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TO BE
CATHOLIC IS TO BE
PRO-LIFE!
Tom & Carol Bielejeski
President: Steve Reding (559) 275-4977 X-3014 www.careding.com
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PRAY TO END ABORTION
St. Michael’s Catholic Church
Office Hours: Monday 9-2pm
T-F, 8:30-12:00&1:00-4:00pm Other times by appointment only
5882 North Ashley Lane
Stockton, CA 95215
(209) 931-0639 or (209) 931-6536
Fax: (209) 931-3621
Website: www.stmichaelpar ish.net
E-mail: [email protected]
178th Edition
Sacraments Confession: Saturday-4:00-5:00pm
Baptism: 1st & 3rd Saturday 11:00am English Baptism: 2nd & 4th Saturday 11:00am Spanish
Marriage: 6 months advance notice & Pre-marriage preparation required
Schedule of Masses Saturday 7:15am&5:15pm Sunday 7:30am&10:30am Sunday 2:00pm Spanish
Holy Days English 7:15am, 6:00pm Spanish 7:30pm Weekdays 7:15am
First Friday Holy Hour 4:00 pm Mass 7:15am, 5:00 pm
November 6, 2016
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament: Perpetual Adoration Chapel
(Enter from Vestibule of the Church) For Adoration hours Please Call: Roberta 931-3104 or Jan 956-2861
The following hours are available for
permanent coverage. Mondays 12:00am to 1 am
Mondays 1 am to 2 am 4th Tuesday of the month
from 4am to 5 am This is a once-a –month commitment
ST. MICHAEL’S MISSION STATEMENT
St. Michael’s Parish is a Catholic faith community deeply rooted in the Holy Eucharist. Through our faith and worship, we honor the Lord’s command-ment to love Him and one another, to proclaim the Gospel and bring about a fair and just world for all people.
Pastor Msgr. Agustin Gialogo
In Residence Msgr. Richard J. Ryan, J.C.D.
Deacon Allen Moznett 209 598-4811 [email protected]
Deacon/Business Manager Edward Formosa 209 401-8378 [email protected]
Parish Secretary Diane McSorley 209 931-0639 [email protected]
Director of Religious Education Sr. Angelamaria De Leo, msc 209 931-2696 [email protected]
Director of Adult Faith Formation Roz Rine 209 931-0639 [email protected]
Director of RCIA Elena Molina 209 931-5390 [email protected]
Bulletin /Bookkeeping Patti Saldaña 209 931-3128 [email protected]
Veneration of the Relic of St. Faustina: The 3rd Thursday of each month
at 3pm in the church
There will be a second collection today for the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA.
Veterans Day is November 11th Let us Honor all Veterans and especially
The Veterans and their families from our community
Don Serafin Cana, US Navy
Benjamin Alarca, US Army
Jon Wessling, US Air Force
George Mafi, US Army
Hermie G. Aguada, US Navy
Abello Halog, US Navy
Richard Hardin, US Marine Corps
Craig Crumpacker, US Air Force
Diane Crumpacker, US Air Force
Michael Kaehler, US Navy
Brendon Onyejikwe, US Army
James F. Becerra, US Army
Ryan Michael Breen
Julian O. Bava+, US Army
Dewey Ray Bertroch+, US Air Force
John Siebenthal+, US Army
Louis D. Lemos+, US Air Force
James Ley+, US Navy
Elmo Biglieri+
Robert Lewis Trent+, US Army
Robert Trent, Jr.+, US Army
Peter Ballestrasse+
Michael Burke+, US Marine Corps
John McKannoy+, US Army
Francis Burke+, Coast Guard
David Becerra+, US Army
Arturo “Daniel” Montion+, US Army
Bishop Blaire will be closing the Holy Doors at the Cathedral on November 12th. If you haven’t had a chance to go through them, you need to get over there.
How to receive a plenary indulgence during the Holy Year of Mercy The Holy See has designated four ways that Catholics may receive a plenary indulgence during the Holy Year of Mercy, which will begin on Dec. 8 and conclude on Nov. 20, 2016. Only one plenary indulgence may be received per day. A sin-gle participation in the sacrament of penance can apply to any reception of a plenary indulgence 20 days before or after go-ing to confession. However, reception of Communion and praying for the intentions of the pope and the pope himself are required for each plenary indulgence.
