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Rev. Tom Kunnel, C.O., Administrator Deacon Robert Pang MASSES: Saturday: 4:00 PM Sunday: 8:00 AM, 10:30 AM 1:00 PM (Spanish)

Weekdays: 10:30 AM Saturday: 10:30 AM

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Dear Parish Family,

In the first reading, Isaiah consoles the Jew-ish slaves in Babylon, assuring them that, like rain and snow which water the earth so

that seeds may sprout and grow, God’s word will accomplish its purpose, in this case by returning the exiles to their homes in peace as God promised. In the second reading, St. Paul reminds us that just as seeds must fall into the earth and die to produce abundant crop, the pain and sufferings God permits in our lives help our redemption. Paul wants us to wait for our eternal reward while we continue sowing the word of God diligently and suffer-ing for the Lord, as he did.

According to the traditional Palestinian farming practices, sow-ing often precedes plowing. We can assume that the sower in-tended to come back and plow the seeds into the soil. This para-ble is a story of God’s prodigality, sowing seeds right and left, in abundant measure, so that we constantly receive the word in our hearts from a merciful and generous sower. God is always scat-tering the seeds of His kingdom around us whether we deserve them or not, so that when the soil of our hearts is ready for the seed to germinate, the seed is already there. Even the tiniest seed of God’s love can produce in us a harvest beyond our imagining. The Church is prodigal too, proclaiming the Gospel among prim-itive tribes in far-away jungles and among teenage gangs in ur-ban ghettos, trusting in the power of the word of God.

The parable of the sower in today’s Gospel challenges us to listen intently to God’s Word, to be open to it, and to allow our lives to be shaped by its power. The parable reminds us that man’s recep-tion of God’s Word is determined by the condition of his heart. The good spiritual yield in life depends on fully and willingly a person accepts and responds to the word of the Lord. His word never blossoms alongside greed, snobbishness and the love of the easy life. Christ is the sower, and while we desire to be good soil, we know there are times when we are pretty shallow like the depth of soil along the path. There are areas of rock in our lives where God’s word has not taken root, and there are areas where God’s word finds difficulty in taking root. In his parable of the sower, Jesus uses four different soil-types to represent four sepa-rate responses people can give to God’s saving word. In fact, each one of us may display all four different types of soil at vari-ous time in our personal lives.

How we respond to the Word of God is the key to how fruitful the Gospel is going to be in our lives. Unlike the situation in na-ture, we can, as it were, change the kind of soil that we are. Jesus challenges us in the parable of the sower to sow seeds of encour-agement, joy, and reconciliation regardless of the “soil” on which it is scattered, and to imitate the seed’s total giving of self that becomes the harvest of Gospel justice and mercy.

Fr. Tom Kunnel C.O.

Please remember in your prayers the Sick and/or Homebound of our Parish Family. Anna Hick-ey, Larry Goswick, Ismaela Sanabria Maldonado, mother of Marleni, Edith & Ana, Anne O’Connor, Gino Galante, Helen Koza, Virginia McCauley Cook, Kristen Lynn, Helen Bark, Nijole Paronetto, Johanna Krumm, Tim Armstrong, Eileen Moson, Michael McCormack, Joe Dennerlein

As a Parish Family, let us remember in our prayers all our beloved departed members of our Parish Community Theresa Mayernik, sister of Fran Loftus, Maureen Diana, Marion Hinchcliff, mother of Una McHugh, Jessica Lee, Mary O’Rourke mother of Chris O’Rourke, Fr. John Dwyer, Cecilia Harlan, Eileen Wozniak Phil Kohlbrenner, Cathy Kohlbrenner—father & sister of Andy Kohlbrenner, Madlen Moson, Ralph Pilla, Mary Lynch Donaldson sister of Peter Lynch,, Zdzislaw Samu-lak, father of Kay Samulak PLEASE ADVISE THE RECTORY (359-0078) WHENEVER A PARISHION-ER BECOMES HOMEBOUND, ILL, OR HOSPITALIZED SO ARRANGE-MENTS CAN BE MADE FOR A PRIEST, DEACON OR EUCHARISTIC MINISTER TO VISIT AND BRING COMMUNION TO THEM.

