Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time These questions are springboards for reflection, spawning other questions as related to the theme of God’s Word for Sunday.
1. The woman with the hemorrhages was initially afraid to ask Jesus for what she needed. Have you ever felt this way? Why or why not?
2. Do you believe Jesus has power over life and death? How does this belief affect your life?
3. Do you believe that Christians have a duty to attend to those in need? How do you live out this belief?
We invite you to post your reflections by clicking on “Comments” below:
Jeff Cavins explorers The Book of Revelation to demonstrate how the Kingdom established by Christ in His Church is intimately connected with the Kingdom of Heaven, especially through the celebration of the Mass.
• Ten (10) Week Study Course begins in September 2009
• Monday Evenings from 7:00-9:00 pm
• $30 for Study Guide
• Call Linda Perkins at 707-554-4944 to enroll
Twelve Sunday in Ordinary Time These questions should help us find answers regarding our life situations as connected with our faith, the Bible and the Christ’s life-story.
1. Why do you think Jesus had no trouble sleeping through the storm? What do you think we can learn from this?
2. Jesus responded to the disciples’ fear by doing far more for them than they had imagined possible. Have you ever had a similar experience? Explain.
3. What does the love of Christ impel you to do?
We invite you to post your reflections by clicking on “Comments” below:
For many centuries throughout the world, the picture of “Our Lady of Perpetual Help” has been revered as an icon of hope and inspiration.
Please, join us for an all-day Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on Wednesday, June 24, 2009 after the 7:45 am Mass through 7:00 pm. Holy Rosary to start at 6:15 pm, followed by the Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and will conclude with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass starting at 7:00 pm.
One of our parishioners and active CYM member, Sean Salvatin, will be awarded one of this year’s Marello Leadership Awards. For many years, Sean has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to CYM, and was nominated for his spirit and conviction in bringing the light of faith to young people! Bishop Weigand is presenting the awards at Mass on June 20th, 2009. The Mass begins at 4pm at the Marello Youth Retreat Center at 6530 Wells Ave in Loomis. Following Mass is the annual Reds, Whites, Jazz, and Blues event. Please come and join Bishop Weigand at Mass on Saturday June 20th, starting at 4 pm. Go to nominateyouth.com for more information and to purchase tickets to the event.
“The Marello Leadership Award recognizes exemplary leadership in ministry by a young adult age 21-29. Nominees must be practicing Catholics, active parish members, and involved as volunteer leaders in either a parish-based ministry (RCIA team, parish council, youth ministry leader, retreat leader, choir director, liturgy committee leadership, catechist) or in a lay movement (i.e. Couples for Christ, Cursillo, etc.)”
Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ These questions should help us find answers regarding our life situations as connected with our faith, the Bible and the Christ’s life-story.
1. Is Eucharist central to your spiritual life? Explain.
2. How would you describe your covenant relationship with God? What has God promised you? What have you promised God?
3. In regard to Eucharist, what does this idea mean to you: You become what you receive?
We invite you to post your reflections by clicking on “Comments” below:
Saturday, July 4th at 7:30pm at St. Catherine of Siena Church
The internationally acclaimed University of Santo Tomas Singers is the University’s premiere mixed choral ensemble composed of a select group of students and alumni representing the different colleges and faculties of the Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas – the oldest university in Asia.
Donation: $20
Limited tickets are available through Amy Torio at 642-7520 or the parish office at 553-1355.
For a quick preview, log on to www.youtube.com and enter “UST Singers.”
Proceeds will go to the New Building Fund for the parish.
This Sunday, June 14th, we will have our EUCHARISTIC PROCESSION around the church compound immediately after the 12:00 noon Holy Mass.
The feast of Corpus Christi is one time when our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament is exposed not just to faithful Catholics but to all the world. This is a time when Catholics can show their love for Christ in the Real Presence by honoring Him in a very public way.
Solemnity of The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
Corpus Christi
The Feast of Corpus Christi, the Body of Christ, occurs 60 days after Easter and thus falls in early summer, in June or July. The Feast was formally established in 1215, when the Church asserted that what occurred during the mass was the miracle of transubstantiation; that is, that the wafer of consecrated bread did not simply represent the body of Christ but actually became it.
The most important ritual of Corpus Christi is that of the PROCESSION. For this event, the entire village, parish or town assembles in finest dress. The Procession is comprised of clergy, special guilds or groups, and families. Often children in First Communion dress precede the Blessed Sacrament dropping rose or other flower petals to create a carpet for the approaching Eucharist. Altar boys, clergy, prominent citizens with guild and society banners of silk, and others process. The Holy Eucharist is itself transported in a processional Monstrance, carried by the priest or bishop. The Monstrance is further protected by an embroidered silk canopy held by four posts, borne by parishioners or altar servers. Publicly proclaiming and reaffirming their devotion to the Holy Eucharist, the entire congregation walks around the church and its grounds to the sound of bells and voices singing sacred hymns. The procession then walks and sings its way to the first of the altars. There the Blessed Sacrament rests while the assembled faithful kneel to pray and sing in adoration of the Holy Eucharist.
The Jubilee Year of St. Paul will end this month of June. Let’s celebrate it not with a whimper, but with a little appropriate bang. We are inviting all parishioners to join us in celebration.
June 12th(2nd Friday)starting at 7:00 pm – Calling on all Parish and Liturgy ministers to attend this gathering. We are the leaders of the parish and we must show initiative and good example by our participation.
