LOOKING BEYOND OURSELVES
The message found in today's readings is an oft-told story. Citizen Kane, Daddy Warbucks, and King Midas are only a few of the familiar fictional characters who thought enormous wealth could buy happiness and fulfillment. Daddy Warbucks admitted stepping on a few people in his climb to the top. Kane tried to buy the printed word and stardom for his young wife, while King Midas conjured immense wealth and tragedy by his very touch.
We learn clearly in today's readings that none of this is really possible. True happiness comes from caring for someone other than ourselves. It comes from the pursuit of the virtues Paul described to Timothy: faith, love, gentleness, godliness, righteousness, and endurance. The Gospel reminds us that we dare not ignore the needs of others, acting as though we don't notice their suffering. God's call to us is much too clear to disregard for even one more day. © Copyright, J. S. Paluch Co.
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Pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience and gentleness. —1 Timothy 6:11
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SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES
Sunday: Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Monday: St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus
Tuesday: The Guardian Angels
Thursday: St. Francis of Assisi; Simhat Torah
(Jewish observance) begins at sunset
Friday: First Friday
Saturday: St. Bruno; Blessed Marie-Rose Durocher;
Blessed Virgin Mary; First Saturday
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READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday: Zec 8:1-8; Lk 9:46-50
Tuesday: Zec 8:20-23; Mt 18:1-5, 10
Wednesday: Neh 2:1-8; Lk 9:57-62
Thursday: Neh 8:1-4a, 5-6, 7b-12; Lk 10:1-12
Friday: Bar 1:15-22; Lk 10:13-16
Saturday: Bar 4:5-12, 27-29; Lk 10:17-24
Sunday: Hb 1:2-3; 2:2-4; Ps 95; 2 Tm 1:6-8, 13-14;
Lk 17:5-10
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TODAY'S READINGS
First Reading — Woe to the complacent, stretched comfortably on their couches! (Amos 6:1a, 4-7).
Psalm — Praise the Lord, my soul! (Psalm 146)
Second Reading — Pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness (1 Timothy 6:11-16).
Gospel — There was a rich man who dined sumptuously each day. Lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31).
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A Memorial Mass for Mary Cavalleri will take place on Saturday, October 6th at 10:00 a.m.
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The lovely flowers in the sanctuary this week are in loving remembrance of Eileen Sager O'Connor and Eris Thomas for their 1st anniversary requested by the family
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Our parish rejoices with the
families of
Corin Sanlorenzo
and
Jeffrey Conrade
united in marriage on September 30, 2007
May the Lord bless you with a beautiful lifetime
together filled with everlasting love and contentment.
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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…
Erin Riley Hennion
daughter of Cathy and Trevor
Dominick Alexander Hoffman
son of Juliana Hoffman
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: $4,966.00
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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 this weekend.
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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SOUPer Sunday Food Drive Today
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.
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Help reduce poverty in the United States
“Poverty Around Us”
It's a fact of life that people with health insurance have a better chance to be healthy. The number of Children in New Jersey without Health insurance rose by 37% between 2000 and 2005 while the national rate dropped by 9%. To learn more about poverty visit

• 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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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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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 volunteer to help with the preparations each week.
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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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Today's Choice Pregnancy Resource Center will hold a Walk for Life fundraiser on Saturday, October 13, 2007 at the Sussex County Fairgrounds. Pick up a sponsor sheet in the back of the church, or call 973-579-2272.
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The Center for Theological and Spiritual Development College of Saint Elizabeth announces three
OPEN HOUSES
Tue. Oct. 9 College of St. Elizabeth, Morristown 6:00 p.m.
Tue. Oct. 16 Our Lady of the Lake, Sparta 6:30 p.m.
Tue. Oct. 8 Our Lady of Consolation, Wayne 6:00 p.m.
Discover Your Calling
Learn how to serve God and the People of God with competence and confidence.
Complete Ministry Certificate Program
Catholic theology, formation and internship
Certificates in:
Parish Life Ministries, Youth and Young Adult Ministry, Religious Education, Pastoral Administration
Four locations: Morristown, Piscataway, Sparta and Wayne
50% tuition discount available for qualified
parish volunteers and employees.
Online program available.
Call Mary Ann Badenoch at 973-290-4364 or email mbadenoch@cse.edu also visit our website: www.cse.edu
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Sacred Heart Spirituality Center
invites you to attend
Celebrate Life's Inspirational Moments
Come join us as we explore FAITHBOOKING. Second and fourth Thursday of every month from 9:30 until 11:30 a.m. beginning October 11th. For more information, please call Patrice Kealy 973-948-8325 or Sacred Heart 973-383-2620. Sacred Heart Center, 20 Old Swartswood Rd, Newton.
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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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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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Pope John XXIII Regional High School
Open House
Tuesday, Oct. 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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2007 Writing Contest
This writing contest is open to all high school students on the topic The Mystery and Joy of Christmas. Contest is sponsored by the Institute for Christian Spirituality of the Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology. For further information contact Debbie Kurus at 973-313-6329 or email mbadenoch@cse.edu.
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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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CCD RELIGIUOS EDUCATION CLASSES
Tuesday, 3:45—4:45 grades K-4
Wednesday, 3:45—4:45 grades 5-7
Alternate Sundays, grades 8, 9, 10th 9:15-11:15
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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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, October 22 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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REMEMBERING HOW TO SEE
How do we know what we do not know? How do we know that we are morally blind or deaf? How do we know whose pain and suffering we're ignoring because we've grown insensitive? It seems we seldom change unless we are hit over the head.
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INSIDE THE READINGS
The Gospel of Luke deserves the title "Gospel of Social Justice." Today's reading is a perfect example of Luke's concern for the poor and vulnerable. The rich man dresses and banquets in splendid fashion every day. Lazarus, a poor man, lies at the door of the rich man covered with sores and eager to eat even the scraps from the rich man's table.
Then there is a startling reversal of fortunes. Lazarus dies and merits a place of honor with Abraham; the rich man at his death is confined to the torments of the netherworld. Abraham insists that the chasm between the two is unbridgeable. The rich man and his brothers did not respond to the need for repentance, another important theme of Luke.
The rich man "cried out, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me' " (Luke 16:24), but to be a true child of Abraham requires more than being a genetic descendant. One must imitate the truly living faith of Abraham manifested by good deeds. Having refused mercy to Lazarus, the rich man nevertheless asks pity from Abraham.
It is important to note that it is the improper use of wealth that is the problem here. Both the Old Testament and Jesus demanded the preferential option for the poor and vulnerable. "The needy will never be lacking in the land; that is why I command you to open your hand to your poor and needy kinsman in your country" (Deuteronomy 15:11). In his description of the Last Judgment Jesus calls lack of concern for the poor and needy lack of concern for him (Matthew 25:31-46).
Jesus addressed this parable to the Pharisees, "who loved money, heard all these things and sneered at him" (Luke 16:14). However, Luke wants every generation of Christians to take to heart the lesson of this parable. Followers of Jesus must reach out to the poor.
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THOUGHTS FOR ACTION
As long as we're still alive, as long as we can glimpse what it looks like to need the Lord, then there is still hope. Then the chasm has not yet become so wide that we cannot go back. Then Lazarus is still a brother and not simply a beggar we pass. Then the very presence of God can still shine in our hearts.
 
Excerpted and edited from LIVING THE WORD for the Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time commentary by Msgr. Ralph Kuehner and Rev. Joseph Juknialis, © 2007 by J. S. Paluch Co., Inc. 9/30/07

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