"Mission to Serve": New Orleans Diary   33RD SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME November 18/19, 2006   What images or events in nature remind you of God’s word?    Gospel Reflection (Mark 13:24-32): In this reading we look forward to the day of Jesus’ second coming. We do not know the day or the hour of his coming; only God knows. Meanwhile, as Jesus has repeatedly taught us, we must watch and wait for him in faith, hope, and love. In the hour we least expect him, he warns, he will come.    Let us pray in today’s liturgy for ourselves and for the whole Church, that the Lord may find us ready when he returns. May we not be doing foolish things or be living in fear, but be awaiting the kingdom with hope as we strive to do God’s will.      Discussion Points for Gospel: One day, Saint Thomas Aquinas, the great teacher and philosopher, and his Dominican brothers were gathered for their hour of recreation. They were all talking, laughing, and enjoying one another’s company before going back to their work, prayer, and study. Someone asked Saint Thomas, “If the world were to end in fifteen minutes, what would you do?” He replied, “I would continue doing exactly what I am doing right now.”    Why do you think Saint Thomas said this? How can you be ready for Jesus to come again? (from Sadlier "We Believe")     MASSES FOR THE WEEK SATURDAY          5:15 p.m.     Tony Udvardy SUNDAY               8:30 a.m.     Victor Schreck - Nancy Simmons Beebe                             10:30 a.m.     Louis Ruman - Pauline Rodgers                              6:15 p.m.      People of Our Parish MONDAY           12:15 p.m.     James Rodgers - Pauline Rodgers TUESDAY             5:15 p.m.     Leonard Newhouse - Pauline Rodgers WEDNESDAY     12:15 p.m.     Tony Udvardy THURSDAY          5:15 p.m.     Beulah Udvardy FRIDAY              12:15 p.m.     In Thanksgiving for All Blessings Received SATURDAY          5:15 p.m.     Salvatore & Teresa Davoli - the Bray family SUNDAY               8:30 a.m.     Anthony Restivo - the Oswald family   33rd Sunday in         10:30 a.m.     Trudy Damron    Ordinary Time          6:15 p.m.     People of the Parish   PARISH CALENDAR: November 19 - 26 SUNDAY     33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time      9:30 a.m.      Rosary (Blessed Sacrament Chapel)      4:30 p.m.     Religious Education classes      5:15 p.m.     Reconciliation      6:15 p.m.     last 6:15 Mass of the quarter MONDAY    10:00 a.m.     Why Catholic? group meeting      1:00 p.m.     “The Needlers”      6:30 p.m.     Natural Family Planning session TUESDAY      6:30 p.m.     Religious Education classes WEDNESDAY      7:00 p.m.     Why Catholic? group meeting THURSDAY    Thanksgiving      9:00 a.m.     Mass (office closed) FRIDAY     12:15 p.m.     Mass (office closed)                         wedding rehearsal SATURDAY      2:30 p.m.     Waititu/Mburu wedding      4:15 p.m.     Reconciliation SUNDAY      Feast of Christ the King      9:30 a.m.     Rosary (Blessed Sacrament Chapel)                         No Religious Education classes
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 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time Deuteronomy 12:1-3 Psalm 16:5, 8, 9-10, 11 Hebrew 10:11-14, 18 Mark 13:24-32 Feast of Christ the King Daniel 7:13-14 Psalm 93:1, 1-2, 5 Revelations 1:5-8 John 18:33b-37
QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time      People in every stage of life are called to prepare for the coming of God’s kingdom. Therefore, Christians should not look upon the passing of years as a diminishment of life. Instead they should see each phase of life as a new opportunity to serve God, who loves both the young and the old.   Adults: How am I better today than I was ten years ago in my ability to serve God and others?   Children: How do people who are older than me help me live my life in a better way? THANKSGIVING    This year we will be celebrating 9:00 a.m. Thanksgiving Mass with parishioners from St. Paul’s here at CTK. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend. Come and spend some time giving thanks for all the many blessings you’ve received this year!    Reminder: the office is closed Thanksgiving Day and Friday. Mass will be celebrated at 12:15 p.m. on Friday. CATHOLIC CAMPAIGN FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT collection this weekend, November 18/19. The CCHD supports community-based efforts to break the cycle of poverty. Visit the website: www.usccb.org/cchd for more information. KID’S RETREAT Saturday, December 2, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. CTK Parish Center “Finding Treasure”    Bring your children for a day of fun and learning. Bible stories include: Treasure in the Field (Matt. 13:44-53), The Three Kings Bringing Treasure (Matt. 2:1-12), and Treasure in Earthen Vessels (2 Corinthians 4). Registration forms are in the Gathering Space; place in marked box. NOVEMBER SAINTS • On November 21, we celebrate the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We remember that Mary’s parents presented her at the Temple. She may have grown up there. • St. Cecelia is the special saint for music and musicians; her feast day is November 22. • Martyrs of Vietnam: thousands of Christians have died defending their faith in Vietnam. This feast on November 24 honors all these brave people. ATTENTION LITURGICAL MINISTERS    We are preparing the next ministry schedule which will run from January 6/7 -- March 25/26. Please email Nancy Sand (nsand@ctkathens.org) or phone the office with the dates on which you unavailable to minister.    