room
Also Wednesdays, 7-8 p.m. in the Parish House
All men are welcome to meet for prayer, reading the Gospel, and discussion.
Info: Damian Bell, 639-2522 or 367-4486 or [email protected].
Wed Evening Info: Walter Bracewell, 599-1650 or [email protected]
Women of Mary
Wednesdays, 7 to 8 p.m.
Room 3 (2nd Floor of the Community Center)
All women are welcome to meet for prayer, reading the Gospel, and discussion.
Info: Sr. Deborah Kennedy, R.S.M., 753-4872.
SUPERSTAR SOCCER
All Kindergarten and 1st Grade students either in Corpus Christi
School or Corpus Christi Sunday School can participate. For more
info please contact Ashley Johnson at 455-5778 or
[email protected], or download the registration form at
http://www.corpuschristiparish.com/church/boosterclub.
Registration Deadline: Friday, Sept. 19. 1st practice Sun., Sept. 21
Pack 29 Cub Scouts
Interested in learning about how Cub Scouts can help your son
develop leadership, citizenship, commitment, responsibility and
Christian values? Contact John Carter at 422-8116.
Starting Sept. 23, 10:00 a.m. in the Adult Education Room
Introduction to the Bible, Overview of the New Testament
and a Study of the Gospel of John
Conducted by Judi Ankiewicz
Judi Ankiewicz earned her Master’s Degree in Theology from Spring
Hill College in Mobile, and serves as our R.C.I.A. Coordinator.
For more info, call 334-0321 or leave a message at the parish office
Widowed Persons’ Support Group
For information call parishioner Glen Porter at 666-8977.
Items Needed for Refugees
The Refugee Resettlement Program of Catholic Social Services
needs items for refugee families. Pick-ups can be arranged by
contacting Erin Dunn at 432-2727 or at [email protected],
or arrange to drop off items at 406 Government St.; 36602.
Small Items Needed: Can openers, toilet paper, toothpaste,
toothbrushes, small/large waste baskets, trash bags, gallon-size ziplock bags, spray cleaner, brooms/dustpans, alarm clocks, light bulbs,
shower curtains (and rings), twin & full-sized sheet sets, laundry
detergent, pots & pans (like new), lamps with end table, kitchen
utensils, mixing/serving bowls, baking dishes (in good condition).
Large Items Needed: Coffee tables, love seats, desks, dressers
(with mirrors if possible), microwave ovens, kitchen tables/chairs,
couches, sofa chairs.
Special Note: The CSS Refugee Program does NOT need and
canNOT take sleeper sofas, bunk beds, entertainment centers,
mattresses, refrigerators, picture frames.)
BBQ and Bargains!
Saturday, Sept. 20, at the Parish House
6:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Yard Sale, BBQ Chicken Plates (available after 10:30 a.m.)
Popcorn Sale and Concession Stand
BBQ plate includes Leg Quarter, Cole Slaw, Baked Beans, Rolland
for only $8. For more info, contact John Carter at 422-8116.
All proceeds will benefit our Cub Scouts/Pack 29.
CORPUS CHRISTI CHURCH, MOBILE, ALABAMA
Parish Picnic
Sunday, Oct. 12. Save the date!
40 Days for Life Fall Campaign
Wednesday, Sept., 24 through Sunday, Nov. 2
Sign Up Sunday After All Masses Sept. 20 & 21.
Pray & Fast: Visit www.mobile40daysforlife.com to sign up to pray for
an end to abortion, and receive prayers & updates for the Mobile 40
Days for Life campaign.
Stand in peaceful prayer vigil at the local abortion facility, Planned
Parenthood, 717 Downtowner Loop W.(across the street from Chuck
E. Cheese). Corpus Christi Parish will cover the abortion facility in
prayer, Wednesdays, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
To sign up, or for more information: Contact Steve Pierre, Corpus
Christi Respect Life/Family Life Coordinator, at 458-6188 or at
[email protected].
Corpus Christi
High School Youth Ministry
Sunday, Sept. 21: 5:30 p.m. Mass
6:30-8:00 p.m. Gathering
All high school students are invited to join us on for our kick-off Mass
and gathering of the new school year. We will start with 5:30 p.m.
Mass, followed by pizza, upstairs in the community center. We will
have a chance to hear about some of our activities planned for this
year, have a few activities, and welcome everyone to a new year of
CCHSYM. If you’ve already gone to an earlier Sunday Mass, please
feel free to join us at the 6:30 p.m. Gathering; if you can’t come to the
6:30 p.m. Gathering, please still join us at the 5:30 p.m. Mass.