For more information on indulgences, consult paragraphs #1471-#1479 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. In order to receive a plenary indulgence by visiting one of these pilgrimage churches, Catholics need to fulfill the following conditions:
Pass through the doors of mercy of the church.
Make a profession of faith in the church (either the Apostles’ or Nicene Creed).
Pray for the pope’s intentions and the pope himself.
Meditate on mercy while receiving Communion during a period either 20 days before or after visiting the church.
Participate in the sacrament of penance during a period either 20 days before or after visiting the church.
Save the date: Yes, it is not quite Thanksgiving so you know it is time to talk about Christmas! St. Michael’s Parish Annual Christmas Dinner and party will be on December 10th. This fun filled evening will include cock-tails, dinner, & a visit from Santa. Bring the whole family and prepare to have fun! La cena anual de Navidad de la parroquia de San Miguel y la fiesta serán el 10 de diciembre. Esta no-che llena de diversión incluirá cócteles, cena, y una visita de San-ta. ¡Traiga a toda la familia y prepárese para divertirse!
Today’s Gospel:
Luke 20:27-38
Congratulations to the families of:
Aurora Isabelle Aguilar Gustoavo Uriel Aguilar Dairo Antonio Pineda Patron Nolberto Angulo Rosiebell Guadalupe Gonzalez Valeti Ofa He Lotu Taukeiaho Elijah Lasam Marquez Nicole Danielle Harris Dalilah Alexandria Perez Arthur Kash Maglalang
Jacqueline Marie Bossuat Nikolas Mayorga Lydia Aiyana Mayorga Landon Alastair Fields Jacob David Lozano Rein Arkin Talaid Clemente Catalina Rovira Uriel Plascencia Esqueda Fabian Perez, Jr.
Who received the Sacrament of Baptism in October 2016 Congratulation to:
Justo Azpeitia Rebolledo & Yolanda Cano
Nicolas Jaime Arceo & Mayra Elena Basulto
John Carlo Tiburcio Villalobos & Katrina de Castro Lagera
Who received the Sacrament of Marriage in October 2016
Sister Angela & the Sacro Costato Missionary Sisters are hav-ing their annual fundraiser, selling frozen lumpia. The cost is $5.00/dozen. Please call Sister Angela at 209 931-2696 to place your orders.
In Loving Memory of
Sialofi Fahina &
Siu Lolovao Manu
In Celebration of the lives of
Jose Galvez Edita & Quintin Abellera
& Carlo Abellera
In Loving Memory of
Kaho Tesimoni &
Tevita H. Hafoka
In Loving Memory of Herbert A. & Mable H. Mer-ritt; Dawn Landeen, Shannon Denby, Eddie Reposa, Clinton Paraka, George Newel Merritt
& Andrew Merritt
In Loving Memory of
Bruno & Frances
Malucchi
In Loving Memory of
Maria Luz Tirado Canchola
Mafi Concrete Design
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SPIRITUAL ADOP-TION PROGRAM: Re-member your spiritually adopted unborn baby whose mother is considering abor-tion, and pledge to pray for him or her every day that the mother will choose life for her child. The prayer is,
“Jesus, Mary,
and Joseph I
love you very
much. I beg of you to
spare the life of the un-
born baby that I have
spiritually adopted who is
in danger of abortion.”
BellaLise School of Dance Is Taking Registration
for the 2015-2016 dance year. Offering:
Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop And Adult Fitness
for children 2-18 years old. $50 monthly tuition
(family discount) $25 registration fee
Studio Location: 18827 East Highway 26
Linden, CA 95236 Please contact us for
registration information and class schedule (209) 845-8246 or
[email protected] See you in class!
www.musicismymotto.com
Attention Young Adults!!! - All are welcome, 18 and older to Young Adults Group on
Sunday's at 9 am in Room 9. If you have any questions or for more information you may contact us through email at
St. Michael’s has many ministries in need of caring volunteers. Some ask for a very small amount of your time. There are many to choose from. Please inquire at the office about the various ministries and how you can make a difference!
Cheapest Rate in Town!
