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Faith is Social
October 16, 2022
Jesus tells us the story about the persistent widow to inculcate in us the need to pray always without losing heart. The widow was wholeheartedly adamant in approaching the judge again and again in seeking justice from the judicial authority. The judge in the story was typical of the powerful, rich and influential corrupt public official. He had the money and connection to silence anybody. He feared no one; in the words of Jesus himself, he was not even afraid of God. But when the widow went to him again and again for justice, he gave up. He said: “Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.” Through this story, Jesus teaches us to persevere in prayer. We have to be persistent in prayer for a son or daughter or friend in trouble, for the grace to sustain the caring of a terminally ill member of the family or an aging parent, for peace and harmony in a family in conflict, for an end to violence in our homes and for justice in our world.
We have to pray always so that we end up living in a way that is consistent with our prayers. In truth, our life has to become a prayer, a daily offering to God. St. Augustine defines praying without ceasing as uninterrupted desire for God and as continuous right living, that is, prayer as life based on our faith relationship with God. This is the integration of our faith with the life we live. In Christian spirituality, there is no separation between our faith and our work, our faith and our family life or our faith and our political life. Everything is inspired by the wisdom of our faith.
As we reflect on this definition of unceasing prayer as continuous right living, our outreach projects come, including World Mission Sunday next weekend, and social concerns are living out the social implications of our faith which Jesus asks us about in today’s gospel: “When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” While these issues involve decisions that are largely personal, they are all relevant to the common good of our society.
Next weekend’s celebration of World Mission Sunday zeroes in on our solidarity with the whole Church and our responsibility for the development of peoples around globe. We celebrate our sense of mission to pray and work towards a world united in the spirit of the gospel. We have the opportunity to make our own offering for the World Mission Sunday collection, which is taken up in almost every country in the world, including the poorest in Africa and Asia where, despite their own material poverty, our fellow believers in the suffering continents are eager to contribute to the universal mission of the Church. This exercise of our solidarity is a powerful witnessing to the faith that we all profess.
Our current social efforts, including our generous contributions to St. Vincent de Paul Society, Partnership of Hope (Refugee program), Together in Action (TIA) and our building and maintenance support fund are expressive of our growing maturity as a Church, whose faith has to be alive with good works, particularly for the poor. We have to reach out more and more beyond our sanitized or comfort zones to confront the reality of the growing poverty and suffering in our midst as well as in the other end of our world. We also have to realize that our charitable efforts do not justify the causes of poverty and destitution and that it is God’s will that justice should prevail in our society and in our world. Our social involvement is a powerful prayer to God, an eloquent expression of our faith.
“Religion is always social, but never just a private affair. Discipleship involves seeking God in this world as well as preparing to meet him in the next. The Gospel imperative to love our neighbor entails not only that we should help those in need, but also address the causes of destitution and poverty. The deepening of spiritual life must go hand in hand with the practical concern for our neighbor, thus with social action…” (Bishop Emeritus Fred Henry)
FrEdmund@saintmichael.ca
Healing Lines
Faith communities and faith leaders have a unique role to play in responding to the needs of abuse victims and their families. First and foremost, faith communities need to be safe places to disclose abuse. Persons of faith who are abused often feel that their spirit has been broken, that God does not care about their life, that they are worthless in every way. The healing journey from victim to survivor is long and arduous; ongoing emotional support and many caregivers are required. Many persons of faith who are abused would like assistance from both community agencies and their faith fellowship.
Announcements:
Women’s Ministry Meet and Greet
Sunday, October 16
The Women’s Ministry is hosting a meet and greet and serving coffee and cookies after the 9 am Sunday Mass. All are invited.
Blessing of Anniversary Couples
October 29/30
There will be a special blessing for couples who have celebrated a wedding anniversary on the weekend of October 29/30. Let us celebrate the sacrament of Marriage as an essential component of our life as a Christian community.
Registration for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion
If you have a child who is in grade 2 or older, they are eligible to receive the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. For more information, and to register, please visit our website at https://saintmichael.ca/first-communion-and-reconciliation/.
Volunteer Catechist Opportunity
If you are interested in volunteering as a catechist for the First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion program, please contact Francesca at sacramentprep@saintmichael.ca or 403-249-0423 ext 126.
RCIA Sponsors Needed
Tuesdays, 7 pm to 9 pm
RCIA has begun, and we are looking for Sponsors for our new catechumens and candidates. In order to be a Sponsor, you must be a fully initiated, practicing Catholic over the age of 16. If married, you must be married in the Catholic Church. Sponsors are asked to attend sessions every Tuesday night from 7 pm to 9 pm, and accompany their candidate to Mass on Sundays. If you feel called to be a Sponsor, please contact Francesca at sacramentprep@saintmichael.ca.
Christmas Hamper Outreach
Monday, December 19
Christmas Hamper Day is December 19th and many volunteers will be required. If you’re interested, we will be having a sign-up blitz on the weekend of October 29/30th after all masses. You can sign-up on this day, or volunteer via contacting Marvin at mmatthews@saintmichael.ca. The Hamper Committee thanks you in advance.
Referrals: Referrals will be accepted from parish schools, and through the SSVP intake line at 403-249-0423 ext 122. Our referral process opens in later October. Watch the bulletin for further information.
Join the Organizing Committee! If you are interested in joining the Hamper Organizing Committee, please contact Colleen at jcfitzpat@shaw.ca. Thank you for your ongoing support of our important outreach.
Knitting Ministry
Knitting Ministry: We invite everyone in the parish to join us in our fall project of knitting/crocheting hats, scarves, neck warmers, mitts for the needy (mostly adults). Last year we collected almost 100 beautifully made items which were donated to and gratefully received by several charities serving the homeless. There will be a collection box in the gathering area with an end date of December 15. Thank you for helping us meet this ongoing need!
Society of St. Vincent de Paul
Special thanks to all St. Michael parishioners for supporting the Society of St. Vincent de Paul! If you or anyone you know needs assistance, please contact us at SSVP@saintmichael.ca or 403-249-0423 ext 122.
We are looking for new members. If you are interested, contact us at SSVP@saintmichael.ca or 403-249-0423 ext 122.
Donations of non-perishable food items can be dropped off in the SSVP food chest in the gathering area. Currently we are looking for: cereal, pasta sauce, canned vegetables and canned fish/meat.
Monetary donations can be deposited in the drop-box in the food chest or by online donations through the St. Michaels Parish website https://saintmichael.ca/giving/. Please indicate funds are for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in the drop-down menu.
Mass Schedule for this Weekend
Saturday, October 15, 5 pm Mass: Fr. Raul Hernandez
Sunday, October 15, 9 am Mass: Fr. Raul Hernandez
Sunday, October 16, 11 am & 5 pm Masses: Fr. Edmund Vargas
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29th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 16/10/2022, 722.82 KB