HOPE AND FORGIVENESS
There were some interesting conceptions of sin prevalent in the time of the Hebrew scriptures. There was the belief that God punished sin immediately. Those who suffered disease or misfortune were, therefore, sinners getting their due from the Almighty.
Today's first reading hints at another kind of God. When David admits his sin, Nathan declares, “The Lord on his part has forgiven your sin” (2 Samuel 12:13b). Here was not a vengeful God but a merciful God. What good news that must have been to David and those who, like him, could be honest enough to admit their sinfulness!
Jesus is the good news of God's mercy and forgiveness incarnate. Without Jesus, perhaps the good news would have been too good to believe, too difficult to imagine. But there he is in today's Gospel, the God-man, forgiving a sinner and declaring that she is forgiven because of her great love.
There is hope, then, for the rest of us sinners, if only we love enough! © Copyright, J. S. Paluch Co.
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SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES
Sunday: Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time;
Father's Day
Tuesday: St. Romuald
Thursday: St. Aloysius Gonzaga; Summer begins
Friday: St. Paulinus of Nola;
Ss. John Fisher and Thomas More
Saturday: Blessed Virgin Mary
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READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday: 2 Cor 6:1-10; Mt 5:38-42
Tuesday: 2 Cor 8:1-9; Mt 5:43-48
Wednesday: 2 Cor 9:6-11; Mt 6:1-6, 16-18
Thursday: 2 Cor 11:1-11; Mt 6:7-15
Friday: 2 Cor 11:18, 21-30; Mt 6:19-23
Saturday: 2 Cor 12:1-10; Mt 6:24-34
Sunday: Vigil: Jer 1:4-10; Ps 71; 1 Pt 1:8-12;
Lk 1:5-17
Day: Is 49:1-6; Ps 139; Acts 13:22-26;
Lk 1:57-66, 80
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I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me.
— Galatians 2:20
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TODAY'S READINGS
First Reading — The Lord forgives David for taking the wife of Uriah, and for having Uriah killed (2 Samuel 12:7-10, 13).
Psalm — Lord, forgive the wrong I have done (Psalm 32).
Second Reading — If justification comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing (Galatians 2:16, 19-21).
Gospel — Jesus forgives the woman because of her great love (Luke 7:36 — 8:3 [7:36-50]).
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THE MYSTERY OF MERCY
Life is mysterious. It's been observed that the people we get angry at the most are also the people we love the most. Somehow, if we are fortunate, out of that mélange of mixed emotions and conflicting dynamics we learn how to give and receive love. Still, we don't always understand how. Today's readings present images of our God's forgiveness that Jesus came to proclaim, and so our hearts are moved to love.
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INSIDE THE READINGS
The Gospel of Luke has been called the Gospel of Women. Today's Gospel reading provides strong reasons for that title. In two separate incidents women play a key role. Luke 7:36-50 relates the encounter of Jesus with a sinful woman. He is the guest of a Pharisee named Simon, who had not shown Jesus the normal gestures of respect for a guest, namely a kiss, washing the feet, and anointing the head with oil.
The woman of the story appears and performs all these gestures with great love. She "began to bathe his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and anointed them with the ointment" (Luke 7:38).
The Pharisee sees Jesus as a teacher and suspects that he may be a prophet. But a true prophet would know that the woman is a sinner. Jesus responds by showing that he knows exactly who the woman is and also knows the very thoughts of his host. He then teaches a great lesson on love and forgiveness. The woman's signs of love show that she is a woman of faith, who realizes that God has forgiven her. She sees Jesus as God's agent and expresses her deep gratitude. The self-righteous Simon fails to realize his need for repentance and forgiveness.
The second part of today's Gospel (Luke 8:1-3) introduces the women from Galilee who accompany Jesus as he preaches "the good news of the kingdom of God" (8:1). Having been healed by Jesus, they will be his faithful followers, supporting him and the Twelve with their own resources. Jesus is showing his openness to women despite the contrary prevailing attitudes of that time. They will go with their Lord to Jerusalem and stand beneath the cross of Jesus (23:49) and will be the first to hear of the resurrection (24:9-11).
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THOUGHTS FOR ACTION
The nudge to forgive finds itself felt in many nooks and crannies of our lives. Sometimes it is very obvious, but more often it means continuing to care about a person in spite of our feelings. It can be quite personal, but it can also be about issues and events in our society and community.
Excerpted and edited from LIVING THE WORD for the Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time commentary by Msgr. Ralph Kuehner and Rev. Joseph Juknialis, 8 2007 by J. S. Paluch Co., Inc. 6/17/07
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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.