The Corpus Christi High School Youth Ministry (CCHYSM) welcomes
students of our parish and their friends to all of our events. It gives us
an opportunity to get together as members of our great parish, and
also to meet up with friends that may not go to the same high school
as you! Through social activities, service opportunities, faith-building
and prayer/retreat events, we offer something for everyone. There
are no “memberships,” and you can come whenever you can! Those
receiving their religious education through our program , however,
are to attend regularly. Remember, you can bring your friends with
you — Our motto is “Bring $1 and a friend."
Special Note: We need people to help with the Music Ministry (play
an instrument or sing) at our monthly 5:30 p.m. Mass. All talent levels
are welcome, and practice is held just prior to Mass: Meet at 4:15
p.m. in the church. A lot of our choir teens graduated last May, so
please consider joining us! Instrumentalists, please let us know what
instrument you are playing so we can get the music to you ahead of
time in the correct key. Email [email protected].
Used Textbook Drive
Help the Tues. Night Bible Study Group raise funds for a new TV for
the Parish House by selling current used textbooks online. Place
used, current textbooks (Grade School through College, etc.) in the
designated box in the vestibule. Info: Mary Ann Payne, 554-4211.
Flowers
The flowers before the pulpit last weekend
were placed in memory of
Dorothy Puckett
on her birthday.
Given by her children.
SEPTEMBER 14, 2014
Around the Archdiocese:
Mobile Deanery Archdiocesan
Council of Catholic Women’s Fall Quarterly Mtg., Wed., Sept. 17, at St. Catherine of
Siena Parish Hall. Registration begins at 9:15 a.m. with the meeting at 10 a.m. Mass
at 11:15 a.m. with Archbishop Rodi; luncheon will follow. Luncheon is $12. Reservations
deadline is Mon., Sept. 15: Contact Beth Cain @ 973-1126 or [email protected];
Margie Bunch @ 661-6827 or [email protected]; or Betty Russell @ 479-8907.
Open to all Catholic Women. Info: Shirley Norton 973-0626. 8th Annual Wine Festival
at 5 Rivers, Thurs., Oct. 16, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Tickets at Domke Market, Red or White, or
at WineFestivalat5Rivers.com. Proceeds to Catholic Social Services. Info: 434-1550.
Annual Red Mass: Friday, Sept. 26, 12 noon at the Cathedral with Archbishop Rodi,
sponsored by the St. Thomas More Society, asking God’s blessing on our Judicial
System & elected officials. To join the St. Thomas More Society, or participate more fully
in the Red Mass, contact Greg McAtee, 661-9399. Public Square Rosary Rally Sat.,
Oct. 11, 12 noon, 2300 Springhill Ave. at front gate of Visitation Monastery. The Cheap
Chic Boutique fundraiser for Our Sisters’ Closet, Sept 19, 9am-6pm & Sept 20, 9am3pm, at the Sisters of Mercy Bldg., St. Mary Parish. New, nearly new & vintage clothing
& accessories to be sold with proceeds to provide interview & workplace clothing to incrisis women; and job search training for women, men & teens. Volunteers are welcome
Sept 17-20. Info: www.oursisterscloset.org, [email protected], or 423-2001.
Retreat for Women at Visitation Monastery Oct. 17-19. Fr. Eugene Pathe will be the
Retreat Master. Registration begins Friday at 4 pm; retreat ends Sunday after noon meal.
Daily Mass, spiritual talks, confessions & private conferences with Fr. Pathe. Suggested
offering is $125. Space limited: call 473-2321 for reservations. Holy Name of Jesus
Parish Mission: The Role of Prayer, Oct. 20-22 at 7 pm at 2275 Snow Rd. N. Nationally
known authors, Deacons Eddie Ensley & Robert Herrmann lead the mission. Info: 6494794 or [email protected]. Catholic High School Alumni Assoc. of
Mobile (CHSAAM) to induct 4 honorees into its Hall of Fame at McGill-Toolen Catholic
High School’s Homecoming festivities Sept. 19. The honorees: William “Billy” John Cox,
McG-T ’81; Rick Crozier, McG-T ’86; Patricia Donaghey Vallee, McG-T ’80; Monique
Adams Williams, McG-T ’88, will be inducted at a special luncheon on campus Friday,
introduced at the school’s pep rally, and recognized during half-time activities at the
Homecoming game at Lipscomb Stadium. All past Hall of Fame members will also be
recognized . Info: Jennifer Tolbert, 445-29313 or [email protected].
