OUR RESPONSIBILITY FOR OTHERS
The Second Vatican Council has called us to envision the Church as the people of God. As a community of believers we are responsible for our brothers and sisters, their salvation, their journey of faith, their physical well-being. Many of the documents of Vatican II and volumes of work since the mid-1960s give us advice, guidelines, and encouragement to take care of one another: the poor, the elderly, the unborn, the broken, the infirm.
Because Vatican II is part of our recent history—indeed many of us were already born—this may strike us as a new and revolutionary idea. But today's readings show us the agelessness of the issue of social justice. Eight hundred years before Christ was born, Amos warned the wealthy not to cheat the poor. In Paul's first letter to Timothy, he encourages all prayers to be for all people; and finally, the Gospel urges the wise use of money.
© Copyright, J. S. Paluch Co.
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God … wills everyone to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth. —Timothy 2:4
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SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES
Sunday: Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time; Autumn begins
Wednesday: Ss. Cosmas and Damian; Sukkot (Jewish harvest festival) begins at sunset
Thursday: St. Vincent de Paul
Friday: St. Wenceslaus;
St. Lawrence Ruiz and His Companions
Saturday: Ss. Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael
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READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday: Ezr 1:1-6; Lk 8:16-18
Tuesday: Ezr 6:7-8, 12b, 14-20; Lk 8:19-21
Wednesday: Ezr 9:5-9; Lk 9:1-6
Thursday: Hg 1:1-8; Lk 9:7-9
Friday: Hg 2:1-9; Lk 9:18-22
Saturday: Dn 7:9-10, 13-14 or Rv 12:7-12a;
Jn 1:47-51
Sunday: Am 6:1a, 4-7; Ps 146; 1
Tm 6:11-16; Lk 16:19-31
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TODAY'S READINGS
First Reading — You who trample upon the needy and destroy the poor of the land, the Lord will never forget what you have done! (Amos 8:4-7).
Psalm — Praise the Lord who lifts up the poor (Psalm 113).
Second Reading — God our savior wills everyone to be saved (1 Timothy 2:1-8).
Gospel — The person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones (Luke 16:1-13 [10-13]).
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Once again, we have celebrated another occasion together in which I sincerely write words of thanks to you.
Many, many thanks for all the works done to prepare last weekend's Mass for my Installation as a new Pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish. I must write that the coordinated efforts were remarkable. I am extremely grateful to my parish staff for their thoughtful planning and hard work to make this official event possible and unfold so beautifully.
My sincere thanks the Knights of Columbus and the Columbiettes of Marquette Council #588, the hospitality team, our Lectors, Ministers of the Eucharist, Ushers and to the Altar Servers who agreed to serve at the Mass presided by Bishop Arthur Serratelli. Many thanks to Rosanne and our parish choir for their thoughtful preparation of music which included singing verses in Polish—that was a really nice surprise. Thank you very much.
I express deep gratitude to everyone who contributed their time and talent in the church, the rectory and in the Lyceum making this event very special in every way.
Finally, many thanks to our Parish Trustees, Parish Council, the school children and all of you who attended the Mass… and for all your prayers and spiritual support. I look forward to sharing many good years as your pastor.
Sincerely in Christ,
—Fr. Bogie
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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…
Sophia Lynn Molinari
daughter of Christine and Wade
Ryan Joseph Krainatz
son of Suzan and Michael
Congratulations and may our Lord continue to bless you, guide you and keep you in His loving care!
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Adult Parishioners and Friends are Invited to Join Us for a Special Evening in Welcoming our New Pastor, Fr. Bogie!
Saturday, September 29th at 7:30 p.m. in the Lyceum fellowship hall.
Music by Ray Sikora · Hot and Cold Buffet · Dessert, Coffee, Soft Drinks · BYOB
$20.00 per person. Limited tickets available.
Tickets for sale after all Masses on Sept. 22-23rd or call Tony Quartarolo at 973-209-4044.
Sponsored by the ICC Marriage Ministry
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Blood Drive
We Need You!
Friday, October 12th
Immaculate Conception Lyceum
3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Reasons Why You Should Donate Blood:
· Every three seconds, someone needs a blood transfusion!
· 20% of recipients are children – many are cancer patients!
· Giving blood is 100% safe!
· One pint of blood from one donor can save up to three lives!!!
· Your donation will go to someone in your community
· Donating will not cost you money.
· About 60% of the population are eligible to donate blood, yet less than 5% do!
· Your body will replenish the fluid lost during the donation within 24 hours.
· We will provide juice, donuts and cookies!
Sponsored by:
The Knights of Columbus Marquette Council #588
Columbiettes 588 Marquette Council Auxiliary
Immaculate Conception Parish
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SOUPer Sunday Food Drive
The last Sunday of every month is designated as SOUPer Sunday at Immaculate Conception Parish. We will accept donations of non-perishable food items as well as toiletries and cleaning products. Donations will be sent to the Partnership for Social Services Family Center's Food Pantry. Through your good will, generosity and kindness we will be helping to meet the needs of the less fortunate families in our Community. As always, we thank you for your continued support and whatever you can offer will be greatly appreciated.
Collection next weekend, September 29/30th.
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Sunday Social
Stop by the Lyceum after the 10:30 a.m. Mass to enjoy a light breakfast with Fr. Bogie and fellow parishioners.
The Parish community expresses deep gratitude to all of the parishioners who have come forward volunteering to help with the Sunday Social! Special thanks to Marianne Cammarano for her prolific efforts in coordinating the group. God bless all of you.
