17TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

JESUS, I TRUST IN YOU Last year, while I was finishing up my last year in the seminary, one of the requirements to get our degree was to take a comprehensive exam. This exam covered all the material that we had learned in our classes over the course of the last four years of graduate school. The way that this exam was set up, was that we were given three questions to answer over the period of a couple hours. After finishing the exam, we were given the results of it a month later after they were reviewed by a handful of our Theology professors. I remember spending a few months studying for this exam and getting stressed out over it, because it had such big impact on me getting my degree from the university. While I was undertaking this challenge, what helped me to get through this very stressful time was prayer. The one phrase that I would repeat to myself was “Jesus, I trust in you.” Every time I began to study and got stressed or nervous, I would recite this simple phrase, and it would help me to refocus. This phrase helped me to see that Jesus was there by my side helping me and through it I was able to place my trust in him. This prayer, then, became a powerful tool in helping me to overcome the anxiety that I had during that time and with God’s help I was able to pass the exam. In the Bible, the theme of trusting in God is one that can be found throughout it. Repeatedly throughout the Old Testament the Jewish people trusted that God would lead them to the Promised Land, which as we know he did. They trusted that he would be by their side, and that he would help them to overcome the various challenges that they faced along their path towards salvation. In the New Testament, as well, this theme of trusting in God can be found throughout it. In the Gospel of Matthew, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus reminds us not to worry because, God will take care of us and he knows all that we need. God is always there watching over us and helping us in so many different ways. At every moment of our lives, God is there beside us guiding us along the path towards Heaven. What we learn then from the Bible is that when we place our trust in God, he will always help us and come through in his promise to take care of us. One tool, then, that we can use to help us center ourselves every day to trust in God is repeating a short phrase such as “Jesus, I trust in you.” The way you can use this type of prayer is very simple. Whenever you

are nervous or stressed out about something in your life, take a moment to close your eyes and focus on Jesus, while slowly repeating this phrase. As you repeat this phrase, breathe slowly and ask God to be with you, and to give you the courage to trust in him. This is an easy and effective prayer that we can practice at any time of the day. This prayer doesn’t have to be long either; it can be as short as a couple of minutes. As we pray this prayer, it allows for us then to focus our hearts and minds on Jesus, seeing that he is there by our side and helping us. When we see that Jesus is with us and when we place our trust in him, we are able then to quiet our hearts and take on whatever the world may throw at us.

Father Joseph Boykow

A THANK YOU FROM FR. JOE TWO BUCKETS AT THE WELL

Two buckets meet at the well. One is sad, the other cheerful. “What’s the trouble?” one asked the second bucket sympathetically. “Oh” sighed the gloomy bucket. “I get so discouraged being taken to the well every day. No matter how full I am, I always come back empty.” The second bucket laughed. “Think about this. I always come here empty too but I always go away full. The same is true for you!” Now the two empty buckets were full of laughter and never truly empty ever again! During this last month of my medical treatment, which included inserting four stents in the left side and two stents (a few days ago) on the right side of my heart, I remembered the story of the two buckets at the well. Whenever we are ill, anxious or distracted, it is always a challenge to pray for a positive perspective. We seek the good news discoverable in prayer even when our bucket feels empty. God’s providence was and is abundantly blessing me through the gifts of medical care, prayer, caregivers and your kindness and support. Thank you for your goodness to me and may we all use the key of prayer to rejoice that the Lord always fills each empty bucket and teaches our hearts to overflow with laughter at ourselves. Prayer is the key to not feel empty.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

REGISTRATION FOR CLASSES FOR 2019-2020

Online Registration for the 2019 Religious Education Program is open. Please visit the website to register at www.stphilip.org. We will no longer have paper registration. Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact the program office at 973-779-1439 or www.reled@stphilip.org. For new families to the Religious Education Program, please contact the Parish Office at 973-779-6200 to confirm that you are registered as a parishioner. All families must be registered parishioners prior to entering the program.

VOLUNTEER CATECHISTS AND SUBSTITUTE CATECHISTS NEEDED The success of the faith formation of our children is due, in part, to the dedication of our volunteers. These volunteers, who become Catechists, substitute Catechists or classroom aides share their faith and love for Jesus while teaching the youth of our parish as they grow in the Faith. We are in need of volunteers for the upcoming 2019-2020 school year. We will provide you with the training, tools and support to assist you in this Ministry. If the Lord is calling you to be part of this ministry, please contact us at 973-779-1439 or by email at reled@stphilip.org.

MEDITATION HOUR

"Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted about many things . . .”

Join us for prayer, guided meditation and reflection August 8, 2019 at 7:00 PM in Church

MINISTRIES AND ORGANIZATIONS

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

Next Summer meeting: Wednesday, August 21st

VFW Hall - Valley Rd. at 8:00 pm

SPOUSAL BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT & MINISTRY Next meetings: Tuesday, August 13th & 27th at 7:00 pm in the Russo Room. Please contact Thalia Sanchez 862-295-1688

WIDOW/WIDOWERS Monday, August 12th at 6:00 pm in the Molloy Center. Come for prayer, socialization and meeting new friends.

PRAY FOR THE SICK: Rose Lucignani, Antony Fernandes, Victoria Spadofora, Michael Alban, Sr., Gary J. Arvardy, Judy Post, Marya Columbia, Kyle Rodrigues THE DECEASED: Francis P. Salensky, William Ziemkiewicz, James Serven

PARISH GIVING

Sunday Collection, July 22, 2018 $15,585.00 Sunday Collection: July 21, 2019 Envelopes $12,592.00 Cash $ 1,484.00

Online giving donation $ 5,353.00

TOTAL $19,429.00 Second Collection: Comm./Indian & Black Lepers/ $ 2,015.00 Catholic University

PRIESTS’ SCHEDULE: AUGUST 3 & 4, 2019

5:30 PM Fr. Joseph 8:00 AM Fr. Joseph 10:00 AM Fr. Matt 12:00 N Fr. Joe

SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Gn 18:20-32; Col 2:12-14; Lk 11:1-13

SUNDAY, JULY 28, 2019

8:00 All the People of the Parish

10:00 Pat Previdi Monique Tommaro Debbie Rhodes Special Intention: Peter McKiernan 12:00 Genevieve “Jean” Tarnowski

MONDAY, JULY 29, 2019 9:00 Christopher Westdyke TUESDAY, JULY 30, 2019 9:00 George Kelly

WEDNESDAY, JULY 31, 2019 9:00 William Kelly

THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2019 9:00 Anna Chase

FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 2019 9:00 Howard Glinkin

SATURDAY, AUGUST 3, 2019 9:00 Charles and Violet Dollbaum 5:30 Joe Hopper Jr. – 2nd Anniversary Special Intention: Eileen Boyle

SUNDAY, AUGUST 4, 2019 8:00 Francis, Miriam & Kevin O’Brien Debbie Rhodes 10:00 Anthony R. Lipari Albert Piccolo Catherine Manturi Thomas Granatell 12:00 All the People of the Parish

THE PARISH OFFFICE WILL BE CLOSED ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 2019 FOR ELECTRICAL WORK.