ST. MICHAEL’S PARISH

P.O. BOX 610 - BELL ISLAND, NF - A0A 4H0
PHONE: 488-2525 – FAX: 488-3399

In the Gospel we read how many people left Jesus, and walked no more with him. Many still leave him. But by the grace of God we are here. Each Sunday gives us an opportunity to confirm our faith in him who alone has the words of eternal life.
First Reading (Josh 24:1-2.15-18). Joshua confronts the people with a vital decision - to serve the one true God or to serve false gods.
Second Reading (Eph 5:21-32). St. Paul uses the image of a marriage relationship to express the bond that exists between Christ and the Church.
Gospel (Jn 6:60-69). The disciples of Jesus are faced with a vital decision - to stay with Jesus or to leave him.
The First Reading deals with a covenant-renewal ceremony that took place at Shechem shortly after the people had entered the promised land. Joshua called upon them to make a choice: to serve the God of their fathers or to serve other gods. All the tribes of Israel declared, ‘We will serve the Lord.’ In a similar way Jesus called upon the people who had listened to his discourse on the Bread of Life to make up their minds whether or not they were going to believe in him and follow him. Sadly, apart from the Twelve, many deserted him. Even among the Twelve a traitor lurked.
Even though Jesus was sad to see those people leaving him, he let them go. It wasn’t great crowds that excited him. What mattered to him (and what should matter to the Church) was the authenticity and sincerity of those who stayed. Just as Mark’s account of the ministry in Galilee ends on a note of disbelief (Fourteenth Sunday), so it is here. And in Peter’s reaction we have John’s parallel to the synoptic scene at Caesarea Philippi (Twenty-fourth Sunday).
When many of his disciples were leaving him, Jesus turned to the apostles and said, ‘Will you also leave me?’ These words are addressed to us too. It’s not the Lord who leaves us, but we who may leave him. But why would we want to leave the Lord, who alone has the words of eternal life? We need to make our own Peter’s profession of faith. Every Sunday we get a chance to do so. We need the Lord to strengthen our faith. We also need to confirm one another. Lord, confirm our decision to stay with you. Draw us closer to you in bonds of trust, so that we may follow you in love and freedom.

Tuesday Aug. 29th 7:00 p.m. Phoebe Byrne; Frank Pendergast Sr. & Jr.; Gordon
Stoyles Sr.; Kevin King; Don Hammond

Wednesday Aug. 30th 9:30 a.m. Veronica Andrews; Patrick, Catherine, David
Fitzpatrick; Mary Fitzpatrick-Michaels; Francis Jackman; Sarah Sheppard

Thursday Aug. 31st 7:00 p.m. Gordon Power; Jack Doody; Marion Sweeney; Ed
Hammond; Kevin King

Friday Sept. 1st. 9:30 a.m. Tom Brown Jr.; Don Hammond; Peter Hammond;
Winston Vokey; Elizabeth, Peter & Vincent Johnson;
Irene Stoyles

Saturday Sept. 2nd 4:00 p.m. Sacrament of Penance
5:00 p.m. Marie & Benedict Farrell; Ed Hammond; Tom W. Brazil & Alice Gouthier; Thomas & Gerald Coombs; Marge Sweeney; Wanda Cummings; Hannah Sweeney; Vera Elizabeth White

Sunday Sept. 3rd10:30 a.m. Vocations to the Priesthood & Religious Life

SANCTUARY CANDLE: VINCENT & MARION SWEENEY

Collection for Aug.19th & Aug. 20th, 2006
Offertory -123 envelopes....................................................................... $1,400.00
Donation in Memory of the Murphy, Power & Nolan Families................. 50.00
Proceeds from Card Game for July........................................................... 474.00

