"Mission to Serve": New Orleans Diary   Vacation Bible School 25TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME September 23/24, 2006   Define “greatness” according to the world. Define it according to the Gospel.     Gospel Reflection (Mark 9:30-37): When people suspect that something bad is about to happen, fear sometimes causes them to stick their heads in the sand and pretend that everything will remain the same. When Jesus tried to tell his disciples about how he would soon suffer and die, they were afraid to ask him any questions. They acted as though everything would stay the same. They even argued about who was the greatest among them. So Jesus corrected them by saying that whoever wanted to be the greatest would have to be the servant of all.    Embracing a small child, Jesus told the disciples, “Whoever welcomes a child such as this welcomes me.” He wanted them to understand that they were to be willing servants with the childlike qualities of innocence, honesty, and lack of pretension. Jesus identified himself with the innocent child who is completely dependent on God.   Discussion Points for Gospel: What kinds of bad news at home or at school might people your age not want to face? Do you think it is better to act as though everything will be alright, or to ask questions about what might happen? Why? In what ways have you ever been involved in arguments about “Who’s the greatest?” Find the sentence in the gospel reading that gives Jesus’ point of view on being the greatest.    What qualities of small children do you admire? How do you know how Jesus felt about children? Why is it important for all of us to protect and care for children? Name one way you will practice a childlike trust in God.(from Sadlier "We Believe" web site)     MASSES FOR THE WEEK SATURDAY       5:15 p.m.     Salvatore & Teresa Davoli - the Bray family SUNDAY            8:30 a.m.     Victor Schreck - the Sand family                          10:30 a.m.     People of Our Parish                            6:15 p.m.     Robert & Miriam Erb - Tom & Ruth Erb MONDAY          7:00 p.m.     Mass at Holy Cross with Bishop Conlon TUESDAY          7:00 p.m.     Beulah Udvardy - Mass with Bishop Conlon WEDNESDAY    7:00 p.m.     Mass with Bishop Conlon THURSDAY       5:15 p.m.     Tony Udvardy FRIDAY            12:15 p.m.     Sick & Shut-ins of Our Parish SATURDAY       5:15 p.m.      People of Our Parish SUNDAY            8:30 a.m.      Bob Stockmal - Wendy & Bill Serbonich 26th Sunday in         10:30 a.m.      Margaret Schriner - the Schreck family   Ordinary Time         6:15 p.m.      Area Needy PARISH CALENDAR: September 24 - October 1 SUNDAY          25THSUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME        9:45 a.m.     Rosary (Bl. Sacrament Chapel)         5:15 p.m.     Reconciliation        7:00 p.m.     Bishop's meeting with teens MONDAY        1:00 p.m.     "The Needlers" discussion group TUESDAY        7:00 p.m.     Mass with the Bishop        7:45 p.m.     Bishop's meeting with parents/grparents WEDNESDAY        7:00 p.m.     Mass with the Bishop        7:45 p.m.     Bishop's meeting with young adults THURSDAY        7:15 p.m.     R.C.I.A. begins FRIDAY            Parents' Weekend        5:15 p.m.     Religious Education Board meeting SATURDAY        4:15 p.m.     Reconciliation SUNDAY          26TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME                           Respect Life Sunday        9:00 a.m.     Pancake Breakfast        9:45 a.m.     Rosary (Bl. Sacrament Chapel)        4:30 p.m.     Religious Education classes        5:15 p.m.     Reconciliation        7:00 p.m.     Knights of Columbus meeting
Sunday Scripture Readings      Reflection on the Scriptures has become more and more a part of basic Christian spirituality. At times we would like to return to the Sunday Scriptures at home, but we do not have the missalette with us. At other times we may be interested in seeing just what came before or immediately after the reading for the day to gain more insights.      To encourage this encounter with the Scriptures, we will be including in the bulletin the scripture reading references for the current Sunday and the following Sunday. In addition, in our on-line bulletin we will have the actual links to the readings.	New American Bible 25nd Sunday of Ordinary Time Wisdom 2:12, 17-20 Psalm 54:3-4, 5, 6 and 8 James 3:16—4:3 Mark 9:30-37 26th Sunday of Ordinary Time Numbers 11:25-29 Psalm 19:8, 10, 12-13, 14 James 5:1-6 Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48
QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK 25th Sunday of Ordinary Time    Jesus sat down with his apostles and explained, "Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all" (Mark 9:35) Adults: While striving for personal excellence, how can I fulfill Jesus' call to remain the last of all and servant of all? Children: In what ways can I be kind to others this week? PASTORAL COUNCIL    We are extending the nomination process for our new Pastoral Council. Please nominate anyone you feel will be a good member of our Council and keep in mind that members serve for a three-year term. Ballots are located at the two bulletin boards in church; place your ballot in the marked box in the Gathering Space. Next Sunday!!! NEWMAN-SPONSORED PANCAKE BREAKFAST Sunday, October 1 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome; please join us! $3.50 all-you-can eat pancakes ($4.00 w/sausage); $2.50 for children's meals. The ROSARY is being prayed every Sunday morning at 9:45 in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. Everyone is welcome to join in this prayer. MINISTRY TRAINING    Nancy will be training Readers after all Masses this weekend, September 23/24.    