HITTING IT BIG
It seems to be commonly accepted nowadays that everyone wants to win the lottery, hit the slots big at the casino, or be a millionaire. This attitude is akin to what the first hearers of the parable of the successful farmer would have thought: why, of course he'd want to find a way to preserve his good fortune for the future, to secure for himself a life of leisure, eating, drinking, and merriment. It's exactly the kind of life that the right ticket, hand of cards, or quiz show answer might bring us today. Being surrounded by this “common wisdom” makes the words of Qoheleth, the psalmist, Paul, and Jesus all that much harder to hear today. Perhaps good fortune will be ours, perhaps it will not be. But if we make that fortune or the quest for it the heart, the very center, of our lives, then we will live to regret it. We will not achieve the future security we pursue, and we will lose the present moment in the chase. © Copyright, J. S. Paluch Co.
 
Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain wisdom of heart.
—Psalm 90:12
 
SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES
Sunday: Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Monday:The Transfiguration of the Lord
Tuesday:St. Sixtus II and His Companions;
St. Cajetan
Wednesday:St. Dominic
Thursday:St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross
Friday:St. Lawrence
Saturday:St. Clare
 
READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday:Dn 7:9-10, 13-14; 2 Pt 1:16-19; Lk 9:28b-36
Tuesday:Nm 12: 1-13; Mt 14:22-36 or
Mt 15:1-2, 10-14
Wednesday:Nm 13:1-2, 25 — 14:1, 26-29a, 34-35; Mt 15:21-28
Thursday:Nm 20:1-13; Mt 16:13-23
Friday:2 Cor 9:6-10; Jn 12:24-26
Saturday:Dt 6:4-13; Mt 17:14-20
Sunday:Wis 18:6-9; Ps 33; Heb 11:1-2, 8-19 [1-2, 8-12]; Lk 12:32-48 [35-40]
 
