St. Joseph the Worker Church November 9, 2014 THEY ARE WITH GOD NOVEMBER, 2013-NOVEMBER, 2014 Marie Martien Miles Rubic James Dukart Jerry Krahn Ralph Johnson Vivian Hough Mary Dowhaniuk Joe Keith Virginia Shea Terry Ufford Fr. Richard Hartman Consuelo Brown Bill Riddell Mary Anna Neuharth Billie Phillips Johanna Ternes Nancy Reijonen Rosa Drexler The Attraction and Fascination of The Kingdom of God- Pope Francis July 27, 2014 Angelus. Dear Brothers and Sisters, The brief similarities put forward in today's liturgy conclude the chapter of Matthew’s Gospel dedicated to the parables of the Kingdom of God (13:44-52). Among these are two small masterpieces: the parables of the treasure hidden in the field, and the pearl of great price. They tell us that the discovery of the Kingdom of God can come suddenly, as when the peasant farmer is ploughing, finding the treasure unexpectedly; or after a long search, as the pearl for the merchant, who finally found the pearl of great price he had long dreamed of. But in that case and in the other, the primary fact remains that the treasure and the pearl are worth more than all other goods. Therefore, the farmer and the merchant, when they find them, give up everything else to buy them. They do not need to reason, to think, to reflect: they realize immediately the incomparable value of what they have found, and are willing to lose anything to have it. So is the Kingdom of God: whoever finds it has no doubts, he feels that it is what he was looking and waiting for, and that it responds to his most authentic aspirations. And it is really so: those who know Jesus, who meet him personally, remain fascinated, attracted by so much goodness, so much truth, so much beauty, and all in great humility and simplicity. Look for Jesus, encounter Jesus. This is the great treasure! How many people, how many saints, reading the Gospel with an open heart, have been so struck by Jesus, converted to Him. Think of St. Francis of Assisi. He was already a Christian, but "milk-and-water" [insipid]. When he read the Gospel, in a decisive moment of his youth, he met Jesus, and found the Kingdom of God, and then all his dreams of earthly glory vanished. The Gospel makes one know the real, living Jesus. He addresses your heart and changes your life. So yes, leave everything. You can actually change your way of life, or continue to do what you did before, but you are another, you are born again. You find that you are given meaning, flavour, light to everything, even to hardships, even to suffering, even to death. Read the Gospel, read the Gospel. We’ve said this before, remember? Read a passage of the Gospel every day. Also carry a small copy of the Gospel with us, in your pocket, in your handbag – have one at hand, anyway. And there, reading a passage, we find Jesus. Everything makes sense when you find this treasure, which Jesus called "the Kingdom of God," that is, God reigning in your life, in our lives. He is love, peace and joy in every man and in all men. This is what God wants, it is that for which Jesus gave himself up to die on a Cross, to free us from the power of darkness and move into the realm of life, beauty, goodness, joy! Read the Gospel and find Jesus, and have this Christian joy and the gift of the Holy Spirit. Dear brothers and sisters, you see, the joy of having found the treasure of the Kingdom of God shines through. The Christian cannot conceal his faith, because it shines through in every word, every gesture, even in the most simple, everyday ones. The love that God shines through, given to us through Jesus. Let us pray, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, that his kingdom of love, justice and peace comes to us and to the whole world. +Fr John Amsberry Contact Fr John for speaking and parish missions: www.uareloved.com St. Joseph the Worker Website: http://stjosephtheworkerpdx.org/ Building Campaign Update buildstjoseph.org Fundraising for the building campaign is well underway. We are rolling out social media and beginning to exploit that avenue. Outside donors are showing interest and our inside pledges are coming in. We are confident that we will reach our goal! What can you do to help? 1. Please turn in your pledges as soon as possible; we are aiming to have all pledges from the parish in by Dec 1. 2. Please follow St. Joseph the Worker on Facebook and share the video messages that we are putting out. This is a way to share Christ with others and let them know about the very important work we are doing here and how others can help us financially. Honor the LORD from your wealth and from the first of all your produce; so your barns will be filled with plenty And your vats will overflow with new wine. Proverbs 3:9-10 (NASB) When we give to God, we are just taking our hands off what already belongs to Him. - Author Unknown MASS INTENTIONS In Need of Household Goods: The rain Monday, Nov 10, 2014 Communion Service Tuesday, Nov 11, 2014 Shirley Hergert (Francis Neibauer) Wednesday, Nov 12, 2014 +Siobain Ryan (Brenda Fleming-Wilks) Thursday, Nov 13, 2014 +Mel Amsberry (Charlotte Gurusinghe) Friday, Nov 14, 2014 +Siobian Ryan (Brenda Fleming-Wilks) Saturday, Nov 15, 2014 People of the Parish Sunday, Nov 16, 2014 8:30AM: +Alice & Julian Misa (Geraldine Misa) 10:30AM: +Siobian Ryan (Brenda Fleming-Wilks) is here; good time to clean out your closet. St. Joseph the Worker gives away household goods on the second and fourth Saturday every month to those in need. We could use any kitchen items, utensils, plates, cups, towels, blankets, or sheets. Bring what you have to the household shed (behind church) on Nov 8 or Nov. 22 from noon to 2PM, or call Deacon Mike at x105. Also, bring excess clothing to the used clothing shed at the north entrance anytime. Daily Rosary 7:30AM Mon-Fri CALENDAR OF EVENTS Monday, Nov 10, 2014 7PM-Edge 7PM-Life Teen Choir Practice Tuesday, Nov 11, 2014 8AM-Mass Parish Center Closed 10AM-Altar Guild Meeting 7PM - Choir Practice 7PM-KOC General Meeting Wednesday, Nov 12, 2014 7PM - RCIA-Teaching the Mass Sunday, Nov 16, 2014 8:45AM-Faith Formation 9AM-Noon-KOC Breakfast 7PM-Life Teen Meeting The Filipino Community at St Joseph the Worker Church presents: Dinner and Dance for a great Cause Saturday Dec 6, 2014 from 5:30PM to 10PM at Franciscan Montissori Earth School Gym. 14750 SE Clinton St, Portland, OR Filipino Cuisine -Entertainment-Free Dance Tickets $20.00 per person. All proceeds benefit construction of St. Joseph the Worker Church’s new building. For information call: Gladys @ (503) 761-3063 Email: munozkiddos@comcast.net or Tanya @ (503) 351-4455 Email: maheacat@gmail.com November is National Adoption Awareness Month and Catholic Charities Pregnancy Support and Adoption Services is looking for families who are interested in learning more about expanding their family through open adoption. For more information or to schedule a free information session, please call Shawn at 503-238-5196 or go to scass@catholiccharitiesoregon.org. “To adopt a child is a great work of love. When it is done, much is given, but much is also received. It is a true exchange of gifts. Adopting children, regarding and treating them as one’s own children, means recognizing that the relationship between parents and children is not measured only by genetic standards. Procreative love is first and foremost a gift of self. There is a form of ‘procreation’ which occurs through acceptance, concern, and devotion. The resulting relationship is so intimate and enduring that it is in no way inferior to one based on a biological connection. When this is also juridically protected, as it is in adoption, in a family united by the stable bond of marriage, it assures the child that peaceful atmosphere and that paternal and maternal love which he needs for his full human development.” John Paul II, Letter to Adoptive Fami- lies (Sept 5, 2000) Next Class for Infant Baptisms will be held on Saturday January 4, 2015 at 2:00PM in the Social Room. Pre -registration is required. Please come by the Parish Center to pick up a registration form or find a copy on web site: StJosephtheWorkerpdx.org. Baptisms will take place on Sunday Jan 11, 2015 at the 10:30AM Mass. +PIX NEEDED+ If you have more than one pix, please return extras to the sacristy. Thank you! WEEKLY CONTRIBUTIONS Budget amount: $8,000.00 Amount collected: $9012.00 Over/Under + $1012.00 Advent Day of Recollection Sponsored by Catholic Charities Ministry to the Elderly Committee for those who minister to the sick and elderly in any capacity Date: Friday, Dec. 5, 2014 Time: 9:30AM-2:30PM Location: St Joseph the Worker Parish Presented by: Rev Michael Evernden Theme: Healing Ministers of Healing: how we care for ourselves while caring for others Cost: $15.00, includes lunch (St Joseph the Worker members can register free or donate $15.00 to defray costs.) Pre-registration is required, please! Terri at x 106 or terriboris@gmail.com Directories available later this fall If you had your picture taken, you will receive a complimentary copy. If you did not have your picture taken and would like a directory, please sign up in the narthex. (Please be aware that these additional directories cost us $6 each. Depending on how many we need, we may ask for help absorbing this cost.) Thank you. Lector Training: Interested in becoming a lector at Mass? Training for new lectors will be held on November 16, 2014, at 12:30 PM in the Church. Call Larry Loumena at 503-661-1694 for information. When the Sacred Scriptures are read in the Church, God himself speaks to his people and Christ, present in his word, proclaims the Gospel (GIRM, #29). Advent Bible Study: This is the season for giving. God gives to us and we give back. We will study scriptures to learn about God’s gifts and our gifts. The class will be taught by Rich Kraljev starting Thursday, Nov 20. We will have two convenient times to gather in the social room. 10AM to 1130 AM or 7 PM to 8:30 PM. The dates are Nov 20, Dec 4, Dec 11, and Dec 18. Peace and Justice Ministry Addresses for Facebook and twitter accounts: Facebook- SJTW Peace and Justice Twitter- @SJpeacejustice
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