Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church

Sunday, July 23, 2017– Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Address 708 First Street, South Birmingham, AL 35205

Contact Information Rectory: (205) 322-1205

Fax: (205) 714-5056 Email: olf@josephite.com

Website: olfbirmingham.org

Sacraments Baptism: Parents desiring Baptism for their children are encouraged to contact the Rectory to arrange for the required preparation class for parents and Godparents Funeral: Please contact the Rectory for Funeral Arrangements. Funerals are not permitted on Sundays or Holy Days of Obligation. Anointing of the Sick: If you or a family member is Sick or Shut-in, please inform the Rectory so that we may arrange to bring the Sacraments to your home, hospital or nursing home. Marriage: For Marriage Arrangements, please contact the Rectory at least 6 months before intended marriage date. Confessions: 30 minutes before weekend Masses or by appointment.

Mass Schedule Weekends Saturday Vigil 6:00 P.M. Sunday 7:00 A.M. & 11:00 A.M. Weekdays Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 7:00 A.M. Holy Days of Obligation: As announced Eucharistic Adoration: 1st Monday of the month 6-7 P.M.

Parish Ministries Parish Council

Valerie Johnson (205) 856-4662

Finance Council Melanie McNary (205) 908-4885

Eucharistic Ministers Bertha Randall (205) 202-5143

Lectors Melanie McNary (205) 908-4885

CCD Theresa Nalls (205) 567-3123

Altar Servers Greta Chapman (205) 902-0429

Ushers Keith Boykin (205) 222-2011

Music Ministry Erma Hinton (205) 620-0787 Rubie Moore (205) 821-2370

Tanisha Jones (205) 936-0048 Jillian Johnson-Rogers 205-531-1641

Grounds & Maintenance Garry Cauthen (205) 901-9792

Church Membership There are levels of Church

Membership. Anyone living within the boundaries of our Parish for at least 6 months is

automatically a member. Those who live inside or outside our

boundaries and choose to “register” are members.

“Contributing members” are those who choose to use the

envelopes on a regular basis and are entitled to regular financial

reports from the Rectory.

Parish Ministries Season Stars {Seniors Club} Constance Smith (205) 591-4087

Bereavement Lenora Bolling (205) 251-3903

Bettye Kelly (205) 942-2576

Ladies Sodality Juanita Harris (205) 856-0515

Photographer George Mauldin, Sr. (205) 566-3349

Bible Study Doug Coutee (Men) to (205) 352-3533 Susan Nolan (Women) (205) 541-7277

Knights of Peter Claver John Bolling

KPC Ladies Auxiliaries Lenora Bolling

RCIA Rev. Mr. Douglass Moorer

Liturgical Dance Louise Purdue (205) 821-4362

Pastor Father Godwin Ani, SSJ

Deacon Rev. Mr. Douglass Moorer, (205) 427-7885

Mission Statement

Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church is committed to proclaiming our belief in the

Message and Mission of Jesus Christ. Also, the members are committed to sharing our time, talent, and treasure

through Sacramental, Educational and Pastoral ministry, Service to those in need and working for Social

Justice.

What can malicious weed-sowing tell us about the kingdom of God? The image Jesus uses in this parable is a common everyday example of planting, harvesting, and sorting the good fruit from the bad. Weeds can spoil and even kill a good harvest if they are not separated and destroyed at the proper time. Uprooting them too early, though, can destroy the good plants in the process. Letting God's word take deep root in the heart Just as nature teaches us patience, so God's patience also teaches us to guard the seed of his word which he has planted in our hearts and to beware of the destructive force of sin and evil that can destroy it. God's word

brings life, but Satan seeks to destroy the good seed which has been planted in the hearts of those who have heard God's word. God's judgment is not hasty, but it does come. And in the end, God will reward each according to what they have sown and reaped in this life. In that day God will separate the evil from the good. Do you allow God's word to take deep root in your heart? Growth and transformation from within What can mustard seeds and leaven teach us about the kingdom of God? The tiny mustard seed literally grew to be a tree which attracted numerous birds because they loved the little black mustard seed it produced. God's kingdom works in a similar fashion. It starts from the smallest beginnings in the hearts of men and women who are receptive to God's word. And it works unseen and causes a transformation from within. The Holy Spirit transforms us Leaven is another powerful agent of change. A lump of dough left to itself remains just what it is, a lump of dough. But when the leaven is added to it a transformation takes place which produces rich and wholesome bread when heated - the staple of life for humans. The kingdom of God produces a transformation in those who receive the new life which Jesus Christ offers. When we yield to Jesus Christ, our lives are transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. Do you believe in the transforming power of the Holy Spirit? Good and evil are sown in our hearts like tiny seeds which germinate, and in due time yield a harvest of good or bad fruit. Charles Read said: "Sow an act and you reap a habit. Sow a habit and you reap a character. Sow a character and you reap a destiny." In the day of judgment each will reap what he or she has sown in this life. Those who sow good will shine in the kingdom of their Father. They will radiate with the beauty, joy, and fullness of God's love. Do you allow the love of Christ to rule in your heart and in your actions?

