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Our Lady Queen of Peace
4696 Notre Dame Lane, House Springs, Mo 63051 636-671-3062
www.olqpparish.org
October 19, 2014
PASTOR
Reverend Michael Murphy
ASSOCIATES
Reverend James Beighlie, C.M.
Reverend Donald F. Molitor, Retired
DEACONS
Reverend Dr. Thomas Gerling
Reverend Mr. Paul Turek, Sr.
5:00 pm
7:30, 9:30, 11:30 am
as announced
8:00 am
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
The Blessed Sacrament is exposed for prayerful
Adoration the last Wednesday of each month from
1:00 to 8:00 pm.
PERPETUAL HELP DEVOTIONS
Tuesday after 8:00am Mass
MUSIC DIRECTOR
Mr. Bob Ellison
GRADE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
Mr. Curt Baker
PSR COORDINATOR
Mrs. Debra O’Donnell
YOUTH MINISTER COORDINATOR
Mrs. Terry Ostlund
PARISH COUNCIL
Bailey Alexander, Thomas Broadbent,
Cathy Carley, Joe Corio, Bev Gregory,
David Holmes, Mary Luebbert, Dave Mills,
Jan Schultheiss, Maria Webb, Tim Webb
Parish Office
School
Cafeteria
SCHEDULE OF MASSES
Saturday Evening
Sunday
Holy Days
Weekdays
636-671-3062
636-671-0247
636-375-5335
ROSARY
Monday through Friday after 8:00 am Mass
For vocations 2nd Monday of month after 8:00 am
Mass
Rosary before 5:00 pm Mass - Fatima Prayers
included on 1st Saturday
Before 5:00 pm Mass on Saturday evenings
SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
First and third Sunday of the month after 11:30 am
Mass. Make arrangements by calling Parish Office.
SACRAMENT OF PENANCE
Saturday
4:00 - 4:45 pm or by appointment
SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY
As soon as marriage is contemplated, contact one
of the parish priests.
Welcome to Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish
Registration forms may be found on our website (olqpparish.org/parishregistration.htm), in the
Church lobby or you may stop by the Parish Office to fill one out. If you have recently changed your
status, married, moved out of your parents’ home or graduated from high school, you need to
re-register. Please help us keep our records accurate.
Welcome to Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish
2014
October
Sun 19
November
Sat 1
Sun 9
Thu 27
December
Mon 1
2015
January
Sat 10
April
Sun 5
Sun 19
May
Wed 6
June
Sat 13
September
Sun 27
Trunk or Treat
Parish Dance (SH-BOOM)
KC Ladies Auxiliary Vendor
Craft Fair
Thanksgiving
OLQP Holiday Blood Drive
Knights of Columbus Mouse
Races
Easter
First Communion
Confirmation
OLQP Picnic
OLQP Quilt Social
Our Lady Queen of Peace, pray for us!
Fall Festivities Thank You!
The Hoedown and the Harvest Moon Auction have
become a tradition in our parish. The Hoedown is
an outdoor gathering with food, drink and a
bonfire to celebrate and thank parishioners for all
that they do for the parish all year long. The
Harvest Moon Auction is the parish’s biggest fund
raiser and at the same time it is a “fun” raiser.
This year I would like to thank Cathy Carley, the
parish council and all who helped make the
Hoedown a successful and fun event. A special
“tip-of-the-hat” to Myron Sherman who donates
the hay bales, corn stalks, mums and fire wood to
keep the chili warm in his special “tripod chili
cauldron”.
Also I want to thank Mindy Ottiger who chaired
the Harvest Moon Auction this year and all the
volunteers who assisted her. The auction, once
again, was not only a success, but it was fun.
(Remind me to leave my credit card at home next
time!).
THANK YOU!!
Fall Dance With SH-BOOM
Parish Activities ~ Oct 20th to 26th
Mon
Tues
Thur
Sat
Oct 20 RIGHT Meeting, 6:00 pm, Cafeteria
PSR, 6:15 - 7:30 pm
Oct 21 Perpetual Help Devotions after 8:00 am
Mass, Church
Quilters, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm, 4:30 to
7:30 pm, Quilters Room (Parish Office)
Oct 23 Choir Practice, 7:00 pm, Church
Oct 25 Ministry of Consolation, 9:30 am,
Cafeteria Meeting Room
Boy Scouts Chili Cook Off after 5:00 pm
Mass, Cafeteria
It’s time to get your tickets for the SH-BOOM
dance which is only two weeks away. Nearly half
the tickets have been sold. This is SH-BOOM’s
final appearance at OLQP before they dis-band on
January 1st. They have played at our parish
picnics for the last four years and they are really
a lot of fun. Mark your calendars for Saturday
evening, November 1st, at the Knights of
Columbus Hall. Get your tickets soon, this event
is expected to sell out.