SPECIAL COLLECTION NEXT WEEKEND: Catholic University.
FIRST COLLECTION TODAY for tithing offerings.
SECOND COLLECTION TODAY for Corpus Christi Building Fund.
SEPT. 7TH BUILDING FUND DONATIONS & ONLINE: $3,119.40
SEPT. 7TH TITHING COLLECTION & ONLINE: $27,369.57
Thank You and God Bless You
God bless all who tithe and contribute to support God's work here
at Corpus Christi, and those who make a special bequest in their
will for Corpus Christi Church. For info, or to transfer shares of
stock to Corpus Christi Church, contact your stockbroker, or call
Steve Setterstrom at Citigroup Global Mkts. at 470-1060.
Offering Envelopes
If you wish to use Offering Envelopes, just notify the
parish office (342-1852). An initial set will be sent to
you right away, and then, every two months, you will
receive a two-month’s supply of envelopes.
Online Giving
With Online Giving make a one-time contribution or
set up a recurring automatic withdrawal from a
checking or saving or credit card account: Use a
computer, tablet or smartphone to go to
www.CorpusChristiParish.com; click “Church”; then
click the green Online Giving icon on the side left of the church’s
homepage. Follow the instructions to contribute to the tithing or
building fund or special collections. For assistance, call 1-800-3482886, ext 4, or the parish office, 342-1852.
PRAYER
We
create all kinds of
difficulties in our prayer. Let us
go back to what Jesus has taught
– the intimate and simple prayer:
‘Our Father...’
Even little children can pray this.
Mother Teresa of Calcutta
Jesus said:
When you pray, there is no need to use many words.
Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
Pray like this:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed
be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be
done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this
day our daily bread, and forgive us our
trespasses as we forgive those who trespass
against us, and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen.
I cannot bring myself to hunt through books for beautiful
prayers. There are so many of them that I get a headache.
Besides, each prayer seems lovelier than the next. I
cannot possibly say them all and do not know which to
choose. I behave like a child who cannot read: I tell God
very simply what I want and He always understands.
For me, prayer is an upward leap of the heart, an
untroubled glance towards heaven, a cry of gratitude and
love which I utter from the depths of sorrow as well as
from the heights of joy...
When I feel so spiritually barren that I cannot summon up
a single worthwhile thought, I say an Our Father or a Hail
Mary. These two prayers fill me with rapture and feed
and satisfy my soul.
St. Theresa of Lisieux
Hail
Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.
Blessed are you among women and blessed is the
fruit of your womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and the
Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and
ever shall be. Amen.
Acquire the habit of speaking to God as if you were
alone with Him, with familiarity and confidence and love,
as to the dearest and most loving of friends.
Ask those who love Him with a sincere love, and they
will tell you that they find no greater or prompter relief
amid the troubles of their life than in loving conversation
with their Divine Friend. Speak to Him often of your
business, your plans, your troubles, your fears – of
everything that concerns you.
St. Alphonsus Liguori
I
should be distressed that I
drop off to sleep during my
prayers... But I don’t feel at all
distressed. I know that children
are just as dear to their parents
whether they are asleep or
awake, and I know that doctors
put their patients to sleep before
they operate.
I’d never before heard it said
that one’s faults did not distress God, and I was
overwhelmed with joy when I did receive this assurance.
It gave me patience to endure this life of exile. It was,
too, the echo of my inmost thoughts. For a long time I
had realized that Our Lord was more tender than a mother
– and how well I know the depths of tenderness in more
than one mother’s heart! I know that a mother is always
ready to forgive the misbehavior of her child.
St. Theresa of Lisieux
A
construction worker who visited St. Patrick’s
Cathedral every day on his lunch hour was asked by one
of his fellow workers, “What do you do there?” He
responded, “I say, Hello, Jesus, this is Jerry. Then I look
at Him, and He looks at me.”
It
is a great grace of God to
practice self-examination; but too
much is as bad as too little.
Believe me, by God’s help, we
s hal l advance more by
contemplating God than by
keeping our eyes fixed on
ourselves.
Let
nothing disturb you, let
nothing frighten you. All things
pass: God never changes. Patience achieves all it strives
for. Whoever has God lacks nothing. God alone suffices.
St. Teresa of Avila
In
God Is Good For You!
Many studies have shown that people of faith who
regularly attend services tend to be happier and
healthier than those who don’t.
Back
in the 1990s a study by psychiatrist David
Larson found that:
Regular church attenders live longer, have fewer
heart attacks and a lower incidence of arteriosclerosis,
high blood pressure and hypertension.