Sat 7/11 4:00 PM Theresa Branca By Amanda McKenna & Brianna Zosche

Sun 7/12 8:00 AM Zdzislaw Samulak By St. John

10:30 AM Michael McLaughlin By Armstrong Family

Mon 7/13 10:30AM Jincy healing By Therese O'Dowd

Tue 7/14 10:30AM Laura - Thanksgiving By Silva & Soriano Family

Wed 7/15 10:30AM Marie Young By Thomas Claro

Thu 7/16 10:30AM Robert Straskulie By Thomas Claro

Fri 7/17 10:30AM Sautner Family Intentions By Tom Fabry

Sat 7/18

10:30AM Mary Lynch Donaldson Dcn Rob & May Pang

4:00 PM Brady O'Dowd Family O'Dowd Family

This week we celebrate the feasts of three very memorable saints: Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, Native American Virgin

Saint Bona-venture, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Why not take the time to ex-plore the lives of each one and, just maybe, you'll find a new prayer friend. Keep yourself and others safe. Wear a mask!

Webcast Schedule:

Daily Masses:

Monday—Saturday: 10:30 AM

Sunday Mass: Domingo Misa: English Espanol 10:30 AM 1:00 PM

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

un July 5 10:30 AM Webcast English Mass

1:00 PM Webcast Espanol Misa

Mon July 6 10:30 AM Webcast Daily Mass

Tues July 7 10:30 AM Webcast Daily Mass

Wed July 8 10:30 AM Webcast Daily Mass

Thu July 9 10:30 AM Webcast Daily Mass

Fri July 10 10:30 AM Webcast Daily Mass

Sat July 11 10:30 AM Webcast Daily Mass

On ‘Roku’ Select “Box Cast” Channel “St John the Baptist

Today’s Readings First Reading — My word will achieve the end for which it was sent (Isaiah 55:10-11). Psalm — The seed that falls on good ground will yield a fruitful harvest (Psalm 65). Second Reading — We, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan within ourselves awaiting the redemption of our bodies (Romans 8:18-23). Gospel — Some seed fell on rich soil and produced fruit (Matthew 13:1-23 [1-9]).

GOD’S WORDS Each day we are bombarded with thousands of words. From the moment our clock radios click on in the morning, until the last moment of the day when the television is turned off or someone bids us “good-night,” our life is filled with words. Some words that we hear bring news that leaves us feel-ing low. Some words lift our spirits. Many of the words we hear are trying to get us to buy some-thing. Some words are hurtful. Today the Church focuses our attention on hearing the word of God. Are God’s words just more of the same—part of the endless stream of words that flow into our ears each day? The challenge today is to allow God’s word to inspire us in new ways so that our outlook and attitudes align themselves more closely with the heart and mind of Christ Jesus.

6/28 Collection $3452 7/5 Collection $2239

Please continue to send your offerings to support the church either by mail or through online payment: https://stjohnspiermont.churchgiving.com Thank you for your support and generosity to St. John’s.

READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Is 1:10-17; Ps 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21, 23; Mt 10:34 — 11:1 Tuesday: Is 7:1-9; Ps 48:2-8; Mt 11:20-24 Wednesday: Is 10:5-7, 13b-16; Ps 94:5-10, 14-15; Mt 11:25-27 Thursday: Is 26:7-9, 12, 16-19; Ps 102:13-14ab, 15-21; Mt 11:28-30 Friday: Is 38:1-6, 21-22, 7-8; Is 38:10-12abcd, 16; Mt 12:1-8 Saturday: Mi 2:1-5; Ps 10:1-4, 7-8, 14; Mt 12:14-21 Sunday: Wis 12:13, 16-19; Ps 86:5-6, 9-10, 15-16; Rom 8:26-27; Mt 13:24-43 [24-30]

