Pastoral Associate News
From the Desk of our Pastoral Associate
14th Sunday in OTC - July 4, 2010
Birthdays are always times to celebrate life, to reminisce about where we are and where we want to go. These kinds of reflections are a bit more difficult to do as a nation, but the Fourth of July does help us to pause and be grateful for all we have as a country founded on principles of equality and freedom. Truly, we have an abundant harvest as a nation. At the same time we are well aware that not everyone shares equally in all this abundance – we still face appalling poverty, prejudice, and abuse of power. During our lifetime, abundance or lack of it is measured by things: wealth, power, peace, poverty, oppression, discord.
The gospel of Jesus doesn’t talk about a country but about a “kingdom” and that kingdom also has a harvest. This harvest is not things but peace, stability, nourishment, healing. This is an abundance that is measured not by spacious skies, prairies of ripe wheat, majestic mountains, sobering deserts, rivers and lakes but by the abundance of goodness, care for others and all that grows toward new life and love.
Today we are grateful for our country. Today let us also be grateful for God’s kingdom continually growing with new life seeking the salvation of the world.
Adult Confirmation: Two times each year the Archdiocese offers the Sacrament of Confirmation for all those adults who have not received it. This fall the sacrament will be conferred on
About the New Translation of the Roman Missal: For the past several weeks we have been offering information about the new changes that are anticipated in the coming year, or so, regarding the Roman Missal. This is the text that contains our set prayers and rituals for sacred celebrations. All that we have offered for your enrichment may still be found on the St. Timothy web site under the heading “Roman Missal”.
New to the Parish? Welcome! Please introduce yourself to our Pastor Fr. Cody or to one of the staff members. You may register at the rectory or on line any time at www.sttimothywesthartford.com.
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults: Are you interested in knowing more about the Catholic Church? If the answer is yes we have a process in place that is for sharing the tradition that we call Catholic. Call Pat Piano at the rectory for more information,
Parish members with special needs: Are you or someone you know in need of special services during our worship? Are you unable to go to communion in the procession? Are you wheat intolerant and therefore unable to take the host? Are you deaf? In a wheel chair? Please know we are here to accommodate you. Just let us know your need and we are sure we can be of help. Stop by the sacristy on the weekend or call Pat Piano at the rectory,
Want to sharpen your understanding of the Bible??? Next year beginning in October we will offer an introductory series on the Bible. We have invited area scripture scholars to do the presentations and we hope you will welcome them. Please mark your calendars now so you will not miss this great opportunity. The dates are: Tuesdays, October 12, December 14, February 8, March 8 and April 12. Most presenters are from our famed Archdiocesan Biblical School, a four year study of the entire bible of which St. Timothy parish has several graduates.