15th Sunday in Ordinary Time - July 15, 2018
From the Pastor . . .
My Sisters and Brothers:
It is believed that St. Francis of Assisi often said to the friars: “Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary use words.” Isn’t it true that “actions always speak louder than words?”
Our Gospel today tells us that Jesus sent his twelve Apostles into the world to share the Good News and to preach about repentance. Jesus wanted all men and women to turn away from sin, and he wanted them to be freed from unnecessary burdens, so they would know God intimately and live happy and holy lives.
The leaders of our church, especially our bishops, are called in a special way to follow in the footsteps of the Apostles (and to do their work), but all Christians in some way or another share in this calling. As members of the Christian community, I believe we must not only embrace the message of Jesus, but we must also imitate the Apostles’ mission of sharing the Good News and their vocation of “preaching.” We are called to do these things, each according to our own gifts, talents and abilities.
In today’s Gospel, we hear that the preaching of the Apostles was accompanied by many good deeds and acts; they went out and expelled demons, anointed the sick with oil, and worked many cures (see Mark 6:7-13). Before sending them, Jesus had advised: “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave . . . whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them” (see Mark 6:10-11).
This advice about “shaking dust” may seem a little harsh to us, but looking at it from another perspective, we can ask ourselves how such a directive might be applied to our own lives and experiences. To answer this, and in light Jesus’ desire for people to repent from sin, it seems to me that we could “shake off some dust” if we would actually, earnestly, and genuinely strive to live holy lives! If so, we certainly would always endeavor to keep ourselves free from the seductions of those materialistic, moral and ethical ways of thinking and doing that are so contrary to God’s will and grace. This would really and always enable us to put the words of our faith into action!
I’ve always found it interesting, even perplexing, that some who call themselves “Christians” find it very easy to excuse themselves from some of the most basic obligations placed upon those of us who are people of faith. When Jesus said: “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself” (compare Matthew 22:37-40 and Mark 12:30-31), he actually meant every word of the admonition!
So therefore, modeling our lives after those of the Apostles, and likewise completely dedicated to our God, let us always respect the privacy, the dignity, the property and the rights of others; let us be quick to forgive their weaknesses; let us serve them–especially the poor, the needy and the marginalized; let us be generous with our time, talents and financial resources; let us always treat our family members and neighbors with respect–especially those who are different or less fortunate than ourselves; let us always strive to be instruments of God’s loving presence to all we meet! If we never excuse ourselves from these basic directives of the Christian way of life, then I believe our actions will speak as loud as any words we might also choose to use. In this way, we will surely be able to “shake some dust” out there in our world!
My sisters and brothers, let’s always preach the Gospel with our lives, and when necessary, let’s use words!
Praise God! Friar Timothy
ST. ANN’S FEAST DAY AND NOVENA
Yesterday began our annual Novena service in honor of St. Ann in anticipation of our feast day celebration next Sunday, July 22. This year’s theme is “I Can Do All Things Through Christ”.
Each evening begins at 6:30 pm in the Anchorage. The hour leads off with the Novena Prayer led by the hosting group and continues with brief reflections by our presenters, and testimonies from participants. Light refreshments will be provided and the evening concludes at 8 pm.
PRAYER WALK
Bishop Madden invites you to join him for his next prayer walk this Tuesday, July 17, beginning at 5:30 pm., at St. Ambrose (4502 Park Heights Avenue, 21215). The evening will begin with a light meal at 5:30 p.m. and end before 7:30 p.m. During the walk, we will pray at specific locations that have been affected by violence, and for all those individuals who have been so terribly affected by violence, and for a change of heart in those given to violence.
ST. ANN’S SUMMER VACATION BIBLE STUDY
A special thank you to the members of our Thursday Night Bible Study Group for their evangelizing outreach to the children in the community as they hosted a week of Summer Vacation Bible Study. Each day the numbers grew reaching as many as 20 youths who had the opportunity to engage in various fun-filled and uplifting activities. Thank you all for your dedicated evangelization efforts.
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.
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.
SIGHT AND SOUND TRIP – ‘JESUS’
Just a reminder, if you signed up for the Sight and Sound bus trip to see ‘Jesus’ on November 28th your nonrefundable deposit of $30 and 1st scheduled payment of $20 is due now. You may give your payment to Cynthia Johnson, Marlene Howard, and Mary Middleton or turn it into the church office. The next scheduled payment is due today, July 15th. Flyers with details are located in back of church.
CHRISTMAS IN JULY
St. Ann’s Sista Circle will have a Christmas in July following today’s Mass. Please join us in the gathering space outside the church doors for refreshments and fellowship.
NEW LIFE IN CHRIST
We congratulate Kristopher and Caitlin Miller on the baptismal of their son John Arnold Miller yesterday. Let us rejoice and welcome to the family of God the newest member of our St. Ann’s Church family.
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 15 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time
11 AM Mass
10:45 AM Novena Prayer
Mon., July 16 St. Ann’s Novena, Anchorage
Guest Speaker, Fr. Ken Gaddy
7 pm, Host by St. Ann Ushers
Tues., July 17 St. Ann’s, Novena, Anchorage
Guest Speaker, Fr. Sam Lupico
7 pm, Hosted by Sista Circle
Wed., July 18 St. Ann’s Novena, Anchorage
Guest Speaker, Deacon Shelton
7pm, Hosted by St. Ann’s Choir
Thurs., July 19 St. Ann’s Novena, Anchorage
Guest Speaker, Friar Timothy
7pm, Hosted by Bible Study
Fri., July 20 St. Ann’s Novena, Anchorage
Guest Speaker, Dr. Pat Fosarelli
7pm, Hosted by SAMM’s Club
Sat., July 21 St. Ann’s Novena, Anchorage
Guest Speaker, Claudia Waters 12pm, Hosted by KPC-Ladies
Auxiliary
Sun., July 22 St. Ann’ Feast Day
Celebration and Reception
11 am Fr. Donald Sterling
Hosted by Pastoral Council
READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY
1st Reading Jeremiah 23:1-6
2nd Reading Ephesians 2:13-18
Gospel Mark 6:30-34