23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time - September 9, 2018
This week’s Reflection . . .
Ephphatha!”— that is, “Be opened!” Mark 7:34b
These are powerful words. Why are they powerful? They are powerful because they are more than words. They are words that actually accomplish what they say. These words are spoken by Jesus after the deaf man is brought to Him with the request for healing. By saying the command “Be opened!” the deaf man’s ears are opened and his speech impediment is removed.
When Jesus speaks, His word changes things. This is true in this story but it is also true in our lives. We all are deaf and struggle with a speech impediment in the sense that we do not always hear the voice of God and we do not always speak His word and words of charity. For that reason, these words of Jesus must be spoken to us. We must let Him take us off to a quiet place alone and speak to us. We must let Him say those words to us. “Ephphatha!–Be opened!”
What is it that you are not hearing properly? What is it God has been saying to you for a long time that you refuse to hear? What is it you have allowed yourself to become deaf to? Let our Lord open the “ears” of your heart so that you can hear all that He wishes to say to you. Once that happens, Jesus will also help you speak His words of truth and love.
Reflect, today, upon how open you are to hearing the voice of God. We all struggle at times with listening, and we especially may struggle listening to God. Spend some time alone with our Lord and let Him heal you so that you can hear and understand all that He is saying to you.
MyCathloicLife.com
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Registration for Sunday School begins this month. Registration forms are located in the back of church on the usher’s table. Classes for Sunday School will begin Sunday, October 7. A planning meeting for all Sunday School Staff is scheduled for TODAY in the Anchorage following Mass.
CATECHETICAL SUNDAY
Next Sunday, September 16, we will bless and commission all those involved in the ministry of religious education of children, youth and adults.
This includes Sunday School, Adult Faith Sharing and Bible Study facilitators and members of our RCIA Team.
ECUMENICAL WOMEN’S CONFERENCE
“Never Underestimate the Power of a Woman of God.” Saturday, September 15, 2018 9:00 am – 3:00 pm; 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. ANN’S MOVIE NIGHT
Please join us Friday, September 28 for St. Ann’s Movie Night for a showing of “A Question of Faith”, 7 pm in the Anchorage. Refreshments will be provided. All are invited to attend this FREE SHOWING. Please use the sign-up sheet in the back of church if you are interested in attending the event.
SISTA CIRCLE
The Sista Circle will meet this Tuesday, September 11, 6:00 pm in the Anchorage.
NEW AND RETURNING MEMBERS
Each fall we begin a new season in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, a process of instruction and formation for those from age 12 and above who were:
● Never baptized
● Baptized in a different Christian church
● Baptized Catholic but not raised in the church
● Once active in the church but have become inactive.
The process begins with an inquiry stage where we meet those who have interest and help them chart a course to where the Lord may be leading. Take this time to reach out to family members and friends who may benefit from this experience. For more information contact the parish office (410-235-8169) so that we can get you in touch with our experienced and knowledgeable catechists.
PASTORATE GATHERING
Please join us for a Pastorate Day of Prayer Saturday, October 6th 10 am – 12 pm, St. Ann’s Church and Prayer Garden. All are invited as the three parishes of St. Ann, St. Wenceslaus and St. Francis Xavier come together for a day of worship and prayer. A light breakfast will begin at 9:30 am inside Mother Seton Academy Hall.
MOTHER MARY LANGE SCHOOL
The proposed new Catholic elementary school in Baltimore City will honor the name of Mother Mary Elizabeth Lange, the foundress of both the Oblate Sisters of Providence, the first religious community of women of African descent, and the first Catholic school in the United States for black children. The announcement of the selection of “Mother Mary Lange Catholic School” was made by Archbishop William E. Lori on Sept. 4. Members of the Racial Justice Circle of Baltimore along with many others helped to advocate the naming of the new school which included a petition with 359 signatures promoting the name of Mother Lange that was forwarded to Archbishop Lori. The Vatican is currently reviewing Mother Lange for canonization to sainthood which requires confirmation of two miracles attributed to her intercession.
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.
SEPTEMBER 2018
Sun., Sept. 9 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time 11 AM Mass Sunday School Staff Planning
Meeting, after Mass, Anchorage
Tues., Sept.10 Sista Circle Meeting, 6 pm Anchorage
Thurs., Sept.12 Evening Mass (confession before/after) Bible Study 7-9 pm
Sat., Sept.15 Ecumenical Women’s Conference, Waldorf, MD. 9 am – 3 pm
Sun., Sept.16 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time 11 AM Mass Catechetical Sunday
Thurs., Sept.20 Evening Mass (confession before/after) Bible Study 7-9 pm
Sun., Sept.23 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time 11 AM Mass
Thurs., Sept.27 Evening Mass (confession before/after) Bible Study 7-9 pm
Fri., Sept.28 St. Ann’s Movie Night Anchorage, 7pm
READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY
1st Reading Isaiah 50:4c-9a
2nd Reading James 2:14-18
Gospel Mark 8:27-35