Ramel Cruz (209) 298-5077 Maria Celena Cruz (209) 688-8776
Patricia Saldaña Enrolled Agent, Notary Public,
Parishioner of St. Michaels
Trivia Answer: B. The Pope
Year of Mercy - Excerpts from the Diary of St. Faustina
Schedules for next weekend, November 12-13 Lectors
5:15PM Rick Knipper, Mia Knipper
7:30AM Andrew Dasso, Gloria Silveria
10:30AM Patti Saldana, Mardy White
2:00PM Juan Esqueda, Sonia Valencia
Eucharistic Ministers 5:15PM Deacon Ed, D. Montion, E. Miller
7:30AM K. Boore, M. Wiesner, M. Solari
10:30AM Deacon Al, C. Hofheinz, S. Garcia, G. Saldana, S. Habecker, S. Habecker, T. Habecker
2:00PM L. Ma. Barreto, J.J. Charre, Ch. Charre, R. Mecrano, L. Ma. Paniagua, A. Valencia, D. Valencia
Altar Servers 5:15PM R. Torralva, M. Kaehler, M. Rodriguez
7:30 AM A. Bennett, A. Hughes, E. Renteria
10:30AM S. Ponce de Leon, F. Solano-Rosas, Z. McCormack 2:00 PM A. Cardona, A. Cardona, J. Felix
Weekly Collection Offertory $6,609.29
World Mission $1,731.22
All Saints Day $1,265.09
Candles $ 260.25 Please use your church envelopes!
40 Days for Life –Thanks You! With God’s grace we completed another fruitful 40 Days for Life. “Thank you, “ to all who prayed, sacrificed and reached out to the community. All are welcome to the free Ice Cream Social today, November 6th at 3 pm at St. Berna-dette’s Hall (2523 Country Club Blvd.). Good fun and sto-ries from the sidewalk will be shared. Visit www.40daysforlife.com/Stockton or call Pilar 957-1822.
On Nov 6th, all three masses Divine Mercy will be selling their Rosaries. This will be the last time that your able to purchase a Mercy Year Rosary, as the year is coming to an end. Thank you all for your support
Family Bingo is back! Saturday, November 12th after 5:15 pm Mass. Bring your family for food, fun & prizes. Pro-ceeds to Rose Liel Hall Kitchen remodel. Save the date for the Annual Christmas Boutique, December 3rd & 4th and the rummage sale May 5th & 6th.
Upcoming Parish Events: November 5, Saturday, Table Setting, FMC; 11:00 am November 9, Pastoral Council meeting at 7:00 pm November 15, Stewardship meeting at 7:00 pm November 16, Memorial Mass of Knights of Columbus at 6:00 pm November 17, Financial Council meeting at 9:30 am November 18, Liturgy meeting at 10:00 am November 19, Day of Recollection (The Joy of God’s Mercy) at 8:30 am, FMC November 20, Feast of Chr ist the King, Masses: 7:30 am; 10:30 am, to be followed by Solemn Procession after the mass; 2:00 pm (Spanish) with procession also. November 24, Thanksgiving Day, Masses: 7:15 am & 9:00 am
Save the Date- The West Coast Walk for Life will be on Saturday, January 21, 2011. Prices for bus reserva-tions will be the same as last year. We will start accept-ing reservations in December. This is one of the great evangelizing events for St. Michael's every year so make sure you reserve a spot on our bus.
FREE PAMPHLETS!!!! Want to learn more about your Catholic faith or how to defend the Church from attacks? Check out the new pamphlets in the plastic rack located in the Vesti-bule! They are free, interesting and informative. Take one for yourself and one for a friend. Have a topic on Catholicism that you are interested in learning more about? Please email me at djkonczal [email protected] and I will see what I can find.
Please remember to return your Sacrificial Gift Weekly Pledge card to the office or drop it in the offering bas-ket.
The Cathedral of the Annunciation is seeking a fulltime Pastoral Associate for Mission of the Parish and Administration. This indi-vidual will provide effective oversight and leadership to all parish ministries and administrative functions. In addition, this individual must be an active parishioner of a Catholic parish and have a parish and administrative experience. Submit a resume to Dennis Taricco at [email protected]. A complete job description and qualificaitons can be found on our website at http://www.annunciationstockton.org.
Marriage Encounter Married Couples! How would you rate your marriage? You are eligible for a Worldwide Marriage Encoun-ter Weekend not because you need it, but because you and your marriage deserve it! It’s a beautiful weekend experience designed for couples of all ages and backgrounds to enrich their mar-riage. Make this season special by devoting one weekend to your marriage. The next Marriage Encounter Weekend is February 10-12, 2017. For more information please visit our website at: https://www.stocktonwwme.org or contact John & Angeli-ca at [email protected] or 209-691-0603.
Rose Liel Hall & Kitchen It is time to clean and update the kitchen!