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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.
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FAMILY PERSEPECTIVE
In today's gospel, compassion, discussion, affection, forgiveness, repentance, listening, story-telling and correction all happened during the meal at the Pharisee's house. When our hearts, minds and body have been fed, we leave the meal “in peace”. Meals can be more than self-absorbed eating.
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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!
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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.
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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.
Stewards understand that the next step is to share the gifts they have been given. Stewards share with a joyful heart, for you cannot love without giving. Understand this love is a reflection of God's love for them.
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May the special graces of baptism, through water and the Holy Spirit lead you to everlasting life. Our community at Immaculate Conception Church rejoices with you and gives praise and thanks to God for this new gift of life.
God bless…
Zoey Nevaeh Crane
daughter of Shawn & Amy
Meagan Catherine Stella
daughter of Joseph & Jennifer
Congratulations and may our Lord continue to bless you,
guide you and keep you in His loving care.
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The beautiful flowers in the sanctuary this weekend are in loving memory of Elizabeth Massey requested by her loving husband Joseph
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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: $ 5,021.00
Bishop Overseas Relief Collection: $1,431.00
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Stephen Ministry
If you or someone you know has recently experienced the loss of a loved one, divorce or separation, a terminal illness, or another difficult life change, you may benefit from the care of a Stephen Minister. Stephen Ministers provide confidential, one-to-one care for people facing a variety of personal crisis. If you have questions, please contact Eileen Theys, Coordinator, at 973-579-6145, or by email at etheys@nac.net . You may also contact Sacred Heart Spirituality Center at 973-383-2620.
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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.
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Honor peace more than anything else. But strive first of all to be at peace in yourself.
—John of Apamea
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Happy Father's Day!
Heavenly Father, we ask your blessing on all those to whom you have entrusted fatherhood.
May your Holy Spirit constantly inspire them with justice and mercy, wisdom and strength, fidelity and self-giving love.
May they receive your grace abundantly in the earthly life, and may they look forward to eternal joy in your presence in the life to come. Amen.
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Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People
If any person may have been abused by any priest, they should immediately contact their local County Prosecutor's Office and either the Diocesan Response Officers: Rev. Msgr. James T. Mahoney, Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia, 973-777-8818, ext. 205 or Sister Mary Edward Spohrer, S.C.C., Chancellor/Delegate for Religious, 973-777-8818, ext. 248.
The entire text of the Policy of the Diocese of Paterson in Response to Complaints of Sexual Abuse is available on the Diocesan website: www.patersondiocese.org.
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Congratulations to Bob and Betty Allen of Franklin on their 55th Wedding Anniversary!
Bob and Betty were married here at Immaculate Conception Church on June 22, 1952. They were blessed with four children, Diane Rose of Wantage, Patti Clark of Andover Township, Robert Allen of Ogdensburg, and Jackie Accetta of Wantage and seven grandchildren. Our parish celebrates with you!
God bless you all.
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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. Due to the Fourth of July holiday, the next meeting is on July 11th from 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the Ministry House.
Some may try to find a way “around” or “out of” the pain they are experiencing in dealing with a loss—maybe by using drugs/alcohol—but there is no true way “out”...only through...one moment at a time.
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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.
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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 this weekend, June 16-17th.
Your support is very much appreciated! For further information, or to purchase tickets, call 973-827-4130.
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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.
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Have a safe
and happy summer!
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.
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Don Bosco Preparatory High School
2007 Ironman Football Basketball and LaCrosse Camps
to be held at Don Bosco Prep
Ironman Football Academy for boys ages 7—18:
Three sessions:
June 25-28; July 9-12; July 16-19 (DBP Freshmen).
Ironman Basketball Camp for boys grades 2-9
Three sessions: June 25-29; July 9-13; July 16—20
Vision Lacrosse Camp for boys ages 7-18
Three sessions:
July 23-27; July 30-August 3; August 6—10.
For information please call in the daytime 201-327-8003 ext 104 or evenings 201-444-9497 for football; 201-722-0885 for basketball; 201-925-4255 for Lacrosse.
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Reward Yourself
Volunteer to Help
Partnership for Social Services Family Center is looking for dedicated volunteers. Please call 973-827-4702 if you want to volunteer, meet new people and make new friendships while at the same time helping others.
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Children's Liturgy of the Word
Ministers are needed to teach Children's Liturgy. Children's Liturgy is offered at the Saturday, 5:00 p.m. Mass, and the Sunday 9:15 and 10:30 a.m. Masses. If you are interested in joining the Children's Liturgy Ministry, contact Cynthia at 827-9575.
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