Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

August 5, 2012 Do not work for food that perishes

but for the food that endures for eternal life.

John 6:27a

From the Pastor’s Desk: We continue our reflections on Jesus as the Bread of Life

throughout the whole of August. This is a powerful piece of Scripture. It speaks to us

about the gift we are to become for the world, and Jesus Christ. In the gospel of John today, Jesus entreats us not to

work for bread that perishes, but rather work for the bread that endures for eternal life. Of course, it is necessary and

important for us to work well here on earth for our human needs; however, all our material goods are means to serve

the higher good of our union with God. Today, Jesus teaches us that he is the true bread of life truly present in the

Eucharist whom we encounter at every Mass. As his people we are encouraged to open our hearts and lives to the

one Savior of the world. Being nourish by our Savior, Jesus keeps us from grumbling like the early Israelites in to-

day’s reading from the book of Exodus. We must remember that the Exodus was the defining event of Israel’s identity

as God’s covenant people. It is the back story for today’s grumbling of the “whole Israelite community” (Exodus

16:2) and God’s patient response: the gift of manna, “bread from heaven”. Let us be blessed as we gather for this

Eucharistic celebration in which Jesus offers himself to us as the “Bread of Life” from Heaven.

THE BREAD OF LIFE Today’s Gospel has the crowd asking Jesus three questions. First, “When did you get here,” to which Jesus responds by rebuking

them for their failure to grasp his miracle as a “sign,” an occasion to put faith in him. Their second question about accomplishing the

“works of God” has Jesus respond that faith is the “work” that God wishes. Many scholars believe this is John’s answer to the faith-works

dichotomy emerging in the early Christian community. Faith is the work of God in the believer, John would have us understand. The third

question asked by the crowd is a request for a “sign” that would allow them to put faith in Jesus, as the manna in the desert allowed the

Israelites to put faith in the Lord God. Jesus answers by revealing himself as the “bread of life” that “comes down from heaven and gives

life to the world.”

TODAY’S READINGS

First Reading — I will rain down bread from heaven for you (Exodus 16:2-4, 12-15).

Psalm — The Lord gave them bread from heaven

(Psalm 78).

Second Reading — Put on the new self that has been created in God’s way (Ephesians 4:17, 20-24).

Gospel — Whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst (John 6:24-35).

READINGS FOR THE WEEK

Monday: Dn 7:9-10, 13-14; 2 Pt 1:16-19; Mk 9:2-10

Tuesday: Jer 30:1-2, 12-15, 18-22; Mt 14:22-36 orMt 15:1-2,

10-14

Wednesday: Jer 31:1-7; Mt 15:21-28

Thursday: Jer 31:31-34; Mt 16:13-23

Friday: 2 Cor 9:6-10; Jn 12:24-26

Saturday: Hb 1:12 — 2:4; Mt 17:14-20

Sunday: 1 Kgs 19:4-8; Ps 34; Eph 4:30 — 5:2; Jn 6:41-51

TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION This week will see the summertime celebration of the Transfiguration of the Lord. The story of the Transfiguration is pro-

claimed twice each year; once on the Second Sunday of Lent, and then again on August 6. In Lent, the revelation of Jesus’ glory fore-

shadows the triumph of Easter. During the summer, this feast comes—significantly—forty days before the Exaltation of the Holy

Cross.

In the Gospel proclaimed on this day, Peter wants to know if he should build “three tents.” In Hebrew, the tents are sukkot,

rickety harvest shacks also called in English “tabernacles” (from the Latin word for “little shelters”) that harvesters set up in fields so

they can stay there to work day and night. Harvest booths are built and ornamented for the Jewish festival of Sukkot. One aspect of this festival is eager anticipation for the ingathering of all peoples (including ancestors Moses and Elijah) under God’s own sukkot shalom,

the tent of peace. In some patristic traditions, the late summer and early autumn of the church year are imagined as an extended ingath-

ering festival that begins today and reaches fulfillment at Epiphany.

Reflection question:

How has the Lord answered my prayers?

GOSPEL CHOIR Carl Stewart

ENSEMBLE CHOIR

Jules Smith

MUSIC

Velina Haynes Johnson Claudette Session

CHILDREN’S CHOIR

Maureen Cummings

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

Anita Kaufman

Senior Citizens Bobbie J. Charles

DCCW Geraldine Beckett

YOUTH LECTORS

Delores Fulton

LECTORS Tanya Tanner

ALTAR SERVERS

Tommy Briggs

EUCHARIST MINISTERS Alma Haynes

HEALTH MINISTRY

Frances Gallow

D.R.E.

Margaret Denson

REL. ED. BOARD Regina Carr

R.C.I.A.