SAINT KATERI TEKAKWITHA (1656-1680) July 14 Though the New York State Thruway runs close by the North American Martyrs’ Shrine, traffic’s roar never pierces the peace enveloping Auries-ville—Ossernon to Na-tive Americans—in the lovely Mohawk Valley, where Kateri Tekakwitha was born barely ten years after the martyrdom of Isaac Jogues and his Jesuit and lay companions. Daughter of a Christian Algonquin mother and non-Christian Mohawk chief, Kateri’s parents died in a small-pox epidemic widely blamed on the missionar-ies. Moreover, many Native Americans had ex-perienced exploitation at the hands of “Christian” traders and trappers, further dis-crediting the faith Kateri embraced in baptism, then pledged to live even more intensely in vowed virginity. Misunderstanding led to har-assment, prompting her move to a Christian village farther north along the Saint Lawrence River. Despite this, Kateri’s faith remained un-daunted, her selfless charity undiminished. Both before and after her death at twenty-four, this young “Lily of the Mohawks” drew count-less converts to Christ by the fragrance of her goodness. Through us, does “the aroma of Christ” (2 Corinthians 2:15), attract others to the beauty of his gospel?

In the early part of the Thirteenth Century, Giovanni Franceso Bernar-done was headed to a prosperous life as a cloth merchant in the Province of Umbria, Italy. He was also headed to a life of complete self-gratification. He was a young man who loved every sort of pleasure. But, Francis, as he pre-ferred to be called, didn’t become a merchant. After spending a year as a mili-tary captive in nearby Perugia, Francis decided to change the course of his life, radically change the course of his life. He wanted to focus on serving God and only serving God. He saw his status as part of the rising merchant class as blocking his ability to experience Jesus Christ. He gave up his possessions and his future as a merchant, and embraced poverty. He begged for food in his native Assisi, and spent his days in prayer.

Francis attracted a few like-minded companions who joined him in courting what he called Lady Poverty. One day Francis went to pray at a rundown old chapel just outside of the city, the chapel of San Damiano. As he was praying before the icon of the crucified Jesus, he heard a voice calling to him three times: “Francis, rebuild my Church. Francis, rebuild my Church. Francis, rebuild my Church.” Initially, Francis thought that he and his friends should rebuild the chapel of San Damiano, but as time went on, he realized that he was being called to rebuild Christ’s Church on earth.

The Chapel of San Damiano still stands outside the walls of Assisi. The cross of San Damiano was relocated to the Basilica of Santa Clara within the city. The message that St. Francis heard is as pertinent now as it ever was, “Rebuild my Church.” The message is addressed to us.

Can we do this? Can we build the Kingdom of God on earth? We have avail-able to us that which we need. But are we willing to do some-thing with it? It is there. It is there for us. There is a lot of it, or to use the biblical terminology, it is abundant. It is the Word of God. God pours His Word upon us; He drenches us with His Word as though we were in a rainstorm. The Prophet Isaiah says in the first reading that this is what we need to do God’s work. He predicts that we will embrace the Everlasting Word.

We want the Word of God. We want the ability to do God’s will. Every fiber of our body longs to be part of His Plan. St. Paul says in the second reading from the Letter to the Romans, that we groan within ourselves with the desire to have God in our lives, and with the desire to make God real in the lives of others. Eve-ryone who is serious about her or his Christianity longs to give birth to the Kingdom. Paul uses the image of labor pains. A woman in labor experiences her whole being concentrated on giving birth. Our whole being focuses on giving birth, birth to the Kingdom. And so, we groan from our inner depths. We want to make God’s Kingdom a reality in the world.

But sometimes we construct roadblocks to our embrace of the Word. The parable in the Gospel says that sometimes the Divine Sower’s seed falls on the pathways through the fields. There is no union with the Word, it is simply there, and it is lost to the birds of the sky. Sometimes we refuse to make God’s Word the guide of our lives. We refuse to delve into what God is call-ing us to. We know we can learn about the Lord by studying the Bible, by praying over the scripture, by keeping a union with God, but sometimes we are just too lazy to pray. We don’t make time for Him, the Love of our lives, and then we become shocked that His Presence has been stolen from us by the birds of the air. There is a war being waged for the Kingdom of God. We need to prepare for battle. We need to pray every day in our homes as well as unite together in the Eucharist at least every week.