WE NEED YOUR HELP! Final plans have been drawn by our architect for the remodel of Rose Liel Hall kitchen and we are waiting for the estimated cost. We feel we will surely need at least another $25 to $30 thousand dollars. The final plans will be on display in Rose Liel Hall. The hall hosts 60% of the church’s functions and truly needs to be remod-eled. The Ladies Guild and Knights of Columbus will appre-ciate any and all donations.
Donations can be made out to St. Michaels and left in the office or with Joe Lombardi or Gail Cesena.
Interested in teaching in a Catholic School? To learn more, please attend an Informational Meeting from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm on November 19th at Ryan Center, St. Joachim Room, 220 N San Joaquin St., Stockton 95202
Please RSVP to Cynthia Chavez at 209 466 0636. Prayers for the Sick – Louis Filas, Lynn Perry, Larry Silvieria, Merle Bowmen, Marie Parra, Cali Vanni, Harold “Gi” Raggio, Mark Fer-nandez, Corey Bowerman, Estela Flores, Vanessa Sanchez, Cathy Westphal, Pedro Alvarez, Valeti Fakava, Linda Bosche, Yvonne Ley, Catherine Maghi-
rang, Jaime Villarreal, Deacon Al Moznett, Enrique Parada, Lourdes Parada, Matt Lemos, Veronica Carranza, Richard Hinojos, Ted Kerr Jr., Jose Fuentes, Raymond Fuentes, Kasandra Nicole Valenzuela, Hector Vega, Stella Mia Baez, Jamerson & Jackson Lopez, Kelly Rod-dy, Pat Harris, Tom & Noelle Seesing, Joseph Madar, Lynda Ripley, Aaron Devencenzi, Shawn Arnell, Diane Daugherty, Sam Mafi, & Sal Castellon. Please call the office to add your loved ones name for prayers.
Mass Intentions for the Week Saturday - November 5
7:15AM Sean O’Farrell+ Jessica Rine Heath– Intention
5:15PM Souls of the Faithful Departed+
Sunday November 6
7:30AM Marie De Mellow+ Joaquin Costa+ Zosima M. Juan+ Filomena Juan+ Florencia M. Juan+ Carlos Santillan+
10:30AM Mass for the People (Missa Pro Populi)
2:00PM All souls in Purgatory+
Monday November 7
7:15AM Rudy Dizon+ Josephine Schenone+ Carlos Santillan+
Tuesday November 8
7:15AM Cristina Marie Aguada+ Michael Butzner-Intention Carlos Santillan+
Wednesday November 9
7:15PM John & Margarida Cotta+ Gerry Giudice+ Carlos Santillan+
Thursday November 10
7:15AM Maria Parente+ Carlos Santillan+
Friday November 11
7:15AM Anwar “Andy” Machiwalla+ Carlos Santillan+
Saturday November 12
7:15AM Joseph Michael Jaeger+ Carlos Santillan+ Departed Legionaries+ Teresita Gloria+
5:15PM Souls of the Faithful Departed+
Readings for the Week Monday Ti 1:1-9 Ps 24:1b-4b,5-6 Lk 17:1-6
Tuesday Ti 2:1-8,11-14 Ps 37:3-4,18,23,27,29 Lk 17:7-10
Wednesday Dedication of the Lateran Basilica Ez 47:1-2,8-9,12 Ps 46:2-3,5-6,8-9 1Cor 3:9c-11,16-17 Jn 2:13-22
Thursday St. Leo the Great Phlm 7-20 Ps 146:7-10 Lk 17:20-25
Friday St. Martin of Tours 2Jn 4-9 Ps 119:1-2,10-11,17-18 Lk 17:26-37
Saturday St. Josaphat 3Jn 5-8 Ps 112:1-6 Lk 18:1-8
Sunday Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time Mal 3:19-20a Ps 98:5-9 2Thes 3:7-12 Lk 21:5-19
Calendar for the Week Mon., Nov. 7 7 pm Light Weigh bible study LMC #7
Tues., Nov. 8 8:30 am Ladies Guild Crafts RLH 8:30 am Respect Life LMC #8 10 am Adult Bible Study LMC #7,8,9,10,11 6:30 pm RCIA LMC #7/8,11 7 pm Divorce Survival Guide LMC#10
Wed., Nov. 9 Noon Ladies Guild RLH 4 pm– 5:30 pm Catechism Classes 4 pm Parent Bible Study FMC 6:30pm-9pm Spanish Charismatic Prayer Group FMC-Meeting Room 7 pm Pastoral Council LMC office 7pm Our Lady Queen of Peace in Chapel
Thu., Nov. 10 6 pm Festival Volunteer Dinner RLH 6:30 pm Catholic Charities mtg RLH 6:30-8 pm Luke: Gospel of Mercy LMC#9 7 pm Charismatic Prayer English LMC #8
Fri., Nov. 11 No activities
Sat., Nov. 12 8:am Study: Luke: Gospel of Mercy RLH 6:30 pm Family Bingo RLH
Sun., Nov. 13 9 am Young adults meeting LMC#9
Thirtieth-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time In today’s second reading, St. Paul prays that the Thessalonians may be strengthened “in every good deed and word.” May we, too, be strengthened and empowered to use our time and talents for the good of others.
