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MASS TIMES
- Saturday: 4:00 PM EnglishEnglishEN
- Sunday: 9:00 AM EnglishEnglishEN 11:00 AM EnglishEnglishEN
- MonSat 8:30 AM EnglishEnglishEN Daily Mass (Monday - Saturday)
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Confession
- Sat: 3:00 PM to 3:30 PM
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AdorationThursday - New Times Forthcoming
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Words from Father Matthew
Dear St. Raphael family,
The Commandments and Beyond: Jesus starts his teaching this week with a summary of the Commandments. Notice that Jesus focuses on the commandments that deal with our neighbor; he assumes his audience is already clear on their obligations to God. You probably learned early in life about the difference between the first three commandments and the remaining seven; duties to God and duties to our neighbor. Keep in mind that the Ten Commandments are only brief summaries of our moral obligations. There are slightly different versions of the commandments in Exodus and Deuteronomy, and Jesus lists six commandments here that summarize the obligations to our neighbor.
Jesus is explicitly reaffirming that the Ten Commandments are binding on his disciples, even while He dismissed some of the dietary rules and lesser commands of the law. Some dishonest modern teachers have tried to sow confusion on these moral questions. Christians are free to eat pork and shellfish because Jesus made all foods clean. But Jesus did not change the smallest part of the Ten Commandments, and the gospels make this clear. Do not be deceived; murder, adultery, theft, lies and fraud are still sins and always will be.
But the next words of Jesus are usually the focus of this passage: “Give all to the poor and follow me”. This is too challenging for the man who approached Jesus. The man leaves sad, in contrast to the excitement he showed at first. The sudden change here should not be lost on us! The unnamed man was interested in following Jesus, but his attachment to possessions got in the way. You cannot follow Jesus if you love something else more than Him. It might be possessions but could be several other things.
Generation to Generation update: We continue to make excellent progress toward our goal of $665,000 and debt forgiveness. We have passed the $510,000 mark through the generosity of our parishioners, more than 75% of the way there. A number of parishioners have inquired about how to make a contribution, since most of you have not been asked yet. Have no worries about that, full instructions will be coming before the end of October. Additional information about the campaign should be on the page facing this.
Catholics in an Election Year: No doubt you are well aware of the approaching elections. Please exercise your civic duty by voting! More complete information on Catholics and our role in a democratic nation can be found online. Please enter “faithfulcitizenship.org” into your web browser to see what the US Catholic bishops have to say about forming your conscience. Links to additional voting resources will also be in the bulletin next week.
Blessings in the Lord,
Fr. Matthew
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Faith Foundation Series: Exploring Catholic Beliefs
Introducing "Faith Foundations: Exploring Catholic Beliefs" – a series designed to equip Catholics with a deeper understanding of our faith and empower them to confidently articulate their beliefs. Join us on a journey of exploration as we delve into the rich traditions, doctrines, and teachings of the Catholic Church. From the basics of Catholicism to the complexities of theological concepts, each article will provide clarity and insight, inviting viewers to engage with their faith in a meaningful way.
We will also provide additional resources to explore the topics further. Whether you're a lifelong Catholic seeking to deepen your understanding or someone curious about the Catholic faith, "Faith Foundations" is your guide to discovering the beauty and richness of Catholic beliefs. Get ready to embark on a transformative journey of faith exploration and discovery!
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Updates & Announcements
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Catholic Financial Life
Catholic Financial Life Chapter 929, St. Raphael, is looking for members of the parish who are also members of Catholic Financial Life. Our chapter is reorganizing and would like to hear from those interested in attending or helping out at chapter actvities to benefit the parish and our community.
We are also in need of individuals interested in becoming officers for our chapter. Please contact the parish office if you’d like to learn more. For more than 155 years, Catholic Financial Life has been a faith-based membership organization that puts Catholic values in action by: Serving God through serving others; providing financial security; and enhancing quality of life.
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National Eucharistic Revival
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Sunday Mass from holy name Cathedral
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