HOLY FAMILY CHURCH- NOVEMBER 17, 2013

THOUGHTS FOR THE WEEK

FATHER NOE’S BEST

“…the day will come when not one stone will be left on another.”

This kind of Gospel is called apocalyptic, apocalyptic in the sense that it points to terrible, terrible things that are going to happen. The Gospel does not so much reflect the words of Jesus, as it reflects the writer’s outlook, because in fact Luke was writing this Gospel in what we would call apocalyptic times. Jerusalem had been barbarously invaded by the Romans and razed to the ground. The Temple had been torn down. To appreciate that, think as Catholics, of St. Peter’s in Rome being bombed to smithereens. That’s what it was like for them and even more, bodies lying all over the streets, mass deportations. At the time of this Gospel, the people were standing in the midst of ruin. Again, if you want to appreciate the mentality behind the Gospels, just imagine that you live on one of the Philippian Islands that was recently devastated by a typhoon and you’re standing in the rubble, pulling out bodies from under the debris, wondering where and how you will ever rebuild. Or think back even to the tragedy of 9-11 or the shooting at a school the other day, but more importantly, the wreck of the lives of the innocent and parents, spouses and families who have to cope with all that. This is the vantage point of Luke who wrote this Gospel. His world was collapsing and all was devastation, as happens in different parts of history. You might say: “Well, what does the Gospel have to do with us?” Would I be wrong in saying that I think our times are very much like those last days about which the Gospel is written? Luke describes it as Jesus saying that there will not be one stone left upon another, and all of us have witnessed the stones of our civilization falling one by one. The papers and the news talk about gangs and counter-gangs. Schools in different parts of the country have police in the halls. At the top of the street where my family home is located there is a huge public high school. Police cruisers park on the main entrance every day. There is crime in the streets. Stability has crumbled. Families have crumbled. The divorce rates, the broken homes, the infidelity. Common decency has crumbled. Drugs are the cancer of our society; all the crimes, the wasted lives. Innocent children born “addicted.” The “boarder babies,” as they are called. I saw a report the other day from the U.S. Border patrol where people leave little children and infants at our boarders where they’re waiting for someone to pick them up and hug them. Yes, not one stone left upon another. Could it be that we are called upon like no other time in history to lay the foundation of a Christian culture once more, like many of our ancestors in the Faith? HOW? Somehow, some way, we have to realize that CHRIST OUR LORD is here NOW! Not only in the Word you have heard; not only in the Bread that will be broken.

Doesn’t He come to us in every human person who crosses our path? Haunts our eyes? Beats our ears? Warms himself on the grates of this or that street? Cries for your (my) compassion from behind bars? Yelling for me when I walk in from the parking lot? What of the old and unwanted whether in some slum or even high rise condo? What about every sneer or shrugged shoulder? What about any lonely person where there is laughter and a crowd? Need I even say that Christ the Lord lies alone and afraid in every hospital bed! And Dear God, the children from the bloated bodies of the starving around the world to the battered and shriveled souls that swarm into the Covenant Houses of our major U.S. cities. What of the “coked” and “crashed” on our own streets? Spend 48 hours with me and see sometimes what is brought into the emergency room! Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again! When is He coming again, on Christmas? At the end of time? I think that the message of the Gospel is committing each one of us to act as if Christ the Lord were already here, because He is! And He is here!

I’ve tried to help you hear Him in His word. You will soon cradle Him in your hands or pillow Him on your tongue. But maybe the real question is: Do you find Him out there; in every human person who crosses your path, haunts your eye, or beats your ear? Or must you weep with Mary Magdalene at the tomb: “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” If you have already discovered Christ out there or when you do discover Him, what must you do? I can’t tell you that. I do know that when Saul was knocked to the ground, “What shall I do, Lord?” And the Lord will say in His own way what He said to Saul: “Rise and go into the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” Not necessarily Winchester Ave. or Central Park. Go simply where people are, where people hurt; look into someone’s eyes, listen a little and He will tell you what to do. And when He does, He will have come again…to YOU!

Peace, Father John

MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK

Monday November 18 7:50 a.m. +Edmund Ezie

Tuesday November 19 7:50 a.m. Ralph LeMaster, healing Wednesday November 20 7:50 a.m. +Veronica Thistle Thursday November 21 7:50 a.m. +Opal Callihan Friday November 22 7:50 a.m. +Frank Ratliff Saturday November 23 4:00 p.m. +Virginia Ann Gardner Sunday November 24 7:30 a.m. St. Lawrence- People of the Parish 9:00 a.m. +Corinne Nicholson 11:15 a.m. +Jack Mulvaney

33RD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

This Week in our Parish Monday November 18

6:30 p.m. Bible Study- Judy Fields’ home 6:30 p.m. Guild of St. Monica- Undercroft Tuesday November 19

6:30 p.m. Book Group- Pat Huges’ home 6:45 p.m. RCIA- Undercroft Wednesday November 20

6:30 p.m. CCD Classes- School 6.30 p.m. Confirmation Class- Undercroft 7:00 p.m. Prayer & Praise Group- Undercroft Thursday November 21

Adoration following 7:50 a.m. Mass *Rosary Group- 12:30 p.m. **Rosary and Benediction 7:30 p.m. Friday November 22

9:00 a.m. Guild of St. Monica- Undercroft Saturday November 23

Adoration at 3 p.m until just before Mass at 4 p.m. 3:00 p.m. Confessions Sunday November 24

