INVITED
The Good News is that we have all been invited—invited to the Kingdom, invited to be disciples. It's a life-changing invitation, and like so many other such invitations, it requires a great deal of deliberation and discernment. Whether we choose marriage, ordination, single life, or community life, we know the serious planning and consideration that accompany these profound decisions. Like the tower-builder in the Gospel, we have weighed both the monetary and emotional cost. We have pondered and planned our lives in the direction to which we believe God has called us. And while we pray for guidance and acceptance of God's will, we often fail to understand so much. Like Solomon, we turn to God for wisdom and counsel in our life-changing decisions.
© Copyright, J. S. Paluch Co.
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Fill us at daybreak with your kindness, that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days.
—Psalm 90:14
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SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES
Sunday: Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time;
Grandparents Day
Tuesday: Patriot Day
Wednesday: Most Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin
Mary; Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year
5768) begins at sunset
Thursday: St. John Chrysostom; Ramadan (Islamic
month of fasting) begins this week
Friday: The Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Saturday: Our Lady of Sorrows
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READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday: Col 1:24 — 2:3; Lk 6:6-11
Tuesday: Col 2:6-15; Lk 6:12-19
Wednesday: Col 3:1-11; Lk 6:20-26
Thursday: Col 3:12-17; Lk 6:27-38
Friday: Nm 21:4b-9; Phil 2:6-11; Jn 3:13-17
Saturday: 1 Tm 1:15-17; Jn 19:25-27 or Lk 2:33-35
Sunday: Ex 32:7-11, 13-14; Ps 51; 1 Tm 1:12-17;
Lk 15:1-32 [1-10]
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TODAY'S READINGS
First Reading — You sent your holy spirit from on high and thus were the paths of those on earth made straight (Wisdom 9:13-18b).
Psalm — In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge (Psalm 90).
Second Reading — I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that the good you do might not be forced but voluntary (Philemon 9-10, 12-17).
Gospel — Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion? (Luke 14:25-33).
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Installation Mass for Fr. Boguslaw Kobus
Saturday, Sept. 15th
Fr. Bogie's Installation as our new pastor is scheduled to take place on Saturday, September 15, 2007 at the 5:00 p.m. Mass. Bishop Serratelli will join us for this special event to preside at the Rite of Installation. With thankful hearts and prayer we celebrate Fr. Bogie's assignment here as he begins his new ministry among us.
A reception will follow in the Lyceum.
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Our Parish Picnic is Today!
Our annual parish picnic will be held today, 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.
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The ADULT CHOIR of Immaculate Conception Church resumed practice on Thursday, September 6th from 7:30—9:00 p.m. Our first endeavor will be that of preparing for Father Bogie's Installation Mass to be held on Saturday, September 15th at 5:00 p.m. Bishop Serratelli will preside. Our choir is especially energized in our Music Ministry. We wish to welcome new participants this season. No special skill or experience is required—just the ability to consistently attend Thursday night rehearsals.
Will this be your year to try something “new”? Our friendly group provides an opportunity for a unique night away from “routine”… to “blend” or “be featured” as each singer elects, through their own special mode of participation. We warmly extend an invitation to sing with us. Let's welcome Father Bogie as we use our gifts in the music life of our parish. Why not say “yes” and join in the song!
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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: $4,742.00
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2007 Bishop's Annual Appeal
In Giving...We Receive
