July 5, 2015
14th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Views From The Pews
Arthur writes, “I have been stewing over
the pope sticking his nose into politics.
He’s wrong about global warming but
even if he was not, it is definitely not
church business. Tell him to stick to God and leave
science and politics to scientists and politicians.
Doesn’t he believe in separation of Church and state?’
“Arthur is referring to Pope Francis’
encyclical entitled Laudatio Si (Praise Be To You).
The Italian words, Laudatio Si, appear in the ‘Canticle
of the Sun,’ a song written by St. Francis of Assisi, the
patron saint of ecology.
An encyclical is an official letter from a Pope
on a matter of significance. In this encyclical, Pope
Francis says humanity’s ‘reckless’ behavior has
pushed our planet to the ‘breaking point.’ The pope
goes on, ‘Doomsday predictions can no longer be met
with irony or disdain.’ Pope Francis warns that, in his
opinion, nothing short of a ‘bold cultural revolution’
can save humanity from spiraling into selfdestruction. He says he has particular concern for the
poor in Third World countries who are already
suffering from droughts of unusual intensity.
Is the Pope off base? Well, 97-percent of
scientists agree global warming is occurring and is
caused, at least in part, by humans. Further, Scripture
says God has created us in His image and made us
stewards of His planet. So, whether the warming is
naturally occurring or the result of man-made
greenhouse gases is, to me, immaterial.
It’s
happening and the results harm man. So, I believe the
Pope has a right to say we, as stewards of God’s
planet, should try to do something about it.”
Father Mike
Adult Faith Formation
Deacon Paul Clark will lead a new 4-week cycle of
Adult Faith Formation in July reviewing Pope Francis’ new
Encyclical letter entitled Laudato si’: On Care for Our
Common Home.
This encyclical challenges us to see our world as our
home and to care for it like we do our own homes. We will
only read excerpts from the Encyclical but everyone is
invited to read it in its entirety on the Vatican’s
website. Sessions will take place on Wednesdays at 7pm in
the church meeting room beginning July 8th.
Please call the Pastoral Center @ 347-2203
for more information.
2
Did You Know?
Two Gallup Polls released during May say 50%
of Americans are Pro-Choice and 44% are Pro-Life.
Father Mike
Blot Your Lipstick, Ladies
That’s a request from our
Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist.
Apparently,
when
our
Extraordinary
Ministers wipe a Chalice after a woman with lipstick has
consumed the Precious Blood, the purificator (the cloth used
to wipe the chalice) is stained with lipstick and, I am told,
the lipstick stain is hard to remove. So, if you can help, our
Extraordinary ministers would appreciate it.
Father Mike
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
Are you or someone you know interested in
becoming Catholic? If you answered “Yes” then
please read on...
In August we will begin our next class for adults
interested in learning about the Catholic faith using the Rite
of Christian Initiation of Adults or RCIA. These classes are
for the un-baptized, those baptized in another Christian faith
who wish to become Catholic, and for baptized Catholics
who have not yet received the sacraments of First
Communion or Confirmation. If you are interested in
registering or need additional information, please call the
Pastoral Center at 347-2203.
R.C.I.A. begins Tuesday, August 11th.
And will be held upstairs in the Pastoral Center.
Please note the new date and location.
Eucharistic Adoration
Christ suffer ed and died for Y OU. His love for you is
unfathomable.
It’s time to take time for Him. Visit him during
Eucharistic Adoration on Thursday, July 23rd in the Day
Chapel.
Call the Pastoral Center at 347-2203 if you’d like to be
placed on the Adoration schedule.
Drop ins are ALWAYS welcome!!