June 26th(4th Friday)starting at 7:00 pm- While it is recommended that all parishioners are encouraged to attend, it is requested that the Charismatic Community will sponsor this evening of praise and worship, in prayer and song.
June 28th(4th Sunday)at 12:00 noon Mass – Special Parish Mass to conclude the Jubilee Year of St. Paul.
June 29th(Monday, Feast of St. Peter & St. Paul) – Scriptural Rosary at 6:15 pm and Holy Mass at 7:00 pm.
We are enjoining parishioners to share with us some reflections and thoughts, Title it “My favorite Pauline verse is…”
Most Holy Trinity These questions should help us find answers regarding our life situations as connected with our faith, the Bible and the Christ’s life-story.
1. Who or what has authority in your life? Why?
2. Do you believe that God invites everyone on earth to be in a relationship of covenant love? What ramifications does this belief have in your life?
3. Do you think of yourself as having an intimate relationship with God? Why or why not?
We invite you to post your reflections by clicking on “Comments” below:
…Be sure to announce the Gospel to your contemporaries with enthusiasm. You know their fears and their hopes, their aspirations and their disappointments: the greatest gift you can give to them is to share with them the “Good News” of a God who became man, who suffered, died and rose again to save all people. Human hearts are yearning for a world where love endures, where gifts are shared, where unity is built, where freedom finds meaning in truth, and where identity is found in respectful communion. Our faith can respond to these expectations: may you become its heralds! The Pope accompanies you with his prayers and his blessing…
I believe that bringing back the ringing of bells during the elevation of the Blessed Eucharist is a great idea. For me, the ringing of bells reminds me that the consecration is a very important part of Mass. Although I try very hard to have full attention and awareness throughout the service, my mind do wander and at times need to be reawaken, especially at the moment of consecration. The ringing of bells will call to mind that something very special and sacred is happening at the altar.
It is also a welcome addition for my children. My two girls, 8 and 10 year olds who’s attention span are short, will now have cues to look up and acknowledge Jesus in the appearance of the elevated bread and wine. I no longer need to nudge them and remind them at the moment of consecration (or at least the reminders will be less frequent). For my family and for families similar to mine, I hope that the ringing of bells will return to St. Catherine as an extra aid to call attention to the moment of the consecration.
(While the intention is to have an “unofficial survey” of parishioners about thoughts and ideas, concerns and implications regarding the “ringing of bells during Mass” the venue for such parishioner sharing and exchange of reflections will not be in the Parish Bulletin insert, but here in the St. Catherine’s website. There might be diversity in opinion, but there should always be unity in principle, which is love. Post your thoughts by clicking on “Comments” below.)
Pentecost: The Holy Spirit Comes These questions are springboards for reflection based on God’s Word for Pentecost. These should help us find answers regarding our life situations as connected with our faith, the Bible and the Christ’s life-story.
1. When you pray, to whom do you most often address your prayer: to the Father, to Jesus, to the Holy Spirit? Do you ever pray specifically to the Holy Spirit? When? Why?
2. Do you have a personal experience of the power of the Spirit? What is it?
3. Why do you think wind and fire are so often used as symbols to describe the presence of the Spirit?
We invite you to post your reflections by clicking on “Comments” below:
The Knights of Columbus, a Catholic men’s fraternal order, are taking steps to form a new Council at St. Catherine of Siena Parish. With over 1.75 million members, the Knights of Columbus work ardently for our Church, our community and our youth. We vigorously support and defend our priests and religious, we assist our law enforcement, public safety and health agencies, and we are in the forefront of the pro-life movement.
The NEW Lay Ministers’ Schedule for the month of June thru September 2009 is now ready. Please click on the following link to view and download a PDF version of the schedule:
Fr. Arthur Najera was ordained into the priesthood for service in the Diocese of Sacramento on Monday, May 25th at 10:30am in the Blessed Sacrament Cathedral.
He will serve his first Thanksgiving Mass with us at St. Catherine’s on May 30th at the 5:30pm mass. Please plan to celebrate with him. The Vocations Ministry is planning a thanksgiving reception following the Saturday evening mass in the church hall. If you are a lay minister or a parishioner who would like to help with a monetary contribution for the preparations, please call Norma Belmes at 853-6549 or nbelmes@comcast.net.
The Feast of the Ascension These questions are springboards for reflection based on God’s Word for the Feast of the Ascension. These should help us find answers regarding our life situations as connected with our faith, the Bible and the Christ’s life-story.
1. Do you believe your baptism has commissioned you to do anything? What are you commissioned to do?
2. How do you personally carry on the mission of Jesus Christ?
3. What exactly are you celebrating on the feast of the Ascension?
We invite you to post your reflections by clicking on “Comments” below:
All parishioners are enjoined to celebrate the Pista sa Nayon, the commemoration of the Philippine Independence Day on June 6, 2009 from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm at the Vallejo Marina. Free admission. Rex navarette and Charmain Clamor will highlight the event. Also, there will be a Thanksgiving Mass in connection with the same celebration on June 14th at 11:30 am. Free lunch will served after the Holy Mass. Show your Filipino pride by wearing your Pilipino costume.
1. Do you believe that love continues to unite people even after death? Do you have any personal experience that affirms such a belief? Explain.
2. Why does the commandment to love each other as Jesus has loved us fulfill all of the commandments?
3. Do you ever feel that you have to earn God’s love? Do you know why? Do today’s readings help you understand that you do not have to do this? Explain.
We invite you to post your reflections by clicking on “Comments” below:
