In recent weeks, we have reviewed how the Churches of East and West have enriched one another, and this past Thursday’s solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary was born in the Eastern Church. It is a gift from the ancient Church of Jerusalem, a commemoration of the death of Mary, and a feast charged with a deep sense of the Resurrection. Mary, the first disciple, is the first to share fully in Christ’s victory over death. In the tradition of the East, August 15 is the “Dormition of the Theotokos,” or the “Falling Asleep of the God bearer.” There is no shadow of death or gloom in the theology, since this is seen as a transformation of Mary’s life into a heavenly and immortal existence. There is a sense in the tradition that she who made earth heavenly and exalted the human race by her faithfulness is glorified today.

A persistent legend among Orthodox Christians tells how all the disciples, except Thomas, who was preaching in India, were present at Mary’s death and burial, and sat by the tomb for three days. On the third day, Thomas saw Mary’s body rising to heaven. She greeted him as “my friend,” and he was escorted by angels to proclaim her assumption to the others, who then realized her tomb was empty. Thus Thomas, the one who expressed doubt at the resurrection of Christ, received a gift from Mary: the chance to proclaim resurrection faith to the disciples.

SUNDAY DONUTS

Good news! The Knights of Columbus have resumed Sunday Donut Fellowship. Come by Rev. Nicholas Duggan Hall for good fellowship and a donut or two.

Be advised, Sunday September 15th, is our 47th Annual Fall Festival, therefore obviously there will be no donuts that day.

JOIN IN THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

If you would like to find out more about becoming a Knight please ask any Knight, they should all be wearing their name badges,

This seems like an unlikely topic to address in the bulletin, unfortunately many have forgotten we are in our Father’s House when we are in church. We would not in our own homes, stick chewing gum, when it has lost its flavor, under a table, or throw it on the floor. However, we are finding stale chewing gum under the pew seats, in the book holders, or worse yet on the floor, even on the rug. PLEASE, deposit used gum in the trash receptacles. This is a sanitary way to dispose of the gum, and will prevent parishioners putting their hands on the end of a pew and having gum stick to their fingers, or stepping on it and tracking it throughout the church. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION !

The Spanish, Primera Comunion and English, First Holy Communion and Confirmation Rites were recently held this May.

Congratulations to all the children for their hard work this year in CFF and were rewarded for their hard work by receiving their First Holy Communion and the Holy Spirit respectively!

To view and download the photos click here.

For all the Confirmation pictures taken click HERE. and HERE.

You will be redirected to Flickr website.

• Lectors (Ministers of the Word)
• Hospitaility
• Eucharistic Minisiters
• Adult Alter Servers
• Ministers to the Sick and Homebound

St. Paul Social Justice Ministry is once again collecting water for the homeless. It is greatly appreciated by those living on the streets especially as we go into our hot summer months. You can leave your donations when you come to Mass.

Thank you for your generosity.