Claudette Session

BREAVEMENT Karren Thomas

Men of Mercy Edward Clark

SICK AND SHUT-IN Renee Patten-Granger

Stewardship

Gregory Pumphrey

BAPTISMAL PREPARATION

Mary Sam

MARRIAGE SPONSORS

Mr. And Mrs. Eddie Bossette

BIBLE STUDY

Sam Peterson Beverly Williams

RELIGIOUS

ARTICLE Viola Roy

Mary Simon

ST. VINCENT de PAUL

Evelyn Bernard

OUR LADY’S SODALITY

Clara Muller

LEGION OF MERCY

Ronney Nedd

YOUTH USHERS Viola Thibodaux

CYM

Joyce Lombard

WOMEN of GRACE Shirley Ruth Jones

USHERS Alice Nettles

GREETERS Ruby Junious

KNIGHTS OF

PETER CLAVER #64 Stephen Daigre

K.P.C. LADIES

AUX Joyce Lombard

JR. KNIGHTS Edward Clark

JR. DAUGHTERS

Ruthie Evans

PARISH ADVISORY

COUNCIL

Michael Alfred, Jr.

Sharieka Carter

Mary Ann Howard

Cheryl James

Lynette Moore

Winston Pitre Beverly Sennett

Gwen Spikes

Morris Williams

FINANCE COUNCIL

Evelyn Bernard

Willie Brown

John Labrie

Miranda Thomas

Preston Sennet

Saturday-Aug. 11th-4:30pm

William Stuberfield, Halle Stu-

berfield, Ka’Mari Andrews,

Blake Logan

Sunday–Aug. 12th-7:00am

Brandon Garrett, Charity

Garrett, Kyra Rodgers, Kaleb

Wright, Jamerson Roberts

9:00am

Chinye Nwaobi, Alyssa Bruno,

Terri Gallien, Simon Gobert,

Corbie Pumphrey, Joshua

Thompson

11:30am

Tiana Bruno, Celysia Goree,

Kevin Dotson, Andre Thomas

Baptism: are celebrated on the 2nd Sunday of the month after the 11:30am Mass. Parents or legal guardians are encouraged to contact the Rectory even before selecting Godparents. You are encouraged to begin Baptismal preparations during the pregnancy. Before the Baptism, you will need to bring the Original Birth Certificate to the Priest. Funerals: It is advisable to contact the Priest before releasing a loved one’s body to any funeral Home. Please make ALL funeral arrangements at the Rectory BEFORE contacting the Funeral Director. Weddings: For a Catholic Wedding there is a mandatory 6 month preparation time which begins with your first appointment with the Priest. The couple will need to secure new copies of their Baptism Certificates. Wedding dates can only be confirmed after the Pre-Cana preparation have begun. Wedding consultants are not permitted CCD: All students who attend public or non-Catholic School from 1st through 12th grades should be enrolled in our CCD School of Religion. Classes are held during the school year. Contact the DRE to register, 842-0112 Membership: Registered Members have Census Card on file at the Rectory. Contributing Members also use Church envelopes. All adults 18+ should make sure their registration is current. All census information is strictly confidential and is never given to out side agencies.

Our Mother of Mercy Catholic Church

Pastor: Very Rev. Henry J. Davis, SSJ-Area Director -Josephites

Vicar: Rev. Ugochukwu Jerome Cletus, SSJ and Rev. Mr. George Bede Ajuruchi, SSJ

Our 75th Anniversary Founded 1926 -

Parish Established 1937 “Our Spirit Rejoices in God

Our Savior!”

3390 Sarah Street, Beaumont, TX 77705

Rectory: (409) 842-5533 - Fax: 842-4710 -Dorothy Wheaton, Principal- School: 842-5534

-Margaret Denson DRE-CCD:842-0112

Hall: 842-9833

Pear Orchard Federal Credit Union: 842-4343

E-mail: omomchurch@catholic.org

omomchurch@sbcglobal.net,

Website: www.josephite.com/parish/tx/omom/,

www.omomcc.org, www.omomcs.org

Office Hours: Monday thru Friday:

9:00am to 5:00pm

Weekend Mass Schedule: Saturday Vigil: 4:30pm -

Sunday 7:00, 9:00, 11:30am

Weekday Mass Schedule: Monday, Wednesday,

Thursday, Friday at 6:30am, and

Tuesday at 6:30pm

Confessions: Saturday 3:00 - 4:15pm or anytime by

appointment

Saturday–Aug. 11th-4:30pm (1) Monique Sennett

(2) Sandra Hill

© Lauren Cummings

Sunday– Aug. 12th-7:00am

(1) Edward Clark

(2) Gloria Cobb

© Brenda Mays

9:00am (1) Dorothy Wilson

(2) Brenda Larkins

© Shirley B. Jones

11:30am

(1) Karren Thomas

(2) Al. V. Bernard

© Carla Bassett

“ I am the bread

0f life…”

Augus

A

TheMost

ALL BULLETIN ITEMS MUST be submitted to

the secretary by Monday to be included in the

weekend Church Bulletin.

