Sunday, July 20, 2008

SIXTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Wis 12: 13, 16-19/Rom 8: 26-27/Mt 13: 24-43, or 24-30 (106)

Today’s Gospel offers the stories of the field planted with weeds, the amazing plant grown from a tiny mustard seed, and the effect of a small amount of yeast in a large amount of flour. Jesus brilliantly paints a picture of one of life’s perennial mysteries: Why is it that evil people live among the good and even thrive? Jesus tells two seemingly unrelated parables about the mustard seed and the yeast that certainly address those questions. The smallest amount of good or evil can greatly affect everything around it.

Today’s other readings provide an answer to the conundrum of good and evil: None of this is up to us. The reading from the Book of Wisdom reminds us there is no god like our God, who is master of all yet governs with lenience. In his Letter to the Romans Paul goes so far as to say we don’t even know how to pray the way we should. We need to rely on the Holy Spirit to pray for us. What is up to us? To be the wheat that will be gathered in at harvest time. (Excerpted from Connect July 20, 2008)

Message of the Vicar General

The Archdiocese of New York

Anyone who needs to report an alleged incident of sexual abuse of a minor by a priest, deacon, religious or lay person serving the Archdiocese of New York is asked to contact Sister Eileen Clifford, OP at 212-371-1000 X2949 or Deacon Lawrence O’Toole at 914-594-4646. Both may also be reached via e-mail at . Information can also be found on the Archdiocesan website, http://ny-archdiocese.org. In keeping with Archdiocesan policy regarding sexual abuse of minors, this information is provided to ensure that our children remain safe and secure.
July 22 is the Feast Day of Mary Magdalen
Mary Magdalen* (1st century) became a follower of Christ and has been the classic example of the repentant sinner from earliest times. She had seven devils cast out of her by the Lord, ministered to him in Galilee, was among the women at the Crucifixion, and with Joanna and Mary, the mother of James and Salome, discovered the empty tomb and heard angelic announcement of the resurrection of Christ. She is the first person to see Christ later the same day. According to an ancient tradition, she accompanied John to Ephesus, where she died.
*Mary Magdalen is the patron saint and prophet for the Dominican Friars.
July 25 is the Feast Day of James, martyr

St James (d 42) Son of Zebedee, he and his younger brother, John, were natives of Galilee and fishermen when called by Jesus to follow him as they were mending their nets with their father in a fishing boat on Lake Genesareth. They were with Jesus when he cured Peter’s mother-in-law at the house of Peter and Andrew. They asked Christ if they could sit on either side of him in his glory and assured him they could drink his cup, and were nicknamed Boanerges (Sons of Thunder) by Jesus, probably on the occasions when they asked Jesus if they should ask heaven to strike the inhospitable Samaritans with fire. James was with Peter and John at the raising of Jairus’ daughter from the dead, and the three of them were the only apostles at the Transfiguration and the agony at Gethsemane. James was the first of the apostles to be martyred when he was beheaded in Jerusalem by Herod Agrippa I. He is the patron saint of Spain.
$30,200.17 Received
From Msgr. William Belford, Chancellor
Many thanks to all the wonderful parishioners who sent in their pledges, and are fulfilling their promises to help us with our Parish Bicentennial Campaign. We are hoping that everyone will finish their pledge on time so that we can make our improvements. New pledges and additional gifts are always welcome. Our parish gift and pledge total so far is $621,904.00. Last week we received a distribution of $30,200.17. This is now added to the previously paid rebates of $332,989.11. This is a great tribute to your generosity and your loyalty to our parish. Thank you.
Collection for the Week of July 13 was $5446 Thank you. Please pick up literature about ParishPay. It is an easy way to donate electronically.

Washington Square Music Festival

Tuesday, July 22, 8:00 PM

David Oei, piano soloist

Southeast Plaza Stage

Don’t Go to IHOP, Come to St. Joe’s

For a Terrific Pancake Breakfast

Sunday, August 3 after the

9am and 11:30am Mass to celebrate, our parishioner,

Sr. Emily Klein recent entrance into religious life as a Sister, Apostle of the Sacred Heart.

We could really use help to Flip Pancakes, Setting-up

and Cleaning-up. If you can help, give your name to

Fr. McGuire, Ann Murphy John Behre,

Judy Magida, Cathy Tuzo or Charlie Martin.

Adults - $5, Children under 10 No Charge

(proceeds will provide a small gift to Emily’s community)

Thank you.

Thank you parishioners in contributing to

two worthy causes:

Sr. Pauline Chirchirillo, PBVM, Archdiocesan Director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith sent Fr John McGuire a letter of thanks for St Joseph’s contribution of $2690 to the Marist Foreign Society.
Fr. Joseph P. Allen, OP, Provincial Director of Mission Secretariat of the Dominican Friars for the donation of $1184 from St Joseph’s parishioners to the Friars of Kisumu, Kenya.

FEAST DAYS, SCRIPTURE CITATIONS

AND SPECIAL INTENTIONS FOR THIS WEEK

SATURDAY, July 19

Mi 2: 1-5/Mt 12: 14-21 (394)

12:10 PM

5:30 PM Anne Sulewski

SUNDAY, July 20

9:00 AM

11:30 AM Sam O’Reilly

6:00 PM

MONDAY, July 21

Mi 6: 1-4, 6-8/Mt 12: 38-42 (395) or (602)

12:10 PM

5:30 PM

TUESDAY, July 22 Mary Magdalen

Mi 7: 14-15, 18-20 (396)/Jn 20: 1-2, 11-18 (603)

12:10 PM

5:30 PM

WEDNESDAY, July 23

Jer 1: 1, 4-10/Mt 13: 1-9 (397) or (604)

12:10 PM

5:30 PM Celia Gregory (living) Happy Birthday!

THURSDAY, July 24

Jer 2: 1-3, 7-8, 12-13/Mt 13: 10-17 (398)

12:10 PM

5:30 PM

FRIDAY, July 25, James, martyr

2 Cor 4: 7-15/Mt 20: 20-28 (605)

12:10 PM

5:30 PM

SATURDAY, July 26

Jer 7: 1-11/Mt 13: 24-30 (400) or (606)

12:10 PM Natalie Darcy

5:30 PM Terry Turley

·  1st. Thurs. of the mo. Pax Christi Bd. Mtg. – 6:30 p.m.- in the Pax Christi Office

·  1st. Fri. of the mo. Novena to the Sacred Heart after the 5:30 p.m. mass

·  1st. Sat. of the mo. Blessings for the Sick after the 12:10 mas

·  2nd. Wed. of the mo. Altar Rosary 7:00 p.m. - Library

PARISH ACTIVITIES THIS WEEK

Please visit the new website often: washingtonsquarecatholic.org for the latest news on the NYU Catholic Center, St. Joseph’s Parish and links to lots of Catholic organizations and interests.

MONDAY

6:30 PM Centering Prayer Music Room

WEDNESDAY

7:00 PM Altar Rosary Library

FRIDAY

6:15 PM St. Egidio Prayer Church

8:00 PM Narcotics Anonymous Casserly Hall SATURDAY

10:00 AM or 1:00 PM Soup Kitchen Casserly Hall

6:00 PM Alcoholics Anonymous Casserly Hall

SUNDAY

9:15 AM Children’s Religious Instruction Farrell Hall

10:00 AM Sunday Scripture Discussion Library