|
FROM THE PASTOR (SUNDAY, AUGUST 15, 2010):
Throughout the year we celebrate various Feast Days in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and rightly so. After all, as the Mother of Jesus she opened her heart and her life to the will of God to bring us God in the flesh to usher in the new era of salvation and eternal life. Every celebration in honor of Mary is one worthy of attention, but the Feast we celebrate today, the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is particularly important.
As early as the Fifth Century the Church celebrated the Dormition, or the “falling asleep” of Mary in both the East and the West. Over the centuries this feast became known in the Western Church as the Assumption and, in 1950, Pope Piux XII solemnly declared the doctrine of the Assumption and provided a new Mass to be said in Mary’s honor. This takes nothing from Christ as everything in Mary’s life points to Christ as our sole redeemer and savior. However, having been the first to say “yes” to Christ in her life at the time of the annunciation she has been rewarded with the promise given to us all by being raised body and soul into heaven – assumed into heaven. From her place in heaven, standing next to her Divine Son, Mary continues to pray for and guide the Church on earth as any loving mother prays for and guides her children. Consequently, when we celebrate the Feast of the Assumption we also celebrate the fulfillment of the promises of Christ to rise and reign with Him at the end of time.
There is another important figure mentioned in the gospel connected with this Feast, however, who is often overlooked; Mary’s relative, Elizabeth. Beyond child bearing years Elizabeth suddenly finds herself with child. Thus, the stigma of barrenness is removed from her as she carries her child, John the Baptist, in her womb. Notice in today’s gospel that when Mary arrives to help care for her elderly cousin the child in Elizabeth’s womb leaps for joy, so near is human salvation. Elizabeth is important because with her faith she trusted that God would work in her life what God needed to do in order to bring the world to the acknowledgement of His presence in Christ. The pre-born John’s leaping for joy in her womb signifies how all of us should act when come into the presence of the Lord. Elizabeth carrying John in her womb signifies how each of us should reply with faith and joy whenever we greet God in others. Elizabeth couldn’t see the child Jesus growing in Mary’s womb but she knew He was there and not only warmly greeted Mary, but greeted God being carried by her. When we encounter our brothers and sisters in the world we should do so with the same attitude of Elizabeth by greeting God being carried by those we meet.
Two humble women living in insignificant villages in a distant and seemingly worthless outpost of the strongest empire in the world at the time brought forth the greatest treasure anyone will ever be able to bring: faith in God and salvation through His Word, Jesus Christ.
We should try to imitate Elizabeth and Mary always in our lives but especially today when we celebrate what Mary received and to what we look with anticipation – our eternal life with Jesus Christ!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
If you missed this workshop on July 29 and would like to attend, if offered, please e-mail the Adult Education Office at adulted@sanrafaelparish.org. The Director of Cyber Security Awareness & Education, Securing our eCity, is willing to do a second presentation if there is enough interest. | TBA | TBA |
Please continue your generous support for the poor and needy of our parish and region. There is no monthly meeting in August, but we will collect your donations following each Mass on the weekend of August 21-22. | August 21-22 during Masses | Church Entrance |
SUMMER DEANERY EVENTS:
Join us this summer as we have fun with youth from local parishes! Parent chaperones and carpools are needed for these events.
August 20-21 - All Nighter at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel
| As listed | As Listed |
IMPORTANT DATES FOR 2010-2011 YEAR
August 22 - Early-Bird Sunday Registration: Turn in registration packets after Mass. Be sure to include all needed forms. Incomplete packets will not be accepted.
August 29 - Fall Kick-Off: 6:00-8:00 p.m., San Rafael Parish Center. Registration and Information Night for Youth Ministry and Confirmation.
Sept. 12 - Deadline for Registration: New and Returning Student Registrations will no longer be accepted after this date.
Sept. 25 - Kick-Off Picnic: 12:00-3:00 p.m., Kit Carson Park. Join us for an afternoon of fun with other local parishes!
| As listed | As listed |
San Rafael will open its doors to the Michigan Concert Choir in performance of the very engaging choral work “THE STORY OF JOB” on Sunday, August 29, at 4:00 p.m. in our church sanctuary.