Altar servers will be trained after the 8:30 and 10:30 Masses the weekend of September 30/October 1. BISHOP CONLON'S PASTORAL VISIT    This week (September 23 - 28) Bishop Conlon will be visiting our area. There are flyers in the Gathering Space with details of his visit which include: • Saturday  5:15 p.m. Mass at CTK                  7:00 p.m. meeting with R.C.I.A. teams • Sunday    9:00 a.m. Mass at St. Paul's                12:00 p.m. meeting with parishioners,                                 St. Mary's                 7:00 p.m. meeting with teens at CTK • Monday  8:30 a.m. Mass at St. Paul’s                 9:00 a.m. Bible Study St. Paul's                 7:00 p.m. Mass & catechesits’ mtg. at                                Holy Cross • Tuesday 8:30 a.m. Mass at St. Paul’s                9:00 a.m. Bible Study St. Paul's                7:00 p.m. Mass at CTK                7:45 p.m. meeting with parents &                               grandparents • Wed.     8:30 a.m. Mass at St. Paul’s                9:00 a.m. Bible Study at St. Paul's                7:00 p.m. Mass at CTK                7:45 p.m. meeting with young adults • Thursday  8:30 a.m. Mass at St. Paul’s               9:00 a.m. Bible Study at St. Paul's NEWMAN COMMUNITY NEWS    Last week the Newman Community explored the many different meanings of service in our lives. This week’s meeting will be spent with Bishop Conlon and Papa John, so make sure to come early (right before 7pm on Wednesday) and meet in the church at Christ the King. All are welcome, see you there! R.C.I.A.    RCIA has begun; you are still welcome to attend our weekly meetings if you are: • interested in becoming Catholic, • are already baptized and wish to become part of the Catholic Church, • are college age or above and have not been confirmed, OR • are just interested in learning more about our Catholic faith.    We are also looking for sponsors and team members. There may be a member of your family or a close friend who you think might be interested in RCIA. All that is lacking is an invitation. Join us Thursday evenings at 7:15 in the Parish Center. CROP WALK    Athens’ annual CROP walk will be celebrated on Sunday, October 8, at 2 pm, on the bike path by Peden Stadium. The CROP walk benefits Church World Services, an ecumenical, international relief organization now celebrating its 60th anniversary. If you can’t be a walker, then be a supporter by making a contribution to one of the walkers. To get an entry form or for more information, please contact George Bain at 592-3828 or gbain45701@yahoo.com.	"Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all." BIRTHDAYS: September 25 - Oct. 1 Riley Corrigan, Helen Coffey, Teresa Hecker, Ashley Luehrman, George McCarthy, Christopher McLaughlin, Anny Rondy, Brad Graham, Jill Watson, Mark Adelsberger, Danny Krivicich, Derek Mason, Joe Mulholland, Tricia Smith and Paul Stenson. Students: Abby Minnick, Veronica Morara, and Katelynn Pastor. ANNIVERSARIES: September 25 - October 1 Kathy & Ron Dawson (6th) Prayers for the Sick Let's be one in hope and prayerful presence to all on our prayer list and pray for Alice Mulligan, Don Scheck, Kathleen Morrow, Jared Reinhart, Tim Ewing, Rev. Donald Mantica, Ted Hart, Linda Huck, Mary Simmons, Teresa Walsh, and Mike Mulligan. (Remembered in the petitions) DEATHS Please remember in your prayers Pat Carbone's mother, Ruth Facer, who died recently. May she and all who have died, rest in the peace of our lord. RESPECT LIFE    Speaking at a June 20 Capitol Hill press conference, Deirdre McQuade, spokesperson for the Pro-Life Secretariat of the U.S. Catholic bishops, praised the patients and families in attendance for their willingness to come to Washington to demonstrate how ethically-sound stem cell research is paving the way to workable treatments. "No one should think that the stem cell debate forces us to choose between ethics and science. We can support both. There is no need to sell our souls in the quest to heal our bodies." RESPECT LIFE SUNDAY OCTOBER 1 Help build a world where human life is always loved and defended and every form of violence banished. PARISH GROUPS AND MEETINGS St. Vincent de Paul Society    The next regular monthly meeting is Monday, October 2, 7:30 p.m. in the CTK Parish Center.    A volunteer is needed to handle the scheduling duties for deliveries. If you are interested, please call Wanita at 592-6085. Volunteer(s) needed for food delivery on the third Tuesday of the month. Please contact Wanita at 592-6085 for more information or to sign up! St. Francis Society    First Friday Mass will be celebrated on October 6 at 12:15 at CTK. A potluck luncheon will follow Mass. Senior citizens from Holy Cross, Glouster, and St. Mary of the Hills, Buchtel/Nelsonville have been invited to join us. Catholic Ladies of Columbia    Monday, October 9, is the next meeting of the CLC. Members gather at CTK at 6:30 p.m. SACRED HEART RETREAT HOUSE    Catechist classes will be held at Sacred Heart Retreat house October 6-7. Ask your Catechetical Leader for more information and then contact us at 740-667-0100. DIVORCECARE MINISTRY (DCM)—is now available in southeastern Ohio. The goal of DivorceCare Ministry is to make known Christ’s abundant love so that all who suffer from separation & divorce might experience healing, reconciliation, &d new life. The DivorceCare support program (www.divorcecare.org), which is designed for anyone currently experiencing separation or divorce, as well as those who have been divorced for years, is meetings on Wednesday evenings at 7 PM at St. Paul’s Parish Hall. New members may join us at any time.