The Christmas holidays are just around the corner! We’ll be scheduling ministers for those Masses shortly and need to know when you are available to minister: • Christmas Eve at 10:00 p.m. • Christmas Day at 10:00 a.m. • New Year’s Day at 10:00 a.m.    Please email Nancy with the dates and times you wish to serve. SACRED HEART RETREAT HOUSE    Turkey dinner with all the trimmings! That’s what’s being served at the November 21, 7:00 dinner at Sacred Heart Retreat house. Mark your calendars now and call 740-667-0100 to register. CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS EVE MASS    Practices for the Children’s Choir for the Children’s Christmas Eve Mass at 5:15 p.m. will be held on all the Fridays of December (1, 8, 15, 22) from 6-7:30 p.m. in the church. Children must be able to read and should attend at least 2 of the 4 practices. Call Nancy Sand, 592-3410, or email her at nsand@ctkathens.org for more information.    We need a piano player for the Christmas Eve 5:15 Mass; please contact Nancy Sand at above numbers. ST. FRANCIS SOCIETY CHRISTMAS DINNER    This event is Friday, December 1, at CTK following 5:15 PM Mass. We invite everyone 50 years of age and older to join us for this wonderful evening out. To R.S.V.P. by November 26, sign up on the sheet posted on the bulletin board in the P.C. ARE YOU INTO ARTS & CRAFTS - or do you know someone who is? The CCW is looking for vendors to display and sell their work at the annual Christmas Bazaar, Saturday, December 2. Call Teresa Caldwell (early evenings) 448-7445.	Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. BIRTHDAYS: November 20 - 26 Jacob Carey, Andrew Dewald, Matthew Hammer, Erin Herpy, Leslie Horner, Casey Matters, Janis Schriner, Laura Shimko, Sarah Simpson, and Barbara Volsko. Student: Audra Love ANNIVERSARIES: November 20 - 26 Jean & Jim Andrews (19th), Donna & Ray Hart (47th), Marlene & Joel Rudy (41st), and Peggy & Peter Williams (7th). Prayers for the Sick    Let's be one in hope and prayerful presence to all on our prayer list and pray for the Wasko-Smell triplets, Cliff Wasko, Judy Engel, Kathleen Morrow, Bill Kane, Tim Ewing, Linda Huck, Mary Simmons, Teresa Walsh, and Mike Mulligan. (Remembered in the petitions) MEMORIAL BOOK OF THE DEAD    During November, the Church encourages us to remember, with special prayers, those who have died.    We have placed a Memorial Book in the Gathering Space at Church. You are encouraged to add the names of your loved ones who have died. They will be remembered at all the liturgies during the month of November. RESPECT LIFE    “Those who would inflict death in the name of mercy are, in effect, claiming that they understand suffering better than the One who died on a cross, that they are more merciful than ‘the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,’ that they are a better judge of when a life is worthless or expendable than the One who created life in the first place.” --Alan Sears, National Catholic Register, March 5-11, 2006 SERVICE PROJECT    Carrie Newton is working on a service project for a Girl Scout award, and she is asking for your help in completing this last task.    Please bring in toiletry items such as: hotel/travel size shampoo and conditioner, soap, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, and hairbrush/comb and drop them off in the gold box in the Gathering Space.    If you have any questions for Carrie Newton she can be reached at 589-6688. GOOD WORKS WALK FOR THE HOMELESS    On Saturday, January 13, at 9:00 a.m. the 5th Annual Walk for the Homeless will take place. All funds raised will go directly to The Timothy House, a shelter for the rural homeless operated by Good Works, Inc.    For more information, contact Keith Wasserman at 594-9000 or at goodworks@good-works.net COMMUNITY EVENTS OF INTEREST • Messiah Sing-a-Long, Friday, December 8, 8:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Athens. The community is invited to participate in this free event. Please bring your own score or borrow one at the church that evening. For questions, contact the church at 593-3977. • St. Therese’s Retreat Center in Columbus is sponsoring a “24-Hour Advent Retreat” December 8/9. It begins with supper at 6:00 p.m. on Friday evening and will conclude after Mass and supper on Saturday evening. The cost is $75.00. Call the retreat center at 614-866-1611 for further information and reservations. The title of the retreat is Deepening our Longing for God. Fr. Jack Dister, SJ, will be the presenter for this special time. The spirit of the Advent Season, its liturgical texts and scriptures as well as insights from the Church Fathers will be used in this guided retreat. EUCHARISTIC ADORATION    CTK parishioners are invited to participate in Adoration at St. Paul’s Church Saturdays, 12 noon to 4 p.m. and 7 to 10 p.m. Contact Rob and Mary Thomas at 698-4012 for more information on how to get involved.