st. agnes catholic community a perpetual adoration and ...feb 11, 2017 · part of the liturgy....
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St. AgnesSt. AgnesSt. Agnes Catholic Community
A Perpetual Adoration and Stewardship Parish
PARISH OFFICE 3966 Chestnut Ave. Concord, CA 94519 Tel: (925) 689-0838 Fax: (925) 689-7899
Office Hours: 9:00am - Noon * 1:00pm - 4:30pm, Monday-Thursday
Website: www.stagnesparish.net * E-Mail: [email protected]
February 12, 2017February 12, 2017
6th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME6th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME6th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
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MASS SCHEDULE
PASTORAL STAFF
Pastor Rev. Fr. Johnson Abraham [email protected]
Deacons Bill Drobick—[email protected] Tony Reyes—[email protected]
Business Manager Marlene McCann [email protected]
Director of Religious Education Lila Rutkowska [email protected]
Secretary-Religious Education Donna Cassianos [email protected]
Director of Music Ministry May Hembrador [email protected]
Liturgical Musician Lily Melendrez
Youth Ministry Coordinator Linda D’Souza [email protected]
Bulletins Please submit your articles to: [email protected]
Pastoral Council Chair Linus Farias [email protected]
Saturday Vigil: 5PM
Sunday: 7AM, 9AM, 10:45AM & 5PM
Daily Mass in the Chapel at 8AM Monday - Saturday (Communion Service on Wed.)
Confessions: Saturday 3:30PM
3886 Chestnut Ave., Concord Tel.: (925) 689-3990 Office Hours: 7:30 - 4:00 M-F
Principal: Jill Lucia [email protected]
Secretary: Ana Kelley [email protected] Website: www.stagnesconcord.com
SCHOOL OFFICE
“Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven… I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. 5:19-20)
Quite a lot to think about. Years ago, as I was preparing for a new job in religious education, this gospel presented itself for reflection. If the gift of “fear of the Lord” needed an audience, I think I had an orchestra seat.
I was recently ordained but I was still thirsty for knowledge. I enrolled in the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley where I met a very young lady who taught me that the righteousness of which Jesus spoke could only be digested in small bites. She called it her “Little Way.”
Marie Françoise Thérèse Martin was born in Alenon, France, in 1873. She was the youngest of nine children. She was only 15 when she entered the Carmelites. She lived her “Little Way” for 10 years before she died of tuberculosis at 24. Of course, I’m speaking of “The Little Flower,” St. Thérèse of Lisieux. Her vocation was to fill each moment with total and radical self-emptying love.
I read the works of St. Thérèse with marvel as to the common sense that could attach to spiritual things. Seeing the law of the spiritual life as a sharp set of rules was merely practicing conformity. Jesus saw God’s laws as loving ways to give us the fullness of life. The person who conforms to a law that doesn’t spring from the heart of love is like a dancer who makes all the right moves without “feeling” the rhythm of the beat. A robot could do the same. The moves may be right, but it’s a performance and not a graceful dance.
To know that a great saint identified with our own “littleness” and naturally human weaknesses helped me to be one with our student body. All of us had work to do. Vatican II’s Lumen Gentium (Light of the Nations) devoted chapter II to "the new People of God.” We are not saved as individuals, but a People of God.
Jesus teaches how small anger leads to big violence. Lustful looks lead to marital disasters. The person seeing the consequences would not commit the sin. True love is able to see Christ-like wisdom and the ignorance of sin to be avoided.
The Little Flower knew this would not be easy. Her wish on her deathbed was that she would spend her time in heaven “doing good upon earth,” and that she would “let fall from heaven a shower of roses.”
One tradition holds that if you say the novena prayer: "St. Therese, the Little Flower, please pick me a rose from the heavenly garden and send it to me with a message of love” and follow it by five Our Fathers, five Hail Marys, and five Glory Be's each day for five days, you will receive a shower of roses on the fifth day. It may not bring a miracle, but it will bring you closer to God. Ask God to grant you a favor, and tell him you will love him each day more and more." After all, the laws are a labor of love.
Deacon Bill
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DAILY MASS IN THE CHAPEL Monday - Saturday at 8:00 AM. (Communion Service on Wed.)
