September 6, 2020 Twenty-Third Sunday in

Ordinary Time

SEPTEMBER 6, 2020 TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

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PARISH CALENDAR & MASS INTENTIONS

TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Appeal Weekend – Special Collection

Holy Land

SUN. 6 Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

8:00 a.m. Mass (St. Lawrence Parish) CH

10:00 a.m. Mass (Susan Land) CH

12:15 p.m. Spanish Mass (L/D Members of CH

Coutinho family)

MON. 7 Labor Day Holiday

9:00 a.m. Mass (Gene Boros) CH PARISH OFFICE CLOSED

TUES. 8 The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

8:00 a.m. Mass (John Haack) CH

9:00 a.m. Sunday Scripture Study AH

WED. 9 St. Peter Claver, Priest

8:00 a.m. Mass (Betty Anderson) CH

School Children attend Mass

6:30 p.m. RCIA Session AH

THURS. 10

NO MASS at St. Lawrence

9:30 a.m. Footprints Sewing Group AH

12:15 p.m. Mass at St. Francis

5:15 p.m. Mass at St. Mary

FRI. 11

8:00 a.m. Mass (Beverly Dalton) CH

9:00 a.m. Church Cleaning

SAT. 12 The Most Holy Name of Mary

8.00 a.m. Mass (Phyllis Collins) CH 3-4:00p.m. Confessions CH

4:30 p.m. Vigil Mass (Janet Nelson) CH

2nd Collection – Holy Land

(this collection had been postponed

from Good Friday)

Sun. 13 Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

8:00 a.m. Mass (Dick Kanney) CH

10:00 a.m. Mass (St. Lawrence Parish) CH

11:00 a.m. Relig. Ed Instruction for students

in K-8th grade) CH

12:15 p.m. Mass (Int. of Don Beech) CH

Pastor’s Column: A Message from Father Underwood

Labor Day: Every year when we celebrate

Labor Day, we are reminded of the blessings

God has given to us – the ability to use our

talents for His glory. Work truly is a gift from

God. Let us pray this Labor Day for the

sanctity of all human labor – that it may be an

opportunity to glorify God! Here are a few

particular intentions to commend to your daily

prayers:

-For laborers to invite God to guide all their work.

-For those without work, that they may find adequate

employment.

-For a just wage for all laborers, that families may

provide for all their needs.

-For employers to respect the dignity of workers,

particularly the importance of keeping holy the

Sabbath.

Please Join us for Mass on Labor Day (September 7th)

St. Francis of Assisi 9:00am

St. Lawrence 9:00am

St. Mary 9:00am

Scammers are Getting Creative: There are so many people

out there trying to take advantage of others through scams. In

the last two years we have seen people texting and emailing

parishioners in our parishes, claiming to be the priests needing

help with an urgent situation. And, it has started here in Muncie

last weekend with some parishioners getting text messages,

claiming to be from me.

Here are some helpful things to know:

If you receive an email or text that looks suspicious, delete it

and do not respond.

1. Your priests and parish staff will not text or email you

asking for gift cards or money. Fundraising will

always be done in an official capacity, and usually

accompanied by your priest(s) announcing it at Mass

(in person).

2. Scammers are using priest photos and creating false

email addresses to appear real. Emails from your

priests will only come from our official (dol-in.org)

email addresses, which can be found in the parish

bulletin. If you receive something that looks real, but

you are not sure – feel free to call one of our parish

offices to find out.

Helping One Another to be Holy: This weekend’s Gospel

(Mt. 18: 15-20) is about helping one another to be holy. It is a

perfect passage to pray with (Lectio Divina) and to ask the

guidance of the Holy Spirit. Some questions to reflect on: How

can we look out for the best interest of one another? Is there

someone that needs a loving conversation? Will I need to step

out of my comfort zone out of real love? God is inviting us to

be his hands and feet. We are so blessed to have that call!

God Bless,

Fr. Eric Underwood, Pastor

St. Lawrence Catholic Church http://www.stlawrencemuncie.com

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TODAY’S READINGS

First Reading — Warn the wicked and try to turn them

from their ways (Ezekiel 33:7-9).

Psalm — If today you hear his voice, harden not your

hearts (Psalm 95).

Second Reading — Owe nothing to anyone, except

mutual love (Romans 13:8-10).

Gospel — If two agree about anything for which they

pray, it shall be granted to them (Matthew 18:15-20). The English translation of the Psalm Responses from Lectionary for Mass © 1969, 1981, 1997,

International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.