En la segunda lectura de hoy, San Pablo ora para que los Tesalonicenses sean fortalecidos “en todo bien de pala-bra o de obra.” Que nosotros, también, seamos fortalecidos y llenos de poder para usar nuestro tiempo y nuestros talentos para el bien de los demás.
Catholic Trivia! - Answer located in the ads section Who is the Head of State and the Head of Government of Vati-can City?
A. The Prime Minister of Italy B. The Pope C. The Dean of the College of Cardinals D. The Archbishop of Venice
NOTICIAS DIOCESANAS En Noviembre
Semana Nacional de la Vocaciones. Esta se llevará a cabo del 6 al 12 de Noviembre. Ore por todos los llamados al Ministerio en nuestra Iglesia, para que escuchen la voz de Dios y experimenten la fuerza que Dios da para poder responder a su llamado.
Calendario del Obispo Blaire.
Sábado, Noviembre 12: Cierre de la Puerta Santa Catedral de la Anunciación Misa a la 5:30 pm
Misa Azul –La Secundaria de Santa María, tendrá su Misa Azul de cada año para honrar a los Servicios de Emergencia en nuestra comu-nidad, el 22 de Noviembre a las 9:00 am.
Cena de Obispo con los seminaristas. La cena anual para recau-dar fondos, patrocinada por el Ministerio de Familias por la Vocación y Sanación se llevará a cabo en la parroquia de Nuestra Señora de Fátima, en Modesto, el 19 de Noviembre. Pueda encontrar más infor-mación en http://www.fvhm.org/what-we-do.html
Feliz Día de Acción de Gracias. El Obispo Blaire le envía a Ud y a su familia sus mejores deseos y les asegura su oración agradecida en la celebración del Día de Acción de Gracias.
DIOCESAN NEWS In November
National Vocations Awareness Week is November 6-12.
Pray for all those called to ministry in our Church that they will hear God’s voice and know the strength God gives to answer that call.
On Bishop Blaire’s Calendar
Saturday, November 12-Closing the Holy Doors Cathedral of the Annunciation 5:30 pm Mass
Blue Mass– St. Mary’s High School, Stockton will hold its an-nual Blue Mass to honor first responders in our community on November 22, 9:00 am.
Bishop’s Dinner for Seminarians The annual Seminar ian fund raising dinner, sponsored by the Families for Vocation and Healing Ministry, will be held at Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Modesto on November 19th. More information can be found here: http://www.fvhm.org/what-we-do.html
Happy Thanksgiving Bishop Blaire sends you and your fami-ly greetings and assurance of his grateful prayer as we celebrate the American feast of Thanksgiving.
For Thanksgiving—Canned food donations for Catholic Charities and needy families in our parish are being accepted. Donation boxes will be located in the church vestibule, Rose Liel Hall and near the classrooms. Please no perishable items.
Para Acción de Gracias -donaciones de alimentos enlatados-para Caridades Católicas y familias necesitadas de nuestra parroquia están siendo aceptadas. Cajas de donación estarán situados en el vestíbulo de la iglesia, Rose Liel Hall y cerca de las salones de clases. Por fa-vor, no productos perecederos.
National Vocation Awareness Week,
November 6-12, 2016
Calls Catholics to Greater Prayer, Aware-
ness in How They Support Vocations
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
WASHINGTON—The Catholic Church in the United States will celebrate National Vocation Awareness Week, November 6-12, 2016. This observance, sponsored by the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations, is a spe-cial time for parishes in the U.S. to foster a culture of vocations for the priesthood, diaconate and consecrated life.
