20th Sunday in Ordinary Time - August 19, 2018
This week’s Reflection . . .
“I AM”
We live in a time of ‘seeing is believing.’ You can put just about any kind of phrase or ask how to do something in to a search engine and there’s a video for that. Now, I am probably the most frequent user of that gift. Just last week, I could not figure out how to put a plastic luggage tag on my suitcase for a trip, until I watched it on YouTube. To be honest, I use this method a lot, especially on technical issues.
In the first reading from the Book of Proverbs this week, we hear “To the one that lacks understanding ...come ...advance in the way of understanding.”
In Ephesians we read, “Watch carefully how you live, not as a foolish person but as wise, making the most of the opportunity,...”
I might be off on this since I am not a Scripture Scholar, but as I reflect on this week’s readings I can only remember three times in the bible when God uses the phrase, “I AM”.
The first time was to Moses when God replied after being asked for a name, “I AM” and then in this Sunday’s Gospel, when Jesus tells the crowds, “I AM the bread of life.” The final time was in Matthew 28:20 when Jesus says, “I AM with you always until the end of time.”
May God reveal to us today as we gather around the table of the Lord, the greatest miracle of how the Eucharist makes us one. May we trust in the Lord to reveal to us what we need to know to continue to live a life of faith in our world today.
Br. Paul Crawford, OFM Cap.
FAN Board Member
Franciscan Action Network
St. JAMES & JOHN SCHOOL
The faculty and staff of Ss. James and John Catholic School invite you to join them for their 2018-2019 School Year Kickoff Celebration held at St. Francis Xavier this afternoon from 1-2pm. Come meet the new principal, Dr. Karmen Collins, gain information on open enrollment for Pre-Kindergarten ages 3 & 4 and Kindergarten through 8th grade, and hear about the new ideas to build upon the great history at Ss. James and John Catholic School.
COMMUNITY MEETING
There will be a community meeting regarding an update on the Kirk Bus Division Modernization Phase II Construction Project this Tuesday, August 21, 2018 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM. The meeting will be held at the Kirk Phase I Bus Maintenance Facility, 2301 Kirk Avenue 21218. All are invited to attend.
For more information contact: Judy Bellamy, Community Liaison – 410-767-1757.
BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT
Plans are underway for a Back to School Night at St. Ann’s on Saturday, August 25th. Members of our parish are gathering items to be placed in back packs to be distributed. You may bring your donated school supplies and place them in the back of the church or drop them off at the rectory. If you are interested in volunteering to help out for this event please contact the church office (410-235-8169).
KEEP ON TEACHING
The Office of Black Catholic Ministries will sponsor its’ 28th annual “Keep On Teaching” Saturday, September 8, 9am – 2:45pm at Holy Family Catholic Church, 9531 Liberty Rd. Randallstown, MD 21133. This year’s theme is “Travelling With Jesus As Missionary Disciples-A Retreat”, and is a Part II to last year’s Keep On Teaching titled “Building the Believer To Strengthen Discipleship”. Retreat Leaders to be announced. Registration is $20.00 and includes Continental Breakfast, Lunch and Materials. THERE WILL BE NO WALK-IN REGISTRATIONS!!! REGISTRATION ENDS ON AUGUST 30TH. If you are interested in attending please contact the parish office 410-235-8169 or email Stann528@comcast.net. You can also register at OBCM@archbalt.org or call (410) 625-8472. Copies of registration forms are located in the back of church.
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.
WORK BALTIMORE
Baltimore City Mayor, Catherine Pugh and the Department of Human Resources will host WorkBaltimore 2018: Empowerment to Employment Convention on Wednesday, September 26 & 27, at the Baltimore Convention Center. There will be 30 days of Pre-Convention Workshops, Seminars and Job Readiness Activities from August 20 – September 21 that will focus on Applying for Baltimore City Careers, How to write a compelling resume and Learning other Applicant Essentials. For more details and registration visit WorkBaltimore.BaltimoreCity.gov or call 410-396-9897. If you do not have a computer at home, you are welcomed to visit the Church Office.
WITH SYMPATHY
We offer our sympathy and prayers to the family of Betty Jackson Green, sister of Bobby and Eloise Jackson. May she rest eternally with the Lord and may He grant all of Betty’s family and friends comfort and peace during this difficult time.
PRAYER REQUESTS
Please also 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.
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2018
Sun., Aug.19 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time 11 AM Mass
Thurs., Aug.23 Evening Mass (confession before/after) Bible Study 7-9 pm
Sat., Aug.25 Back To School Night Anchorage, 6:00 pm
Sun., Aug.26 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time 11 AM Mass
Tues., Aug.28 Monthly Food Pantry Anchorage, 10 am – 12 pm
Thurs., Aug.30 Evening Mass (confession before/after) Bible Study 7-9 pm
Sat., Sept. 1 KPC – Ladies Auxiliary Meet Anchorage, 9 am
Sun., Sept.2 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time 11 AM Mass
Mon., Sept.3 LABOR DAY
Tues., Sept.4 Pastoral Council Meeting
READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY
1st Reading Joshua24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b
2nd Reading Ephesians 5:21-32
Gospel John 6:60-69