Tickets are not necessary. The free-will offering will be shared by Interfaith Community Services and the Michigan Concert Choir.
This fine interfaith choral group from Michigan is comprised of singers from many and varied denominations and hopes to spread the Word of God through song !
Put the date on your calendar now – it’s a concert you won’t want to miss!!!”
Questions: Therese Bulat, (858) 487-4314 (x1225)
| Aug. 29 ~ 4:00 p.m. | Church Sanctuary |
SERVICE PROJECTS: St. Vincent de Paul Village Dinner (call 619-645-6412 to arrange); Life Choices Pregnancy Center (call 858-486-1738 to arrange); Migrant Mass, 7:00 p.m., August 28. If you would like to participate in any of these projects please contact the Youth Office. Many of the projects limit the number of participants, please do not show up for a project unless you have received a phone call confirming available space. | As listed | As listed |
RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)
RCIA Inquiry sessions will not be held during the month of August.
Interested in becoming a full member of the Catholic Church or in learning more about the Catholic faith? For further information contact Bill Phillips at (858)674-4824 or the Adult Education Office at (858)674-1145.
| Tuesdays, 7:00-9:00 p.m. | Rooms A & B |
We are each of us dropped into the river of life, a river with a history and a future. Our life is one moment in that river, but each life is unique. No one can tell your story but you. Ann Aubrey Hanson, writer and editor, offers a series of 5-week writing workshops entitled “Chapter by Chapter: Writing Your Life.” No writing experience is necessary. Workshops consist of discussion and critique, group and individual. The first session will begin on Wednesday, September 1, in Meeting Room G of San Rafael’s new Pastoral Center building, from 9:30-11:00 a.m., and will run for consecutive Wednesdays until September 29. The cost is $125. Space is limited. To enroll, call Ann at (858)484-3980. | Sept. 1-29 ~ 9:30-11:00 a.m. | Meeting Room G |
Thank you to everyone who sent pictures in for the online parish photo album and pictorial directory. We hope to have our directories printed and ready to distribute to families in time for our September 12th dedication ceremony for our new Pastoral Center building. Please continue to watch the parish bulletin for announcements on when and how to pick your directory up. | Ongoing | Parish Office |
The San Rafael Men’s Club is sponsoring a golf outing at the Vineyard Golf Course on Sunday, September 19 (PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE OF DATES), at 2:30 p.m. The cost is only $55 for 18 holes, a sandwich, a beverage, and a cart. So gather a twosome or foursome and make your plans to join us. Call Kevin Cole at (858)361-9187 to make your reservations now. | September 19 ~ 2:30 p.m. | Vineyard Golf Course |
SAVE THIS SPECIAL DATE: The Ecumenical/Interreligious Ministry and Oaks North Travel are co-sponsoring a 1-1/2 hour guided tour of the Hsi Lai Buddhist temple, art gallery, and meditation gardens in Hacienda Heights, CA, on Tuesday, March 22, 2011. Lunch will follow and then an afternoon guided tour of Hollyhock House built by Frank Lloyd Wright with a walk in the gardens art gallery. Bus, lunch, tours, snacks included is cost of $70. Reserve now; pay later. For more information call Patty Ann Born at (858)451-0135. | March 22, 2011 | Hacienda Heights, CA |
PARISH PILGRIMAGE TO POLAND, AUSTRIA and CZECH REPUBLIC, October 12-23, 2010, still has four spaces available for a comfortable group of 30 pilgrims. All of our pilgrimages have been wonderful experiences and this one promises to be equally rewarding. If you are interested in joining us please contact the office for a brochure and application. Cost: $3,199 cash price; $3,398 by credit card, plus airport taxes, fuel surcharges and all tips (drivers, guides, porters, etc). | October 12-23, 2010 | POLAND, AUSTRIA AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC, |
Speaker Fr. Rusty Shaughnessy
Contact Beverly Rossio for more information: (858)487-3070
| Oct. 8-10 | Whispering Winds Retreat Center |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