Thank you for your financial support

Visitation of Sick/Shut In’s
On Friday, September 1st, I will visit the sick and the shut in’s of the Parish. Please prepare for my visit and if you are not home, please notify the Parish. It saves me much time when you tell me that you will be away and therefore it allows me more
time to spend with the shut in’s.
Liturgical Ministers
Saturday 5:00 p.m. Readers: Rosemary O’Keefe & Kevin George
Sept. 2nd . Eucharistic Ministers: Jasmine Brazil; Lydia Brazil; Pat Craig; Art Whelan
Presentation of Gifts: Millie & George Jackman
Ushers: George Jackman; Christopher Delaney; Bill Hammond; Peter Power; Keith Pitts

Sunday 10:30 a.m. Readers: Sharon Hammond & Harriett Taylor
Sept. 3rd. Eucharistic Ministers: Rosanne Grant; Judy Burt; Sarah Burt; Christine Quinlan
Presentation of Gifts: Shawn Murphy Family
Ushers: Tom Cole; Rick Whelan; Alex Newell; Kevin Delahunty; Charlie O’Brien; Ray Kennedy

Thank You
Sincere thanks to all who joined in the wonderful celebration of Father John Cole’s Ordination and first Mass. It was wonderful to see so many gather and give thanks as we pray for our newly ordained.
To all who helped in any way with the many ministries at Mass and the excellent amounts of food for the social, I truly offer you sincere thanks. Let us continue to give thanks for the many blessings we share and the faith we offer to each other as Parish family.

Happy 100th Birthday
Our best wishes and birthday greetings are extended to Mr. Michael Hammond , a resident at the Hoyles Home, St. John’s and a native of Lance Cove who celebrates his 100th birthday on Friday, September 1st. We offer Mr. Hammond our continued prayers and best wishes.

Home Religion Program
Have you registered your child for the Home Religion Program? Registration forms are available at the Church and Parish office. The deadline for registration is Sunday, September 24th. Pass along the news to your neighbor especially families who do not practice their faith or attend Mass on a weekly basis.

Family Day
Our annual Family Day celebration will take place on Sunday, Aug. 27th at the Church grounds, 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. All are welcome to share in the many activities as we continue to promote Family and our call to be loving and caring to all children.

News From St. Michael’s School
Book Lists for Grade 9 - Level 111 are now available on the St. Michael’s School Website.

2nd Annual Penitential Pilgrimage to the Grotto at Flatrock
The 2nd Annual Penitential Pilgrimage to the Grotto at Flatrock will take place Sat., Sept. 9th, 2006. Includes Procession along Wind Gap Road, Confessions, Mass and Benediction under the patronage of His Excellency Archbishop W.A. Carew. Further information at 753-2681 or 722-4842, or www.flatrockpilgrimage.

Prayer For Our Parish
O God, you have made us the church of your Son. Make our Parish family of one heart and mind in love with you. Grant that our common life and witness may be an example to all about us. Guide our pastor and all who assist in the many ministries in our Parish.
Listen to the prayers of St. Michael, our patron, and keep us secure in your love. Teach us to reach out to other parishes less fortunate. Grant us a love for the church, for our Holy Father, for our Bishop, and all those who serve. Help us to be the bread of joy and peace within the human family. Bring us all together to life eternal. Amen

New Life In Our Parish.
The following children became members of God’s family through the Sacrament of Baptism during the month of July.

Dakota Jacqueline Carl Ann Clarke; Kierra Johanna Moore; Hayden William Joseph Bickford; Chelsea Rebecca Keough; Alexander John Wright; Logan Gary William Brown; Haley Renee Bennett ; Brooklyn Isabella Sierra Kitchen; Condis May Purcell; Paige Geraldine Rees.

It Never Hurts
It never hurts to show a little kindness every day,
to a friend, or just someone we meet along the way.
It never hurts to send forth love, for we have much to spare.
God gave us extra helpings, so we’d have some to share.
It never hurts to find someone who lives with pain and sorrow,
and bring that someone hope and faith - “enough to face tomorrow.”
It never hurts to pray for those who cannot find their way.
If we were lost and lonely too, we’d want someone to pray.
We can help a fellow-man to stand up straight and tall-
“who stumbles on life’s rocky road,” and it never hurts at all!

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