READINGS FOR THE WEEK

Monday: 1 Cor 5:1-8; Ps 5:5-7, 12; Lk 6:6-11,

or, for Labor Day, any readings from the

Mass “For the Blessings of Human Labor,” nos. 907-911

Tuesday: Mi 5:1-4a or Rom 8:28-30; Ps 13:6;

Mt 1:1-16, 18-23 [18-23]

Wednesday: 1 Cor 7:25-31; Ps 45:11-12, 14-17;

Lk 6:20-26

Thursday: 1 Cor 8:1b-7, 11-13; Ps 139:1b-3, 13-14ab,

23-24; Lk 6:27-38

Friday: 1 Cor 9:16-19, 22b-27; Ps 84:3-6, 12; Lk 6:39-42

Saturday: 1 Cor 10:14-22; Ps 116:12-13, 17-18;

Lk 6:43-49

Sunday: Sir 27:30 — 28:7; Ps 103:1-4, 9-12;

Rom 14:7-9; Mt 18:21-35

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Holy Father’s Prayer Intention for September

Dear Lord, We pray that we would not plunder the

resources of this planet which you have entrusted to us.

Help us share in a just and respectful way all of the

blessings and resources that you’ve given to us.

PRAYER REQUESTS

Please remember the following parishioners in your

prayers this week: Beth Kaiser, Sonja Bickey,

Larry Tricker, Isaiah Greiner, Joe Morgan, Dale Goth,

JoAnn Brown, Miriam Walker, Adam Pence, Alex Pence,

Joseph Jenkinson, Clara Persinger, Martha Jean McIntosh,

Dorothy Duncan, Linda Goth, Shirley Jordan, Kameron

Kadinger, Joe Duncan, Lucille Kanney, Pat Daunt, Larry

Rigel, Joyce Doyle, for the family of Alex and Kim

Flores, Stacey Vencel, Joshua Cole, Richard Biehl, Ed

Kratochvil, Mary Hadley, Noah Cross, Judy Cool Beaty,

Mary Kerrigan, Roni Johnson, William Berger, Tia

Lindsey, Dixie Lindsey, David Duke, Bill Brown, Bailey

Michelle Rinker, Jimmy Hossom, Paula Hughes, Helen

and Ronny Fouts, John Hartmeyer, Julie Coley Werling,

James Kenneth Barnes II, Gary Pavlechko, Jim Savage,

Sister Paulette Shaw, Marsha Clark, Dan Wade, Kathy

Lewis, John Slivoski, Greg Shaw, Jeff Fasnacht, Luisa

Sanchez, Jake Ragala, Dixie Modglin, Sande Ward,

Robynn Russell, Nancy Ward, Steven Russell.

PRAYER CHAIN Please call Joan McKinley 716-7073 for the St.

Lawrence Church Prayer Chain request.

Pray For: Our Priests, Deacons, and Seminarians

Sun. Fr. Michael McKinney Dcn. Gary Kuenz

Mon. Fr. Tom Metzger Dcn. Paul Lunsford

Tues. Fr. Chris Miller Dcn. Mike Mescall

Wed. Fr. Robert Moran Dcn. Mark Miller

Thurs. Fr. Kyle Neterer Dcn. Stephen Miller

Friday Fr. David Newton Dcn. Ronald Morrow

Sat. Fr. John Nguyen Dcn. Jose Munoz

Weekend of August 30, 2020

Mailed In, Dropped Off, Collection at Mass (online not included)

St. Lawrence Parish ……………………. $10,843.00 Children’s Envelopes ………………….. $ 100.00 School Support ………………………… $ 2,108.00 Fuel Fund ……………………………… $ 0.00 Deacon’s Food Pantry ………………… $ 1,150.00 Holy Day – Assumption of Mary ……... $ 30.00 Other …………………………………… $ 444.00 Total: $14,675.00

Please consider online giving. Go to

www.osvonlinegiving.com/4289 or call the Business

Office at St. Lawrence 765-288-9223, Ext. 22 for

additional information.

FACE MASKS ARE MANDATORY FOR ALL

MASSES AND PARISH MEETINGS HELD ON

THE CAMPUS.

Dispensation to attend Mass has been extended to

November 1.

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Take Note!!! The parish secretary’s day off is Wednesday. Please

plan accordingly. You can leave a message for the

secretary on the office phone. Her office hours are

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday-8:30am-

4:30pm. The Business Office in St. Agnes Hall is

open from 8:30am-4:30pm if you need to utilize their

services. Call the office number at 765-288-9223 and

press ext. 12 or 22

SEPTEMBER 6, 2020 TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

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PARISH MINISTRIES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Adult Faith Formation Column

(Sue Wilhelm)

RCIA Sessions will begin on Wednesday, September 9,

at 6:30 p.m. in St. Agnes Hall. If you know of someone

who would like to join us, please introduce us! Sue ___________________________________________________

Eat, Pray, Learn Series: Praying the Gospel to

grow closer to Jesus.