Pope Francis, in his November 2013 apos-tolic exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium, un-derlined the continued need to build a cul-ture of vocations. “The fraternal life and fervor of the community can awaken in the young a desire to consecrate themselves completely to God and to preaching of the Gospel. This is particularly true if such a living community prays insistently for vo-cations and courageously proposes to its young people the path of special consecra-tion,” Pope Francis wrote.
“A culture of vocations is one that pro-vides the necessary support for others to hear and respond to God’s call in their lives,” said Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of Raleigh, North Carolina, chairman of the
U.S. bishops’ Committee on Clergy, Con-secrated Life and Vocations. “With God’s grace, we help build that culture through fervent prayer, the witness of our lives and the encouragement we extend to those dis-cerning a vocation to priesthood or conse-crated life.”
A 2012 study, “Consideration of Priest-hood and Religious Life Among Never-Married U.S. Catholics,” conducted by the Georgetown University-based Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA), highlighted the role community encouragement plays in the discernment process. (Full study: www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/vocations/survey-of-youth-and-young-adults-on-vocations.cfm)
“The number three seems to be critical in making a difference in the life of someone contemplating a vocation,” said Father Shawn McKnight, USCCB’s executive director of Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations. “When three or more people encourage someone to consider a religious vocation, he or she is far more likely to take serious steps toward answering that call.”
Father John Guthrie, associate director of Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations, adds that National Vocation Awareness Week should also focus on communities that are underrepresented among religious vocations today, especially Hispanics.
“While numbers of U.S. Hispanics pursu-ing religious vocations are picking up, they still lag behind the overall demographic trends,” said Father Guthrie. “Fifty-four percent of U.S. Catholics under the age of 25 are Hispanic, yet only 15 percent of students in major seminaries are Hispanic, and many of these were born in other countries. To reach this untapped potential, the Church must do far more to engage and support young people in these communi-ties.”
Observance of Vocation Awareness Week began in 1976 when the U.S. bishops des-ignated the 28th Sunday of the year for the celebration. It was later moved to Feast of the Baptism of the Lord in January. In 2014, after extensive consultation, the Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations moved the observance of National Vocation Awareness Week to November to engage Catholic schools and colleges more effectively in this ef-fort. This will be the first year it will be held in November.
More information and resources for Na-tional Vocations Awareness Week, includ-ing a prayer card, suggested prayers of the faithful and bulletin-ready quotes are avail-able online at www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/vocations/national-vocation-awareness-week.cfm
Gospel Reflection:
Jesus argues that all are alive to God. Sunday’s gospel is a controversy story, a literary form with little narrative action and a simple question and answer format. Early Christians used this literary form to put Je-sus’ sayings into dialog with questions they faced after he was gone from their midst. For a 21st century hearer, Sunday’s gospel raises many questions. Who are the Saddu-cees? What do they believe? What law of Moses commands brothers to marry their childless, widowed sisters-in-law? Did peo-ple really keep this law? What exactly is Jesus’ point about what God tells Moses in the passage about the bush? How does this passage show the dead are raised? More than many gospels, Sunday’s contro-versy story resists interpretation unless we learn about the beliefs and practices of the religious sects in Jesus’ time, namely, Sad-ducees, Pharisees, Zealots, and Essenes. They have strikingly different attitudes to-ward the Roman authorities, toward the in-terpretation of Israel’s scriptures, and toward what the future holds. The Sadducees who questions Jesus in Sunday’s gospel belongs to the group that has authority over temple activities, authori-ty which they receive from the ruling Ro-mans. The Sadducees are very conservative. For them, only Torah—the first five books of Moses—is holy scripture. In this, they differ from the Pharisees, who include the prophets and wisdom literature among the writings they regard as holy. By limiting their beliefs to Torah, Sadducees reject belief in angels or the spirit world, belief in a messiah to come, or belief in the
