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A short time ago I heard on a news broadcast that an individual walked into a Church and started shooting a gun. He murdered a man and wounded some others. I thought, what a horrible act. It seemed even more serious to me because it happened in a Church. Why do you think that is true? What is a Church when compared to another building? I think that the difference is that this building is dedicated to God.
A church is a special building. It is a place where the community worships God. We often call it the House of God. How do we see our Church? What do you do when you go to Church? When we enter our Church we usually bless ourselves with the Holy Water. We say, “In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” This dedicates our reason for going to Church and reminds us of our Baptism. We have come to worship God with our community. We go to a pew and genuflect or bow to perform our first act of worship. We recognize that Jesus is present there. We try not to be distracted by others who are there to worship with us and we kneel to pray. It is like when we visit a friend’s home. The first thing we do is greet our host. In church even if we wish to speak to someone, we try not to distract others who are speaking to God.
The reason we came to church is to worship God. As Catholics we usually do this by our attendance at Mass. Mass is God’s great gift to us. Our Church has given us some prayers to adore God. Jesus has given us the Scriptures to help us to get to know him better. God allows the priest to call Jesus down from Heaven to be with us. Jesus is there on our altar, present to us. We adore him. Communion time soon comes and we are called to receive him. Think about it. Jesus, the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity comes to each of us who approach him, to be privately with each of us so that we can communicate with him. We can praise him, tell him of our love for him, he has shown us his love for us by suffering and dying for us on the cross. We have time to ask for those things we need and for his help with our problems. If you really want the help of Jesus, you must have faith that he will answer your prayer and help you. If you show him your faith you will be able to taste his love for you. He invites us to come to him.
I think that it is important that we take time and look at ourselves. How do you act when you go to church? Do you address yourselves to God immediately? Or do we allow ourselves to be distracted by those around us? Do we recognize that some of our brothers and sisters are trying to pray? It is necessary that we understand that we should not be a distraction to those in our community who are there to worship with us. This is God’s house, so he should receive our primary attention. He loves you so much that it is difficult to understand the depth of that love. Try.
God Bless, Bishop Mac.
Please pray for our Military Personnel in combat, and for our Priests, who are Military Chaplains. Pray that the war will end soon.
Our Stewardship gifts to our Church for last weekend were $13,849. A couple of our great Parishioners made up the collections they missed while they were on their vacation. God bless them! Thank you for your generosity. Your generosity is your gift to God, as good stewards of his gifts to you, to thank him for all his gifts of time, talent and treasure that he has entrusted to you.
“The hand of the Lord feeds us,” sings the psalmist; “He answers all our needs.” Often, though it is with the open hands of generous stewards willing to share His many gifts, that God’s people are fed and their needs met.
Please remember to place Holy Trinity Parish in your Will. Those who generously did this in the past, have helped us to stay out of heavy debt.
The July 50/50 prize was $982.50. The winner was parishioner, Carlos Ramos, a school parent. The next drawing will be on Monday, August 25th at noon in our School. Please help by purchasing 50/50 tickets.
Any woman who is pregnant and in need can get help. She never has to feel that abortion is the only option. She can find assistance at the following numbers: Crisis Pregnancy Help Line- 1-888-4-OPTIONS, Birthright- 1-800-550-4900, Post Abortion Healing – 1-877-HOPE 4 ME.
New Jersey law allows a mother who cannot keep a recently born baby to leave the baby at a hospital or a police station, no questions asked. For information call 877-839-2339.
INVITE A YOUNG PERSON TO CONSIDER GOD’S CALL TO THE PRIESTHOOD OR THE RELIGIOUS LIFE. If you feel you may have a Vocation, pray to your patron saint to intercede for you. Then contact the Vocations Office.kellybar@rcan.org or at 973-497-4365
A Special Mass and Support Group Meeting for all who are affected by the disease of Alcoholism will take place at St. Paul’s Church, 200 Wyckoff Avenue, Ramsey on Saturday August, 16th at 12 Noon.
One is affected by the disease if he/she cannot stop drinking despite the best intentions, or if he/she is living with someone who can’t. Either way drinking causes trouble. For information call Msgr. Lawrence at 201-327-0976.
The next meeting will be in September.
August 13th – Atlantic City – cost is $28.
Contact Regina for information at 201-487-9147
OUR SILENCE IN CHURCH AND OUR MODESTY IN DRESS, PUBLICLY EXPRESS OUR RESPECT FOR JESUS CHRIST IN THE MOST BLESSED SACRAMENT.
Holy Trinity is a Stewardship Parish. We ask our parishioners, when they are able, to be good stewards of the gifts they receive from God, by giving back to God a portion of their gifts of time, talent and treasure. Gifts that God entrusted to us can be returned to him by being involved in our Parish. Please remember to use your Parish envelopes when you share your gift of treasure so that we will have an accurate record available for you to use at tax time.
Volunteers 18 years and older are needed to donate 2 hours a week to hospice patients. Call Stephanie at 973-271-5549.
Sister Emily and her team of Eucharistic Ministers visit shut-ins regularly. They would be happy to bring Holy Communion to anyone you know who would like a visit. Call the rectory with your request for a visit.
We have received a request from Hekemian & Company. They ask that we ask parishioners who use the lot not to cut through the bushes between the lot and the sidewalk and to walk to the parking lot entrance when crossing to and from the church. Their bushes and tree roots are being damaged by people cutting through to the sidewalk. They have been very generous to us in allowing the use of their lot. Please respect their request.
We are currently accepting registration for our Religious Education Program. Classes are held on Wednesday evening from 7 to 8pm for public school students in grades 6 through high school. Classes for children in Kindergarten through 5th grade are held on Thursday afternoon from 3:45 to 5pm. Children must attend two years of classes to be accepted for immediate preparation for the sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation. Call the rectory to request applications for children new to the program. Students who were part of the program last year have received registration information in the mail. Complete it and return forms to the rectory now. Planning for fall sessions depends on information received in the summer.
“America’s Night Out Against Crime” will be held on Tuesday, August 5 (rain date: August 12). This event is organized to foster good community relations between the business community, the private sector, and the local police departments. The citizens of our cities are taught the many ways that, with cooperation, education and understanding they can bring about safe neighborhoods.
PILGRIMAGE TO ITALY AND THE VATICAN with Fr. Michael Sullivan of St. Patrick Cathedral October 15 – 23. Visits will also be made to Florence, Tuscany, Assisi, Siena, Rome and the Vatican. Cost of $3026 per person includes flight, hotels most meals and guides. For a free brochure call 212-810-7567 or e-mail Vincent227@hotmail.com
TO REPORT ABUSE or sexual misconduct by members of the clergy, Religious or lay staff of the Archdiocese, call 201-407-3256.
Have you considered above ground burial? Our beautiful Saint Joseph Chapel Mausoleum Crypts offer you an alternative to ground internment. We still have a limited number available for purchase. Our courteous staff at the cemetery office, is available Monday through Friday from 9am to 4pm to assist you.
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Copyright ® 2007 Christian Jara, all rights reserved.
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