LET GO AND LET GOD
Many twelve-step programs use the phrase “Let go and let God.” In all their simplicity, these five words are the heart of today's readings. For people who struggle with addictive behavior, these words plainly remind us that we can't manage, control, or manipulate certain areas of our lives. How many times can we look back in our lives and find evidence of some plan at work other than our own? These are the moments when, for whatever reasons, we let someone greater than ourselves work the plan. We probably didn't even recognize at the time that we were letting go of anything, but in retrospect, we see God's hand and loving presence. It is our awareness of these moments that gives us the courage and initiative to let go again later on. It is this courage and initiative that are highlighted in today's readings. We come to call it “faith.”
© Copyright, J. S. Paluch Co.
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Come, let us bow down in worship; let us kneel before the Lord who made us.
—Psalm 95:6
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SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES
Sunday: Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time;
Respect Life Sunday;
National Children's Day
Monday: Canadian Thanksgiving Day;
Columbus Day
Tuesday: St. Denis and His Companions;
St. John Leonardi
Saturday: Blessed Virgin Mary;
Eid al-Fit'r (Islamic feast of the conclusion
of Ramadan) celebrated this week
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READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday: Jon 1:1 — 2:2, 11; Lk 10:25-37
Tuesday: Jon 3:1-10; Lk 10:38-42
Wednesday: Jon 4:1-11; Lk 11:1-4
Thursday: Mal 3:13-20b; Lk 11:5-13
Friday: Jl 1:13-15; 2:1-2; Lk 11:15-26
Saturday: Jl 4:12-21; Lk 11:27-28
Sunday: 2 Kgs 5:14-17; Ps 98; 2 Tm 2:8-13;
Lk 17:11-19
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TODAY'S READINGS
First Reading — The rash ones have no integrity; but the just ones, because of their faith, shall live (Habakkuk 1:2-3; 2:2-4).
Psalm — If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts (Psalm 95).
Second Reading — God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control (2 Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14).
Gospel — The apostles said to Jesus, “Increase our faith” (Luke 17:5-10).
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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…
Lucas Adam Garofano
son of Alicia and Adam
Hanna Marie Garofano
daughter of Lisa and Glenn
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: $5,234.00
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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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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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2007 Bishop's Annual Appeal
In Giving … We Receive
We are blessed in the Paterson Diocese to actually see a significant increase in the number of men entering the seminary. Where just a few short years ago there were just a handful of men preparing for the priesthood in our Diocese, today there are 40. With this great gift comes the need to fund their education. Last year, $500,000 was allocated from the Appeal to fund seminarian education. As the number of seminarians continues to grow, so do the costs involved in their education. Please consider a sacrificial gift to the 2007 Bishop's Annual Appeal as a way of encouraging our seminarians as they contemplate the sacrificial and fulfilling life that comes with being a priest.
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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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SOUPer Sunday Food Drive
The last Sunday of every month is designated as SOUPer Sunday. Donations of non-perishable food items, toiletries, cleaning products and scripts are needed.
Contributions are brought 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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Award Winning Author Fr. James Martin
to Speak at Blessed Kateri
Friday, October 12th at 7:00 p.m.
Fr. James Martin's topic will be Joy in Spirituality
Fr. Martin is the author of several books, most recently, My Life with the Saints (Loyola, 2006) which received a 2006 Christopher Award and was also named one of the Best Books of 2006 by Publishers Weekly. Fr. Martin is an excellent speaker with a marvelous sense of humor and speaks on a very natural and down to earth level. Please call 973-729-1682. Tickets are $5.00 per person.
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 Autumn Blaze at the Meadowlands
On Saturday, October 13th, Fr. Stan Fortuna, a well-known reggae and rap artist from the Bronx, will be one of many Christian performers at this concert entitled Autumn Blaze. Sr. Loretta Dominicis at the Archdiocesan Youth Office has recommended this concert. For information call 201-998-0088 ext. 4147.