~ fr. mike
Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
October 19, 2014
Prayer Initiative
Begins Monday, October 20
Youth Council News
Friends of Priests is initiating a Prayer Campaign
making this world a better place
for all Priests, Deacons, Seminarians and
Consecrated Religious. This campaign will begin
on Monday, October 20, and end on Monday,
December 8, the Feast of the Immaculate
Conception.
All parishioners are invited to sign a pledge to
pray ten Hail Marys each day from October 20 to
December 8. The completed, returned pledges will
be bound in book form and presented to the
Archbishop on Saturday, December 6, at the 5 pm
Thanks to all of our youth that are
through your leadership, positive
choices and being good role models.
We are blessed at Our Lady Queen of
Peace by your presence and active participation
in the life of the parish.
High School Youth Group
Sundays: Oct. 19th, Nov. 2nd, 9th, and 16th
6:00 - 8:00 pm ~ Cafeteria Meeting Room
Invite a friend and join us!
Mass at the Cathedral Basilica. All are welcome to
Get your homework done before
attend this Mass.
6:00 pm on Sunday evenings,
invite a friend and join us from
Additional information may be found on their
6:00-8:00 pm in the Cafeteria
website: www.friendsofpriests.org
Meeting Room. We grow in knowledge and
understanding of our faith with the Matthew
Kelly’s Decision Point program. Strengthen your
relationship with Jesus and become the best
version of yourself. We also have time for fun and
food. Invite a friend and join us.
OLQP Parish Dance
Featuring SH-BOOM
Saturday, November 1st
Knights of Columbus Hall
7:00 - 11:00 pm
Doors open at 6:00 pm
$15/per person - $25 per couple
Pro-Life Bus Trip to Washington, D.C.
Wednesday, January 21st through Friday,
January 23rd
(price includes beer and soda)
You may bring your choice of
Anyone interested in joining Our Lady Queen of
additional drinks and snacks.
Peace youth and adults on a Charter bus for the
Pro-Life Trip to Washington, D.C. , January 21st -
Tickets available in the Parish Office, Monday -
23rd, please call Terry Ostlund, 314-566-8363, or
Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, or after Mass each
email terry.ostlund@olqpparish.org so we can
weekend at the Scrip table.
put your name on the list and get you more
detailed information. The cost of the bus ticket is
Music from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s
around $140. Help us be a voice for the unborn.
Welcome to Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish
Deacons Say Thank You
On behalf or the diaconate community of the
Archdiocese we would like to express our sincere
appreciation to you, parishioners of Our Lady
Queen of Peace Parish, for your generous
contribution to the Diaconate Formation Collection
on the weekend of October 4th and 5th. There
are many wonderful men currently dedicating
their time and energy to studying for the
Permanent Diaconate. That road is long (5 years),
at times quite tedious, yet they are committed to
the process of discerning whether they are being
called to a vocation as a deacon in service to the
Lord. Your donation aids in alleviation some of the
financial stress that comes from having to support
such a substantive formation program. God
planted the seed in the minds and hearts of these
men. By your support you have now nurtured that
seed. If you have not already given, please
consider making a gift in the next few weeks.
Handyman Raffle
We have officially sold out a third General
Handyman Raffle! This raffle so far has generated
the parish $1,200 in revenue! What a great idea
that Greg Benefield has come up with to share his
Stewardship talents! If we could sell out his raffle
monthly, our parish would generate $4,800 per
year with just this one item!
We would like to encourage anyone in our parish
to follow suit and maybe donate some of their
talents – car repairs, cleaning, yard work, taxes or
financial consultation, electrician, painter,
landscaper, seamstress, etc., etc. . . . If we
could get five raffles per month going like the one
we already have, imagine the revenue we would
generate!
Please use your imagination, see what “gifts” you
have been given, and donate your “talent” toward
helping out our parish.
Thank you for your love and concern.