The parable says that sometimes the seed falls on rocky ground. It does not develop roots. This part of the parable really cuts us to the core, because it says that the enthusiasm for the Word, the enthusiasm for the Lord, is not good enough. All those good feelings will die out with time, unless it is far more than feel-ings we search for. St. Teresa of Calcutta wrote that she felt completely dry and abandoned by Christ throughout her life, but she never stopped proclaiming Him with her life. It is not the feelings that mat-ter. What matters are the actions we take when we are exposed to the Word of God. If we do not change our lives after our continual encounters with Christ, then our spiritual experiences are merely feelings, mo-ments of fleeting joy.

Sometimes the seed falls among the thickets and thorns. God’s word takes root, but other things take priority in our lives. All of us have many activities and obligations. Often, we forget that our primary responsibility is to Jesus Christ. We have been given the Word. We cannot allow the concerns around us choke off his Presence within us. We cannot allow ourselves to become deaf to His Call to rebuild His Church.

Sometimes the thickets and thorns are the vices of immoral society. Drugs, alcohol, porn, other areas of immorality are all thorns that choke our grasp of the Word of God. When we fight immorality, we are not just avoiding sin, we are allowing God’s Word to grow in the world.

But there are times, many times, that God’s seed falls on good soil. There are many people who care for the Presence of the Lord, who are more concerned with His Kingdom than their own emotion-al feelings of His Pres-ence. There are many people who refuse to let anything the

world throws at them destroy the mission they have been entrusted with by the Divine Sower.

We need to be good soil. We have to cultivate the Presence of the Lord in our lives, and serve God no matter whether we feel His Presence today as we did last week, last month, last year, or whenever we were given the gift of a spiritual high. We can fight off anything that tries to destroy our determination to live in union with Jesus Christ. We can be the good soil that returns to the Lord more fruit than we could ever imagine.

Msgr. Joseph A. Pellegrino

LECTURAS DE HOY Primera lectura — La palabra de Dios siempre cumple lo que él quiere (Isaías 55:10-11). Salmo — Los granos que caen en la tierra buena da-rán una cosecha abundante (Salmo 64). Segunda lectura — Toda la creación anticipa ansi-osamente la revelación de la gloria plena de Dios (Romanos 8:18-23). Evangelio — El que tenga oídos, que entienda y reciba las enseñanzas de Jesús (Mateo 13:1-23 [1-9]).

LECTURAS DE LA SEMANA Lunes: Is 1:10-17; Sal (49):8-9, 16bc-17, 21, 23; Mt 10:34 — 11:1 Martes: Is 7:1-9; Sal 47:2-8; Mt 11:20-24 Miércoles: Is 10:5-7, 13b-16; Sal 93:5-10, 14-15; Mt 11:25-27 Jueves: Is 26:7-9, 12, 16-19; Sal 101:13-14ab, 15-21; Mt 11:28-30 Viernes: Is 38:1-6, 21-22, 7-8; Is 38:10-12abcd, 16; Mt 12:1-8 Sábado: Miq 2:1-5; Sal 9:1-4, 7-8, 14; Mt 12:14-21 Domingo: Sab 12:13, 16-19; Sal 85:5-6, 9-10, 15-16; Rom 8:26-27; Mt 13:24-43 [24-30]

LAS PALABRAS DE DIOS Cada día somos bombardeados por miles de palabras. Desde el momento en que suena el des-pertador en la mañana, hasta el último momento del día cuando apagamos el televisor o alguien nos dice “buenas noches’, tenemos la vida llena de palabras. Algunas palabras nos traen noticias que nos deprimen. Algunas palabras nos levantan el espíritu. Muchas de las palabras que escu-chamos tratan de hacernos comprar algo. Al-gunas palabras son hirientes. Hoy la Iglesia nos hace prestar atención a la Palabras de Dios. ¿Son las Palabras de Dios igual que las demás –parte de una corriente sin fin de palabras que fluyen por nuestro oídos todos los días? El reto hoy es permitir que las Palabras de Dios nos inspiren renovando nuestra perspectiva y actitudes para que estén en mayor consonancia con el corazón y la mente de Cristo Jesús.