October 7, 14, 21 and 28 from Noon to 1:00pm at

the K of C Hall. Joining via ZOOM will be an

option!

Would you like to learn how to pray with the Gospels

to deepen your friendship with Jesus? Join us for

four Wednesdays in October to explore how St.

Ignatius encouraged people to pray using their

imagination. We will walk around inside four Gospel

passages that help us encounter Jesus and be

encountered by him. There will be opportunity for

safely sharing food, prayer experiences of the Gospel

and small group sharing with appropriate distance

maintained.

To register, please call the parish office:

765.288.9223 and indicate your preference for live

meeting or ZOOM.

___________________________________________

SUNDAY SCRIPTURE STUDY will resume on

Tuesdays at 9:00 a.m. beginning September 8 in St.

Agnes Hall. You can also join through ZOOM:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86475201358. Readings

for Sunday can be found at:

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091320.cfm

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International Day of Prayer for Peace (this

is the United Nations-sponsored day)

September 21 – 6:00 p.m. Canan Commons 600 S. Walnut St. (downtown). Each year on

September 21 the World Council of Churches calls

faith communities to observe the International Day of

Prayer for Peace. We will have prayer from various

traditions, and we will listen, learn and offer our own

prayers for peace. Social distancing and face masks

will be required. Bringing a lawn chair is

recommended.

Transition Meditation Second Word: Forgive “Father Forgive them they know not what they do” Luke

23:34 This word from Jesus as he is hanging on the cross may stop us

in our tracks. How can he forgive them, much less ask his

Father to forgive them? Why aren’t they being held responsible

for killing him? Jesus is showing us the exact opposite of what

most think about forgiveness. Often, we think forgiveness must

be earned with the other party apologizing or making amends.

What Jesus shows us on the cross is that forgiveness isn’t about

the action of the other person(s).

What does forgiveness have to do with transitions, and

particularly an ending? Forgiveness is about choosing to free

ourselves of the burden of carrying someone else’s words or

actions that caused us pain. Pain, anger, frustration,

disappointment are often felt in endings. Our first inclination

might be to lash out at the person we deem the source of that

pain. Or to grudgingly withhold good will toward them, to

somehow punish them. Recognizing the fierceness of our

emotion is the first step. It tells us we are in the grip of

something. By throwing the responsibility onto the other, we

have no cause to look at our own response and ability to undo

the chains that may be binding us. We may eventually realize

that clinging to the painful emotions does not assist us in feeling

better. In fact, it may only become a downward spiral.

Forgiveness requires we metaphorically open our fists, choosing

to do no further harm to ourselves or to the other. More, as we

release the power of our emotional response, we find an open

space emerging. Interior freedom begins to replace emotion and

we are able to align our hearts with God’s purpose for us.

Forgiveness unburdens us; it is the choice to release the hold

someone’s word or action has on us. We may feel some

negative emotion AND we can choose to forgive.

Another way to consider this is that forgiveness is literally for

giving. We give ourselves back to ourselves each time we

choose to release the negative energy or emotion that grips us.

Forgiveness reminds us we are God’s children. Jesus called out

to his Abba, to the Father in this word from the cross. “Forgive

them!” was his prayer and in our endings, ours as well. As

God’s children, we are called to walk in freedom and grace.

Practice: This practice has a few steps.

First, listen to Jesus ask forgiveness for those who inflict pain

upon him. Ask him for the grace to forgive.

Second, think of two or three people you need to forgive. They

might be the ones you want to avoid. Begin by simply saying

to yourself, _____ (their name) I forgive you.

Third, repeat this exercise whenever you think of them for the

next few days. A good indicator of the grace of forgiveness will

be that the negative emotion you may have associated with this

person seems to have faded.

St. Lawrence Parish - Mission and Vision

Mission: St. Lawrence Parish, a people of prayer

and service glorifying God. Vision: Through prayer

and service, St. Lawrence Parish deepens its love

for and knowledge of God.

St. Lawrence Catholic Church http://www.stlawrencemuncie.com

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Saint Lawrence Catholic School

stlawrencemuncie.org

765.282.9353

Rob Frey, Principal:

r.frey@stlawrencemuncie.org

Our mission is to provide a Catholic

Christ-centered education rooted in love and

compassion to prepare students to lead

meaningful lives of service

Monday, September 7 – No School

Wednesday, Sept. 9 – School Mass – 8am

(arrive by 7:45 a.m.)