You are invited to become a

member of one or more of the

ministries listed on the front of the

bulletin.

August 5, 2012

Eighteenth Sunday In Ordinary Time

Cycle B

Draw near to me, O Lord,

and answer my prayers.

August 2nd

Gwen Anderson

August 3rd Cheryl Rivers

August 5th Regina Carr

Tuesday 7:15pm- Wednesday 12:00 pm-

5:00pm- 6:00pm- 7:00pm- Thursday 5:30pm- 6:30pm- Friday 6:00pm- Saturday 8:00am- 10:00am- 12:00pm-

Bible Study Bible Study Children Choir Practice Stewardship Meeting St. Vincent de Paul Meeting Gospel Choir Practice / Baptism Prep Class Liturgical Dancers RCIA Men of Mercy Meeting Back to School Give-A-Way Diocesan Council of SVdP Youth Lectors

Events of the Week

The Flower Fund Committee Would like

to thank all parishioners for their floral

donations and remembrances. Your con-

tinued support is greatly appreciated and

needed. Altar Flower Forms are avail-

able in the front of the Church. Thank

you and be blessed.

As of July 1, 2012 there is no longer a

refundable deposit. The deposit will hold

the date for your function only. All those

who rented, paid your $150 deposit for

the hall and filled out a contract, before

July 1, 2012 will receive your refundable

deposit. Thank you for all your past and

continued support.

John 6:

The Block Rosary meets every

Wednesday at 5:00pm. If you would like to

join in and/or sponsor a rosary at your home

please call 842-0879.

Tuesday, August 7th is the deadline to

make an appointment with a priest to

baptize your baby in August. Baptism

Preparation Class is Wednesday, August

8th; the Baptism is Sunday, August 12th.

As of September 1, 2012 Our

Mother of Mercy Church’s new

pastor will be Rev. Lowell Case,

SSJ a native of Baltimore, Md.

As of September 1, 2012 Blessed Sac-

rament’s administrator will be Rev.

J o s e p h B e n j a m i n , S S J .

Rev. Henry Davis, SSj last mass cele-

bration at Blessed Sacrament Church

will be August 18-19, 2012 and

his farewell mass at OMOM will be

August 25 & 26th.

ATTENTION

MARRIED COUPLES ...who will be celebrating 25th, 50th or

50th + wedding anniversary in 2012:

Bishop Curtis J. Guillory and the Office

of Family Life Ministry invite you to

attend the annual diocesan ceremony

honoring your commitment to the Sacra-

ment of Marriage on Sunday, October

28, 2012 at 2:30 p.m. at St. Anthony Ca-

thedral Basilica. The ceremony will in-

clude Mass, Renewal of Marriage Vows

and Presentation of Certificates. A recep-

tion will follow in the Cathedral Center.

Please RSVP to your pastor or parish

secretary no later than Friday, September

28, 2012.The following information will

be needed:

appear on certificate;

who will attend the ceremony.

Meetings are on the second Friday of

each month (August 10th-6:00pm). For

more details, contact Edward Clark or any

member.

Please pray for the soul of Joseph

“Sonny” Babino, whose Mass of Resur-

rection and Burial was Thursday. Please

remember him and his family in your

prayers and Masses.

May He Rest In Peace

On Friday, August 10th the Health Min-istry will hold their monthly meeting at 6:00pm. Contact Frances Gallow or any member for more information.

The Stewardship Committee will meet

on the second Wednesday, August 8th at

6:00pm. Contact Greg Pumphrey or any

member for more information.

NO HARSHNESS

Fight all error, but do it with

good humor, patience, kindness, and

love. Harshness will damage your own

soul and spoil the best cause.

PRAYER OF THE WEEK August 5, 2012, Eighteenth Sunday in

Ordinary Time Draw near to your servants, O Lord, and answer their prayers with unceasing kindness, that, for those who glory in you as their Creator and guide, you may restore what you have created and keep safe what you have restored. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Saturday 4:30pm-