PRAY FOR OUR SICK, ESPECIALLY- 1. Marc Haney, Pat Somers, Kate Reese, Joe Curtis

Mary Fugeman, Nancy Wilson, Laura Potter, JoAnn Halleck,

Joe Curtis, Bill Brislin, John Bush, Becky Bentley, Gloria Fosson, Gail Layne, Bill Story, Charlie Boyd, Jean Murer, Frank Quinlan, Joan Skaggs, Margie Sheridan, Emma Maynard, Wanda Daniel, John Kadar, Duke Sheridan, Larry Gates, Sr. Elizabeth Weiman, Rosemarie Ellington, Megan Kern, Jane Range

2. Ralph LeMaster, Homer Skeens, Patty & Ed Hacker, Terry Mulvaney, Neil Mulvaney, Jane Hood Smith, Ellie Berry, Bob Winters, Don Childers, Al Janson, Nada Tabet, Janet Keller, Sean Hammack, Christopher Steele, Shirley Hambrick, J. J.,

3. Mary Hughes, Paula Cannon, Cindy Henneman, Larry Lemaster, Jim Goldcamp, Barbara Naybor, Tom Byrne, Pauline Appeldorn, Vinnie Muccini, Jack Bragg, Mary Mowery, Martha George, Clyde Wallace, Laura Debord, Fred Schmitz, Beth Cournan, Matthew Wolfe, Garnet Damico, Becky Curtis, Steve Caudill, Stella Wallace, Tyler Diedrick, Robert Slusher, Betty Serey, Britney Colegrove (Sheridan), Judith Thompson, Willa Mae Mulvaney, Linda Sansom, Jim & Janie Terreo

PRAY FOR OUR MILITARY, ESPECIALLY:

A1C Richard Aldrich, Sgt. James Bentley, PFC William Carney, Private Kevin Bragg, Kenton Fulmer, Chris Bogar, Bray Keeling, MSG Anthony Mulvaney, Shane Jobe, Lance Cpl. Stephen Lien, Col. Anthony Sinnott, Sgt. Patrick B. Callahan, Brandon White, Lt. Col. John Mills, II Lt. Sean Allen, Eric Distel, Richard Stump, Matthew Jancsek, Nick E. Gray

PRAYER REQUESTS: For prayer requests or to join the Prayer Network, Contact Sara Ramey at 324-4580.

If no answer, please leave a message or e-mail hfpprayer@hotmail.com

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH- We are seeking volunteers to light the Advent Wreath for each weekend Mass during December. Individuals or families are welcome. Please call Karen at 324-8959 and let me know which mass and weekend works best for you or your family.

Thank You- The family of Mildred Gillespie would like to extend their appreciation to all of the Holy Family Parishioners who prayed for Mildred during her extended illness. We would also like to thank Steve Brislin and Larry Goheen for taking communion to her, Greg and the choir for singing beautifully, and Linda the organist for playing so wonderfully at her Memorial Mass and finally Father Noe for the heartfelt homily and funeral mass.

Readings for the week of November 17

Sun 17 33rd

Sunday in Ordinary Time Malachi 3:19-20a; 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12; Luke 21:5-19 Mon 18 Weekday 1 Maccabees 1:10-15, 41-43, 54-57, 62-63; Luke 18:35-43 Tue 19 Weekday 2 Maccabees 6:18-31; Luke 19:1-10 Wed 20 Weekday 2 Maccabees 7:1, 20-31; Luke 19:11-28 Thu 21 Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary 1 Maccabees 2:15-29; Luke 19:41-44 Fri 22 Memorial of Saint Cecilia 1 Maccabees 4:36-37, 52-59; Luke 19:45-48

Sat 23 Weekday 1 Maccabees 6:1-13; Luke 20:27-40

Sun 24 Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King

2 Samuel 5:1-3; Colossians 1:12-20; Luke 23:35-43

November 17, 2013 - 33rd

Sunday in Ordinary Time

“All that you see here – the days will come when there

will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be

thrown down.” Luke 21:6

Thanks to the effort of a billion-dollar advertising industry, our material expectations continue to rise year after year. Yet, today, speaking about the end of time, Jesus reminds us that all the material possessions we spend our time and energy to accumulate will become nothing but rubble in the end. What will really matter will be the time we spend on improving our relationship with our God.

“Let us focus on generosity, or returning God’s gifts with increase, through the generous sharing of our

time, talent and treasure.”

Sunday, November 10, 2013 Offering Received $ 7,663.00

Weekly Budget Needed $11,500.00

Cub Scout Pack 104

And

Girl Scouts Troop 90

The Dressing Room is in desperate need of several items

this winter. They are giving out over a 100 blankets

a day to families in the area!!

Gently used/new Jeans (all sizes)

Gently used/new blankets

Gently used/new coats (all sizes)

New socks

New underwear (all sizes)

Money donations (please turn into office)

Boxes will be located in front of office and in the

vestibule of the church.

Thank You for helping us help others this

winter!

2308For Advertising Inform

ation CALL

1-800-282-5106

Alexander Hou, M.D., FACS617 23rd St., Ste. 445, Ashland, KY

www.vascularinstituteKY.com324-1070

• Aneurysms• Varicose Veins• Carotid Disease• Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)

Vascular Institute of Kentucky, PSC

Ashland Child DevelopmentInfant and Toddler ProgramAges 6 wks - 3 years

1538 Central Ave., Ashland606-329-1744

2308For Advertising Inform

ation CALL

1-800-282-5106

Alexander Hou, M.D., FACS617 23rd St., Ste. 445, Ashland, KY

www.vascularinstituteKY.com324-1070

• Aneurysms• Varicose Veins• Carotid Disease• Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)

Vascular Institute of Kentucky, PSC

Ashland Child DevelopmentInfant and Toddler ProgramAges 6 wks - 3 years

1538 Central Ave., Ashland606-329-1744