Saint Lawrence Catholic School is resuming our

Shop With Scrip program! Orange order forms will

be included in next week's bulletin, and they will

also be available in the rectory office. Orders and

payment are due by 10:00AM on September 28.

We will have four chances to order Shop With

Scrip cards and Pizza King gift certificates this

year. Orders will be due on September 28,

December 7 (just in time for Christmas), March 8,

2021, and May 10, 2021. Thank you for supporting

Catholic education through this valuable

program!

Take Note!! Clipped box tops can still be turned in. (Box Tops

for Education). Learn more about how Box Tops

works at: BTFE.com

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K thru 8th Grade

Sunday - Religious Education Program

Why Register your child for Religious

Education every year? Parents are a child’s first teachers of the faith. It begins

with the Sacrament of Baptism, a child’s entry into the

Church, and continues daily as parents teach their children

bedtime prayers, grace before meals, etc. The family is

called “the domestic Church” as the parents’ love for each

other and their children in the home mirrors the love Jesus

----continued in next column ----

(cont. Sunday Religious Ed Program)

has for his Church. It is a time of great celebration when

our children receive the Sacraments of First Communion,

Reconciliation and Confirmation. Prior to reception of

these sacraments, for a child to most fully appreciate,

understand and live our Catholic faith, the child must

spend time in their youth learning about Jesus. The

Church assists the parents from Kindergarten through 8th

grade with Sunday religious education. The Catholic

religious education curriculum has eight years that build

upon each other. Through study of events in the Old and

New Testament your child learns God’s loving plan of

salvation for them. Your child will learn why Catholics

believe what we do, how Catholics worship through

liturgy and the sacraments, how Catholics live through

moral formation, how Catholics pray with and to Jesus,

and how to live in our community and to participate

actively in the life and mission of the Church. The goal of

eight years of instruction here at St. Lawrence is to inspire

your child to know, love and follow Jesus so that, your

child has a zeal to live their faith daily throughout their

lives. This year religious instruction begins weekly

on Sunday, September 13 at an in-person meeting

inside the Church and ends Sunday, May 16, 2021.

Classes will be a combination of one in-person meeting

inside the Church each month and weekly online

classes throughout the rest of the month through Zoom

conferencing. Please register your child(ren) at the

stlawrencemuncie.com website at Parish

Life/Formation/Family Catechesis and Youth

Ministry, or return the registration form that was

mailed to all families, or fill out a registration form in

the back of Church. See you September 13!

Anne Gaydos,Coordinator Children and Youth Ministry

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NEXT WEEKEND – 2ND COLLECTION

HOLY LAND (POSTPONED FROM

GOOD FRIDAY)

The Christian communities in the Holy Land benefit

every year from the generosity of the faithful from all

over the world. This solidarity enables them to

continue their evangelical presence, in addition to

maintaining schools and social structures that assist

all citizens with healthcare, education and peaceful

coexistence, attending above all to the weakest and

poorest. For this reason, Pope Francis has approved

the proposal that the collection for the Holy Land, for

the year 2020, take place on Sunday, September 13,

near the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.

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DEACON’S PANTRY: Thank you to all who have

helped monetarily and also to those of you providing non-

perishable items. Current needs are: cereal and canned

fruit. The pantry helped 884 people in August!!

SEPTEMBER 6, 2020 TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

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PARISH MINISTRIES (CONT.)

Eucharistic Adoration has been scheduled for Sunday,

September 20, following the 10:00 a.m. Mass until

evening devotions at 7:00 p.m. If you are interested in

joining our ministry, please contact Marilyn Sherrill at

765-396-3583 or 765-744-4086.

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HEARTS OF HOPE MINISTRY

(A Bereavement Ministry)

This group will meet again on Tuesday, September 22.

Scheduled times are 3:30-5:00pm or 6:30-8:00pm in St.

Agnes Hall. Social distancing is maintained and masks

are required. If you have any questions and are interested

in finding out more about this “ministry,” contact Deb

Saxon at 765-760-4800.

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FOOTPRINTS SEWING GROUP

Our next meeting will be Thursday,

September 10 at 9:30 a.m. at St Agnes

Hall. The mission of this group is to show

God’s love for the world through gifts of

handiwork created and given freely to those in need. For

more information, please contact Evela Ward at 765-228-

5348 or Jo Turner at 765-282-0170 . If you are working

from home, please let us know if you are in need of any

supplies. We are in need of pillowcases for the dresses we

make for Haiti.

