13th Sunday In Ordinary Time - July 1, 2018
From the Pastor . . .
My Sisters and Brothers:
Most likely all of us can think of events or issues in our lives that might have tempted us to lose our faith or that may have caused us to live with some kind of fear. With this in mind, I believe if we listen closely to the message of our Gospel today, we can find great encouragement! The message is this: “Have faith and fear not, for Jesus will be with us; have faith and fear not, for Jesus will strengthen us; have faith and fear not for Jesus will help us in our need!” (see Mark 5:21-43).
In one of the events recorded in today’s Gospel, a man named Jairus, identified as a “synagogue official” asked Jesus to save his dying daughter. Jairus was most likely a leader of the synagogue at Capernaum, the small seaside fishing village where for some time Jesus had been staying in the home of Simon Peter. Because it was such a small town, and because Jesus had spent a good amount of time there, and had used it as a base for his ministry, I believe Jesus likely knew Jairus well. There can be no doubt that as with so many others, Jairus had been amazed at all of the good works and miracles that had been done by Jesus! He had great faith in him!
According to the Gospel, Jairus went to Jesus, prostrated himself in front of him, and begged him to go and cure his daughter who was “near death.” As Jesus heard of the condition of Jairus’ daughter, he responded immediately to his plea for help! And then, just as they set out to go to the girl, they were informed that she had already died. They were told: “Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?” (see Mark 5:35b).
We can only imagine how immediately grief stricken Jairus must have become upon hearing this report. As Jesus stood next to him, and as he watched his hope turn into despair in an instant, it is not difficult to understand how much great compassion Jesus must have had for him! We can be sure that Jesus certainly wanted to offer him consolation and a renewed sense of hope–even in spite of such terrible news. And at that very moment, Jesus said to him: “Do not be afraid; just have faith” (see Mark 5:36b). According to the story, Jairus did respond in faith; he put aside his fear and he trusted that Jesus would do what he had promised to do . . . and the child was restored to life!
As we contemplate the message of today’s Gospel, we might think about those situations in our own lives that may have caused us to question our faith; we might recall some moment or some event that gave rise to a sense of fear and/or despair within our hearts. We might have dealt with grief over the loss of a loved one, had problems with personal health or that of family members, had difficulties at work or in school, had broken relationships, had troubles with finances, had temptations with sins and weaknesses, and/or other issues. Perhaps even today we might find ourselves facing one or more of these kinds of struggles! In any event, and at all times, even if we doubt or have fear, Jesus has great compassion and love for us too! He also proclaims to us, as he did to Jairus: “Do not be afraid and just have faith!”
Let us stand firm on the message of hope found in today’s Gospel! May we always “have faith and fear not, for Jesus will be with us; have faith and fear not, for Jesus will strengthen us; have faith and fear not for Jesus will help us in our need!” My sisters and brothers let us encourage one another with this message!
Praise God! Friar Timothy
MISSION COOPERATIVE APPEAL
Today we welcome Sister Anceline and Sister Divya, both members of the Daughters of Mary, a community of missionary sisters, as part of the Archdiocese of Baltimore's Mission Cooperative Plan. They will speak at the Mass about the missionary efforts of their community, and their service to the Church and to the people for whom they minister. Please prayerfully consider making a generous contribution to this appeal. Thank you!
STEWARDSHIP ENVELOPES
Envelopes for the new fiscal year, which begins today, are currently available in the back of the church. Your generous and faithful support of St. Ann’s is greatly appreciated.
PASTORATE CHURCH PICNIC
The make-up date for the Pastorate Church Picnic is this Saturday, July 7th at the O’Dwyer Retreat House 15523York Road, Sparks, MD 21152 11am-7pm Adults 15+Yrs- $10.00, Children 14 & under-$7.
ST. ANN’S SUMMER VACATION BIBLE STUDY
St. Ann’s Church invites you to join us for a week of praise & fun the week of July 9th – July 13th. Adults & Children of all ages are welcomed to gather with us each night from 7 pm – 8 pm in front of the Church Anchorage located at 528 E. 22nd Street for these FREE summer activities:
July 9th Movie Night
July 10th Game Night
July 11th Puppet Show
July12th Talent Show
July 13th Christmas in July
Private Prayer every night
Registration forms and details are located in the back of the church. Please join us!
JULY 11TH BASEBALL GAME
The Baltimore Orioles will host the children and youth of St. Ann, St. Wenceslaus, and St. Francis Xavier parishes at a game against the New York Yankees at Camden Yards on Wednesday July 11th at 7:05 pm. The Orioles will provide 3 buses and all 3 buses will be at St. Wenceslaus at 5:30 pm on that evening and depart at 5:45pm. They will also provide participants with a hot dog, drink, bag of chips and Oriole gear to wear at the game. The sign-up sheet is currently filled.
ST. ANN’S FEAST DAY AND NOVENA
St. Ann’s will hold its annual novena in preparation for the parish feast day. Novena services will take place in the Anchorage Monday through Friday, July 16 to 20, at 7:00 pm, with prayer, guest speakers, and refreshments each night. The service on Saturday, July 21, will be at 12:00 noon. The feast day Mass and reception will take place on Sunday, July 22, at 11:00 am with Fr. Donald Sterling of New All Saints Church providing the homily. Please set aside these special mid-summer days of prayer and reflection. A copy of the week’s schedule has been inserted in today’s bulletin.
CHRISTMAS IN JULY
St. Ann’s Sista Circle will have a Christmas in July following Mass, July 15. Please join us in the gathering space outside the church doors for refreshments and fellowship.
ECUMENICAL WOMEN’S CONFERENCE
“Never Underestimate the Power of a Woman of God.” Saturday, September 15, 2018 9: am – 3:00pm; Waldorf, MD. Tickets are $50 and include Breakfast, Catered Hot Lunch T-Shirt and Bus Transportation. Buses leave from St. Ann’s Church. For information and details see Eloise Jackson.
ST. WENCESLAUS CRAB FEAST
The Crab Feast for the benefit of the Lucielle Fitzgerald Outreach Center will take place in St. Francis Xavier Church Hall 1501 E. Oliver St. on Saturday, July 21; from 2:00 to 6:00 pm. Tickets are $55 each. St. Ann’s has acquired 10 tickets for the parish. If you are interested in attending please notify the church office.
PRAYER REQUESTS
Please continue to pray for all of our sick and homebound, especially Florence Barber, Dorothy Horton-Brown, James Butts, Augustine Christian, Danny Dallas, Elaine Edmonds, Gregory Epps, John Frederick, Pat Haley, Rita Hardy, Odessa Johnson, Tom Lutz, Penny Palmer, Bernadette Wallace, Nelson Outlaw, and Rita Watkins, and ask that God grant them strength, comfort and healing.
JULY 2018
Sun., July 1 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time
11 AM Mass
Wed., July 4 Independence Day
(Church office Closed)
Thurs., July 5 Evening Mass (confession before/after) Bible Study 7-9 pm
Sun., July 8 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time
11 AM Mass
Mon., July 9 St. Ann’s Vacation Bible Study
begins July 9th-13th, 7pm-8pm, Anchorage
Wed., July 11 Oriole Game
5:30 pm, Buses depart from St. Wenceslaus
READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY
1st Reading Ezekiel 2:2-5
2nd Reading 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
Gospel Mark 6:1-6