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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, Nov. 7th from 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the Ministry House.
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LIFENET will be holding an adult training seminar for youth leaders, teachers, parents and people with a heart for youth called “True Love Waits 1” which is a program to empower young people to save sex for marriage. Come and be trained to present this 5-session program to your youth group or high school and jr. high school age students and see resources to help you communicate the message of sexual purity in an interesting and positive way. Saturday, November 10 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at St. Mary's Church in Denville. Sponsored by LIFENET. For further information call 732-264-1865 or visit www.lifenetnj.org.
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“Understanding Our Feelings” is the topic for the October 9th Bereavement Group meeting at St. John Vianney Paris for those healing after the loss of a loved one. The meeting will take place in the parish hall from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Route 23, Stockholm.
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Securing Youth as Our Future
8th Annual Drug Awareness Program
Friday, October 19th, 8:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.
Skylands at Randolph, 792 Route 10 West, Randolph. Program highlights include: Current Drug Trends, Dating Violence, Suicide Prevention, Binge Drinking, Self-injury. For information call 973-989-3311 or 973-625-1998. To register call 1-866-782-5273.
St. Claire's Community Health Trust Substance Abuse Action Team.
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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 kurusdeb@shu.edu.
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Pope John XXIII 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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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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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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2 Guys from Hoboken
a Milesquare Mystery
Hilarious Entertaining Dinner and Show
Saturday, October 20th in the Lyceum
An original audience participation comedy and mystery dinner theater production to benefit Samaritan Inn, Inc.
Doors open at 6:30 show begins at 7:00 with dinner at 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $30 per person at the door or call 973- 827-8911 (days) or 209-4104 (evenings/weekends) for reservations.
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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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FAITH IN GOD'S VISION
With faith we are inclined to think that there is nothing we cannot do, that faith is the stuff from which we can create any future. All we need is a seed's worth of faith, and we can uproot sycamores, or if not sycamores at least uproot the chaos in our lives. Yet that sort of mindset places faith in ourselves and in our own vision and not in God's.
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INSIDE THE READINGS
In today's first reading the prophet Habakkuk says, "The just one, because of his faith, shall live" (Habakkuk 2:4). In today's Gospel the apostles request of Jesus, "Increase our faith" (Luke 17:5). Faith becomes the key issue in this selection from Luke.
Jesus tells the apostles that their faith is not even the size of a mustard seed. He uses hyperbole concerning the mulberry tree to make his point, namely that even the tiniest seed of faith can produce wonderful results. The Greek text makes it clear that the apostles do not have even that small amount of faith. An increase is definitely needed.
Christian faith is essentially the response of human beings to God's revelation in the person of Jesus and his ministry. Everyone must realize that faith itself is a gift from God, not something one can earn. That is the point of today's short parable and its application. The master-slave relationship at that time is reflected in the harsh details of the parable. The slave cannot expect gratitude for doing his duty.
Jesus uses the parable to teach that his disciples also do not earn faith. He expects that good works by his followers will come out of their living faith. But faith and the works that result are a gift of God. Every follower of Jesus must be grateful rather than boastful. The sign of a truly living faith is seen in loving acts of justice and charity. The Letter of James reinforces that teaching: "So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead" (James 2:17). The history of the apostles after Pentecost indicates that the Lord definitely did increase their faith, a faith that produced the beginnings of the church.
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THOUGHTS FOR ACTION
The faith of the Gospels is a giving over of ourselves to God's dream for us. God moves us to wherever God needs us to be. Amazingly, it does not take a great master plan to give God such an opening. Luke insists that a mustard seed's worth of faith is enough to let God do what God does best. And so it happens.
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Excerpted and edited from LIVING THE WORD for the Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time commentary by Msgr. Ralph Kuehner and Rev. Joseph Juknialis, © 2007 by J. S. Paluch Co., Inc. 10/7/07

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