TWENTY – FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
SEPTEMBER 16th, 2007

An Apostolic Church:
On Friday of this week, the Church celebrates the feast of Saint Matthew, an apostle and an evangelist (that is, one of the four authors of the Gospel). Since the earliest years of the Church, we have honored and observed the apostles during the liturgical year. They were the first witnesses to Christ: they were there to hear his teachings, they witnessed his miracles, and they heard his preaching on the kingdom of God. After the Resurrection, and especially after Pentecost, they were the ones who went out into the world and preached about all that they had seen Jesus do, and all that they had heard Jesus preach and teach. They were the link between Jesus Christ and the early Church. They still are that for us, in the twenty-first century.
The feast days of the apostles are special days for Catholics. All that we believe in our faith comes to us from the apostles. All that we know of Jesus comes from their experience of him, their memories of what He said and what He did. Our faith is, literally, built upon what they believed of Christ.
Because of that, the Church is apostolic. What we profess on Sunday (the Creed) has its roots in the teaching and preaching of the apostles after the death, Resurrection, and Ascension of Christ. So, of course, the days upon which we honor them are observed with a special solemnity, a unique celebration.
On these days, we remember with reverence the first followers of Christ. We praise God for their Witness and for their steadfastness in the faith.

First Reading: Exodus 32.7-11, 13-14
The Lord changed his mind about the disaster he has planned to bring upon the people.
Second Reading: 1 Timothy 1.12-17
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.
Gospel: Luke 15.1-32
There will be joy in heaven over one sinner who repents.

SANCTUARY CANDLE: MEMORY OF RYAN NICHOLAS (STOYLES) HICKS

Wednesday 9:30 a.m. Thomas Lahey; Raymond Wiseman; Joseph Kavanagh;
Sept. 19th Anastasia Shea; Bess Walsh

Thursday 7:00 p.m. Gerald Ford; Leonard Quinlan; Lloyd King; Daniel Hynes;
Sept. 20th Fred Watson, Patrick & Minnie Doherty & Ambrose McCarthy

Friday 9:00 a.m. Thomas Gear; Pat & Francis McLean; Pat & Michael & Keith
Sept. 21st Mclean; Thanksgiving (Prayers Answered); Bridget Whelan

Saturday 4:00 p.m. Sacrament of Penance
Sept. 22nd 5:00 p.m. Eveleigh, Stone & Hammond Families; Dave, Helen &
Regina Whalen; Doraval Skinner; Loretta Kennedy; Joan
Gosse; Sister Anita Petrie; Jerimiah Sullivan; Patrick Power;
Margaret Mulcahy

Sunday 10:30 a.m. For Parishioners Living and Deceased
Sept. 23rd St. Michael’s Parish

Collection for Sept. 8th, & Sept. 9th, 2007
Offertory Collection – 104 Envelopes……………………………………….. $1,255.00
Needs of Canadian Church – 1 Envelope………………………………………….40.00
Dues – 3 Envelopes…………………………………………………..……………35.00
Thank – You for Your Financial Support

Bad News and Good News on Church Furnaces:
During our regular “Fall Furnace Tune-Up”, it was discovered that the whole Fire Box and Heat Exchanger were both burnt-out with gaping holes in the fire area. The second furnace for the hall is in perfect condition. The Church furnace (23 years old) had to be completely replaced at the cost of $5,454.00. This is an unexpected shock to our ordinary heat and light budget. Someone suggested that we can’t really afford to turn on the furnace until it is paid for. Hopefully, we will not have to go that route. Any offering Big or Small for the furnace will be deeply appreciated.

Knights of Columbus Meeting
The next meeting of the Knights of Columbus will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 18th, 2007 at 7:45 p.m. at St. Michael’s Hall. All members are pleased asked to attend this meeting.