The 2007 Bishop's Annual Appeal is now underway. The Appeal provides for the funding of important diocesan ministries and programs, including the work of our Catholic Charities agencies, the education of our seminarians, subsidies to our elementary schools and our residence for retired diocesan priests. These diverse areas of ministry need our commitment and our sacrificial financial support. Please be as generous as possible when making a pledge to the 2007 Bishop's Annual Appeal.
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The lovely flowers in the sanctuary this week are a loving remembrance of
Frank Rossi, Jr.
requested by the
Rossi and Scriffiano Families
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CCD CLASSES BEGIN THIS WEEK!
If you have not sent in your registration for this year's classes, please do so as soon as possible as the deadline has past and classes are being set up.
CCD classes begin this week:
Tuesday, September 11th for grades K-4
Wednesday, September 12th for grades 5-7
Sunday, September 16th for grades 8, 9, 10 Confirmation Students will begin by attending 9:15 Mass
and class after Mass in the school from 10:00 to 11:15.
If you have any questions, please call Nadine in the CCD Office at 973-827-9501on Tuesday or Wednesdays.
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The YOUTH CHOIR of Immaculate Conception Church will resume practice on Tuesday, September 11th.
Two identical practice sessions will be held; students are welcomed to attend either session:
GROUP 1 — 3:00 p.m. assemble directly after school (please bring a light snack and drink) in the Lyceum for a 3:15-4:15 practice in the church.
GROUP 2 — 4:45-5:30 practice in the church.
We invite Singers from Grade 2 and up to participate in this dynamic and hard working choir. The only requirements for membership are a love of singing and the ability to consistently attend weekly Tuesday rehearsals. The Youth Choir sings on a rotating Sunday Mass schedule several times a month and at “special” liturgical occasions through the year.
Materials and additional information will be distributed on September 11. Also, know we always welcome adults interested in becoming weekly or occasional “Adult Helpers” (assistants).
Please mark your calendars today!
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Prayer Shawl Ministry
Prayer Shawl Ministry Meetings are held in the Ministry House once a month. The next Prayer Shawl meeting will take place on Monday, September 17th at 7:30 p.m. New members are always welcome. No knitting/crochet experience necessary. Come join us to knit and pray as we create mantles of caring for the person who will receive the shawl.
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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.
Join us for the next meeting is Wednesday, Oct. 3rd from 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the Ministry House.
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Court Appointed Special Advocates Needed
The Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) programs in Sussex, Morris and Passaic Counties are recruiting volunteers to serve as advocates for abused/neglected children. Such volunteers help facilitate placement of children in to a permanent home and represent the child's best interest in family court. CASA volunteers must be 21 years of age or older and have a sincere desire to help abused/neglected children. Volunteers receive an initial 30 hour orientation and ongoing supervision and training. Make a personal difference in the life of a child.
To become a CASA volunteer call:
Sussex County: 973-579-0723
Morris County: 973-656-4330 Passaic County: 973-494-1509
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Dear Fr. Bogie,
We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to you and your parishioners for the food drive collection during the month of June that was donated to our Food Pantry.
Ending hunger world-wide is one of the most critical challenges that humanity faces today. Ending it locally, however, is something we can do, one donation at a time. Thank you for helping the Partnership for Social Services achieving this mission in meeting the needs of those who are less fortunate in our community.
Again, we thank you and your parishioners for the kindness shown and appreciate your continued support.
Sincerely,
Sr. Thomasina Gebhard, S.S.M., D.S.W., C.A.S.
Director
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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, Diane Sidoli, Robert Zeuner, Evelyn Caljean, Danielle Dionisio, Thomas Dionisio, Jr., Steven “Itchy” Novak, Flo Yurchak, Ethel Segarra, Mary Carmody and Lisa Stine.
 