PERPETUAL EUCHARISTIC ADORATION - Chapel Contact Sumner or Veronica Peery at 827-0916 for scheduling.
FOR ADULT LEARNING:
SCRIPTURE SHARING - Thursday 9:30 a.m. in the Ministry Ctr.
FOR MINISTRY:
PRAYER TREE - A ministry of people who pray specifically for those who are ill. Please notify the parish office if you or a member of your family are in, or going into, the hospital.
HELPING HANDS: Please call Ron Artale at 827-3713.
MARTINEZ SHELTER MEALS: Plan a meal for 35 residents. Purchase & prepare food; serve dinner at the shelter. Please contact to volunteer: Anne Kurylo, 925-876-7510 or [email protected].
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL MINISTRY Please contact the St. Vincent de Paul Hotline at (925) 689-0838, Ext. 250.
MINISTRY TO THE SICK: Please call Naomi (925) 768-3587.
CARING HANDS-JOHN MUIR HEALTH: Contact Stacy Appel by e-mail at [email protected].
Faith and Spirituality
PLEASE PRAY FOR HEALING
Norm Andrews Ron Artale GinaMarie Balbuena Amalia Bunge Ana Bunge Marge Casey
Trinity Cereghino George Conlow Ed Cox William Cumins Stephen Dixon Maria Hills
Sharie Hunter Roberto Icaza Ken Klovee Camila Koven Fr. Peter Loffredo Joel Manalang
Joshua Monitz Micah Pilkerton Ellie Rowe Gina Rubin Jack&Maureen Ryan Connie Schulte
Rick Smith Petti Thall Carolyn Thompson Pat Weisinger
If you need to add or delete a name to the above list, please call the church office.
DIOCESAN THANK YOU TO OUR ST. AGNES PARISHIONERS
Update on Reclaiming Christ's Mission Together
Diocese of Oakland as of 1/31/2017 No. of St. Agnes Donors: 181 Overall Goal : $687,708.12 Funds Pledged: $485,636.54 % of Goal: 71% Actual Receipts: $264,889.76
TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION
By the early 1950s some scholars were calling for the restoration of Communion of the faithful on Good Friday, since by then only a priest received, consuming the host from the Holy Thursday repository. In 1955 the new Good Friday liturgy was timed to begin at three o’clock everywhere, and included the option of Holy Communion, but without the Precious Blood that had originally been part of the liturgy. Today, there is increasing debate among theologians. Some feel that it would be better to fast from the Eucharist on Good Friday, focusing on the mystery of the cross and highlighting the Easter Communion. Others say that this Communion infuses the sadness of the day with awareness of Christ’s victory. It is not a day of mourning, of course, and the Passion according to John grounds the liturgy in a sense of Christ’s victory over death and the triumph of the cross. The tradition is rich and varied, and we are still in the early stages of recovering an ancient way of doing things.
Why do we call the day “good”? The English and Dutch languages share this name, and its origin stems from the name “God’s Friday.” The traditional name for the day in Latin is Feria VI in Parasceve, which translates as “The Sixth Day of the Week of Preparation.” Other languages make do with “Holy Friday.” In another part of England, as in Denmark, the people used to call it “Long Friday,” a good description for a quiet day without work and no chance for play or a good meal! —Rev. James Field, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.