Deacons Tom and Paul
General Handyman Raffle
Name_________________________
Thanks From The Quilters
A special thanks to Fr. Mike for all the
advertisement from the altar each week.
Phone_________________________
Email_____________________________
Thanks to the Knights of Columbus and Ladies
Auxiliary for the donation of the Hall and all the
little extras.
We extend our thanks to our Parish Family for
making our Quilt Raffle a success, assisting with
advertising and participating in any way.
Thanks for all the help on the day of the event,
especially all the kitchen help and people who
donated the baked goods.
The winner of our raffle are as follows:
Pillowcases won by - Pamela Struckhoff
Baby Quilt won by - Sherry Bumann
Raffle Quilt won by - Shirley Abel
God Bless our parish community.
Hospitality Sunday
Sunday, October 19
We wish to thank the Athletic Association for
hosting Hospitality Sunday this month. All are
invited to the Cafeteria for fellowship, donuts,
coffee and juice. This is a great time to get to
know your parish family.
Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Boy Scout Troop 553 Chili Cook Off
October 25, 5:30 to 7:30 pm
OLQP Cafeteria - Adults $6.00
You are invited to bring your pot of Chili for
October 19, 2014
Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary
Vendor and Craft Fair
Knights of Columbus Hall
Sunday, November 9th, Noon to 5 pm
Just in time for holiday shopping! Come and shop
judging!
from over 60 of your favorite crafters and vendors
All are invited to our Chili Cook
to find that perfect gift.
Off. Enjoy supper in the Cafeteria
or we have carry-outs available.
Refreshments will also be available for purchase.
All proceeds go to support the
troop with scout activities
For more information please contact:
(camping, etc.). Any questions please call Tim,
Krista Gross, 636-274-1968
314-941-3286.
Jane Saggio, 636-671-2939
Eucharist Ministers
If you would like to become an Extraordinary
Minister of the Eucharist, please contact Joe
Nenninger, joenenn@gmail.com, or let the
Parish Office, 636-671-3062, know and we will
arrange for training.
St. Vincent De Paul
The SVDP Society has been blessed
by your generosity. Many have
donated what they can of their
income to help our neighbors in need.
Your continued support ensures that
SVDP remains an important part of our
parish’s outreach endeavors. If you or anyone you
Every Friday Night
Knights of Columbus Hall
Doors Open at 4:30 pm
Bingo starts at 6:45 pm
Everyone welcome!
We would like to thank
Kings Septic
for advertising in our parish bulletin.
Because of their generosity we do not
pay for our bulletins to be printed.
Please patronize our advertisers and
thank them for supporting our parish.
know is in need, please call the parish office,
636-671-3062. We are here to help.
For Reflection…
For practical ways to adopt the gospel message in
your everyday life here is one:
Everything you see in someone that you don’t like
or disagree with, change these things in yourself.
Welcome to Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish
OLQP Parish Email List
Subscribe to our Parish Email List and receive:
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Parish News
Event Calendar & Reminders
Big Raffle Update
Last year, we heard numerous parishioners
suggesting that we lower the cost of the ticket so
that they were more affordable. Three months
Death Notices
have passed and we have not sold the 118
Holy Day & Holiday Mass Schedules
necessary to cover the cost of the raffle and begin
Event Cancellation Notices
the monthly drawing. Please consider purchasing a
Urgent Messages
raffle ticket so we can begin our monthly drawings
And so much more!
It’s easy and safe to subscribe and unsubscribe.
at the end of October. We made over $17,500 last
year on this raffle and are depending upon its
success to help balance our budget.
This email list is for parochial use only and will
not be sold or shared with anyone!
Go to www.olqpparish.org and submit your
name and email address in the form on the
bottom of the home page OR
Email your name and email address to:
frbeighlie@olqpparish.org
Only 9 more Sundays till Christmas!!
Shop Early!!
Not counting today, there are only 9 more
Sundays till Christmas!! Do yourself a favor and
shop early – get the gift cards you need now for
your Christmas list (or better yet, buy Scrip cards
to do your Christmas shopping!!!). You will thank
yourself in December!!
SHRINE OF REMEMBRANCE
Beginning November 1st we will remember our loved ones who have gone to their
eternal rest with our Shrine of Remembrance. It is something everyone can
participate in.
