Welcome and inspire all to share Christ’s love

through faith and service.

St. Bernard Congregation of Appleton 1617 West Pine Street, Appleton, WI 54914 920-739-0331

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WEBPAGE stbernardappleton.org

FACEBOOK stbernardappleton

EMAIL stbernard@stbernardappleton.org

August 2, 2020

PRIEST: Father Jude Egbuna

ACTIVE DEACON: Mike Eash Greg Humpal

RETIRED DEACONS: Don Nass Maury Reed Bob Vincent

MASS TIMES 4:30 pm Saturday 8:00 am Sunday 10:00 am Sunday 10:00 am Mass will also be livestreamed 8:00 am Tuesday-Friday

RECONCILIATION

3:00 pm Saturdays

MUSINGS FROM THE DEACON CAVE

Nested in the Love of God For the past four months at work we have been: entertained, flummoxed, agitated, mesmerized, and baffled by a pair of mourning doves that continue to try and build their nest by the windshield wipers on the hood of cars in the parking lot. Despite the fact that every afternoon as people go home, their hard work gets scattered by the roadside, this pair starts the next day by selecting their vehicle of choice to begin again. It is almost tragic to see their efforts be in vain, but it is also amazing to see their commitment to each other with the start of each new day.

Paul’s letter to the Romans today lists seventeen obstacles that could separate his audience from the love of Christ. There are probably more that could be added to the list, and each generation could add their own struggles as well. Certainly, our own struggles with the current coronavirus have tested the faith of many. What Paul is talking about, however, isn’t our love for Christ, but the love of Christ for us.

Just like those mourning doves start each day by trying to build their nest, Jesus starts each day by trying to build a relationship with every one of us. Even though we may choose to get in our “spiritual car” and drive away, Jesus is there every morning ready to build. How tenacious are we with our relationships? Yes, with Jesus, but what about our relationships with others? Paul believes that there isn’t anything that can keep us from the love of Jesus. Are we able to start anew to build relationships that have been challenged by different obstacles? Paul believes that love conquers all…do we believe the same?

What’s that cooing sound? Deacon Mike

Love Conquers All

Gospel Meditation-Encourage Deeper Understand of Scripture Many people in our world are hungry and thirsty. This hunger and thirst go well beyond physical needs for food, security, and shelter. Many are emotionally and spiritually parched, too. Behind every act of violence is a soul who hungers. People live with relationships that actually starve them. They are abused, exploited, disrespected, laughed at, and marginalized. There is a lot of confusion and inner pain that needs to be acknowledged and expressed. We all long to be understood and loved, even when our inner demons or who I am make it difficult to be. Do you live with inner confusion and pain? Folks often wander through life without any real direction or purpose and take their cues from what seems satisfying or popular at the moment. The deeper dots of our lives can easily remain unconnected, and we can find ourselves without grounding, purpose, or real happiness. Life becomes shallow and without real purpose as we hunger and thirst for an ultimate love.

It’s easier to see the physical hungers and thirsts. We try to respond to these as best we can. Much more needs to be done. With all that God’s earth can provide, nobody ought to face sleep at night with a belly that’s empty. It’s sinful. It’s unjust. But isn’t all hunger unjust? It doesn’t need to be, and it should not be. Just as no one ought to be physically hungry and thirsty, there is really no need to be emotionally or spiritually deficient either. If we have more privileges at our fingertips, it is easier to try to satisfy our emotional and spiritual hungers and thirst by acting on impulse or self-indulgence, carelessly following passions, or by seeking self-destructive ways to dull the ache of emptiness.

Folks need to know where to look for nourishment and need the right friends to help them find it. We may not think that we have enough to respond to and to satisfy all of the needs, but we do. It doesn’t take much. Five loaves and two fish provided for a huge crowd. With God, all things are possible. Our faith provides the direction for where God’s children must go to find the nourishment they seek. It also tells us how to structure life so that justice and equity can be a reality for all. It also tells us how to respond to pain, sinfulness, and confusion. Come to the water and then help another get there. ©LPi

MEDITATION

Sunday August 2 Is 55:1-3/Ps 145:8-9, 15-16, 17-18 [cf. 16]/Rom 8:35, 37-39/ Mt 14:13-21

Monday, August 3 Jer 28:1-17/Ps 119:29, 43, 79, 80, 95, 102 [68b]/Mt 14:22-36

Tuesday, August 4 Jer 30:1-2, 12-15, 18-22/Ps 102:16-18, 19-21, 29 and 22-23 [17]/Mt 14:22-36 or Mt 15:1-2, 10-14

Wednesday, August 5 Jer 31:1-7/Jer 31:10, 11-12ab, 13 [cf. 10d]/Mt 15:21-28

Thursday, August 6 Dn 7:9-10, 13-14/Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 9 [1a, 9a]/2 Pt 1:16-19/ Mt 17:1-9

Friday, August 7

Na 2:1, 3; 3:1-3, 6-7/Dt 32:35cd-36ab, 39abcd, 41 [39c]/Mt 16:24-28

Saturday, August 8 Hb 1:12—2:4/Ps 9:8-9, 10-11, 12-13 [11b]/Mt 17:14-20

MASS INTENTIONS WEEKLY READINGS ST. BERNARD PARISH STAFF

Growing in a relationship with Jesus Attention all Parents and Grandparents! Register your child/children, grandchild/children for 2020/2021 Faith Formation. To make thing easier for you, please visit our Website: stbernardappleton.org. Click on Faith Formation Register online! Classes will be held online and/or in person on Wednesdays, 4:30 pm and 6:30 pm.