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Calendar for the Week Mass Intentions
Saturday, February 11, 2017 5:00 p.m. Richard Graham—Repose Hazel Pangilinan—Repose Cathy Ruhnke—Repose
Sunday, February 12, 2017 7:00 a.m. Toni Spediacci—Repose 9:00 a.m. For the People of St. Agnes, Living and Deceased 10:45 a.m. Edy Marwidi—Repose Eddy Tenges—Repose Sherly Wewengkang—Repose 5:00 p.m. Felisa Crusit—Repose
Monday, February 13, 2017 8:00 a.m. Felicisimo Santos—Repose Deceased Members of the Downs Family –Repose
Tuesday, February 14, 2017 8:00 a.m. Telesflora Legaspi—Repose Fr. Peter Loffredo—Special Intention
Wednesday, February 15, 2017 8:00 a.m. Communion Service Only
Thursday, February 16, 2017 8:00 a.m. Tomas Legaspi, Jr.—Repose Deceased Members of the Frisbee Family—Repose
Friday, February 17, 2017 8:15 a.m. Joy Himsl—Repose Deceased Members of the Pialorsi Family—Repose
Saturday, February 18, 2017 8:00 a.m. Carmen Santos—Repose Maria Velasco—Repose 5:00 p.m. Alejandro & Leonida Aoanan—Rep. Joe Cornella—Repose Richard Graham—Repose
Sunday, February 19, 2017 7:00 a.m. Toni Spediacci—Repose 9:00 a.m. Lance La Vigne—Repose Gloria Schmidt—Repose Paula & Ray Smith—Special Intention 10:45 a.m. For the People of St. Agnes
5:00 p.m. Glen Begor—Repose Carmel Coughlan—Repose Sira Nunes—Repose
Parish Events and Meetings
Sunday, February 12, 2017 8:30 a.m. RCIA—A.R. 3:00 p.m. Confirmation—Cauchi Hall 5:00 p.m. Youth Mass 6:00 p.m. Life Teen—Cauchi Hall
Monday, February 13, 2017 8:00 a.m. Daily Mass—Chapel 11:00 a.m. Liturgy Committee Meeting—A.R. 7:00 p.m. Reaching Out Committee—G.P.
Tuesday, February 14, 2017 8:00 a.m. Daily Mass—Chapel 3:00 p.m. Vinnie’s Little Helpers—A.R. 7:00 p.m. Baptism Class—G.P.
Wednesday, February 15, 2017 8:00 a.m. Communion Service—Chapel 10:30 p.m. Rosary Makers—G.P. 7:30 p.m. Jim Gill Band Practice—Church
Thursday, February 16, 2017 8:00 a.m. Daily Mass—Church 9:30 a.m. Bible Study—A.R. 6:00 p.m. Children’s Choir Practice—Church 6:30 p.m. ICF Meeting—Cauchi Hall 7:00 p.m. Communications Meeting—G.P. 7:30 p.m. Adult Choir Practice—Church
Friday, February 17, 2017 8:15 a.m. Daily Mass Mass—Church 6:45 p.m. Divine Mercy Chaplet—Chapel 7:00 p.m. Dance Class—Cauchi Hall
Saturday, February 18, 2017 8:00 a.m. Cursillo Meeting—A.R. 8:30 a.m. Lector Practice—Church 9:00 a.m. Work Party—Grounds Fair Trade after all Weekend Masses. SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES Sunday: World Marriage Day Tuesday: Ss. Cyril and Methodius; Valentine’s Day Friday: The Seven Founders of the Order of Servites Saturday: Blessed Virgin Mary
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Parish News and Activities
CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS
FEBRUARY
19 Baptisms, 12:15 p.m. 25 Confirmation Retreat 25/26 Hospitality Weekend/Enrollment Weekend 26 Friends and Family Mass, 10:45 a.m.
SAVE THE DATE!
The St. Patrick’s Day Dinner is scheduled for Friday, March 17, in the Church Hall. Be sure to put this on your
calendar so you don’t miss out on sharing corned beef and cabbage (and maybe a beer or two) with the great folks from our parish!
SHARE: please bring your food donations to the baskets at church. All nourishing food donations are appreciated. February’s focus is: Pasta, Tomato Sauce and Spaghetti Sauce. Your support makes the difference.
THE CURE—The only known cure for fear is faith. —Lena K. Sadler
WOULD YOU LIKE TO LEARN HOW TO DANCE?
Do you know how to dance and would like to show off your best dance floor moves? We have a (very) informal dance class here at St. Agnes for singles and couples. We hope to go from the Cha-Cha to the Rhumba, from waltzes, to line dancing and beyond! And, yes, it’s FREE!
We meet from 7:00-8:00 p.m. on Friday evenings, either at the back of the church or at Cauchi Hall. If interested, just drop in!
If you have any questions, call Ed McGuirk at 285-0975.
STEWARDSHIP AT ST. AGNES
St. Agnes will host a third Stewardship Enrollment Weekend on February 25-26, This time we will be focusing on the Gathering groups at St. Agnes, which includes Stewardship, Hospitality, Small Christian Communities and the Knights of Columbus.