Once again we are asking you to bring your framed pictures of family, relatives or
friends. The size that works best is 5X7 or 4X6. Please DO NOT bring any 8X10s, we just do
not have room. Please bring your photos by October 30th. Please be sure and have your name
and phone number on the back of your picture or pictures (an address label would be ideal, be sure
and add your phone number on it). This will avoid any pictures left and us not knowing who they
belong to. Thank you so much. There will be a Shrine Box in the Church lobby for your pictures.
Thank you once again. If you have any questions or concerns call the Parish Office, 636-671-3062.
Jo Ann Vess
Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Il Ritiro Retreat Center
“Journeying with Christ in Serenity,
Courage and Wisdom”
Friday, October 24th (begins at 7:00 pm)
to Sunday, October 26 (ends at 11:00 am
includes Sunday liturgy)
Presenter: Sr. Alacoque Burger, OSF
October 19, 2014
Seven Days of Inspiration
Take one a day…
and feel great all week!
Day 1
Do something that
makes you smile today!
Day 2
Just when we need it most,
God sends us a sign that
we’re not alone.
Day 3
Wishes come true!
Sacred Heart (Valley Park)
First Ever Holiday Boutique
Friday, November 7, 2014
5:00 - 9:00 pm
If you are interested in being a vendor, please
email Linda Putnam, lkputnam@sbcglobal.net.
Day 4
Relax!
You’re doing just fine.
Day 5
Someone you know
looks up to you.
Day 6
You have the
“caring” gene!
Day 7
Listen to your heart.
It’s your wisest friend,
St Anthony’s (High Ridge)
Fried Chicken Dinner
Serving from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Sunday, November 9th
We are serving an adult dinner...two piece fried
chicken dinner with choice of two sides (potatoes,
green beans, corn or slaw) with soft serve ice
cream for dessert. Cost is $8.50 per plate. Childs
plate also available with one piece fried chicken
and choice of one side for $5.50 per plate with
soft serve ice cream for dessert. Drinks are
included with the meals.
Parish Office email
parishoffice@olqpparish.org
OLQP Web Site
www.olqpparish.org
submit articles for bulletin
olqpbulletin@yahoo.com
Deadline Friday at 4:30 pm
(9 days before publication)
Welcome to Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
Wednesday, October 29,
1:00 – 8:00 pm
Our Gifts to God and Parish
788 registered members
186 online, loose and envelopes used this week
Thank you for your generosity!!!
Is God calling you to adoration?
Please stop in anytime, no
appointment necessary! If you want
to try adoration on a more
permanent basis you can share any
of our hours with a current adorer.
Contact Maria Stonecypher,
314-707-2136, with any questions.
Mark your calendars
for our winter Blood
Drive on Monday,
December 1st, from
2:00 to 7:00 pm.
Special Collections
Permanent Diaconate ......................... $115.00
World Mission Sunday ......................... $25.00
New Building Fund.................. $761,965.47
Offertory
Sunday Loose ................................... $648.00
Sunday Envelopes ........................ $10,774.06
Parish Enrichment ............................. $117.00
Total Offertory ............................ 11,539.06
Weekly Offertory Goal .............. $13,000.00
As of October 13, 2014
Contributions Year To Date ..... $183,609.38
Projected Year to Date .......... $195,000.00
World Mission Sunday
Today is World Mission Sunday! We are invited
today to reach out and help build help build the
Church in Mongolia, the world’s youngest Catholic
Church, as well as local churches throughout the
Missions, in the most remote areas across our
world. Your prayers and generous gift to the
Society for the Propagation of the Faith in the
collection today help the work of priests, religious
and lay leaders in Mongolia and throughout the
Missions who offer the poor practical help and the
Stewardship
Start With Prayer
“Render therefore to Caesar the things that are
experience of God’s love and mercy, His hope and
Caesar’s and to God the things that are
peace. Please keep the Missions in your daily
God’s”.
prayers. Please be as generous as you can to
Everything we are and everything we have
today’s collection.
belongs to God. We aren’t “owners” of anything,
Matthew 22:21
we are merely “stewards” of the gifts God has
Please keep the Missions in your daily prayers. For
given each of us. All God is asking is that we give
more information, please visit
back a portion of what He gave us. This is the
www.IAmAMissionary.org.
essence of Stewardship. God should be our first
priority in everything. All else comes second.
Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Prayer Requests ~
Greg Hirtz
Wally Freihaut
Jackie Nappier
Tim Lodes
Paul McDonnell
Danielle Enghauser
Denny Brouk
Carl Grimwood
parishioners are in bold
Maryann Barnett
Joyce Stenger
Andy Nappier
Vicky Duckworth
Janice Robertson
Joe Metzger
Fran Mills
Betty Harness
Karen Palazzola, former parishioner
Harold Glacken, friend of the community
Ken Otto, brother-in-law of Gary Hake
Julie Cline, daughter of Carol Delue
Marilyn Menke, sister of Pete Wallach
John Bell, stepfather of Chris Gross
Tommy Tenny, nephew of Sherry Ganey
Don Boatwright, friend of Mike and Katie Tutass
Carol Brennan, sister of Katie Tutass
Virginia Wilson, mother of Linda Gallion
Greg Thome, son of Betty Thome
Craig Finley, friend of Nancy Haynes
Gene Barnett, husband of Maryann Barnett
Dave Landers, brother-in-law of Bernie/Angie Henning
Robert Bokern, brother of John Bokern
~those serving in the military, the homebound,
shut-ins of the parish and all in nursing homes. To add
a name please call the Parish Office, 671-3062. Names
will be removed after 3 weeks.
H
ospitalized…If you or a family member
is in the hospital or home from the hospital and
would like a visit from one of our pastoral staff
please contact the Parish Office, 636-671-3062.
October 19, 2014
Mass Intentions
Mon
Tues
Wed
Thurs
Fri
Oct
Oct
Oct
Oct
Oct
20
21
22
23
24
8:00
8:00
8:00
8:00
8:00
am
am
am
am
am
Sat
Sun
Oct 25
Oct 26
5:00
7:30
9:30
11:30
pm
am
am
am
Tracy Creighton
Ken Grisham
Joanne Sutton
John Nahlik
Reverend Joseph
Welschmeyer
Edwin “Red” Tenny
People of the Parish
Ray Wieschhaus
Poor Souls
October 25th and 26th
Special Ministers of the Eucharist
5:00 pm
7:30 am
9:30 am
11:30 am
Barb and Joe Nenninger, Peggy Mikko,
Katie Tutass, Bev Gregory
Jim and Carol England, Cathie Frede,
Jo Jahnsen, Rich Ortmann
Dale and Pat Andrews, Tom Broadbent,
Chris Camden, Joanne David, Don Moeller
Thom and Angie Ecker, Carol Freihaut,
Greg Love, Joan Ross
Proclaimers
5:00 pm
7:30 am
9:30 am
11:30 am
Barb and Joe Nenninger
Scott Reimer, Dave Mills
Vicki De Long, Jo Ann Vess
Gary and Carol Freihaut
Servers
5:00 pm
7:30 am
9:30 am
11:30 am
Amanda Kohne, Madylin Mikko, M. Stephan
Cameron Gerber, Ethan Pulic, Haley Yates
Matthew Grimes, Daniel O’Donnell, R. Sudholt
Madison Bruggemann, Jesse Mose, E. Robinson
Ushers
5:00 pm
7:30 am
9:30 am
11:30 am
We offer sympathy and the assurance of
our prayers to the family of
Jeffery Huitt, father of Brittney and Brandon
Rose Ficken, mother of Diane Duke,
Eunice Mathes and Bernadine Thomas
Bill and Donna Clifton, Bart Heinzer,
Jeff Heibeck, Dixie Garrett, Darleen Allmeroth
Dave Mills, Doug Bjornstad, Steve Morlock,
Jeff Eschbach, Ted Hempen, Vince Rocchio
Terry Filicsky, Ray Graf, Sam Pierceall,
Ralph Munzlinger, Tom Broadbent, Tim Diffey
Mary Buckey, Cristina Duncan, J. Younkins,
Gary Freihaut, Rebecca Mose, Jim Robertson
Thank you for cleaning Church
October 24
Marie Strayhorn,
Debby Maloney-Reeves,
Denice Bufka,
Bob Delong
and Mary Copeland
Welcome to Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish
Next Sunday Readings
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Cycle A
after the giving of the Ten Commandments. This address
is typically identified as “the Covenant Code.” In general,
Moses’ address is not to be understood as a law code as
we would normally understand it, but as a sermon in
which Moses spells out the implications of the
commandments in the life of God’s Chosen People.
In simplest terms, this address can be understood as an
expansion on the Golden Rule, “Do unto others as you
would have them do unto you.” We are called to take up
the cause of widows and orphans, those most vulnerable
within our midst. We are called to deal with others
compassionately and with justice. What is significant in
the “Covenant Code” is the motivation for how we are to
deal with others – we were aliens in the land of Egypt.
We have experienced need and vulnerability; we have
experienced what is unjust and unfair. It is our
connectedness with others, our sharing in common
experiences in the family of humanity that requires us to
be involved in the lives of all people, promoting good for
all our brothers and sisters.
SECOND READING: I Thessalonians 1:5-10
That we have a stake in each others’ lives stands behind
THEME: Remember, you are connected to all other
people in God’s creation.
The idea of our common humanity, our common
experiences as people runs through all the readings for
the Thirtieth Sunday of Ordinary Time. It is this
connectedness with others that requires us to be involved
in our world, to be responsible for the well-being of our
brothers and sisters in the one family of humanity, to
promote what is just and right and peaceful for all of
God’s children.
THE READINGS:
FIRST READING: Exodus 22:20-26
The first reading is taken from the Book of Exodus. It
comes from Moses’ address to the people immediately
Paul’s message to the Thessalonians in the second
reading. Paul and his companions reached out to the
people of Macedonia and became involved with them –
people of differing backgrounds, differing beliefs, differing
cultures. And the people of Thessalonika received them
and were open to them. Together they found something
in common, the Gospel message. And that message
spread to others because the openness of the
Thessalonians was seen and known by people around
them. Out of a shared openness to each other, out of a
recognition of common goals, common drives, common
interests the kingdom grew. The good that happened
was achieved not because of power or influence but
because of shared experiences, commonality.
Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
October 19, 2014
GOSPEL READING: Matthew 22:34-40
did? Have we taken care of what God has placed in our
The Gospel Reading comes from Matthew, from the
hands and made something good to give back to Him?
section of the Gospel that focuses most on “the rules for
Have we lived our connectedness and responsibility for
common life,” and ends with outright opposition to what
all others in the world that we share?
Jesus teaches. In this context, the controversies Jesus
engages in center on questions and disagreements
FOR REFLECTION:
based on a false sense of belonging, a false sense of
 How do I understand my connectedness with all
where God’s favor rests, a false sense of exclusiveness
other people? Do I agree that I have a responsibility
in understanding who the children of God are.
for all other people? For criminals and terrorists as
The question of the Pharisees, recorded in all of the
well as poor and suffering children?
synoptic Gospels, centers on which commandment of the
law is the greatest. Here, again, we have to remember
that “law,” in Jewish tradition, refers primarily to the
Pentateuch, the Torah, and these first five books of the
Hebrew Scriptures are considered to be its most sacred
core. Jesus simply sums up the whole of the Torah’s
teaching as a call to love God and love other
 Do I focus more on what sets me apart from others
or what we share in common? How am I as
vulnerable, sinful, advantaged and disadvantaged
as all other people with whom I share this world?
What does this commonality demand of me?
people. This does not represent any new kind of
teaching. The heart of the commandments is a call to
 How can my living in a way that realizes that I have a
love God and Leviticus states explicitly Jesus’ demand
stake in other people's lives make God's kingdom
that we love our neighbors as ourselves (Lev.
grow? What are the goals, hopes, and needs that all
19:18). Love of God and love of neighbor, in Jesus’
people share in common? How does working for the
teaching, are inextricably bound together. Loving others
good of others promote the good of all?
is, concretely, a way we show our love for God. Our
connection with God connects us to other people. And
the focus of the whole of biblical tradition, both the Old
and New Testaments, is that other people – neighbors –
include those within our community and those
outside. Israel, and we, are chosen to bring God’s good
 Do I really accept Jesus' teaching that the love of
God involves and includes the love of others? Do
I see my relationship with God as something private
and personal, not related to my life with others in the
world?
things to others. All are sons and daughters of God,
brothers and sisters of Jesus. All life is connected and
we have a stake in the lives of others.
We are entering into about the last month of Ordinary
Time, our time, and we are asked again and again to look
at how we’ve spent our time this year. Have we moved
beyond self-interested concerns and seen our
connectedness with others. Have we answered Jesus’
call to discipleship, His call to continue to do what He
 In any parish, there is a constant call to
stewardship. Do I see this just as a call for giving
more money or, for me, is stewardship a call for
justice, recognition of my dependence on others and
others' dependence on me?