Grades 6-11 will be on Wednesday’s at 6:30 pm.

For our little ones, ages K-5, we will have a family mingling program on Wednesdays at 4:30 pm.

Any questions or concerns, please call Deb at 739-8912. Have a great rest of your summer!

FAITH FORMATION REGISTRATION

4:30 OR 6:30

Wednesday

Online/in class

Bookkeeper Barb Hoffman

Bulletin Editor Lisa Hecht

Business Administrator Dr. Colleen Sargent-Day

Care Ministry Coordinator Cathy Kulibert

Coordinator of Liturgy and Music Sherry Zwicky

Directory of Communication, A/V Tech. Rhonda Uschan

Faith Formation Coordinator Deb Holzem

Maintenance Supervisor Jim Piette

Office Manager Edna Ulrich

* In Memory of

Saturday, August 1 4:30 pm *Mary Kough

Sunday, August 2 8:00 am *Ted Vander Wielen

10:00 am *John & Helen Gollner AND Members of St. Bernard

Tuesday, August 4 8:00 am *Virginia Betley

Wednesday, August 5 8:00 am *Scarlett

Thursday, August 6 8:00 am *Bill Guyon

Friday, August 7 8:00 am *Stan & Gladys Helminski

Saturday, August 8 4:30 pm *Dick Faltynski AND Members of St. Bernard

Sunday, August 9 8:00 am *De & Bach Tuyet Hoang

10:00 am *Living & Deceased Members of the Don & Helen Alferi Family

We ask St. Bernard Parish to pray for family and friends of Brother of Tony Rechner

“Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God,

rest in peace.”

PRAYERS AND SYMPATHY

FORMED

Don’t forget to renew or purchase “Give Us This Day”. It’s a great source for the daily scripture readings, prayers and reflections. It’s convenient for following the Sunday or daily Mass readings when you’re watching on TV. The subscription is for 1 book a month x 12 months. Cost $25. Please contact our Parish Office, 739-0331.

Do you remember the song, “Whatsoever you do, to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me.” Take time and watch, “What to Do When Jesus is Hungry...” According to the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus will judge us on the basis of whether or not we fed him when he was hungry. Gave him drink when he was thirsty, welcomed him when he was a stranger, clothed him when he was naked, and visited him when he was sick or in prison. What we have done for others, we have done for him. The Catholic Church has traditionally called these six acts of kindness, along with a seventh, burying the dead, the “Corporal Works of Mercy.” Look at this down to earth, yet inspiring guide, Father Andrew Apostoli gives in this series. He also talks about the ‘Spiritual Works of Mercy”. Enjoy. Submitted weekly by a St. Bernard Parishioner

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

“Special Thanks to E-Givers” St. Bernard Parish would like to thank the families who are currently giving electronically. Each month our Parish receives a steady and predictable stream of income from those donors who have made the commitment to give to God If you would like a link to WE Share please go to our website at www.stbernardappleton.org

Thank you for continuing to support our parish financially, as you are able. Sunday offerings are by far the largest portion of our financial support to St. Bernard Parish. We encourage you to give online or by mailing your Giving Envelope to our Parish Office (1617 West Pine Street, Appleton. WI 54914).

Weekly SCRIP Sales

Sold $4,570 Cost $ 473 Rebate $ 197

Scrip is available in our Parish Office. Please call ahead at 739-0331 to place your order.

NEW PARISH COUNCIL NOMINEES

Weekly Giving 7/31/2020 Week 4 Envelope Collections $18,609 Loose Collections $ 360 YTD Actual Env. $55,442 Last FYTD $49,205 YTD Loose $ 1,356 Last FYTD $ 2,166

Beginning August 1-2

NEW PARISH COUNCIL AND TRUSTEES NOMINATIONS We are in need of new members for the Parish Council. The parish council works in collaboration with the Pastor and staff for the spiritual and physical concerns and needs of the people of the parish, as well as the broader community. Nominations can be submitted to Erin Rosales at 920.475.1606 or email erinsls@yahoo.com We are looking for 2 individuals to fill the Secretary Trustee (2-yr position) and Financial Trustee Position (1-yr position). The Secretary Trustee works with the Pastor and Parish Council and attends all Council meetings. The Financial Trustee works with the Pastor and Financial Council and attends all Finance Council meetings. Nominations can be submitted to Fr. Jude at 739.0331 or email stbernardappleton.org.

Seminarian Collection Kickoff: A spiritual family needs spiritual fathers. That is why the 15th Annual Seminarian Collection: Hope for the Future, Help them Today is so important. By now you most likely received a letter from Bishop Ricken requesting your help in supporting our local seminarians. Please return your generous contribution to this collection, using the pledge card and return envelope you received in the mail. A gift of $15, $150, $515 or more will help our seminarians move forward in their work of becoming missionary disciples. Every gift makes a difference. Our seminarians are our Hope for the Future, Let us Help them Today! As a Diocese, we anticipate costs of $1,000,000 this year for tuition, room and board, health insurance, support of the Office of Vocations and the work of Fr. Mark Mleziva and Fr. Adam Bradley. Friends and followers of Jesus support one another! To make your gift today, visit www.catholicfoundationgb.org/give.