Religious people are less likely to abuse alcohol and
are far less likely to use illicit drugs.
Prison inmates who make a religious commitment
are less likely than their counterparts to return to jail.
Marital satisfaction and overall well-being tend to
increase with church attendance.
Blessed be the Lord, my Rock, my refuge
and my fortress, my stronghold, my
deliverer, my shield, in whom I trust.
Psalm 144
According to a study published in December, 2010,
in the journal, American Sociological Review,
religious people were more satisfied than nonreligious people. According to the data, about 28
percent of people who attended a religious service
weekly were “extremely satisfied” with their lives,
compared with 19.6 of people who never attended
services.
Fill us with your love, O Lord, and we will
sing for joy! Fill us at daybreak with your
kindness, that we may shout for joy and
gladness all our days. And may the
gracious care of the Lord our God be ours!
Psalm 90
2010, the Pew Research Center released a study
which found that people who attend religious services
weekly or more are happier (43% very happy) than those
who attend monthly or less (31%); or seldom (26%).
This correlation between happiness and frequency of
church attendance has been a consistent finding of the
Research Center’s General Social Surveys taken over the
years. The same pattern applies within all major
religious denominations. For example, 38% of all
Catholics who attend church weekly or more report
being very happy, while just 28% of Catholics who
attend church less often say they are very happy.
Only in God is my soul at rest, for from
him comes my hope. He only is my rock
and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall
not be disturbed.
Psa lm 62
According to an article in Time magazine in 2009, “A
growing body of scientific evidence suggests that faith
may indeed bring us health. People who attend religious
services do have a lower risk of dying in any one year
than people who don’t attend. People who believe in a
loving God fare better after a diagnosis of illness than
people who believe in a punishing God. No less a killer
than AIDS will back off at least a bit when it’s hit with
a double-barreled blast of belief.”
The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to
anger and of great kindness. The Lord is
good to all and compassionate toward all
his works.
Psa lm 145
Social demographer Robert Hummer of the University
of Texas has found that “those who never attend
religious services have twice the risk of dying over the
next 8 years as people who attend once a week. People
who fall somewhere between no churchgoing and
weekly churchgoing also fall somewhere between in
terms of mortality.”
Happy the people the Lord has chosen to
be his own! Our soul waits for the Lord,
who is our help and our shield, for in him
our hearts rejoice; in his holy name we
trust.
Psalm 33
God Is Good For You!
Recent Study Finds Less Depression Among Weekly Churchgoers
Past studies have shown that those
who attend religious services at
least weekly tend to live longer and
healthier lives. Now, new research
indicates that frequent churchgoers
also face those additional years
with more optimism and greater
social support than other people. A
study involving nearly 100,000
postmenopausal women showed
that those who reported weekly
attendance at religious services
were 56 percent more likely to be
above the median in terms of their
optimism level. They were also
significantly less likely to be
depressed or to be characterized by
cynical hostility. The study was
funded by the National Heart, Lung
and Blood Institute of the National
Institutes of Health.
Catholic News Service
I will give thanks to you, O Lord, with all my heart.
In the presence of the angels I will sing your praise.
Psalm 138
Neal Krause, a sociologist and public-health expert at the
A 30-year study by Cornell University sociologist
University of Michigan has found that parishioners
naturally benefit when they receive social support from
their church. But he also found that those people who
give help fare even better than those who receive it.
Phyllis Moen shows that women who volunteered in
churches, civic groups and schools reported good
health and high self-esteem. They described their
lives as meaningful, and their outlook was more
optimistic than most of their peers. It seems that
people who volunteer at least two hours a week show
significant reductions in their stress levels. Once they
see how much better off they have it than the people
they help, they lose their self-pity.
Out of love, place yourselves at the service of one
another. The whole law has found its fulfillment in this
one saying: “You shall love your neighbor as
yourself.”
Gal 5:13b-14
Krause also found that people who maintain a sense
of gratitude for what’s going right in their lives have
a reduced incidence of depression. In another study,
he found that people who believe their lives have
meaning live longer than people who don’t.
Sing joyfully to the Lord, serve the Lord with
gladness; come before him with joyful song. Know
that the Lord is God, he made us, his we are, his
people, the flock he tends. The Lord is good, the Lord,
whose kindness endures forever, and his faithfulness,
to all generations.
Psalm 100
All this I tell you that my joy may be yours and that
your joy may be complete. This is my commandment:
love one another as I have loved you.
John 15:11-12