FED BY THE LORD
Jesus' words “This is my body” and “This cup is the new covenant in my blood” were only part of his table blessing. Jesus twice said: “Do this in remembrance of me” (1 Corinthians 11:24, 25).
This is the good news of today's solemnity. Like the five thousand hungry souls, we are fed by our Lord. This is not food that satisfies for only a short time, until the next meal. It is food that lasts and changes us. It is food for sharing in much the same way as Melchizedek did when he brought bread and wine to the returning Abraham.
As children of God's reign, we are blessed to be able to receive and share God's gift. And we do so in the way most appropriate to our state in life—as parents, children, husbands, wives, or religious.
© Copyright, J. S. Paluch Co.
SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES
Sunday: The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
Monday: St. Barnabas;
Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
Wednesday: St. Anthony of Padua
Thursday: Flag Day
Friday: The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
Saturday: The Immaculate Heart of Mary
READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday: Acts 11:21b-26; 13:1-3; Mt 5:1-12
Tuesday: 2 Cor 1:18-22; Mt 5:13-16
Wednesday: 2 Cor 3:4-11; Mt 5:17-19
Thursday: 2 Cor 3:15 — 4:1, 3-6; Mt 5:20-26
Friday: Ez 34:11-16; Rom 5:5b-11; Lk15:3-7
Saturday: 2 Cor 5:14-21; Lk 2:41-51
Sunday: 2 Sm 12:7-10, 13; Ps 32; Gal 2:16, 19- 21;Lk 7:36 — 8:3 [7:36-50]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes.
— 1 Corinthians 11:26
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TODAY'S READINGS
First Reading — Melchizedek brought out bread and wine and blessed Abram (Genesis 14:18-20).
Psalm — You are a priest forever, in the line of Melchizedek (Psalm 110).
Second Reading — As often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes (1 Corinthians 11:23-26).
Gospel — Jesus spoke to the crowd about the kingdom of God and then fed them with five loaves and two fish. They all ate and were satisfied (Luke 9:11b-17).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Congratulations Graduates!!
We extend sincere congratulations to all the graduates of Immaculate Conception Regional School listed below and to all those students of our parish who are graduating from area elementary and high schools. Our wish and prayer is that you will be abundantly blessed in all your endeavors. A new path lies ahead...may God continue to guide your steps!
Kimberly Allen
JoanBeth Birbenich
Cealin Conroy
Joseph Crabb
Michael DiPietro
Samantha Dorgan
Darian Drake
Jennifer Friend
Matthew Garrera
Bradley Goens
Tyler Grabkowski
Desirée Hamler
Leighann Lorenzetti
Katherine Morano
Grant Pasake
Ronak Patel
Brandon Ramage
Jessica Ricker
Robert Scussel
Kaylee Simpson
Nicole Skellenger
Mary Williams
Aneta Zaniewski
“For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord.”
Jeremiah 29:11
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Love is always patient and kind; it is never jealous; love is never boastful or conceited; it is never rude or selfish; it does not take offense and is not resentful.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Our parish community congratulates ...
Jonathan Lewis and Heidi Morris
and
Robert Schofield and Deborah Strangeway
as they celebrate the Sacrament of Matrimony
May God bless you with a lifetime of
happiness, love and dreams come true.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The beautiful flowers this weekend are in
loving memory of:
The Thirtieth Anniversary
of Frances Maris
Requested by The Maris Family
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Use what talents you possess:
The woods would be very silent if no birds sang except those that sang best.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sacrificial giving nurtures the spirit of the giver and helps to build a better world.
Thank you for your support and generosity for last week's collection.
Last Sunday's Collection: $6,279.00
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ministry to the Homebound
If you are unable to come to Church or know of someone who is homebound and would like to receive Communion, please call Janice at the Rectory at 973-827-9575 and arrangements will be made to visit your home. Janice is in the office on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
Adoration takes place the last Friday of each month from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ending with a blessing. Parishioners are encouraged to take time out of their busy day to spend quiet time in the presence of the Lord. Please sign up for a time slot that you are available to assure that there is adequate coverage each hour. A sign-up sheet is kept on the podium next to the candle stand.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Grief Support Group
On the first Wednesday of each month Immaculate Conception Parish offers an ongoing Grief Support Group. If you or someone you know has suffered a loss, please join us. The next meeting is on June 6th from 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the Ministry House.