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Catholic Citizenship Essay Contest ATTENTION ALL CATHOLIC HIGH

SCHOOL STUDENTS

The Knight’s of Columbus is sponsoring a

Catholic Citizenship Essay Contest. Catholic students

Grades 9 thru 12 are eligible to participate. The First Place

entrant in each grade will receive an award and will be

sent forward to the state competition. Entrants must

register by September 15th and essays must be submitted

by September 30th. For more information or to request an

entry form, please contact: Steve Chatot at

bigbear96@comcast.net

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In case of an emergency, an AED (Automatic

External Defibrillator) is located in the vestibule

of the church. There is also one located in St.

Agnes Hall.

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STEPHEN MINISTRY Are You Going Through a Difficult Time?

Stephen Ministers are members of St.

Lawrence Church who listen, care,

encourage, and provide emotional support

and spiritual growth to those who are facing a crisis, or

going through loss or tough times in their lives. The care

you will receive is confidential, free, and can be life

changing. To learn how you can receive the care and

prayers of a Stephen Minister, or if you have questions,

call the Rectory 765-288-9223 and talk privately to a

priest. You may also contact a Stephen Leader. Stephen

Leaders are Melinda Haack, Jim and Pat Savage, and Deb

Saxon.

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Part-Time Job Opening at St. Mary, Muncie Parish Maintenance Technician. The employee in this

position assists the Maintenance Coordinator in the

maintenance and repair of the parish buildings, grounds

and equipment and manages the building access system.

Qualified candidates should possess skills and experience

in general maintenance and repairs. Organization,

computer and communication skills are also required. To

apply, send letter of interest and resume to Cathie Snider,

Parish Business Manager, cpsnider@stmarymuncie.org.

Mail: St. Mary Church, 2300 W. Jackson St., Muncie, IN

47303

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Please pray for those serving our country in the military – especially: Benjamin Branson, William Cox, Jared Hargis, Kyle Jones, Kyle & Leandra Long, Jon Powell,

Stephen Smith, Kyle Stewart, Christopher Tolmachoff, Payden Schug, and Matt Johns.

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MINISTRY ASSISGNMENTS FOR SEPTEMBER 12 AND 13 Readers Altar Servers E.M.H.C. Ushers

4:3

0 P

.M. Carolann Mikesell Andrew Shaw Skip Vorhees Steve Lansing

Walter Vester

8:0

0 A

.M. Mitchell Dudley

Eli Hart Paul Ranieri Phil McPherson

Jack Sharp

10:0

0 A

.M. Amy Miller Ava Echelbarger Stephanie Arrington Greg Smith

Mike Wallace

CATHOLIC MINISTRIES APPEAL – By our missionary discipleship, we can work to

build up the Body of Christ, his Church, by carrying the Good news of the gospel to all

people. This year the Catholic Ministries Appeal (formerly Fruitful Harvest) is offering

each of us the opportunity to reach out to those in need across our diocese as well as

continuing the ministry and the education programs within our own parish. By giving to

the Catholic Ministries Appeal, you are helping to support programs for our retired

priests as well as new seminarians, for our youth, Newman Centers, deacons, prison

ministry, pregnancy centers and so much more. Soon you will be receiving a letter in the

mail which will provide even more detail about the ministries funded by this appeal, as

well as why all gifts matter, regardless of their size. Also, in the mailing you will find a

pledge card asking you to make a commitment to this appeal, “Hearts on Fire”. We

encourage you to study the mailing from Bishop Doherty and to prayerfully consider

giving generously to this appeal.

A MESSAGE OF LOVE

In the final verses of today’s Gospel reading Jesus says that when two or three are gathered in his name, “there

am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20). So we understand that fraternal correction is always undertaken with

Jesus present to us.

Likewise, encouraging the good in others is not only the right thing for us to do, it is a necessity. The Lord

tells the prophet Ezekiel that if he “does not speak out” to dissuade a person from evil, then he too will be held

responsible.

We live in a “do your own thing” age when moral objectivity is often ignored. Clearly when the message we

share with others is one of love, our motives cannot ever be misinterpreted. As St. Paul writes, “Love does no evil

to the neighbor; hence, love is the fulfillment of the law” (Romans 13:10). Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

PRAYER FOR LABOR DAY

Lord, on this Labor Day we thank You for the blessing of work.

We ask for strength to complete each day. We ask for rest when we are weary.

We ask Your guidance for everyone seeking employment, and we ask that You

be with those whose faces we might never see but who work tirelessly each

day for the good of us all. Amen

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