Sunday 7:00am-

9:00am-

11:30am-

Monday 6:30am-

Tuesday 6:00pm- Wednesday 6:30am- Thursday 6:30am- Friday 6:30am-

Mildred Clement req. by Lyons Family Peggy McDaniel req. by Cecilia Woods Veronica & Sterling req. by Marshall Wiltz For The Parish req. The Pastor St. John Vienny Alumni req. by Fr. Davis Beatrice Simon req. by Sam Children Freddie “Uncle Sunny” Gloude req. by Eijah & Margaret In Thanksgiving req. by Chaisson/Carr Family Ronald Mills, Sr. req. by Family David Daniels req. by Brenda Daniels Nora Johnson req. by Joyce O’Brien Elaine Pumphrey req. by Margaret Winn Mildred Clement req. by Rick Goyne In Thanksgiving to The Sacred Heart req. by Fr. Davis Special Intention for Elliot Sam req. by Grandmother Deceased Cuchia Family req. by J. C. Giglio Bryan Evans req. by Eli, Ruthie & Danny Evans Annie Mae LaBeaux req. by M/M Robert Labeaux In Thanksgiving req. by Rita Mildred Clement req. by Sadie Patterson Lorena Petry req. by JoAnn Petry Sick & Shut-In req. by Fr. Davis In Thanksgiving for Alice Nettles Kendrick Johnson req. by Theresa Johnson Sick & Shut-In req. by Fr. Davis

Bible Study meet Tues. evenings at 7:15pm, and

Wed. at noon in the Parish Hall. Bring your Bible

and your questions.

The RCIA “Convert Class” meets every

Thursday evening at 6:30pm in the

meeting room. Join today!

Mass Intentions are accepted

at the Rectory during the hours of

8:00am till 2:00pm.

Stewardship of Treasure Last Weekend’s Mass attendance 528was and the

Offering……………$ 10,064.21

Other……….$ 1,276.00

God bless your generosity!

Masses for the Week of August 4th-10th

What a promise! Jesus

promises: “ No one who

comes to me shall ever be

hungry, no one who be-

lieves in me shall thirst

again. ” Just what the world needs. Who will

spend a life-time telling others of this promise?

( A nd there many more promises besides. )

Happy 70th Anniversary

August 10th Amos & Sadie

Patterson

Attention!!!

Incoming Lamar University College

Students!

You’re invited! Lamar Catholic Stu-

dent Center OPEN HOUSE-Sunday,

August 5 or Sunday August 12 (Join

us for one or both dates!) 5:00 p.m. –

8:00 p.m. Come join us for food, fun,

and meet new people! For more infor-

mation, please call Kelly delaRosa,

Campus Minister Coordinator at

924.4360.

ALL GOD’S CHILDREN

Saint Paul in today’s second reading talks about living as a Christian

community. What he says sounds obvious: don’t indulge in grudges, shout-

ing, or name-calling. These are the things we teach our children from an early

age, so they can develop as social persons who are able to live in harmony

with others. However, what Paul is urging goes way beyond simple good manners. He is

talking about an inner state of mind and heart that should mark all Christian behavior. Since

we have been born into the spiritual family of God through baptism, courtesy and tolerance

are evidence that our inner nature is forming itself in imitation of Christ. Our capacity for

kindness and friendship shows our desire to build a community of love and mutual forgive-

ness. This can be hard enough in our own family, but can be even tougher in a parish. There

is probably no other group that exhibits such a diversity of people as a parish. There are

people from all walks of life and income levels. There are people of different ethnic origins

and cultures. Some families were there when the parish was founded. Others arrived last

week. For such a group to be drawn into a harmonious community is indeed divine work. It

requires recognizing and honoring different gifts, and bearing differences with grace and

acceptance. As such, a Christian community can offer a powerful witness to a multi-ethnic

and multicultural society as it proclaims by its very existence that it is possible for people

of different origins to live and worship together. This unity in diversity of a people gathered

around the one table of the one Lord proclaims the truth that in God there are no distinc-

tions, only the family of God’s children, beloved of the One who created all.

Women's Silent Retreat "When the Stories Fall Away" Presenter: Paula D'Arcy Thursday, September 6th through Sunday, September 9th. Registration 4:00 pm Friday followed by supper at 6:00 pm. Ends Sunday after lunch. Cost: $299.00. All private rooms. Pre-register by August 30th. To be held at Holy Family Retreat Center, 9920 North Major Drive, Beaumont, TX. Phone: 409-924-4 3 6 6 E m a i l : r e t r e a t c e n -

ter@dioceseofbmt.org

The Youth Lectors will have their monthly meeting on the second Satur-day, August 11th at 12:00noon in the meeting room. For more information contact Dolores Fulton.

Please, donate your new and gently used

items. Donations can be brought to Our

Mother of Mercy Hall, 3390 Sarah St.-

August 13th-14th between 7:00am and

6:00pm. All donations are welcome.

Sponsored by Our Mother of Mercy Sen-

ior Citizens Organization. For more in-

formation contact Bobbie Charles at 409-

842-2072.

For the past two years, lay men and their

wives have been discerning and learning

about the permanent diaconate. Now,

after a thorough screening process and

interviews by the Permanent Diaconate

Formation Committee and by Bishop

Guillory. Among those selected by the

Bishop is Keith Augustine of Our

Mother of Mercy, Beaumont to begin a

new class for Permanent Diaconate For-

mation. Congratulations Keith. Your

parish family will be praying for your

success.