READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday: Prv 3:27-34; Ps 15:2-5; Lk 8:16-18
Tuesday: Prv 21:1-6, 10-13; Ps 119:1, 27, 30, 34, 35, 44; Lk 8:19-21
Wednesday: Prv 30:5-9; Ps 119:29, 72, 89, 101, 104, 163; Lk 9:1-6
Thursday: Eccl 1:2-11; Ps 90:3-6, 12-14, 17bc; Lk 9:7-9
Friday: Eccl 3:1-11; Ps 144:1b, 2abc, 3-4; Lk 9:18-22
Saturday: Dn 7:9-10, 13-14 or Rv 12:7-12a; Ps 138:1-5; Jn 1:47-51
Sunday: Nm 11:25-19; Ps 19:8, 10, 12-14; Jas 5:1-6; Mk 9:38-43, 45, 47-48
MASS INTENTIONS
Sunday: In Memory of
Requested by
Tuesday:
PRAYER LISTS BEING UPDATED
If you have anyone you want added to the following Pray Lists below or were already on the list before and want to continue to be on the list, you can email us at info@immaculateconceptionsacramento.org or call the office at 916 452-6866. (Also please remember to let us know when the names should be removed).
PRAY FOR THE CHRONICALLY ILL
Lilian Davila, Alex Piedra
-- NAMES --
PRAY FOR SPECIAL HEALTH INTENTIONS
Noreen Crowley, Evelyn Elmer, Mary Katherine Hernandez, Loretta Hockings, Dorothy Manich, Irene Rodriguez, Dorothy Wanner
-- NAMES --
PRAY FOR SPECIAL INTENTIONS
Jacqueline Daste, Evelyn Borba,
-- NAMES --
PRAY FOR SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN
Michael Godina
-- NAMES --
PROPER POSTURE
It is impossible for the Church to remain on its feet if it doesn’t get on its knees.
—Anonymous
Jesus and his disciples left from there and began a journey through Galilee, but he did not wish anyone to know about it. He was teaching his disciples and telling them, “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise.” But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to question him. They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house, he began to ask them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” But they remained silent. They had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest. Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” Taking a child, he placed it in the their midst, and putting his arms around it, he said to them, “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.”
My sisters and brothers in Christ,
Today the Gospel repeats part of what we heard last week because it is so important: “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise.”
At the heart of our Catholic faith is the belief that Jesus is both God and man, that Jesus was born for our salvation, that Jesus died for us and that Jesus rose from the dead. Always we are invited to know Jesus personally through the Scriptures and through the Jewish and Christian traditions that have come down to us and which we accept as revelation.
It is no easier today that it was in the time of Jesus to believe these truths of faith. We must meet the living Jesus before we can truly commit ourselves to Him. We should not think that those who were alive when Jesus was had it any easier than we do. They also found it difficult to believe that Jesus was God and that he rose from the dead after being put to death.
We come to meet Jesus personally in the Scriptures, by reading them and meditating on them. We come to meet Jesus personally when we meet the Christian community, the Church. We come to meet Jesus personally when we meet a believing Christian who is able to give a living witness to the Lord.
The first reading today is from the Book of Wisdom. It also gives us a methodology: start persecuting Christians and see what happens to their faith. Start persecuting good people and see if God will come to save them. This is pretty strong medicine but it is also part of what convinced the early believers. When the civil society put itself against believers, some gave up their faith, but many were able to stand firm and to die for their faith. The
challenge for us today is this: Am I willing to die for my belief in Jesus as Lord, as God and as the one who gives Himself to us in word, in sacrament and in His Church.
The Church is always a mess because it is a Church of sinners. As is clear in every age, even the leaders in the Church are sinners, some worse than others. Yet that same Church proclaims Jesus as God, as Lord, as Redeemer. That same Church proclaims Jesus who died as Risen.
The second reading today is from the Letter of James. It explains, in some way, the results of our sinfulness: “Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every foul practice.” In reality, it says that wherever sin is present there is disorder and every foul practice. The challenge for all of us is to continue to fight our sinfulness.
The Gospel tells us again that Jesus Himself proclaimed that he would be put to death and rise, but that His followers could not yet understand what those words could mean. Only when Jesus had died did some of His followers remember and begin to reflect.
We are His followers today. Do we forget His words? Yes, just as did His early followers. There will be trials and tribulations and evils, but Jesus has promised to be with us and to be with His Church until the end of the world. Let us continue to live our faith because Jesus is Lord.
Your brother in the Lord, Abbot Philip
https://christdesert.org/2018/09/25th-sunday-ordinary-time-cycle-b-2018/
Aztec Dance Group/Classes
The Aztec dance group is starting practices on Thursday at 7 pm in the school gym if you are interested in joining or learning come by and check it out classes are completely free. For more information call (916) 277-4114
YOUNG AND MARRIED MEETINGS
Christ the King Retreat Center in Citrus Heights will host a series of 5 monthly Young and Married meetings, each from 3 – 5 pm, beginning on September 16th open to all Catholic married couples. Each meeting will provide an opportunity to socialize with other married couples, discuss important issues and learn more about how to live in today’s world as a Catholic couple. There is no cost to attend. For more information, contact Fr. Giltus, 916-725- 4720, ext 311, gmathias@passionist.org
FALL 40 DAYS FOR LIFE PRAYER VIGIL
The Fall 40 Days for Life prayer vigil begins on September 26 in hundreds of cities around the world, including several in our Diocese. Christians will pray and offer assistance on the sidewalk, Monday - Friday, from September 26th to November 4th. This life-saving, peaceful, prayerful ministry is endorsed by Bishop Soto who encourages all Catholics to participate. By God's grace close to 15,000 women worldwide have changed their minds, choosing LIFE for their children rather than abortion because of people praying at the sidewalk. Bishop Jaime Soto will celebrate our Diocese’s Opening Mass for the 40 Days for Life vigil on Monday, September 24th at 8:00 am at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Sacramento. The Rosary will immediately follow. The Sacramento vigil will be held at the FPA Abortion Clinic at 2322 Butano Drive, Sacramento. Other 40 Days for Life locations within the Diocese of Sacramento include Redding, Chico, Vallejo, Fairfield and Yuba City. Please visit 40daysforlife.com for more information about each site.
HOLY SPIRIT PARISH SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL FALL SHRED EVENT FUNDRAISER
Date: Saturday, September 29, 2018… Time: 8:30am-12:30pm
Location: Holly Spirit Church Parking Lot, 3159 Land Park Drive, Sacramento What: Services conducted onsite to shred old bank statements, tax forms, old client files, business records, etc. The suggested donation is $10 per box/bag. Proceeds go to help the poor in our community. For more information, please call (916) 397-7264
ST. FRANCIS CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE
St. Francis Catholic High School invites you to our Open House on Sunday, October 14, 2018 from 12-3 pm. Come meet teachers and coaches, take a campus tour, enjoy a wonderful performing arts showcase, and discover the St. Francis advantage! A hot dog lunch will be provided and welcome presentations will take place at 12:20 and 1:30 pm. For more information and to pre-register, please go to stfrancishs.org/openhouse.