Sometimes I find that people apologize that they are so upset over a loss when it was “just” their pet, their cousin, an aunt, not a spouse or a child that has died as if those are the only losses allowed to be felt deeply. We need to grieve the loss of anyone we love—friend, animal, in-law, whether their “title” may seem important to others or not, they were and are important to us.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Please Support the KOC Annual Fund Drive for Mentally Disabled Citizens
The Knights of Columbus Marquette Council No. 588 are outside of the church this weekend for their annual fund drive for mentally disabled citizens.
Your contributions help to provide essential services to persons with mental disabilities such as employment services, support and recreation programs, and family support services.
For further information, contact Knights of Columbus #588, P.O. Box 588, Sparta, N.J. 07871.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Caldwell College's Center for Continuing Education has three Adult Open Houses this summer. Come to the Alumni Theater on Tuesday, July 17th at 6:30 pm, Thursday, August 2nd at 6:30 pm or Saturday, August 4th at 10:00 am to get all of your questions answered. At this event you will get the opportunity to meet representatives from admissions, academic advising and financial aid who can suggest various programs and address all of your concerns. Remember to bring copies of your college/university and/or high school transcripts for immediate acceptance!
Caldwell College makes it easy for you to earn a Bachelors Degree. Caldwell is flexible in transferring your previously earned credits towards a Bachelors Degree while you continue to earn a living. With the assistance of your personal academic advisor, build a flexible class schedule that works for you. Choose from on-campus, day, evening, Saturday or distance learning classes. For more information, contact Lynn Marie Peluso, an Adult Undergraduate Admissions Recruiter, at 973-618-3216 or email at lpeluso@caldwell.edu.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Choose Life
Let us pray that we may be presence and nourishment to people who are caring for a handicapped child or a dying relative.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Wanted Part-time cleaning lady one or two times per month for about 3 hours. Needed for disabled parishioner with severe allergies. Private home in Franklin. Salary to be discussed. Please call 973-209-2660- ask for Diana.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Cub Scout Pack 90 Announces A Pasta Dinner Fundraiser
All You Can Eat!
Mark your calendar and plan to attend a delicious Pasta Dinner hosted by Cub Scout Pack 90.
Pasta Dinner will be held the Lyceum on
Date: Saturday, June 23, 2007
Time: 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $7.50 Adults $4.50 under 12 years
Tickets will be sold outside of the Church after all the Masses next weekend, June 16-17th.
Your support is very much appreciated! For further information, or to purchase tickets, call 973-827-4130.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Morris Catholic High School is searching for host families for international students beginning school in the fall. Please contact the MC Advancement Office 973-627-6674, ext. 136. Thank you.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Our sincere thanks to Karen!
On behalf of the entire parish, we extend a special thank you to Karen Hitscherich for donating the lovely window treatments recently installed on the Lyceum windows. Karen's expertise and resources are so very much appreciated! Thank you so much for all your time and special talent!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Youth Leader Program
The Diocese of Paterson is conducting a five-day Youth Leader Training Program which will take place on Monday, July 23 through Friday, July 27th at the Archdiocesan Youth Retreat Center in Kearny. This training will help our young people to develop as leaders. Scholarships are available to all Paterson and Passaic youth groups. The Cost is $175 for the first youth registered, $150 for each additional youth, one free chaperone and $175 for each additional adult.
Parish/School teams who wish to participate in YouthLeader must fill out a Commitment Form and submit the form with a non-refundable deposit of $50 per person to reserve space for your group at YouthLeader. Final registration and payment will be due by July 1,2007.
Contact the Rectory to obtain Commitment Forms.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Catholic Charities Annual Summer Concert
“Music for a Midsummer Night”
Please save the date for this year's Catholic Charities Summer Concert. Join us at the Catholic Campus Ministry Center of William Paterson University on Tuesday evening, July 31st at 7:30 p.m.
Fr. Ed and friends will perform songs by the great American composers Richard Rodgers, George Gershwin, Jerome Kern, Arthur Schwartz, Cole Porter and more. Reception to follow at the Center. $75 per person. All proceeds will go to the programs and services of Catholic Charities Diocese of Paterson.
For further information contact Ruth Saginario in the Development Office at 973-523-4456.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
LIFENET is presenting “Waiting, Dating and Mating… the When, Who and What God's calling you to.” This is a program on dating and relationships for college age men and women or young adults in their 20s and 30s to be held at St. John the Apostle Church in Linden this summer. The 5-session program will be on Sundays from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. June 24 thru July 22. Topics include: the languages of love, differences between mean and women, what is a real man or woman, and God's plan for life and love. Includes: National Speaker and Psychologist, Dr. Philip Mango. For information call Enza at 732-264-1865 or email enza19@hotmail.com.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Please remember to pray for our parishioners and friends who are ill:
In Nursing Homes: Anna Elekes, Beatrice Brown, Catherine Alvino, Mary Devine, Richard Gulitus, Betty Swetz, Ed Knight and Frank Kalafut.