"Lord Jesus, let your word take root in my heart and may your all-consuming love transform my life that I may sow what is good, worthy, and pleasing to you."-Amen

Sunday, July 23, 2017

Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Stewardship Update Last Week—July 15th & 16th Attendance: 251

“What shall I give to the Lord for all His bounty to me?” Psalms 116:12

Serving This Week July 22nd & 23rd Saturday 6:00 P.M. Eucharistic Ministers: Wilbur & Delores Johnson Lectors: Erik Craig, Shunna Cannon Greeters: Pauline Murphy Sunday 7:00 A.M. Eucharistic Ministers: Liz Arrington, Wilma Norris Lectors: Eddie Russell, Rafael Brathwaite Greeters: Alfreda Kincaid Sunday 11:00 A.M. Eucharistic Ministers: Andria Caldwell, Carol Prince Lectors: Nona Relf, Tyrone Webb Greeters: Jetaun Murrell, Deborah Poe

Serving Next Week July 29th & 30th Saturday 6:00 P.M. Eucharistic Ministers: Patricia Ross, Bettye Kelly Lectors: Michael Edosomwam, Pam Jacobs Greeters: Dorothy Murphy Sunday 7:00 A.M. Eucharistic Ministers: Jessie Nelson, Theta Rollins Lectors: Conni Smith, Katie Riggins Greeters: Roy Johnson Sunday 11:00 A.M. Eucharistic Ministers: Doug & Jackie Coutee Andria Caldwell, Debra Hill Lectors: Majella Hamilton, Jetaun Murrell Greeters: Iris Williams, James Collins

Daily Readings for the Week Monday: Exodus 14:5-18 Matthew 12:38-42 Tuesday: II Corinthians 4:7-15 Matthew 20:20-28 Wednesday: Exodus 16:1-5, 9-15 Matthew 13:1-9 Thursday: Exodus 19:1-2, 9-11, 16-20b Matthew 13:10-17 Friday: Exodus 20:1-17 Matthew 13:18-23

Prayers for Sick & Shut-In Lenora Bolling Gwendolyn Brooks, Albert Carson James Collins, Fannette Kennedy, Darron Hunter, Leon Hunter, Anthony Johnson, Claudette Lewis,

Jessie Nelson, Curtis Mitchell, Lucille Meeks, Joanna Prewitt Leroy Willis, Katherine Willis,

Naulbert Nolan, Ronald Greene **If you know of anyone who is very ill and confined (at

home, in a nursing home or in the hospital), please contact Father Ani at the Rectory or one of these members who serve

with the Pastoral Care to the Sick Ministry: Bettye Kelly, 205-942-2576, Lela Flood. 205-798-6355, or

Elizabeth Harris, 205-8338412

You are remembered in our prayers!

Altar Flowers “In Memory of my late

husband, Harrison Patterson and my son, Eric Patterson”

Donated Last Weekend By:

Dorothy Murphy

Birthday Wishes!!!!

Ethan Bell 7/10 Debbie Burks 7/5, Caleb Brown 7/3

Elijah Browder 7/14 Makayla Bolling 7/20 Kelvin Bickerstaff 7/4 Anaya Bickerstaff 7/1

Marleaneryan Cleveland 7/28 Pernell Cunningham 7/13, Doug Coutee 7/23

Dorothy Dorsey 7/12, Erma Hinton 7/12 Debra Hilson 7/27 Christian Jackson 7/27 Beverley Jones 7/12 Alyssa Parnell 7/ 17 J. Akele Parnell 7/25 Carol Prince 7/26 Deborah Palmer 7/9 Alice Ramsey 7/26

Nona Relf 7/6 Reva Saunders 7/8 Monica Sankey 7/2 Robert Tankersley 7/29

Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Jenkins married on July 11th

Blair & Melanie McNary married on July 3rd Dwight & Phyllis Russell married on July 7th

Monica Taylor married on July 7th *Birthday, and anniversary greetings are extended to all parishioners who are celebrating this month. (Dates are

generated from the parish registration forms)

**No Parish Council meeting for the month of July!!!!! Please rejoin us the first Tuesday in August.

General Announcements & Church Updates The Ladies of Sodality will be sponsoring an Afternoon Tea on August 27, 2017 1:00 P.M. until 3:00 P.M. The attire for attendees 13 and older is “dressy.” Ladies in hats, Men in suits and ties. To purchase your ticket, please contact any member of Ladies Sodality.

Our Lady of Fatima Adult Choir will be hosting its Annual Spaghetti Luncheon Sunday, August 13, 2017 12:00Noon – 2:30PM. You may EAT IN or CARRY OUT!!!! Tickets can be purchased from any adult choir member. We are asking for a donation of $10.00 per ticket.

The Children's Ministry Presents.... “A Sunday at the Ball Park” Come fellowship with us at the Baron's Baseball game on Sunday, August 20th at 3:00 P.M. More information will be announced in the upcoming weeks!!!!

Our Lady of Fatima Catholic community proudly announces our "First African-American Cultural Festival" is scheduled for Saturday, October 7, 2017. Please read the bulletin for weekly details and updates.

We are in need of more donations for altar flowers. Please consider donating flowers in honor or memory of a loved one. Donation Request Forms are located in the lobby. Cost for flowers is $110.00.

The 17th Annual CCROB Conference will be held on July 28 and July 29, 2017 in the Family Life Center at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 1728 Oxmoor Rd., Homewood, AL 35209. The conference theme is “Receive the Holy Spirit.” (John 20:22) The speakers will be: David Mangan, Sister Anne Marie Schreiner and Jacquelyn Smoke, along with Mass celebrants, Father Paul Asih and Father James Hedderman. The registration fee for individuals is $20 and $50 for a family of 3 or more. To register, visit: www.catholiccharismaticrenewal.org or mail registration to: CCROB, P.O. Box 550023, Birmingham, AL 35255. For further information contact Ray Makofsky at 205-999-8947 or Dolores Hicks at 205-328-7112.

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*Parishioners are welcomed and encouraged to submit announcements, articles, stories, and pictures for bulletin. Send them by email (olf@josephite.com) or drop them by the Rectory. The deadline for all items is Thursday by noon.