TODAY'S READINGS
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First Reading — Vanity of vanities! All things are vanity! (Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:21-23).
Psalm — If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts (Psalm 90).
Second Reading — You, too, will appear with Christ your life in glory (Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11).
Gospel — For though one may be rich, ones life does not consist of possessions (Luke 12:13-21).
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May the special graces of baptism, through water and the Holy Spirit lead you to everlasting life. Our parish community rejoices with you and gives praise to God for this new gift of life. God bless…
Gwendolyn Kate Van Wyck
daughter of Erin and Robert
Congratulations and may our Lord continue to bless you, guide you and keep you in His loving care!
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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: $4,765.00
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Parish Picnic
Reserve the date!
Sunday, September 9
Our annual parish picnic will be held on Sunday, September 9 at the Franklin Fireman's Pavilion. The event will begin with the 12:00 noon Mass celebrated at the Pavilion and will conclude at 5:00 p.m. Bring your family to enjoy great food, entertainment by Ray Sikora and a wonderful afternoon with Fr. Bogie and fellow parishioners. Feel free to volunteer to help with the preparations. Call the Rectory 973-827-9575 or Sal Giacchi at 827-6313.
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SOUPer Sunday Food Drive
Our SOUPer Sunday Food Drive is held on the last Sunday of each Month.
Non-perishables and food store scripts (available at the school) are collected for Sr. Thomasina's Food Pantry at Partnership for Social Services family Center. Any contribution you can give is so very much appreciated.
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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.
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Help Support Immaculate Conception School
Script cards are available for a variety of stores including Shop-Rite, Weis, A&P, Staples, JC Penney, Sussex Meat Packing, Bed, Bath and Beyond, Wendy's and many more! Contact Marie McKeever or Kathy Trainor at the school 973-827-3777.
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Ice Cream
Sunday Social today!
Join us in the Lyceum after the 10:30 Mass for a delightful Ice Cream Social today!
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CCD REGISTRATION
Registration packets have been mailed to all former students, as well as Immaculate Conception Regional School students who will be entering 8th Grade in September.
If you have a child who will be entering Kindergarten or First Grade in September please call the Rectory so a packet can be mailed to you.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call the rectory at 973-827-9575
Sincere thanks to all Teachers and Aides for their constant devotion to the children of our parish!
Have a wonderful Summer! God bless!
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RCIA
Anyone who has not been baptized and would like to receive the sacraments of initiation during the Easter Vigil Mass or … even if you are baptized but not in the Catholic Church and would like to come into “full communion with the Catholic Church” you are welcomed to begin your spiritual journey with our Christian community. Call the Rectory office at 973-827-9575 for further details.
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Diocese of Paterson
Silver and Gold Wedding
Anniversary Mass
Couples, were you married in 1957 or 1982?
You are warmly invited to celebrate your 25th or 50th Wedding Anniversary with the Church of Paterson. Bishop Arthur Serratelli will be the main celebrant at Mass at St. Mary Church, Passaic, where you will renew your marriage commitment on ...
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2007 at 3:00 p.m.
Arrangements can be made by contacting Cynthia in the Rectory, 973-827-9575. Application forms are available through Tuesday, August 28, 2007. A confirmation letter will be sent from the Diocesan Center once your application has been processed. Bring family and friends to attend this joyous event with you!
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Help to keep our records up-to-date
Moving? Change of address? Please notify the rectory 973-827-9575 if you have a change of address or phone number.
Thank you!
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Please remember to pray for our parishioners and friends who are ill:
In Nursing Homes: Ceil Williams, Pauline Trofimuk, Anna Elekes, Betty Swetz, and Frank Kalafut.
At Home: Loraine Schenker, Maria Woppel, Betty Garnis, Diane Sidoli, Robert Zeuner, Evelyn Caljean, Danielle Dionisio, Thomas Dionisio, Jr., Steven “Itchy” Novak, Flo Yurchak, Ethel Segarra, Mary Carmody, Lisa Stine, Kath Sciascia.
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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, LCPL William Mathes, LCPL Ernest Mathes, Karen Hassler, Tom Oroho, and SSG Mary Lynch.
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Parish Cookbooks
Parish Cookbooks are available! 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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ROOM TO SPARE?
A parishioner is reaching out to you for help in finding a temporary place for a mother and her son to live for 3 months. If you have room to spare or know of anyone who can assist in any way, please call Tona at 827-5576.
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Dominican College
Events for prospective students:
Undergraduate Information Session—Wed., Aug. 15
5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Hennessy Center
Graduate Information Session—Wed., Aug. 8 from
5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Hennessy Center
These events will provide an opportunity to learn about our programs and to meet our faculty and admissions counselors. Information about financial aid, grants and our Employer Tuition Reimbursement policy will also be available. Contact the Office of Admissions at 1-866-4DC-INFO or email admissions@dc.edu.
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Sussex County Comm College
Catholic Campus Ministry Club
CCMC is open to people of all faiths—come join us for prayer and reflection time. Visit us on campus Thursday, September 27 at the “Meet the Clubs” gathering and picnic. Meeting dates will be posted on our bulletin board in Bldg. D and on the flyers around campus. Plan to join us for prayer, reflective time and social and outreach activities. Call Carol Bezak for further info. 973-875-4521
www.catholicministryclub.com
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THE WISE USE OF MONEY
There are aspects of life that some of us always seem to be messing up. Relationships come to mind. Our use of power is another. You can undoubtedly name others. The wise use of money is an facet of life that this week's scriptures call us to deal with.
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INSIDE THE READINGS
In today's second reading Saint Paul reminds the Colossians that by baptism they "were raised with Christ" and should "seek what is above" (Colossians 3:1). Paul adds a long list of vices that they must avoid. Prominent in the list is "greed that is idolatry" (3:5). Greed becomes idolatrous because it replaces God with possessions as an idol to be worshipped.
Today's Gospel from Luke serves as an excellent commentary on the words of Saint Paul. When someone asks Jesus to be an arbiter with his brother he refuses to become involved, principally because he realizes that greed is motivating the man's request.
The danger of greed is clearly taught in the parable of the rich fool. The rich man makes provisions for a self-centered life of pleasure. God, however, demands his soul just as he is beginning to carry out his plan. One must understand that the end of this life is unpredictable. The kingdom of God will be eternal. A wise person, therefore, will become "rich in what matters to God" (Luke 12:21). Jesus is not condemning possessions and prudent planning as such, but wants the kingdom of God to have priority in a person's life, manifested by a willingness to share with the poor and vulnerable.
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THOUGHTS FOR ACTION
How can disciples of Jesus cultivate an attitude toward money as a means and not as an end? People who are on the way to holiness all seem to have a healthy attitude about money. They are able to deal with it yet keep it in balance with the rest of life. Tithing is a frequent way to maintain some sort of balance ten percent off the top of one's income. People who tithe seem to remember the poor in more than a token way. Some folks say they don't use credit cards precisely to keep them from spending sprees. Others refuse to own stocks because they know it would become one more anxiety for them.
In the end, it doesn't really matter how we keep a balance about money or how we make sure we use money wisely as disciples. What matters is that we do so, if for no other reason than to make sure that we care for the weakest among us, and to make sure we keep trust in God and not in ourselves.
Excerpted and edited from LIVING THE WORD for the Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time commentary by Msgr. Ralph Kuehner and Rev. Joseph Juknialis, by J. S. Paluch Co., Inc. 8/5/2007

 

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