At Home: Loraine Schenker, Diane Sidoli, Robert Zeuner, Russell Covert, Jr., Evelyn Caljean, Agnes Maselli, Anthony Fehir, Zina Restivo, Danielle Dionisio, Thomas Dionisio, Jr., Christine Huntley, Steven “Itchy” Novak, Gabbi Welsch, Flo Yurchak, Ethel Segarra, Mary Carmody, Madison Dorr, Don Tilley, Jr. Lisa Stine, Kath Sciascia, Sue Martin.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Please continue to keep all those serving in the military in your thoughts and prayers especially:
Dan Greene, Jamison Micke, Stephen Saski, Jr., Christopher Faber, SFC Morgan McHose, Kevin Remus, LCPL William Mathes, LCPL Ernest Mathes, Karen Hassler, Tom Oroho, and SSG Mary Lynch.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FAMILY PERSEPECTIVE
In Today's gospel, Jesus “said a blessing over the food and all were satisfied.” A meal is more than eating. The blessing before a meal sets the tone and the whole meal continues the blessing as we share our lives with one another in conversation and love.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parish Cookbook
The Parish Cookbooks are here! If you would like to purchase a copy, they will be for sale at the Sunday Social each week or you may call the rectory at 973-827-9575.
The cost is $10.00 and they make great gifts!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Camp Auxilium
Interested in a Summer Camping Experience?
Consider Camp Auxilium for girls (age 5-14) and for boys (age 5-10). For a brochure or more information, call 973-383-2621 or go to www.campauxilium.org.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Saint Thomas of Aquin Parish
in Ogdensburg, NJ is having a trip to Italy from November 4-13, 2007, which includes Rome, Assisi, Florence, Padua & Venice. Brochures and additional information can be obtained by calling Ann Breslin at 201-261-8484. Reservation deadline is July 1, 2007.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We know the sacrifice that God gave to us to show how much he loves us … how we use our time, talent and treasure shows God how much we love him!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MAKING EUCHARIST OUT OF OUR LIVES
One of the curious perplexities of our lives seems to be that more comes forth from our want than from our abundance, more from our meager offerings of life and love than from those times when it seems we have much of both life and love.
INSIDE THE READINGS
Today's reading from First Corinthians is the earliest literary account of the institution of the Eucharist, coming some ten years before any Gospel was composed. Writing from Ephesus about AD 55, Paul has many concerns, including the improper observance of the Eucharist. To counteract these situations, especially the divisions in the community, he writes this long letter. He insists that the proper understanding of the Eucharist will help bring unity and peace.
One special aspect of this narration is the fact that Jesus asks for remembrance of him after his words over both the bread and the wine. Remembrance of the Lord should remind the Corinthians that the Lord wanted them to manifest love for all with no exceptions. Jesus gives the perfect example. He will give his body for all and shed his blood for our salvation. In these few verses Paul uses "Lord" three times, the title connected with the resurrected Christ, the Son of God. Paul wants his converts to realize that the Eucharist is their way of meeting regularly with the Risen One, the source of spiritual strength given to all Christians.
Jesus also introduces the concept of the new covenant, the new relationship between God and all people. "This cup is the new covenant in my blood" (1 Corinthians 11:25). He has in mind two Old Testament situations. Moses at the institution of the covenant said, "This is the blood of the covenant" (Exodus 24:8). The prophet Jeremiah wrote, "The days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah" (Jeremiah 31:31).
The passage also has an eschatological thrust. Jesus says, "For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes" (1 Corinthians 11:26). Sharing in the Eucharist unites us to Jesus in this life, but also makes it possible for us to share in the glory of Jesus when he returns at the end of time.
THOUGHTS FOR ACTION
Like the Lord Jesus, what we are about is taking our simple lives in our hands, looking up to heaven with what we hold, blessing our lives, breaking them open, and giving them over to be shared Call of which is to say that what we are about is being Eucharist for one another.
Excerpted and edited from LIVING THE WORD for the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ commentary by Msgr. Ralph Kuehner and Rev. Joseph Juknialis, 8 2007 by J. S. Paluch Co., Inc. 6/10/07

---