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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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“Poverty Around Us”
Millions of Americans live in poverty; hundreds of thousands right here in New Jersey. To learn more about poverty please visit the following web sites:
www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/poverty
www.actnow.org/docs/07/First-Things-First-New-Jersey.pdf
www.lsnj.org/PDFs/budget/FinalBenchmarksReport012507.pdf
www.njpp.org/rpt_fallingshort.html
Catholic Charities USA
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NJ Right to Life Raffle 2007!
New Jersey Right to Life will be selling raffle tickets for a 2008 Volvo XC90 SUV (retail value $42,500) at our Church after all the Masses next weekend, Sept. 29-30th.
This is their major fund-raising activity for the year and enables them to represent you in articulating the Pro-Life message to the public, legislators, media and other groups. Tickets are $10 each. Your support is very much appreciated!
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The Franklin Cub and Boy Scouts are looking for YOU!
Since 1910, the Boy Scouts of America has helped younger boys through Cub Scouting and Boy Scouting. Cub Scouts is a year-round family program designed for boys who are in the first grade through fifth grade (7-10 years of age). Boy Scouts are for boys who are in the fifth grade (age 11) through the age of 18 years old. Parents, leaders, and organizations work together to achieve the purposes of the Boy Scouts of America.
Our Cubs meet in Dens (grouped by ages) which are held bi-weekly plus an end of the month Pack meeting held on the last Friday of the month. Our Boy Scouts meet weekly at the Senior Center at the Franklin Recreation area on Monday evenings from 7-8:30 p.m. The Scouting program offers soapbox and Pinewood derbies, leadership skills, an outdoor program, and different service projects throughout the community.
If you would like more information about the Cub Scout program in the Franklin area, please call Mike Sullivan, Cub Master, at 827-1955 or Karl Grogaard, Scoutmaster, at 827-6013 about the Boy Scout program.
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Boy Scout Troop 48
REGISTRATION
September 28th from 6:00—7:30 p.m. at St. Jude's Church Hall in Hamburg or call Jack Rueckel at 209-2990
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Pope John XXIII Regional High School
OPEN HOUSE
Tuesday, October 9 at 7:30 p.m.
For parents and prospective 9th grade students planning to enroll in September 2008.
ENTRANCE EXAMINATION
(for public school students)
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9th
All 9th grade applicants must register on-line at www.coopexam.org for the Entrance Examination before October 26th.
For further information call
Anne Kaiser at 729-6125 ext. 255
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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: $5,222.50
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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, 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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Immaculate Conception Regional School announces their
9th Annual Basket Bingo Fundraiser
Friday, October 12, 2007
at St. John Vianney—Madonna Hall
Route 23, Stockholm, New Jersey
Doors open at 6:00 p.m.
Bingo begins at 7:30 p.m.
$15.00 for 15 rounds of bingo
additional rounds $10.00
For further information contact
Marie McKeever at 973-827-8921
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Tricky Tray
come join the fun!
at Wallkill Valley High School
Friday, Sept. 28th
Doors open at 6:30
Calling begins at 8:00
Proceeds benefit the Wallkill Valley Booster Club Scholarship Fund!
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Altar Server Schedule
Next Weekend's Masses
Saturday 9/29
5:00 p.m. J. McKeever, J. McKeever
 
Sunday 9/30
7:30 a.m. M.K. Hubbard, S. Oroho
9:15 a.m. J. Crabb, J. Cox
10:30 a.m. E. Briggs, C. McDonald
12:00 noon K. Morano, S. Morano
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THE "SLY" SIDE OF GOD
It's been said that God writes straight with crooked lines. Sometimes what seems unfortunate turns out to be a blessing. We find ourselves wondering what to accept in life and what to resist.
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INSIDE THE READINGS
Today's Gospel is part of a chapter that speaks to the right use of material possessions by Jesus' followers. The parable, unique to Luke, encourages prudence and resolute action on the part of the disciples.
The parable is not easy to understand. It may be helpful to realize the economics behind it. A manager working for a wealthy landowner handled his material and financial possessions. When he made a loan of his master's property, the interest was added to the principal and only the total amount appeared on the contract. The interest could be very high despite the prohibition against usury in the Old Testament (Exodus 22:24). The interest or commission belonged to the manager. When this manager realized that he was losing his position because of past dishonesty, he made a prudent decision to give up his commission to his master's debtors. He wanted to assure security and a home when he would soon be dismissed. This action was not immoral or illegal because the commission belonged to him.
The landlord praised the manager for his prudence, but did not approve his previous wrongdoing (see Luke 16:1). The point that Jesus makes is that his followers should be equally prudent when responding to him and to his demand for repentance. They would thereby earn an eternal home in heaven. Jesus was concerned because "the children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light" (16:8).
After this application of the parable, the Gospel gives several independent sayings of Jesus concerning the use of wealth. Jesus wants his followers to use money to assist the needy and thereby assure their salvation (16:9). Daily fidelity is also expected of Christians (16:10-12). He calls wealth "dishonest" (16:9) because it often leads human beings to put wealth before God. Jesus says one must choose God or mammon (16:13). Mammon is personified as a false god attracting persons away from the true and only God. Jesus demands that we serve God, an honorable activity for every person, and not mammon, an enslaving and degrading activity.
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THOUGHTS FOR ACTION
Much of life seems not to follow established rules or logical procedures. Sometimes the most we can do is go along with it, wondering whether it is chance or misfortune or the "sly" hand of God. Yet we can learn the difference if we look through the eyes of faith.
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Excerpted and edited from LIVING THE WORD for the Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time commentary by Msgr. Ralph Kuehner and Rev. Joseph Juknialis, © 2007 by J. S. Paluch Co., Inc. 9/23/07

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