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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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Religious Education
Teachers and Aides Needed
Our children need teachers and aides for their Religious Education Classes as retirements from teaching are out pacing our recruitments. Set an example. Share your faith. Lead the children closer to the Lord.
Please talk to God and your family and consider becoming a teacher for our Religious Ed program. Contact Nadine Allen, Coordinator of Religious Education, in the rectory CCD Office at 973-827-9501.
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Celebrating the Catechetical Year
This year Catechetical Sunday, September 16, 2007, will focus on the theme “Catechesis: Encountering the Living Christ.” Those who have been delegated by the community to serve as catechists will be called forth to be commissioned for their ministry. Catechetical Sunday is a wonderful opportunity to reflect upon the role that each person plays, by virtue of Baptism, in handing on the faith and being a witness to the Gospel as well as to rededicating himself or herself to this mission as a community of faith. —USCCB
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Altar Server Schedule
Next Weekend's Masses
Saturday 9/15
5:00 p.m. Fr. Bogie's Installation Mass
K. Morano, S. Oroho, D. Peck, Williams, C. Lynch
 
Sunday 9/16
7:30 a.m. M.K. Hubbard, S. Morano
9:15 a.m. A. Koske, J. Chegwiggen
10:30 a.m. Hamler, Hamler
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Partnership for Social Services Family Center
will be selling assorted baked goods at the Walmart in Newton on Saturday, September 15 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. All proceeds will benefit the partnership for social services family center to help those in need. Please show your support by purchasing baked goods or call the office at 827-4702 to donate. Thank you! Sr. Thomasina Gebhard
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The Healing Goes On
 
As we take time to reflect on that day, When the enemy had entered our land, They sought out to destroy all our peace, And freedoms for which this nation does stand. They rejoiced at the fall of the towers, They had felt that their mission was complete, Little did they know that this nation, Would fight back and not accept a defeat. Though the enemy had only intended evil, There was good that emerged from it all, Though America was suffering a great tragedy, We had proven that we would still stand tall. Everyone was coming together, Many willingly gave their own lives, To save all the mothers and the fathers, The children, the husbands, and the wives. Strangers were comforting strangers, Americans were bonding as one, Together we would somehow recover, From all of the damage that had been done. The days had now turned into months, And the months since that time turned to years, But the memory will forever remain, Of the losses, of the sorrows and the tears. They say that time heals all wounds, But the scars remind us of those gone, May the passage of time mend our hearts, And may we remember that…
The healing goes on.
 By Linda Lee Wolovich
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Happy are they who grieve not for what they have not, but give thanks for what they do have.
—Anonymous
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THE PRICE OF HOLY
These days we've turned the calendar page on summer for another year, even if September 21 is yet to come. Summer has been left behind, and with it all its cotton candy picnics and parades of fireworks and beaches. Over the years we've left enough of life behind as well—not only our summers.
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INSIDE THE READINGS
Saint Paul's letter to Philemon, from which today's second reading is taken, has only twenty-five verses, but contains important teaching concerning the effects of baptism. Paul begins with greetings "to Philemon, our beloved and our co-worker, to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church at your house" (Philemon 1-2). In the early period of the church the followers of Jesus assembled for liturgical celebrations at the homes of fellow Christians.
The practical purpose of this short letter is to ensure a truly Christian welcome for Onesimus, Philemon's runaway slave. Paul speaks of "my child Onesimus, whose father I have become in my imprisonment" (10). Since Onesimus by his baptism has become a Christian, Paul expects Philemon to receive the runaway slave as a brother in Christ. Paul refers to the new relationship by his teaching that all baptized persons are "in the Lord" (16), brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ. In the Letter to the Galatians Paul spells out this point: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28). This teaching will eventually undermine the institution of slavery.
Paul goes further, asking Philemon to return Onesimus to him for the important ministry of the gospel (13). He indicates his close relationship to the runaway slave by referring to him as "my own heart" (12). Despite this closeness with Onesimus, Paul, while clearly exerting moral pressure, respects Philemon's free will. "I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that the good you do might not be forced but voluntary" (14). Paul even sees a providential purpose in the separation of Onesimus from Philemon "for a while." Now Philemon has him back "forever" as a brother in Christ (15).

THOUGHTS FOR ACTION
"Renounce your possessions," the Gospel insists. We can't say that we always have. Rather, it seems that we've often done more accumulating than renouncing. And yet each accumulation may have made room for one more way of being made new as the disciples we all are called to become. One of life's tasks, it seems, is to learn the balancing act between loving without possessiveness and relinquishing without indifference or abandonment.
 
Excerpted and edited from LIVING THE WORD for the Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time commentary by Msgr. Ralph Kuehner and Rev. Joseph Juknialis, © 2007 by J. S. Paluch Co., Inc. 9/9/07

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