These are our “fun” groups at St. Agnes, the ones who sometimes work very hard, but always bring joy and light-hearted pleasure to our parish community. If you are not currently involved in a Gathering ministry, we ask that you stop by our tables at the back of the church that weekend, enjoy some hospitality, and give some thought to joining one of these dynamic groups. If you are involved in a Gathering ministry, we assume you will continue to be active in that ministry, and we invite you to explore other interests and opportunities.
Some of the groups which will have representatives on February 25-26 include: St. Patrick’s Dinner, Lenten Soup Meals, StARS, Women’s Guild, Welcoming, Fil-Am Community, Catholic Daughters of the Americas, the Italian Catholic Federation, and Couples for Christ, as well as the ones mentioned in the first paragraph. All of these offer terrific opportunities to be a good steward at St. Agnes.
CHOICE “If you choose you can keep the commandments,” Sirach tells us. God “has set before you fire and water; to whichever you choose, stretch forth your hand” (Sirach 15:15, 16). This is a great mystery: God does not control us so completely that we cannot choose our own path. We have certain boundaries, of course, but no one but we can choose our way within those boundaries. In today’s reading from Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us of our freedom and our responsibility for our lives. He calls us to look beyond the words of the commandments, all the way to their meaning. Look beyond the adultery to the selfishness that poisons our love. Look beyond the murder to the anger that eats away at our compassion. Look beyond the perjured testimony to the lies and deception that drive our behavior. Our vocation is to choose life for ourselves, and to choose a path through our part of the world that helps make life possible and more abundant for others as well. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co., Inc.
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ST. AGNES PARISH FINANCIAL UPDATE – 2016 RESULTS
Summary- Plate collections, which include Unrestricted, Easter, Christmas and Restricted collections, along with other income exceeded expenses this year by $33,200. The net income of $33K is being used to replenish the low balance we have in the General account. We currently have $75K in the General account. The target is to increase the account to $200K. (The above financial activity does not include monies received for Building Improvements and our share of the Diocesan Capital Campaign). Revenue:
Plate collections were $37K less than the budget and only $1K more than what was received in 2015. Fund raisers were $19K less than the budget in 2016. EFT Giving increased by 30% in 2016.
Expenses:
We continue to effectively manage our expenses. Many costs centers did not use, or used only a portion of their 2016 budget. Every year we are faced with increased costs.
Building Improvement Reserve: The opening balance in the Building Improvement account was $66K. In 2016, donations received totaled $32K along with $43K from the Parish Share of the Diocese Campaign fund. Expenditures from this account were $97K this year which leaves a balance of $44K. Parish Share of Diocesan Campaign: Since the inception of this program, parishioners have donated $233K. The Parish has received our 25% share which is $58K. Donations: In 2016 the Parish generously gave $52K in donations to various charitable organizations. Additionally, Parishioners continued to make significant donations to the Diocesan Capital Campaign in 2016.
Better / Prior
2016 Summary Actual Budget -Worse 2015
$ $ $ $
Total Revenue 775,756 831,500 -55,744 761,709
Expenses (x Dep) 742,556 781,169 38,613 716,845
Net Income/(Loss) 33,200 50,381 -17,131 44,864
2016 Detail Actual
Income 2016 Actual Expenses 2016
Dioc. Assessment $ 85,206 / 11%
Clergy/Rectory $109,947 / 15%
Plate UnrRestrict $634,170/ 82% Liturgy $ 11,433 / 2%
Easter $ 28,147/ 4% Music $ 67,751 / 9%
Christmas $ 29,116/ 4% Bldg Maint. $102,396 / 14%
Plate Restrict $ 26,960/ 3% Other ministries $192,809 / 26%
Other Income $ 57,363/ 7% Admin/other $173,014 / 23%
Total Income $775,756/100% Total Expenses $742,556 / 100%
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ST. AGNES CRAB AND TRI-TIP DINNER
Thank you to the Knights of Columbus, members of our Confirmation Class and others who helped make our Crab/Tri-Tip Dinner a gourmet delight.
No one left hungry after this fabulous meal.