Feast of the Most Holy Trinity May 27, 2018
From the Pastor . . .
My Sisters and Brothers:
Today the Church celebrates the great feast of the Most Holy Trinity! The “Trinitarian formula” has been used by Christians since the very first days of the early church. Even so, for many it’s difficult to grasp the concept of a “Trinity–or three persons in one God.”
As I personally reflect on the meaning of the Trinity, I like to recall the words of that ancient and well known Latin hymn “Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est.” The modern English rendition of this song reads “where charity and love prevail, there God is ever found.” I also very much like the Spanish version which reads “donde hay amor y caridad, se encuentra Dios.” In each of these languages, the words of the song speak to me, and I believe they give me some insight into the nature of the Trinity; I imagine the three persons of the Most Holy Trinity, “the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit” as existing in a kind of “perfect relationship” of charity and love.
The Church teaches us that the “three persons” of the Trinity “subsist in one nature” (that’s to say, there is just One God – “One God in three persons”). As we try to contemplate the meaning of this, we might recall that the actual word “Trinity” isn’t found anywhere in the Bible (and as a side point here, we might note that the word “Bible” isn’t found in the Bible either!). However, we believe Christians have pondered the concept of the Trinity from the earliest days of the Church. The word “Trinity” has been specifically used by theologians since at least the fourth century, and has been used in order to explain a basic Christian understanding of who God is (i.e., “One God in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit”).
Based on this, and if we can then say that “the Trinity is a harmonious, charitable and loving community of persons,” how might this effect the way in which we live our daily Christian lives? Is there no better way to live out our Trinitarian faith than for one another to be a reflection of the Trinity’s perfect example of charity and love? I believe the one answer to both of these questions is that we are called to follow the example of the Trinity, this relationship, this “community” of charity and love, in the way that we relate to other human beings, especially those with whom we come in contact every day (i.e., our family members, our classmates, our co-workers, our clients, our neighbors, our fellow travelers on the road, and so on). If we effectively live in harmony with others, and demonstrate charity and love in the way that we live our lives, then I believe we can very truly reflect the love of God and the “community of charity and love” that is the Trinity.
As Christian men and women, and in fellowship with one another, we are made in the image and likeness of our Trinitarian God! We need one another in order to lead faith filled lives that are complete, life-giving and joyful (and that are characterized by the way we demonstrate charity and love for one another). And so, on this Trinity Sunday, let us recommit ourselves to the God of charity and love, and to all of our brothers and sisters. May we always remember our obligation to live in harmonious relationships with others and to form a perfect community of relational charity and love that truly reflects our Trinitarian God!
Praise God! Friar Timothy
MEMORIAL DAY
On this holiday weekend let us remember all of our beloved fallen who gave their lives in the service of our country and to others.
PASTORAL COUNCIL
The Pastoral Council meets next Monday, June 4 6:30 pm in the Anchorage.
All members are encouraged to attend.
GRADUATION SUNDAY
We will be honoring all of our 2018 graduates during our annual Graduation Sunday Mass on June 10. Please sign the list in the back of the church if you or a member of your immediate family is graduating from school (Pre K through postgraduate) this year and will be here to celebrate with us on Sunday, June 10.
FUNDRAISER REPORT
Special thanks to all of our ticket captains Bobby Jackson, Jay Brown, Tyrone Wooden, Cynthia Johnson, Marlene Howard Rachael Carrenard, Hattie Joyce, and everyone who worked behind the scenes and especially all of our parishioners, friends and family who helped to make our Fundraiser a successful event. Below is a report reflecting the success of the affair:
INCOME: $14,550
EXPENSES: $ 7,474.
PROFIT: $ 7,076.
SUNDAY SCHOOL
The last day for Sunday School for the 2017-2018 school year will be next Sunday, June 3. A special thank you to all of our Sunday School staff and parents who take part in the religious education of our youth.
PASTORATE CHURCH PICNIC
St. Francis Xavier, St. Ann, and St. Wenceslaus will gather together for a joint Parish Picnic on Saturday, June 23rd @ O’Dwyer Retreat House 11:00am-7:00pm! All parish members, their families and friends are invited to join us on this day of fellowship.
Location: O’DWYER RETREAT HOUSE
15523 York Road, Sparks, MD 21152
Rain Day: Saturday, June 30th- 11:00am-7:00pm
Parish Picnic Pricing including food/games:
All Adults age 15 years and older- $10.00
Children age 14 years and younger- $7.00
Time & Food:
Pool Time | 12NOON - 6PM
Food Time | 12NOON - 4PM
***Attendees are encouraged to bring additional food as desired.
For additional information, please contact:
Ms. Wy Chambers @ 410-961-6198 or wchambers1@verizon.net (St. Francis)
Rogelio D'Almeida 443-413-8568 or rogeliodalmeida@gmail.com (St. Ann)
Mary Clayton (410) 371-1313 or mgcipc@aol.com (St. Wenceslaus)
PRAYER REQUESTS
Please continue to pray for all of our sick and homebound, especially Florence Barber, Erna Bundy, James Butts, Augustine Christian, Danny Dallas, Elaine & Roland Edmonds, Gregory Epps, Doris Foster, Rita Hardy, Odessa Johnson, Tom Lutz, Penny Palmer, Bernadette Wallace, Nelson Outlaw, John Frederick, Carolyn Thornton, and Rita Watkins and ask that God grant them strength, comfort and healing.
MAY/JUNE 2018
Sun., May 27 Feast of the Most Holy Trinity
11 AM Mass
Sunday School 9:30 am
2nd Floor Youth Room
Adult Bible Study after Mass
Anchorage
Mon., May 28 Memorial Day
Thurs., May 31 Evening Mass (confession before/after) Bible Study 7-9 pm
Sun., June 3 Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
Sunday School 9:30 am
2nd Floor Youth Room Adult Bible Study after Mass Anchorage
KPC Ladies Auxiliary Meet After Mass, Parlor
Mon., June 4 Pastoral Council Meeting
Anchorage, 6:30 pm
Thurs., June 7 Evening Mass (confession before/after) Bible Study 7-9 pm
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READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY
1st Reading Exodus 24:3-8
2nd Reading Hebrews 9:11-15
Gospel Mark 14:12-16, 22-26