Armed Forces Prayer Book

Our Armed Forces Prayer Book is now located by the Memorial Altar in the Greeting Area. If you have a member of your family, or extended family, that is serving in the Armed Forces, you are invited to bring a picture of that person and put it in the prayer book, or to simply write in their name. Our parish is praying in a special way for them.

Weekend Scripture Helps

Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time - August 3

First Reading: Isaiah: 55: 1-3
Today's reading is from a part of the book of Isaiah written when the Jewish people were exiled in Babylon. This section is often referred to as the "book of comfort" because of the encouragement it gives. Today's passage is a glorious finale to this "book of comfort": Poor people are being invited to a sumptuous banquet.

Second Reading: Romans 8:35, 37-39
Today's reading concludes the eighth chapter of Paul's letter to the Romans. This chapter reflects on the salvation brought about by God in and through Jesus. Paul concludes this chapter with jubilant hymn that celebrates the love of God expressed in Christ.

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time - August 10

First Reading: 1 Kings 19:11-13
The prophet Elijah lived about 800 years before Christ. Because he was loyal to God, he fell into disfavor with King Ahab and Queen Jezebel. He had to flee for his life to Mount Horeb (also known as Mount Sinai). As you listen to today's passage, it will be helpful to know that wind, earthquake, and fire were traditional Old Testament expressions of God's presence.

Second Reading: Romans 9:1-5
In chapters 9 to 11 of Paul's letter to the Romans, he addresses the painful question of why the majority of Jewish people failed to accept Christ. These were Paul's own people and he was personally hurt by this. he still loved his Jewish heritage and in today's passage he lists seven wonderful blessings that God's Old Testament people have received. He then adds an eighth: Christ the Messiah.

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time - August 17

First Reading: Isaiah 56:1, 6-7
The last part of the book of Isaiah contains the words of a prophet who lived after the Jews returned from exile. Today's passage speaks of salvation being offered to all, regardless of ethnic origin or social condition. Christians have seen in this an anticipation of the message that Jesus will preach.

Second Reading: Romans 11:13-15, 29-32
Today's reading is the conclusion of Paul's thoughts about how Jewish people are going to participate in the saving grace of Jesus. Paul was Jewish and he loved his own people. He was disappointed that most of them had not accepted the Gospel. Paul hoped that his success in converting the Gentiles would encourage the Jewish people to take a second look at the message of Jesus.

Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time - August 24

First Reading: Isaiah 22:19-23
In Jerusalem eight centuries before Christ, God spoke through the Prophet Isaiah who is told to address a problem. The "master of the palace" - the equivalent of a secretary of state - was a man named Shebna. God says that he is to be demoted because he used this office for his own advantage. We will hear a description of the investiture of Shebna's successor, Eliakim.

Second Reading: Romans: 11:33-36
Today's reading concludes a part of Paul's letter to the romans in which he agonizes over the fate of Jewish people who have not accepted Christ. Paul simply leaves the matter in God's hands, and closes with a hymn that talks of the mysterious ways of Divine Providence. You will notice that the ending of this hymn is similar to the way we end every Eucharistic prayer.

Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time - August 31

First Reading: Jeremiah 20:7-9
Jeremiah often anguished over the difficulty in being a prophet. Proclaiming God's message made him very unpopular. Today we hear why he still felt compelled to do it.

Second Reading: Romans 12:1-2
Toward the end of Paul's letter to the Romans, he deals with the moral demands made on those who follow Christ. In today's reading, Paul reminds us that living a Christian life - which so often includes sacrifice - is like an act of liturgical worship in which we offer ourselves to God.