Liturgical Ministers
Saturday 5:00 p.m. Readers: Harriett Taylor & Colin Taylor
Sept. 22nd Eucharistic Ministers: Sister Phyllis; Loretta Byrne; Carol Clarke;
Pat Craig
Presentation of Gifts: Lydia Brazil Family
Ushers: Bill Hammond; George Hickey; George Jackman; Keith Pitts

Sunday 10:30 a.m. Readers: Jean Williams & Patricia King
Sept. 23rd Eucharistic Ministers: Keith Kent; Geraldine Fitzgerald; Christine
Quinlan; John Kent
Presentation of Gifts: Valerie Gorman Family
Ushers: Ray Kennedy; Alex Newell; Charlie O’Brien;
Ray Whalen

MARRIAGE***6 months notice required***PREPARATION PROGRAM – Must
be completed before the wedding takes place.
Friday Sept. 21st, 2007 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Saturday Sept. 22nd, 2007 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Friday Oct. 12th, 2007 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Saturday Oct. 13th, 2007 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Friday Nov. 16th, 2007 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Saturday Nov.17th, 2007 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
MARRIAGE INFORMATION: Are you aware that Catholics are obliged to marry in the Catholic Church? If they marry elsewhere without permission, the marriage is not recognized by the church. Permission is available and readily granted provided that both parties are free of impediments and fulfill the church’s requirements for marriage. Please speak to your Parish priest for information and to apply for permission.

Pastoral Appointments
Due to illness, Fr. John McGettigan has resigned as Parish Priest of Holy Rosary Parish, Portugal Cove. Fr. Jeff Kolonel is appointed Administrator at Portugal Cove effective Sept. 19th, 2007. Please keep all the priests in your prayers.

Community Service Council
The Community Service Council is conducting computer training free of charge at the Wabana Boys & Girls Club, Bell Island from 10:00 am to 1:30 pm. The dates are as follows: Oct. 9th - Excel; Oct 10th - Internet Safety and Oct. 11th - Power Point. Registration Deadline is October 3rd, 2007. Space is limited, please call 753-9860.

Home Religion Program/ Sacramental Preparation
Have you registered your child for the Home Religion Program?
For further information call the Parish office 488-2525 or Karen Seward at 488-2566. Registration Forms are available at the Parish office or at the Church. Please complete the form and submit a fee of $10.00 for each program so that the Parish can purchase the materials required for each child. Pass along the news to your neighbor, especially families who do not practice their faith or attend Mass on a weekly basis.

Belvedere Orphanage Fund
This is a special fund which is available for female orphans or half-orphan. Applications are available at the Parish office. The following conditions apply if you seek to receive support: 1 Recipient must be a female orphan or half-orphan; 2. Recipient must be in need; 3. Need is to be interpreted broadly and not confined to Education; 4. The recipient must be 18 years old or younger; 5. Application must be made through a member of a religious congregation, or a parish priest; 6. The party making application for the recipient must verify that she is a needy orphan or half-orphan. The deadline for the application is October 12, 2007.

Walk for Hope
September is Breast Cancer Awareness month on Bell Island, and for the second year this group of women are hosting a series of events with the goal of raising $15,000. Watch over the next few weeks for a full list of events such as a concert, walk of hope and ecumenical service and reception. If you would like to be part of the “Walk for Hope” call 488-2271 for a sponsor sheet. Together we are working for a future without breast cancer.

49th International Eucharistic Congress
Those interested in attending the 49th International Eucharistic Congress in Quebec City, June 14-23, 2008 are asked to contact Joanne Chafe (the Group Leader for the Archdiocese) at 709-579-7924.
 

Life Chain
The Annual Life Chain sponsored by the Right to Life Association will be held on Sunday, September 30th, at 2:30 pm in front of 202 LeMarchant Rd. This Life Chain links with all other peaceful and silent Life Chains held at the same time across North America. Witness to life, join us! 579-1500 nffriendsforlife@nl.rogers.com

Family Life Bureau
The following groups will be offered September, 2007.
1. Separation and Divorce (8wks) –Focus on rebuilding and personal growth. Facilitator, Pauline Lake, MSW. Begins Mon. Sept. 24th, 7:00 - 9:30p.m.
2. Self- Empowerment Women’s Group (8weks) – Begins Wednesday, Sept. 26th, 7:00 - 9:30 p.m. Facilitators, Anna Powell and Catherine Ryan. Please call Sr. Loretta Walsh 579-0168 to register. Space is Limited.

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