SAN ENRIQUE (972-1024) 13 de julio Enrique nació en Alemania y desde pequeño fue educado por el obispo Wolfango, quien le ayudó a abrir su conciencia re-specto a los pobres y a las nece-sidades de otros pueblos. Años después se casó con Cunegunda de Luxemburgo, pero debido a una enfermedad renal, nunca pudieron tener hijos. A los 34 años fue nombrado rey de Alemania y como tal fue ejemplar en el cuidado de los pobres y la lucha contra la opresión, así como la construcción y renovación de los monasterios en Alemania. Su caridad fue tan grande que su cuñado, molesto porque daba todo a los pobres, or-ganizó un golpe militar, pero fue sometido por el rey, quien les perdonó la ofensa. En el año 1014 fue coronado Emperador del Sacro Imperio Romano Germánico (Alemania, Austria, Suiza, Bélgica, Holanda y el Norte de Italia), pues tenía el cariño de la gente y la confianza del Papa. La gente apreciaba su santidad y el corazón de un gobernante que busca el bien de su pueblo. Fue canoniza-do en 1146 y su esposa, Santa Cunegunda, en 1200.

Felicidades Sr. y Sra. Armando Guzman Por 25 Anos de Matrimonio

P A R I S H M I N I S T R I E S & C H A I R Buildings & Grounds Pat Miele, Alex Aguilar Eucharistic Adoration Dcn Robert Pang Health Mary Loftus Hispanic Community Michaelina Maldonado Ministerios Marianos Luis y Aida Cachichabla Hospitality Robin Miller Men’s Club Bill Loftus. Ralph Olsen Ushers Jake Miraglia Music Elise Espinosa, Chris & Carolyn Yates, Ann Quattrocchi & Eileen Petersen Spanish Choir Carlos Cerna, William Martinez Outreach Maria Nest Parish Council Ralph Olsen Parish Worship Dcn Rob Pang Religious Education Kathleen Dunn RCIA Dcn Robert Pang, Nelson Zamora Catholic Daughters Marge Olsen Right to Life Scott Giblin Social May Pang Spiritual Life Johanna Krumm St. Vincent De Paul Fr. Tom Kunnel

P A R I S H C O U N C I L Alex Aguilar, Kathleen Dunn, Jonathan/Dominika Fanning, Lucia/Sal Caruana, Marleni Lemus, Ray/Beverly Sambrotto,

Irma Vasquez T R U S T E E S

Phil McCartin James Pontone

Our Sacramental Life

Baptism: Please call the Rectory well in advance of the expected day of Bap-tism to arrange an appointment for an interview. Pre-baptismal meeting for parents is required. Godparents must be confirmed, practicing Catholics. Gener-ally Baptisms are celebrated the third Sunday of each month at 12:00 pm.

Reconciliation: Confessions are heard from 3:30-4:00 pm on Saturday. You may also make an appointment with Fr. Tom. Spanish confessions is available from 12:30–1:00 PM on Sundays.

Marriage: Marriages should be arranged at least six months in advance. Partici-pation in Pre-Cana is essential. Please call the Rectory to schedule an appoint-ment with Fr. Tom.

Anointing of the Sick: Before you enter the hospital for elective surgery or other serious treatment, and for those who have need of spiritual healing. In an emergency, please call Fr. Tom’s mobile 845 608 9358.

Holy Orders: Any gentleman interested in exploring the question of vocation to the priesthood or the permanent diaconate should contact Fr. Tom Kunnel. We would also be happy to direct anyone interested in living their lives as Religious Sisters or Brothers.

Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults: For instruction for Baptism, Confirma-tion and Eucharist for adults and to learn about Catholic Faith. If interested please contact Dcn Robert Pang.

For more details and forms—www.stjohnspiermont.org

Parish Registration: All adults (over age 21) should register in the parish themselves and should use envelopes or parishpay.com. Tithing is 5% of income. This registration is our only means of certifying anyone as a member of the parish, especially for Baptism and Confirmation sponsorship letters and for scheduling Baptisms and Weddings.

15th Sunday In Ordinary Time

Find Words:

MyWord DoMyWill Seeds GoodGround FruitfulHarvest Parable Sower

EvilOne RockyGround RichesChoke Thorns Tribulation Persecution FallsAway