resurrection. On these points they oppose the Pharisees. The Sadducee in Sunday’s gospel seeks to embroil Jesus in the controversy his group has with the Pharisees about resurrection. The temple, the special domain of the Sad-ducees, is the setting of Sunday’s gospel. In the Sadducees’ view, the case of the woman with seven husbands demonstrates the foolishness of resurrection. Which broth-er will be her husband in the afterlife? The Sadducee’s case extends an Old Tes-tament law, called the Levirate law, to an absurd degree. Most bibles have a cross ref-erencing system that cites other parts of scripture to which a passage refers. Using such cross-referencing tools one can learn that Luke 20:28 refers to Deuteronomy 25:5, the Mosaic command that a brother marry his widowed sister-in-law . One can also find that in Luke 20:37 Jesus is quoting Exodus 3:6, where God tells Moses, “I am the God of your ancestors.” Both Deuteronomy and Exodus are among the first five books of the bible, Torah. The Sadducee presents a case against resurrec-tion from the fifth book of Torah, and Jesus refutes him with an argument from Exodus, the second book of Torah. Deuteronomy 25:5 obligates the brother of a man who dies with no child to perpetuate his name by taking the widow as his own wife. This is the Levirate law. Children born from this union are the legal heirs and descendants of the dead brother. Implicit in this practice, well-known in Je-sus’ time, is a biological understanding of immortality. One lives forever through one’s offspring. Jesus’ answer recognizes the Sadducee’s
real issue has nothing to do with the hypo-thetical case of a woman with seven hus-bands but focuses on the denial of resurrec-tion. Jesus dismisses the Sadducees’ as-sumption that life in the resurrection will be identical to life on earth. He insists this life will not depend on marriage and biological immortality. The Jesus substantiates his claim by argu-ing from a verse in the story of the burning bush from Exodus 3. Here modern readers need to remember the first book of Torah is Genesis, which tells the sagas of Israel’s earliest ancestors— Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebecca, and Jacob, Leah, and Rachel. The book of Gene-sis ends in Egypt, where Jacob and his fami-ly find food during a famine. Exodus, the second book of Torah, begins some generations later when the Pharaoh of Egypt has forced the descendants of Jacob into slavery to build his cities. In Exodus 3, God hears the cries of these enslaved de-scendants and calls Moses to free them. God speaks to Moses from a burning bush, “I am the God of your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” Where is the argument for resurrection in these words? Sources such as the Dead Sea Scrolls show Jesus practicing the type of biblical interpretation contemporary in his day. Jesus argues that God’s words to Moses in Exodus 3 show that the ancestors Abra-ham, Isaac, and Jacob are alive to God, and therefore must have been raised from the dead. His argument convinces his audience. Je-sus beats the Sadducees at their own game; he uses their scriptures to prove the validity of belief in the resurrection.
On this Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time we begin National Vocation Awareness Week. Let us celebrate all have given their lives in service to the Church by renewing our own baptismal commitment to serve the Lord. Please consider your call to serve God in your particular vocation. Hopefully some of you will hear a call to priesthood, diaconate or religious life and will be open to that possibility. If you would like assis-tance, please contact (supply information for contacting the local vocation director or a pastoral staff person). We will have a special observance of National Vocation Awareness Week (include information of place and time).
En este Trigésimo segundo domingo del Tiempo Ordinario damos comienzo a la Semana Nacional de Concientización Vocacional. Recordemos a aquellos que han entregado sus
vidas al servicio de la iglesia renovando nuestro propio com-promiso bautismal de servir al Señor. Por favor, consideren el llamado al servicio de Dios en cualquiera que sea su vocación particular. Esperemos que algunos de ustedes escuchen el lla-mado al sacerdocio, diaconado o a la vida religiosa y estén dispuestos a esa posibilidad. Para mayor asistencia favor de
comuníquense con el director vocacional local o con algún miembro del personal de la parroquia. Se tendrá una celebra-ción especial durante la Semana Nacional de Concientización Vocacional. (Incluir información de la fecha y lugar del even-to).
Joke of the Day!
A kindergarten teacher gave her class a " show and tell" assignment of bringing something to represent their reli-gion. The first boy got in front of the class and said, "My name is Benjamin and I am Jewish and this is the Star of David." The second boy got in front of the class and said, "My name is Mary. I'm am Catholic and this is the Crucifix." The third boy got in front of the class and said, "My name is Tommy and I am Baptist and this is a casserole."
For the past year or so, my husband has helped count the collection money after church. One Sunday a visitor placed a $500 check in the plate. After the service my husband congrat-ulated the priest on the large donation. "I’m sure it was be-cause of your wonderful sermon," he gushed.
"Oh, boy," replied the priest. "If you can’t be more honest than that, how can I trust you to count our money?"
Church Festival News:
A thank you dinner will be served for the volunteers on Thursday November 10th, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. Chairper-sons, please RSVP to Claudia Mall 224-4662 by Mon-day Nov. 7th. Thank you.
